The Waverley pictorial dictionary

The

Waverley
PICTORIAL
DICTIONARY

VOLUME SEVEN

PRINTED in GREAT BRITAIN

FEATHERED SONGSTERS THAT FLOOD THE AIR WITH MELODY

10

Songster. — With the exception of the canary, which is a cage bird, all the songsters pictured above may
be seen and heard in their wild state in the British Isles. 1. Canary. 2. Skylark. 3. Tree pipit.
4. Nightingale. 5. Goldfinch. 6. Robin. 7. Song thrush. 8. Sedge-warbler. 9. Linnet. 10. Blackbird.

-Facing Page 3993.

Edited by

HAROLD WHEELER

D.Litt. (Hon.), F.R.Hist.S.

Associate Editors:

R. WOOD SMITH
ERNEST G. OGAN
A. BOLLAERT ATKINS
A. B. GOUGH

VOLUME SEVEN
SNAIL— ZYMOTIC

The Waverley Book Company, Ltd

96 & 97, Farringdon Street,

London, E.C.4,

( 3 )

#

SNAIL

SNAKE

snail (snal), n. A land or freshwater
crawling mollusc, usually with a well-
formed spiral or whorled shell and retractile
eye-stalks ; a snail -wheel ; a sluggish or very
slow person. (F. escargot.)

In a broad sense all gasteropods with
external shells are snails, including marine
varieties, such as the periwinkle. All land
snails are edible, but one species is specially
known as the edible snail (Helix ppmatia) . It
is valued as a food on the Continent, and is
bred for the purpose in a snail-farm (n.),
or snailery (snal' er i, n.). Edible snails have
white chalky shells, and are common in
Britain.

The ordinary garden-snail (n.) — Helix
aspersa — does much damage to plants by
means of its wonderful rasping organ, a
ribbed tongue bearing over fourteen thousand
teeth. The smallest of British snails of the
genus Vertigo are smaller than a pin-head.
On the other hand the eggs of some tropical
species are the size of pigeon's eggs, and
their shells measure over a foot in length.

Various species of medick and lucerne,
having spiral seed pods, are given the names
snail-clover (n.) and snail-trefoil (n.). The
small snail-fish (n.) is allied to the lump-
sucker.

Motion is snail-like (adj.) or snail-slow (adj.)
if very slow indeed. Actually the common
snail has been estimated to move at an
average rate of a mile in a fortnight.

The striking of a clock is controlled by a
part called a snail, or snail-wheel (n.), which
has a spiral shape somewhat like that of a
snail's shell when viewed from above. The
sections are successively farther from the
centre on which it turns, and its shape
decides the number of strokes.
, A;-S. snaegl ; cp. M.E. snegge, G. schnecke
snail. See snake.

snake (snak), n. A limbless reptile with
a very elongated cylindrical body, a tapering
tail, and a skin protected by smooth, over-
lapping scales ; a snake-like lizard or
amphibian; a treacherous, sneaking person.
v.i. To move in a sinuous manner. (F.
serpent ; serpent er. )

Snakes are classified by scientists in the
sub-order Ophidia. They are closely related
to the legless lizards. Land snakes move by
levering their bodies along the ground by
means of broad plates, attached to the ribs
on the underside of the body. The edges of
these scales grip projections in the ground,
and are drawn together alternately on one
side and on the other. Marine snakes do
not require to move in this way, and so are
entirely clad with ordinary scales.

All snakes have transparent eyelids,
which cannot be moved, and are shed with
the skin at intervals. Venomous snakes, such
as the cobra, the viper, and the rattlesnake,
secrete their poison in a modified saliva
gland, called a poison-gland. Snake-bite (n.),
or a bite from the teeth of a poisonous snake,
is the cause of many deaths.

Other snakes, without poison fangs, such as
the boa, the python, and the anaconda, are
dangerous to man because of their great
squeezing powers.

A snake-charmer (n.) is a person, generally
an Oriental, who gives exhibition?! of snake-
charming (n.). This is generally done by
means of music, which seems to fascinate
certain species of snakes. In Egypt and India
the cobra, a highly venomous snake, is
usually chosen for performing, and the snake-
charmer pretends that he is able to hypnotize
the reptile. His success, however, is due to
an intimate knowledge of the habits of the
reptile, and to the fact that its poison fangs
are nearly always extracted.

Snake-charmer. — An Indian snake-charmer giving
an exhibition of his uncanny skill.

The snake-fence (n.), sometimes erected in
America, is a zigzag fence of roughly split
wooden rails, crossing at their ends. The
snake-lizard (n.), that is, a lizard with
rudimentary legs under its skin, may be
distinguished from a snake by the fact that
its eyelids are generally movable. Several
American plants called snake-root (n.) were
supposed to cure snake-bites.

The Scottish whetstone, called Water-of
Ayr stone, used for sharpening tools, is
also known as snake-stone (n.). Ammonites
are also termed snake-stones because they
were once thought to be petrified snakes.

The common fritillary came to be called
snake's-head (n.) because its buds somewhat
resemble the head of a snake. Snake-weed
(n.) is another name for bistort. A snakish
(snak' ish, adj.), snake-like (adj.), or snaky
(snak' i, adj.) object resembles a snake in
shape, character, or some other way. We
may speak of the snakiness (snak' i nes, n.)
of the Gorgon's head, which is fabled to have
been covered with serpents instead of hair.

A.-S. snaca ; cp. Low G. snake, O. Norse snak-r,
O.H.G. snahhan to creep. See snail. SYN. : n.
Serpent.

3593

A 7

SNAP

SNARE

snap (snap), v.i. To break or part
suddenly ; to make a sharp, cracking noise ;
to make a sudden effort to bite ; to snatch
(at) ; to speak sharply or spitefully, v.t. To
cause to part or break suddenly and cleanly ;
to close with a sharp sound ; to seize suddenly
with the teeth ; to bite (off) ; to take an
instantaneous photograph of ; to cause to
make a sharp, cracking sound ; to interrupt
angrily or take (up) during a speech, etc.
n. The act or sound of snapping ; a sudden
spell of frost ; a small spring-catch on a
purse, bracelet, etc. ; a children's card-game ;
a thin crisp ginger-bread cake ; a photo-
graphic snapshot ; briskness ; energy ;
crispness of literary style. (F. se casser,
craquer, tdcher de mordte, hopper, proferer
des injures; rompre, mordre, prendre un
instantanne de, faire claquer ; bruit sec,
fermoir, agrafe, instantane, vivaciie.}

A thin glass rod
snaps easily when it
is bent ; inferior
string can be snapped
by suddenly drawing
it taut. In both cases
there is a snap, or
sharp, explosive
noise, as the sub-
stance fractures or
parts. A cross-
grained person who
complains irritably
when interrupted is
said to snap at his
interrupters, or to
snap out his com-
plaint. He may even
snap short their apologies, or break in with a
retort before the speakers have finished.
Contempt is sometimes expressed by means
of a snap or fillip of the fingers.

A purse fitted with a spring-catch may be
snapped shut. A snap-bolt (n.), or snap-lock
(n.), is one that snaps into place automatic-
ally when the door or lid to which it is
fastened is closed. It is operated by a
spring. The lead for a dog's collar is attached
by means of a snap-hook («.), or snap-link
(n.), one side of which has a spring that can
be pressed inwards to allow the entrance
of the collar ring, and then closes and prevents
its escape.

The popular garden-plant called snap-
dragon (n.), or antirrhinum, has a bag-
shaped flower which opens and shuts like a
mouth when squeezed sideways. In the
Christmas game of snapdragon, the players
have to snatch hot raisins from a dish of
burning brandy.

An early form of flint-lock used in pistols
and muskets in the sixteenth century, was
called the snaphance (snap' hans, n.), so
also was a weapon to which it was fitted. A
snapshot (snap' shot, n.) means an instanta-
neous photograph, and to snapshot (v.t.) or
snap an object is to take such a photograph
of it. A marksman is said to take a snap shot

Snapdragon. — The snap-
dragon or antirrhinum.

when he shoots without waiting to take
deliberate aim.

In Parliament a snap-vote (n.), or snap-
division (n.), is a vote or division brought
on without notice. Any person or thing
that snaps is a snapper (snap' er, n.), but
this word is used especially as a name for
various fishes, particularly a species of gilt-
head (Pagrus unicolor], esteemed as a food-
fish in Australia.

The large river- tortoise of the New World,
called Temminck's snapper (Macroclemmys
Temmincki], well lives up to its name.
Directly the young snappers escape from
their eggs they commence snapping and
biting at everything within reach. The
beak of the adult is so powerful that it has
been known to snap off the heavy shaft of
an oar.

A related tortoise, the snapping turtle
(n.) — Chelydra serpentina — somewhat re-
sembles an alligator. It has a very rough
shell, serrated at the back edge, and a long
tail with a spiky crest.

To snap up a bargain is to acquire it
hastily, before anyone else can secure it.
A person who does this may be described
as a snapper-up (n.) of bargains.

We distrust the snappish (snap' ish, adj.)
dog, which is apt to snap without warning,
and dislike the person with a snappish or
curt manner, who speaks snappishly (snap'
ish li, adv.), that is, testily, or in a snappy
(snap' i, adj.) manner. Snappishness (snap'
ish nes, n.}, that is, peevishness or curtness
of speech, is bound to cause resentment. In
another sense, a writer whose work has
plenty of snap or crispness, is said colloquially
to write snappily, or to have a snappy style.

Dutch snappen ; cp. G. schnappen. See
snaffle, snip, snipe. SYN. : v. Crack, grab,
snatch.

™ •'

Snapping turtle.— The snapping turtle, or alligator-
terrapin of North America.

snare (snar), n. A trap, especially a
noose, for catching birds or other animals ;
a trick or stratagem for capturing, defeating,
or disgracing an enemy, etc. ; an allurement
or temptation ; a string of gut or hide
stretched across the lower head of a side-
drum, v .t. To catch in a snare ; to entangle ;
to entrap. (F. piege , traquenard ; prendre
au piege, empetrer.)

A snare for small wild animals or birds
generally consists of a running noose of

3994

SNARL

SNEAK

cord or wire in which the animal's foot or
head is caught. A feigned retreat on the part
of an army may merely be a snare to lead its
opponents into an ambush.

The snares of a snare-drum (n.) rattle
against the lower head of the drum when the
top is struck, and so increase the sound.

A snarer (snar' er, n,\ is one who sets
snares for birds, etc., or, in a figurative sense,
one who ensnares other people.

O. Norse snara string ; cp. Dutch snaar,
G. schnur, O.H.G. snerhan to twist tightly. See
narcotic. SYN. : v. Catch, ensnare, inveigle, trap.

snarl [i] (snarl), v.i. To growl in a sharp,
threatening manner, as an angry dog ; to
speak in a savage, surly or harsh voice, v.t.
To utter in an angry tone. n. A high-pitched,
threatening growl ; a savage remark or
exclamation. (F. montrer Us dents, riposter
avec aigreur ; riposter; grondement menacant.
replique verte.)

When a dog snarls it shows its teeth. A
surly, growling dog is a snarler (snarl' er, n.}.
It turns snarlingly (snarl' ing li, adv.), that is,
with snarls, upon anyone who goes near it.
It is difficult to like a snarly (snar' li, adj.)
animal or human being.

Frequentative of obsolete E. snar to show one's
teeth, as a dog ; imitative ; cp. Dutch snarren to
brawl, G. schnarren to snarl. See sneer, snort.
SYN. : v. and n. Growl.

snarl [2] (snarl), n. A tangle ; an entangle-
ment, v.t. To tangle into knots ; to emboss
(a metal vase, etc.) by hammering from
inside with a snarling-iron. v.i. To become
entangled. (F. enchevetrement, embrouille-
ment ; enchevetrer, repousser ; s'embrouiller.)

Except in connexion with the raised
ornamentation on metal-ware, this word is
archaic. A complicated matter may, however,
be described as a snarled or tangled skein.

The tool used for snarling or embossing
metal vases is called a snarling-iron (n.}.
It consists of a bar with two tapering arms,
with upturned points, at right angles to one
another.

Frequentative or dim. of E. snare, v. or n.
Tne meaning to emboss is perhaps from E. dialect
5 narl a knot in wood. SYN. : v. Tangle.

snarler (snarl' er). For this word,
snarlingly, etc., see under snarl [i].

snatch (snach), v.t. To seize suddenly,
eagerly, or without permission or ceremony ;
to grab ; to catch (up) or take (from or away)
in this manner ; to rescue by prompt action
(from danger), v.i. To make a quick or
sudden grab (at) ; to try to seize, n. The
act of snatching ; a grab ; a short spell
of (sleep, song, talk. etc.). (F. sais r,
happer, empoigner ; chercher a saisir ; prise,
empoignement.)

It is rude to snatch food at table, or seize it
unceremoniously or greedily. But it is quite
another matter to snatch a person from the
jaws of death by a smart p;ece of rescue
work, or to snatch victory from defeat by
mak:ng a sudden effort when al! seems lost.
House-surgeons in hospitals are sometimes

Snatch. — An ostrich at the Zoological Gardens
snatching off a man's hat.

able to snatch only a few moments of sleep
between urgent calls upon their services at
night.

The form of pulley-block called a snatch-
block (n.) has a hole in one side to receive the
loop of a rope, and is usually fitted with a
swivel hook. A pocket-watch is easily
snatchable (snach' abl, adj.), that is, able
to be snatched, and so it is advisable to
secure it with a strong watch-cham. A
snatcher (snach' er, n.) is one who snatches,
such as a purse-snatcher, that is, a thief
who snatches or grabs unexpectedy at
women's handbags and goes off with them
before the owner recovers from "the surprise.
To sleep snatch ily
(snach' i li, adv.)
means to sleep in
short snatches. Brief
bursts of song or
fragments of con-
versation are also
described as
snatches. A snatchy
(snach' i, adj.) talk
is one that is spas-
modic, or character-
ized by snatches.

SYN. : v. Catch,
grab, pluck, pull, seize.

snath (snath).
This is another form of snead. See snead.

snead (sned), n. The long curved pole or
shaft of a scythe. Another form is snath
(snath) . (F. mane he de faux. )

This is a dialect word. Two short handles
are fastened to the snead.

sneak (snek), v.i. To creep or slink
(away, off, etc.), as if afraid or ashamed to
be seen ; to behave in a mean, underhand
way ; to tell tales, n. One who sneaks ; in
cricket, a ball bowled along the ground.
(F. s'en aller furtivement, se faufiler, cafarder ;
cafard, mouchard, delateur.)

Snatch-block. — A snatch-
block, into which a rope
can be quickly slipped.

3995

SNEGK

SNIFF

A fox may be said to sneak through a
wood as it goes about in search of food. To
the schoolboy the sneak is a person who tells
tales. A dog, when it has done wrong,
usually sneaks away from the scene of its
deed with its tail between its legs. It slips
off sneakingly (snek' ing li, adv.], or furtively.

Perhaps M.E. snlken, A.-S. snlcan to creep ;
cp. O. Norse snlkja, to hanker after, Dan. snige
to slink, also Guernsey F. snequer to rob slyly.
SYN. : v. Cr'nge, grovel, slink, n. Informer.

sneck (snek), «. A door-latch, v.t. To
latch ; to fasten'. (F. loquet ; fermer au loquet.}

This word is used chiefly in Scotland. The
type of fishing-hook called a sneck-bend (n.)
has its point bent to one side, out of line
with the shank. A hook shaped in this way
is said to be snecked (snekt, adj.).

Probably akin to snack, snatch. SYN. : n. and
v. Latch.

sneer (sner), v.i. To smile contemptuous y ;
to scoff, v.t. To utter with contempt ; to
force, drive, or otherwise effect by con-
temptuous behaviour, n. A look of contempt ;
a word or phrase expressing or suggesting
contempt. (F. ncaner, se moquer ; se
moquer de ; rire moquer, raillerie.)

A sneer usually implies something unjust
or mean. One never sees a sneer on the face
of anyone who is really good-natured. Time
writes our character fairly plainly upon our
iaces, and the faces of young people who
sneer and say things
sneeringly (sner' ing li,
adv.) will later in life
show traces of those
sneers, for the face of the
sneerer (sner'er, n.) grows
sour-looking.

M.E. sner en ; cp. Dan.
snaerre to grin like a dog,
Frisian sneere to scorn. See
snarl [i]. SYN. : v. Jeer,
mock, scoff, n. Gibe, jeer,
taunt.

sneeze (snez), v.i. To
expel air violently and
involuntarily through the
nose or the nose and
mouth, n. The act or
sound of sneezing. (F.
eternuer ; eternument.)

Sneezing is due to
irritation of the inner
lining of the nose.
Pepper, if inhaled, causes
a violent fit of sneezing,
and an unpleasant
feature of hay-fever is
the constant sneezing
which usually attends it.
When we say a thing is not to be sneezed at
we mean that it is not to be despised, that it
is worth considering.

One who sneezes is a sneezer (snez' er,
n.), a term sometimes used colloquially for
a person or thing that has exceptional
qualities of some kind. A person is sneezy
(snez' i, adj.) if he is inclined to sneeze,

Sneeze. — An amusing snapshot of the first
stage in a sneeze.

and weather and other things are sneezy if
they are inclined to make us sneeze.

The kind of gas used in warfare known as
sneezing-gas (n.) penetrates ordinary gas-
masks and causes violent sneezing. It is
used for compelling soldiers to remove their
gas-masks and so expose themselves to more
deadly gases.

The plant known as sneezewort (snez'
wert, n.) — botanical name Achillea ptarmica —
has a strong pungent smell which makes one
sneeze.

Late M.E. snesen, A.-S. fneosan ; cp. Dutch
fniezen, O. Norse fnasa ; akin to Gr. pneein to
breath. An obsolete and perhaps related form
is neeze.

snell (snel), n. A short piece of gut,
horsehair, or the like for attaching a fish-hook
to a line.

snick (snik), v.t. To make a slight or
quick cut or notch in ; to hit or strike sharply ;
in cricket, to deflect the course of (the ball)
with a slight, glancing stroke of the bat ;
to obtain (a run i thus. n. An act of snicking ;
a slight cut or notch. (F. encocher, entailler ;
taper ; encoche, entaille, tape.)

This word is used of any slight or swift act
of snipping or cutting. A novelist, in
describing the hurried flight of one of his
characters, might write ; " Just a few snicks
of the scissors and some dabs of paint, and
he was disguised beyond
recognition." In cricket,
a miss-hit and a ball
which glances off the
edge of the bat are called
snicks. The word snick-
ersnee (snik'er sne, n.} is
a term for knife, especi-
ally one that can be
used as a weapon, such
as a bowie knife.

Perhaps connected with
Norw. and Icel. snikka to
cut, but probably a back-
formation from snick and
snee, snick or snee, early
forms of snickersnee, from
Dutch steken (G. stechen) to
stab, snijen (G. schneiden)
to cut ; hence cut and
thrust. The phrase was
originally verbal. SYN. : v.
andw. Cut, nick, notch, snip.

snider (sni' der), n.
An early form of breech-
loading rifle, named after
its inventor, Jacob Snider
(died 1 8 66), an American.
(F. fusil Snider.)
sniff (snif), v.i. To draw air noisily up the
nose ; to express contempt or dislike by
doing this. v.t. To draw (up) or take (in)
by inhaling ; to smell at ; to perceive by
sniffing, n. The act or sound of sniffing ; the
air, etc., sniffed in. An old form is snift
(snift). (F. renifler ; humer, sentir ; renifle-
ment, bouffe'e.}

3996

SNIGGER

SNOB

It 5S refreshing to sniff, or breathe in, a
sea-breeze in long sniffs. People also sniff
when they have colds, or as an expression
of disdain, etc. In a figurative sense a pro-
posal is sniffed at when it is disparaged or
treated with contempt. To be sniffy (snif ' i,
adj .) is to be rather disdainful.

A snifting-valve (n.) is a valve for the
escape of air, fitted to a steam cylinder or to
the air-vessel of a pump. It was named from
the peculiar sniffing noise that it makes.

Cp. O. Norse snippa, Dan. smve. See snuff.

snigger (snig' er), v.i. To laugh in a half-
suppressed, cynical or foolish manner, n
Such a laugh. (F. ricaner ; ricanement.)

Imitative word ; formerly also snicker,
possibly akin to nicker and neigh. SYN. : v. and w.
Giggle, simper, smile, smirk.

sniggle (snig' 1), v.i. To fish foi eels by
pushing baited hooks into their hiding-places.
v.t. To catch (eels) in this way. (F. pecker aux
anguilles.}

Fishermen sometimes snuggle for eels with
a stout needle, tied by the middle to a string,
and baited with a worm. The point is stuck
lightly into a stick, so that it can be poked
into likely holes. When the eel takes the
bait and swallows it the needle turns cross-
wise and acts as a hook.

Apparently from snig young eel, probably
akin to snake.

snip (snip), v.t. To cut or clip off with
scissors or shears, especially in short quick
strokes, v.i. To make such a cut (at), n.
The act of snipping ; a small cut with scissors,
etc. ; a small piece snipped off ; a tailor.
(F. couper ; coup de ciseaux, morceau coupe,
chevalier de la coupe.}

Young children like to snip out patterns
in folded pieces of paper, but this game some-
times gets them into trouble if they allow
the snips to fall on the floor. In an extended
sense, a bullet may b'e said to snip a piece
out of a soldier's cap, when it drills a hole
through the cloth. The word snipping (snip'
ing, n.}, which means a snip, is general y
used in the plural. After trimming a hedge
one has to clear up the snippings, the twigs
cut away. Snippings of news are scraps
of news, or else press cuttings.

Probably imitative ; akin to mp, snap ; cp.
Dutch snippen, G. dialect schnippen. SYN. :
v. and n. Clip, cut, snick.

snipe (snip), n. A long-beaked game b:rd
of the genus Gallinago, frequenting marshy
districts ; birds of this genus collectively.
v.i. To go shooting snipe ; to shoot from con-
cealment at individual members of the
enemy, v.t. To shoot or wound in this way.
(F. becassine ; canarder ; tirailler.)

The snipe has mottled brown and b'ack
plumage. In Britain, the best known species
are the common snipe (Gallinago coelestis),
the jack snipe (G. gallinula), and the solitary
snipe (G. major}. Snipe have a peculiar
darting flight and are very difficult to hit
with a gun. Their 'ong, straight beaks are
used for probing for worms and insects.

In war, the sniper (snip' er, n.} is chosen
for his clever marksmanship. Hidden by a
bush, tree, or otherwise, he picks off the
enemy one by one, often from very long
distances. The term snipe-hole (n.} is used
for a concealed and protected place used
by snipers. Great ingenuity was shown
during the World War (1914-18) in con-
structing snipe- holes, some of which imitated
trees and other natural objects.

Cp., O. Norse snlpa, Dutch snip, G. schnepfe.

a?..

Snipe. — The snipe, a bird with a very long beak,
squatting in the snow.

snivel (sniv' 1), v.i. To run at the nose ;
to cry in a snuffling, whining way : to affect
tearfulness, n. Moisture running from the
nose ; a sniff of pretended emotion, etc. ;
weeping and whining ; cant ; hypocrisy.
(F. avoir la morve au nez, pleurn icher ;
morve, roupie, cafardise.)

A petulant, spoilt child snivels when it is
scolded. Its snivel may be regarded as
pretended contrition, unworthy of sympathy.
The sniveller (sniv' 1 er, n.), that is, one who
snivels or whines, can be very provoking,
especially when he snivels about his mis-
fortunes, instead of bearing them stoically.

A.-S. snyflan, from snofl mucus ; cp. E. sniff,
snuff. SYN.: v. Snuffle, whine, n. Cant, hypocrisy.

snob (snob), n. A person who has an
exaggerated and contemptible respect for
wealth and rank, who judges merit by out-
ward appearance, and looks down on the
people he regards as social inferiors. (F. snob.}

A man of wealth or high station shows
himself to be snobbish (snob' ish, adj.) or
snobby (snob' i, adj.), that is, to have the
character of a snob, by being ashamed of his
relations if they are less fortunately placed
than he. On the other hand, a person may act
snobbishly (snob' ish li, adv.), or be guilty
of snobbishness (snob' ish nes, n.), if he boasts
of his friendship with people of higher rank.
A snobling (snob' ling, n.) is a young or
petty snob, who indulges in snobbery (snob'
er i, n.), that is, vulgar ostentation, or
snobbishness.

Nowadays the uppe. classes in general
are ess given to snobb shness, but in

3997

SNOOD

SNOW

Thackeray's time snobbism (snob' izm, n.), or
a snobbish attitude towards inferiors, was
very common. The great novelist wrote
many scathing pages about the snobocracy
(snob ok' ra si, n.), that is, the class of
snobs. In his " Book of Snobs " Thackeray
uses the word snobography (snob og' ra n, n.)
which means the description of snobs — a
practice at which he was an adept.

Originally a dialect term for a journeyman
cobbler ; at Cambridge a slang term for a
townsman, " outsider " ; cp. O. Norse sndp-r dolt.

snood (snood), n. A ribbon for binding
the hair, formerly worn in Scotland by un-
married girls ; in fishing, a short length of
gut or silk cord for attaching hooks to a
line. (F. ruban.}

Girls with snooded (snood' ed, adj.] heads,
or hair bound up in snoods, were easily
distinguishable from married women, who
wore coifs. In cod fishing long lines are
used, carrying many hooks, attached at
regular intervals by means of snoods.

Little used except in the North. A.-S. snod
of doubtful origin; cp. Icel. snuth-r fillet,
wreath.

snook (snook), «. A name given to various
fishes, especially the sergeant-fish and the
garfish.

From Dutch snoek pike.

snooker (snoo'ker), n. A game played on a
billiard table, having some features of both
pool and pyramids.

Snooker, or snooker pool (n.), is p]ayed
with fifteen red pyramid balls, six differently-
coloured poo! balls, and a white ball. The
players, two or more, take turns in using the
white ball as the striker's ball, and try to
pocket a red ball and then one other coloured
ball alternately. Each pocketed red ball
counts one point, the yellow counts two, the
green three, and so on.

Origin obscure, probably slang.

snooze (snooz), v.i. To take a short sleep,
especially in the daytime. v.t. To waste
(time away) in sleep or idleness, n. A short
sleep ; a nap. (F. faire un somme, roupiller ;
passer son temps a roupiller ; somme.}

We sometimes speak of an indolent man
snoozing his time away while others are busy
at their work. The snoozer (snooz' er, n.} is
usually indignant if his snooze d ter' lunch
is disturbed.

Possibly akin to snore. SYN. : v. and n. Doze
drowse, nap.

snore (snor), v.i. To breathe during s'eep
with a grunting or snorting noise, v.t. To
pass (time away) in snoring or sleeping
n. The act or sound of snoring. (F ronfter-
ronflement.}

A person who sleeps with his mouth open
is liable to snore. Fortunately the snorer
(snor' er, n.) usua'ly awakens himself by the
loud, rattling noise he makes.

Probably imitative, and akin to sneeze and
snort, the older form of sneeze (fnese) seems even
more strongly imitative. Cp. A.-S. fnora a snore

snort (snort), v.i. To force air violently
and loudly through the nostrils, like a
frightened horse ; to make an explosive noise
resembling this. v.t. To utter with a snort.
n. The act or sound of snorting. (F. rendcler ;
ronfter, s'ebrouer; ronflement, ebrouement.]

Horses snort when excited, and, when
feeding, to clear their nostrils of dust. A
person may give a snort expressive of anger,
indignation, etc. A thing of unusual size,
etc., may be called a snorter (snort 'er, n.).
A locomotive snorts, or discharges steam
snortingly (snort' ing li, adv.), when it starts
moving.

Cp. Low G. snurten, Dutch snorken, G. schnar-
chen snore.

snout (snout), n. The projecting nose or
muzzle of an animal, especially a pig ; a
protecting structure or formation ; the
nozzle of a pipe or hose. (F. groin, museau,
boutoir, bee, embouchure.}

We speak of the snout of a pig, but of the
muzzle of a horse. Various objects that
suggest a large nose, such as the ram of a
galley, the projecting end of a glacier, or a
point of land or rock, are called snouts. A
pig might be described as a snouted (snout'
ed, adj.] creature, but this word is used
chiefly in such combinations as long-snouted,
sharp-snouted, etc.

Cp. Dutch snuit, G. schnauze, akin to A.-S.
snylan to blow one's nose. SYN. : Muzzle, nose.

Snowball. — Two small boys making an unsuccessful
effort to roll a very big snowball.

snow (sno), n. Frozen water-vapour that
falls in soft, white flakes ; a fall or accumula-
tion of this. v.i. To fall as snow. v.t. To cover,
sprinkle, or block with snow ; to cause to
fall like snow. (F. neige, neiger ; recouvrir de
neige, faire iomber comme de la neige.}

When looked at through a microscope
snow is seen to be composed of crystals,
known as snow-crystals (n.pl.), of many
different and beautiful forms, but all alike
in being six-sided and symmetrical. The
effect of pressure on snow is seen when one
takes a handful of snow and squeezes it into
a snowball (n.) ; this is much harder than

3998

SNOW

SNOW

the loose snow. To snowball (v.t.) anyone
is to pelt him with snowballs. In order to
snowball (v.i.), that is, to throw snowballs,
without getting the hands very cold, it is
advisable to wear thick, warm gloves.

What is called a snowball letter (n.) is a
letter which is sent from one person to another
usually for the purpose of getting subscrip-
tions. Each person who receives the letter
is asked to copy it out two or three times
and send the copies on to his friends with a
similar request. In this way the letter in-
creases in circulation like a rolling snowball
which gathers up snow at every turn.

The guelder rose is also called the snowball
tree (n.), because its splendid clusters of
flowers suggest snowballs. In many gardens
one may see the snowberry (n.} — Symphori-
carpus racemosus — a North American shrub
with spikes of pink, bell-shaped flowers,
followed by large white berries.

The name of snow-bird (n.) is given to a
small North American finch (Junco hyemalis] ,
with dark grey and white plumage, and also
to the snow-bunting (n.) — Plectrophenax
mvahs — a finch very common in northern
Europe, and a winter visitor to Scotland.

The glare of sunlight reflected upon a
large expanse of snow is liable to make
travellers snow-blind (adj.], unless their eyes
are properly protected with spectacles for
reducing the glare. Snow-blindness (n.), as
this affection is called, usually passes off in a
few days, but while it lasts the patient is
partly or completely blind. The darkness of
the long winter in Polar regions is somewhat
reduced by the snow-blink (n.), that is, a
luminous reflection over the horizon from a
snow-field (n.), which is an extensive stretch
of snow, especially a permanent expanse,
in mountainous or Arctic countries

People and vehicles are said to be snow-
bound (adj.) when they are imprisoned or
prevented from travelling by heavy falls of
snow. A humming-bird with white head
feathers is called the snow-cap (n.). The
Alps and other snow-capped (adj.) mountains
have a snow-cap, or covering of snow, on
their summits. Snow heaped up by the wind
in a hollow or other place forms a snow-
drift (n.), less often called a snow-wreath
(n.).

One of the first flowers of the year to
blossom in England is the snowdrop (n.) —
Galanlhus nivalis — a bulbous plant producing
two tapering leaves, and a single pendent
white flower on a long stalk. It often appears
when snow is on the ground.

A downfall of snow is called a snow-fall
(«.). The yearly snow-fall of a place is the
amount of snow that falls there during a year,
as measured by a snow-gauge (n.).

The small mass of snow called a snow-
flake (n.) may be no bigger than a grain of
salt, or as large as a penny. The plant of this
name blooms early, and has white, green-
tipped pendent flowers.

The ptarmigan is also called snow - grouse
(».). Tne snow-leopard (n.), or ounce, is a
species of jeopard living in the mountainous
parts of central Asia.

The snow-line (n.) of a range ot mountains
is the height above which snow is always
found. In the Himalayas it is about sixteen
thousand feet and in
Norway three thou-
sand feet above sea-
level. The snow-line
or limit ot permanent
snow in Greenland
is at sea-level.

Several different
plants with white
flowers or leaves are
called snow-on-the-
mountain (n.), inclu-
ding the North
American spurge
(Euphorbia mar-
ginata}. which has
white -edged leaves
round its flowers.
The snow-owl («.)
or snowy-owl (n.) — Nyctea scandiaca — also
called the great white owl, is a large and
beautiful bird with white plumage inhabiting
Siberia, Lapland, and Arctic America. It has
completely feathered legs, and hunts for
food by day.

The snow on the mountains of California
is sometimes given a red appearance by the
snow-plant (n.) — Sar codes sanguined — which
has dense spikes of blood-red flowers.

Roads and railways are kept cleared in
snowy weather by the snow-p'ough in.).

Snowf lakes. — The white,
?reen - tipped pendent
i of the snowf lake.

Snow-leopard. — The snow-leopard, which inhabit*
the mountainous regions of central Asia.

A rotary snow-plough, pushed by loco-
motives, has a revolving scoop-wheel in
front which flings the snow clear of the
track. A simple wedge-shaped snow-plough
of planks, drawn by a horse, is used for cutting
a passage along the country roads that have
been snowed up. When a strong wind follows
a storm of snow it sometimes blows the snow
into balls and cylinders, called snow-rollers
(n.pl.). By a snow-shed («.) is meant a strong

3999

SNUB

SNUFF

tunnel-like erection of timber over a rail-
way to protect the track from avalanches
or very deep snow-falls.

A snow-shoe (n.) :s a contrivance fitted
to each foot to enable travellers to walk
over soft, deep snow in which ordinary foot-
wear would sink. The American snow-shoe
is a light frame of wood, shaped like a racket-
head, three or four feet long, and a foot wide,
strung with cords or thongs. The Norwegian
type is a long strip of wood, also called a ski.

A great bod)' of snow rushing down a
mountain-side is a snow-slip (n.), or avalanche.
A heavy fall of snow, especially one accom-
panied by wind, is called a snow-storm (n.).
If the wind is exceptionally strong and
very cold, the snow-storm is known as a
blizzard.

Many plants have snow-white (adj.)
flowers — flowers white as snow. The fur or
plumage of some Arctic animals turns to
snow-white (n.}, in winter, making them
difficult to see among the snow, and so
protecting them from enemies.

Snow-plough. — A tractor snow-plough at work.
a distance of twenty feet.

Except on the tops of very high mountains,
tropical countries are snowless sno' !es, adj.),
that is, free from snow-falls. In spring, the
blossoming cherry and plum trees have a
snow-like (adj.) appearance. They look as if
they were covered with snow. A swan has
snowy (sno7 i, adj.) plumage — feathers white
as snow. Spitsbergen is a snowy country,
for it abounds with snow. Weather is said to
be snowy when it snows, that is, when snow
falls. Snow-capped peaks are snowily (sno'
i )i, adv.) clear against a cloudless sky. The
state or quality of being snowy in any sense
's snowiness (sno' i nes, n.). We speak of the
snowiness of a winter's night, and of the
snowiness of bleached linen.

Common Teut. A.-S. sndw ; cp. G. schnee, O.
Norse snder, Goth, snaiw-s, also L. nix (ace.
niv-em), Gr. niphein to snow.

snub (snub), v.t. To rebuff; to humiliate;
to slight in an offensive or pointed manner ;
to check the speed of (a ship, etc.), bypassing

a rope from the shore, etc., round a snubbing -
post. n. The act of snubbing ; a rebuff ; a
snub-nose. (F. rebuter, rabrouer ; rebuff ade,
nez camard.)

A person may snub another by reproving
him with sharp or sarcastic words, by treating
him with great coldness of manner, or by
ignoring him completely. Snubs are some-
times effective in putting down importunate
strangers, but they are seldom justified, for
they may cause great unhappiness. A person
who is addressed snubbingly (snub' ing li,
adv.], or in a manner conveying a snub, is
said to receive a snubbing (snub' ing, n.).

A snub-nose (n.) is a short, stumpy nose, or
one slightly turned up and flattened at the
tip. Babies are generally snub-nosed (adj.),
but their noses become more shapely when
they grow older. The snub-nosed cachalot
and the snub-nosed eel are so named from
the slope of their heads.

A snubbing-post (n.) on a ship or quay is a
bollard round which a rope is fastened while
running out, so as to snub or
stop a vessel.

M.E. snibben ; cp. O. Norse snubba
to reprove, Norw. and Swed. dialect
snubba to crop off ; akin to E. snip.
i, SYN. : v. Humiliate, rebuff, slight.
•|- n. Rebuff, slight.

snuff [i] (snuf), v.t. To draw
in through the nostrils ; to sniff.
v.i. To take snuff; to sniff. n.
A sniff; powdered tobacco for
inhaling through the nose ; a
medicinal powder taken thus.
(F. humer, aspirer, priser,
renifler ; tabac a priser.}

A small box with hinged lid,
used for holding snuff, is called
a snuff-box (n.). Tobacco,
especially the central stem of
the leaf, is ground into snuff in a
It throws the snow miij or machine termed a snuff-
mill (n.). In Scotland a snuff-box
is also called a snuff-mill, or a snuff-mull
(n.), mull being another form of mill.

A snuff-taker (n.), or snuffer (snuf er,
n.), is a person who takes snuff. Snuff-taking
(n.), the habit of using snuff, was wide-
spread in the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries.

Clothes are said to be snuffy (snuf i, adj.)
when they are soiled with snuff, and have the
quality of snufnness (snuf i nes, n.). Snuff-
coloured (adj.), or dark yellowish-brown,
substances are snuffy in another sense.

M. Dutch snuffen to sniff, snuffle, akin to G.
schnauben to snort. SYN. : v. Scent, sniff,

snuff [2] (snuf), n. The charred part of
the wick in a candle or lamp. v.t. To trim
snuff from (a wick, etc.). (F. lumignon;
moucher.)

The wick of the old-fashioned candle used
by our forefathers burned upright in the
flame, and required frequent snuffing. For

4000

SNUFFLE

SOAK

this purpose, the housewife used snuffers in like manner ; to such a degree or extent ;

/cnvif' £*Y*/ in sh)J. \ Q Cf*l ecr\fc_1 1 \rf* ino-f-rn moTrf- \r&-r\T • /~\n /^/"vn/*li4-i/~\Ti (i-Y\i't-\ • m/~wo r\r looc* •

(snuf erz, n.pl.) — a scissors-like instrument
having a little box on one blade in which
the snuff was caught after being cut off.
The snuffers were usually kept on a snuff-
dish (n.), snuff-tray (n.), or snuffer- tray (n.).

One can snuff out,
that is, suddenly
extinguish, a candle
by quickly pinching
the wick between the
fingers.

Akin to s«w& ; cp.
Dan. swwfc&e, Swed.
dialect snoppa to snip.
See snub.

snuffle (snuf I), v.i. To breathe noisily,
or make a sniffing noise ; to talk through
the nose ; to talk or preach in a whining
or canting manner, v.t. To utter or sing
through the nose or hypocritically. n.
The act or sound of snuffling ; a sniff.
(F. renifler, nasiller ; nasiller; enchifrene-
ment, nasillement.)

A cold in the head makes one snuffle, and
so become a snuffler (snuf' ler, n.}. The

Snuffers. — Snuffers for trimming the wicks of

candles and lamps. The snuff, or charred part of

the wick, fell into the box.

very ; on condition (that) ; more or less ;
therefore ; consequently ; thus. conj. Pro-
vided that ; on condition that ; in such a way
that, inter. Softly! Gently! Another form of
the inter, is soh (so) . (F. ainsi, de meme, si,
tellement, plus o u
] moins, consequemment,
\ done ; pourvu que, si ;
assez ! paix !)

The dome of -St.
Paul's Cathedral is
not so high as the
dome of St. Peter's,
Rome, that is, it is not
high in the same degree
as the latter. Writing that is ever so bad
is as bad as possible. Some people are not
so, or equally, anxious as others to work
hard, although they may be as anxious as
any to be wealthy. When comparing things,
etc., as in the preceding sentence, it should
be noticed that " so " is used after a nega-
tive verb, instead of "as," but not before
the positive " as " clause that follows.
In colloquial use, the adverb is often

Puritans were accused by their opponents employed in the sense of exceedingly, as in
of talking snufflingly (snuf' ling li, adv.], that
is, through their noses, in a whining,
sanctimonious way.

Dim. of snuff [i], Dutch snuffelen. SYN. : v.
Cant, sniff, snivel, whine, n. Sniff.

snuffy (snuf i). For this word see
under snuff [i].

snug (snug), adj. Sheltered and com-
fortable ; cosy ; concealed ; trim ; well
secured or packed in place ; compact. (F.
abrite, a I'aise, joli, retire, assure, serre.)

This word is first recorded in use as a sea-
term, and sailors still speak of a seaworthy
boat as a snug little craft. When leaving a
small sailing boat at anchor it is advisable to
make her snug, that is, to lower her main-
sail and gaff, reef the jib, lash the boom to
its support, stow the tiller, see that her port
holes are closed, and in general make her
shipshape and tidy.

When the winter wind howls eerily round
the house we ought to be grateful that we
have a snug bed to lie upon. A child is said
to snuggle (snug' I, v.i.} up to its mother
when it nestles close to her in an affectionate
manner. Some women like to snuggle (v.t.),
or cuddle, lap-dogs. A snug place, especially
a person's private sitting-room or den, may
be termed a snuggery (snug' er i, n.). It
has the quality of snugness (snug' nes, n.),

" he was so good to me."

Letters take five weeks or so, that is,
five weeks or thereabouts, to reach New-
Zealand from England. The Amen at the
end of a prayer means "So be it " — let it
be thus. The word so-and-so (n.) means
some indefinite person or thing that it is
not necessary to name or describe.

We use the word so-called (adj.) in the
sense of " usually so named," generally with
the implication that the correctness of the
name is doubtful. So-called Brussels carpets
may be made at Kidderminster ; so-called
Indian ink is manufactured in many countries ;
the so-called evening primrose is not a
primrose. After such a list we may say " and
so forth," or " and so on." These phrases
mean " and the rest " " and the like," and
denote that other instances could be given.
To say that one possesses not so much as a
penny means that one has less than a penny,
or not even a penny.

A person's work is so-so (adj.) if only fairly
good.

A.-S. swa ; cp. Dutch zoo, G. so, O. Norse'
sva ; literally, in one's own way, cp. L. suus.

soak (sok), v.t. To absorb ; to suck (in 01
up) ; to steep ; to draw (out) by soaking ;
to wet through, v.i. To remain in liquid,.

or cosiness, and the occupant may sit there so as to be permeated with it ; to become
r.~,,~.uT /r,^,-,^,/ K ~,i~. \ , — r ^«i^i_. saturated • of moisture, to ma.ke its wa.v

snugly (snug' li, adv.), or comfortably, secure
from interruptions. The mast for a wireless
aerial must be snugly or securely lashed.

Apparently at first a nautical term and of
doubtful origin. Perhaps akin to O. Norse
snogg-r smooth-haired or Dutch snugger sprightly.
SYN. : Compact, close, comfortable, neat, trim.
ANT. : Exposed, uncomfortable, unconcealed,
unsheltered.

so (so), adv. In such a manner or degree ;

saturated ; of moisture, to make its way
(into or through) ; to drink heavily, n. Act
or state of soaking ; a liquid or receptacle in
which a thing is soaked; very heavy rain.
(F. absorber, s' imbiber de, tremper ; tremper t
se saturer, s'infiltrer, se souler.)

Dried fruits are placed in water to soak,
or become softened and swelled with the
water they soak up. A soaking (sok' ing,
adj.) torrent of rain is a drenching downfall

4001

SOAP

SOBER

that speedily soaks us through, or gives
us a soaking («.), that is, a thorough wetting,
unless we are well protected or under cover.
A heavy shower may thus be called a soaker
(sok7 er, n.); so in another sense may a
drunkard. The soakage (sok7 aj, n.) of a
porous substance is the amount of water
soaked in by it.

A.-S. socan, akin to suck. See suck. SYN. :
v. Absorb, drench, saturate, steep, wet. ANT. :
v. Dry, parch.

soap (sop), n. A soluble, alkaline, fatty
substance, yielding a lather, used in washing
and cleansing ; a cake or tablet of this ;
a fatty acid combined with a base other than
an alkali, v.t. To rub or wash with soap.
(F. savon, pain de savon ; savonner.}

In soap-boiling («.), the manufacture of
soap, an oil such as olive-oil, or a fat such as
tallow, is heated with potash to make soft
soap. This work is done by a soap-boiler (n.)
at a place called a soap-works (n.). In a
figurative sense, soft soap means flattery.

When washing we soap our hands, or nib
them with soapy (sop' i, adj.) water, that is,
water in which soap is dissolved. A soapy
substance is one that has the nature of soap,
or resembles it in some way, and a soapy
object is one smeared with soap. People
with flattering manners are said to be soapy
and to talk soapily (sop' i li, adv.), or in an
oily way. Soapiness (sop7 i nes, n.) is a
soapy state or quality in any of these senses.

Soap. — One

Water containing dissolved soap, especially
when it is covered with soapy froth and
Dubbles, like water in which clothes have
3een washed, is called soap-suds (n.pl.). A
;oap-bubble (n.) is a bubble consisting of a
:hm film of soapy water. The beautiful
ndescent play of colours on its surface is
lue to the interference of light. Anything
ihort-lived or unsubstantial can be described
iguratively as a mere soap-bubble.

The soapberry (sop7 ber i, n.)—Sapindus
aponana—4s a West Indian tree bearing

a nut or fruit also called a soapberry. This
is used by the natives as a substitute for
soap. The plant called soapwort (sop7 wert,
n.) — Saponaria officinalis — has a white,
creeping root-stock, lance-shaped leaves, and
fragrant clusters of lilac or white flowers.
The leaves produce a good soapy lather when
bruised in water. Soapstone (sop7 ston, n.),
also called steatite, is a soft variety of talc,
widely used in electricty.

A.-S. sdpe ', cp. Dutch zeep, G. seife, L. sdpo
(whence F. savon, Ital. sapone, Span, jabdn),
probably of Teut. origin, if not derived from the
East.

soar (sor), v.i. To fly upwards; to mount
or hover at a great height in the air ; to
rise or mount (in thought, etc.). n. An act
of soaring; range of upward flight. (F.
s'elever, planer, prendre I'essor.)

Under the influence of inspiration or up-
lifting emotion a person is said to soar to great
heights of spirituality. One's wrath also can
be said to soar when it mounts or increases.
A soaring (sor7 ing, adj.) mountain is a
lofty one ; a soaring mind is full of ambition
or inspiration. A powerful gusher in an
oil-field spurts soaringly (sor7 ing li, adv.), or
in a soaring manner, into the air.

O.F. essorer to soar (in F. = to hang up to
dry, to air) from assumed L.L. exaurare (ex and
aura breeze, breath of wind). SYN. : v. Ascend,
mount, rise. ANT. : v. Descend, drop, fall, sink.

sob (sob), v.i. To draw the breath or
weep in a convulsive manner,
as with grief or exhaustion, v.t.
To utter with a sob or sobs. n.
A convulsive catching of the
breath. (F. sangloter : sanglot.)
An athlete's breath comes in
sobs when he is nearly over-
come by exhaustion. A person
under the influence of extreme
grief sobs out his misfortunes
or relates them sobbingly (sob'
ing li, adv.}. In a figurative
sense the wind may be said to
sob when it makes a sound re-
sembling sobbing (sob7 ing, n.},
or uttering sobs.

M.E. sobben ; cp. A.-S. siofian
to lament, G. seufzen to sigh.
SYN. : v. Cry, lament, wail, weep.

sober (so7 ber), adj. Tem-
perate in regard to the use
of alcoholic liquors, etc. ; not
drunk ; moderate ; sane ; serious ; sedate ;
of colours, not conspicuous ; subdued, v.t.
To make sober, v.i. To become calm, quiet,
or grave. (F. sobre, temperant, grave, pose,
sombre ; degriser ; revenir a soi, se remettre.)
After an exciting romp we sober our high
spirits by playing a quiet game. In an argu-
ment, a violent ranting speaker will usually
sober down if his opponent remains self-
controlled, and reasons with him in a quiet
voice. A sober workman is better able to
earn a living than one given to drunkenness.

Pouring liquid soap

4002

SOBRANJE

SOCIABLE

Well-balanced, sedate people behave soberly
(so' ber li, adv.), that is, in a sober manner.
Their sobriety (so brl' e ti, n.), or soberness
(so' ber nes, n.), is not due to abstaining from
drink, but to the avoidance of vehemence,
immoderate opinions, or wayward conduct.

A person who is sober in this sense is called
by the playful name of sobersides (so" ber
sidz, n.), and is said to be sober-minded (adj.),
that is, serious and solemn. People who have
the quality of sober-mindedness (n.) usually
dress soberly, or in quiet, subdued colours.
To speak in sober earnest is to do so seriously
and solemnly. A sober estimate of a person's
abilities is one that is moderate, or within
reason.

From L. sobntts, of doubtful formation,
perhaps from ebrius intoxicated, with privative
prefix. SYN. : adj. Abstemious, calm, grave,
solemn, temperate, v. Calm, cool. ANT. : adj.
Drunken, excited, inflamed, intemperate, in-
toxicated, v. Excite, inflame, intoxicate.

The freehold of to-day is a development
of socage. The feudal socager (sok' aj er, n.),
who held land by socage tenure, had to
attend the courts of his lord.

Anglo-F., from A.-S. socn soke, and F. suffix
-age. See soke.

so-called (so' kawld). For this word see
under so.

sociable (so'shabl), adj. Companionable ;
affable ; ready or inclined to be friendly ;
fond of society ; not formal or stiff, n. An
old-fashioned tricycle for two riders side by
side ; a carriage with side-seats facing each
other ; a couch with S-shapecl back and two
seats side by side, but facing in opposite
directions. (F. sociable, abordable; tricycle
a deux cavaliers, caleche, te-te a tete.)

A sociable gathering is one having a
friendly, informal character. Those attending
it are sociable in the sense that they are
ready and willing to talk to each other and
. behave in a friendly fashion.
Such people may be said to have
the quality called sociability (so
sha oil' i ti, n.), or sociableness
(so' shabl nes, n.). Friends spend
their evenings sociably (so' shab li,
adv.) together, that is, with soci-
ability, or friendly intercourse.

Man is a social (so' shal, adj.)
animal, for he lives in groups or
communities, and, in general,
avoids a solitary life. Rooks are
social, or gregarious, birds, in
the sense that they build their
nests near to each other.

Bees are broadly, divided into
two classes, the solitary and the
social. The former are more
numerous, and may be considered
more primitive. The social bees

bobranje. — i he bobranje, or parliament house, of the single-chamber v. .•••.«» /-^m™,™ Ki ^o on/4-t ^,-L- 4™
National Assembly of Bulgaria, at Sofia. have COmmOll hlVCS and WOrk in

the interests of their community.
Social pleasures are those to be derived
from the society of our fellows, with whom we
should always try to live socially (so' shal li,
adv.), or in a sociable manner,
duties are either those which

Sobranje (so bra' nye), n. The National
Assembly of Bulgaria. (F. sobranie, sobranje.}

The Sobranje is the sole legislative chamber
of Bulgaria. Its members are elected every
five years by national vote. A special assembly,
containing twice as many members, is called
the Grand Sobranje. This meets rarely.

sobriety (so bri' e ti). For this word
see under sober.

sobriquet (so' bri ka), n. A nickname ;
an assumed name. Another form is soubriquet
(soo ' bri ka) . (F. sobriquet, nom de guerre.)

" Dizzy " was the sobriquet of Disraeli ; the
" Grand Old Man " that of Gladstone.
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, the author of
" Alice in Wonderland, " wrote under the
sobriquet, or nom-de-plume, of Lewis Carroll.

O.F. soubzbriquet chuck under the chin, from
soubz, L. subtus below, and perhaps bequet little
beak.

socage (sok' aj), n. In feudal times, the
method by which a freeman held land on
payment of rent, or the rendering of personal
services to his lord. Another spelling is
soccage (sok' aj). (F. socage.)

Our social
we owe as
citizens to the community in which we live, or,
in a more restricted sense, those demanded
by etiquette, such as entertaining or paying
return visits to our friends and acquaintances.
A social gathering or sociable meeting,
especially one held by a club or other
organization, is known colloquially as a
social (n.).

A companionable or convivial person is
said to have social tastes. The war between
Rome and her Italian allies in 90-89 B.C. is
known in history as the Social War (n.). A
social democrat (n.) is a member of a political
party which has for its avowed object the
improving of the condition of the lower
classes by socialistic methods. Social science
(n.) is another name for sociology. l*ie
state or quality of being social is sociality
(so shi al'i ti, n.).

4003

SOCIETY

SOCLE

Some social reformers believe that import-
ant industries, upon which the health and
welfare of the nation depend, should not be
controlled by individuals for their private
benefit, but should be administered by the
country as a whole in its own interests. In
other words, they wish to socialize (so' shal
iz, v.t.) those industries. The process of
socializing, and the state of being socialised,
are both termed socialization (so shal I za'
shun, «.).

This is one of the objects of Socialism (so7
shal izm, «.), the theory that the community
at large will benefit by being socially and
economically reorganized, with a view to
abolishing extremes of poverty and wealth,
and establishing equality of status and
opportunity, especially by means of national
ownership and control of wealth, land, and
the means of production.

A socialist (so7 shal
ist, n.) is a person who
believes in socialism, espec-
ially a member of a socialist
(adj.) organization, or one
engaged in the propagation
and advancement of
socialistic (so sha lis' tik,
adj.) opinions and reforms.

From L. socidbilis from
sociare to associate. See soci-
ety. SYN. : adj. Affable, com-
municative, festive, friendly,
genial. ANT. : adj. Uncom
panionable, unsociable.

society (so si' e ti), «.
The social customs and
organization of a civilized
nation ; any social com-
munity ; a number of
persons united for some
common object ; an associ-
ation ; the upper classes
of a community ; com-
panionship ; company. (F.
socie'te, association, beau
monde, camaraderie, monde.)

Societies are formed for scientific, religious,
social, political, and other objects. The
oldest British scientific society is the Royal
Society, founded in 1645 and incorporated ^by
Charles II in 1662. It exists " for improving
national knowledge," and has done much
to stimulate scientific research and discovery.

A crime against society is one that affects
d community taken as a whole. A society
journal (n.) is a newspaper which deals chiefly
with things which interest society people
(n.pl.), or those who are socially distinguished,
fashionable, or well-to-do. Society verse («.)
is light, witty verse. A person who is fond of
society is one who likes the companionship
of others ; he is not satisfied with his own
society, that is, solitariness.

From L. societds from socius
partner, from sequl to follow.

Socinian (so sin' i an), n. A follower
of Laelius and Faustus Socinus, Italian

Socialist. — Karl Marx, the German

socialist, whose literary works gave

a great impetus to the growth of

Socialism.

companion,

theologians of the sixteenth century, who
taught a form of Unitarianism. adj. Per-
taining to these men or to their teachings.
(F. Socinien.)

The doctrine of the Socinians, called
Socinianism (so sin' i an izm, n.), denied
the Trinity, while emphasizing the Unity, or
oneness, of God.

sociology (so shi ol' 6 ji), n. The scientific
study of the nature and development of
human society. (F. sociologie.)

Almost every human activity and interest
come within the range of sociology, or
sociological (so shi 6 loj' ik al, adj.) investi-
gation. The sociologist (so shi ol' 6 jist, n.),
or one who makes a special study of sociology,
draws his material from anthropology,
psychology, folk-lore, religion, and the study
of human institutions. These he regards
sociologically (so shi 6 loj'
ik al li, adv.), that is, from
the point of view of their
\ effect on human society.

From L. socius with K.
I suffix -logy.

sock (sok), n. A short
stocking, reaching about
half-way to the knee ; a re-
movable sole worn inside a
shoe ; in classical comedy,
a thin-soled shoe worn
by actors. (F. chaussette,
semelle, socque.)

In the theatre of ancient
Greece and Rome actors
playing in comedy wore
light shoes or socks, as
opposed to the thick-soled
buskins of tragic actors.
Hence the expression sock
and buskin has come to
mean comedy and tragedy.
If a shoe is too easy a
sock will make it fit.

A.-S. socc, L. soccus a light
shoe, whence also F. soque.
socket (sok' et), n. A natural or artificial
cavity or hollow in which something fits
firmly or revolves. (F. emboiture, bobeche,
bee, douille.)

Examples of natural sockets are the eye-
sockets and the sockets of the teeth. A
candlestick is socketed (sok' et ed, adj.),
that is, provided with a socket in which the
candle is fixed. A socket-joint (n.), called
in full a ball-and-socket joint, allows move-
ment in many directions.

The cavity in an iron golf-club head
which receives the shaft is another type of
socket. In lawn-tennis, the net-posts are
inserted into sockets in the ground. A golf
club whose shaft extends into the neck is
called a socket club (n.).

Anglo-F. soket dim. of soc ploughshare.

socle (so' kl), n. In architecture, a plain,
low rectangular block forming the base of a
statue, vase, pedestal, etc. ; a plain face or

4004

SOCOTRINE

SODIUM

plinth forming the foundation of a wall.
(F. socle.)

F., from Ital. zoccolo from L. socculus, dim. of
soccus light shoe. See sock.

Socotrine (sok' 6 trin ; so' ko trin), adj.
Pertaining to the island of Socotra. n. A
native or inhabitant of Socotra. Another
spelling is Sokotrine (sok' 6 trin; so7 ko
trin). (F.Socotora.)

Socotra is a British protectorate and lies
in the Indian Ocean, about one hundred and
fifty miles east of Cape Guardafui. Exports
include frankincense and aloes. From the
last a drug, called Socotrine aloes (n.) , is made.

Socratic (so krat' ik), adj. Of, like, or
pertaining to the Greek philosopher Socrates
(about 470-399 B.C.), or his methods, n. A
follower of Socrates or his teaching. (F.
socratique.)

Cicero said that Socrates had brought
philosophy down to earth, and it is true that
the great Athenian framed his views in
simple and often homely language. The
Socratic method of conducting an argument
conveying information was by means of
question and answer. By this means he
arrived at clear and satisfying definitions
about virtue, vice, good, evil, and other
allied problems.

Socrates was also known for his skill
in leading on his opponents by pretending
to be completely ignorant of the subject
under discussion. This pretence was called
Socratic irony. Nowadays people may be said
to reason Socratically (so krat' ik al li, adv.]
when they adopt the Socratic method.

Socratism (sok' ra tizm, n.}, the teaching
of Socrates, made him many enemies. In
his old age he was accused by the
Athenians of impiety and condemned to die
by his own hand. The remarkable courage
and the calm wisdom he displayed during
the few hours before his death are described
by both Plato and Xenophon.

sod (sod), n. A piece or slice of surface
earth filled with matted roots of grass
and other small plants growing on it ; a
turf ; the surface of grass-covered ground.
v.t. To cover (ground) with sods. (F. motte,
gazon; gazonner.}

Sometimes, when a public building is to
be erected on new land, a ceremony is made
of turning the first sod, because digging
up the ground to lay the foundations is the
first step towards the erection of the building.
A person in the grave is said to be under the
sod. In poetical and rhetorical language the
surface of grassy land is referred to as the
sod. In " The Question," Shelley writes : —
Tender bluebells, at whose birth
The sod scarce heaved.

Possibly akin to seethe = saturate, soak ;
cp. Dutch zode, G. sode.

soda (so' da), n. Sodium carbonate,
or other compounds of sodium, especially
in the form of crystals for washing purposes ;
soda-water. (F. soude.)

Ordinarily the word soda means carbonate
of sodium, also called soda -ash (n.) and
washing soda. Baking soda is bicarbonate,
and caustic soda hydroxide, of sodium.

A soda-fountain (n.), now common, is a
vessel containing soda-water (n.), that is,
aerated water charged with carbonic acid
gas under high pressure. The soda-water
is drawn from the fountain as required, to
mix with various drinks. A special stand
with a counter, for supplying soda-water and
iced drinks, is also called a soda-fountain.

The mineral called sodalite (so' da lit, n.)
is a chemical combination of sodium and
aluminium with silicon and sometimes
chlorine. It is a glassy transparent sub-
stance, sky-blue or pink in colour. Water
draining into a hollow from land containing
compounds of sodium forms a soda-lake (n.).
When the water evaporates a great deposit
of carbonate or nitrate of sodium is left.
Lake Magadi, in Tanganyika Territory, East
Africa, is an example.

Ital. fern, of sodo = solido, formerly used of
glass-work, perhaps from its hard nature.

Soda-lake. — Blocks of crystalized soda in Lake
Magadi, a great soda-lake in East Africa.

sodality (so dal' i ti), n. An association
or brotherhood ; fellowship ; a religious
guild or society in the Roman Catholic
Church formed for devotion and good works.
(F. confrerie, societe.)

From L. soddlitds fellowship, from sodahs
mate, comrade.

sodden (sod7 n), adj. Soaked through ;
saturated ; heavy and moist ; doughy ;
stupid or dull with drink, v.t. To make
sodden ; to saturate, v.i. To become sodden.
(F. trempe, impregne, pdteux, emdche ; im-
pregner ; s'impregner.)

The surface of low-lying fields is sodden
after continued heavy rain, the ground being
in a state of soddenness (sod' n nes, «.).
Bread is said to be sodden if it is heavy and
doughy through bad baking.

Former p.p. of seethe.

sodium (so' di um), n. A light, silvery-
white, metallic element. (F. sodium.)

4005

SOEVER

SOFTEN

Sodium has the chemical symbol Na. If it
is dropped into hot water it catches fire and
burns with a bright, yellow flame. Sodas
are sodic (so' dik, adj.) compounds.

Modern L., from soda and suffix -ium.

soever (so ev' er), adv. To any degree ;
whatever. (F. que ce soit, qui soit.)

This adverb emphasizes or generalizes
words preceded by how, what, which, etc.

E. so and ever. See under how.

sofa (so' fa), n. A couch with raised back
and ends, or end. (F. canape, sofa.}

A sofa-bedstead («.) is a sofa so designed
that it can be opened out to serve as a bed.

Arabic suffah bench.

Sofa. — An elegant sofa, a fine specimen of the artistic French
furniture of the period of Louis XVI.

soffit (sof it), n. The under surface of
an arch, cornice, balcony, etc. (F. soffile.)

The soffit of an arch is also called its
intrados.

F., from Ital. soffitta ceiling, fern. p.p. = set
under, from L. sub beneath, figere to fix, set fast.

soft (sawft ; soft), adj. Yielding easily
to pressure ; pliable ; malleable ; plastic ;
not hard ; smooth to the touch ; not coarse ;
pleasing to the eye ; not harsh or loud in
sound ; low-toned ; gentle ; mild ; kind ;
courteous ; conciliatory ; effeminate ; flabby ;
weak, silly or simple in character ; easy ;
free from mineral salts ; suitable for washing
purposes ; in phonetics, sibilant, voiced, or
unaspirated. adv. Gently ; quietly, n. A
silly or weak-minded person, inter. Hush!
(F. souple, pliable, malleable, plastique, mollet,
doux, compatissant, conciliant, effemine, mou,
niais, facile; doucement ; niais ; chut.}

Bituminous coal is sometimes called soft
coal to distinguish it from anthracite or stove-
coal, which is non-bituminous and extremely
hard. The back part of one's palate is known

thaw. Soap lathers well in soft water, which
contains little or no lime.

In phonetics, soft is only used popularly.
The letters g and c are soft when sibilant, as
in gem, cell, but g in go is soft or voiced
compared with k.

A soft-headed (adj.} or soft-witted (adj.)
person is of weak intellect, and is sometimes
called a softy (sawft' i; soft' \,n.). To be
soft-hearted (adj.) is to be tender-hearted
and compassionate, and to possess the quality
of soft-heartedness (n.), which is generally
expressed by showing pity or sympathy.

In lawn-tennis, a stroke made without
power is called a soft stroke (n.). In cricket,
an easy catch is called a soft
catch (n.). When the wicket, or
area between the two sets of
stumps, is soft or sodden with
rain, it is termed a soft wicket
(n.). In football, a slow and
usually harmless shot at goal is
called a soft shot (n.). By soft
wood (n.) is meant any wood
that is soft and easily worked,
especially the timber of firs,
pines, and other cone-bearing,
resinous trees.

The semi-liquid soap, called
soft soap (n.), is made from
vegetable oils and a solution of
potash. The glycerine is not removed from
it, as it is from hard soap. In a figurative
sense, soft-soap means flattery, and to soft-
soap (v.t.) a person is to flatter him to gain
some end.

Words are soft-spoken (adj.) when spoken
softly (sawft' li; soft' li, adv.), in a soft voice.
A soft-spoken person is affable and ready to
make the soft or good-tempered answer that
" turneth away wrath " (Proverbs xv, i).

We can soften (sawf ' n ; sof n, v.t.} many
things, that is, make them soft or softer, by
soaking them in liquid, or by heating them.
A person with a gentle nature is inclined
to soften, or tone down, a rebuke by express-
ing it in soft words. The artist softens a
picture by toning down the colours.

In very hot weather asphalted pavements
soften (v.i.), that is, become soft. The sun
acts on them as a softener (sawf ner ; sof
ner, n.), or softening agent. Various forms
of insanity, due to degeneration of the tissues
of the brain, are known colloquially as
softening of the brain. A substance is

as the soft palate. Certain tissues of the body sottish (sawf tish ; soft' ish, adj.) if some
that are not composed of cartilage or bone, what soft. The softness (sawft' nes ; soft'
are termed the soft tissues. Textiles are soft
goods. ^Soft solder, which melts very easil

y,

is used for soldering metal objects that would
be affected by the greater heat required for
ordinary solder.

A soft skin is smooth and silky ; soft wines
are free from strong flavours; soft colours
blend together, and are the reverse of crude
or dazzling colours. The air is soft when it
is neither hot nor cold ; weather is said to
be soft when it is raining or when there is a

nes, n.), or soft quality, of a thick carpet is
pleasing to the tread.

A.-S. softe ; cp. Dutch zacht, G. sanft, sacht.
SYN. : adj. Foolish, gentle, malleable, plastic,
pliable. ANT. : adj. Hard, impenetrable, stub-
born, unyielding.

softa (sof ta), n. A Mohammedan student
of law and theology.

Turkish from Pers. suhtah kindled.

soften (sawf n ; sof n). For this word,
softener, etc., see under soft.

4006

SOGGY

SOLA

soggy (sog' i), adj. Sodden ; soaked ;
heavy with damp. (F. humide, moite.)

Water-logged ground is said to be soggy.
Cricket matches sometimes have to be
abandoned owing to the sogginess (sog' i
nes, n.), or soggy state, of the pitch after
heavy rain.

From E. dialect sog to soak, perhaps akin to
suck. SYN. : Dank, saturated, soaked, sodden.
ANT. : Dry, parched.

soh [i] (so), n. In the tonic sol-fa system,
the fifth note of the diatonic scale.

Altered from sol. See sol [2].

soh [2] (so]. This is another form of the
interjection so. See so.

soho (so ho'), inter. A sound used in
quieting a horse. (F. hold ! ho ! ho !}

At one time soho was used as a hunting
cry in place of the modern " Hallo J "

Anglo-F., a natural exclamation.

soi-disant (swa de zan), adj. Pretended ;
self-styled. (F. soi-disant.)

A snob may be termed a soi-disant
gentleman.

soil [i] (soil), n. Mould ; the top layer
of the earth's crust, from which plants obtain
their mineral food ; land ; country. (F.
sol, terroir, pays.)

Soil consists of rocks of various kinds
broken into small particles by frost, rain,
and other natural forces, and mixed with the
decayed remains of plants. The particles
are covered with films of water containing
the chemicals on which plants feed.

A man is said to set foot on foreign soil
when he enters a foreign country. A son
of the soil means a farmer or other person who
lives in the country and works on the land.

Many mountain slopes
are soilless (soir les,
adj.), that is, bare of
soil, owing to denuda-
tion by rain.

L.L. solea earth (L. =
sandal) akin to L. solum
ground. SYN. : Country,
land.

soil [2] (soil), v.t. To
make dirty ; to sully or
tarnish ; to defile, n. A
dirty mark, stain, or
spot ; refuse matter. (F.
souiller, salir, ternir ;
souillure, rebut.)

Light carpets and
clothes are easily soiled.
A base or cruel act
soils, or mars, one's
reputation. A person
sometimes refuses to
undertake business that
is distasteful to him by
declaring that he would not soil his hands
with it.

The discharge-pipe from a water-closet
is called a soil-pipe (n.).

O.F. soillier to soil, assumed L.L. seculdre to

Sola topi. — A European wearing a sola topi
or pith helmet.

behave like a pig, from L. suculus, dim. of sus
pig. SYN. : v. Foul, pollute, stain, sully, taint.
ANT. : v. Cleanse, purify.

soil [3] (soil), v.t. To feed or fatten (sheep,
etc.) with green food. (F. nourrir de vert.)

O.F. saoler (F. saouler, souler) to glut, from L.
satullus, dim. of satur replete.

soiree (swa' ra), n. An evening party or
gathering, especially for social purposes.
(F. soiree, reunion.)

F. an evening (hence, an evening party) from
L. sera fern, of serus late, and suffix -dta.

sojourn (suj' urn ; soj'urn; so' jurn), v.i.
To stay or reside temporarily • (in, with,
among, etc.). n. A short stay or residence.
(F. sejourner; sejour.)

We reside at our permanent home, but
when we take a holiday with our family,
we sojourn with them at some holiday resort.
The sojourner (suj ' urn er ; soj ' urn er ;
so' jurn er, n.) is one who makes a temporary
stay at some place. These words are archaic.
O.F. sojourner, L.L. subjurndre ior svtbdiurnare,
from sub, beneath, at diurnus daily ; hence to
spend the day. See diurnal.

soke (sok), n. In Anglo-Saxon law, a
privilege or exemption granted by the
king to a subject, especially the right to
hold a court of law ; the precinct or a district
within which the privilege could be exercised.
Another form is soc (sok). (F. privilege,
d' exemption.)

In Anglo-Saxon and Norman times, the
right of jurisdiction when held by a private
person was termed sac and soc, or soke.
The term survives in the soke of Peterborough,
Northamptonshire, a division of the county,
formerly under such jurisdiction. " Soke, in
this sense, was also known as sokeland (n.).

A.-S. soon a seeking,
investigation, akin to seek.
See socage.

sol [i] (sol), n. The
sun. (F. soleil.)

In heraldry, or, that
is, gold, is sometimes
called sol.

" Old Sol " is a jocular
designation of the sun.

L. sol ; cp. Gr. helios,
Irish sul, Goth, sauil,
Sansk. sura-.

sol [2] (sol), n. In
solmization, the fifth
note of the diatonic
scale ; in France, the
note G. (F. sol.)

Sol is known as soh in
the tonic sol-fa system.

The first syllable of L.
solve in the hymn from
which the names of the
notes in the scale are
taken. See fa.
A tropical plant with a
in swampy places ;

sola (so' la), n.
pithy stem growing
the pith of this plant.

The stem of the sola is used for making a
sun-hat, called a sola topi (so' la to pe', n.),

4007

SOLACE

SOLDANELLA

worn by Europeans in the tropics. The sola
is also called the hat-plant and sponge-wood.

Hindustani sold.

solace (sol7 as), n. Comfort in grief,
disappointment, or tedium ; consolation ;
relief. v.t. To console ; to comfort. (F.
soulagement, consolation, rdconfort ; soulager,
re*conforter.)

Tobacco has been called the poor man's
solace. Some unhappy and misguided people
solace themselves with, or find relief in,
alcohol when overcome by grief. A con-
solation prize is a solace for a competitor who
just fails to win one of the main prizes.

O.F. solaz, from L. solatium (and solatium)
from soldtus p.p. of soldri to comfort. SYN. : n.
Comfort, compensation, consolation, v. Comfort,
console.

solan (so' Ian), n. The gannet. (F. fou,
fou de Bassan.)

The gannet (Sula bassana) is also called
the solan goose (n.).

Icel. siila, and perhaps -n definite article.

solan o (so la' no) n. A cloudy, rain-
bearing easterly wind in eastern Spain.
Span., from L. sdldnus, adj. from sol sun.

solanum (so la/ num), n. A genus of plants
containing the potato ; an ornamental
plant of this genus. (F. solanee, solanacee.)

Plants of the genus Solanum bear round
berries, and many species are cultivated for
their flowers, foliage, or as ornamental
creepers. The potato (Solanum tuberosum)
belongs to this genus, and, like other species,
contains an alkaloid poison named solanine
(sol' a nin, n.). Solanaceous (so la na' shiis,
adj.) plants are those belonging to the natural
order Solanaceae, which includes the genus
Solanum. Examples are the bitter-sweet, the
black nightshade, and the tomato.

L. = nightshade.

solar (so' lar), adj. Of, relating to, or
determined by the sun ; coming from the
sun. (F. solaire.)

Without solar heat — the heat of the sun —
our earth would be lifeless. The sun, with
its planets and their attendant satellites
revolving about it, make up our solar
system (n.). A solar eclipse (n.) is an eclipse
of the sun. Solar time (n.) is time as deter-
mined by observing the sun.

The ancients, like many savage races of
to-day, personified the sun as a deity, and
invented solar myths (n.pl.) — stories about
the sun — to explain such happen ngs as its
rising and setting, and eclipses. The theory
called solarism (so' lar izm, n.), held by the
solarist (so' lar ist, n.), teaches that mythology
is largely derived from solar myths.

A solar constant (n.) is a number which
expresses the amount of sun-heat falling on
a square centimetre of the earth's surface in a
minute, when the sun is directly overhead.
It has been given values of from two to three
small calories ; expressing this in another
way, we may say the solar constant is the
amount needed to raise the heat of a gramme

of water by two to three degrees Centigrade
in a minute.

A solar cycle (n.) is a period of twenty-
eight years, at the end of which the days of
the month fall on the same days of the week
as at the commencement of the period.

The nerve-centre named the solar plexus
(n.) is situated at the pit of the stomach,
just below the chest. A blow in this region
has a paralysing effect, preventing the breath
from being drawn for a time, and causing
absolute helplessness.

A solarium (so lar' i um, n.), or sun-parlour,
is often constructed in private houses, and
is enclosed as far as possible with glass, so
that the solar rays have free access. In a
similar apartment at a hospital people are
treated therapeutically by exposure to the
sun. When a photograph is taken of the
inside of a dark building, the strong light
at the windows may solarize (so' lar Iz, v.t.)
the plate, making the image black, when
developed, for some distance round the outline
of the windows.

Solar. — Nurses turning a revolving ward, in which
delicate children are exposed to the solar rays.

When plates solarize (v.i.) in this way, the
effect on them — which is due to over-exposure
round the best-lighted parts of the image — is
called solarization (so lar I za' shun, n.).

L. Solaris, adj. from sol sun. See sol [i].

solatium (so la' shi um), n. Anything
given as compensation for disappointment,
loss or suffering. (F. dedommagement.)

L. = consolation. SYN. : Compensation.

sold (sold). This is the past tense and
past participle of sell. See sell [ij.

soldanella (sol da nel' a), n. A genus of
perennial Alpine plants of the primrose
family. (F. soldanelle.)

There are several varieties of this hardy
plant, which is now grown in many gardens,
having blue, purple, lilac, or white flowers.
The blue soldanella (5. alpina) is also called
the blue moonwort.

Ital., origin doubtful.

4008

SOLDER

SOLE

solder (sol' der ; sod' er), n. One of
various kinds of fusible alloy, used to join
parts of metals which do not melt except
at a greater heat ; anything that unites or
binds, v.t. To join with solder. (F. soudure,
trait d 'union; souder.}

"1*4*7

Solder. — A soldering-iron (top) and solder being
applied to a tin.

Soft solder, as used by tinmen to solder
pots, pans, or kettles, is an alloy of lead and
tin, to which bismuth is sometimes added.
This is melted, and caused to run along the
joint, by means of a heated piece of copper,
mounted in a handle and called a copper bit,
soldering-bit (n.), or soldering-iron (n.). A
flux, or soldering- fluid (n.), is used to induce
the melted solder to flow, a commonly used
one being a solution of chloride of zinc.
Permanent electrical joints are usually
soldered.

• Hard solder is a mixture of copper and
zinc, or of copper, zinc, and silver. The
jeweller uses hard solder or silver solder.
Soldering with these harder alloys requires
great heat, such as that from a blow-pipe.
Brazing, by the use of spelter and borax,
is also described as hard-soldering.

O.F. soudure from souder, L. soliddre to make
firm, unite strongly.

soldier (sol' jer), n. One who serves in an
army. v.i. To serve as a soldier. (F. soldat,
militaire ; faire son service.}

A soldier is distinguished from a mere
fighter by belonging to a disciplined and
organized force, and by wearing some sort
of distinctive uniform. Campaigning teaches
soldiers how to look after themselves, and
hence an old soldier has come to mean an
experienced or astute person.

In some ant communities the defence of
the nest falls to the soldier-ant (n.), a kind
of ant with powerful jaws, larger than the
worker.

The red species of the Telephorus beetle,
often seen on flowers in summer, is popularly
called the soldier-beetle (n.}.

The hermit-crab is called soldier-crab (n.)
perhaps from its pugnacity, or because it
takes shelter in the empty shell of a mollusc,
and is likened to a soldier in a sentry-box.

Our regiments pride themselves on past
traditions of gallantry and bravery, and

recruits are initiated into soldier-like (adj.)
or soldierly (sol' jer li, adj.), habits, such as
are worthy of a soldier, and are expected to
conduct themselves soldierly (adv.) . A recruit
who shapes badly is not likely to make a
reliable soldier. Skill as a soldier, or the
state of being a soldier, is soldiership (sol'
jer ship, n.). The word soldiery (sol' jer i, n.)
means soldiers collectively, or a band of
soldiers.

O.F., from L,.L,.solddrius, from soldum pay, from
solidus = F. sou. See solidus.

soldo (sol' do), n. An obsolete Italian
coin nominally worth a halfpenny, pi.
soldi (sol' de). (F. sou.)

The soldo was equivalent to the French
sou ; its place is now taken by the five-
centesimi piece. Twenty soldi made a lira.

Ital., from L,. solidus name of alate Roman coin.

sole [i] (sol), n. The lower surface of the
foot in man and other plantigrades ; the
part of a boot or shoe below this ; the lower
part of a thing, or the part on which it
stands or rests ; the bottom part of a plane,
ploughshare, or golf-club, etc. v.t. To put a
sole on (a boot). (F. plante, semelle, dessous ;
semeler.)

Animals which walk on the sole of the
foot are described as plantigrades. The inner
sole of a boot or shoe is known as the insole.
A boot is soled with sole-leather (n.), a thick
leather made from ox-hides and tanned with
oak-bark. In a golf-club the part of the head
which rests on the ground is called the sole.

The sole-plate (n.) of a machine is its
bed-plate. That of a lawn-mower is the fixed
horizontal knife between which and the
knife-cylinder the grass is nipped and cut as
the cylinder revolves.

A.-S. sole, from L. solea sandal.

Sole. — One of the species of sole found in the sea
off the shores of Britain.

sole [2] (sol), n. A marine flat-fish,
highly valued as food. (F. sole.)

The sole is about a foot long, dark .brown
on the upper side, and greyish white below ;
it has relatively a narrow and thick body
compared with other flat-fish. Of several
species of British sole, the choicest is the
common sole (Solea vulgaris), called Dover
sole to distinguish it from the lemon sole,
an inferior fish.

F., from L. solea sole.

sole [3] (sol), adj. Single ; only ;
unique ; in law, unmarried. (F. seul, unique,
non marid.}

D28

4009

B7

SOLECISM

SOL-FA

The owner of a patent has the sole rights
in the invention patented. Unless and until
he parts with his rights, he is the sole or only
person who may make and sell the article
in question. A sole agency is one granted
to a single agent. The sole exception to a
rule is the single one that can be given. A
person is solely (sol' li, adv.] responsible for
something if the entire responsibility rests
upon his shoulders.

From L. solus single, only. SYN. : Exclusive,
only, single.

solecism (sol' e sizm), n. A mistake in
grammar ; a blunder in writing or speaking ;
a breach of good manners. (F. solecisme,
°aucherie, inconve nance.}

It is solecistic (sol e sis' tik, adj.], that
is, of the nature of a solecism, to say :
" You didn't ought to do that." A solecism
of another kind would be for a guest to omit
to say good-bye to his hostess before leaving
an entertainment. One who uses solecisms
may be called a solecist (sol' e cist, n.}.

F. solecisme, through L. from Gr. soloikismos
ungrammatical speech ; from soloikos sj: caking
thus, after the manner of Soli, Gr. Soloi an
Athenian colony in Cilicia whose inhabitants
spoke bad Attic ; cp. oikizein to settle down, from
oikos a dwelling. SYN. : Impropriety, mistake.

solely (sol' li), adv. Exclusively; singly.
See under sole.

Solemn.— Veteran, of the Crimean War attending
a solemn service in remembrance of the heroic
Florence Ni&htingale.

solemn (sol' em), adj. Accompanied by
rites or ceremonies ; done with due formality ;
slow in action or movement ; serious ; grave ;
pompous ; affectedly grave. (F. solennel,
grave, seneux: pompeux.}

A funeral is a solemn event, and people
taking part in it, impressed by its solemn
nature, behave solemnly (sol' em li, adv.).

The services at the Westminster Cenotaph on
Armistice Day are marked by great solemnity
(so lem' ni ti, n.}, the quality of being
solemn. By their sacred associations, our
great cathedrals are invested with solemnity,
and have been the scene of many solemnities,
which are religious ceremonies carried out
with reverence. A solemn promise is one
regarded with special solemnness (sol' em nes,
n.), such as that made at a marriage ceremony
by the contracting parties.

To solemnize (sol' em nlz, v.t.) a marriage
is to perform it with solemn rites or according
to legal forms ; the act of doing so being the
solemnization (sol em ni za' shun : sol em ni
za' shun, n.}, and the person who performs
it the solemnizer (sol' em niz er, n.) of it.
A noteworthy event, like the coronation
of a sovereign, is dignified and solemnized
by the solemn religious ceremony which
takes place on such an occasion.

Pompous people are sometimes affectedly
grave and solemn and talk of quite ordinary
matters in a solemn or portentous manner.
A comedian may pull a solemn face the better
to give point to his sallies and jests.

O.F. solempne, L. solemms customary, from
sollus whole, and perhaps amb- round, hence
ritual. SYN. : Ceremonial, formal, impressive,
religious, sacred. ANT. : Frivolous, informal,
jesting, trivial.

solen (so' len), n. A genus of bivalve shell-
6sh also called the razor shells. (F. solen.)

The solen has a long narrow shell, suggest-
ing by its shape a razor in its case. The empty
shells may be found in large numbers on some
beaches, and are called sea-knives. The
creature itself is eaten, or used as bait.
Two species are common in Great Britain,
Solen siliqua and 5. ensis.)

L., from Gr. solen tube.

solenoid (so le' noid ; so' le noid), n. A
magnet consisting of a cylindrical coil of
wire carrying an electric current. (F.
soleno'ide.}

A solenoid acts as a magnet in many ways,
having a north and south pole. A hollow
cylindrical coil of this kind will draw into
its interior an iron bar presented endways
to it. Electricians use this fact in many
devices, such as switches, worked by a
solenoidal (sol e noi' dal, adj.) coil, in which
a moving part is attracted by a fixed solenoid.

Magnetic brakes on electric vehicles are
actuated solenoidally (sol e noi' dal • li,
adv.), that is, through the action of a
solenoid on a bar of iron. A very powerful
type of lifting magnet is constructed on the
principle of the solenoid.

Gr. solen tube, with suffix -old.

sol-fa (sol fa'), v.i. To sing the notes of a
musical scale, using a characteristic syllable
for each note. v.t. To sing (a song, etc.) in
this way. n. A system of musical notation
(see tonic sol-fa). (F. solfier ; soljege.)

From notes sol (G) and fa (F) in this system
of notation.

4010

SOLFEGGIO

SOLID

solfeggio (sol fej' yo), n. An exercise for
the voice sung to different sol-fa syllables,
or to one syllable, pi. solfeggi (sol fej' e)
or solfeggios (sol fej' yoz). (F. Is solfege,
solfeggio.}

Ital., from sol-fa.

solferino (sol fe re' no), n. A brilliant
purplish-red aniline dye. (F. solferino.}

This dye is named after the battle of
Solferino which took place in 1859, the year
in which the dye was discovered. At Solferino
the Austrians were defeated by the French
and Sardinians under Napoleon III.

Name of a village on the River Mincio in
Lombardy ; cp. magenta.

soli (so' li). This is a plural of solo.
See solo.

solicit (so lis' it), v.t. To invite ; to appeal
to ; to ask earnestly for ; to importune.
v.i. To make earnest appeals. (F. inviter,
implorer, importuner ; supplier.)

The tradesman who invites or solicits
custom, the hospital treasurer who solicits
subscriptions for his institution, and the
beggar who solicits alms, may all be called
solicitant (so Us' i tant, adj.) persons, to use
a word which is somewhat rare, or each of
them might be described as a solicitant (n.) —
an asker. The act of soliciting is solicitation
(so lis i ta' shun, n.).

From L. sol(l)icitare to rouse, incite. See
solicitus. SYN. : Beseech, beg, importune, request.

solicitor (so lis ' i tor) , n. A person skilled
in the law who advises clients and prepares
cases for barristers to plead or defend ; an
attorney. (F. notaire, avoue.)

Before a person can be admitted to
•practise as a solicitor he must serve as an
articled clerk to a solicitor for several years,
and must pass three examinations. A great
part of a solicitor's business consists in
drawing up wills, settlements, conveyances
of property, and similar documents. He may
plead for a client in some of the lower courts,
but not in the higher, where a barrister,
briefed by the solicitor, appears as an advo-
cate. Solicitorship (so lis' i tor ship, n.) is the
office or calling of a solicitor.

The Solicitor-General (n.) is a law officer
of the Crown, appointed by the government
in office, coming next in rank to the Attorney-
General. He is usual 'y a Member of
Parliament, and is a barrister. He advises
the Government in legal matters.

From E. solicit and agent suffix -or.

solicitous (so lis ' i tus) , adj. Eager to do ;
desirous of ; anxious ; disturbed or concerned
(about). (F. desireux, inquiet.)

Parents are solicitous about the health of
an ailing child, and are solicitous to do all
that is possible to assist its recovery, tending
the little invalid solicitously (so lis' i tus li,
adv.). Friends and playmates may inquire
solicitously, or with solicitousness (so lis' i
tus nes, n.) about the patient, and solicitude
(so lis' i tud, n.), or anxiety, may be shown
by others also.

From L. sol(l)icitus anxious, from sollus whole
and cieve (p.p. cit-us) to rouse, invoke ; E. suffix

-ous. SYN. : Apprehensive, concerned, desirous,
eager, uneasy. ANT. : Careless, indifferent,
unconcerned.

solid (sol' id), adj. Compact ; dense ;
not liquid or fluid ; strongly constructed ;
substantial ; unyielding ; firm ; homo-
geneous ; having no interstices or cavities ;
not hollow ; well-grounded ; genuine ; real ;
sound ; reliable ; unanimous ; of printing
type, set without spaces between lines ;
having length, breadth, and height; cubic.
n. A solid body ; in geometry, a body or
magnitude possessing length, breadth, and
thickness. (F. solide, ferme, digne de con-
fiance, unanime, plein ; solide.)

Solid. — The "Polar Bear," a British exploration
ship, anchored to the Arctic ice.

Metals normally solid may be liquefied
by heat, or be made fluid by great pressure.
Ice is water in a solid state ; a solid tire is
one not hollow, differing thus from the
pneumatic tire, which contains an air cavity.
An article of solid gold is made of gold
throughout, as opposed to one plated or
coated with the precious metal.

Troops are said to be drawn up in solid
ranks when the men of a rank stand close
together. A solid man is one who can be
relied on. Reasons are said to be solid if
well-grounded. People are solid in an opinion
or policy if all hold to it, and the members
of a community are said to show cohesion
or solidarity (sol i dar' i ti, n.) if they hold
together well, and have interests in common.
Furniture of substantial make is said to be
solid in its construction.

The state of being solid in any way is
called solidity (so lid' i ti, n.) or solidness
(sol' id nes, n.). A house is solidly (sol' id li,
adv.) built, if constructed substantially.

4011

SOLIDUS

SOLITARY

Some gases are solidifiable (so lid' i fi
abl, adj.], that is, can be made to assume a
solid state. Intense cold may be used to
solidify (so lid' i fi, v.t.) them. When
liquids solidify (v.i.), that is, change into

solid form, the process of solidifying, called foot.

_ 1 • J • /* A.* /— i 1IJ - ^ 1-« 9 « Vi -/,»-* „- \ «o

are distinguished from cloven-hoofed animals
by the fact that they have but one toe to
each foot. The hoof that surrounds its tip
is simply an enlarged nail or claw.

From L. sola alone, single, pes (ace. ped-em)

solidification (so lid i fi ka
attended by crystallization.

shun, n.) is

solipsism (sol ip' sizm), n. The doctrine
that the mind has no real knowledge of the

The theory about diseases called solidism existence of anything but itself,
(sol' id izm, n.), and believed in by the solidist From L. solus only, ipse oneself, E. suffix -ism.
(sol'idist, «.),holds that all diseases are due solitaire (sol' "i tar), n. A gem set by
to changes in the solid parts of the body. itself in an earring> shirt-stud, etc. ; a loose
Horses and asses are sohdungulate (sol id necktie worn in the eighteenth century ; a

card game for a single player (patience) ; a
game for one person played with marbles
on a board pitted with holes ; an extinct
bird, related to the dodo ; a species ol
American thrush (Monticola solitaria) ; a
hermit or recluse. (F. solitaire.)

A shirt-stud or earring containing a single
diamond or other gem is called a solitaire.
The extinct bird called the solitaire (Pezophaps
solitaria) is classified by zoologists in the
pigeon family. It had a long neck and legs,
a body about the size of a turkey, and was
incapable of flying. Solitaires were once
common on the Island of Rodriguez.
F. = solitary See solitary

gu lat, adj.), that is, solid-hoofed
animals, and the zebra is another solidungu-
late (n.). Both noun and adjective are
applied to a solid-hoofed animal, as opposed to
an animal, such as a cow, sheep, or goat,
with cloven hoofs.

L. solidus compact. SYN. : adj. Compact,
dense, hard, substantial, well-grounded. ANT. :
adj. Flabby, fluid, hollow, liquid, soft, un-
substantial.

solidus (sol' i diis), n. A Roman gold coin ;
a shilling ; the shilling line ( / ). pi. solidi
(sol' i dl).

In the sequence £ s. d., the s is an abbre-
viation of solidus or solidi. The solidus,
or stroke separating shillings from pence in
such expressions as 2/6, also
denoted shilling or shillings, and
represents the old long 5, so
often mistaken in print for the
letter /.

L.L. solidus (numus) literally a
solid coin. See solid.

solifidian (so li fid' i an), n.
One who believes that salvation
comes by faith alone, adj. Per-
taining to this doctrine.

The solifidian teaching that
faith is sufficient to win salvation
without the aid of good works
or penances, is known as solifidi-
anism (so li fid' i an izm, n.).

From L. sola alone, fides faith,
with suffix -ian.

soliloquy (so lil' 6 kwi), n.
A discourse or speech not

addressed tO any person ; a L Solitary.— A typical view of the solitary Algerian Sahara with a

solitary native in the foreground. A remarkable feature of the
desert are the shotts or saline lakes.

talking to oneself ; a monologue.
(F. monologue, soliloque.)

When a person speaks his thoughts
without regard to the presence of other
people, he is said to indulge in soliloquy.
One may also soliloquize (so lil' 6 kwiz, v.i.)
or talk in this manner in solitude. There
are many famous soliloquies in the plays of
Shakespeare, where, of course, they are
employed for dramatic purposes. One who
talks to himself or speaks his thoughts aloud
is a soliloquist (so lil' 6 kwist, n.).

From L. solus alone, loqul to speak. SYN. :
Monologue. ANT. : Colloquy, conversation,
dialogue, duologue.

soliped (sol' i ped), adj. Having a solid,
single hoof to each foot. n. An animal with
such hoofs. (F. solipede.)

Horses and their allies are solipeds, and

solitary (sol' i ta ri), adj. Living alone ;
not gregarious ; lonely ; unfrequented ;
secluded ; single, n. One who lives alone ;
a recluse. (F. solitaire, seul, isole, retire,
unique ; solitaire, reclus.)

Some kinds of bees do not congregate in
hives, and so are known as solitary bees as
opposed to social bees. The island of Trrstan
da Cunha is a solitary spot in mid- Atlantic,
visited by few ships, and almost entirely
cut off from the outer world. Most people
do not like solitude (sol' i tud, n.), or
loneliness, and avoid solitudes, or secluded
places. An anchoret or recluse, however, is
one who prefers to lead a solitary life, or
live solitarily (sol' i ta ri li, adv.), that is,
without companions.

4012

SOLIVE

SOLUBLE

A prisoner is subjected to solitary confine-
ment («.) when shut up in a cell by himself
apart from other prisoners, whom he is
never allowed to see. It is a stricter form of
imprisonment than the usual separate
confinement, under which also each prisoner
has his own cell, but meets other prisoners
during work hours and at exercise.

The state of being solitary, or of dwelling
apart from others., is termed solitariness
(sol' i ta ri nes, n.). We may describe the
absence of life and movement in a deserted
street as solitariness. In an argument, one
debater may challenge the other to give a
solitary or single instance that will bear out
his assertions. .

M.E. and Anglo-F. solitarie, from L. solitarins.
from L. solitds (solus alone) loneliness. SYN. : adj
Lonely, secluded, sequestered, single, sole. ANT. :
adj. Crowded, frequented, populous, social.

solive (so lev'), n. A timber resting on
beams and supporting the planks of a floor
or a ceiling ; a joint. (F. solive.}

O.F. solive.

solmization (sol mi za' shun), n. A
system for singing music at sight by the
use of syllables as names of notes ; sight-
singing by this method. (F. action de solfier.}

In England, the tonic sol-fa syllables are
used in solmization. Singers are said to
solmizate (sol' mi zat, v.i.) when they use
these syllables for sight-singing.

F. solrmsation, from solmiser to solmizate, sol,
mi being notes of the syllabic scale. See gamut,
do [2], fa.

solo (so' 16), n. A musical composition,
or part of one, for a single instrument or
voice with or without an accompaniment ;
a dance performed by one person ; solo
whist ; a call made in this game. adj.
Consisting of or performing a solo or solos.
pi. solos (so' loz) ; soli (so' le). (F. 50/0.)

A song by one person is a vocal solo and
the singer of it is a soloist (so' 16 ist, n.},
which also means a person who plays a solo.
In an orchestral work a solo passage may
consist of only a few notes, or of a long tune.
If there is an accompaniment it is of a
subordinate nature, and merely provides a
background to the solo part.

Some large organs have a solo organ (n.},
that is, an extra set of stops, controlled by a
keyboard, and employed for solo effects.
The accompaniment is played on another
keyboard.

The card game called solo, or solo-whist (n.},
is a development of ordinary whist. Each
player in turn has the choice of six calls, five
of which involve individual play against the
others. One of these calls is " solo," in
which the caller has to make five tricks — the
other three players doing their best to prevent
this.

Ital., from L. solus single, alone.

Solomon (sol' 6 mon), n. A king of Israel
renowned for his wisdom ; any very wise
man. (F. Salomon.}

Solomon, a younger son of David, was the
third king of Israel. His name is proverbial
for wisdom. We may speak of the Solomonic
(sol 6 mon' ik, adj.} authorship of the Song
of Solomon, which is traditionally ascribed
to him. A very sagacious person may be
said to display Solomonic wisdom.

The plant called Solomon's seal (n.} —
Polygonatum multiflorum — has leafy, arching
stems, with green and white bell-shaped
flowers, hanging from the under side. Its
thick underground stem is marked with
seal-like scars.

Solomon's seal. — Specimens of the plant called Solo-
mon's seal. The flowers are green and white.

Solon (so' Ion), n. A famous Athenian
statesman and law-giver of about 638-
558 B.C., any wise ruler or law -giver. (F.

Solon.}

so-long (so long'), inter. Good-bye. (F.

au revoir.}

Perhaps a sailor's corruption of Arabic salaam.

solstice (sol' stis), n. Either of the times
when the sun is at its greatest distance from
the equator and appears to stand still before
moving back ; the point in the ecliptic
reached by the sun at a solstice. (F.
solstice.}

The summer solstice, when the sun is
farthest north occurs about June 2ist, and
gives us our longest day. At the winter
solstice, about December 22nd, the sun is
farthest south, and we have our shortest
period of daylight. The months when the
solstices occur may be termed the solstitial
(sol stish' al, adj.} months. The heat of
midsummer may be said to be solstitial.

F., from L. solstitium (sol sun, sistere — perfect
sliti — to stand still) .

soluble (sol' u bl), adj. Capable of being
dissolved in a fluid ; capable of being solved
or explained. (F. soluble.}

Sugar and salt are soluble in water. The
solubility (sol u bil' i ti, n.} of a substance
is its quality or property of being soluble.
Solubility is dependent on temperature.
Salt, for example, is more soluble in hot
water than in cold ; lime is more soluble in
cold water than in hot. Soluble glass (n.} is
a fluid form of silicate of soda, used for

4013

SOLUS

SOMATIC

waterproofing walls, making materials fire-
proof, and preserving eggs. It is usually
called water-glass.

Ordinary geometrical problems are soluble,
but some, such as the problem of squaring
the circle, are held to be insoluble.

F., from L. solubilis, from solutus, p.p. of
solvere to untie. SYN. : Dissolvable, solvable
ANT. : Insoluble.

solus (so' lus), adj. • Alone. (F. seul.)

This Latin word is used in stage directions
to denote that a character is on the stage
alone. It is used after the name of the
character, as Hamlet solus. The feminine
form sola (so' la) is used in the same way
after the names of women characters.

solution (so lu' shim ; so loo' shun), n.
The act of dissolving or being dissolved,
especially the changing of a solid or gas into
liquid form by mixture with a liquid ; the
liquid so produced ; the act or method of
solving a problem, question, difficulty, etc. ;
the correct answer to a problem, puzzle,
etc. ; disintegration ; dissolution ; separa-
tion. (F. solution, desagregation, dissolution.}

Soda-water is a solution of a gas, carbon
dioxide, in water. When the stopper of the
bottle is removed the pressure which keeps
the gas in solution is decreased, and the
dissolved gas begins to bubble out. A
solution of copper sulphate is blue in colour
and one of potassium permanganate is
purple. The dissolved substance, such as
the copper sulphate, is known as a solute
(so lut' ; so loot, n.}.

An encyclopaedia provides the solution
to a large number of everyday questions.
Many people are interested in finding the
correct solutions of cross-word puzzles. In
surgery, the separation of tissues of the body
by fracture is termed solution of continuity.
When a person's ideas are unsettled they are
said to be in solution.

F., from 'L.solutio (ace. on-em) , f rom solutus, p.p.
of solvere to untie. SYN. : Answer, explanation.

Solutrian (so lu' tri an), adj. Of or
belonging to the middle period of the upper
Palaeolithic age typified by remains found
at the prehistoric rock-shelter at Solutre,
France, n. This period. Another form is
Solutrean (so lu' tre an). (F. solutreen.)

The Solutrian period comes between the
Aurignacian and the Magdalenian periods.
The climate was then cold, and mammoths
still roamed the earth. The Stone Age men
of the Solutrian left certain finely worked
flint and bone implements, and carvings on
stone at their encampment at Solutre.

solve (solv), v.t. To find an answer to
(a problem, etc.) ; to find a way out of (a
difficulty) ; to remove (a doubt) ; to make
clear. (F. resoudre, dissiper, eclaircir.)

School children doing mental arithmetic
have to solve or work out problems in their
minds. A mystery is solved when it is cleared
up, and ceases to be mysterious any longer.
Problems that can be answered without
difficulty are easily solvable (solv' abl, adj.).

The problem of perpetual motion, however,
lacks solvability (solv a bil' i ti, n.), although
more than one person has claimed to be the
solver (solv' er, n.) of it.

From L. solvere to untie, from so- (=se-) apart,
luere to loose. SYN. : Answer, explain, resolve,
settle, unfold.

Solve. — Roger Bacon studying the rainbow, the
mystery of which he attempted to solve.

solvent (sol' vent), adj. Having the power
of dissolving ; able to pay all recognised debts
or claims, n. A liquid capable of dissolving
another substance. (F. dissolvant, solvable;
dissolvant, solvent.)

Water is a common solvent widely em-
ployed by chemists for dissolving medicines.
Alcohol, a solvent of resins, is used com-
mercially in the manufacture of varnishes.
Knowledge may be called a solvent of
ignorance.

A business firm is solvent, or in a state of
solvency (sol' ven si, n.) when its assets exceed
its debits ; that is, when the business could
settle all recognized claims and debts against
it if called upon to do so.

From L. solvens (ace. -ent-em), pres. p. of
solvere to untie, loosen.

soma (so' ma), n. An intoxicating drink
used in the ancient Vedic religion ; the plant,
perhaps Asdepias acida, which yielded it.

Sansk., from su to press.

somatic (so mat' ik), adj. Pertaining to
the body ; physical, corporeal. Another form
is somatical (so mat' ik al). (F. somatique.)

Somatic death is complete death of the
whole body as opposed to gangrene or
death of a portion of a living body.
Variations of character that originate in the
body itself are said to be somatogenic
(so ma to jen' ik, adj.}. Somatology (so
ma tol' 6 ji, n.) is any branch of science that
deals with organic bodies, especially human

<014

SOMBRE

SOMERSAULT

anatomy and physiology. The somatologist
(so ma to!' 6 jist, n.) is one who studies one
of these sciences, or who writes a somatology,
that is, a treatise on them.

Gr. somatikos, from soma (gen. somat-os) body.

sombre (som' her), adj. Dark ; dismal ;
gloomy. (F. sombre, triste, melancolique .)

The sky is said to be sombre when it
becomes overcast with dark clouds before a
rainstorm. A person may be said to be
dressed sombrely (som' ber li, adv.], or dis-
mally, in black. We speak of the sombreness
(som' ber nes, n.}, or gloominess, of a row of
dull, depressing nouses.

F., from L. sub under, umbra shade. The first
element may be L. ex- intensive, pointing to
assumed exumbrare to darken, which is sup-
ported by O.F. essombre, meaning a dark place.
SYN. : Dismal, dull, gloomy, melancholy, obscure.
ANT. : Bright, radiant, resplendent.

sombrero (som brar' 6), n. A felt hat
with a broad brim shading the wearer's
face and neck, much worn in Spanish
America. (F. sombrero.}

Span, from sombra shade, originally applied to
any hat as opposed to a cap. See sombre.

some (sum), adj. An indeterminate, or
unstated quantity or number of ; a certain,
but unspecified or unknown (person or
thing) ; an appreciable amount or number
of ; a considerable quantity of. adv. About ;
approximately, pron. A particular but un-
stated part or quantity ; certain, but not
definitely known, persons, etc. (F. quelque,
de, du, de la, des, quelque ; environ ; en,
quelques-uns.) :v

If we forget exactly where we I
read an item of news, we may
say that we saw it in some
newspaper. To make a box we
require some wood and nails, as
well as tools and some know-
ledge of how to use them. When
giving a rough estimate of the
height of a building, we say, for
example, that it is some forty
feet high, that is, forty feet more
or less. A good host caters for
the different likes and dislikes of
his guests, and remembers that
some may be vegetarians and
some teetotallers.

The word somebody (sum 'bod
i, n.} denotes some person un-
known to us, or whose name
we do not wish or require to
mention. For instance, if we
find an umbrella in a train, we know that
somebody or someone (sum7 wun, n.} has
left it behind, although we do not actually
know who that person is.

People who consider themselves something,
think they are persons of consequence. A poor
but charitable person may give a beggar
something, that is, some portion of money,
if not much, with which to buy himself
food. A boy who is something of an engineer
has some qualifications for engineering.

If a clock does not keep good time, we say
that something (sum' thing, n.}, that is,
some unknown or unstated thing, is wrong
with the works. The noise of a big explosion
is something (adv.), or somewhat (sum' hwot,
adv.), that is, to some extent, or in some
degree, like a peal of thunder. To some
people both sounds are somewhat, or rather,
unnerving.

All children who live near London should
go at some time, to the Zoo. The audience
in a theatre has to wait some time, or
for some time, before the curtain rises.
The sometime (sum' tim, adj.) mayor of a
town is a person who was formerly mayor.
Most of us like to sit quietly and read some-
times (sum' tlmz, adv.), or at some times.
To overcome a difficulty somehow (sum'
hou, adv.), or someway (sum' wa, adv.), is to
solve it in some manner or other, that is,
by some indeterminate means. When we
have put an object in some place or other
which we have since forgotten, we say that
it is somewhere (sum' hwar, adv.) about.
Great secrecy as to the positions of troops
in the fighting line was maintained during
the World War. Consequently men on the
Western Front were said to be somewhere in
France, that is, in some unknown or unstated
area or position.

Some affected writers and speakers make
use of the word somewhen (sum' hwen, adv.),
which means at some indeterminate time.

A.-S. sum ; cp. O.H.G. sum, O. Norse sum-r,
Goth, sum-s, and E. same.

Somersault. — Men of the Army School of Physical Training at
Aldershot performing a back somersault.

somersault (sum' er sawlt), n. A leap in
which one turns heels over head before alight-
ing on one's feet. v.i. To make a leap, o
progress by leaps, of this kind. (F. saut
perilleux, culbute ; culbuter, faire le saut
perilleux.)

Acrobats and clowns at circuses amuse us
by somersaulting round the ring. A double
somersault involves two complete turns of the
body in the air before coming down again on
the feet.

4015

SOMETHING

SONATA

O.F. sombresaut, soubresault (Ital. soprasalto),
from L. supra above, over, sallus a leap, from
sallre to leap, from p.p. form. The form sou-
bresaut (more commonly sursaut) is now generally
limited to a violent start.

something (sum' thing). For this word,
sometime, etc., see under some.

somite (so7 mit), n. A segment of an
animal body, especially of an articulate or
vertebrate animal. (F. anneau.}

The body of the worm is a familiar example
of somitic (so mit' ik, adj.] construction, con-
sisting as it does of a series of somites, or
segments.

Gr. soma body, and suffix -Ue.

somnambulism (som nam' bu lizm), n.
The act of walking or performing other
actions when asleep, or in a condition re-
sembling sleep ; the affection of the brain
causing this. (F. somnambulisme .)

A person who suffers from somnambulism
is known as a somnambulist (som nam'
bu list, n.). Great care is needed when dealing
with a person who is walking about in a
somnambulistic (som nam bu lis' tik, adj.)
state, because the shock of awakening him
suddenly may cause a great deal of harm.

From L. somnus sleep, ambuldre to walk, and
E. suffix -ism. SYN. : Sleepwalking.

somniferous (som nif er us), adj.
Causing or inducing sleep. Somnific (som
nif ik) has the same meaning. (F. somnifere,
sopor atif.}

A narcotic has a somniferous effect. The
act or habit of talking in one's sleep is known
as somniloquence (som nil' 6 kwens, n.},
somniloquism (som nil' 6 kwizm, n.}, or
somniloquy (som nil' 6 kwi, n.}. The
somniloquist (som nil' 6 kwist, n.} is a person
who does this. He is said to be somniloquous
(somnil'6 kwus, adj.), or given to somniloquy.

L. somnifer sleep -bringing (with E. suffix -ous),
from somnus, sleep, ferre to bring.

Somnolent. — A somnolent dormouse hibernating in
his cosy little nest of leaves.

somnolent (som' no lent), adj. Sleepy ;
drowsy : producing sleep ; in pathology,
in a morbid, drowsy condition between
sleeping and waking. (F. somnolent, assoupi.)

Somnolent old gentlemen are inclined to
nod by the fireside, and when we speak to
them they listen somnolently (som' no lent li,
adv.), or sleepily, and do not pay real atten-
tion to our remarks. A state of drowsiness

4016

is known as somnolence (som' no lens,
n.}, or somnolency (som' no len si, n.). A
morbid form of somnolence or inclination
to sleep accompanies sleepy sickness.

F., from L. somnulentus, from somnus sleep,
and suffix -lentus. SYN. : ^ Dreamy, drowsy,
sleepy, sluggish.

son (sun), n. A male child in relation to
the parent or parents ; a descendant ; a
form of address used by an old person to a
young man, a priest to a penitent, etc. ; a
native of a country ; a person imagined as
the inheritor of (a quality, profession, etc.).
(F. fils, descendant, natif.)

Any male child is the son of his parents.
The word is often used figuratively. For
example, British colonists abroad may be
described as Britain's sons, and a soldier may
be called a son of Mars, that is, a follower of
the war god, or an example of warlike
qualities. In the Bible the sons of the
prophets are young men trained in their
schools. Christ is sometimes called God
the Son, or the Son of Man ; but in the Old
Testament, especially in Ezekiel (ii, i, etc.),
son of man denotes a descendant of Adam.
Just as a youth may be addressed as son
by an older person, so the diminutive form
sonny (sun' i, n.} is used in a familiar or
affectionate way by adults when addressing
young boys.

A married man is the son-in-law (n.), or
son by marriage, of his wife's parents. To
be sonless (sun' les, adj.] is to have no sons.
The state of being a son is sonship (sun'
ship, n.}.

A.-S. sunu ; cp. Dutch zoon, G. sohn, O.
Norse son-r, Gr. hyios, Sansk. sunu from su to
beget.

sonant (so' nant), adj. In phonetics,
sounded with vibration of the vocal chords ;
voiced, not whispered, n. A sound or letter
capable of being uttered in this way. (F.
sonnant, sonore.)

The consonants b, d, g, j, I, m, n, r, th, v, z,
and the vowels are sonants. They are uttered
with the voice, and are distinguished from
surds, as p, f, s, which are uttered with the
breath only.

Sonant sounds have the quality of sonancy
(so'iian si, n.). The word sonance (so' nans,
n.), which means sound, on a quality of
sound, is seldom used.

L. sonans (ace. -ant-em), pres. p. of sonar e to
sound.

sonata (so na' ta), n. An instrumental
piece of music having several separate
movements related to form an artistic whole.
(F. sonate.)

Originally a sonata was a piece of music
to be sounded or played, as opposed to a
cantata, a piece to be sung. The name was
later given to a composition constructed
in a special way, having at least one of its
movements, or distinct sections, in sonata
form (n.).

Briefly, this consists of two or more main
tunes, the first in the principal key. This

SONG

SONOROUS

part of a movement in sonata form is called
the exposition. It is followed by the
development, in which the tunes or parts of
tunes are repeated, woven together, changed
in rhythm, and otherwise modified. During
this process the mus:c passes through
several different keys, finally leading to the
recapitulation, in which the main tunes
are all heard in the principal key. With this
the movement ends.

A sonata generally begins in this way, after
which comes a slow piece, then a playful
piece (either a minuet, or a scherzo), and
finally a quick piece, such as a rondo, or else
another piece in sonata form. Classical
symphonies and quartets, and other chamber
music, are constructed in a similar way.

Sonatas are written for a solo instrument
such as the pianoforte, or for two instruments,
such as the violin and piano, but a sonata
for three instruments is called a trio. The
sonata form was developed ,
by the great composers
from Bach to Brahms. A
short or simple sonata is
known as a sonatina (son a
te'na, n.).

Ital. = piece sounded,
from sonata, fem. p.p. of
sonar e to sound.

song (song), n. A musi-
cal utterance with the
voice ; singing ; the musi-
cal cry of certain birds ;
anything that resembles
singing ; a musical compo-
sition for a solo voice, with
or without accompani-
ment ; an instrumental
piece in song- form ; a short
poem suitable for setting
to music ; a lyric ; poetry
in general. (F. chant,
chanson, lyrique, poesie.)

Human song consists of a tune and words
produced simultaneously. The musical calls
of the blackbird, the throstle or song- thrush
(n.}, the nightingale, and the canary, for
example, are also described as songs. Any
bird that produces such a call may be termed
a song-bird (n.}, or a songster (song' ster,
n.} — the latter word also meaning a human
singer, and sometimes a poet. Similarly, a
songstress (song' stres, n.} is a woman singer,
a poetess, or a female song-bird. The name
of song-sparrow (n.) is given to the hedge-
sparrow and other birds. A place where no
birds are singing is songless (song' les, adj.).
A songless bird, however, is one that is
unable to sing. The programmes of some
instrumental concerts are also songless, in
the sense that no vocalist figures among the
performers.

Many short musical pieces, such as
Mendelssohn's " Songs without words," are
written in song-form (n.). This is a simple
pattern of composition consisting of three
connected sections or strains, of which the

Sonneteer. — Henry Howard, Earl of

Surrey, who was a famous sonneteer.

He was beheaded in 1547.

first and third are similar or identical, and
the second is contrasted in style and in a
different key. Sometimes a short coda or
concluding passage is added.

In a figurative sense an article that is sold
very cheaply is said to be sold for a song.
A fussy person is one who makes a song about
trifles, or enlarges upon them.

A.-S. sang, from singan to sing ; cp. G. sang,
Dutch zang, O. Norse song-r. See sing.

sonifer (son' i fer), n. An instrument for
enabling deaf people to hear. (F. cornet
acoustique.)

A bell is a soniferous (so nif er us, adj.)
object, that is, one that produces sound.
Air and water are soniferous in the sense that
they carry sound.

From L. sonus sound, ferre to bring, produce.
son-in-law (sun in law). For this word,
sonless, etc., see under son.

sonnet (son' et), n. A poem of fourteen
iambic' lines, each con-
taining ten syllables. (F.
sonnet.)

The sonnet is of Italian
origin. Those sonnets
following the great models
of Dante and Petrarch are
divided into two sections,
a group of eight lines,
called the octet, and a
group of six lines following
this and named the sestet.
In the Petrarchian sonnet
the rhyme-scheme of the
octet is a, b, b, a, a, b,
b, a. Two or three rhymes
are allowed in the sestet,
but a couplet at the
end is avoided. Many
variations of this form
are found in English
verse, the chief being the
Shakespearean sonnet,
which consists of three quatrains each
with different alternating rhymes, and a
final couplet.

A sonneteer (son e ter', n.) is a poet who
writes sonnets. To sonneteer (v.i.) is to
compose sonnets. These two words are
often used in a depreciatory sense.

F., from Ital. sonetto, -dim. of suono sound,
L. sonus.

sonny (sun' i). For this word see under
son.

sonometer (so nom' e ter), n. An ^instru-
ment for measuring the vibration of strings,
or for testing metals ; an apparatus for
testing a deaf person's hearing. (F. sono-
metre.)

L. sonus sound, and K. -meter.
sonorous (so nor' us), adj. Giving out
sound ; loud-sounding ; resonant ; having
an imposing sound ; high-sounding. (F.
sonore, ronflant, eclatant, resonnant.)

A speaker who has little of importance to
say sometimes uses sonorous or high-
sounding phrases in an attempt to impose on

4017

SONSHIP

SOOTILY

his hearers. The full deep tones of a bass
singer, or the notes of a church organ may
be described as sonorous ; they possess
sonority (so nor' i ti, n.), or sonorousness (so
nor' us nes, n.), that is, resonance, and are
delivered sonorously (so nor 'us li, adv.).

The instrument called the radiophone is
sonorescent (so no res' ent, adj.) and has
the quality of sonorescence (so no res' ens, n.)
because it gives out sounds produced by the
expansion and contraction of a body under
the action of a beam of radiant heat thrown
upon and absorbed by it.

Things that produce sound are sonorific
(son 6 rif ik ; so no rif ik, adj.). Certain
insects, such as the cricket, might be called
sonorific because of the thin, harsh, squeaky
sounds they make.

L. sonorus, from sonor (ace. sonor-em), from
sonar e to sound ; E. adj. suffix -ous. SYN. : Loud,
noisy, resonant, resounding, sounding.

sonship (sun' ship). For this word see
under son.

soochong- (soo shong'). This is another
spelling of souchong. See souchong.

soon (soon), adv. In a short time after the
time in question ; at an early date ; before
long ; forthwith ; shortly ; presently ;
early ; quickly ; speedily ; easily ; willingly.
(F. bientot, tot, d'ici peu, tout a I'heure, tout
de suite, promptement, vite, volontiers.}

An event that occurs at two minutes
past twelve in the afternoon
may be said to have occurred
soon, or shortly, after noon.
When we are asked to do a
certain thing we may reply
that we will do it soon, meaning
before long or forthwith. If we
are busy at the time we may say
we will do it as soon as, or so
soon as, we have leisure.

If we wish to put off doing
something, we say that we will
do it sooner or later, mean-
ing some time or other in
the future. When we are asked
to do something greatly against
our wishes we may reply that
we would as soon, that is, as
willingly, undertake a journey to
the moon.

A.-S. sona ; cp. O.H.G. sdn, Goth.
suns. SYN. : Early, promptly,
quickly, shortly. ANT. : Late.

spot (sut), n. A fine black powder formed
during the burning of coal and other fuels,
and generally found adhering to the side of a
chimney or flue. (F. suie.)

To remove the soot from a chimney a
chimney-sweep uses a brush fixed to the end
of a long, flexible, jointed rod. Some coals
burn more sootily (suf i li, adv.) than others.
Ordinary household coal is often very sooty
(suf i, adj.), but anthracite is sootless (suf
les, adj.), that is, deposits no soot. Attempts
to abolish the sootiness (suf i nes, n.) of
large towns have not yet been successful.

M.E. and A.-S. sot ; cp. Swed. sot, Dan. sod,
O. Norse sot, Lithuanian sodis ; perhaps akin to
E. sit in the sense of to remain upon, from root
sed to sit.

sooth (sooth), n. Truth; reality. (F.
verite, realite.}

This word is rarely used to-day except in
poetry.

A.-S. soth (for south) true, truth ; cp. Sansk. sat,
satya true, Gr. eteos true, L. -sen(t)s being, pres.
p. of esse, in L. db-sens, prae-sens, E. absent,
present, so that sooth means that which really
is ; cp. O. Norse sann-r for santh-r, O.H.G. and
Dan. sand, all from the root es to be.

soothe (sooth), v.t. To calm ; to quiet ;
to soften ; to humour ; to mitigate ; to
allay ; to wheedle. (F. calmer, adoucir,
apaiser, soulager, mitiger , flatter .}

We may soothe a crying child by crooning
or singing over it. A few tactful words will
often soothe the vanity of one who has been
insulted. A person suffering from neuralgia
goes to a doctor for something to soothe
the pain. Time itself is a soother (sooth'
er, n.) of our troubles, for it causes us to
forget, and so acts soothingly (sooth' ing li,
adv.).

M.E. sothien to prove true, confirm, A.-S.
gescthian to verify, bear witness to, accept as
true, hence, to humour by doing so, from
soth true ; cp. O. Norse sanna to assert, prove
true. See sooth. SYN. : Allay, calm, quiet.

soothsayer (sooth' sa er), n. One who

Soothsayer. — An Arab soothsayer professing to foretell the future

by the use of sand. In early times the soothsayer was consulted

on important occasions.

professes to reveal the future or the unknown ;
a diviner. (F. devin).

In olden times, a soothsayer would be con-
sulted on almost every important occasion,
Rulers of states would seldom embark on a
war without asking one to soothsay (sooth'
sa, v.i.}, that is, to predict the result of the
campaign.

Literally, one who tells the truth, from sooth
and sayer ; M.E. sothseggere. See sooth. SYN. :
Augur, prognosticator, prophet, seer.

sootily (sut ' i li) . For thi s word . sootiness,
etc., see under soot.

4018

SOP

SOPORIFIC

sop (sop), n. Bread or biscuit soaked and
softened in some liquid ; something given
to a person to keep him quiet ; a bribe.
v.t. To dip in liquid food ; to take up (water)
by absorbing it. v.i. To be soaked. (F.
morceau trempe, soupe a lait, present, douceur,
os a ronger ; tremper.)

When Aeneas was taken into the lower
regions, as related in the sixth book of Virgil,
he had to pass the three-headed dog Cerberus,
which guarded the entrance to Hades.
Aeneas's guide, the Sibyl, threw it a drugged
cake, which stupefied it and so made it
harmless. The phrase to throw a sop to
Cerberus now means to win over a possible
enemy with a gift or bribe.

We may sop up water spilled on the floor
with a towel or sponge, which becomes
soppy (sop' i, adj.), that is, soaked, with the
water it absorbs. A drenching with rain
reduces clothes to soppiness (sop' i nes, n.),
that is, the state of being soppy. The clove-
pink used to be called sops-in-wine (n.),
perhaps from its reddish colour. The
name is also given to an old variety of
apple, one having a deep red colour.

M.E. soppe, cp. A.-S. sop-
pian, to soak, sop up, supan
to sup ; also Dutch sop, soppen
(v.), G. suppe, Icel. soppa
(n.), supa (v.). See soup, sup.
SYN. : n. Pap. v. Drench,
soak, steep.

Sopherim (so' fer im),
n.pl. The Hebrew scribes.

It was the duty of the
Sopherim to copy out and
interpret the meaning of
the Jewish law. The
scribes who carried out
this task became very
powerful, and Sopheric (so
*"~/ ik, adj.] utterances

fer

were always received with
respect.

Heb. pi. of sopher scribe.

sophism (sof izm), n.
An argument which ap-
pears correct but contains
some deception. (F.
sophisme, equivoque.)

In the fifth century before Christ there
arose in Greece a desire for education.
This demand was met by teachers who
travelled about and gave general instruction
in reasoning and oratory, and also lectured
on history, poetry, mathematics, and science.
They received fees for their courses.

Sophism was, then, the art of teaching,
and a sophist (sof ' ist, n.) of ancient Greece
was one eminent in the arts, whose position
was very like that of a lecturer in a modern
university. The practice of charging fees was
scorned by some of the greater philosophers,
and Plato accused the sophists of trying to
hoodwink their pupils with arguments
they did not believe themselves.

Sophoclean. — A statue of Sophocles,

a Greek writer of tragedies, from whom

comes the word Sophoclean.

To-day, sophism and sophistry (sof is
tri, n.) are terms used for quibbling or
talking for the sake of talking. Artificial
or unsound arguments are said to be sophistic
(so fis' tik, adj.) or sophistical (so fis' tik al,
adj.). They are expressed sophistically (so
fis' tik al li, adv.), that is, in a sophistical
manner, or in a subtle way with the
intention of deceiving.

To sophisticate (so ns' ti kat, v.t.) a person
or thing is to spoil him or it by the admixture
of something ignoble. It may also mean to
obscure by false arguments or to adulterate
or falsify. He who acts thus is a sophisti-
cator (so fiV ti ka tor, n.) and is guilty of
sophistication (so fis ti ka/ shun, n.).

At Cambridge University, at Trinity
College, -Dublin, and at Harvard University
in the U.S.A., and Dartmouth College, the
term sophister (sof ist er, n.) was formerly
applied to certain of the senior students.

O.F. sophisme, from L. and Gr. sophisma,
from sophlzein to instruct, make wise (sophos).
Sophoclean (sof 6 kle' an), adj. Re-
lating to or in the manner of Sophocles,
the Greek writer of tragedies. (F. sopho-
cleen.)

Sophocles lived from 495
to 405 B.C., when Athens
was at the zenith of her
greatness. The plots of his
plays, seven of which sur-
vive, were drawn from
the Greek legends, and he
used them always with a
strong moral or patriotic
motive. The- Sophoclean
style, while conferring new
life and reality on the
ancient traditions, never
loses its grandeur.

sophomore (sof' 6
mor), n. A second-year
student at an American
university ; one who has
ceased to be a freshman.
(F. etudiant de seconde
annee.)

The term sophomore
was once used in England
at Cambridge University,
where the sophomores were those with
greater skill in debating than the freshmen.
A sophomore may have been rather pleased
with his seniority, and a sophomoric (sof 6
mor' ik, adj.) or sophomorical (sof 6 mor'
ik al, adj.) style is a bombastic or pretentious
one. To talk sophomorically (sof 6 mor' ik
al li, adv.) is to speak like a sophomore.

Perhaps from sophom = sophism, and suffix
-or, the same as sophister, both meaning debater,
one who uses captious arguments ; cp. wrangler
(at Cambridge) originally one who disputed in
the schools.

soporific (so po rif ik ; sop 6 rif ik),
adj. Caus'ng sleep, n. A drug that causes
sleep. (F. soporatif, somnifere ; narcotique.)

4019

SOPPINESS

SORDID

Soft music or singing and the quieter
sounds of nature, such as rippling streams
and rustling leaves, are soporific. Among the
drugs used for producing sleep are opium,
laudanum, and morphia, all produced from
poppy seeds. Other forms of the adjective
with the same meaning are soporiferous
(so po rif ' er us ; sop 6 rif ' er us, adj.) and
soporose (so'poriis; sop' 6 ros, adj.).

From assumed L. soporificus, from L. sopor
heavy sleep, and suffix -ficus from facere to
make, produce. SYN. : adj. Narcotic, n. Nar-
cotic, opiate.

soppiness sop' nes). For this word
and soppy see under sop.

soprano (so pra' no), n. The highest
kind of singing voice in women and boys ;
a singer with this voice ; the musical part
sung in a choir by such voices, adj. Written
for or connected with the soprano voice ;
indicating the highest of a family of instru-
ments, pi. sopranos (so pra' noz), soprani
(so pra' ne). (F. soprano, dessus, des
soprani.)

In a choir, the sopranos sing music at
a higher pitch than the altos, tenors, and
basses. A man with a natural soprano
voice may be called a sopranist (so pra' nist,
n.). A woman with a soprano voice is
rarely so called. A soprano saxophone is a
saxophone with a high pitch.

Ital. = highest, supreme, from L.L. superdnus
sovereign, chief, from L. super or supra above.

sora (sor' a), n. The Carolina rail,
Porzana Carolina.

This is a small olive-brown bird with
white markings. It abounds in the marshes
of the Atlantic coast in autumn
and is a favourite bird with ET
sportsmen, being highly LX
esteemed for food.

Said to be a native name.

•orb (sorb), n. The service-
tree (Pyrus domesticd), a member
of the apple family ; the fruit
of this. (F. ' sorbier, cormier ;
sorbe, corme.)

The fru.t of the sorb is more
often known as the sorb-apple
(n.). It may be either sweet
or sour. The unripe berries
of the rowan, which is related
to the sorb, contain an acid,
sorbic (sor' bik, adj.) acid, a
salt of which is a sorbate (sor'
bat, n.). From the juice of the
berries a sugar which is
known as sorbin (sor' bin, n.) can be isolated.

F. sorbe, from L. sorbus (tree), sorbum (fruit).
See service.

sorbefacient (sor be fa' shent), adj.

sorbet (SOT' bet), n. A flavoured water
ice ; sherbet. (F. sorbet.)

F., from Ital. sorbetto. See sherbet.

sorbic (sor' bik). For this word and
sorbin see under sorb.

sorbo (sor' bo), n. A kind of porous
rubber used for children's balls and other
toys and for sponges

Sorbo is light and very resilient ; it does
not hold water.

Sorbonne (sor bon'), n. A famous
theological college founded in Paris by
Robert de Sorbon, chaplain to Louis IX of
France, in 1252 A. D. (F. Sorbonne.}

The Sorbonne became the theological
coliege of the University of Paris and was
visited by students of all nations. Rebuilt
by Richelieu in 1629, it was reorganized by
Napoleon I in 1808 and is now devoted to
theology, literature, and science

Feminized form of founder's name.

sorcerer (sor' ser er), n. One who deals
in magic, witchcraft or enchantments. (F.
sorcier.}

In the Middle Ages sorcerers were regarded
with awe and admiration, and there was a
sincere belief in sorcery (sor' ser i, n.}, known
also as magic and witchcraft.

A woman who practised sorcery was called
a sorceress (sor' ser es, n.}.

O.F. sorcier, from L.L. sortiarius literally one
who casts lots to tell fortunes, from L. sors
(ace. sort-em) lot ; the final -er in the modern
form is a superfluous addition to M.E. sorcer ;
cp. fruiterer. SYN. : Enchanter, magician,
necromancer, wizard.

Sorcerer. — Native sorcerers practising their witchcraft in Natal,
South Africa.

sordid sor' did), adj. Mean ; vile ;
beggarly. (F. sordide, vil, mesquin.}

This word originally meant dirty or foul,
and still has something of that sense when

Promoting or producing absorption, n. A we speak of sordid streets. More often
substance or preparation that has these now it is used in reference to the character

qualities. (F. absorbant.}

of a person or to personal qualities. We

Iodine is a sorbefacient drug useful as mav, for example, say that a man has a

O ' i • -| j-i_j _ " * _ _ _ J ' j •

a dressing for wounds.

L. sorbere to suck up, and faciens (ace. -ent-em),
pres. p. of facere to make, cause.

sordid nature or that avarice is a sordid vice.
We despise the sordidness (sor' did nes, n.),
or meanness, of a miser, but we pity the

4020

SORDINE

SORROW

See surd.

poor who are compelled to live sordidly
(sor7 did li, adv.], that is, in poverty-stricken
surroundings.

F. sordide, from L. sordidus dirty, filthy, from
sordes dirt, filth. SYN. : Avaricious, base, de-
graded, ignoble, niggardly. ANT. : Generous,
liberal, munificent, noble, refined.

sordine (sor7 den), n. A device for
deadening the sound of a musical instru-
ment ; a mute ; a damper, adj. Muffled ;
subdued. Another form is sourdine (soor7
den). (F. sourdine; assourdi.)

Ital. sordina, from L. surdus deaf.

sore (sor), adj. Painful ; dis-
tressed ; aggrieved ; causing pain
or annoyance, adv. Severely, n.
A raw spot where the skin is
broken; an incident or subject
that causes pain or sorrow. (F.
douloureux, sensible ; rudement,
gnevement; ulcere.}

A cut finger or grazed knee, ii
neglected, may cause a painful
sore. When a person has suffered
some misfortune, a reminder of
it is often a sore point. He or
she may feel sore or touchy on
the subject. Formerly sore was
used in the sense of sorely (sor'
li, adv.), meaning exceedingly. A
person sore afflicted was ex-
tremely afflicted. Soreness (sor'
.nes, n.), the quality of being
sore is used of both bodily and
mental pain.

M.E. sor, A.-S. sar (n. and adj.) ;
cp. Dutch zeer, O.H.G. _ser, O.
Norse sdr-r, wounded, sore, sdr (n.) ;
for adv. cp. A.-S. sdre, O.H.G. sero, G. sehr.
SYN,: adj. Grieved, hurt, vexed, violent, n.
Affliction, grief, ulcer. ANT. : adj. Comfortable,
easy, painless.

sorghum (sor7 gum), n. A group of

Sorrel.— A sprig of the

common sorrel, a familiar

meadow plant.

This logical form was invented by the
Greek sophists.

Gr. soreites literally heaped up, from soros
heap, a heap or chain (of syllogisms).

sorn (sorn), v.i. To sponge on other
people's hospitality. (F. e'cormfler, vivre en
parasite.}

In Scotland, whence this word comes,
sorner (sorn7 er, n.) means a self-invited
guest, who thrusts himself on his acquaint-
ances to get free board and lodging.

From obsolete Irish sorthan (L.L. sorndgium)
free quarters.

sorosis (soro7 sis), n. A kind
of collective fruit.

In certain plants, as for example
the pineapple and the mulberry,
a fleshy fruit known as a sorosis
is formed by the cohesion in a
single mass of a number of flower
envelopes and ovaries.
Gr. soros heap.

sorrel [i] (sor7 el), n. One of
a number of meadow plants of
the genus Rumex, specially
Rumex acetosa. (F. oseille.)

The common sorrel is allied to
the dock, but its leaves are much
smaller and contain oxalic acid,
which gives them a sour taste.
They are often used in salads in
France, and are also boiled and
served like spinach.

The sorrel-tree (n.) is a small
tree belonging to the heath family
of plants, with sour- tasting leaves.
It grows in the Tiorth-eastern
United States. Botanists call it
Oxydendron arboreum.

O.F. sorel, dim. of sur, O.H.G. sur sour, G.
saner ; cp. A.-S. sure sorrel, from sur sour.
See sour.

sorrel [2] (sor' el), adj. Of a bright

grasses originally Asiatic and African, but chestnut or reddish-brown colour, n. This
now widespread in cultivation. (F. sorgho.) colour ; a horse or other animal of a bright
This group includes the durra or Indian chestnut colour. (F. saure, alezan.)

O.F. sorel, from sor, F. saur(e), probably of
Teut. origin ; cp. Dutch zoor dry, withered,
Low G. soor, the sense representing the colour
of withered leaves. See sere.

sorrily (sor' i li). For this word and
sorriness see under sorry.

sorrow (sor7 6), n. Grief; unhappiness
caused by loss, suffering or disappointment ;
mental pain. v.i. To grieve, to lament.
(F. chagrin, douleur, peine ; s'attrister,
souffrir, s'affliger.) .

One of the most touching of Bible stories
is that of Jacob and his best beloved sons
Joseph and Benjamin. Joseph was be-
lieved to be dead, and the elder sons proposed
to take Benjamin, the youngest, with them
to Egypt. The old man, dreading what
might befall, cried : " If mischief befall
him by the way in which ye go, then shall

millet producing a grain used as food in
India, the Chinese sugar-cane cultivated for
its sweet juice, and many grasses useful for
fodder.

F. sorgho, Span. Ital. sorgo, from L.L.
surgum, sur(i)cum. Said to be of Oriental
origin.

soricine (sor7 i sin), adj. Of, belonging,
or resembling the shrew-mice or shrews.
(F. de musaraigne.)

The soricine bat (Glossophaga soricina) is
a small kind of vampire. It is quite un-
related to the true soricine animals, or shrews
and their allies. Although mouse-like in
form and size, they belong to the insecti-
vorous mammals and not to the rodents.

L. sdricinus, from sorex (ace. soric-erri) shrew,
and suffix -ine.

sorites (so ri' tez), n. A string of formal

arguments,' the predicate of each being the ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow
subject of the following one. (F. sorite.) to the grave " (Genesis xlii, 38).

4021

SORRY

SO-SO

One who sorrows or grieves is a sorrower
(sor' 6 er, n.) ; his heart is sorrowful (sor'
6 ful, adj.) or filled with grief, and he goes
sorrowfully (sor 6 ful li, adv.) or mourn-
fully about his business. Sorrowfulness
(sor' 6 ful nes, n.) is the state of grief or
melancholy.

M.E. sorwe, sorghe, A.-S. sorg ; cp. Dutch zorg,
G. sorge, and Dan., Swed., O. Norse sorg ; (v.)
M.E. sor(o)wen, sorghien, A.-S. sorgian, akin to
Goth, saurgan to sorrow, grieve. SYN. : n.
Affliction, distress, grief, misery, trouble, v.
Mourn, yearn. ANT. : n. Bliss, felicity, happi-
ness, joy. v. Rejoice.

sorry (sor' i), adj. Full of grief or
regret ; sad ; distressed at heart ; miserable,
poor. (F. fdche, afflige, triste, miserable,
mechant, pitoyable.)

We feel sorry or distressed when we see
a fellow creature in pain or misfortune, and
we are usually sorry or regretful for our own
misdeeds. A poor specimen of a horse may
be spoken of as a sorry nag. A person
dressed in rags is sorrily (sor' i li, adj.) or
miserably clad. Sorriness (sor' i nes, n.) is
the state of being sorry in any sense of the
word.

M.E. son, sare, A.-S. sarig, from sdr pain,
sorrow, sore (the physical sense appearing in
Dutch zeerig, Swed. sarig full of sores). The
original sense was painful, sore in mind, hence
sad, miserable. The word = sore and suffix -y
(representing A.-S. -ig). The doubling of r
(originally single) is explained by the shortening
of d in M.E. sory caused by the suffixing of -y.
Confused with sorrow, of which it is wrongly
regarded as the adjectival form. SYN. : Des-
picable, dismal, melancholy, mournful, pitiful.
ANT. : Content, happy, jubilant, pleased.

sort (sort), n. A number of persons,
animals or things, having the same or
similar qualities ; a class, species or kind ;
manner or way ; in printing, one of the
characters in a fount of type. v.t. To
separate into classes or kinds ; to select from
a number. (F. sorte, espece, genre, classe ;
assortir, classer, trier.)

People of every sort and kind find pleasure
in reading, but the sort of people who enjoy
books of travel and adventure might be
bored with a story dealing with home life.
In a shop we may ask for a certain article
and be told by the shopman that people
are not asking for that sort of thing now.
We may then demand to be shown something
that resembles in some sort or degree the
one we originally asked for.

When we are not very well we may be
said to be out of sorts, (sorts, n.) and the
same phrase, which is used in the printing
trade, there means to be out of type of a
particular letter. A sorter (sort' er, n.) is
one who separates, classifies or arranges
things, as for example a letter-sorter in a
post-office who sorts the letters posted,
according to their destinations. Fruits of
different size and quality might be said to
be sortable (sort' abl, adj.), but this word
is rarely used. The action or process of

sorting or classifying, as of letters at a post-
office, is sometimes called sortation (sort a'
shim, n.).

O.F. sorte (cp. Ital. sorta) from L. sors (ace.
sort-em) lot, part. Probably akin to serere to
connect, put in order, L. series the lots being
arranged in rows for the purpose of drawing.
SYN. : n. Character, class, degree, order, rank.
v. Arrange, classify, separate.

Sort. — An archaeologist sorting geological specimens
collected in the great Gobi Desert, Central Asia.

sortes (sor' tez), n.pl. The practice
of divining by choosing a passage in a book
at random. (F. sort.)

Among the Romans it was the custom to
consult the Sibylline books, and, after
these had been destroyed, the works of
Virgil, by the sortes. The book was opened
at random, and the first passage which caught
the eye was taken as a prophecy for guidance.
Later on the Bible took the place of heathen
writings. In his poem, " Enoch Arden,"
Tennyson tells us how Annie — longing for
news of her absent husband

— desperately seized the holy Book,
Suddenly set it wide to find a sign,
Suddenly put her finger on the text,
" Under the palm tree."

Casting lots is sortition (sor tish' un, n.).

L. pi. oi sors lot. See sort.

sortie (sorx ti), n. A sally or outrush
as from a besieged place to attack the
besiegers. (F. sortie.)

F. fern p.p. of sortir to go out, probably from
assumed L. sortus, a contraction of surrectus,
p.p. of surgere to rise up.

sortilege (sor' ti lej), n. The practice of
casting lots in order to decide something ;
divination by casting lots. (F. sortilege.)

St. Matthias was chosen by sortilege to
take the place of Judas Iscariot (Acts i, 26).

F., from L.L. sortilegium, from L. sors (gen.
sortis), legere to select.

sorus (so' rus), n. A heap or cluster.
The plural is sori (so' rl). (F. sore.)

This word is used by botanists for a
cluster of spore cases, especially for the
little brown patches on the underside of fern
leaves.

Gr. sor os heap.

so-so (so so). For this word see under so.

4022

SOSTENUTO

SOUL

sostenuto (sos te noo' to), adv. In a pro-
longed or sustained manner. (F. sostenuto.}

This musical term is often abbreviated
to sost, or sosten. As a direction of speed,
sostenuto corresponds to andante.

Ital. sostenuto, p.p. of sostenere, from L.
sustinere to sustain, uphold.

sot (sot), n. A confirmed drunkard ;
one habitually muddled by excessive drink-
ing ; a tippler ; a toper, v.i. To tipple.
(F. soulard, pochard, poivrot ; se souler.)

There is no sadder sight than that
presented by a sot who, had he earlier in life
exercised but a little will-power, might have
been an esteemed member of society. Instead,
he is a victim of sottishness (sot' ish nes, n.),
spending his time sottishly (sot' ish li, adv.)
among sottish (sot' ish, adj.) companions.

A.-S., O.F. sot foolish, stupid, L.L. sottus.
SYN. : Drunkard, tippler, toper.

Sothic (soth' ik ; so' thik), adj. Deter-
mined by the heliacal rising of Sirius. (F.
sothiacal.)

In ancient Egypt the Sothic, Sothiac (so'
thi ak, adj.) or Sothiacal (so thi' ak al, adj.)
year of 365 1 days was distinguished from
the ordinary or vague year of 365 days, and
a Sothic cycle of 1,460 Sothic years equalled
1,461 vague years.

From Gr. Sothis,' an Egyptian name of Sirius
the dog-star.

sottish (sot' ish). For this word, sot-
tishly, etc., see under sot.

sou (soo), n. A French copper coin,
worth one- twentieth of a franc ; a five-
centime piece. (F. sou )

O.F, sol. from L. solidus name of a coin, in
L.L. of reduced value. See solidus.

n. A maid-

soubrette (soo bret
servant or similar
character in comedy or |t
opera. (F. soubrette.) r

The soubrette in a I
play is often a lady's I
maid of a mischievous 1
or intriguing char- i
acter. An example is \
Maria in Shakespeare's *
" Twelfth Night."

F. fern, of O.F. soubret i
sober, acute, cunning.

soubriquet (soo'
bri ka). This is
another form of sob-
riquet. See sobriquet.

souchong (soo
shong'), n. A grade
or quality of tea.
Another spelling is
soochong (soo shong').
(F. souchong.)

Souchong is prepared from the tips of
the young and tender leaves of the tea
plant. The name is used by dealers for
the quality of tea next to pekoe, made
from the youngest and most tender leaves.

Chinese siao-chung small sort.

Soudanese (soo' da nez). This is another
spelling of Sudanese. See Sudanese.

4023

Soubrette. — Sir Toby Belch and Maria, Olivia's

maid, a mischievous soubrette, characters in

Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night."

souffle (soo' fia), n. A light dish made
from the frothed whites of eggs, flavoured
either with some sweet or savoury material
and baked in a very slow oven. adj. Made
in this way. (F. souffle.)

F. p.p. of souffler, to blow, puff, from L.
sufflare, from sub under, flare to blow.

sough [i] (suf; sou), v. To murmur or
sigh, as the wind. n. A sound of this kind.
(F. bruire ; bruissement.)

This word appears to imitate the sound of
the wind blowing through the trees or round
the corners of a house. It is related to the
word " surf."

A.-S. swogan to (re)soimd, probably imitative ;
cp. Goth, -swogjan to sigh.

sough [2] (suf), n. A water channel,
especially a tunnel draining a mine. (F.
fosse d'ecoulement, egout.)

Sc. sheugh, sheuch, M.E. sough drain ; cp.
Welsh sock, possibly akin to L. sulcus furrow.
SYN. : Drain, gutter, sewer, trench.

sought (sawt). This is the past tense
and past participle of seek. See seek.

soul (sol), n. The spiritual part of man
which separates him from the lower animals ;
the emotional part of a man's nature ; the
human understanding ; that which gives
life to both men and animals ; the life,
energy or moving force of any action or
cause ; a spirit which has left the body ;
any noble quality ; a human being. (F.
time, esprit, etre.)

According to the ancient and mediaeval
philosophers the soul was the first principle
of life. They held that plants had vegetable
souls and that the beasts had sensitive
souls, but that man alone had an under-
standing and reasoning

IMBBBiffiiillHBBK soul which lived for
ever.

The leading spirit
of a movement may
be spoken of as its
soul. If we walk along
a country road at
night we may not
meet a single soul,
that is, a single living
person.

Sometimes we speak
of one whom we pity
in rather a contempt-
uous way as a poor
soul. According to the
religious beliefs of
most peoples the souls
of the dead continue to
live in another sphere.
The soul-bell (n.) is the bell that is some-
times rung when a person is dying or just
dead. In olden .times a bell known as the
soul-bell was rung when a person was at the
point of death. The custom is still kept
up in some religious communities.

The word souled (sold, adj.) is used in
combination with another adjective. A

SOUND

SOUND

high-souled (adj.) person is both generous by the sound or sounds he hears, and he

.,*-., 1 -^»>-xVx1^ • ^ r*j"hii1fii1 /c-^1 * -fill si rl 4 \ r\ir\CL 10 motr \\t* cairl 4-r\ cr\ttrir\ + Ti£* In-nrro ~Rn4- i-f

and noble ; a soulful (sol' ful, adj.) one is
very emotional and above the things of
this world. Soulfulness (sor ful nes, n.) is
the quality of being concerned about higher
things, and a person so concerned usually
speaks and acts soulfully (sol' ful li, adv.).
Soulful and its derivatives are often used in
a si ghtly contemptuous sense, being applied
to those who have an unreasonable disregard
for the things of the world.

A soulless (sol' les, adj.) man or woman
is one without the finer or more sensitive
feelings. A soulless thing is dull, uninterest-
ing or morbid. We say an author writes
or an artist paints soullessly (sol' les li, adv.)
or that his work shows soullessness (sol' les
nes, n.) if it lacks inspiration or feeling.

A.-S. sawel, sdwol, sawl ; cp. Dutch ziel,
G. seele, O. Norse sdl(a), Goth, saiwala. SYN. :
Essence, quintessence. ANT. : Body, sub-
stance.

sound [ij (sound), adj. Whole ; unim-
paired ; uninjured ; not deteriorated ; un-
hurt ; free from defect or decay ; healthy ;
perfect ; based on truth or reason ; correct ;
orthodox ; upright ; solvent ; profound.
(F. sain, sain et sauf, intacte, solide, robuste,
parfait, bien fonde, probant, solvable, profond.)

Lucky indeed are those who are of sound
health and sound mind, those who have a
sound business or a sound income, and those
who sleep soundly (sound' li, adv.) at night,
and who are therefore in a state of general
soundness (sound' nes, n.).

A.-S. sund ; cp. Dutch gezond, G. gesund ;
perhaps akin to Goth, swinth-s strong, and L.
sdnus healthy. SYN. : Effectual, healthy, sane,
thorough, valid. ANT. : Broken, heterodox,
imperfect, invalid, ineffectual.

sound [2] (sound), n. The sensation
produced through the organ of hearing ;
that which causes such a sensation ; a
particular quality of tone producing a certain
effect on the hearer ; vocal or
articulate utterance ; hearing i^@S|
distance ; ear-shot ; meaningless
noise, v.i. To make or give a
sound or sounds ; to be heard as |
a sound ; to make a certain
impression. v.t. To cause to
sound ; to indicate by sounds ;
to utter audibly ; to cause to
exist as a sound ; to proclaim ;
to make known ; to test by
sounds. (F. son, bruit, ton, portee,
retentissement ; sonner ; faire
sonner, faire retentir, publier.)

To detect the approach of an
unseen enemy, savages place their
ears to the ground and are fore-
warned by the sound or sounds
they hear, for a solid body, such as the
earth, conducts or transmits sound, just
as gases or liquids.

A doctor, by listening through a stetho-

may be said to sound the lungs. But if
a gong should sound loudly, or a brass band
somewhere near should loudly sound their
instruments, the doctor may have to put
his stethoscope aside until the disturbing
sounds have ceased.

A sound-board (n.) or sounding-board (n.)
is a canopy of metal or wood placed over a
pulpit or platform to direct the sound of
the speaker's voice toward the audience.
The same terms are used of a thin board
for increasing the sound which forms part
of various musical instruments. Inside the
violin there is a sound-post (n.) inserted
between the belly and the back. This, besides
acting as a support, transmits the vibrations
of sound from the belly to the back. In
several instruments of the viol and lute
classes there is an opening in the belly-
called a sound-hole (n.).

Musicians sometimes practise in a sound-
proof (adj.) room, that is, a soundless
(sound' les, adj.) room, made impenetrable
to sounds or sounding (sound' ing, adj.)
occurrences outside. The movements of a
tiger are almost soundless, that is, almost
silent; it walks soundlessly (sound' les \i,adv.)
through the jungle and takes its prey by
surprise. In the depths of the ocean there
would be found not only intense darkness,
but absolute soundlessness (n.).

A sounder (sound' er, n.) is one who or
that which sounds. In telegraphy, it is a
device which allows communications to be
read by sound alone. The thick curved
edge against which the tongue strikes in
a bell is called the sound-bell (n.).

M.E. soun, O.F. son, sun (F. son) from L.
sonus, cp. Sansk. svana ; (v.) M.E. sounen, O.F.
soner, suner (F. sonner), from L. sondre, cp. Sansk.
svan ; cp. lend, round for the added d. SYN. :
n. Blare, din, noise, tone, uproar, v. Resound.
ANT. : n. Hush, lull, muteness, silence.

Sound. — A general view at Helsingborg, a city and an important
port of Sweden, showing the sound.

sound [3] (sound), n. A narrow channel
of water connecting two larger pieces or
separating the mainland and an island ; a
strait ; an inlet of the sea ; the swim-

scope placed against a patient's chest, will bladder of a fish. (F. detroit, bras de mer,
be able to judge the condition of the lungs vessie natatoire.)

4024

SOUND

SOUR

the

The passage of water between Sweden
and the Danish island of Zealand, which
connects the Kattegat with the Baltic Sea,
is known as the Sound ; in Scotland we
hear of the Sounds of Sleat, Mull, Islay,
and many others which separate the islands
from the coast.

Cod-sounds are a favourite delicacy with
many people and when fried are said to
resemble oysters. Isinglass is made from the
sounds of sturgeons and other fish.

A.-S. sund, swimming, that which can be
swum across ; cp. Dan., Swed., O. Norse and G.
sund, akin to A.-S. swimman, E. swim.

sound [4] (sound), v.t. To measure
depth of ; of feelings
or intentions, to test
or try; in medicine,
to examine with a
probe, v.i. To take
soundings; of whales,
to dive deeply, n. A
probe, an instrument
for searching wounds
or organs of the body.
(F. sonder; sonde.)

The simplest way
to sound the depth of
water is to let down
a weight, such as a
bob of lead, at the

Sounding. — Taking a sounding by means of Lord
Kelvin's deep-sea sounding apparatus;

end of a cord and to notice when the bottom
is reached. This is seen by a slackening
of the cord. A whale, startled by the
approach' of a ship, will often sound and
so> disappear. In < a figurative sense, to
sound a person as to his opinions on a
certain matter is to question him as to these
in an indirect manner.

• The process of ascertaining the depth of
water is called sounding (sound', ing, n.).
The length of line let out is said to give the
soundings (n.pl.) or depth. A place near
the shore where the depth can be taken
is also called soundings. For very small
depths of water, such as the flooding in a
ship's hold, a sounding- rod (n.), that is, an
iron rod marked to a scale of feet and inches,
is used.

Very great depths are spoken of as sound-
less (sound' les, adj.), but this only means
that the sounder (sound' er, n.), or person
seeking the depth, has not the right
apparatus.

F. sonder, from sonde plummet, probably
borrowed from A.-S. or p. Norse sund sound [3] ;
cp. A.-S. sundline sounding line. SYN. : n. Lead,
plummet, probe.

sounding (sound ' ing) . For this word and
soundless see under sound [2] and sound [4].

soundly (sound' li). For this word
and soundness see under sound [i].

soup (soop), n. A liquid food usually
taken hot, made by boiling meat, vege-
tables, etc., together, and often thickened
with cereals or cream. (F. soupe, potage,
bouillon, puree.)

Usually the first or second course of

D28

luncheon or dinner, soup is generally served
hot, but it may be iced, when it looks like
jelly. A soup-plate (n.) is a pjate about
an inch deep, so made to prevent the soup
from spilling. When soup is made without
meat it is called thin soup or soupe rnaigre
(soop magr, n.).

For very poor people who cannot afford

to buy food, soup-kitchens (n.) are sometimes

set up in the cold weather, where soup is

provided either free or at a very small

charge. Sometimes soup - kitchens are

opened by charitable societies in places

where many people are unemployed and

where great poverty is known to exist,

and to each person

who is in need of

food a soup-ticket (n.)

is given, which can

,8(^^^^^ be exchanged at the

soup-kitchen for food.
A liquid which is like
soup is sometimes
said to be soupy (soop'
i, adj.).

O.F. and F. soupt,
perhaps a piece or sop of
bread, of Teut. origin ;
cp. Dutch sop, G. suppe.
See sop.

soup9on (soop' sow),
n. A trace ; a taste ; a small quantity ;
a suspicion. (F. soupQon, ombre.)

This word is more common in French
than in English. A faintly scented hand-
kerchief may be said to bear a soup^on or

SYN. : Dash, morsel,

trace of perfume.

F., literally suspicion,
suggestion.

sour (sour), adj. Sharp or acid to the
taste ; tart ; morose ; harsh of temper.
(F. aigre, sur, maussade, bourru.)

Green apples and many other unripe
fruits have a sour, that is, a sharp, acid
taste. People who are unable to enjoy
living or find no pleasure in anything become
sour. In some cases misfortune makes sour
or harsh-tempered and morose those who
previously were pleasant and happy.

The act of making something sour by
mixing it with acid is called souring (sourx
ing, n.), and the process of subjecting cloth,
wool, or skins to dilute acid in order to
lighten the colour is also so called. We can
usually test by tasting anything the extent
of its sourness (sour' nes, n.). Often we
taste things which are not very sour but
suggest sourness, in which case we may
say they are sourish (sour' ish), adj.). To
look at anybody or anything sourly (sour' li,
adv.) is to look with dislike or in a disagree-
able manner.

A plant known as the common sorrel
or sour-dock (n.) is found in Britain, France,
and grows anywhere in the north temperate
zone. The leaves, which are heart-shaped,
and taste sour, are used in soups, salads and
sauces. The fruit of a large tree called the
4025 c 7

SOURCE

SOUTH

baobab, which grows in tropical Africa,
is called sour gourd (n.). It is a large fruit,
having a pulp which is cool and a little sour.

A.-S. sur ; cp. Dutch zuur, G. sauer, O. Norse
sur-r. See sorrel (plant). SYN. : Acrimonious,
crabbed, morose, peevish, tart. ANT. : Benign,
bland, mild, pleasant, sweet.

source (sors), n. The spring or fountain-
head from which a stream or river issues ;
place of origin ; first cause ; origin. (F.
source.}

Thames Head, near Cirencester, is one
source of the River Thames. An illness may
be traced back to its source in a chill or cold.
Latin and Anglo-Saxon may be called the
sources of modern French and English
respectively. The etymologies in this dic-
tionary give the source or origin of words.

M.E. sours, O.F. sorse, fern. p.p. of , O.F.
so(u)rdre to spring up, L. surgere to rise. See
surge. SYN. : Cause, foundation, origin, spring.

sourdine (soor' den). This is another
form of sordine. See sordine.

souring (sour' ing). For this word,
sourish, etc., see under sour.

souse (sous), n. Pickle made with salt ;
anything steeped or preserved in pickle or
vinegar; a plunge; a drenching, v.t. To put
in pickle ; to soak ; to drench with or plunge
into water, v.t. To plunge into water. (F.
marinade, saumure, plongeon, trempage ;
mariner, tremper, plonger dans I'eau.)

The head and feet of pigs are pickled for
food by sousing in brine. Mackerel are
soused 'in vinegar. We may get a sousing
through being out in the rain or by falling
souse into a pool. Formerly women notori-
ous as scolds were soused or ducked in a
pond as a punishment.

O.F. sou(l)z, O.H.G. sulza (G. sulze) brine.
See salt, sauce. SYN. : n. Immerse, plunge, soak,
submerge.

Sou.Uk.— The souslik,
short tail and

European rodent with
rabbit-like head.

souslik (soos' lik), n. A small burrowing
rodent of the squirrel family. Another
spelling is suslik (sus' lik). (F. souslik.)

The souslik (Spermophilus) resembles the
marmot in appearance and habits. Various
species occur in the colder parts of Europe,
Asia, and America.

Rus.

soutane (soo tan'; soo tan'), n. A
cassock. (F. soutane.) See cassock.

F., from Ital. sottana ; cp. Span, sotana, L.L.
subtana, from L. subtus underneath, from sub
under.

south (south), n. One of the four
cardinal points of the compass, opposite
to the north ; the direction of the sun at
noon in the Northern Hemisphere ; a part
of a country or a region which lies towards
that quarter ; a wind from the south.
adj. Of or relating to the south ; situated
in or towards the south ; (of wind) coming
from the south, adv. In, near, or towards the
south; of the wind, from the south, v.i. To
move or veer towards the south : of moon
and stars, to cross the meridian of a place.
v.t. To steer to the south of (a point, etc.). (F.
sud, midi ; de sud, meridional ; verslemidi.}

In England and other places in the
Northern Hemisphere we may find the
south by observing the position of the
sun at midday ; when facing the noon-
day sun we look south, in a southerly (su^'
er li, adj.] direction, or southward (south'
ward, adv). To our left is the east and to
our right the west.

The points midway between these and
the south are called south-east (n.) and
south-west (n.) respectively. The south,
south-east, and south-west (adj.) winds
blow from these quarters and are therefore
southerly, south-easterly (adj.), or south-
westerly (adj.)- in origin, as the case may be.

Using these words as adverbs, we may
say that such winds blow south or southerly
(suth' er li, adv.), south-east (adv.) or south-
easterly (adv.), and south-west (adv.) or
south-westerly (adv.) respectively.

Sailors call these winds souther (south' er,
n.), south-easter (n.), and south-wester (n.).
The last generally brings rain, and so its
name is given to a waterproof hat with
wide brim hanging down behind, worn by
sailors in wet weather. The word is gener-
ally shortened to sou'wester (sou' west er, n.)
Southern (suth' ern, adj.) means in, belonging
to, blowing from, or facing the south.

A place is south of another if it is situated
farther south than the latter. The point
farthest south in a country is the southmost
(south' most, adj.) or southernmost (suth'
ern most, adj.) point. South-eastern (adj.)
and south-western (adj.) mean situated in
the south-east or south-west. Southing
(south' ing, n.) is a term used by sailors
for the action of going south, or for the
distance their ship has travelled southwards
(south' wardz, adv.), that is, in a southerly
or southward (adj.) direction. Southing also
means the crossing of the meridian by a star.

The portion of the United States lying
south of Mason and Dixon's line is known
as the South, and includes the former slave
states, whose secession in 1861 led to the
Civil War between North and South. A
person who lives in the south of a country
is called a southerner (su^A' ern er, n.). This
word is used in America, especially of those
in the southern states.

4026

SOUVENIR

SOW

Scottish people sometimes call an English-
man a Southron (suth' ron, n.). The
Southern Cross (n.) is a group of stars very
clearly seen in the Southern Hemisphere. A
Southdown (south' doun, adj.) sheep or
Southdown (n.) is one that has been bred
on the South Downs of Hampshire and
Sussex, reputed to produce the finest
mutton.

A kind of wormwood with scented leaves
is known as southernwood (suth' ern wud, n.)
or old man. It grows wild in south Europe
and is cultivated in gardens.

A.-S. suth (for sunth) : cp. Dutch zuid, G. sud
O. Norse suth-r, sunn-r, all perhaps connected
with sun. ANT. : n., adj., and adv. north.

souvenir (soo' ve ner), n. A keepsake ;
a memento. (F. sou-
venir.)

When we visit a
far-off town, city, or
country we may pur-
chase some little
article characteristic
of the place, which we
cherish as a memento
or souvenir of our
visit. A souvenir may
be a token of remem-
brance, such as a book
or article of jewellery
given us, for example,
by a friend who is
going abroad.

F. = to remember,
used as n., from L. sub-
venire to come up, into
one's mind, from sub-
up, horn under, venire
to come.

sovereign (sov'
rin), adj. Supreme ;
paramount ; possess-
ing supreme power ;
royal, n. A supreme
ruler, especially in a
monarchy ; a mon-
arch ; a British gold
coin, value twenty shillings. Another spelling
is sovran (sov' ran). (F. supreme, souverain,
absolu, royal; souverain.)

A sovereign state is one which has supreme
authority over its own affairs. Certain
states, such as those forming a confederation,
have not this power or sovereignty (sov'
rin ti, n.), or sovranty (sov' ran ti, n.), the
sovereign power being vested in a body repre-

Souvenir.— Chips of oak from Nelson's famous ship,
the "Victory," presented as souvenirs.

M.E. soverain, O.F. souverain, L.L. superanus
chief, from L. super above. See super. The
inserted g is due to a falsely supposed connexion
with reign, hence sovran is etymologically better.
SYN. : Paramount, royal, supreme.

soviet (sov' yet), n. A local council
or committee elected in Russia to send
representatives to a higher assembly. (F.
soviet.)

A great part of the former Russian Empire
is now governed by the Union of Socialist
Soviet Republics. Each republic has its
congress of Soviets, itself composed of
delegates from town or district Soviets,
and it sends its representatives to the
Union Congress of Soviets, which is the
supreme legislative power of Russia. The
Government of that
country is called the
Soviet Government.

Local government
is carried out by a
somewhat similar sys-
tem, Soviets which
represent districts
sending delegates to a
congress.

Rus. = council.
sow [i] (so), v.t.
To scatter (seed) for
growing; to plant
(ground) with seed
thus ; to scatter over ;
to cover thickly with ;
to disseminate ; to
spread ; to propag-ate.
v.i. To scatter seed.
p.t. sowed (sod), p.p.
sown (son) and sowed
(sod). (F. semer, re-
pandre; faire la
sentence.)

If we wish to make
a lawn we may sow
the piece of ground
with grass seed. Un-
less the surface is well
protected from birds,
little grass will result, and the sower (so' er,
n.) may need to sow more seed. To secure
a succession of plants the gardener makes
one sowing (so7 ing, n.) after another at
intervals.

One of the best-known parables is that
of the sower (Matthew xiii, 3), who went
forth to sow. Some of the seed he sowed fell
on good and some on bad ground, meeting

senting all the states. King George V is the with a different fortune according to the
sovereign head or the sovereign of England.

England for long claimed the sovereignty
or dominion of the seas which wash her
shores, and in a treaty made by Cromwell
with the Dutch, the ships of the latter
when passing through British seas were
obliged to strike their flag.

The gold coin called a sovereign was first
issued by Henry VII. It virtually dis-
appeared from general circulation in 1914.

place where it was sown. Malicious people
sow dissension among friends ; agitators
sow seeds of suspicion and discontent.
A neglected chill may sow the seed of a
severe illness.

A.-S. sawan ; cp. Dutch zaaien, G. saen, O.
Norse sa, Goth, saian ; akin to L. severe
(sevi, satum), and Gr. hienai = sisenal, redupli-
cated from root se to throw, scatter. SYN. :
Disseminate, scatter. ANT. : Gather, reap.

4027

sow

SPACE

sow [2] (sou), n. A female pig ; the main
channel of a mould for pig-iron ; the block
of solidified metal which fills this ; a kind of
woodlouse. (F. truie, m^re-gueuse, gueuse,
cloporte.)

The sow of a mould has side channels,
called pigs, branching out from it on both
sides, so arranged that the molten metal may
flow readily into all of them. A sow-back
(n.) is a long, low ridge of sand or clay.
A kind of cyclamen is called sow-bread (n.)>
because pigs are said to be fond of its roots.
Sow-thistle (n.) is a name given to certain
species of Sonchus, with small yellow flowers.
The stem when cut exudes a milky juice.

A.-S. sugu, su ; cp. Dutch zog, G. sau, O.
Norse syr, L. SMS, Gr. hys, sys, probably from
the root su to beget, from its prolific nature.

soy (soi), n. A sauce much used in
China and Japan, made from the seeds of
the soya bean ; the soya bean. (F. soy,
soya.)

The soy or soya (soi' a, n.), also called the
soya-bean (n.), from which soy is prepared, is
an annual herbaceous leguminous plant of
very ancient culture in the East. There are
a great many varieties. Soya pods contain
usually three seeds. From the seeds is
expressed a valuable oil used for many
industrial purposes, and forming an ingre-
dient of soap, margarine, etc. The residue is
made into oil-cake, a cattle food.

Soya-bean. — Harvesting a crop of soya-beans in England, where
this Eastern plant has been acclimatized.

Attempts have been made to acclimatize
the soya in England, hitherto without
much success, but a commercial crop of a
suitable variety was grown here in 1928.

Japanese shoyu, from Chinese shl salted
beans, yu oil.

spa (spa), n. A mineral spring ; a
resort or place where there is such a spring.
(F. source d'eau minerale, ville d'eau, station
thermale.}

In Belgium, near Liege, is the town of
Spa, a popular watering-place, which has
given its name as a generic term for any
similar resort having a mineral spring, or to

the spring itself. Cheltenham, Harrogate,
and Bath, in our own country, possess, and are
described as, spas.

space (spas), n. Continuous extension, or
any portion of this ; distance or interval
between points, things, etc. ; an interval of
time ; room ; a thin piece of type metal
placed between words, etc., in setting type.
v.t. To place (things) with spaces between ;
to set or arrange so as to leave spaces ; to
put spaces between. (F. espace, etendue,
intervalle, interligne ; eclaivcir, espacer, inter-
ligner.)

The sun and planets revolve in space. The
space of the universe is conceived as extend-
ing indefinitely in all directions. The human
mind cannot grasp its vastness.

Two-dimensioned space has length and
breadth — for example, the space bounded
by the margins of a page. Three-dimen-
sioned space has length, breadth, and depth,
as exemplified by the interior space of a
box. Shipping charges are based on the cubic
space the freight will occupy in the hold of a
vessel.

The distance at which things are spaced,
or set apart, is their spacing (spas' ing, n.).
A gardener who has only few plants with
which to plant a given space must space
them out well. Annuals germinate, grow,
flower, and die, all within the brief space of
one season.

In typography, narrow or wide
spacing is used for types accord-
ing to the character of the
letter. Bold, heavy type demands
more space between words and
lines than that of a lighter
design.

An advertisement agent sells
space in the publications he re-
presents. The advertisement
writer prepares suitable matter
to fill such space, describing
merchandise or service offered.
Sometimes an advertiser will
pay for more space than he
needs, so that his announce-
ment will be parted off or spaced
from adjoining ones by a white,
unprinted space.

Large houses have spacious
(spa' shus, adj.), that is, roomy
or capacious, chambers or rooms in them;
a spacious view is an extensive one.
Gardens are laid out spaciously (spa' shus li,
adv.) if arranged on a grand scale. The times
of Elizabeth had spaciousness (spa' shus nes,
n.), the quality of being spacious, because
they gave plenty of room or scope for the
display of talent and enterprise.

The space-bar (n.) at the front of a type-
writer is pressed down to allow the carriage
to move the space of one letter. A journalist
is a space-writer (n.) if paid according to the
space which his articles take up when
printed. Contributing to a newspaper on this

4028

SPADASSIN

SPAN

basis is space- writing (n.). A spacer (spas'
er, n.) is something used to space or separate
objects.

F., espace, from L. spatium ; cp. Gr. spaein,
span to draw out, extend, G. spannen to extend,
E. span, spin. See span. SYN. : n. Expanse,
extension, interval, place, room.

spadassin (spa das' in), n. A bravo ; a
hired swordsman. (F. spadassin, bretteur,
ferrailleur, bravo.}

F. from Ital. spadaccino, from spada sword
(Span, espada, O.F. espee). See spade.

spade (spad), n. An implement with a
short iron blade and a wooden handle, used
in digging ground ; a similarly
shaped tool used for other pur-
poses ; a playing card with black
pips representing the blade of a
pointed spade ; (pi.) the suit of
these cards, v.t. To dig (ground)
with a spade ; to cut blubber
from (a whale) with a spade.
(F. pelle, beche, pique ; becher.}

A spade has usually a narrower
and flatter blade than a shovel,
and is employed in digging
ground, cutting turf, etc. The
handle of the spade is held with
both hands, and the digger's
foot is pressed upon the upper
edge of the blade. A like
implement is used to cut the
blubber from a whale.

A bayonet with a blade broad
enough to be used in digging is
called a spade-bayonet (n.). A
spade-guinea (n.) is a guinea minted in
the closing years of the eighteenth century,
having on its reverse side a spade-shaped
shield bearing the royal arms.

Allotments are examples of spade-
husbandry (n.), which means cultivation
done by deep digging only, as opposed to
subsoil ploughing. A spadeful (spad' ful,
n.) of earth is as much as can be lifted at
one time with a spade.

A.-S. spada, spaedu ; cp. Dutch spade, G.
spaten, Icel. spaihi spade, L. spatha, Gr. spathe
broad two-edged sword, blade, any flat surface
The spade at cards is from Span, espada a
sword, so called because in Spain such cards
have the figure of a sword on them.

spadille (spa dil'), n. The ace of spades in
the card games of ombre and quadrille.
(F. spadille.}

F., from Span, espadilla, dim. of espada sword.
See spade.

spadix (spa' diks) n. A form of inflor-
escence consisting of numerous tiny flowers
on a central fleshy spike, usually surrounded
by a spathe. pi. spadices (spa' di sez).
(F. spadice.}

A spadix is only found in the palms and in
a family of plants known as Araceae. The
latter includes the arum, or cuckoo-pint.
This is a common plant in our hedgerows,
where its purple spadix and green spathe
may be seen in spring, the spike being

surrounded by brilliant scarlet berries later
in the year. Plants with this form of flower
are said to be spadiceous (spa dish' us, adj.}.

L., Gr. = palm branch broken off, from Gr.
spaein, span to tear, rend.

spaghetti (spa get' i) , n. A kind of macaroni
made in small solid cords. (F. spaghetti.}

Like macaroni, spaghetti is made from a
dough of fine wheat flour. It is thinner than
ordinary macaroni, but thicker than vermi-
celli, and is used chiefly in Italy, or by
Italians, being cooked as a savoury, generally
with tomatoes and grated cheese.

Ital., = little strings, from spago string.

Spaghetti. — Young Italians eating spaghetti, which is a favourite
dish of the Italian people.

spahi (spa' i), n. A Turkish irregular
horse-soldier ; a native Algerian cavalryman
in the French army. Another form is spahee
(spa'i). (F. spahi.)

Prior to the year 1836 the irregular horse-
soldier in the Turkish army was called a
spahi. When the French occupied Algiers in
1830 they absorbed the Dey's Turkish
soldiers into their army, and the name of
spahis was afterwards given to Algerian
troops recruited for the French forces.

Turkish, Pers. sipdhi soldier, sepoy. In India,
however, the sepoy is an infantryman, the
trooper being known as a sowar.

spall (spawl), n. A chip or flake of
stone, v.t. In mining, to break up (stone, ore,
etc.), for crushing or sorting, v.i. To flake
off ; to splinter. (F. eclat ; casser des,
pierres en fragments, morceler ; se fendre
tomber par eclats.}

For the n. cp. spill [i] ; the v. is M.E. spalden
to split ; cp. G. spalten.

spalpeen (spal' pen), n. A rogue ; a
rascal , a mean fellow. (F. vaurien, coquin.}

Irish spailpln scamp, originally farm labourer,
harvester; -In is dim. suffix.

spalt (spawlt), n. A scaly mineral used to
assist fusion in soldering or brazing. (F. spalt.)

Cp. G. spaltstein, from spalten to split.

span [i] (span), v.t. To stretch over or
across ; to extend from side to side of ; to
measure or cover the extent of with, or as

4029

SPAN

SPANISH

with, the outspread hand ; to make fast
with a rope. v.i. To progress by bending
the body and straightening it again as a
looper- caterpillar, n. The space between
the tips of the thumb and little finger of an
extended hand ; this as a measure, regarded
as nine inches ; the full extent, in length, of
a bridge, etc. ; any part of a bridge or like
structure between two supports ; the distance
or space spanned by such a part ; a short
distance ; a rope bent to form two loops ; a
rope having the ends made fast and used to
take a purchase in the loop ; a pair of horses ;
a yoke of oxen. (F. traverser, mesurer,
brider; ramper ; empan, portee, tvavee,
brague, paire.}

London Bridge spans the Thames in five
spans, its total length or span from end to
end measuring one thousand and five feet.
The span of the central arch is one hundred
and fifty-two feet and a half. A South
African teamster is said to inspan or outspan
when he yokes or unyokes his team of oxen,
the yoke or team of beasts also being called
a span. In the U.S.A. a yoke means a pair
of mules or horses harnessed side by side.

A span-roof (n.) is one which slopes up on
both sides to a ridge along the middle. A
caterpillar of the looper or geometer moths,
which progresses by repeatedly looping and
straightening itself, is called a span-worm
(n.). Poetically, an infinite distance or extent
is said to be spanless (span' les, adj.), or
not to be spanned. Our earthly life is
sometimes described as a brief span.

A spanner (span' er, n.) is one who or a
thing that spans. A spanner used for tighten-
ing or loosening nuts on machinery, etc., is a
lever with jaws at one end. In an adjustable
spanner the jaws are made to recede or
approach, and so span nuts of different
sizes.

A.-S. spannan to bind, connect ; cp. Dutch
and G. spannen to span, extend, stretch, put
horses to, O. Norse spenna, Gr. spaein, span
to draw ; (n.) A.-S. span(ri), cp. Dutch span.
SYN. : v. Extend, loop, measure, stretch, n.
Extent, length.

span [2] (span). This is the past tense of
spin. See spin.

spandrel (span' drel), n. The irregular
triangular space between the shoulders of
two adjoining arches ; the space enclosed
between a vertical line drawn from one end
of an arch and a level line touching the
crown. Another form is spandril (span ' drill) .
(F. tympan.)

Dim. of Anglo-F. spaund(e)re, perhaps O.F.
espandeur anything that spreads, from O.F.
espandre, L. expander e. See expand.

spangle (spang7 gl), n. A small glittering
disk of metal sewn to a dress as an ornament ;
any small object that sparkles, v.t. To cover
or adorn with spangles. (F. paillette;
pailleter.)

Fancy dresses are spangled, or ornamented
with sparkling disks, squares, or diamond-
shaped pieces of metal or other material,

called spangles. Figuratively, we may say
that the night sky is spangled with stars.
Grass and trees wet with dew or rain appear
spangly (spang' gli, adj.) in the sunshine, as
if covered with spangles.

M.E. spangel, dim. of A.-S. spang metal clasp,
something bright and shining ; cp. M. Dutch
and G. spange, O. Norse spong.

Spaniard (span' yard), n. A native
of Spain. See Spanish. (F. Espagnol.)

O.F. Espaniard, from Espaigne, L. Plispania
Spain, and suffix -ard ; cp. Savoyard. See spaniel.

spaniel (span' yel), n. One of various
kinds of dog with soft, curling or shaggy
hair and long, drooping ears. (F. epagneul,
caniche, barbet.)

The spaniel is a favourite as a pet, on
account of its docile and affectionate dis-
position. It is very intelligent, and is valued
by sportsmen for the ease with which it can
be trained and its readiness to enter the
water to retrieve game. The field spaniel
and the water spaniel are used as game dogs,
and the smaller toy spaniel is much favoured
by ladies as a drawing-room pet. The King

Spaniel. — Two types of spaniels, a breed which is
valued alike as pets and game dogs.

Charles and the Blenheim are popular toy
spaniels.

O.F. espagneul, from Span, espanol Spanish,
from Espana Spain, L. Hispania, whence they
are said to have been imported.

Spanish (span' ish), adj. Of, relating to,
or originating in Spain, n. The language of
Spain. (F. espagnol, d'Espagne; espagnol.)

The Spanish people are of very mixed
origin. The original inhabitants of the
peninsula, known as Iberians, were overrun
by successive conquering armies of Celts,
Romans, and Goths from north and east,
while the position of Spain just opposite
the Moorish countries exposed it to the attacks
of the Arabs and Moors during the Middle
Ages. All these invaders have left their
mark upon the people. In the sixteenth
century the Spanish were the most powerful
race in the world, and they have left many
relics of their world-wide conquests, especially

4030

SPANK

SPARABLE

Spanish burton. — The
Spanish burton, a type
of hoisting tackle often
used on merchant ships.

in Mexico and South America, where Spanish
remains the prevailing language.

The name of Spanish bayonet (n.} is given
to several kinds of yucca, a plant with sword-
like leaves found in North and Central
America, and brought to Europe by the
Spaniards. Spanish black (n.} and Spanish
brown (n.) are pigments Used in painting.
The Spanish broom
(n.) — Spartium
junceum — is a Medi-
terranean plant
bearing long rush-
like branches used
for basket making,
the fibres being made
into cords and
threads. Its yellow
flowers yield a dye
and its seeds are
used in medicine.

The type of burton,
or light hoisting
tackle, called a
Spanish burton (n.}
has two single blocks or pulleys. It is used
for lifting heavy weights on some merchant
ships.

The Spanish fly (n.), or blister-beetle, is a
little beetle, Cantharis vesicatoria, from which
is prepared the substance called cantharides,
which is applied to the skin for producing
blisters. The Spanish fowl (n.) is a glossy
black breed of domestic fowl.

Another name for esparto grass is Spanish
grass (n.). Spanish main (n.) was the name
given to the coast of South America bordering
the Caribbean Sea, and to that part of the
ocean adjoining it. Along it, in Spain's
hey-day, sailed the Spanish treasure ships,
which were so tempting to pirates and
buccaneers.

M.E. Spainisce ; from Spain, L. Hispania, and
adj. suffix -ish.

spank (spangk), v.t. To slap or strike with
the open hand ; of
a horse, to urge
forward thus, or by
whipping, v.i. Of a
horse, to move with
a quick, lively step,
between a trot and
a gallop, n. A slap ;
a blow with the open
hand. (F. claquer,
fesser ; aller a grand
trot; claque, taloche.}

A naughty child is
spanked, or slapped,
for his misdeeds. A
person who spanks

Spanker. — The spanker
is a sail set on the after
side of a mizen-mast.

may be called a spanker (spangk ' er, «.). This
name is given by sailors to a fore-and-aft
sail set on the after side of the mizen-mast.
Colloquially, spanker means something out
of the common, or a very fine specimen of its
kind.

A pair of horses which move quickly are
often called spankers, or said to travel at a
spanking (spangk7 ing, adj.) pace. A
spanking breeze is a strong breeze — one
that sends a boat bowling along at high
speed.

In E. dialects to move quickly, flap ; cp. Low
G. spakkern, Dan. spanke to spring about.
SYN. : v. Slap, smack.

spanless (span' les). For this word and
spanner see under span [i].

spar [i] (spar), n. A stout pole, especially
one used as a mast, yard, boom, or gaff on a
ship. (F. perche, mdtereau.)

The pole of a crane, derrick, or shears, is
called a spar, and also those timbers on a
ship which serve to support and extend the
sails, etc. The spar-deck (n.) of a ship is the
one next above the main deck, extending
from bow to stern.

M.E. sparre ; cp. Dutch spar, G. sparren,
O. Norse sparri, probably cognate with E. spear.

spar [2] (spar), n. A name given to various
lustrous, easily cleavable, non-metallic
minerals. (F. spath.)

Iceland spar possesses the power of double
refraction. Sparry (spar' i, adj.) minerals
often occur as vitreous or crystalline veins
in masses of mineral ore. A qualifying word
is used to specify the nature of the spar, as,
for example, calcareous spar and fluor-spar.

M. Low G. spar ; cp. A.-S. spaer-stdn gypsum.

spar [3] (spar), v.i. To make motions
of attack and defence with the arms ; to
use the arms and hands in or as in boxing ;
to bandy words, n. A sparring movement ;
a bout of boxing ; a cock-fight. (F. s'ecrimer
des poings, se mesurer, se chamailler ; rencontre,
combat.)

In the old sport of cock-fighting, now
illegal, the game-cocks were said to spar
when, with spurs protected by leather pads
to avoid injury to one another, they were
set on to fight. For the more serious contests
the spurs were armed with sharp-pointed
steel or silver covers, also called spurs.

In boxing to spar sometimes means to use
the arms otherwise than in actual hitting, as
when a boxer spars for an opening, that is,
makes motions which will give him a chance
of putting in a blow.

A professional boxer employs another,
called his sparring-partner (n.), with whom
he spars or boxes when in training. A
sparring-match (n.) is a boxing match,
usually one fought for exercise, or as an
exhibition of boxing.

O.F. esparer to kick (of a horse), strike with
the spurs (of a cock) ; cp. Low G. sparre struggle,
G. sperren to spread out one's legs, sick sperren
to struggle. Akin to spur, spurn.

sparable (spar'abl), n. A small headless,
wedge-shaped nail, used by shoemakers in
nailing the soles and heels of boots. (F.

petit clou, pointe de cordonnier.)

Corruption of sparrow-bill, from the shape.

4031

SPARE

SPARK

is very

spare (spar), adj. Scanty ; meagre ;
thin ; that can be spared ; not in ordinary
use ; kept in reserve, v.t. To use frugally
or carefully ; to do without ; to dispense
with ; to abstain or refrain from inflicting,
punishing, injuring, etc. v.i. To be frugal ;
to live frugally. (F. rare, epars, maigre, de
reserve; epargner, menager, se passer de,
epargner ; economise? , vivre frugalement. )

A spare man is one who is thin, or has
Jittle superfluous or spare flesh upon him ;
he may be described as sparely (spar' li,
adv.] built. The spare-rib (n.) is a joint of
pork consisting of the upper parts of the
ribs, which contain but little meat. If we
have a coin to spare we may give it to a
beggar ; spare shillings or even pennies,
if they are banked, may total up to a sub-
stantial sum in a little while. A spare tire,
or a spare wheel, is one carried in reserve,
and so with other spare parts, which are
ones not in actual use, but kept for replacing
those worn or damaged.

We all hope that our parents may be
spared to us for many years. In Proverbs
(xiii, 24) we read : " He that spareth his
rod hateth his son r . .'* Spare time should
be used wisely. Spareness (spar' nes, n.) is
used chiefly of a person's build, but a
sparer (spar' er, n.) is one who
careful in his habits. The latter
lives sparingly (spar' ing li, adv.],
that is, frugally, and thus shows
the quality of sparingness (spar'
ing nes, n.), or frugality.

A.-S. spaer sparing ; cp. G.
spars am, sparlich frugal, O. Norse
spar-r ; (v.) A.-S. sparian ; cp.
Dutch and G. sparen. SYN. : adj.
Extra, meagre, reserve, scanty.

sparge (sparj), v.t. To
sprinkle (malt) with hot water in
brewing.

The appliance for sparging (n.)
is a sparger (n.).

L. spargere to sprinkle.

sparhawk (spar' hawk).
This is another form of sparrow-
hawk. See under sparrow.

sparingly (spar' ing li). For
this word and sparingness see
under spare.

spark [i] (spark), n. A
particle thrown off from a burning sub-
stance ; any small bright object resembling
this ; a brilliant point or facet ; a quick
flash of light ; a particle of life ; a flash of
wit ; in electricity, the short-lived flash of
light accompanying a sudden disruptive
discharge ; the electric spark used to
ignite the mixture in the cylinder of an
internal combustion engine, v.i. To give
out sparks ; in electricity, to produce
sparks ; of an ignition device, to be in
effective operation. (F. etincelle, flammeche,
bluette ; Jeter des etincelles, etinceler.}

Some lighted fireworks throw off thousands
of sparks of different colours. A gem
flashes . in the light, and appears to
emit sparks or gleams. A blacksmith's
hearth may appear dead and cold, but if
there remains a spark of fire beneath the
surface, his powerful bellows will soon
kindle a glowing «fire and sparks in plenty
will fly, as the particles of small coal become
red-hot. When the smith beats the incan-
descent horse-shoe, sparks of hot iron are
scattered, and the shoes often strike sparks
from a hard flinty road as the horse
plods on.

Before the invention of matches, the
sparks produced by striking a flint on a
piece of iron were used to light a piece of
tinder, which was in turn used to light
fires and candles, A brilliant thought or
epigram is called a spark of wit. In some
dry discourse we may come across a spark
or gleam of humour.

In the attempted restoration of one who
is apparently drowned, long after every
spark of life seems extinct, and when to
the watchers not a spark or particle of hope
remains, the labours of the life-savers may
be crowned with success, and the rescued
person breathes and afterwards revives.

When conductors from the secondary

Spark. — An electric spark flashing between two poles. It is a short-
lived flash of light accompanying a sudden disruptive discharge.

luminous winding of an induction coil are brought
near to each other a fiery spark bridges the
gap. The terminals spark in this way each
time the circuit is made or broken, as by a
switch, interrupter or commutator. Such
a coil, or a magneto-electric machine, may
be used to ignite the vapour of a motor-car
engine.

The engine of a motor-car will not start
to work so long as the sparking-plug (n.)
remains sparkless (spark' les, adj.), because
it is the sparks formed at the plug which
ignite the explosive mixture of air and
petrol in the cylinder.

4032

SPARK

SPARTAGIST

A small spark is a sparklet (spark' let, n.},
a word which is also the trade name for
capsules filled with gas used for the prepara-
tion at table of soda water. This sparklet
fits into the neck of a special siphon and is
pierced by a needle, thus allowing the gas
to enter the vessel.

A.-S. spearca ; cp. O. Dutch sparcke, Dutch
spark, Low G. sparke spark, O. Norse spraka to
crackle, perhaps from the crackling sound of
burning wood. SYN. : n. Flash, gleam, particle.

spark [2] (spark), n. A gay young man ;
a gallant, v.i. To act the
gallant. (F. elegant, blondin ;
faire le galant,}

A spark used to be called
a beau. A fop delights in
sparkish (spark' ish, adj.) or
showy attire, and may affect
jaunty or sparkish airs.

Perhaps from spark [i], or
E. dialect sprack lively ; cp.
O. Norse spark-r lively, brisk.
SYN. : n. Beau, fop, gallant.

sparkle (spark' 1), n. A
gleam ; a glittering ; a spark.
v.i. To glitter or twinkle ; to
emit sparks ; to effervesce.
(F. etincelle, eclat, lueur;
briller, etinceler, mousser.)

Gems sparkle or scintillate,
emitting gleams or sparkles
when viewed in certain
aspects. Stars appear to
twinkle or sparkle in the
sky. Sparkling wines, such as champagne,
give off carbon dioxide in tiny bubbles,

Sparrow-hawk. — The sparrow-hawk,

which preys on thrushes, sparrows,

and other small birds.

hedges, and feeds on insects, berries and
seeds. The plumage is dark chestnut with
white cheek-patches and bands of white
on the wings. The bird popularly called
the hedge-sparrow belongs to a different
genus, and is not a finch. Sparrow-grass
(n.) is a mispronunciation of asparagus.
The sparrow-hawk (n.), Accipiter nisus, is
a small hawk of brownish-grey colour,
and haunts woods, commons, open fields and
hedges. It flies swiftly, glides, and hovers,
and dashes at a great pace after thrushes,
blackbirds, sparrows and
other small birds, which are
its usual prey. In nesting-
time the sparrow-hawk will
also pursue young pheasants,
partridges and chickens.

Though often confused
with the kestrel, the sparrow-
hawk is distinguished from
it by its longer toes and legs,
its more rapid flight and the
greater contrast between its
dark grey back and lighter
breast, marked with very
distinct bars. The male bird
is about twelve inches long,
and the female a couple of
inches longer.

M.K. sparwe, A.-S. spearwa ;
cp. Dan. spurv, G. Sperling, O.
Norse spor-r, Goth, sparwa.
Probably originally the flut-
terer, rapid mover, from root
sper to quiver ; cp. spar [3],

sparry (spar' i), adj. Consisting of or

so that the beverage seems to sparkle. A containing spar; resembling" spar. See
man who possesses a sparkling or brilliant under spar [2J.

wit is said to talk sparklingly (spark' ling li,
adv.).

Anything which sparkles may be called
a sparkler (spark' ler, n.). The name is
given to a kind of indoor firework which,
when ignited, gives off a myriad of in-
candescent sparkling particles.

Dim. of spark [i] ; v. perhaps frequentative.
SYN. : Glisten, glitter, scintillate, twinkle.

sparkless (spark' les). For this word
and for sparklet see under spark [i].

sparring-match (spar' ing mach).
For this word and sparring-partner see under
spar [3].

sparrow (spar' 6), n. A small brownish-
grey finch of the genus Passer, especially P.
domesticus. (F. moineau.)

This bird, usually called the house-
sparrow, is common in all parts of Europe,
Asia and North Africa, and has been intro-
duced into America and Australia, following
man wherever the latter has settled. It is
doubtful whether the damage done to crops
by the sparrow outweighs its services as an
eater of insects and the seeds of weeds.

The tree-sparrow, P. montanus, is a shy
bird which, unlike its relative, shuns the
haunts of man. It nests in trees and

sparse (spars), ad}. Thinly scattered ;
occurring at distant intervals ; not dense.
(F. clair-seme, rare, epars.)

Australia — a country nearly as large as
Europe but with fewer inhabitants than
London — furnishes an example of sparse
population. So sparsely (spars' li, adv.) are
some districts populated that one might
wander in them for many miles without
meeting anyone. Arid regions, where rain-
fall is scanty, show a sparseness (spars' nes,
n.) or sparsity (spars' i ti, n.) of vegetation
and animal life.

L. sparsus, p.p. of spargere to scatter.

Spartacist (spar' ta sist), adj. Denoting
an extreme Socialist party in Germany.
n. A member of this party. (F. spartaciste .)

Spartacus was the leader of those slaves
and gladiators who rebelled against Rome
in 73-71 B.C. Karl Liebknecht, the leader
of the extreme Socialist party in Germany,
adopted the pen-name of Spartacus, and his
adherents, who were known as Spartacists,
became more numerous towards the end
of the World War (1914-18). The Sparta-
cist party was opposed to the war and
sought to bring about a revolution. They
were responsible for many revolutionary
outbreaks, and for some time — in 1919 — i

4033

SPARTAN

SPATHE

the Spartacists became a serious menace
to the newly-established German Republic.
Liebknecht was arrested on January 15,
1919, after the failure of the Spartacist
rising, and was shot while trying to escape.

Spartan (spar' tan), n. A native of
Sparta ; one having the supposed char-
acteristics of the ancient Spartans, adj.
Resembling a Spartan. (F. Spartiate ;
spartiate.}

Sparta was the principal city of Laconia
in the south of Greece. Its people, the
Spartans, were subjected to a rigid discipline
and training, children being taught from
an early age to bear hardships of all kinds,
youths being enrolled in the army at the
age of twenty. Spartan women, too, joined
in the gymnastic exercises and were noted
for their bravery.

To-day we talk of Spartan simplicity in
describing a rude or ascetic way of life,
lacking comforts and refinements, or of
Spartan discipline and endurance, in allusion
to the customs and character of the Spartans.

L. Sp art anus.

sparteine (spar7 te In), n. A bitter-
tasting oily liquid obtained from the broom
plant and used in medicine for heart-
trouble. Another form is spartein (spar'
te in). (F. sparteine.)

From Modern L. Spartium broom, from Gr.
spartos a kind of broom, and E. chemical suffix
-ine.

sparterie (spar' ter i), n. Baskets, mats,
ropes and other articles made from esparto
grass. (F. sparterie.}

F., from Span, esparteria, from esparto, from
L. spartum, Gr. sparton rope of the plant spartos.

spasm (spaz' m), n. An involuntary
convulsive contraction of a muscle or group
of muscles ; any sudden, convulsive move-
ment or effort of a violent character. (F.
spasme, convulsion.}

This word is often used in a figurative
sense, of natural forces, emotions, political
excitement, and so forth. We might speak
figuratively of a tremendous volcanic eruption
or a violent earthquake as a spasm of
nature. Anything of the nature of a
spasm or spasms — for instance, a thing
done by fits and starts and not kept up
regularly — can be described as spasmodic
(spaz mod' ik, adj.). The word spasmodical
(spaz mod' ik al, adj.), having the same
meaning, is less common. A boy cannot
hope to succeed if he tackles his lessons
spasmodically (spaz mod' ik al li, adv.).
Spasmodic utterances may be called spas-
modics (n.pl.), just as we speak of heroics.

The word spastic (spas' tik, adj.) means
the same as spasmodic, but is used only
by doctors, often as part of the names of
diseases, such as spastic anaemia and spastic
paralysis. Spasticity (spas tis' i ti, n.) means
a spasmodic state or tendency.

F. spasme, L. spasmus, Gr. spasmos, from
spaein, span to draw, pull, rend. SYN. : Con-
vulsion, paroxysm, throe, twitch.

Spat. — A spat, a short
gaiter for the foot.

spat [i] (spat), n. The eggs or young of
shell-fish, especially oysters, v.i. Of oysters,
to spawn, v.t. Of oysters, to deposit
(spawn). (F. frai, jeune mollusque ; frayer.)

Oysters produce their microscopic young
from May to August, when they themselves
are not in season for eating. After swim-
ming freely for about a fortnight the spat
settles on rocks, stumps, or specially pre-
pared tiles, and this is called a fall of spat.
The oyster fishermen place this spat in
special beds, to develop into oysters fit
for the table in the
course of two or
three years. The
plural form spats is
also used.

Probably from the
root of spit, spatter.

spat [2] (spat), n.
A short cloth gaiter
strapped under the
foot and covering
the upper part of the
foot, including the
instep. (F. guetre.)

Short for spatter dash.
See under spatter.

sPat [3] (spat). This is the past tense
and past participle of spit. See spit [2].

spatchcock (spach' kok), n. A fowl
dressed, split open, and broiled as soon
as killed, v.t. To cook in this way ; to
insert or sandwich (words or phrases) in
a letter, telegram, etc. ; to modify by
inserting words . or phrases. (F. poulet
roti sur le gril ; griller, intercaler.)

Probably the earlier spitchcock, which is from
M.H.G. spitz (n.) spit, and kochen to cook, but
later explained as dispatch-cock, that is, a fowl
killed and eaten quickly.

spate (spat), n. A flood, especially a
sudden one due to heavy rains or melting
snow ; a sudden downpour of rain ; a
sudden or violent outpouring of emotion,
etc. ; an unusual quantity or number ; a
condition of flood.
(F. brue.)

This word is often
used figuratively.
We might describe a
very ready speaker
as pouring out a
spate of words, or
we might refer to a
spate of exciting
events. In spate
means in flood.

Perhaps O.F. espoit ;
cp. Dutch spuiten to
spout. SYN. : Flood,
outburst, torrent.

spathe (spa/A), n. A sheathing leaf
or pair of leaves enclosing one or more
flowers. (F. spathe.)

The arum is an example of a plant that
has flowers protected by spathes. The

Spathe. — The spathe,
enclosing the spadix, of
the wild arum.

4034

SPATHIC

SPAWN

flowers are inserted on a fleshy spike, called
the spadix, and sheathing this is a large
leaf-like envelope known as the spathe.
Such flowers are spathaceous (spa tha' shus,
adj.) or — to use a less common term —
spathose (spath 6s', adj.).

F., from. L,. spatha, Gr. spathe broad blade.
See spade.

spathic (spath' ik), adj. Resembling
spar, especially in the way in which splitting
or cleavage takes place. Spathiform (spath '
i form) and spathose (spath ' 6s') have the
same meaning. (F. spathique.)

Spathic or spathose iron ore, now more
commonly known to mineralogists as chary-
bite or siderite, is an important iron ore
consisting of more or less pure carbonate
of iron. The pure ore contains forty-eight
parts of iron in one hundred. When mixed
with clay it is known as clay iron-stone.
There are numerous varieties of spathic
iron ore, varying in colour from grey to
brown and deep brownish-red.

From G. spath spar [2] and E. adj. suffix -ic\
cp. F. spathique. SYN. : .Foliaceous, lamellar.

spathose (spath 6s'). For this word
see under spathic.

spatial (spa' shal), adj. Relating to
space ; taking up space ; characterized by
or containing space ; happening in space ;
governed by the conditions of space; in-
volved by space ; of sense or faculty,
perceiving space. Another and less common
form is spacial (spa' shal). (F. spatial.}

This word is not in very common use.
Philosophers employ it as the correlative
of temporal. Spatiality (spa shi aT i ti, n.)
means spatial character or quality, and
spatially (spa' shal li, adv.) as regards space,
by means of space.

From L. spatium space and E. suffix -al. See
space.

spatter (spat' er), v.t. To scatter or
splash (water, mud, etc.) in drops or small
particles ; to sprinkle or splash with water,
mud, etc. ; to spoil (someone's reputation)
by scandal, v.i. To fall or be dispersed in or
as in drops or small particles, n. A shower ;
a pattering of drops ; a sprinkling. (F.
eclabousser, crofter, noircir ; diffamer ; re-
pandre ; quelques gouttes, pluie.)

A passing cart may spatter our clothes
with mud, and a person's good name may
be spattered by his neighbours. Spatter-
dash (spat' er dash, n.) is the name of a
covering of leather or cloth worn around
the legs as a protection from the spattering
of mud or water. This word is more
common in the plural, spatterdashes.

Frequentative of stem spat- to splash ; cp.
Dutch spatten to throw, spatter. SYN. : v.
Asperse, defame, splash, sprinkle, n. Shower,
splash, sprinkling.

spatula (spat' u la), n. An instrument
of metal, wood, ivory, or other material,
usually flat, but sometimes trowel-shaped or
spoon-shaped, used by painters, chemists,
plasterers, surgeons, etc. ; a spoon-shaped

formation or part. Another form, used
especially of birds' bills, is spatule (spat' iil).
(F. spatule.}

A painter uses a spatula for mixing his
colours, a plasterer for spreading plaster
over a wall or ceiling, and a surgeon for
pressing down the tongue so that he can
examine the throat.

A common form of surgical spatula has
a broad rounded end, like a spoon, and
anything so shaped may be described as
spatular (spat' u lar, adj.), spatulate (spat'
u lat, adj.}, or spatuliform (spat' u li form,
adj.). The ducks known as shovellers have
enormous spatulate or spoon-shaped bills,
and the name of the genus to which they
belong is Spatula.

F. spatule, L. spat(h)ula, dim. of spatha broad-
bladed knife. See spade, spathe.

spavin (spav' in), n. A painful swelling
or growth in or near the joints of a horse's
leg. (F. eparvin, epervin.)

Spavin usually occurs. between the knee
and the fetlock. A horse suffering from
spavin is said to be spavined (spav' ind, adj.}.
Bone spavin is a particular type of spavin
in which new bone is deposited on and
around the bones of the hock- joint.

O.F. espa(r)vain (Span, esparavan sparrow-
hawk, spavin), akin to O.F. espervier, G, sperber
sparrow-hawk ; perhaps " sparrow-like," from
the hopping movement of a spavined horse.

Spawn. — Toad spawn laid like a string of jelly
upon a water plant.

spawn (spawn), v.t. Of fishes, frogs, etc.,
to produce or deposit (eggs) ; to produce,
especially in large numbers, like spawn ;
to remove the spawn from. v.i. Of fishes,
frogs, etc., to deposit eggs ; to swarm, n.
The eggs of fish, frogs, etc. ; the white
fibre-like material from which mushrooms
and other fungi are produced ; offspring ;
outcome ; results. (F. frayer, fourmiller,
frai, blanc de champignon.)

Frog-spawn is found in clusters, and toad-
spawn in chains. Blocks of mushroom
spawn may be bought for the artificial
cultivation of mushrooms. Figuratively,
the word is always used in a contemptuous
way.

A full-grown female fish at spawning
time is called a spawner (spawn' er, n.).

4035

SPEAK

SPECIAL

A fish-breeder who collects and markets
fish-spawn might also be described as a
spawner.

M.E. spanen, Anglo-F. espaundre to spawn,
O.F. espandre to shed, scatter freely, from L.
expandere to spread out.

speak (spek), v.i. To utter words in
an ordinary tone of voice, as distinct from
singing ; to express thought by words ;
to make a statement ; to declare ; to con-
verse ; to be on speaking terms ; to deliver
a speech ; to be very expressive ; to make
some revelation ; of musical instruments,
to give forth a full note. v.t. To utter,
especially in a normal tone, as distinct from
singing ; to declare ; to make known ; to
reveal ; to address (in specified way) ; to talk
or converse in (a language) ;
to hail and communicate
with (a ship), p.t. spoke
(spok), archaic spake (spak) ;
p.p. spoken (spo' ken). (F.
parler, dire, declarer, aborder,
parler, s'exprimer; causer,
s' entretenir , etre amical ; faire
un discours, prendre la parole,
parler ouvertement ; dire,
declarer, exprimer, proclamer,
reveler, parler, heler.)

Anything that can be
spoken or that is fit to be
spoken is speakable (spek'
abl, adj.), a word less
common than its antonym,
unspeakable. Anyone who
speaks, especially a person
who delivers public speeches,
is a speaker (spek' er, n.).
Some people are good writers
but poor speakers. The title
of speaker is applied to the
presiding officer of various
legislative assemblies, and
especially to that of the
House of Commons, who is
addressed as Mr. Speaker.
The speaker of the House of
Lords is the Lord Chancellor ;
he is not called speaker.

Spear. — A Bisharin warrior of the
Nubian Desert, with his spear.

The

American

House of Representatives, the Canadian
Senate and House of Commons, and other
parliamentary assemblies also have speakers.
The office of speaker is the speakership
(spek' er ship, n.).

If a member of an audience cannot hear
what the lecturer is saying, he may ask
the lecturer to speak up, or speak louder.
The lecturer, if he holds strong opinions, will
be inclined to speak out, that is, to give
free expression to his opinions. If his
audience is restless, he will be advised to
speak them fair or in a courteous manner.
An inconspicuous notice in a financial paper
may speak volumes, or be of great significance.
Strictly speaking means in the strict sense
of the words. So to speak means if the word
or words may be allowed, and is used with
some unusual expression.

A tube for conveying orders and messages
from one part of a building to another is
known as a speaking-tube (n.). A speaking-
trumpet (n.) is an instrument used to amplify
the voice. The more usual term for such
a device nowadays is megaphone. A por-
trait painted by a skilful portrait-painter
may be a speaking (spek' ing, adj.) or very
close likeness of his model.

M.E. speken, A.-S. sp(r)ecan ; cp. Dutch
spreken, G. prechen, perhaps akin to Gr. spharagos
a crackling. There was originally an r in the
word. See spark. SYN. : Articulate, converse,
declare, talk, tell.

spear (sper), n. A weapon for thrusting
or throwing, used in warfare or hunting,
consisting of a pointed head and a long
shaft ; a soldier or hunter who
wields a spear ; a weapon
with a sharp point, and
sometimes barbed, used for
catching fish ; a beam of
light ; the rudimentary
shoot of a seed ; a blade or
shoot of grass, etc. ; a stem
of an osier, reed, etc. ; reeds
for thatching, etc. v.t. To
wound or capture with a
spear, v.i. Of plants, to shoot
up into a long stem ; to rise
like a spear. (F. lance, lander,
epieu, harpon, trident ; percer.
harponner ; s'dlancer.)

As applied to stems and
shoots of plants, the word is
perhaps influenced by spire.
The spear is one of the oldest
of human weapons. Among
the remains of the Stone Age
we find many spear-heads
(n.pl.) of flint, and many
savage races still use the
spear as their chief weapon.
It is only in the twentieth
century that the lance, a
form of spear, has been
abolished from the British
Army. A spearman (sper'
man, n.) is a soldier armed with a spear.

The name spear-grass (n.) is given to
various grasses producing long, sharp leaves.
Spearmint (n.) is the common garden mint.
The spear- thistle (n.) — Cirsium lanceolatum — •
is a common thistle with purple flowers.
Several kinds of the plant genus Ranunculus
are known as spearwort (sper' wert, n.}.

The spear and distaff were regarded as
symbols of man and woman, and so a relation
on the spear side means a father's relative,
just as a relative of one's mother is said to
be related to one on the distaff side.

A.-S. spere ; cp. Dutch and G. speer, Dan.
spaer, Icel. pi. spjor ; perhaps akin to spar. It
is doubtful whether L. sparus hunting spear is
related.

special (spesh' al), adj. Having a par-
ticular, individual quality ; suited or de-
signed for a particular purpose ; not ordinary

4036

SPECIE

SPECIES

or general ; pre-eminent or exceptional, n.
A person or thing appointed for a particular
occasion or purpose, such as an edition of a
newspaper. (F. special, partioulier, extra-
ordinaire, premier.}

A train that is run for some special purpose
is known as a special. So also is an extra
edition of a newspaper issued on the receipt
of special or exceptional news. The special
or peculiar charm of the essays of Charles
Lamb (1775-1834) is their kindly intimacy.
The work of a mediocrity shows no special
or especial excellence. Our special friends are
those we hold in special or particular esteem.

In English law a
special case (n.) is a
joint statement of facts
regarding a civil action
which the contesting
parties place before a
court for decision. In
such an action no wit-
nesses have to be called,
because the parties agree
as to the facts of the
case. . . -

When new or un-
expected evidence is
brought up in a law case
it is called special plead-
ing (n.), a term some-
times used for unfair
argument. A jury is said
to give a special verdict
(n.) when the proved
facts of the case are
stated, but the conclu-
sions to be drawn from
them are left to the
judge or court. A special
jury (n.) is composed of
special jurors (n.pl.) drawn from certain ranks
of society. A special constable (n.) is a man
enrolled for volunteer police duty at a time
of rioting or other emergency.

A journalist employed to send news from
a certain town, district, or country, to report
on events happening in a certain place, or
to write on special subjects, is termed a
special correspondent (n.).

A special licence (n.) is a form of marriage
licence enabling a marriage to take place
in any district without banns being called,
and at any time. It is issued by the
Archbishop of Canterbury.

In 1907, the branch of the British Army
known as the militia was transformed into a
force named the Special Reserve (n.). It
ranked behind the ordinary army reserve,
and was comprised of men who re-enlisted
from the regular army, or else enlisted with-
out previous experience as soldiers. The old
name of militia was restored in 1921.

One who devotes himself to a special or
particular branch of a science or profession
is termed a specialist (spesh/ al ist, n.}.
This name is given specially (spesh7 al li,
adv.), that is, especially or in particular, to

Special constable. — A special constable, or

member of a volunteer police force, regulating

street traffic.

a doctor who makes a specialistic (spesh a
lis' tik, adj.) study of some aspect of disease,
and he is said to specialize (spesh' a Hz,
v.i.), or engage particularly, in its treatment.
The custom of thus studying particular
portions of a science, art, or other kind of
work, is specialism (spesh' al izm, n.). To
assign a particular use to a thing is to
specialize (v.t.) it ; the eye, for instance, is
specialized for sight, and this fact is an
example of specialization (spesh al I za'
shim, n.) or appointment for a special purpose.
The act of specializing in a particular
study, etc., is also termed specialization.

A speciality (spesh i al'
i ti, n.) is a special
characteristic or feature.
Legal matters are a
:• fef speciality of the solicitor
— they are his special
occupation. Some pub-
lishing firms make a
speciality of issuing
children's books. The
word specialty (spesh' al
ti, n.) has much the same
meaning, but is less
often used. We may
speak of the specialty
of a task that is limited
by special circumstances.
In law, an instrument or
document under seal,
expressing a special
contract or obligation,
is known as a specialty.
O.F. (e)special, L.
specialis, from species a
particular kind or sort.
See especial, of which
special is a shortened form.
SYN. : adj. Especial, exceptional, particular,
peculiar, precise. ANT. : adj. General, ordinary.
specie (spe' she ; spe' shi e), n. Money in
the form of coin. (F. especes.)

Specie is distinguished from paper money,
and bullion, that is, uncoined silver and gold.
Ablative of L. species (in Modern L. coined
money) literally that which is seen, visible
instead of being otherwise represented, from
specere to see. Short for in specie. SYN. : Coin.
species (spe' shez ; spe' shi ez), n. In
natural history, a group of related animals
or plants that differ only in small details ;
usually forming a division of a genus ; in
logic, a group of individuals or objects that
have a common name and agree in some
essential quality or qualities ; a kind,
variety, or sort ; in law, the form or shape
given to any material ; the visible form of an
element in the Eucharist. (F. genre, espece.)
A genus of animals or plants consists of
one or more species, each of which may be
made up of further varieties. For instance,
the tiger (Felis tigris] is a species of the cat
genus Felis, which includes lions, leopards,
and other species of cat. In mineralogy,
rocks are grouped in mineral species.

SPECIFIC

SPECIOUS

The word species is also used in a colloquial
way, as when we say that practical joking
is a species, or kind, of humour, and picking
pockets is a species of theft. The human race
is sometimes referred to as the species.

L. = appearance, kind, sort, quality, from
specere to look. SYN. : Class, form, kind, sort.

specific (spe sif ' ik), adj. Of, pertaining to,
or constituting a species ; relating to a
particular subject ; having certain definite
and distinguishing qualities ; precise ; special.
n. A medicine or drug having a special use ;
a remedy. (F. spe'cifique.)

The specific name of an animal or plant
always follows the generic name. The lion,
for instance, has the scientific name, Felis
leo. There is specific difference between
this species of the genus Felis and the tiger,
another species, known to scientists as Felis
tigris. A specific statement is one that is
definite or clearly stated.

Quinine is a specific remedy, or specific, in
the treatment of fever, since it has the
special property of reducing the temperature.
Medicines that are specific in operation,
and diseases that have a specific character,
are said to possess specificity (spes i fis' i ti,
n.}.

The specific gravity (n.) of a solid or liquid
substance is its relative weight or density
compared with the weight of an equal bulk
of water, which is taken as the standard.
The specific gravity of a gas is similarly
expressed by the ratio of its weight to that
of an equal volume of hydrogen.

The specific heat (n.) of a sub-
stance is the quantity of heat
needed to raise the temperature
of a given quantity of it one
degree, as compared with the
heat needed to raise the same
volume of water.

The legal term, specific per-
formance (n.), means the strict
carrying out of the terms of a
contract, at the order of a court
of equity, no payment of damages
being allowed as an alternative.

Instructions should be given
specifically (spe sif ik al li, adv.),
or explicitly and precisely, other-
wise they may be misinterpreted.
When a bridge, building, or any
other large structure is to be
built, a specification (spes i fi
ka' shun, n.) of it is first drawn
up. This is a detailed list of all
the materials and parts to be used, with
instructions as to how they are to be prepared
and fixed. The specification of an invention
is the description of its construction and use,
which must be supplied when the inventor
applies for a patent. These specifications are
kept for reference at the Patent Office,
London.

We may speak of the specificness (spe sif
ik nes, n.), that is, the specific quality or
character, of an action ; but this word is

seldom used. To specify (spes' i fi, v.t.) a
thing is to name it distinctly, to mention or
ask for it specially, or else to include it in a
specification. A fact or observation that is
specifiable (spes' i fi abl, adj.) is capable of
being specified.

O.F. specifique, L.L. specificus, from species
particular sort or kind, and -ficus making
(from -fic-are = facere to make). See species.
SYN. : adj. Characteristic, definite, explicit,
peculiar, precise. ANT. : adj. General, indefinite,
ordinary, unspecified, vague.

specimen (spes' i men), n. A part or
individual intended to show the character-
istics of the whole or class to which it belongs ;
an example ; an instance. (F. specimen,
modele, echantillon.}

Mineral specimens, or pieces of different
types of rocks, etc., are exhibited in geological
museums. In scientific investigation, the
largest possible number of specimens of each
species of plant or animal is examined before
conclusions as to the species as a whole can
be accurately made.

The stamp-collector arranges in his album
specimens of the different issues of postage-
stamps. A well-trained athlete may be
described as a magnificent specimen of
mankind. A specimen page (n.) of a publica-
tion, showing the size and style of type, is often
reproduced in the prospectus issued by its
publishers.

L. = something shown, characteristic mark,
from L. specere to see, look, and suffix -men.
SYN. : Example, illustration, instance, sample.

Specimen. — A magnificent lion's head. The specimen was presented
R.H. the Prince of Wales by Transvaal Scouts.

speciology (spe shi ol' 6 ji), n. The
science that deals with the nature and
origin of species. (F. speciologie.)

From species and suffix -(o)logy.

specious (spe' shus), adj. Appearing
good, true, or well-founded at first sight ;
plausible. (F. specieux.)

A specious argument is usually not so
fair or good as it first appears, and the person
who argues speciously (spe' shus li, adv.),
that is, with an apparently good show of

4038

SPECK

SPECTRE

reason, may be found to be wanting in logic
or accuracy when we examine his statements
carefully. A tale may possess speciosity (spe
shi os' i ti, n.), or spaciousness (spe' shiis nes,
n.), that is, an attractive or plausible quality
that is really deceptive or fallacious. A
hypocrite is one kind of specious person.

O.F. specieux, from L. speciosus full of apparent
fairness, from species look, appearance. SYN. :
Plausible.

speck fi] (spek), n. A small spot, stain,
or blemish ; a small particle of rottenness.
v.t. To mark with a speck or specks. (F. tache,
tare, moucheture ; tacheter, moucheter.)

Although the stars are really huge, their
vast distance from the earth causes them to
appear as mere specks of light in the sky.
Perfectly clean linen is speckless (spek' les,
adj.) or spotless. A tiny fungus makes the
skins of apples and pears specky (spek7 i, adj.),
that is, marked with specks of decay.

A.-S. specca spot ; cp. Low G. spaak, from
spoken to spot with wet, M. Dutch speckel spot.
SYN. : n. Blemish, dot, fleck, particle, stain.
v. Blemish, speckle, spot.

speck [2] (spek), n. Fat, or blubber,
especially that of whales and seals. (F.
lard de baleine.)

The chief harpooner on a whaler is some-
times called the specksioneer (spek shun er',
n.), or specktioneer (spek sho ner', n.), for he
directs the cutting up of whales for removal
of the speck, or blubber.

Dutch spek blubber, fat, or G. speck ; cp. A.-S.
spic, O. Norse spik bacon.

speckle (spek'l), n. A little spot, speck,
or stain, v.t. To mark with speckles. (F.
point, moucheture ; moucheter.)

Some species of trout are speckled with
black and red spots. The sea trout has black
speckles on its silvery body during its sojourn
in the sea.

Dim. of speck [i].

speckless (spek' les). For this word
see under speck [i].

specksioneer (spek shun er'). For this
word see under speck [2].

specky (spek' i). For this word see under
speck [ij.

spectacle (spek' takl), n. A show ; some-
thing exhibited to the view; a remarkable
sight ; a pageant ; (pi.) a pair of small glass
lenses mounted in a light frame, resting on
nose and ears, worn to aid the sight, or pro-
tect the eyes ; eye-glasses. (F. spectacle,
lunettes.)

Strictly any sight is a spectacle, but the
word is used chiefly of sights that arouse
admiration, surprise, or disgust. A military
tattoo is a spectacular (spek tak' u lar, adj.)
event, or one having the nature of a spectacle.
It is presented spectacularly (spek tak' u lar
li, adv.), or in a spectacular fashion.

Spectacles were early worn by the Chinese,
who perhaps invented them. The Roman
emperor, Nero, is said to have used an
eye-glass with a beryl lens. We generally

distinguish spectacles from eye-glasses, which
grip the nose with a spring device. A person
wearing a pair of spectacles is said to be
spectacled (spek' tak Id, adj.).

F., from L. spectdculum show, sight, from spec-
tare to look at, frequentative of specere to look.
SYN. : Exhibition, object, pageant, show, sight.

Spectacles. — A spectacle-maker fitting a lent into
the frame of a pair of spectacles.

spectator (spek ta' tor), n. One who looks
on, especially at a game, events, etc. (F.
spectateur, assistant.)

Those who watch a game of football are
called the spectators, as distinguished from
those who take part in the game. The state
of watching, or the fact of being a mere on-
looker, is termed spectatorship (spek ta/ tor
ship, n.). One who looks on at events may be
said to adopt a spectatorial (spek ta tor' i al,
adj.) attitude. A feminine spectator is a
spectatress (spek ta' tres. n.). These three
derivative words are seldom used.

L. = one who looks on, from spectdre, fre-
quentative of specere to look. SYN. : Beholder,
onlooker.

spectre (spek' ter), n. A ghost ; an appari-
tion or phantom; figuratively, an object of
dread. (F. spectre, revenant, fantome.)

In Shakespeare's " Julius Caesar " (iv, 3),
Brutus, on the eve of the battle of Philippi,
is visited by a spectre, which at first he
thinks is an illusion. It is, however, the ghost
of Caesar. This spectral (spek' tral, adj.), or
ghostly, visit in which Caesar appears
spectrally (spek' tral li, adv.), is an omen of
the defeat of Brutus and his friends by
Antony and Octavius. The word spectral also
means of or pertaining to the spectrum, or
to spectra, in which the colours forming light
are broken up spectrally.

An optical illusion, consisting of a magnified
spectral or shadowy image of the observer,
is sometimes thrown upon mists around the
tops of mountains. It is called the spectre of
the Brocken, because it was first observed
on that peak in the Harz Mountains.

The word spectre enters into the formation
of names of various animals with very thin

4039

SPECTRO-

SPEGTRUM

bodies, or an otherwise ghostly appearance.
An insect of the genus Phasma is sometimes
called a spectre- insect (n.), or walking-stick.
The spectre-bat (n.) is a tropical species,
of the vampire family, known to scientists as
Phyllostoma spectrum.

The glass-crab, which is the flat, trans-
parent larva of certain shrimps, and not a
distinct species, is also called the spectre-crab
(n.). A spectre-shrimp (n.), however, is a
species of shrimp of the genus Caprella,
having a very slender and elongated body.
It seldom swims, but it climbs among the
branches of seaweeds, holding on by its
hind limbs and waving its long antennae
in search of food. The tarsier, a strange little
animal with large eyes and ears, is sometimes
called the spectre-lemur (n.). It lives in the
East Indies and frequents trees.

F., from L. spectrum appearance, image, from
specere to look. SYN. : Apparition, ghost.

spectre-. This is a prefix meaning having
to do with the spectrum. (F. spectro-.)

This prefix is used only in the formation
of scientific words. A spectrograph (spek'
tro graf, n.} is an apparatus for photographing
spectra. It consists of a spectroscope with
a camera fitted in the place of the eye-
piece. A photograph taken by spectro-
graphic (spek tro graf ik, adj.) methods is
called a spectrogram (spek' tro gram, n.).
The art of using spectrographs is termed
spectrography (spek trog' ra n, n.). A form
of spectrograph used for photographing the
great flames, called solar prominences, which
issue from the sun, is called a spectro-
heliograph (spek tro he' li 6 graf, n.). It
transforms the light from the sun into light
of one wave-length.

The science of deciding what a substance
contains by analysing its spectrum is
spectrology (spek trol' 6 ji, n.). The com-

Sosition of many of the stars has been
etermined by spectrological (spek tro loj'
ik al, adj.) investigations. In fact, until the
light - rays of heavenly bodies could be
examined spectrolpgically (spek tro loj' ik
al li, adv.), scientists possessed no method
of discovering the various elements of which
they are formed.

The spectrometer (spek trom'e ter, n.) is an
instrument which measures the bending of a
ray of light as it passes through a prism.

A spectrophone (spek' tro fon, n.) is a
modified form of spectroscope, in which the
different lights of the spectrum are made to
give out characteristic sounds. The ear of
the observer thus takes the place of the eye.

Combining form of L. spectrum.

spectroscope (spek' tro skop), n. An
instrument for forming and analysing the
spectra of light -rays given off by bodies.
(F. spectroscope.)

The ordinary spectroscope consists of
a tube for making the light -rays parallel, a
glass prism through which the light is
directed, a small viewing telescope, and
a measuring apparatus.

By means of spectroscopic (spek tro skop'
ik, adj.) or spectroscopical (spek tro skop'
ik al, adj.) observations of the light given
out by various bodies several new elements
have been discovered, some on the earth,
and some existing only in the stars. The
sun was the first heavenly body to be
examined spectroscopically (spek tro skop'
ik al li, adv.). In 1672 Sir Isaac Newton
first made known certain theories as to the
solar spectrum. This may be regarded as
the beginning of spectroscopy (spek tros' ko
pi, n.), the science dealing with the pro-
duction and study of spectra. The modern
spectroscopist (spek tros' ko pist, n.), or
one engaged in this science, has vastly in-
creased its range, and it is now an important
branch of astronomy.

From E. spectro- and suffix -scope from Gr.
skopein to view.

Spectroscope. — The half-prism spectroscope at the
Royal Observatory, Greenwich.

spectrum (spek' trum), n. The image
into which a ray of light, or other form
of radiant energy, is broken up by passing
through a prism ; the image of a bright object
persisting when the eyes are turned away.
pi. spectra (spek' tra). (F. spectre solaire.)

Rays of different colours are bent in
different degrees by a prism. Sunlight is
broken up into red, orange, yellow, green,
blue, indigo, and violet rays. These colours,
in this particular order, constitute the
solar spectrum, determined by their re-
frangibility. The rainbow is the sun's
spectrum thrown by drops of water.

The spectra of different sources of light
vary greatly. The nature and chemical com-
position of a substance can be determined

4040

SPECULAR

SPEECH

Spectrum. — Wheatstone's apparatus

by burning it in a flame or heating it till it
glows, and then examining its spectrum by
means of a spectroscope. This method of
chemical analysis is called spectrum analysis
(n.), or spectral analysis (n,).

L. = image, from specere to look. See spectre.

specular (spek' u
lar). This is an ad-
jective formed from
speculum. See spec-
ulum.

speculate (spek' u
lat), v.i. To turn
thoughts or theories
over in the mind ; to
reflect (upon, or about
a subject) ; to form
theories ; to make pur-
chases or investments
in the hope of obtain-
ing a profit. (F.
speculer sur. mediter,
conjecture*. speculer ,
agioter.)

When people form
theories as to the
nature or cause of a thing by conjecturing,
they are said to speculate about it. There
has been much speculation (spek u la/ shun,
n.}, or speculating, as to whether Mars is
inhabited. We can each have our own
opinion on the matter, but the speculations,
or mental inquiries, of astronomers carry
most weight, as these men have special
knowledge on which to base their opinions.
A speculation or conjectural opinion formed
without such knowledge is little more than
an idle fancy.

Business men are said to speculate in
stocks, when they buy stocks at a low price,
in the hope that a rise in their value will
enable them to be sold at a profit. There is
always a possibility of loss in speculations of
this kind. In the card game called specu-
lation, the players buy cards from one
another, hoping to improve their hands. A
business or purchase is said to be a specu-
lation, or to be speculative (spek' u la tiv, adj.],
if it is risky but likely to yield large profits.
Prudent people refrain from business of
this kind owing to its speculativeness (spek'
u la tiv nes, ».).

A person who possesses speculativeness,
that is, a tendency towards speculation, or
who is speculatively (spek' u la tiv li, adv.)
inclined, is termed a speculator (spek' u la
tor, n.), whether he speculates in the sense
of forming theories, or of buying and selling
goods or shares.

L. speculdtus, p.p. of speculdrl to behold, look
out, from specula look-out, watch-tower, from
specere to look. SYN. : v. Conjecture, consider,
contemplate, reflect, theorize.

speculum (spek' u lum), n. A mirror,
especially one of polished metal, used in an
optical instrument ; a patch of colour or a
lustrous spot on the wing of certain birds ;
an ocellus ; in surgery, an instrument fitted

with a mirror, used for examining internal
parts of the body. pi. specula (spek' u
la). (F. miroir, re"flecteur, ocelle, speculum.}

The speculum of a reflecting telescope is
generally made of speculum metal (n.), a hard
white alloy of copper and tin. This alloy is
capable of taking a
. 1 very high polish. Sur-
gical specula are of
different types, accord-
ing to the part of the
body to be examined.
Some are provided
with small electric
bulbs to assist in the
examination of the

spectrum

analysis — that is for separating the colours of a
ray of light.

cavity.

A specular (spek' u
lar, adj.) surface is one
that is bright and
polished, or that has
the nature of a specu-
lum. Specular iron
(n.) is a lustrous, crys-
talline variety of
haematite.
L. = mirror, dim. from specere to look.
sped (sped). This is the past tense and
past participle of speed. See speed.

speech (spech), n. The act or faculty of
speaking ; spoken words ; conversation ;
a remark ; a public address ; the language
of a nation, people, or group ; a dialect ;
in music, the sounding of a note on a wind
instrument or organ pipe. (F. parole, langage,
entretien, observation, discours, oraison,
harangue, langue.)

The power of speech is confined to human
beings. Parrots and other birds" can imitate
speech, but they have no understanding of
the words uttered. To have speech with a
person is to talk with him. Fluent talkers are
possessed of ready speech. Speech-day (n.)
is a name for the annual prize-giving day in
schools and colleges, when speeches are made
by the headmaster and others. Quickness
and accuracy of speech in concert organs are
obtained by the use of electric controls.

A speech-maker (n.) is one who delivers
a speech or speeches in public. If his
speech-making (n.) is poor, or pretentious, he
is said to speechify (spech' i fi, v.i.), that is, to
deliver a speech merely for the sake of talking.
Such a speaker is a speechifier (spech' i
fi er, n.). These two words are used only
in a depreciatory sense.

A dumb man is speechless (spech' les, adj.).
So also is a person who is temporarily de-
prived of the power of speaking owing to
terror or surprise. Indignation may cause a
person to stare speechlessly (spech' les li, adv.)
at someone who has insulted him, but his
speechlessness (spech' les nes, n.) will
probably give place to a strong protest when
he regains his self-control. Actual speechless-
ness or dumbness is usually accompanied
by deafness. The deaf, however, may under-
stand what is said by watching a speaker's

D28

4041

D 7

SPEED

SPELL

lips. This is called speech-reading (n.), or
lip-reading.

A.-S. sprdec, spdec, from sprecan, specan to
speak ; cp. Dutch spraak, G. sprache. See speak.
SYN. : Address, language, ovation, remark,
utterance.

speed (sped), n. Rapid motion ; swiftness ;
rate of progress or motion, v.i. To move
swiftly ; to succeed or prosper ; to fare
(well, ill, etc.). v.t. To cause to go fast ; to
send on the way ; to regulate the speed of
(an engine) ; to cause to succeed or prosper ;
to expedite, p.t. and p.p. sped (sped). (F.
rapidite, vitesse, velocite, celerite ; se hater,
reussir, se trouver / hater, depecher, accelerer,
faire prosperer, expedier.}

The verb is used chiefly with reference to
actual motion. Its other meanings are now
more or less archaic, although we still talk of
speeding the parting guest, which may mean
helping him to go quickly, or simply bidding
him farewell. So also a law-suit may be said
not to have sped when it fails, and one's
affairs to speed better when they prosper.
These uses, however, are more suited to
literature than to ordinary conversation.

An express train speeds along, speeding
its hundreds of passengers to their destina-
tion. Two machines that are run at the same
number of revolutions a minute are speeded
alike. The act or process of making opera-
tions quicker in a factory, mine, or elsewhere,
so as to obtain larger production, is described
as a speed-up (n.). This may be effected
either by the use of better machinery, or
improvements in organization. To do so is

Speed. — A racing

lotor-car being tested at low speed on the wet
sands at Pendine, Wales.

to speed up the business. In this sense and
in that of regulating speed the p.t. and p.p.
are speeded (sped' ed) .

The speed of a motor-car is the rate at
which it covers a certain distance, usually
reckoned in miles per hour. One that can
travel at a high speed is said to be speedy
(sped' i, adj.], to run speedily (sped' i li, adv.],
and possess speediness (sped' i nes, n.), or
swiftness of movement.

A speedy decision is one that is arrived at
without delay ; speedy remedies act quickly.

To wish anyone good speed, or God-speed,
in his affairs is to wish him prosperity.

A speeder (sped' er, n.} is one who drives
or speeds along rapidly, or else a device for
regulating the speed at which a machine
works. A speedometer (spe dom' e ter, n.) is
an instrument that records the speed at
which a motor-car or other vehicle travels.

The speedwell (sped' wel, n.} — Veronica
chamaedrys — is a common British wild
flower, with oval toothed leaves, and small
bright blue flowers. The name is also given
to related species.

A.-S. sped, spoed, verbal n. from spowan to
succeed ; cp. Dutch spoed, O.H.G. spuot success,
G. sputen (reflexive) to make haste. Perhaps
akin to L. spatium space, Sansk. sphdy to enlarge.
SYN. : n. Celerity, rapidity, velocity. v. Ac-
celerate, hasten.

speiss (spis), n. A mixture of arsenic,
nickel, copper, etc., collecting at the bottoms
of crucibles in which certain lead ores are
smelted. (F. speiss.)

G* speise food, bell-metal, L. expensa spent.
spelaean (spe le ' an) , adj. Of, pertaining to,
or dwelling in a cave or caves. (F. cavernicole] .
The prehistoric cave-dwellers may be
described' as'spelaean people. The scientific
study of 'caves is termed spelaeology (spe
le ol' 6:ji, n.).
' L. spelaeum, Gr. spelaion cave.

spelican (spel' i kan). This is another
spelling of spillikin. See spillikin.

spell [ij (fepel), n. A charm ; a set form of
words supposed to have magic powers ;
fascination. (F. sortilege, charme.)

The Sleeping Beauty was
placed under a spell which caused
her to remain asleep until she
was rescued by the prince. In
the Middle Ages the power of
spells was firmly believed in, and
people who were thought to be
under their influence were said
to be spellbound (adj.). We
now say that a person is spell-
bound when he is held bound as
if by a spell, say by the beauty
of a landscape. An incongruous
remark by a companion will,
however, break the spell, or put
an end to the attraction exercised
by the view.

A.-S. spel(l) saying, tale, speech ;
cp. O.H.G. spel, Goth, spill fable.
See spelt [2], gospel. SYN. : Attrac-
tion, charm, fascination, incantation.
spell [2] (spel), v.t. To name or write the
letters forming (a word) ; of letters, to form
a word ; to read with difficulty, letter by
letter ; to portend ; to involve, p.t. and p.p.
spelt (spelt) and spelled (speld). (F. epeler,
dechiffrer, presager, entrainer.)

The letters of which words are made once
represented the sound of the word. With
long usage the pronunciation of many words
has changed considerably and their sounds
and letters no longer agree. That is why
English spelling (spel' ing, n.}, that is, the art

4042

SPELL

SPEND

or practice of naming the letters in words, is
so difficult. The manner of writing or express-
ing words with letters is also termed spelling.
A spelling-book (n.) is one designed to teach
children how to spell correctly.

A child who can spell difficult words, like
believe and parallel, as well as common ones,
may be described as a good speller (sper er,
n.). A competition in spelling, especially
one in which prizes are given to those who
make fewest mistakes, is called a spelling-bee
(n.). In a figurative sense we say that the
failure of an industry spells, or means, ruin
for thousands of people.

O.F. espel(l)er ; cp. Dutch spellen, A.-S. spellian
to tell, narrate, from spell [i].

spell [3] (spel), n. A turn of work ; a
short period of time. (F.
periode, tour.}

The strain of driving a
motor-car for a long
period is avoided if the
passengers take spells or
turns at the wheel and
enable the driver to rest.
When the weather has
been bad for a long time
we long for a spell of
sunshine.

From A.-S. spelian to take
another person's place, from
spala substitute ; cp. Dutch
spelen, G. spielen to play, act
a part, spiel game, O. Norse
spila.

spelt [i] (spelt), n. An
inferior variety of wheat
with brittle ears, grown
in southern Europe. (F.
epeautre.}

Spelt, or German wheat,
is known to have been
cultivated by the ancient
Romans. It cannot be threshed so well as
ordinary wheat.

A.-S., from L.L. spelta ; cp. G. spelz.

spelt [2] (spelt). This is a past tense and
past participle of spell. See spell.

spelter (spel' ter), n. Zinc. (F. zinc.)
Spelter is the common commercial name

for zinc. The name is also given to an

alloy of copper and zinc used for hard

soldering.

Perhaps from Low G. spialter ; cp. Dutch and

G. spiauter. See pewter.

spence (spens), n. A larder ; a buttery.
Another spelling is spense (spens). (F.
garde-manger, depense.)

This archaic word denoted a room where
food was stored, and from which it was
dispensed for use at table.

O.F. despense buttery, from O.F. despendre
spend, distribute, from L. dispensdre, frequenta-
tive of L.L. dispendere (p.p. dispensus). See
dispense.

spencer [i] (spen' ser), n. A very short
tailless overcoat worn in the eighteenth

Spencerism.— Herbert Spencer (1820-
1903), the celebrated philosopher, whose
teaching is known as Spencerism. From
the painting by Sir Hubert von Herkomer.

and early nineteenth centuries ; a kind oi
short, under- jacket worn by women. (F.
spencer.)

This garment was probably named after
the second Earl Spencer (1758-1834), a Whig
politician. The distinguishing feature about
the spencer was that it was shorter than the
under-jacket. The spencer worn by women,
now rather an old-fashioned garment, is
named after that formerly worn by men.

spencer [2] (spen' ser), n. A fore-and-aft
sail carried on scjuare-rigged vessels, and set
with a gaff behind the fore- or main-mast.
(F. misaine-goelette.)

So named from its inventor, Knight Spencer,
an Englishman (1802).

Spencerism (spen' ser izm), n. The
philosophical teaching of
Herbert Spencer ( 1820-
1903). Another form is
Spencerianism (spen ser' i
an izm).

Spencer was occupied for
thirty-six years in writing
the ten volumes that set
forth the Spencerian (spen
ser' i an, adj.) philosophy,
which is also known as
the synthetic philosophy,
or Spencerism. His object
was to form a philosophical
system in harmony with
evolution and the dis-
coveries of modern
scientists.

spend (spend), v.t. To
pay out (money, etc.), for
purchases ; to, use or use
up ; to consume ; to pass
(time) ; to exhaust or wear
out ; of ships, to lose (a
mast), v.i. To expend
money, p.t. and p.p. spent (spent). (F.
depenser, employer, prodiguer, passer, fyuiser,
casser ; depenser.)

When people spend more than the amount
of their income they get into debt. It is
foolish to spend, or use up one's breath in
trying to convince an obstinate person to
do something. There are many more profitable
ways of spending one's time. According
to Tennyson's poem, " The Revenge," Sir
Richard Grenville did not surrender to the
Spaniards until his powder was all spent, or
consumed. A spent (adj.) bullet is one that
has nearly exhausted its momentum. A
storm is spent when its force is exhausted.

The spendable (spend' abl, adj.) part of one's
income is that which can be spent for one's
current needs without affecting the proportion
that must be kept to meet one's liabilities.
A spender (spend' er, n.) is one who spends,
especially an improvident or wasteful person,
or a spendthrift (spend' thrift, n.). The
prodigal son (Luke xv, 11-32) lived in a
spendthrift (adj.) fashion and soon wasted
his substance, by spending lavishly.

4043

SPENSE

SPHERE

A.-S. -spendan (in compounds), shortened
from L. expendere or dispendere to weigh out,
expend, dispense. SYN. : Consume, disburse,
exhaust, expend, squander, use. ANT. : Econo-
mize, hoard, save.

spense (spens). This is another spelling
of spence. See spence.

Spenserian (spen ser' i an), adj. Of or
pertaining to the poet Edmund Spenser
(1552-1599). «. A stanza used by Spenser
in " The Faerie Queene."

Spenser's chief poem is " The Faerie
Queene." It is written in stanzas of nine
iambic lines, eight of which are of ten sylla-
bles, the ninth being an Alexandrian and
containing twelve. There are three rhymes
to each stanza, occurring in the order a, b,
a, b, b, c, b, c, c. The Spenserian, or
Spenserian stanza, as it is called, has been
imitated by many poets, one of the most
successful being Byron in his " Childe
Harold."

spent (spent). This is the past tense
and past participle of spend. See spend.

spermaceti (sper ma se' ti), n. A fatty
substance obtained from the head of the
cachalot. (F. spermaceti.}

The skull of the sperm (n.}, or sperm-whale
(n.) — Physeter macrocephalus — contains a
large cavity filled with an oil which partly
solidifies when the whale dies or is killed.
The white, brittle, solid part is known as
spermaceti, and the liquid as spermaceti oil
(n.). Spermaceti is used in the manufacture
of candles, and ointments.

Sperm. The sperm or sperm-whale, a large whale
which frequents tropical and sub-tropical seas.

The sperm-whale is one of the largest of
all whales, and attains a length of sixty feet.
It has a huge blunt head, and its slender
lower jaw is provided with teeth set in a
long groove.

L.L.. spermaceti.

spew (spu), v.t. To vomit ; to throw out,
as from the mouth, v.i. To be sick. Another
form is spue (spu). (F. vomir, degueler}.

A.-S. speowan ; cp. Dutch spuwen, G. speien,
O. Norse spyja, L. spuere, Gr. ptyein.

spheno-. This is a prefix meaning of, or
resembling, a wedge, or pertaining to the
sphenoid bone. Another form is sphen-.
(F. spheno-.}

A wedge-shaped letter as used in the
cuneiform writing of the ancient Assyrians,
is called a sphenogram (sfen' 6 gram, «.).
Cuneiform or sphenographic (sfen 6 graf ik,
adj.] writing was produced on soft clay
bricks with a steel point. The prefix
spheno- is, however, used chiefly in the
formation of anatomical words relating to
the sphenoid (sfe' noid, adj.], or wedge-
shaped bone, also called the sphenoid (n.),
which forms part of the base of the skull.
For instance, the spheno-temporal (sfen 6
tern' po ral, adj.) suture is the joint between
the sphenoid and the temple. The word
sphenoid also means a wedge-shaped crystal
formed with four equal and similar triangular
faces.

Combining form of Gr. sphen (ace. sphen-a)
wedge.

sphere (sfer), n. A solid body bounded
by a surface that is everywhere equally
distant from a point within the body, called
its centre ; a figure or object approximately
of this shape ; a ball ; a globe ; one of the
heavenly bodies ; a globe representing the
earth, or the apparent form of the heavens ;
one of the transparent hollow globes imagined
by the ancients as enclosing and revolving
round the earth carrying the heavenly
bodies with them ; in poetry, a heavenly
region ; a field of action, existence, or
influence ; scope ; range ; province ; one's
place in society, v.t. To enclose in or as in a
sphere ; to make into a sphere in shape ;
in poetry, to put among the imaginary
celestial spheres. (F. sphere, spheroide,
balle, globe, orbe, champ, Element ; placer dans
un sphere, former en sphere, arrondir.)

We speak figuratively of a person being
happiest in his own sphere of life, that is,
in the surroundings or place in society to
which he naturally belongs. Before the
partition of Africa, certain regions in that
continent were recognized as spheres of in-
fluence of France, Germany, etc., that is, as
being of special political or economic import-
ance to France, etc. An individual's sphere
of action is largely confined to his place of
work, his family and friends. Philosophical
considerations of beauty may be regarded as
outside the sphere or domain of art. They
belong to aesthetics.

In a geometrical sense, a sphere is a solid
figure generated by a semicircle revolving
about its diameter. All plane sections of
spheres are circles ; one passing through the
centre of a sphere being called a great circle.
A sphere is a spherical (sfer' ik al, adj.) or
spheriform (sfer' i form, adj.) body, shaped
spherically (sfer' ik al li, adj.), or in the manner
of a sphere. It possesses sphericity (sfe ris'
i ti, n.), the quality of being spherical. An
instrument used for measuring the sphericity
of surfaces or bodies, especially lenses, is
called a spherometer (sfe rom' e ter, n.).

A spherical triangle (n.) is one formed on
the surface of a sphere by the intersecting
arcs of three great circles. It is described

4044

SPHINCTER

SPHINX

in the same way as a triangle in plane
geometry, as being right-angled, equilateral,
etc. The branch of mathematics dealing
with spherical triangles is known as spherical
trigonometry (n.). Such triangles may be
found and measured by means of a sphero-
graph (sfer' 6 graf, n.}, a device consisting
of two pieces of cardboard, with circles
marked on them, and rotating on each other.
A stereographic projection of the earth on a
disk ruled with the lines of longitude and
latitude is also called a spherograph. It is
used for solving problems of navigation
mechanically.

Although the planets are sometimes
described as spheres, their form is really that
of a spheroid (sfer' oid, n.}, or not perfectly
spherical, figure. Strictly, a spheroid is a
solid generated by an ellipse revolving about
either of its axes. The earth has been termed
an oblate spheroid, because it was thought
to be flattened at the north and south poles,
and to bulge at the equator.

A figure in which these characteristics
are reversed, so that it is drawn or extended
at the poles and flattened at the equator,
is a prolate or oblong spheroid. Both may be
described as spheroidal (sfe roi' dal, adj.),
spheroidic (sfe' roi' dik, adj.) or spheroidical
(sfe roi' dili al, adj.), shaped spheroidally
(sfe roi' dal'li, n.), or almost in the form
of a sphere, and having the quality of
spheroidicity (sfer oi dis' i ti, n.).

In the system of astronomy known as
the Ptolemaic, the motion of the sun, moon,
and planets was explained by the fact
that each was carried in an invisible sphere,
the fixed stars all being attached to a starry
sphere.

Many ancient philosophers believed in
the theory of Pythagoras that each of the
planets gave out a musical sound as it moved
through space, the pitch depending upon
the rate of motion. Plato, writing in a
fanciful vein, suggested that a siren sat on
each planet, and sang a most beautiful song,
agreeing with the planet's motion and har-
monizing with the songs from the other
planets.

When poets write of the music of the
spheres, or sphere-music (n.), they mean
this imaginary spheral (sfer' al, adj.) music,
or spheric (sfer'ik, adj.) harmony, emanating
from the spheres. In "' Troilus and Cressida "
(i, 3), Shakespeare writes of the sun " en-
throned and sphered," that is, set among
the spheres, or else in the sphere assigned
by Ptolemy to Apollo.

The word spherics (n.pl.) denotes the science
of the sphere, that is, spherical geometry
and trigonometry.

A minute spherical body is called a
spherule (sfer' ul, n.). Vitreous rocks often
contain spherulite (sfer' u lit, n.), a glassy
substance, occurring in spherules or spherular
(sfer' u lar, adj.) masses. Geologists speak of
the spherulitic (sfer u lit' ik, adj.) structure
of such rocks.

O.F. espere, F. sphere, from L. sphaera, Gr.
sphaira ball. SYN. : n. Ball, globe, province,
range, scope.

sphincter (sfingk' ter), n. In anatomy,
a muscle that contracts or closes a tube or
orifice. (F. sphincter.)

There are many sphincters or sphincteral
(sfingk' ter al, adj.) muscles in our digestive
system. One of the chief is the cardiac
sphincter around the oesophagus at its
opening into the stomach. Other forms of
the adjective are sphincteric (sfingk ter' ik)
and sphincterial (sfingk ter' i al).

L., from Gr. sphingkter, from sphinggein to
bind tightly, close up. See sphinx.

Sphinx. — The Great Sphinx of Cheops at Gizeh.
Egypt. The great pyramids are close by.

sphinx (sfingks), n. In Greek mythology,
a fabulous winged monster with a woman's
head and a lion's body ; a figure with a
lion's body and a human or animal head as
sculptured by the ancient Egyptians,
especially the huge stone image of this kind
near Gizeh ; an enigmatic or taciturn
person ; a hawk -moth ; a small species of
baboon (Papio sphinx] inhabiting West
Africa. (F. sphinx.}

The Grecian Sphinx is said to have waylaid
travellers outside the city of Thebes,
setting them a riddle and strangling them
when they could not solve it. At length
Oedipus answered the riddle correctly and
the Sphinx slew herself. The riddle was :
" What creature is four-footed, two-footed,
and three -footed ? " The answer was
" Man " — because a child crawls on hands
and feet, a grown man walks upright, and
an aged man uses a stick.

The Egyptian sphinxes were so named by
the Greeks from their resemblance to the
Theban monster. They sometimes symbolized
a monarch, regarded as a conqueror, and so

4045

SPHRAGISTIGS

SPIDER

consisted of the bearded head of a reigning
king on a lion's body. The Great Sphinx
near the pyramids of Gizeh is one hundred
and eighty-nine feet long. It is hewn out of
solid rock.

The term sphinx moth (n.), or sphinx, is
due to the sphinx-like (adj.] appearance
sometimes assumed by the caterpillars of
some of the family Sphingidae ; they are
better known as hawk-moths. A person
with an inscrutable face may be said to
wear a sphinx-like expression.

L., from Gr. sphingx, as if from sphinggetn to
strangle, throttle, with reference to the story.
But the word is probably of foreign origin.

sphraglstics (sfra jis' tiks), n.pl. The
study of engraved seals. (F. sphragistique .)

Gr. sphragistikos connected with seals, from
Gr. sphrdglzein to seal, from sphragis a seal.

sphygmograph (sfig' mo graf), n. An
apparatus for recording the beating
of the pulse on a strip of paper. (F.
sp hygm ograp he . )

A graphic record of the form and rate of
the pulse, as traced by a sphygmograph is
termed a sphygmogram (sfig' mo gram, «.).
The use of this instrument in making
sphygmographic (sfig mo graf ik, adj.]
records, and the collection and analysis of
facts relating to them form a branch of
medical practice known as sphygmography
(sfig mog' ra n, n.).

The physiological or pathological study of
the pulse is called sphygmology (sfig mol' 6
ji, n.}. This study is helped by the sphygmo-
phone (sfig' mo fon, n.), an instrument with
which scientists listen to the rhythm and
variations of the pulse, and by the sphygmo-
scope (sfig' mo skop, n.}, a device that makes
the pulse-beats visible.

Gr. sphygmos pulse, pulsation, from sphyzein
to beat, throb, and -graph, from Gr. -graphos
writing, recording, from graphein to write.

spica (spi' ka), n. In botany, a spike ;
in surgery, a spiral bandage with the turns
reversed. (F. epi, spica.)

The turns of the form of bandage called
a spica cross like a letter V. Their arrange-
ment somewhat resembles an ear of wheat.
In botany, flowers arranged on a plant in the
form of a spike are said to be spicate (spi'
kat, adj.).

A spicate plant is one that flowers in this
manner. In zoology, parts of animals having
the form of a spike, or pointed, are termed
spicate parts.

L. spica ear of grain, point. See spike.

spice (spis), n. Any pungent or aromatic
vegetable product with a strong and pleasant
taste, used for seasoning food ; such flavour-
ings collectively ; a flavour ; a smack (of).
v.t. To season with spice ; to flavour. (F.
dpice, sav eur, gout ; epicev, assaisonner.)

The chief spices are pepper, cloves, ginger,
allspice, nutmeg, mace, and cinnamon. In
hot countries people are fond of highly
spiced foods, and it is from such countries,
especially in the East, that spices come.

In a figurative sense, a spiteful remark may
be said to have a spice or trace of malice,
or to be spiced with malice.

An aromatic shrub of the laurel family,
growing in America, has the popular names
of spice-bush (n.) and spice-wood (n.). Its
botanical name is Benzoin odoriferum. The
word spicery (spis' er i, n.) means spices in
general. A part of a house, or a royal palace,
where spices were stored was formerly also
called the spicery.

Food is spicy (spis' i, adj.) if it is flavoured
with spice. It may be said to have the
quality of spiciness (spis' i nes, n.). Spicy
language is pungent, piquant, or smart.

O.F. espice, from L. species kind, sort of goods,
L.L. = drugs, spices, from L. specere to look.
See species.

spick-and-span (spikx and span'), adj.
Fresh and smart, suggesting something new.
(F. tire a quatre.)

Spick-and-span new originally meant as
new as a spike or nail just forged, or as a
chip freshly cut. A person is said to look
spick-an,d-span when he is smartly and spot-
lessly dressed.

For spick-and-span new. See spike, spoon
(chip, splinter). SYN. : Fresh, immaculate, smart.

spicule (spi' kiil), n. A tiny spica or
spike. (F. spicule.)

This word is used chiefly in botany and
zoology. Small needle-shaped or branching
particles of mineral matter that support
the framework of many sponges are known
as spicules ; so also are small or secondary
flower-spikes on plants. Spicular (spik' u
lar, adj.) crystals are slender and sharp-
pointed like needles. In botany, a flower-
spike composed of several smaller spikelets
or spicules is said to be spiculate (spik' u
lat, adj.).

F., from L. spiculum, dim. of spica spike,
point.

spicy (spis7 i). This is an adjective
formed from spice. See under spice.

Spider. — A spider rolling a large cocoon containing
its eggs.

spider (spi' der), n. An eight-legged
animal of the order Araneida, many species
of which spin webs for capturing insect food ;
an arachnid resembling this ; a spider-like
object. (F. araignee, d'araignSe.)

4046

SPIEGELEISEN

SPIKE

Spiders differ from insects in having bodies
divided into two parts, instead of three,
with eight legs instead of six, and no wings.
The young do not pass through any change
of form after being hatched from their eggs,
as do the larvae of insects. All spiders live by
preying on other animals, especially insects,
and all are poisonous, although with the
exception of the bird-catching spider
(My gale] and other tropical forms, the bite
is not dangerous ex-
cept for their prey.

Many spiders are
able to spin the famil-
iar snare of gossamer,
called a spider's web
(n.), or spider-web (n.).
The silken threads of
which this is made are
squirted in liquid form
as from a syringe,
through spinnerets in
the spider's abdomen.
The liquid silk hardens
on exposure to the air
and, under the name
of spider-line (n.), is
used by astronomers
for marking lines
across telescopes, etc.

The spinning powers of the spider are also
used for constructing the cocoons in which
the eggs are protected, and, in the case of
trap-door spiders, for lining the burrows.
Young spiders throw out their threads of
gossamer when they wish to make an aerial
journey. The wind catches the thread and
carries it for considerable distances with
the spider hanging on tightly.

One of the best known spiders in British
gardens is Epeira diademata, which spins a
wheel-like web. Cobwebs in the corners of
rooms are the work of the common house-
spider (Tegenaria domesticd). Instead of
spinning webs, some spiders hide in flowers
and waylay visiting insects ; others hunt
their victims on foot, and one species uses
leaves as rafts and dives from them after
prey in the water.

Spider-monkey. — The spider-monkey, a wonderfully
agile creature, with a very long tail.

plant often cultivated in gardens. It has
narrow purple veined leaves, and flowers of
rich purple-blue.

M.E. spiihre, spither, (for spinthre), literally
spinner, from A.-S. spinnan to spin, with agent
suffix -thre ; cp. Dutch spin, G. spinne, Dan.
spinder. See spin.

Spiegeleisen (spe/ gel Izn), n. An alloy
of iron, manganese, and carbon used in the
manufacture of steel. Spiegeleisen, or
mirror iron, is so
named from the
mirror-like appearance
of the faces of the
metal when broken.
(F. Spiegeleisen, fonte
miroitante.}

G. Spiegel mirror (L.
speculum), eisen iron.

spigot (spig' 6t),
n. A small, tapered
wooden plug or peg for
stopping the vent of
a cask ; a peg control-
ling the flow of liquor
from a faucet. (F.
fausset.)

Liquid will not run
from a cask unless air
is allowed to enter by
removing the spigot from the vent-hole.

M.E. spigot, dim. from Prov. espiga ear of
corn, (espigoun spigot), L. spica ear of corn,
point. See spike.

spike (spik), n. A pointed piece of metal,
as on the top of a railing ; any pointed
object; a sharp point; a large thick nail
or pin ; a flower-cluster formed of stemless
flowers arranged on a long common axis ;
French lavender, v.t. To fasten or pierce
with spikes ; to furnish with spikes ; to fix
upon a spike ; to sharpen the end of ; to
plug the touch-hole of (a cannon) with a
spike. (F. pointe, clou, epi, spic ; clouer,
herisser de pointes, pointer, enclouer.)

The tops of walls, fences, and gates are
often protected with a row of spikes. Runners
wear shoes with spikes in the soles to prevent
them from slipping. The hedgehog has a

Any animal with small body and long legs spiky (spik' i, adj.) back, covered with spikes

is said to be spidery (spi' der i, adj.), or
spider-like (adj.). The spider-crab (n.) —
Macropodia longirostris — has a long beak and
extremely attenuated legs. It is found in
British seas. The American spider-monkey (n.)
— A teles — is a wonderfully agile animal, with
a slender body and a long prehensile tail.
Various birds that feed on spiders have been
given the name of spider- catcher («.)»
especially an Indian sun-bird of the genus
Arachnothera, and the wall-creeper (Ticho-
droma muraria), a little bird of southern
Europe.

The spider-wasp (n.) — Pompilus — hunts
for spiders, which it paralyses with its sting
and places in holes with its eggs, so that the
larvae may have food. The Virginian spider-
wort (n.) — Tradescantia virginiana — is a

4047

or spines. A spiky thorn is one that is stiff
and has a sharp point. A spike-nail (n.) is a
long, stout nail with a small head, which is
used for spiking or fastening thick planks
together.

In the days of muzzle-loading cannon,
an enemy gun was spiked or made useless,
by driving a cast-iron spike into the touch-
hole, and then snapping it off level with the
top. Nowadays a gun is disabled by damaging
or removing the breech-block.

Oil of spike, used in painting, and by
veterinary surgeons, is an essential oil
distilled from spike-lavender (n.), or French
lavender (Lavendula spica}. The flower-
cluster of the plantain is an example of the
type of inflorescence known to botanists
as a spike. The inflorescence of wheat and

SPIKENARD

SPIN

rye takes the form of small groups of flowers,
arranged on the main axis, and is termed a
compound spike. Each of the groups is known
as a spikelet (splk' let, n.) or small spike.

Partly from L. splca ear of corn, point, but
in the sense of nail from a Teut. source, perhaps
akin to spoke (of a wheel) ; cp. Dutch spijker
nail, G. spiker large nail. See spoke. SYN. :
n. Barb, point, spit. v. Bore, drill, impale,
perforate, pierce. .

spikenard (spik' nard), n. An Indian
herb allied to and resembling the valerian ;
a valuable and fragrant ointment prepared
by the ancients, chiefly from its roots.
(F. nard indien.}

Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi) grows
on the Himalaya Mountains. Christ was
anointed with the precious ointment of
spikenard (Mark xiv, 3). The name oil of
spikenard is given to some fragrant oils.

So called from its spike-shaped blossoms, O.F.
spiquenard, from L. splca nardl, nardus
splcdtus. See nard.

spile (spll), n. A spigot ; a wooden plug ;
a large timber driven into the ground to
support a foundation ; a pile. v.t. To make
a vent-hole in (a cask) ; to plug (a hole) with
a spile. (F. fausset, tampon, pilot, pieu ;
percer, mettre en perce, boucher.)

Spiles collectively are known as spiling
(spir ing, n.), which also denotes the curve
of the edge of a plank in a ship's hull.

From Dutch spijl or Low G. spile splinter,
peg ; cp. G. speil skewer, in some senses con-
fused with pile [2].

spill [i] (spil), n. A folded or twisted
piece of paper or thin strip of wood, used for
lighting a candle, etc. (F. allumette de
papier, allumette en copeau.}

Perhaps a form of spile, or = M.E. speld
splinter, A.-S. speld a spill to light a candle
with, splinter, M.H.G. spelte splinter, from
O.H.G. spaltan, G. spalten to cleave, split.

Spiller.— Pithing by means of a spiller, a line to
which baited hooks are attached.

spill [2] (spil), v.t. To allow or cause
(liquid) to fall or run out of a vessel ; to
scatter, as by emptying ; to shed (blood) ;
to throw from (a vehicle, etc.) ; to empty
(a sail) of wind, v .i. To run out ; to flow or
run over a brim or side ; to be shed. n.
The act of spilling ; a fall or throw from a
bicycle, horse, etc. p.t. and p.p. spilt (spilt) ;
spilled (spild). (F. repandre, verser, carguer ;
se repandre, deborder ; ecoulement, culbute.)

It is difficult to avoid spilling the contents
of a full pail of water when carrying it over
rough ground. The popular saying that it is
no use crying over spilt milk means that we
should not bewail past misfortunes. When
blood is shed, it may be said to be spilt.
Most cyclists have experienced a few un-
pleasant spills, especially on greasy roads.

A dam built across a valley to collect water
in a reservoir is usually provided with a
spillway (spir wa, n.}, that is, a passage
somewhat lower than the top of the dam
over which surplus water flows.

The word spiller (spil' er, n.} means either
a person or thing that spills, as when we say
that a hunter is a spilier of blood. A long
fishing-line carrying many hooks is also
called a spiller by Cornish fishermen. In
America the word denotes a small net used
to remove fish from a seine-net.

A spilling-line (n.) is a short rope for spill-
ing a square-sail or emptying the wind from
it so that it can be reefed.

M.E. spillen, A.-S. sptllan, spildan to destroy ;
cp. O. Norse spilla to destroy, Swed. spilla
to spill, Dutch spillen to squander, perhaps
akin to G. spalten to split.

spillikin (spir i kin), n. A small rod or
slip of wood, bone, etc., used in certain
games ; (pi.) a game played with such
pieces. (F. jonchet, jeu de jonchets.)
. In spillikins the players try to hook each
spillikin from a heap, without disturbing the
remainder.

M. Dutch spelleken, dim. of spelle peg, pin.
See spill [ij.

spilt (spilt). This is a past tense and past
participle of spill. See spUl [2],

spin (spin), v.t. To draw out and twist
(fibres) into threads ; to make (yarn) in this
way ; of spiders and caterpillars, to form (a
web or cocoon) by drawing out a thread of
viscous material ; to form (a thread) by the
extrusion of cellulose, etc. ; to make up or
relate (a narrative) ; to tell at great length ;
to consume or occupy (time, etc.) thus ; to
cause to rotate quickly ; to turn (a person
or thing) round rapidly ; to shape (metal)
into hollow vessels on a lathe or mandrel.
v.i. To form threads from cotton, wool, etc.,
by drawing and twisting, or from a viscous
material by extrusion ; to whirl or turn
round ; to fish with a spinning-bait ; to go
along very quickly, n. The act or motion
of spinning or whirling ; a run on a bicycle,
motor-car, etc. ; a brief spell of rowing,
etc. p.t. spun (spun) or span (span) ; p.p.
spun (spun). (F. filer, etirer, raconter, trainer,
faire iourner, filer, tournoyer ; tournoiement,
course.)

Man span cotton into yarn with which to
make his cloth thousands of years ago, and
from very early times other vegetable and
animal fibres, such as flax and wool, have been
spun in a similar manner. Machinery, of
course, has taken the place of the hand-
worker in many civilized communities.

4048

SPINACH

SPINDLE

Some people like to spin out a story when
they tell it, that is, to narrate it at great
length, which may make the story tedious
to listen to. Negotiations or discussions are
said to be spun out if they last a long time.
An official who, in the temporary absence of
his chief, has to deal with a caller, may try
to spin out the time till his superior returns,
perhaps by talking at length.

We talk sometimes of taking a spin on a
bicycle, of going for a spin on the river, or of
enjoying a spin in a car, in each case meaning
by a spin a brief spell of the recreation in
question.

In cricket the twist
given to the ball when
bowling is called spin, a
term applied in lawn-
tennis to the twist im-
parted to a ball by
sliding the racket across
it. In the latter game to
toss the racket to de-
termine the service or
the choice of court is
to spin.

A spinner (spin7 er, n.)
is a person or machine
that spins cotton, wool,
flax, and other fibres. A
metal-spinner clamps a
disk of metal in the lathe,
and while the disk rotates
or spins, presses it side-
ways with a tool against a shaped wooden
mould till it takes the shape of the mould.
Vases, pots, pans and other hollow-ware are
formed thus, or spun from a solid piece of
metal. The word spinner also means the
spinneret (spin' er et, n,) of a spider, one of
the tiny tubes in its body through which is
exuded the silk-like thread used for its web.
Silkworms and other kinds of caterpillars
also have spinnerets.

Man has profited by the example of the
insect world and has contrived a viscous or
gummy solution, which, when exuded
through a minute hole under great pressure,
forms a thread of material which can be
made into a kind of yarn for weaving.

A spinnery (spin' er i, n.), or spinning-mill
(n.), is a factory in which cotton, wool, etc.,
are spun into threads. The device named
spinning- jenny (n.) was a spinning-machine
invented about 1764 by James Hargreaves,
a Lancashire weaver, which enabled one
person to spin a number of threads at the
same time. The jenny took the place of the
spinning-wheel •(«.), which has a wheel
turned by a treadle.

A spinning-tcp (n.) whirls, or spins, for a
while after being spun, or twirled, with the
fingers or by means of a string, etc. To send
a person spinning is to strike or push him
so that he spins round, turning on his feet.
We may spin someone round to free us,
turning him by the arm in the desired
direction.

Spinning-jenny. — The spinning-jenny, a spinning-
machine invented by James Hargreaves, a
Lancashire weaver.

A.-S. spinnan ; cp. Dutch and G. spinnen,
O. Norse spinna ; akin to E.span (v.). SYN. :
v. Revolve, turn, twirl, whirl.

spinach (spin' ij), n. A herb of the genus
Spinacia, of which the leaves are boiled as
food. (F. dpinard.}

There are several varieties of spinach
which have large, succulent leaves. The
garden spinach is 5. oleracea. The leaves
when cooked have a slightly bitter taste,
and are very wholesome. Herbs which belong
to this genus are described as spinaceous (spi
na' shus, adj.}. Other similar plants with
edible leaves are popu-
larly called spinach.

O.F. espinac(h)e, espin-
age ; cp. Span, espinaca,
Arabic isfanaj, asfanakh,
perhaps of Pers. origin,
but usually associated
with L. splna thorn, from
the prickliness of the
seeds.

spinal (spr nal), adj.
Of or relating to the
spine. (F. spinal.}

In man, the backbone,
spine, or spinal column
(n.), as it is variously
named, is formed of
thirty-three small bones,
or vertebrae, each con-
sisting of a solid portion
and an arch. The verte-
brae are so placed one upon the other that
the solid parts make a bony pillar, and the
arches form a nearly continuous canal,
through which runs the chief nerve-trunk
of the body, known as the spinal cord (n.),
or spinal marrow (n.). This communicates
above with the brain and is connected
laterally by nerves with other regions.

L.L. splndlis, from L. splna spine, and adj.
suffix -alls. SYN. : Vertebral.

spindle (spin' dl), n. The rod or pin of a
spinning - wheel on which the thread is
twisted and wound ; a pin carrying a bobbin,
in a spinning-machine ; a rod or pin which
revolves, or on which some part turns, v.i.
To grow into a long slender form. (F.
quenouille, fuseau, broche, pivot; s'effiler.}

The spindle of the spinning-wheel is
made to revolve by means of a treadle.
Before the invention of the wheel, the spinner
held the spindle and turned it by hand.

The spindle is weighted with a spindle-
whorl (».), a pottery disk with a hole in it.
The spindle side of a person's ancestry is the
female side, described also as the distaff side.

People who have long, thin legs are some*
times said to be spindle-legged (adj.}, or
spindle-shanked (adj.}, or are nicknamed
spindle-legs (n.pl.}, or spindle-shanks (n.pl.}.

The shrub called spindle-tree (».)—
Euonymus europaeus — is often seen growing
in hedges. It has glossy, tapering leaves and
bears a curious red, four-lobed fruit. Its
tough, hard wood is used for skewers and

4049

SPINDRIFT

SPINTHARISCOPE

other articles, and was formerly made into
spindles.

M.E. spinel, A.-S. spinl, from spinnan to
spin ; with instrumental suffix -(<?)/ ; cp. G.
spindel. The inserted d is due to the phonetic
influence of n. SYN. : n. Arbor, axis, pin, rod.

spindrift (spin' drift), n. Fine spray blown
from the waves of the sea. Another form
is spoondrift (spoon7 drift). (F. embrun.)

Sc. form of spoondrift from the nautical
spoon, spoom to run before the wind.

spine (spin), n. The backbone ; a sharp,
stiff, woody process in plants ; a sharp
projection or outgrowth. (F. epine dorsale,
echine, epine.}

The backbone or vertebral column is
called the spine ; the vertebrae which com-
pose it are furnished with a projecting
ridge or spinous (spin 'us, adj.] process called
the neural spine. Projections on other bones
also are described as spines.

Any large prickle or thorn of plants is
loosely called a spine, but botanists reserve
the name for permanent processes which
grow out from the wood, as in the common
hawthorn. Such spines are modifications
of branches or other parts, and differ from
the prickles of plants like the rose or bramble,
which originate in the bark. Another spined
(spind, adj.] or spinose (spin' 6s, adj.) plant
is the barberry.

In some fish the fin-rays are produced into
sharp spines, as in the perch. Hedgehogs and
porcupines are examples of mammals that
have spiny (spin7 i, adj.) or spine-like hairs.
Their covering is an example of spinosity
(splnos7 i ti, n.).

Invertebrate animals are spineless (spin'
les, adj.), and this word is used of a person
who appears limp in carriage or in character.
Fish which have no fin-spines, and plants
having no sharp woody spines, may also be
described as spineless.

O.F. espine thorn, from L. spina thorn, back-
bone. SYN. : Backbone, thorn.

spinel (spi nel7 ; spin7 el), n. A vitreous
aluminate of magnesium, occurring as
octahedral crystals of great hardness ;
a term for other minerals of similar chemical
and crystalline structure. (F. spinelle.)

Spinel is found in various colours — green,
blue, red, brown and black — the red variety
being marketed as a precious stone under
the name spinel ruby.

F. spinelle, from L.L. spinellus, dim. of spina
thorn, prickle, so named from the sharp-pointed
crystals.

spineless (spin7 les), adj. Invertebrate ;
having no spines. See under spine.

spinet (spi net7 ; spin7 et), n. An obsolete
musical instrument resembling a small
harpsichord, and having but one string to
each note. (F. epinette.)

O.F. espinette, from Ital. spinetta, probably
so named from G. Spinetti of Venice (about A.D.
1500), the alleged inventor of the instrument.

spinnaker (spin7 a ker), n. A large three-
cornered sail, extended by a gaff, carried on

the mainmast of a racing-yacht opposite the
mainsail, and used in running before the wind.
Perhaps from " Sphinx," name of a yacht that
carried this sail.

Spinnaker. — A yacht with two large spinnakers set,
one to port and one to starboard.

spinner (spin'er), n. One who or that
which spins ; a spinneret. See under spin.

spinney (spin7 i), n. A small wood with
undergrowth ; a copse ; a thicket. (F.
taillis, bosquet, hallier.)

O.F. espinoye, from L. splnetum a thorny
thicket, from L. spina thorn.

spinning-jenny (spin7 ing jen7 i). For
this word, spinning-mill, etc., see under spin.

spinose (spin 6s7). For this word and
spinous see under spine.

Spinozism (spi noz7izm), n. The philo-
sophy taught by Baruch de Spinoza (1632-
1677), a Dutch Jew of Spanish descent.
(F. spinosisme.)

Spinoza's philosophy is called a monistic
system because it represents God and Nature
to be one, and pantheistic because it holds
everything to be a part of God. A believer
in Spinozism is known as a Spinozist (spin 67
zist, n.), and his belief is said to be Spinozistic
(spin 6 zist7 ik, adj.).

spinster (spin7 ster), n. An unmarried
woman. (F. fille.)

Spinster, now the legal designation of an
unmarried woman, meant formerly a woman
who got her living by spinning. Popularly
the word is used especially of an elderly
woman who is not married. Spinsterhood
(spin7 ster hud, n.) is the state of being a
spinster.

Literally a woman who spins. The suffix -ster
was originally confined to females, especially
one who carried on something as an occupation,
but when men began to undertake such occupa-
tions the feminine application of -ster gradually
disappeared, and now only survives in the single
word spinster.

spinthariscope (spin thar7 i skop), n.
An instrument for rendering rays emitted
by radium visible.

The spint-hariscope consists of a small
metal tube in which a minute particle of
radium or of a radium compound is mounted
in front of a screen coated with a fluorescent
substance such as zinc sulphide. The con-
tinual impact of the rays emitted by the
radium against the screen causes tiny flashes

4050

SPINULE

SPIRIT

of light, which can be seen through a magni-
fying glass. The instrument was invented
by Sir William Crookes.

From Gr. spintharis spark, and suffix -scope
= observer, observing, from Gr. skopein to
look, observe.

spinule (spi' mil), n. In botany and
zoology, a small spine. (F. spinule.}

Some parts of plants are shown by the
microscope to be furnished with tiny spines
or spinules. The fruit of goose-grass, or
cleavers, is an example, the spinules having
tiny hooks. Such a plant is described as
spinulose (spi' nu 16s, adj.], or spinulous
(spr mi his, adj.] ; spinuliferous (spi nu lif
er us, adj.] means bearing spinules.

F., from L. splnula, dim. of splna spine.

spiny (spin' i), adj. Furnished with
spines. See under spine.

spiracle (spir' akl), n. A breathing hole.
(F. event, soupirail.)

This name is used for the blowhole of
whales, through which
air mixed with spray
or water is ejected when
the animal expels air
from its lungs. In fishes
like sharks, the spiracle
is a small hole near the
gill-slits, out of which
the water passes after
flowing over the gills.

Insects have spiracles
along the sides of the
body, through which air
enters the tracheae or
breathing tubes.

F.t from L. spiraculum
air-hole, from spir are to
breathe.

spiraea (spi re' a), n.
belonging to the order Rosaceae. (F. s'piree.

The fragrant meadow-sweet (Spiraea
ulmaria}, and the dropwort (5. filipendula)
are common British plants.

L., from Gr. speiraia meadow-sweet, from
speira coil.

spiral (spir' al), adj. Forming a coil ;
winding continually about a centre and
getting farther from it ; winding continually
and advancing like the thread of a screw.
n. A spiral curve ; a spiral spring or other
spiral formation. (F. spiral ; spirale.)

The quality of being spiral, called spirality
(spi nil' i ti, n.), is presented by the groove
on a gramophone disk, which winds spirally
(spir' al li, adv.) about the centre point, from
which it recedes farther at each turn. A
watch-spring is wound in the form of a
spiral, all in one plane. Some springs — for
example, those used as shock absorbers on
a motor cycle — are wound as tapering spirals,
each turn rising upward, so that the spring
is cone-shaped. The horns of some antelopes
are spirated (spir' at ed, adj.), or spirally
twisted.

F., from L. splrdlis. See spire. SYN. : adj.
Cork-screwy, helical, n. Helix.

spira
larva of the cockchafer,

A genus of plants

spirant (spir' ant), n. A consonant which
is pronounced without entirely stopping
the breath, adj. Uttered in this manner ;
continuable. (F. aspire.}

The sounds /, v, th, are spirants, or con-
tinuable consonants. While sounding them
the breath is expelled gently all the time.

L,. splrans (ace. -ant-em], pres. p. of spir are
to breathe.

spire [i] (spir), n. A tall tapering structure,
usually conical or pyramidal, rising from a.
tower ; a flower spike or stalk of grass
resembling this in shape ; the tapering upper
part of a tree which rises above the branches.
v.i. To sprout or shoot up like a spire.
v.t. To provide with a spire. (F. fleche,
clocher, brin ; s'elever en fleche : orner d'un
docker.)

Spires are a dominant feature of some of
our magnificent cathedrals, which have been
described as poems in stone, and a great
many parish churches
also have their spires.
Whatever may be the
origin of church spires
the idea they suggest
within our minds is that
of lifting our thoughts
heavenward. In poetical
. language a town having
; many buildings with
spires might be described
• as spiry (spir' i, adj.).

A.-S. spir spike (ol a
\ reed) ; cp. Dan. spire

J sprout, sprig, G. spiere
spar, Icel. spira spar,
stilt, akin- to E. spar,
spear. SYN. : n. Pinnacle.

spire [2] (spir), n. A spiral or coil ; a
single turn of this ; the upper part of a
spiral shell. (F. spirale, spire.)

F., from L. spir a, Gr. sp*ir* coil, wreath.

spirit {spir' it), n. The life-giving
and immaterial part of man ; the soul ;
a disembodied soul ; a rational being con-
sidered apart from his material body ; an
incorporeal being ; an angel ; a ghost ;
a fairy or elf ; fine quality of intellect, mind,
or character ; a person regarded as endowed
with this ; (often -pi.} temper or disposition ;
courage ; vivacity ; vigour ; mental or
moral nature or attitude ; mood ; real or
essential meaning ; animating influence ;
pervading principle ; tendency; (usually pi.)
certain kinds of distilled liquor, especially
alcohol ; a solution in alcohol ; a tincture.
v.t. To convey (away, off) quickly and secretly
as by spirits ; to inspirit ; to animate.
(F. esprit, intelligence, dme, ange, fantome,
genis, caractere, homme de cceur, courage,
verve, feu, disposition, essence, spiritueux ;
enlever par ruse, escamoter.)

Man is linked to his divine Creator by his
immaterial spirit, which, religion teaches, con-
tinues to have existence after the death of
man's physical body. The spirit of man,

much enlarged, of a
a large brown beetle.

4051

SPIRITUAL

SPIRITUAL

as an intelligent being, dwells in and animates
his body. God is a Spirit, and the Third
Person of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit (n.).
Christians believe that the spirits of the
departed will re-inhabit their bodies at the
last day. Primitive peoples ascribed all
unusual happenings to the action of spirits,
personifying the manifestations of Nature as
special beings vested with mysterious and
wonderful powers. So in later days men
have believed in ghosts and familiars, which
by the aid of sorcery people pretended to
conjure up at will.

We talk of a person being spirited off or
spirited away when he has been secretly,
mysteriously, or quickly conveyed from a
place — not now meaning that he has been
carried off by spirits, as the deluded and
superstitious of a past age thought to be
possible.

Spiritual. — A detail of " II Paradise," one of the spiritual subjects

treated in the frescoes painted by Benozzo Gozzoli, in the Palazzo

Riccardi, Florence.

A man of mettle or spirit is one exhibiting
courage and energy, who shows vivacity and
dash, or spirit, in his actions. Usually
such a person will be in good spirits, that is,
in a buoyant or cheerful frame of mind. We
may say that a piece of music is performed
in a lively or spirited (spir' it ed, adj.)
manner, or, conversely, that the player
tackles it in a spiritless (spir' it les, adj.)
fashion. His spiritlessness (spir' it les nes, n.)
may be due to low spirits, or depression,
caused by poor health, in which circumstances
a player cannot he expected to perform
spiritedly (spir7 it ed li, adv.). Spiritlessly
(spir' it les li, adv.) means in a half-hearted
or spiritless manner, and spiritedness (spir'
it ed nes, n.) is the state or quality of being
spirited.

To enter into the spirit of a game is to
play it whole-heartedly, with enthusiasm.
A vivacious person is sometimes said to be
the spirit of a party, entertaining other

guests and infusing his spirit of cheerfulness
into the gathering. The spirit of a sentence
or a letter is its real or vital meaning as
apart from the verbal sense. The strict
letter of the law may be out of harmony
with its spirit. Laws and customs may cease
to be in keeping with the spirit of the day
or of the age.

Brandy, whisky, and other alcoholic
liquors are called spirits, or ardent spirits,
the word usually being employed in the
plural. Pure alcohol is known as spirits of
wine (n.). Proof spirit is alcohol of a certain
standard strength. A spirit-lamp (n.) is
one which burns spirit, or alcohol, generally
in the form of methylated spirit, so treated
as to be unfit for drinking. A spirit-level (n.)
is an instrument consisting of a glass tube
nearly full of alcohol contained in a wooden
case, used for testing the flatness of a surface.
The term spirit-worship (n.)
denotes both the worship of the
spirits of the departed, which
was observed by the ancient
Romans and is the basis of much
Chinese religion, and the wor-
ship of supposed good and evil
spirits practised by some races.

A spirit- rapper (n.) is one who
claims that spirits communicate
with him by rapping on a table,
etc. ; this is called spirit-rapping
(n.). Writing alleged to have
been done by spirits is called
spirit-writing (n.). A spiritist
(spir' it ist, n.) is a believer in
spiritualism, also called spiritism
(spir' it izm, n.).

The name of spirit-duck (n.) is
given to various species of ducks
which dive rapidly when dis-
turbed or alarmed. Spiritoso
(spir i to' so, adv.) is a musical
direction denoting that a passage
is to be played in a lively
manner.

Angio-F. espirit, L. splritus breath, spirit,
from splrdre to breathe. SYN. : n. Ardour,
courage, essence, ghost, soul.

spiritual (spir' i tu al), adj. Of or
relating to the spirit, especially as opposed to
the body ; immaterial ; proceeding from
God ; divine ; holy ; inspired ; of or relat-
ing to the inner nature of man ; not carnal ;
concerned with sacred or religious things ;
not temporal ; having or characterized by
the higher qualities of the mind. (F.
spiritual, sacrt.}

The spiritual life is the highest life.
Angels are spiritual beings. Bishops and
archbishops who sit in the House of Lords
are called the lords spiritual. Spiritualness
(spir' i tu al nes, n.) or spirituality (spir i tu
al' i ti, n.} means immateriality, or the
quality of being spiritual. Spiritualities are
those things, such as tithes, which belong
or are due to the church or the clergy
because of their religious office.

4052

SPIRITUALISM

SPIT

To spiritualize (spir' i tu al Iz, v.t.) thoughts
or aspirations is to make them spiritual
in character. Ministers of religion are
concerned especially with the spiritual
welfare of their people, and work for their
spiritualization (spir i tu al i za' shun, n.},
exhorting them to live more spiritually
(spir7 i tu al li, adv.}.

O.F. spirituel, from L.L. splritudlis from
L. spiritus spirit. SYN. : Ghostly, heavenly,
immaterial, intellectual, mental. ANT. : Carnal,
gross, lay, material, temporal.

spiritualism (spir' i tu al izm), n. A
system of teaching based on the belief that
the spirits of the dead communicate with
living people ; the philosophical doctrine
that spirit is distinct from matter and alone
has reality, spiritism (spir' it izm) has the
same meaning. (F. spiritisms.)

The spiritualist (spir' i tu al ist, n.), or
spiritist (spir' it ist, n.) — one who believes
in spiritualism of the first kind — brings
forward instances of many strange happen-
ings which are difficult or impossible to
explain scientifically. While it is reasonable
to -be sceptical about some incidents that
occur at. spiritualistic (spir i tu a iis' tik,
adj.) meetings, one should keep in mind
Shakespeare's lines in " Hamlet" (i, 5) : —
There are more things in heaven and

earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

From spiritual and suffix -ism.

spirituality (spir i tu al' i ti). For
this word and spiritualize see under spiritual.

spirituelle (spir i tu el'), adj. Marked
by delicacy, grace, or refinement of mind.

This is a French word, used chiefly of
women.

Fern, of spirituel.

spirituous (spir' i tu us), adj. Con-
taining alcohol ; distilled, not fermented ;
alcoholic. (F. spiritueux.)

Whisky, brandy, rum, and gin are spiritu-
ous liquors, being prepared by distillation.
The word is used loosely of beer and wine,
though these are fermented and not dis-
tilled ; they have spirituousness (spir' i tu
us nes, n.), or the quality of being spirituous,
in so far as they contain alcohol.

O.F. spirttueux, from a supposed L. splrituosus.
SYN. : Alcoholic.

spiritus (spir' i tus), n. In Greek
grammar, a breathing. (F. esprit.}

All vowels and diphthongs at the begin-
ning of Greek words have a breathing above
them. The spiritus asper (n.), or rough
breathing ('), has the sound of h ', the
spiritus lenis (n.}t or smooth breathing (' )
marks the absence of an aspirate.

L. = breath, breathing.

spirograph (spir' 6 graf), n. An
apparatus which records the movements of
breathing.

The spirograph marks the movements
made in breathing ; an instrument of
another kind, called the spirometer (spir om'
e ter, n.}, or spiroscope (spir' 6 skop, n.},

measures the amount of air that is, or can
be, exhaled from the lungs at a breath. It
is a balanced vessel with an open bottom,
which dips in water. As air is blown in,
the vessel rises out of the water, and the
volume of air is reckoned from the height
of rise.

Measurements thus made are spirometric
(spir 6 met' rik, adj.}, and belong to spiro-
metry (spir om' e tri, n.), the study of the
breathing power or capacity of the lungs.
The spirophore (spir' 6 for, n.) is a device for
restarting the action of the lungs when it
has ceased, as in a person apparently
drowned.

From L. splrare to breathe, and -graph (Gr.
-graphos writer, writing, from graphein to write) .

spirt (spert). This is another spelling
of spurt. See spurt [i] and [2].

spiry (spir' i), adj. Provided with spires.
See tinder spire [i].

Spit. — A spit on which roasting meat is turned before

the fire. It is not often that spits are seen in

use to-day.

spit [i] (spit), n. A large skewer or
long-pointed rod on which roasting meat is
turned before the fire ; a long narrow sand-
bank or point of land running into the sea.
v.t. To fix (meat) on a spit ; to pierce or
transfix with or as with a spit. (F. broche,
cap; embrocher, enferrer.}

Spits are little used now since meat is
usually baked in an oven. Formerly it
was usual to spit poultry, game, etc., piercing
the joint with a long rod, which was made
to rotate slowly and so present all parts to
the glowing fire before which the joint
was roasted. A breed of dog used to turn
a spit by means of a treadmill was known
as a turnspit. A swordsman was said to
spit his opponent when he transfixed the
latter with his weapon.

M.E. spite, A.-S. spitu ; cp. Dutch spit,
G. spiess spit, spitz pointed.

spit [2] (spit), v.t. To eject from the
mouth ; to utter (words) in a spiteful way.
v .i. To eject saliva from the mouth ; of a
cat, to make a noise as of spitting ; of
rain, to fall lightly ; to drizzle, n. Saliva ;
spittle ; of a cat, spitting ; a froth with
which some insects surround themselves.
p.t. and p.p. spat (spat). (F. cracker;
cracker, saliver, brouillasser : salive, cracnat.
crachat de coucou.)

4053

SPIT

SPLASH

The objectionable practice of spitting in of the anatomy and pathology of the
public vehicles is an offence against bye- internal organs is splanchnology (splangk
laws made by many authorities, and the nol7 6 ji, n.).

Gr. splangkhnikos, from splangkhna entrails,

spitter (spit7 er, n,) is liable to punishment.

For a person spits usually as the result intestines,
of some ailment, and his spittle (spit' 1, n.) or

saliva may contain disease germs likely water, mud, etc.) ; to spatter (liquid) ; to

to carry infection to others. A spittoon make (one's way) through water, dashing

(spi toon7, n.) is a vessel placed in a sickroom, and spattering it ; to cause a liquid to do

etc., for the reception of saliva. this

A person when angered sometimes utters etc.'

splash, (splash), v.t. To bespatter (with

to make one's way (along, through,
with spatterings. v.i. To dash or

his words sharply and shortly — spits them spatter liquid about ; to be dashed or fly
out, as we say. A cat spits, or makes a about in droplets ; to move, plunge, or fall
hissing or spitting noise, when angry, so with a splash, n. The act of splashing ;

that we use the word spitfire (n.) to mean a
person easily roused to anger.

A.-S. spittan, spdetan (whence E. p.t. spat)

i, G. spui

cp. Dan. spytte, O. Norse spyta,

also G. spucken, speien, E. spew, spout. SYN.

v. Expectorate.

spit [3] (spit), n. A layer of earth equal
in depth to the blade of a spade ; this

the amount of liquid splashed ; a noise of
or as of splashing ; water, mud, or colour
splashed about ; a spot, patch, or splotch
of dirt, liquid, colour, etc. ; a white toilet-
powder. (F. eclabousser, patauger, clapoter :
folaboussement, eel abous sure.}

Our shoes, garments, etc., become splashed
or spattered with mud on a wet day ; if

a passing vehicle may splash or bespatter
us, leaving splashes difficult to remove from
delicate fabrics.

When we take a bath we should be careful

depth of earth ; the amount removed by the we step into a puddle mud splashes up, and
spade at one lift. (F. terre bechde.)

Cp. Dutch and Low G. spit a spit, also A.-S.
spittan (E. dialect spit) to dig.

spitch-cock (spich7 kok), n. An eel
split and broiled, v.t. To pre-
pare (a bird or fish) in this way.
(F. anguille grille, anguitte a la
Tartare ; griller.)

See spatchcock.

spite (spit), n. Ill will ;
malice ; rancour ; a grudge, v.t.
To vex or annoy ; to thwart.
(F. depit, mauvais vouloir,
malice, rancune : depiter, con-
trarier.)

A boy who through neglect
of his studies has fallen behind
his class-mates sometimes shows
spite against them, or bears
them a grudge, in spite of — or
despite — their efforts to be
friendly. Some spiteful (spit7
ful, adj.) people are so stupid
as to harm themselves in their
endeavours to act spitefully
(spit7 fiil li, adv.) towards others.
Such a person is said to cut off his nose

Splash. — A horse and rider in * steeplechase making a great
splash on failing to clear a brook.

not to splash, for if we splash the water, it

to spite his face. Spitefulness (spit7 ful nes, may splash over on to the floor, or splash
n.) is that disagreeable quality or state of the walls of the bathroom. When we

bathe at the seaside we like to splash about
or splash our way through the splashy

mind in which spite or malice is harboured
against somebody.

Abbreviation of despite. SYN. : n. Grudge, (splash7 i, adj.) breakers into the deeper

alevolence, malice, rancour, v. Annoy, thwart, and smoother water a little way put from

x- the shore. A bather who misses his footing

spitter (spit'er). For this word, spittle, may fall with a resounding splash, making

r» C'OO t IM rl £>*r o-r\i4- P/^l _1_? l 1_ _ jj_ • _ _ 1 • 1__T j • i

etc., see under spit [2].

spitz (spits), n.
Pomeranian dog.

G. spitz(hund), from spitze point (of its nose).
See spit [ij.

a big splash or spattering as his body strikes
A small variety of the water.

The edges of books are sometimes decor-

ated with minute spots or splashes of pig-
ment, sprinkled from a brush. A brightly -
splanchnic (splangk7 nik), adj. Of or hued object may appear as a splash of

relating to the intestines, or viscera; vis- --1 - --J *-'

ceral. (F. splanchnique.)

colour on an artist's canvas, and certain

-a, , paintings of the futurist or impressionist

A nerve which supplies the viscera is type appear on hasty inspection to be

known as a splanchnic nerve. The study nothing but a series of irregular splashes.

4054

SPLATTER

SPLENIUS

A splash-board (n.) is a screen or guard
fixed in front of a vehicle to keep off splashes
of mud. The wheel-guard of a locomotive
or carriage is sometimes called a splasher
(splash' er, n.). This term is also applied to
one who, or that which, splashes, and the
name is used for a screen placed on the wall
behind a wash-stand to intercept splashes.

The same as plash, with 5-, from O.F. es-, L.
ex- intensive. See plash. SYN. : v. Bespatter,
dabble, dash, spatter, n. Drop, patch splodge,
spot.

splatter (splat' er), v.i. To make a
continuous splashing noise ; to speak un-
intelligibly ; to sputter, v.t. To splash or
bespatter ; to utter or speak (words, etc.)
unintelligibly. (F. clapoter, bredouiller, siffler ;
eclabousser, bredouiller.}

The oars of a row-boat splatter the water ;
a frightened water-bird splatters as it
scurries away ; rain-drops splatter as they
fall on the roof or windows.

One who talks indistinctly is said to
splatter, or to splatter his words. A
foreigner .unacquainted with our language
splatters English, uttering it in an unin-
telligible manner.

Variant of spatter. SYN. : Bespatter, splash,
splutter.

splay (spla), v.t. To form (an opening)
with sloping sides ; in farriery, to dislocate.
n. A surface making an oblique angle with
another ; the outward widening of a window,
embrasure, etc. (F. evaser, ebraser, epauler ;
evasement, dbrasement.)

Arrow-slits and embrasures were formed
with an outward splay or widening, so that
the archer or artilleryman could direct his
arrow or piece at a wide angle. Windows
formed in thick walls are often splayed, or
widened at an oblique angle, to admit more
light. Church windows generally show a
splay at each side on the interior. A horse
is said to splay its shoulder-bone when it
puts it out of joint.

A splay-foot (n.) is a flat, outwardly-
turned foot. The possessor of splay- feet is
said to be splay-footed (adj.), and anyone
with a splay-mouth (n.), a wide, distorted
mouth, is described as splay-mouthed (adj.).

Abbreviation of display.

spleen (splen), n. A small, soft, vascular
organ lying in the upper left portion of the
abdomen ; lowness of spirits ; ill-temper ;
spite. (F. rate, spleen.}

The spleen, one of the organs known as-
ductless glands, is present in most vertebrate
animals, and, in mammals, occupies the
position mentioned above, lying partly
behind the stomach and intestines. The
function of the spleen is to modify the
blood as it passes through the organ, and
it is able to rid the blood of the worn-out
red corpuscles and to form new corpuscles.
Spleenless (splen ' les, adj.) means devoid of
a spleen.

Inflammation of the spleen is called
splenitis (sple ni' tis, n.). In former times

the spleen was thought to be the seat of
bad temper, melancholy, and other un-
pleasant emotions, so that ill-tempered
people were said to have spleen, or were
described as splenetic (sple net' ik, adj.). The
word splenic (splen' ik, adj.), relating to the
spleen, is used in anatomy and pathology.

Other words, now little used, sometimes
applied to an ill-tempered or peevish person,
are spleenful (splen' ful, adj.) and spleeny
(splen' i, adj.).

Spleenwort. — Spleen wort, a fern at one time believed
to be a cure for spleen trouble.

The spleenwort (splen' wert, n.) is a fern
formerly believed to be a remedy for mala-
dies of the spleen. The name is given to
several species of the genus Asplenium.

L., Gr. splen, akin to L. lien spleen.

splendid (splen' did), adj. Magnifi-
cent ; glorious ; gorgeous ; brilliant ;
grand ; excellent ; fine. (F. magnifique,
glorieux, somptueux, eclatant, grand, excellent -
beau.)

Sunrise and sunset offer us splendid sights,
and adequately to describe the splendour
(splen' der, n.) of the heavens when the
moon and stars shed their silver light splen-
didly (splen' did li, adv.) on hill and dale,
lake and stream, needs the pen of a poet.

The ceremony of a coronation is a splendid
spectacle, and the splendid or gorgeous
robes worn by the chief persons lend splen-
dour to the scene.

In poetical writings we sometimes meet
with the word splendent (splen' dent, adj.),
meaning lustrous or brilliant. Splendiferous
(splen dif er us, adj.) is used colloquially
to mean magnificent, and splendid is em-
ployed similarly in describing anything
remarkably fine or excellent, such as a
splendid innings or a splendid catch in
cricket. A losing team is sometimes said
to have put up a splendid fight.

F. splendide, from L. splendidus, from splendere
to shine. SYN. : Brilliant, glorious, gorgeous,
magnificent, resplendent. ANT. : Dingy, dull,
mean.

splenetic (sple net' ik). For this word,
splenic, etc., see under spleen.

splenius (sple' ni us), n. A muscle in
the neck which serves to turn the head.
(F. splenius.)

Modern L. (with musculus muscle understood)
from Gr. splenion bandage, compress.

,4055

SPLENT

SPLIT

splent (splent). This is another form
of splint. See splint.

splice (splis), v.t. To unite the ends of
(two ropes) by interweaving ; to join
(timber, etc.) by overlapping, n. A union or
junction by splicing. (F. epissev ; tpissure.)

The ends of ropes are spliced in order to
join two lengths together to form one piece,
or to make a continuous length. The
strands of the two pieces or ends are
first untwisted and then woven together to
make a firm and even splice or junction.
Sometimes an end is spliced to make an
eye-splice, which is a sort of eye or loop at
the end of a rope. In the long splice, used
when the rope has to pass through a block,
a longer portion of each rope is untwisted
so that the splice is more evenly distributed.

To splice the main-brace means, in
sailors' language, to serve out an extra
allowance of grog or rum, as in bad weather
or after a long spell of hard work.

M. Dutch splissen (the rope-ends being
previously split or divided), from splitsen,
splijten ; cp. G. splissen, Swed. splissa. See
split.

SHORT SPLICE: NEARLY FINISHED.

LONG SPUICH:

Sg3'^S

Splice. — Several kinds of splices — methods of inter-
weaving the ends of ropes.

spline (splin), n. A strip of rubber or
flexible wood or steel used for ruling curves ;
a rectangular key fitting in a slot of a wheel
and shaft to fasten them together.

The flexible spline is used in mechanical
drawing when laying down large curves,
as in a railway drawing office. The spline
used in machinery is a long key sunk half-
way into a shaft. The other half projects
into a wheel, clutch, or other part, which
must turn with the shaft but be free to
slide along it. Sometimes the shaft is
channelled and the wheel is furnished with
a projecting pin or spline to fit the groove.

Perhaps for splind, akin to sphnder = splinter.

splint (splint), n. A strip of wood,
metal, etc., used to protect and keep in
place a broken limb ; a thin flexible strip of
wood used in chair-making, basket-making,
etc. ; the stem of a match before the head is
put on ; in anatomy, the fibula ; one of the
bones running from knee to fetlock in a
horse ; a tumour or callous on this ; one
of the strips of overlapping metal in mediae-
val armour, v.t. To secure or support with

splints. (F. eclisse, attMe, pevone, suros,
lame; dclisser, poser une attelle a.}

A fractured limb is put into splints so
that the bones may be supported and kept
at rest. Temporary splints are sometimes
improvised from any flat pieces of wood.
or even from a walking-stick or broom -
handle, so that bones or parts are not moved
or displaced while an injured person is being
taken to hospital.

Each of the two bones that reach from
the knee to the fetlock of a horse, behind
the cannon-bone or shank-bone, is called
a splint, or splint-bone (n.}. Splint coal (n.}
is a slaty kind of cannel-coal.

Formerly splent (cp. O.F. esplente a thin plate
of steel), from M. Dutch or M. Low G. splinte iron
pin ; cp. G. splint thin piece of steel, linch-pin.
See splinter.

splinter (splint7 er), n. A thin sharp-
edged piece broken off from wood or other
substance ; a sliver, v.t. To split into
splinters, v.i. To separate into splinters
or fragments. (F. eclat ; fendre en Eclats :
se briser par Eclats.)

Planks and deals as they come from the
timber-yard contain many splinters; the
edges especially are rough and splintery
(splint7 er i, adj.). A carpenter often gets
a splinter in his finger through handling
splintery planks.

We may splinter wood in chopping it,
or in cutting it with a knife. Soft woods
splinter more readily than hard woods.
The fall of a horse may splinter the shafts
of the vehicle to which the animal is attached ;
a bullet may splinter the bone of a limb
which it strikes. Wood, stone, or metal
splinters when struck by a projectile from
a gun, and the flying fragments or splinters
may do much damage.

Various splinter-proof (adj.) devices are
made to protect soldiers or sailors from the
flying splinters of bursting shells.

A splinter-bar (n.) means either the cross-
bar fixed in front of certain vehicles to which
traces may be attached, or the bar that
supports the springs of a vehicle. Both
the fibula and, in the horse, the splint-bone,
are sometimes called the splinter-bone («.).

M. Dutch and Low G. splinter ; cp. G. splitter ;
E. splint and split. SYN. : n. Sliver, v. Cleave,
rend, shiver, split.

split (split), v.t. To cleave or divide
longitudinally, or with the grain ; to break
or cut into parts or thicknesses ; to divide
into opposite or hostile parties ; to divide
(a vote) between parties ; to burst ; to tear.
v.i. To be broken or divided, especially
lengthwise or with the grain ; to divide
into hostile or opposite parties ; to break
up ; to tear ; to go to pieces ; to be con-
vulsed with laughter ; to give away secrets.
n. The act of splitting ; that which is split,
or formed by splitting ; a split osier ; one
of the splints which form the reed in a
loom ; a crack ; a breach ; a fissure ; a

4056

SPLODGE

SPOIL

schism ; one of the layers of a split hide ;
a small bottle of aerated water, etc. , (pi.}
an acrobat's trick of spreading his legs out
flat right and left. (F. fendre, ref&ndre,
diviser, crever, dechirev ; se fendre, se diviser,
eclat er, crever de rire, denoncer ; fendage,
fente, fissure, scission, grand ecart.)

A stroke of lightning some-
times splits or rends a tree
from top to bottom. In hot
climates, wood or bone articles
are apt to shrink and split.
Slates for roofing, etc. /are
split from a clayey rock which
splits readily into laminae.
Laths for partitions are split
from a billet of wood. Hides
are split into two or more
splits or thicknesses, the
under layers being given an
artificial grain to look like that seen naturally
in the topmost layer.

People are said to split hairs when they
make needlessly fine distinctions. A voter
splits his votes" if he divides them between
two or more candidates. A vital question, or
one which arouses much opposition, may
cause a party to split, or take opposite sides.
Such a point or policy is said to split the
party, and the party to split on it.

It is bad grammar to split the infinitive,
that is, to separate a verb in the infinitive
from the " to " belonging to it, as in the
sentence, " I meant to at once write a reply."
Here one ought to say, " I meant to write a
reply at once."

Dried peas freed from their husks and
split are split peas (n.pl.) or split pease (n.pl.).
A splitter (split' er, n.) is a person or thing
that splits. A very funny joke is sometimes
called a side-splitter, and one who is con-
vulsed or doubled up with laughter is said
to split, or to split his sides.

At first nautical ; cp. M. Dutch splitten, Dutch
splijten, Low G. splitten, G. spleissen , (n.) cp.
Dutch spleet, Dan. and Swed. split split, discord.
SYN. : v. Break, cleave, divide, rend, tear. n.
Breach, crack, fissure. ANT. : v. Join, unite.

splodge (sploj), n. A daub ; a blotch ;
a smear. Another form is splotch (sploch).
(F. crotie, tache, pdte.)

Paint applied unevenly or daubed on in
splodges gives the thing coated a splotchy
(sploch' i, adj.) appearance.

A variant of splotch, from M.E. and A.-S. per-
haps splot spot, blot ; cp. blot, blotch. SYN. :
Blotch, daub, patch, smear.

splutter (splut' er), v.t. To sputter ; to
utter in a hurried or confused way ; to
stammer, v.i. To speak incoherently or in a
hurried way ; to sputter, n. A sputter ; a
noise; a bustle. (F. bafouiller ; bredouillage,
fracas, tap age.)

One who splutters, or splutters out his
words is called a splutterer (splut' er er, n.).

Imitative, variant of sputter, a frequentative of
spout. See spout. SYN. : Sputter, stammer,
stutter.

Spode (spod), n. Porcelain made by
Josiah Spode (1754-1827).

Josiah Spode began to manufacture
porcelain in 1800. By omitting glass from
his paste and using a rich lead glaze
he established the popularity of Spode or
Spode-ware (».).

famous potter, Josiah

ware,
Spode

(1754-1827).

spoil (spoil), v.t. To despoil ; to plunder ;
to mar ; to impair or destroy the value,
usefulness or beauty of ; to injure the
character of by over-indulgence. v.i. To
deteriorate ; to decay ; to go bad. p.t. and
p.p. 'spoilt (spoilt) or spoiled (spoild). n.
(usually in pi.) Plunder , booty. (F.
depouiller, devaster, gdter, alterer : se gdter,
s' alterer ; pillage, butin.)

This word, as formerly used, meant to
plunder, or take away something by force,
and is still so used in poetical or figurative
language. We still talk of the spoils of war,
meaning booty or things captured from an
enemy, and, in politics, the offices or honours
accruing to a party successful at the polls
are, figuratively, likened to spoils. In the
U.S.A., where many. public appointments
fall to adherents of a party in powrer, the
word is specially used in this sense. A
team when it returns home with a trophy
or challenge cup is said to bring back the
spoils of victory.

The term spoilsman (spoilz' man, n.)
means in the U.S.A. a politician who works
for a share of the party spoils, and is applied
to a supporter of what is called the spoils
system (n.), by which the adherents of the
party are rewarded with jobs and offices.

We may spoil or mar the beauty of a rose
tree by omitting to water it during a spell
of dry weather, and we may spoil fresh salmon
by letting it remain too long in .-the larder,
where we may find it has become spoilt.
Many foodstuffs thus spoil, deteriorate, or lose
freshness with keeping. A boy may spoil a
drawing by carelessness, and a slip* with the
chisel may spoil a piece of wood-carving.

Solomon long ago said that to spare the
rod was to spoil the. child, and a . spoilt
child — one undisciplined, which wants its
own way in everything — is an unwelcome
guest at a party.

Spoil- five (n.) is a card game played by
three to ten persons, each receiving five cards ;
unless a player makes three out of five
possible tricks, the game is said to be spoiled.

086

4057

E 7

SPOKE

SPONGE

In the printing trade, spoilt paper from
the presses is known as spoilage (spoil7 ai,
«.), the word also meaning the amount or
quantity spoilt. The term spoiler (spoil7 er,
«.), used sometimes in poetry for a person
who spoils, robs or plunders, means usually
one who mars or spoils anything. We may
describe as a spoiler of sport one who con-
demns or interferes with sports and amuse-
ments, but instead we generally use the word
spoil-sport (n.). This term is also used
figuratively of one who mars the pleasure of
others, or spoils the harmony of a gathering.

O.F. espoillier (n. espoille), from L. spolidre to
strip, plunder, from L. spolium booty; properly
anything stripped off (skin, clothes). SYN. : v.
Defile, destroy, impair, infect, injure, taint, n.
Booty, loot, pillage, plunder. ANT. : v. Keep,
preserve.

spoke [i] (spok), n. One of the bars
connecting the hub or central part of a
wheel with the outer rim ; one of the
handles of a ship's steering-wheel ; a rung
of a ladder ; a bar or stick to prevent a
wheel from turning while going downhill.
v.t. To provide with spokes ; to check (a
wheel) with a spoke. (F. rayon, rai, echelon,
cabe; enrayer, caler.)

From the spoke used in locking a wheel
comes the expression to put a spoke in one's
wheel, meaning to hinder or thwart a person's
plans. The spokes of a wooden wheel are
shaped and smoothed with a spoke-shave (n.),
which is a plane with a handle at each side.

A.-S. spdca ; cp. Dutch speek, G. speiche, akin
to spike (nail).

spoke [2] (spok). This is the past tense,
and spoken the past participle of speak.
See speak.

spokesman (spoks' man), n. One who
speaks for another or others. (F. porte-
parole.)

The foreman of a jury announces the
verdict as its spokesman.

From E. spoke p.t. of speak, and man irregu-
larly formed after craftsman, etc.

spoliation (spo li a' shim), n. The act or
result of plundering, damaging, or destroying ;
in law, the destruction, alteration, or
defacing of a document in such a way as to
make it useless as evidence ; the taking of
the money belonging to a church benefice
without having a legal title to do so. (F.
spoliation, depouillement.)

Henry VIII was the spoliator (spo' li a
tor, n.}, that is, the spoiler or plunderer, of
the monasteries. At his bidding Parliament
passed spoliatory (spo' li a to ri, adj.) laws,
which allowed them to be plundered.

F. from L. spolidtio (ace. -on-em), from
spolidtus, p.p. of L. spolidre to rob, plunder.
SYN. : Pillage, plunder, rapine, robbery.

spondee (spon' de), n. A metrical foot
of two long or two accented syllables. (F.
spondee.)

A spondaic (spon da/ ik, adj.) verse is one
containing or made up of spondees. In a
spondaic hexameter the fifth foot is a
spondee instead of the usual dactyl.

L. spondeus, Gr. spondeios, from spondai (pi.)
treaty, sponde libation, from spendein to pour
out, make a libation, at which solemn melodies in
spondaic metre were usual. See despond.

spondyl (spon' dil). This is another name
for vertebra. See vertebra. Another spelling
is spondyle (spon' dil). (F. spondyle.)

F. spondyle, from L. spondylus, Gr. spondylos,
sphondylos vertebra.

sponge (spunj), n. A compound marine
animal with numerous pores in its body
wall ; the skeleton of a sponge or of a colony
of sponges ; a sponge-like substance or
implement ; a person who lives at the ex-
pense of others, v.t. To clean, wipe, absorb,
or moisten with or as with a sponge ; to
wipe out with or as with a sponge ; to get
at another's expense ; to extort from. v.i.
To suck in, as a sponge ; to depend meanly
on others for maintenance ; to gather
sponges. (F. eponge, ecornifleur ; eponger,
effacer, ecornifler; absorber, ecornifler,
pecker des Sponges.}

Sponge. — 1. A sponge from Japanese waters. 2. The

horny skeleton of a common bath sponge. 3-6. Sponges

called Venus's flower basket. 7. A toilet sponge.

Sponges, or Porifera, are lowly forms of
life consisting of numerous one-celled
individuals associated in colonies. The
colony usually has a skeleton, and this is the
sponge that we use for toilet purposes. The
best toilet sponges come from the Levant.

Among the various sponge-like things that
are called sponge are an absorbent pad used
in surgery, a mop for cleaning the bore of a
cannon, a pudding or cake of the texture of
sponge, dough leavened or in process of being

4058

SPONSION

SPOOL

leavened, and iron, platinum, or other
metals in a very finely divided condition.
A sponge-cake (n.) is a soft porous cake.

Anything resembling a sponge in form or
structure may be called spongiform (spun'
ji form, adj.) or spongy (spun' ji, adj.), the
former being the scientific term and the latter
the one in everyday use. We speak of a
cricket pitch becoming spongy after heavy
rain, such sponginess (spun' ji nes, n.)
rendering it unsuitable for play.

A spongiole (spun7 ji 61 ; spon' ji 61, n.}, or
spongelet (spunj' let, n.} is the absorbent
tip of a plant's roots. Spongology (spong gol'
6 ji, n.) is the study of sponges, and an
authority on this is a spongologist (spong
gol' 6 jist, n.).

Spongiopiline (spun ji 6 pi' lln ; spun ji
6 pi' lin, n.) is an absorbent material made
of sponge and some fibre with a waterproof
backing, used as a poultice.

A person who is in the habit of absorbing
the property of others is called a sponger
(spun' jer, n). Sponging-house (n.) was the
name given to houses where people arrested
for debt were kept previous to imprisonment.
They were so called from their
extortionate charges. The
expression, to throw up the
sponge, means to acknowledge
oneself defeated. When a
boxer was defeated his second
threw the sponge into the
air as a token of defeat.

O.F. esponge, from L. spongia,
from Gr. sponggia, akin to L.
and E. fungus.

sponsion (spon' shun), n.
The act of becoming surety
for another ; an engagement
on 'behalf of a state by a
person not specially qualified.
(F. garantie, caution.}

L. sponsio (ace. -on-em), from
sponsus, p.p. of spondere to
promise.

sponson (spon' son), n. The angular
space in front of and behind the paddle-box
against a steamer's side ; a bow-like pro-
jection from the side of a warship for the
training of a heavy gun ; a projection on each
side of a submarine, used as a bearing for
the vertical shaft of the lifting or depressing
screw.

Earlier sponcing.

sponsor (spon' sor), n. One who under"
takes to answer for another or to be respon"
sible for something on behalf of another ;
a godfather or godmother; a surety, v.t.
To be surety for ; to support or favour.
(F. garant, parrain, mavraine repondant ;
repondre pour, soutenir.}

The proper and best known meaning of
sponsor is godparent. The duties under-
taken by the sponsor are sponsorial (spon
sor' i al, adj.] duties, and the fact of
being a sponsor, or the relation of a sponsor
to the person for whom he makes himself

Sponson. — The sponson is a

platform before and abaft the

paddle-boxes of a' steamer.

responsible is sponsorship (spon' sor ship,
n.}. We speak of a social or political move-
ment being sponsored by some prominent
person when he gives it his whole-hearted
support.

L. agent n. from sponsus, p.p. of spondere to
promise. SYN. : n. Surety.

spontaneous (spon ta' ne us), adj.
Arising, happening, done, or acting without
external cause ; not prompted by any
motive ; natural or unconstrained ; done
or acting from instinct or inner impulse ;
produced without human agency or labour ;
not cultivated. (F. spontane, impromptu.}

Spontaneous sympathy is sympathy that
is given freely without being asked for.
Some substances and materials, such as
coal, oily rags, garden rubbish, and damp
hay, are liable, if heaped up, to what is
called spontaneous Combustion (n.), that is,
they may take fire through heat arising from
chemical action within themselves.

The gambols of kittens and puppies or the
wild play of a colt in a field have spontaneity
(spon ta ne' i ti, n.), or spontaneousness (spon
ta' ne us nes, n.), because these animals act
spontaneously (spon ta' ne us
li, adv.), that is, by instinct
or impulse from within.

L,.spontdneus,from sponte (abl.
of assumed O.L. spans) of one's
own free will, E. suffix- ous. SYN. :
Automatic, impulsive, instinc-
tive, unbidden. ANT. : Intended,
intentional, premeditated.

spontoon (spon toon'), n.
A short pike or partisan once
carried by subaltern officers
in British infantry regiments,
used chiefly for signalling.
(F. esponton.)

F. sponton, from Ital. spontone,
from spuntare to blunt the point
(punta), from L.L. expunctdre,
from ex- removing, blunting,
punctum point.

spook (spook), n. A ghost ; an apparition.
v.t. To haunt as a ghost, v.i. To walk as a
ghost. (F. revenant, fantome, apparition;
apparaitre a ; errer.}

This word is chiefly colloquial. White
animals and objects may be said to have a
spookish (spook' ish, adj.} or spooky (spook7 i,
adj.}, that is, a ghostlike, appearance at
night, for instance, a white horse grazing
on the roadside.

Dutch ; cp. Swed. spoke, G. spuk. SYN. :
n. Apparition, ghost, spectre.

spool (spool), n. A cylinder upon which
thread, etc., may be wound; the middle bar
of an angler's reel. v.t. To wind on a spool.
(F. bobine ; bobiner.)

There are several kinds of spool. The
most familiar is the reel of cotton that we
buy at the draper's. The bobbin which
winds silk, yarn, or cotton on to reels, etc.,
is another kind, and there is also the spool
that holds the thread in a shuttle in which

SPOON

SPORAN

it revolves in a spindle. From the angler's
spool or reel the line is wound in when the
fish is caught and has to be brought to land.
M.E. spole, from M. Dutch spoele ; cp. G.
spule. SYN. : n. Reel. v. Reel, wind.

Spoon. — The famous St. Nicholas spoon,
sold at auction for £690.

spoon [i] (spoon), n. A utensil consisting
of an oval or round bowl and a handle, used
in preparing, serving, 04 eating food, etc. ;
something resembling a spoon or its bowl ;
a piece of metal fastened to a fishing line as
a lure ; an oar with the blade curved length-
wise ; a wooden-headed golf club with the
face more lofted and the shaft shorter than a
brassy, v.t. To take (up, out, etc.) with a
spoon ; to hit (a ball) with little force up into
the air, or with a scooping motion, in
cricket, tennis, croquet, etc. v.i. To fish with
a spoon ; in cricket, croquet, and other
games, to spoon the ball. (F. cuiller ; puiser.)

Some of the earliest forms
of spoons were made of chips
of wood and of shells. The
ancient Egyptians used ivory,
flint, slate, and other mater-
ials for their spoons, and
Greek and Roman spoons
were usually of metal, and
often had a spiked handle.
Wood or horn was a common
material for spoons in the
Middle Ages, and it was long
before silver spoons ceased to
be regarded as rarities. A
spoonful (spoon7 ful, n.) is as
much as a spoon holds.

The spoon, or spoon-bait
(n.), used by anglers is a
glittering piece of metal,
shaped something like a tea-
spoon, which turns round and
round and attracts the fish.
Spoon-food (n.) or spoon-
meat (n.) is food taken with a spoon, as by
infants or invalids, and to spoon-feed (v.t.) is
to feed in this way. These words are often
used figuratively, in the sense of artificial
nourishment or support. Thus we speak of
spoon-fed industries. A spoon-net (n.) is a
hand-net used for landing fish.

The members of the bird family Plataleidae,
popularly known as spoonbill (n.), have
enormous spoon-shaped beaks. They look
very much like herons and are found in
marshy places.

A.-S. spon chip, wooden splinter ; cp. Dutch
spaan, G. span, O. Norse span-n, akin to Gr. sphen
wedge. SYN. : v. Ladle, scoop, shovel.

Spoonbill. — The bird popula
called the spoonbill is so

from the shape of its beak.

spoon [2] (spoon), n. A silly fellow ; a
foolishly demonstrative lover, v.i. To be
sentimentally in love ; to indulge in great
show of lover-like affection. (F. sot, nigaud,
soupirant ; baisoter.)

This word and its derivatives are only
used colloquially. To be spoons on or spoons
with a person means to be sentimentally
in love with him or her. Spoony (spoon' i,
adj.) lovers make a great show of their
devotion. They act spoonily (spoon' i li,
adv.), or with spooniness (spoon' i nes, n.}.

Probably from spoony, with reference to
spoonmeat. SYN. : v. Flirt.

spoonerism (spoon 7er izm), n. An acci-
dental changing about of the initial letters
of two or more words.

The original spoonerism is popularly
attributed to the Rev. Dr. W. A. Spooner
(born 1844), an Oxford don, warden of New
College. One of the best known is the hymn
line, " Kinquering kongs their titles take "
(Conquering kings their titles take). Others
include " a half- warmed fish " (half-formed
wish), " tons of soil" (sons of toil), and "a
well-boiled icicle " (a well-oiled bicycle).

spoonful (spoon7 ful). For this word,
see under spoon [i].

spoonily (spoon7 i li). For this word,
spoony, etc., see under spoon

[2]-

spoor (spoor), n. Track or
trail, especially of a wild
animal. v.t. To track by
spoor, v.i. To follow a spoor.
(F. piste ; suivre a la piste.)

The spoor of an animal
means not only footprints,
but also any other marks the
animal may leave behind it,
such as broken branches and
snapped twigs. A spoorer
(spoor7 er, n.) is one who
follows a spoor.

S. African Dutch, akin to
A.-S. spor, G. spur. See spur.
SYN. : n. and v. Trace, track,
trail.

sporadic (spo rad' ik),
adj. Occurring here and
there or now and again ; scat-
tered ; isolated. Sporadical
(spo rad7 ik al) has the same meaning, but
is not often used. (F. sporadique.)

This word is often used in speaking of
diseases. A disease may occur sporadically
(spo rad7 ik al li, adv.), that is, there may be
only a few isolated cases. If it becomes
epidemic or general, the disease then loses
its sporadicalness (spo rad7 ik al nes, n.),
that is, its sporadic character.

Gr. sporadikos scattered, dispersed, Irom
sporas (gen. sporad-os) scattered, from speirein
to sow, scatter, like seed. SYN. : Irregular,
isolated, occasional, scattered.

sporan (spor7 an). This is another form of
sporran. See sporran.

pularly
named

4060

SPORANGE

SPOT

sporange (spo ranj'). For this word,
sporation, etc., see under spore.

spore (spor), n. A cell or minute organic
body capable of developing into a new
plant or animal ; a seed ; a germ. Spo rule
(spor' ul) has the same meaning, and is
also used to denote a very small or a second-
ary spore, or a granule inside a spore. (F.
spore, sporule.}

Ferns, mosses, and
fungi produce spores
instead of seeds. The
organ in which they
develop is called the
sporangium (spo ran' ji
iim, n.} — pi. sporangia
(spo ran' ji a) — or
sporange (spo ran]',
n.}, and the process of
producing them is
sporation (spo ra ' shun,
n.) or sporulation
(spor u la' shim, n.).
Anything pertaining to a spore or sporule
is sporular (spor' u lar, adj.), and a plant
or animal that bears spores or sporules is
sporuliferous (spor u iif er us, adj.). The
germs of malaria and other diseases consist
of minute organisms which reproduce by
spores known as sporozoa (spor 6 zo' a,
n.pl.}.

F., from Gr. spor a sowing, seed, from speirein
to sow.

sporran (spor' an); n. A pouch worn

Spore. — A fern leaf, seen from below, with clusters
of capsules in which spores are produced.

the universities to sport the oak or timber
means to shut the door, especially as a
sign that one is engaged.

A person is said to be sporting (sport' ing,
adj.) if he is fond of sport or is not afraid
of taking chances. A sporting chance is
one with a great element of risk. A sporting-
gun (n.) is a smooth-bore fire-arm, usually
double-barrelled, firing
small shot and used
for shooting rabbits,
partridges, pheasants,
and other small game.
Lambs are very spor-
tive (spor' tiv, adj.),
that is, frolicsome,
little animals ; they
play around their
mothers sportively
(spor' tiv li, adv.).
Kittens and puppies
also show great
sportiveness (spor' tiv
nes, n.), or playfulness.

A sportless (sport' les, adj.) country is
one that affords no sport, and a sportless
proceeding, such as shooting a fox, is one
that does not appeal to anyone devoted to
sport. Love of or skill in sports makes a
man a sportsman (sports' man, n.). A man-
who always plays fair, and who keeps his
temper when luck goes against him, is called
a sportsman, or a good sportsman. In so
doing he shows a sportsmanlike (sports'

in Scottish Highland costume in front of man Ilk, adj.) nature, and the quality called

--'--* sportsmanship (sports' man ship, n.). A
woman or girl fond of sport is a sportswoman
(sports' wum an, n.).

Abbreviation of disport. SYN. : n. Diversion,
frolic, mockery, pastime, pleasantry, v. Frolic,
gambol, jest, trifle.

sporule (spor' ul). For this word,
sporular, etc., see under spore.

spot (spot), n. A particular place ; a
small part of a surface differing in colour
or texture from the rest ; a small mark or
stain ; a dark mark on the surface of the
sun, moon, or a planet ; a moral stain ;
discoloration on leaves or fruit caused by

the kilt. Another form is sporan (spor' an).

The sporran served the Highlander as
purse and pocket. Formerly it was usually
made quite plain and entirely of leather,
but nowadays it is an elaborate affair and
ornamented with fur, horsehair or metal.

Gaelic sporan pouch, purse, explained as for
s-burran, s-bursan, and derived from L. bursa
purse. See purse.

sport (sport), n. Amusement; fun; pleas-
antry ; pastime, especially an outdoor one,
such as hunting, fishing, or racing ; mockery,
or an object of mockery ; a laughing-stock ;
a plaything ; a thing at the mercy of the
wind or waves, or other forces ; a plant or

winu or waves, or otiier iuii;es , a, Luaui ui — ~ .,#

animal abnormal in some way ; (pi.) ath- fungi ; a variety of domestic pigeon with

letic contests, or a meeting for such contests.
v.i. To amuse oneself ; to play ; to go in
for or interest oneself in sports ; to jest or
trifle ; to show unusual features in growth.
v.t. To display, especially in a dashing or
showy way. (F. passe-temps, divertisse-
ment, sport, moquerie, plastron, jouet, mon-
strosite ; se divertir, s'^battre, s'adonner au
sport, foldtrer ; faire parade de.)

To say a thing in sport is to say it in fun —
not seriously. To make sport of a person's
feelings is to shock them in a heartless way.
Many new varieties of plants have been
derived from sports — buds or shoots with
qualities different from those of the parent.
Some people like to sport, or display, a
flower in their buttonhole. At some of

a spot on the head just above the beak ;
a term applied to various sea fishes marked
with a conspicuous spot ; one of the small,
round black marks on a billiard-table, such
as that on which the red ball is placed, v.t.
To mark or stain with spots ; to blemish ;
at billiards, to place on the spot ; to single
out ; to detect, v.i. To become or be liable
to become marked with spots. (F. endroit,
moucheture, tache, deshonneur ; tacheter,
moucheter, souiller, decouvrir ; se maculer.)

It is not always easy to find a convenient
spot for building a house. A spot— on
cloth, for instance, or on an animal — is a
more or less round mark, not so long as a
streak or a stripe. One of the fishes known
as spot is the red-fish or red-drum (Sciaena

4061

SPOUSE

SPRAIN

ocellata], which has a black spot at the base
of the tail fin. A coat that is left out in
the rain may spot, that is, the drops may
leave marks on it.

What has to be done on the spot must be
done there and then, at once, or without
leaving one's place. An alert, wideawake
person is said to be on the spot, and the
same expression is used of anyone playing
a good game, or of a person who is equal
to the situation.

Ordinary billiards is played with a red
ball and two white balls, one of which,

Spotting • — A boy engaged in spotting for his father, a competitor at
Association's meeting at Bisley.

the National

aged i
Rifle

the spot-ball (n.), is marked with a small
black spot to distinguish it. A game of
billiards is spot-barred (adj.) when a player
is not allowed to make the spot-stroke (n.)
more than twice running, this stroke being
one which pockets the red from the spot
on which that ball is placed at the beginning
of the game, or after it has been potted.

Brokers who buy spot-cotton (n.) or
spot-wheat (n.) buy cotton or wheat on the
spot for immediate delivery.

Cerebro-spinal meningitis, a disease which
affects the brain and spine, is also named
spotted fever (n.) because spots appear on
the sufferer's skin.

A man's record is spotless (spot' les, adj.)
if it is entirely free from blemish. The
decks of a great passenger liner are kept
spotlessly (spot' les li, adv.) clean, that is,
so clean that not the slightest sign of dirt
is. seen. A good housekeeper prides herself
on the spotlessness (spot' les nes, n.), or
spotless condition, of her house and linen.
A spot-light (n.) is a small searchlight used
in a theatre to throw a strong beam of white
or coloured light on to a dancer or actor ;
the patch of light so thrown is also known
as a spot-light.

The skin of a leopard is noted for its
spottedness (spot' ed nes, n.), the state of
being spotted. The term spotter (spot' er,
n.) is used in various trades for a person or
thing that makes spots. A marker at
target practice is also called a spotter,

and so, in the U.S.A., are various kinds of
secret investigators or inspectors.

Nettle-rash, chickenpox, and other com-
plaints make the skin spotty (spot' i, adj.],
that is, mark them with spots. Such a
condition is spottiness (spot' i nes, n.).

Cp. O. Norse spotti, spott-r small piece, Dutch
spat speck, spot, splash, M. Dutch spotten to
spot, stain. M.E. spot may be a variant of
splot (A.-S. splott spot, blot, small patch of land).
SYN. : n. Blemish, fault, locality, position,
speck, v. Blemish, mark, stain.

spouse (spouz), n. A husband or wife.
(F. epoux, epouse, mari, femme.)

This word and its derivatives
are now only used in poetical
writing. A wedding is accom-
panied by spousal (spouz 'al, adj.)
rites, those pertaining to a
spousal (n.) or spousals (n.pl.),
that is, a marriage. Spousal also
meant a betrothal. A widower,
widow, or unmarried person is
spouseless (spouz' les, adj.), that
is, without a spouse.

O.F. espous(e), from L. sponsus,
fern, sponsa, p.p. of spondere to
promise. See espouse.

spout (spout), v.t. To pour
out abundantly or forcibly ; to
declaim or recite ; to utter very
readily, v.i. To burst forth with
force and volume, especially from
a narrow opening ; to gush or spurt ; to pour
forth words that sound well but mean little.
n. A pipe or channel through which water
or other liquid is poured out from a gutter,
can, jug, etc. ; a trough-like contrivance for
shooting grain, coals, etc. ; the lift for
pledges in a pawnshop ; a strong jet of
water or other liquid ; a waterspout ; a
waterfall ; a short underground passage in
a mine connecting a main road with a
ventilating passage. (F. verser, faire jaillir,
declamer ; jaillir, perorer ; tuyau, goulotte,
bee, jet, trombe, chute d'eau, ouverture.)

A volcano spouts lava and steam. A
whale, when it breathes, spouts a column
of spray into the air, and so is cal'ed a
spouter (spout' er, n.). In Hyde Park on
Sunday, spouters of another kind, namely,
political speakers, harangue people gathered
round them. Some jugs are spoutless (spout'
les, adj), that is, without spouts.

M.E. spouten, spoute (n.) ; cp. Swed. sputa,
to spout, squirt (also n.), Dutch spuiten, spuit
(n.). Probably ak:n to spit [2]. SYN. : v.
Declaim, gush, spurt, n. Jet, nozzle, spurt.

sprag (sprag), n. A piece of wood put
in a wheel or roller to prevent it from
turning, or used in mining to prop the coal
while a seam is being worked, v.t. To
check or prop with a sprag. (F. cale ; caler.)

Possibly akin to spray, sprig.

sprain (spran), v.t. To overstrain,
especially by twisting or wrenching the
muscles or ligaments of a joint, n. Such an

4062

SPRANG

SPREAD

injury ; the condition caused by this. (F. of spray ; to treat with a spray. (F. embrun,
fouler, donner une entorse a; foulure, entorse.} pulverin, poussiere, vaporisateur ; arroser.)

When one sprains a wrist or ankle there
is no dislocation of the bones, though the
effects may last some time.

Perhaps 6.F. espreindre, from L. exprimere
to force, press out, from ex-out, premere to press.
See express.

sprang (sprang). This is the past tense
of spring. See spring.

sprat (sprat), n. A small food-fish,
Clupea sprattus, allied to the herring ; a
term applied to various small fishes, especi-
ally the young of the herring, v.i. To fish
for sprats. (F. melette, esprot, pecker.}

The sprat can be distinguished from the
herring by the fact that it has no teeth on
its palate. These little fish occur in immense
numbers off the Atlantic coasts of Europe.
A vessel or man engaged in the sprat fishery
is called a spratter (sprat' er, n.).

A.-S. sprott ; cp. A.-S. sprot sprout, M.

Spray is torn off the crests of waves by
a gale. Water falling down rocks from a
great height turns into spray. With the
device called a spray or a sprayer (spra/ er, n.)
we can spray a room with scent or disin-
fectants, or spray trees and plants to kill
insects. A person who sprays is also a
sprayer. The air near the sea on a stormy
day is sprayey (spra' i, adj.), that is, filled
with spray.

From Low G. sprei fine drizzle ; cp. Dutch
sproeien, G. spruhen. SYN. : v. Scatter, sprinkle.

spray [2] (spra), n. A small branch
or stem of a tree, shrub or other plant
with its leaves or blossoms ; an ornament
resembling this ; a slender twig or shoot ;
collectively, fine brushwood. (F. ramille,
brin, bnndille, broussaille.)

For decorating tables, flowers are often
arranged in vases with sprays of maiden-

Dutch sprot sprout (of a tree), Dutch = sprat, hair fern, asparagus fern, or smilax. A

the young of anything, G. sprotte. See sprout.

sprawl (sprawl), v.i. To spread the
limbs out ungracefully ; to crawl about
awkwardly or with effort ; to be of rambling
or irregular form. v.t. To spread or stretch
out in an irregular or awkward manner.
n. The act of sprawling ; a straggling
arrangement. (F. s'etendre, s'etaler', e'tendu.)

Vegetable marrow plants sprawl over a
large space of ground. Large, badly-shaped
handwriting can be described as sprawling.
A sprawler (sprawl' er, n.) is a person or
thing that sprawls, or a fall which sends one
sprawling. Various moths are called
sprawlers.

A.-S. spreawlian ; cp. Swed. sprala (dialect)
spralla, Dan. spraelle, North Frisian spraweli to
sprawl. SYN. : v. Ramble, straggle.

Spray. — Workers in an orchard spraying fruit-trees as a
against insect pests. Both the men and the apparatus are
sprayers.

spray [i] (spra), n. Fine particles of
liquid flying through the air ; a jet of
vapour or of liquid in fine particles used for
disinfecting and the like ; an instrument for
applying this. v.t. To send out in the form

sprayey (spra' i, adj.} growth is one that
takes the form of sprays.

Formerly sprag ; cp. Swed. dialect sprag ;
probably akin to A.-S. spraec a shoot, O. Norse
sprek stick. SYN. : Sprig.

spread (spred), v.t. To extend in length
and breadth ; to unfold ; to scatter ; to
distribute ; to cover the surface of ; to
display ; to .lay (a meal or the table for
one). ' v.i. To be extended ; to be scattered ;
to be distributed, p.t. and p.p. spread
(spred). n. The act of spreading, extent;
diffusion ; a feast. (F. etendve, deployer,
repandre, couvrir; s'etendre, se repandre;
developpement, etendue, dispersion, regal.)

A cook spreads a lump of pastry by
rolling it out, and spreads butter on bread
with a knife. A peacock spreads its tail
j.,.^,,,. and by doing so shows its
full beauty, and a newspaper
i spreads news. Treacle spreads
quickly ; if poured on a plate,
! it soon covers it. Weeds spread
i all over a garden, just as in-
"» fectious diseases spread over a
~4,\ ./ district, if not kept in check.

The spread-eagle (n.) of
heraldry is an eagle displayed,
that is, with outspread wings.
It is the emblem of various
states and is a common inn-
sign. At one time the captain
of a ship might spread-eagle
(v.t.) a sailor as a punishment,
that is, have him tied to the
rigging with his legs and arms
spread out and then flogged.
Noisily patriotic speech is in the
U.S. A", called spread-eagle (adj.),
from the eagle that appears
on American coins, and the use of it is
spread-eagleism (n.).

A spreader (spred' er, n.) of disease is
one who spreads it. The spreader of a
kite is a rod used to keep it spread tautly.

4063

SPREE

SPRING

A.-S. sprdedan ; cp. Dutch spreiden, G.
spreiten. SYN. : v. Diffuse, disseminate, expand,
scatter, stretch. ANT. : v. Concentrate,
contract.

spree (spre), n. A lively frolic ; a
carousal, v.i. To have a spree ; to carouse.
(F. noce, rigolade, ripaille ; faire la noce,
ripailler.)

Sc. and north E., formerly also spray ; perhaps
akin to spry. SYN. : n. Carousal, frolic.

sprig (sprig), n. A shoot, twig, or
spray of a plant ; a design or ornament
resembling this ; a detached piece of pillow
lace ; an offshoot of a stock ; a young man ;
a thin headless nail. v.t. To decorate with
sprigs ; to fasten with sprigs. (F. ramille,
rejeton, gars, pointe ; orner de ramilles,
garnir de pointes.}

Sprigs of parsley are picked for garnishing
food. A youth of noble birth may be
described more or less contemptuously as
a sprig of the nobility. A plant is spriggy
(sprig' i, adj.] if it has many sprigs or small
branches. Sprigged (sprigd, adj.) muslin
has little imitation sprigs of flowers woven
into it.

Probably akin to spray ; cp. LowG. spnck dry
twig. SYN. : n. Offshoot, scion, spray.

sprightly (sprit' li), adj. Lively ;
bright ; gay. (F. vif, enjoue, anime'.)

A witty person has a sprightly wit. The
sprightliness (sprit' li lies, «.), that is, the
general briskness and liveliness, of some
old people is very remarkable.

Properly spritely ; from sprite and -ly. See
sprite. SYN. : Animated, brisk, lively, spirited,
vivacious. ANT. : Dull, heavy, inert, spiritless.

Spring. — A watch spring, unwound. When fixed and
wound up, it sets the wheels in motion.

spring (spring), v.i. To leap ; to move
quickly or suddenly ; to start up ; to fly
back ; to become warped, split, or cracked ;
to rise from a source ; to appear, especially
unexpectedly ; to emerge, v.t. To cause
to open, close, or otherwise act suddenly ;
to produce or develop suddenly or unex-
pectedly ; to strain, crack, or warp ; to
rouse (game), p.t. sprang (sprang) ; p.p.
sprung (sprung), n. The action, state, or
result of springing ; a bound ; elasticity ;
a recoil or rebound ; an elastic body of
steel, rubber, etc., used to convey motive
power, exercise a pull, or deaden shocks ;
source or origin ; a natural fountain of

water or oil issuing from the earth ; the
basin so formed ; the season between winter
and summer, when plants begin to grow ;
the point from which an arch springs. (F.
santer, bondir, s'ttancer, se dresser tout d'un
bond, rebondir, se dejeter, ressortir, surgir
declencher, devoiler, dejeter, faire lever ; bond,
saut, elan, elasticite, ressort, source, printemps.)

We spring from our seat to greet a friend.
The blood springs to our cheeks when we
hear of or witness an act of gross injustice.
The jaws of a trap spring back when they
are released. A tennis racket, if left on
the lawn all night, will very probably be
sprung by the morning. The suppleness in
a cricket bat or a golf club is called its
spring. If we meet a friend who we thought
was abroad we perhaps greet him with the
words : " Where in the world did you
spring from ? " Some people delight in
springing surprises on th'eir friends. To
make a mine explode is to spring it. When
a ship springs a leak she lets in water. For
clockwork a spiral form of spring is the
one most commonly used.

In the weighing device called a spring-
balance (n.) the object weighed compresses
or extends a steel spring. The term spring-
beam (n.) is applied to an elastic bar used
as a spring in a machine, and to the beam
supporting the side of a ship's paddle-box.

Modern beds are made comfortable by
the spring-bed (n.) or spring-mattress (n.),
which consists of a large number of springs
running from end to end of the frame.
The spring-board (n.) at a public bath is a
long board projecting over the water, off
which divers jump. A spring-cart (n.) or
spring- carriage (n.) is one mounted on
springs.

It is now illegal to set a spring-gun («.).
that is, a gun sprung or fired by a trespasser
stumbling over a concealed wire, if it is
loaded with a charge that can do injury.
A horse which suffers from spring-halt
(n.) lifts its hind legs when walking very
high with a twitching movement.

In some machines an elastic pole, called
a spring-pole (n.), is used as a spring. The
name spring-tail (n.) is given to a sub-order
of little wingless insects with two bristles
on the tail which bend under the body and
straighten out when the insect leaps.

A spring tide (n.) is a high tide which occurs
about the time of new moon and full moon,
but springtide (n.) has the same meaning
as springtime (n.), namely, the season of
spring.

A springer (spring' er, n.) is a person or
thing that springs in various senses of the
word. A variety of spaniel used for spring-
ing, that is, rousing, game, is called a springer.
A springer of an arch is the support at one
end of it, from which it springs.

It is very uncomfortable travelling in a
springless (spring' les, adj.) cart, that is,
one without springs. A springlet (spring'
let. n.) is a small spring of water. In

4064

SPRINGBOK

SPROCKET

winter there are generally some springlike
(adj.) days, warm and balmy like those of
spring.

Steel and wood are springy (spring' i,
adj.) if they straighten themselves after
being bent. Ground is springy if there are
springs of water in it, and good turf is
springy, being elastic to the tread. The
wood used in fishing-rods has springiness
(spring' i nes, n.), which means elasticity,
the quality of being springy.

A.-S. springan ; cp. Dutch, G. spr^ngen,
O. Norse springa to spring, to burst (also G.
>prengen to blow up, to cause to burst ). SYN. :
v. Arise, bound, dart, jump, shoot, n. Elasticity,
fount, origin, source, suppleness.

Springbok. — The South African gazelle, or springbok,
a beautiful and agile animal.

springbok (spring' bok), ' n. A South
African gazelle, Antidorcas euchore, so called
from its habit of suddenly leaping into the
air. Another form is springbuck (spring'
biik).

This animal stands about thirty inches
high. It has short, black, curved horns,
and is dark cinnamon yellow above and
white below with a dark brown stripe on
the sides. It is notable for migrating from
one district to another in dense herds, but
it is far less plentiful than it used to be.

South African Dutch, from springen to spring
and -bok buck.

springe (sprinj), n. A noose or snare,
especially one for catching birds and other
small game. v.t. To catch with a springe.
v.i. To set springes. (F. lacs; prendre au
lacs.)

From spring. See spring.

springer (spring' er). For this word,
springless, springy, etc., see under spring.

sprinkle (spring' kl), v.i. To scatter
lightly in or as in or with or as with small
drops or particles; to scatter or distribute
here and there, v.i. To fall in small drops
or particles, n. An act of sprinkling-; a
quantity sprinkled ; a small quantity ; a

slight shower. (F. repandre, epancher,
parsemer ; s' epancher, se repandre, tomber
de la petite pluie ; action de repandre, quan-
tite repandue, petite quantitt.)

In warm weather water is sprinkled over
the roads and pavements to lay the dust.
A country landscape might be described
as sprinkled with farms and cottages. Lawns
are watered in dry weather with a revolving
sprinkler (spring' kler, n.), which scatters
drops of water in all directions. Sprinklers
are also used for putting out fires.

The word sprinkling (spring' kling, n.) is
often used in the sense of a small quantity
or of a small number of things scattered
here and there. We can speak of a mere
sprinkling of knowledge or of a sprinkling
of good pictures among a mass of daubs.

Earlier form sprenkel; cp. Dutch sprenkelen
G. sprenkeln to sprinkle, I eel. sprekla, M.H.G.
sprenkel, spreckel, spot, Gr. perknos speckled,
dark. SYN. : v. Disperse, distribute, diversify,
scatter, strew.

sprint (sprint), v.t. and i. To run at
full speed, n. The act of sprinting ; a
short-distance race run thus. (F. courir a
toute Vitesse ; course de vitesse.)

The hundred yards race is a sprint or
sprint- race (n.), one sprinted, or run through-
out at topmost speed. The two hundred
and twenty yards and four hundred and
forty yards races are also sprints.

The sprint-runner (n.), or sprinter (sprint'
er, n.), one taking part in such races, gener-
ally makes notches to fit his toes into, and
starts from a crouching position, leaning
forward lightly on his fingers. The half-
mile and longer races usually end in a sprint,
especially when there is a close finish.

Earlier sprent ; cp. O. Norse and Norw.
spretta (for sprenta), Swed. spratta, Dan. spraette ;
akin to spurt [2].

sprit (sprit), n. A spar running obliquely
upwards from the
mast to the top
outer corner of a
fore-and-aft sail. (F.
livarde, baleston.)

The mainsail of a
barge is usually a
sprit-sail (sprit' sal,
n.), that is, a sail
supported by a sprit.
A sail of this kind
has no spars at top
or bottom, and, by
its sprit, it can be
drawn up with
great speed against
the mast.

M.E. spret, A.-S. spr'eot pole ; akin to sprout.
sprite (sprit), n. A goblin ; a fairy ; an
elf. (F. esprit, lutin, farfadet.)

M.E. sprit, Anglo-F. espirit spirit. See spirit.

sprocket (sprok' et), n. One of the teeth

in a chain-wheel, which engage with the

links of a chain ; a wheel set with sprockets.

(F. dent, engrenage a chaine.}

Sprit. — The sprit is the

slanting spar supporting

a fore-and-aft sail, as in

this sailing barge.

4065

SPROUT

SPUME

to smarten.

In chain-driven parts of machinery the
open links of the chain rest upon the sprockets
of wheels, the chain serving to transmit
power from the driver to the driven wheel.
The chain of a bicycle passes round two
wheels, each of which is a sprocket-wheel
(n.), having teeth shaped to fit inside the
Jinks.

sprout (sprout), v.i. To shoot forth ; to
put out shoots ; to begift to grow ; to spring
up as a plant, v.t. To cause to sprout or
germinate, n. A shoot from the root, stump,
stem, or seed of a plant ; (pi.) Brussels
sprouts. (F. pousser, germer ; se pousser ;
pousse, choux de Bruxelles.)

A potato sprouts from its eyes.
Seed potatoes are sometimes sprouted,
or induced to sprout, before being planted.
The stock on which a rose tree is grafted
will often sprout from the root. Sprouts so
formed, of course, are not desired and are
cut back. The cabbage called Brussels
sprouts bears many sprouts on its stem,
which are gathered when mature, fresh
sprouts or buds sprouting as long as the plant
continues to grow.

A.-S. sprutan ; cp. Dutch spruiten, G.
spriessen ; psrkaps akin to spurt [i]. SYN. : v.
Germinate, grow, shoot, n. Bud, shoot.

spruce [i] (sproos), adj. Neat ; trim ;
smart. v.t. To make neat
(F. pimpant, chic ; attifer,
requinquer.)

People are said to spruce
themselves when they
smarten up their dress or
appearance. Men dress
themselves very sprucely
(sproos' li, adv.), that is,
smartly, for fashionable
gatherings. . Clothes lose
their spruceness (sproos'
nes, n.), which means their
smartness or neatness,
when they get old, worn,
and baggy, but even a
shabby garment may be
spruced up in some
measure by brushing or
pressing.

From Spruce, an early form
of Prussia, with special
reference to the spruce or
Prussia leather greatly in
fashion for men's jerkins,
etc., in the i6th century.
SYN. : adj. Neat, smart, v.
Smarten. ANT. : adj. Slovenly,
untidy.

spruce [2] (sproos), n. Any one of various
kinds of fir of the genus Picea. (F. sapin,
sapinette.)

There are several species of fir which are
called spruce, or spruce-fir (n.). The most
important are the white spruce (Picea alba),
the black spruce (P. nigra), and the Norway
spruce (P. excelsa). All of these are dis-
tinguished by their graceful drooping

branches. The Norway spruce is a very fine
tree, often exceeding one hundred feet in
height, and yields good timber.

The drink called spruce-beer (n.) is a
solutio'n of sugar fermented with yeast
and flavoured with an essence obtained from
young spruce shoots. The Germans call it
sprossenbier " sprout-beer."

Short for Spruce fir Prussian fir ; see
spruce [i].

sprue (sproo), n. A passage or hole
through which molten metal is poured into a
mould. (F. trou de coulee.)

The metal which fills these holes forms
projections on the casting. These, which also
are called sprues, are knocked off.

spruit (sproo' it), n. A small stream in
South Africa.

Most spruits run dry in summer, but a
thunderstorm may quickly fill their channels
with a raging torrent.

South African Dutch, = sprout, spurt [ij.
sprung (sprung) . This is the past participle
of spring. See spring.

spry (sprl), adj. Active ; nimble ; lively.
(F. actif, alerte, agile, tif.)

A dialect word, now mainly U.S.A., perhaps
akin to spree ; connexion has been suggested
with Swed. dialect spyygg, sprag, spraker active,
spirited. SYN. : Active, nimble, wideawake.
ANT. : Dull, inert, sluggish.

spud (spud), n. A tool with a narrow
blade or forked end, used
jjjjgjf to get out weeds by the
root; a short, thick object.
v.t. To dig (up or out)
with a spud. (F. bcquille
troncon ; deterrer.)

Spud is also a colloquial
name for the potato. One
form of the tool used to
spud out weeds resembles
a small spade. Objects
which are short and thick
are said to be spuddy
(spud' i, adj.).

M.E. spudde ; cp. O. Norse
spjot, Swed. .spjut, Dan.
spyd spear.

spue (spu). This is
another form of spew. See
spew.

spume ( s p u m ) , n .
Froth ; foam. v.i. To froth ;
to foam. (F. dcume, mousse,
ecumer, mousser.)

The sea is often coated
with spume, especially at
the fringe of the incoming
tide. Water churned up by the propellers
of a steamer has also a foamy or spumy
(spurn' i, adj.) appearance, and the vessel
leaves a spumous (spurn' us, adj.) track in
its wake. Waves breaking on rocks have
spumescence (spurn es' ens, n.), or spuminess
(spurn' i nes, n.), a foaming or frothy quality.
From O.F. espume, spume, L. spurn a foam,
froth. See foam. SYN. : «. Foam, froth.

4066

Spruce. — The common spruce. The

spruce U notedjfor its graceful drooping

branches.

SPUN

SPURLING-LINE

spun (spun) . This is the past participle and
a form of the past tense of spin. See spin.

spunge (spunj). This is another and little
used form of sponge. See sponge.

spunk (spungk), n. Courage; mettle;
pluck ; anger ; touchwood. (F. coeur. hardiesse,
amadou.}

Spunk or rotten wood takes fire easily, so
the word came to mean the quality of being
fiery or mettlesome. A spunky (spungk ' i,
adj.) person is one of a fiery or courageous
nature.

Originally = touchwood, hence fiery, inflam-
mable ; Irish sponc (Gaelic spong) tinder, L.
spongia. See sponge.

spur (sper), n. A pricking instrument
worn on a rider's heel and used to urge on
his horse ; anything that urges on ; a
stimulus ; an incitement ; anything shaped
like a spur ; a ridge running at an angle to
a chain of mountains ; a sharp spike on the
legs of some birds ; a metal point attached
to the spur of a gamecock ; a spur-shaped
part in some flowers ; in fortification, a
wall crossing a rampart and connecting it
to an interior work ; a short piece of timber
replacing the rotten butt of a post ; a short
timber supporting a deck. v.t. To prick with
spurs ; to urge on ; to incite ; to furnish
with spurs, v.i. To ride fast or hard. (F.
eperon, aiguillon, contrefort, ergot, eperon;
eperonner, aiguillonner, piquer, armer
d'eperons; piquer des deux.)

The spurs of old days bore several spikes,
but those now used are generally furnished
with a small wheel, bearing short points,
and called a rowel. Many men are spurred
to work very hard by ambition or the desire
for wealth. A boy is spurred on to success
in his tasks by the hope of winning the praise
of his parents and teachers. In the age of
chivalry a knight wore gilt spurs, and to
win one's spurs meant to gain the honour of
knighthood. Nowadays the expression means
to gain distinction in any way.

A cock has spurred legs ; in the sport of
cock-fighting, now forbidden by law, steel
or silver sheaths — called spurs — were fastened
to the spurs of the bird.

Many horsemen ride spurless (sper' les,
adj.), wearing no spurs. A spurrier (sper' i
er ; spur' i er, n.) is a maker of spurs.

The spur-royal (n.) of James I's reign was
a gold coin bearing on the reverse side a design
thought to resemble the rowel of a spur, but
really representing the sun and its rays.

A spur-wheel (n.) is a gear-wheel with
teeth projecting spokewise from its edge, and
used to transmit motion in a flat plane. In
contrast may be mentioned the crown-wheel,
with teeth standing up at right angles from
its disk, and the level-wheel, both used to
convert a horizontal motion to a vertical one,
or vice versa.

The battle of Courtrai (1302), in which the
weavers of Flanders routed the knighthood
of France, is known as the Battle of the Spurs

from the great number of gilt spurs collected
on the field from fallen and captured knights.
Every knight who escaped was a spurrer
(sper' er, n.) — one who uses his spurs — as he
fled from the battlefield. The same name
has been given to the battle near Therouanne,
France, in 1513, in which the French troops
spurred away from the English.

M.E. spure, A.-S. spura \ cp. Dutch spoor,
G. sporn, O. Norse spori ; also E. spoor, spurn.
SYN. : v. Arouse, incite, prick, stimulate, urge.

Spurge. — The wood spurge. Several species of spurge
are native to Britain.

spurge (sperj), n. One of the various
species of plants of the genus Euphorbia, with
milky acrid juice. (F. epurge.)

The cypress spurge is cultivated in gardens
as a border plant, and the wood spurge is
leafy and shrub-like. Many spurges are
weeds.

The spurge-laurel (n.) — Daphne laureola—
is a bushy evergreen shrub with poisonous
berries.

O.F. espurge, from L. expurgdre ; from ex-
away, purgdre to purge, clear away.

spurious (spur' i us), adj. Not genuine ;
counterfeit. (F. faux, contrefait, de contre-
fapon, truque.)

Spurious banknotes or coins are those
which are not genuine, and have not
emanated from the bank or mint which is
pretended spuriously (spur' i us li, adv.] to
be their place of origin. The spuriousness
(spur' i us nes, n.), or spurious character,
of some so-called antique furniture might
escape detection even by a trained eye,
so cleverly is the genuine article simulated.

From L. spurius illegitimate, false; E. adj.
suffix -ous. SYN. : Counterfeit, false, sham.
•>.ANT. : Genuine, real, true.

spurless (sper' les), adj. Having no spurs.
See under spur.

spurling-line (sper' ling lin), n. A cord
running from a steering-wheel to a tell-tale
which shows the position of the helm at any
moment.

4067

SPURN

SQUAB

spurn (spern), v.t. To repel ; to kick
or thrust away with the foot ; to reject with
contempt ; to treat with disdain, v.i. To
show contempt or disdain (at), n. The act
of spurning ; contemptuous rejection. (F.

en parlant, siffler, bredouiller ; bredouiller ;
vacarme, bred&uillement.}

A candle sputters if the wick is damp ;
fat sputters in a frying-pan. Excitement
may make one a sputterer (spuf er er, n.},

fouler aux pieds, repousser avec dedain, and a very angry person sometimes sputters

mepriser, trailer avec mepris; mepris.}

An honest man spurns bribes ; it is
churlish to spurn friendly overtures from
those who wish us well. A generous man
does not show himself a spurner (spern 'er, n.)
— one who spurns — when asked for help.

A.-S. spurnan ; cp. O. Norse spurna, also
L. spernere to scorn; akin to spur. SYN. : v.
Reject, repel, scorn. ANT. : v. Receive, welcome.

spurrer (sper' er). For this word and
spurrier see under spur.

spurry (spur' i), n. One of various plants
belonging to the genus Spergula. Another
spelling is spurrey (spur' i). (F. spergule.)

The corn-spurrey, Spergula arvensis, is
found as a weed on cultivated land, and is
sometimes grown for fodder. The stalks are
about a foot high, knotty and grass-like,
with white flowers in panicles.

O.F. spurrie, L.L. Spergula ; perhaps a
German word ; cp. G. sporgel, spergel.

spurt [i] (spert), v.i. To gush out violently
or in a sudden stream, v.t. To emit or
send out (liquid) thus. n. A jet or
gush of liquid emitted with force. Another
spelling is spirt (spert). (F. jaillir ; faire
jaillir, emettre avec
violence ; jaillissement,
effusion.}

Water spurts from
a fire-engine's hose
with great force.
There are old tales of
fabulous dragons and
other monsters which
spurted fire from
their nostrils when
attacked. Blood issues
in spurts from an
injured artery.

By metathesis from
M.E. sprutten, A.-S.
spryttan, causal of
spriitan to sprout. See
sprout. SYN. : v. Gush.
n. Gush, jet.

spurt [2] (spert), ;
violent effort, v.i. To make a spurt.
coup de collier ; faire un brusque effort.}

A runner may win by husbanding his
strength till near the end of the race, when
he uses it in a final spurt, spurting forward
to try and pass his competitors.

Cp. O. Norse sprett-r, bound, leap ; akin
lo E. sprint.

sputa (spu' ta). This is the plural of
sputum. See sputum.

sputter (sput'er^, v.i. To speak explosively
or excitedly ; to make a spitting sound ;
to splutter, v.t. To utter hastily or indis-
tinctly ; to emit with a spitting noise, n.
Confused or vehement speech. (F. cracker

Spy. — Smeaton (1724-92) spying at the base on
which he erected the third Eddystone lighthouse.

A sudden, short,
(F.

out his words, or sputters incoherently at
another. Some impediment of speech may
cause a person to speak sputteringly (sput'
er ing li, adv.}, or in a sputtering way.

Frequentative of spout ; cp. Dutch sputter en.
SYN. : v. Splutter.

sputum (spu' turn), n. Spittle ; saliva ;
a secretion dislodged and coughed up or
expectorated in certain diseases. pi.
sputa (spu' ta). (F. salive, crachat, sputation.)
L. neuter p.p. of spuere to spit out.
spy (spi), n. A person who secretly and
in disguise goes to get information about an
enemy's doings ; one who keeps a watch on
others, v.t. To discern ; to detect ; to explore
secretly ; to discover by careful and secret
watching, v.i. To act as spy ; to look with a
spy-glass. (F. voir, decouvrir, epier, espionner ;
moucharder ; espion, mouchard.}

A spy adopts disguise of various sorts ;
he may pretend to be a civilian of the country
whose forces he goes to get information
about, or he may assume the guise of a neutral
citizen. Very daring indeed is the person
who spies under the disguise of a soldier of
the enemy's army, mixing with the hostile
...... troops in order to get

information.

A spy's work in wan
time is very perilous,
for if he is caught he
may be put to death
summarily. So long
as a soldier doing
similar work wears
uniform openly he is
protected by it, and
can claim the treat-
ment of an ordinary
prisoner of war.

We may spend some
time looking among
bookshelves before we
spy, or discern, the
volume we seek. In
civil life detectives are

employed to spy on people suspected of
crime — to keep them under observation
is the phrase generally used. As long ago
as the time of Moses, people were sent
to an enemy's country to spy out the
land.

A small pocket telescope ot a kind now
obsolete was called a spy-glass (n.}. A spy-
hole (n.) is a peep-hole.

Short for espy ; M.E. spien, O.F. espter.
See espy. SYN. : v. Discern, explore, observe,
watch.

squab (skwob), adj. Short and fat ;
squat, adv. With a heavy fall ; plump, n.
An unfledged or young pigeon ; a short, fat
person; a thick, stuffed cushion; an ottoman.

4068

SQUABBLE

SQUALL,

(F. rebondi; patatras, pouf ; pigeonneau,
poussah, pouf.)

A pie is called a squab-pie (n.) if it contains
squabs — young pigeons — or if it is made
from a mixture of meat, onions, and apples.
A squab person or squab may be described
as squabby (skwob' i, adj.). An ottoman,
sometimes called a squab, is frequently
provided with squabs, or very thick, squabby
cushions.

Cp. Swed. dialect sqvabb loose, fat flesh. SYN. :
adj. Bulky, clumsy, podgy, squat, thick-set.

squabble (skwob' 1), v.i. To quarrel
noisily ; to wrangle ; to bicker. v.t. In
printing, to disarrange (type that has been
set up), n. A petty or noisy quarrel ; a
wrangle. (F. se chamailler, se disputer ;
brouiller, faire tomber en pate; bagarre,
brouillerie.)

Children often squabble over toys and
games, but such a squabble usually ends
amicably. Adjoining
landowners may
engage in disputes
and squabbles about
boundaries, and even
nations may squabble
over petty and trivial
affairs. A quarrel-
some person becomes
known as a squabbler
(skwob' ler, n.), one
who squabbles.

Imitative ; cp. Swed.
dialect skvabbel a dis-
pute, skvappa to chide,
from skvapp splash ;
akin to E. swab. SYN. : v.
Bicker, dispute, quarrel,
wrangle, n. Dispute,
quarrel, wrangle.

squacco (skwak' 6),
heron, Ardeola ralloides, of southern Europe
and Africa. (F. heron crabier.)

Ital. sguacco ; imitative of the bird's note.

squad (skwod), n. A small number of
soldiers, police, etc., assembled for drill or
inspection ; a small party of people. (F.
escouade.)

When recruits join a regiment, they are
put together in squads to be instructed in
drill, etc., by a non-commissioned officer.
They have to stay in this squad until fit to
drill with the rest of their battalion. An
awkward squad (n.) consists of the less
efficient recruits, who would hinder the pro-
gress of the others, and so are grouped
together for intensive training.

F. escouade, variant of obsolete F. esquadre
(F. escadre naval squadron), Ital. squadra square,
squadron. See square.

squadron (skwod 'ron), n. A main division
of a cavalry regiment ; a division of a fleet
under a flag officer ; a group of twelve
military aeroplanes, v.t. To arrange or group
in squadrons. (F. escadron, escadre ; ranger
par escadrons.)

In the British Army a squadron of cavalry

Squacco. — The squacco,

Europe and Africa.

A small, crested

contains one hundred and forty-nine men,
and six officers. A. cavalry regiment is made
up of four squadrons, which correspond to
infantry companies. A squadron of the fleet
may consist of any number of vessels. It is
commanded by an officer of flag rank, and
usually composed chiefly of vessels of the
same kind, such as a battle-squadron or
cruiser-squadron, which form a unit of 'a
main fleet under an admiral. In the Royal
Air Force a squadron is made up of twelve
aeroplanes and their crews. The officer
commanding it is called a squadron leader
(n.). He ranks with a major in the Army.

Ital. squadrone, augmentative of squadra
square, tquad ; cp. F. escadron. See square.

squall (skwal), n. A disk used in the game
of squails ; (pi.) a game played by striking
disks from the edge of a table towards a
mark set in the centre.

A circular squail-board (n.) is sometimes
used for playing
squails. The disk is
placed on it so that it
partly overlaps the
edge, and is struck
with the palm of the
hand. A squailer
(skwal' er, n.) is a
stick loaded at one
end with lead, for
throwing at squirrels,
etc., or for dislodging
apples from trees.

Formerly also skayle
kayle ; possibly akin to
skittle.

squalid ( s k w o 1 '
id), adj . Dirty;
p o v e r t y-s t r i c k e n ;
wretched. (F. sordide,
reduit a la misere, triste.)

Squalid or insanitary and mean-looking
houses are to be found in the slums of great
cities, where poor people lead squalid or
wretched lives, and children are reared
squalidly (skwol' id li, adv.), or in a squalid
manner.

Formerly squalidity (skwa lid' i ti, n.),
squalidness (skwol' id nes, n.), or squalor
(skwol' or, n.), that is, filthiness of a foul
and squalid character, was much more com-
mon in very poor districts.

From L. squdlidus rough, filthy, rude. SYN. :
Dirty, filthy, mean, sordid, wretched. ANT. :
Bright, clean, happy, healthy, sanitary.

squall (skwawl), v.i. To scream violently ;
to yell. v.t. To utter with a violent scream or
in a discordant voice, n. A loud harsh
scream or cry ; a sudden, violent gust, or
succession of gusts, of wind, especially with
rain, hail, or snow. (F. crier a tue-tttte,
brailler, piailler ; criaillement, rafale.)

Babies naturally squall for food, or when
they are in pain. The mother usually rushes
to the squailer (skwawl' er, n.) to find out
what is wrong. Squalls of wind are called
white squalls if they come unexpectedly, in

4069

SQUALOID

SQUARE

fair weather, without any change in the sky,
and black squalls if their approach is marked
by the gathering of dark, heavy clouds.

When sailing an open boat in squally
(skwawl' li, adj.) weather, that is, when
squalls are about, one must be .ready at any
moment to bring the boat's head up to the
wind and lower or release the sails. Other-
wise the boat may capsize or be dismasted.

Perhaps akin to O. Norse, skvala to squeal,
Swed. sqvala to gush out, G. schallen to resound,
Gaelic sgal a howl, Welsh chwalu to babble. See
squeal. SYN. : v. Scream, n. Gust, scream.

squaloid (skwa/ loid), adj. Like a shark.

Dog-fishes are squaloid fishes, and are
really small sharks.

L. squalus a kind of shark, with E. suffix -old
of family likeness.

squalor (skwol' or). For this word see
under squalid.

squama (skwa/ ma), n. A scale or scale-
like structure forming part of the covering
of an animal or plant, pi. squamae (skwa'
me). (F. tcaille.)

The scales of reptiles, the scale-like feathers
on the penguin's wing and the humming-
bird's throat, and the tiny leaves that pro-
tect young buds of plants are examples of
squamae. The name Squamata (skwa ma/ ta,
n.pl.) is applied by zoologists to the order
of scaly reptiles.

Most snakes are squamose (skwa mos',
adj.), or scaly. The root of the lily is a
squamose or squamous (skwa/
mus, adj.) bulb, that is, one
covered with scales. A very
small squama, such as may be
found on the wings of an insect,
is 'termed a squamule (skwa/
mul, n.).

L. squama scale.

squander (skwon' der), v.t. 'Hal
To spend 'wastefully ; to dissi-
pate (money) thus ; to waste
(time). (F. gaspiller, eparpiller,
ddssiper.)

The Prodigal Son of the para-
ble squandered the money which
his father had given him, for he
" wasted his substance with
riotous living " (Luke xv, 13).
Like many another squanderer (skwon' der
er, n.), he soon felt the pressure of want,
and regretted his foolishness. Lazy people
squander their time, and, incidentally, their
health, by leading indolent lives.

Perhaps a nasalized form akin to Sc. squatter,
E. dialect swatter, to splash water, Swed. dialect
skvdttra squander, frequentatives from the stem
of Dan. sqvatte to splash, to squander ; cp. scatter.
SYN. : Consume, dissipate, lavish. ANT. : Econo-
mize, hoard, husband, save.

square (skwar), n. A right-angled
figure with four equal sides ; an object,
surface, area, part, etc., of this shape, or
approximately so ; a four-sided open space,
surrounded by houses, usually laid out with

ornamental gardens or planted with trees ;
a rectangular block of buildings, bounded
by four streets ; a rectangular division of a
chess-board, etc. ; a set of .vords or figures
arranged in a square, so as to read alike
downwards as well as across ; a body of
troops drawn up in the form of a rectangle, and
either facing outwards to resist attack, etc.,
or inwards to witness a ceremony, etc. ; an
L-shaped or T-shaped instrument used for
testing or laying out right angles ; the pro-
duct of a number multiplied by itself ; an
area of about one hundred square feet used
as a measure of flooring ; fairness ; strict
honesty ; order, adj. Having four equal
sides and four right angles ; of the shape of a
square ; forming a right angle ; at right
angles (to) ; broader than usual in relation
to height or length ; satisfactory ; fair ;
just ; absolute ; thorough ; complete ;
even ; evenly balanced ; in proper order.
adv. Squarely, v.t. To make square ; to ad-
just ; to reconcile ; to regulate ; to make
even ; to settle ; to pay ; to bribe ; to
multiply (a number) by itself ; to arrange
(sails or yards) cross-wise to a ship's keel.
v.i. To be at right angles (with) ; to agree ;
to take up a boxing attitude ; to move thus
(up to a person). (F. carre, place, cass,
carree, equerre, nombre carre, probite ; carre,
rectangulaire , juste, loyal, exact, balance;
carrement ; carrer, ajuster, regler, corrompre,
brasser ; s'accorder.}

The most famous of the London Squares

Square. — Trafalgar Square, London, with the Nelson Column,

commemorating Lord Nelson's victory at Trafalgar. The domed

building is the National Gallery.

is Trafalgar Square, in which rises the Nelson
Column. Squares in residential districts
are usually laid out with gardens, and some-
times contain tennis courts for the use of
the occupants of the surrounding houses.
In America blocks of buildings are called
squares, and the word is sometimes used as
a rough unit of distance as when a doctor is
said to live three squares away.

People are said to square accounts when
they settle up for what they owe one another.
When this is done they are square. We may
expect a square deal, which means honest
treatment, from a person who acts on the
square, that is, fairly or honestly. A joiner
uses his square to rule a line square to, or at

4070

SQUARROSE

SQUASH

right angles to, an edge. A pugilist may
be said to square up to his opponent when
he advances on him in a fighting attitude.

In golf, when the number of holes won by
each player or side is the same, the game is
said to be square. In cricket, an off-side
stroke which sends the ball away more or
less at right angles to the wicket is called a
square cut (n.).

It is impossible to square the circle, that is,
to construct by geometrical means a square
that equals a given circle, in other words, to
express the exact area of a circle in terms
of its radius. Hence, a person who sets out
to do an impossible thing is said to attempt
to square the circle.

A square-built (adj.)
man is broad for his
height and probably
square-shouldered
(adj.), having level,
and not sloping,
shoulders.

A square foot (n.)
is the area of a
square, each side of
which measures a foot.
This, and the square
inch (n.) and square

vflrd fil areas one Square.— A square-sail [(top) of a square-rigged
yard (n.) — areas one ship 8uch as the 8qUare-rigger (below),

inch square and one

yard square — are units used in square measure
(n.), the system of measures for expressing
area, or extent of surface. The price of
flooring, roofing, tiling, etc., is reckoned
at so much a square, or a hundred square
feet.

A ship is said to be square-rigged (adj.),
and is called a square-rigger (n.), if each of her
principal sails is suspended from a horizontal
yard or beam, slung to the mast by the
middle.

A square-sail (n.) is a four-cornered sail
set on a yard in this way, especially one on
a vessel with some fore-and-aft sails. The
barque, barquentine, and topsail schooner,
which combine these two types of rigging,
are also said to be square-rigged. When the
wind moves farther aft, or towards the rear
of a square-rigged ship, it is necessary to
square the main yard, that is, set it at right
angles with the keel.

The number sixteen is a square number
(n.), that is, a number which is the square of
an integer, in this case, four. The square root
(n.) of a quantity is that quantity of which
it is the square. In other words, that number
which, when multiplied by itself, makes the
specified quantity. The square root of
sixteen is four. Only square numbers have
ex^ict square roots.

A square-toed (adj.) boot or shoe is square
at the toes, instead of being rounded or
pointed. A person is said to be square-toed,
or is described as a square-toes (n.), or old
square-toes (n.), if old-fashioned, formal, and
precise in his manner. This epithet came into

use in the late eighteenth century, when
shoes with broad square toes had passed
temporarily out of fashion. Planks have to
be sawn squarely (skwar' li, adv.), that is,
at right angles to their breadth or length.
Bricks are laid squarely in position, that is,
directly square to the line of the wall that is
being built. To look a person squarely in
the face is to look at him in a fearless, open
manner.

The squareness (skwar' nes, n.), which
means the square or right-angled condition,
of corners or angles is tested with a square,
such as a set-square, or a T-square. One
who uses a square, or who settles an account,
etc., is a squarer
(skwar ' er, n.). An
object is squarish
(skwar7 ish, adj.) if it
is more or less square
in shape.

O.F. esquarre, Ital.
squadra, from L.L. ex-
quadrdre to make square,
from ex- thoroughly,
quadrus four cornered,
from quattuor four.

squarrose (skwor'
6s), adj. In botany
and zoology, rough

with projecting scales

or squamae. Another form is squarrous
(skwor' us). (F. squarreux.)

Possibly from a L.L. copyist's misreading ;
squarrosus for L. squawiosus scaly (squdmA scale).

squarson (skwar' son), n. A clergyman
who owns land.

This word is a combination of squire and
parson, and is used humorously.

squash [i] (skwosh), v.t. To squeeze or
crush flat or into a pulp ; to press hard
(against) ; to put down or silence (a person).
v.i. To be crushed ; to be smashed into pulp ;
to squeeze one's way (into), n. A squashed
object ; a mass of pulp ; a beverage made
from the juice of squashed fruit ; the fall of
a soft object ; the sound of this striking
something ; a squeeze ; a dense throng ; a.
game played with rackets and a soft ball
on a small court. (F. ecraser, fouler, rabrouer,
mettre a quia ; s'ecraser, tomber en compote,
jouer des coudes ; pulpe, puree, presse, Joule
serree.)

Lemons and oranges are squashed in order
to extract their juice, which is mixed with
soda-water to make lemon-squash and
orange-squash. A heavy soft object falls
with a squash. In dense crowds or squashes
people are squashed or pressed against
each other. Metals are squashed out flat
under a steam-hammer. In a figurative
sense, a person or a remark may be squashed
by a crushing retort. The game of squash,
or squash-rackets (n.pl.), is played with a soft
india-rubber ball, which is served against a
wall facing the players.

Ripe gooseberries, raspberries, and straw-
berries are squashy (skwosh' i, adj.) fruit,

4071

SQUASH

SQUEAMISH

squawk (skwawk), v.i. To utter a harsh
cry of pain or fear. n. Such a cry. (F.
piailler ; piaillement.}

Fowls squawk loudly when caught or
when frightened.

Imitative ; variant of squeak.

squeak (skwek), v.i. To utter a short,
shrill cry ; to give out a shrill noise, v.i.
To utter shrilly, n. A short, shrill sound or
cry-; a narrow escape. (F. pepisr, piailler,
crier; piaillerie.)

The cry of a mouse is a squeak. Many
dolls contain a device called a squeaker
(skwek' er, n.), which squeaks when pressed.
Young birds, especially young partridges and
pigeons, are called squeakers, on account of
their high-pitched cries. A gate with rusty
hinges squeaks when it is opened, and re-
quires oiling. Few people go through life
without at least one narrow squeak, or escape
from danger.

New shoes are apt to be squeaky (skwek' i,
adj.), or to make squeaks, when one walks.
Some people have squeaky, or thin and shrill,
voices. Wheelbarrows often run squeakily
(skwek' i li, adv.), that is, with squeaking
noises.

Of Scand. origin ; cp. Norw. skvaka, Swed.
sqvdka. Imitative ; cp. quack [i].

squeal (skwel), v.i. To utter a shrill cry.
v.t. To utter with a squeal, n. A shrill cry.
(F. pousser un cri percant ; cri aigu.)

Animals squeal with pain or fear. A rat
or rabbit overtaken by a stoat seems para-
lysed and squeals in a pitiful manner.
Horses utter squeals when playing with or
biting at one another.

Any person or thing that squeals may be
called a squealer (skwel' er, n.), a name also
given to the swift and other birds, and
especially to young pigeons.

Of Scand. origin ; cp. Norw. skvella, Swed.
dialect sqvala, frequentative forms allied to
squeak and squall. SYN. : v. and n. Scream.
squeamish, (skwe' mish), adj. Easily

disgusted, offended, or turned

sick ; affectedly delicate ; fastid-
ious ; unduly scrupulous. (F.
difficile, facile a degouter, qui
souleve facilement, trop scru-
puleux.}

Coarse food is distasteful to
squeamish people, who, however,
would not reject it squeamishly
(skwe' mish li, adv.), or fastidi-
ously, if they were really hungry.
At sea,, people who are bad
sailors are very likely to find
themselves overcome by squeam-
ishness (skwe' mish nes, n.), or
sickishness. Those who are excess-
ively dainty or punctilious «re
also said to display squeamish-
Squaw. — North American Indian squaws of the Hopi tribe engaged ness and SO are people who are
in making basket.. very' easily shocke§

squaw (skwaw), n. A North American Earlier squeamous, Anglo -F. escoymous, of
Indian wife or woman. (F.femme.) doubtful origin. SYN. : Finical, hypercritical,

North American Indian = woman. prudish. ANT. : Careless, indifferent.

4072

that is, they have a pulpy nature, and lack
consistency. Sodden marshy ground is also
squashy, and has the quality of squashiness
(skwosh' i nes, n.). As one walks over it one's
feet make a squashy or squelchy sound.

O.F. esquasser (Ital. squassare), from L. ex-
thoroughly quassdre to shatter. See quash.
SYN. : v. Compress, crush, flatten.

squash [2] (skwosh), n. The fleshy,
edible gourd-like fruit of various trailing
plants of the genus Cucurbita ; a plant of
this genus, especially the winter squash (C.
maxima}. (F. courge, cucurbitacee.)

The squash is allied to the pumpkin.
Many species are cultivated and eaten in
America. The winter squash can be kept
for several months before use.

American Indian askutasquash.

squat (skwot), v.i. To sit on the ground
cross-legged or with the knees drawn up in
front, and the heels under the body ; to
crouch close to the ground ; to settle on
new or public land without legal title, v.t.
To put (oneself) in a squatting position, adj.
Short and thick ; dumpy ; in a squatting
position, n. A squatting posture ; a squat
person. (F. s'accroupir, se tapir, s' installer ;
ramasse, accroupi ; accroupissement, poussah.)

In the East the natives usually squat on
the ground or on cushions when they take
their meals, instead of using chairs. Hares
squat or sit close to the earth in their forms
or lairs. A bungalow is a squat type of house,
having only one story.

A squatter (skwot ' er, n.) is one who squats
on his haunches, or who occupies public or
uncultivated land without legal authority
to do so. In Australia, a squatter is a
man who rents land on easy terms from
the Government for pasturing sheep or
cattle.

O.F. esquatir flatten, from L. ex- thoroughly,
O.F. quatir through L.L. from L. coactus p.p. of
cogere to press, constrain. SYN. : adj. Podgy,
thick-set.

SQUEEGEE

SQUID

Other forms in-

Squeegee.

squeegee (skwe" je ; skwe je'), n. A
rubber-edged implement with a long handle,
used for cleaning wet roads, etc. ; a similar
but smaller implement, or a rubber roller
mounted in a handle, for squeezing and
flattening photographic prints, v.t. To clean
or smooth with a squeegee. O
elude squilgee (skwil'
je; skwilje'). (F.balai
en caoutchouc.}

Asphalted roads in
large towns are
cleaned by flooding
them with water,
which is then swept
into the gutter, to-
gether with the dirt
it collects. Big squee-
gees are used for this
purpose. They have
a strip of thick rubber
set in a cross-bar at the
lower end. The photo-
grapher removes loose
water from washed
prints by squeegeeing
them well.

Perhaps from squeege
= squeeze.

squeeze (skwez),
v.t. To press tightly
with the hand, or be-
tween two bodies ; to

compress ; to force (juice) from ; to force
(oneself into or out) ; to extort (money)
from ; to harass by exactions ; to put
pressure on ; to oppress ; to take an im-
pression of (a coin) on damp paper, v.i. To
press ; to force one's way (into, through, etc.)
n. The act of squeezing ; pressure ; a close
hug ; a crush ; an impression of a coin, etc.
taken by squeezing. (F. server, comprimer,
Joider, extorquer, opprimer ; presser, se forcer
a tr avers ; pressurage, etreinte, cingleur.)

When making lemonade, we squeeze the
juice out of a lemon with our fingers. Apples
and grapes for making cider and wine are
squeezed in screw-presses. Great ingots of
white-hot steel are squeezed into shafts and
other parts of machines in hydraulic presses,
some of which can give a squeeze of immense
power. A squeeze of a medal may be
obtained by pressing it against damp paper.

In badly governed countries the state
officials abuse their power and squeeze the
people over whom they have authority, that
is, they extort money from them. It is a
tight squeeze to get one's feet into shoes
that are too small for them, or to make room
for oneself in an already crowded railway-
carriage.

Anything is squeezable (skwez ' abl, adj.],
in the sense that it can have pressure put on
it, but cold steel is not squeezable in the
sense of being compressible. Hay, cotton,
and other soft, loose materials, however,
possess squeezability (skwez a biT i ti, n.},

the quality of being squeezable, in both
senses, and are compressed into bales for
transport.

A squeezer (skwez' er, n.} is a person or
thing that squeezes ; a lemon-squeezer, for
instance. Slag and air-bubbles are pressed
out of puddled iron by means of a machine
specially known as
a squeezer. Playing-
cards are termed
squeezers (n.pl.) when
their suit and value is
marked in one of the
top corners, so that
they need not be
spread out in the
player's hand.

A.-S. cwlesan, the pre-
fixed s from O.F. es- =
L. ex. SYN. : v. Com-
press, constrain, hug,
press, squash.

squelch (skwelch),
v.t. To crush ; to
silence ; to put an end
to. v.i. To walk in
wet boots, or over
sodden ground so as
to make a splashing
noise. n. A heavy
blow ; a crushing re-
tort ; a splashing or
sucking noise made
when walking in
(F. ecrabouiller, reduire
au silence, horion, clapotis.}

A clever retort is said to squelch an inter-
rupter at a political meeting. Goloshes with
water in them make squelches at every step.
An early form is quelsh. See squeeze.
squib (skwib), n. A firework which throws
out showers of sparks and explodes with a
loud bang ; a tube containing gunpowder for
firing a blasting-charge ; a small torpedo for
igniting a larger one ; a sarcastic piece of
writing ; a lampoon, v.i. To throw squibs ;
to write squibs, v.t. To make fun of or attack
with lampoons. (F. petard, pasquinade ; lancer
des petards, lancer des brocards ; brocarder.}

The firework called a squib contains
grained powder, and sometimes charcoal,
sulphur, and steel filings, enclosed in a stout
paper tube plugged 'at one end. A little
bursting-powder is usually put into the case
before the ordinary charge, so that the squib
shall finish up with an explosion. Journalists
formerly squibbed, or wrote squibs about,
politicians with whom they disagreed.

Cp. M.E. swippen to rush, O. Norse svipa to
flash, dart. "

squid (skwid), n. A name for certain
cuttle-fishes, especially those of the genus
Loligo ; a bait shaped like this fish. v.i. To
fish with such bait. (F. seiche.}

The squid or calamary has a longish
cylindrical body with two triangular fins on
the tapering hinder part. Its head is short
and is surrounded by tentacles. It is a

A householder squeegeeing flood water
from his house.

water-filled boots.

086

4073

SQUILL

SQUIRREL

rapid swimmer, and feeds upon shell-fish
and crabs. In America, fishermen squid in
swift tideways with lines baited with arti-
ficial squids.

Akin to Swed. dialect sqvitta, O. Norse
skvetta to squirt.

Squid. — The common squid, a species of cuttle-fish.
It feeds on shell-fish.

squill (skwil), n. A bulbous-rooted plant
of the genus Scilla ; the powdered bulb of the
sea-onion (Urginea scilla). (F. scille,)

The bluebell (Scilla nutans) is one of the
squills. The leaves of plants of this genus
spring from the bulb itself, and the flowers
take the form of racemes or loose corymbs
at the end of the flower stalk. The medicinal
powder known as squill is obtained from a
sea-shore plant with an extremely large
bulb and white flowers, called the sea-onion.
This plant was formerly placed in the genus
Scilla and is sometimes called the squill.

O.F. squille, L. squilla, Gr. skilla squill.

squinch. (skwinch), n. A small interior
arch across the corner of a square tower,
supporting one side of an octagonal spire.

A variant form of sconce. See sconce,
scuncheon.

squint (skwint), v.i. To be affected with
strabismus ; to be cross-eyed ; to look
obliquely or askance (at) ; to look or peer
with the eyes half shut. v.t. To cause to
squint ; to close (the eyes) quickly ; to
keep (the eyes) half shut. adj. Looking
obliquely or askance ; cross-eyed, n. Strabis-
mus ; an eye affection in which the axes are
differently diverted ; a furtive or sidelong
glance ; a stealthy look ; a glance ; a lean-
ing or inclination ; a hagioscope. (F.
loucher, regarder de tr avers, regarder en
dessous ; rendre louche, cligner les yeaux ;
louche; strabisme, regard louche.)

In the affection known as squint the axis
of vision in each eye is different, so that when
a squint-eyed (adj.) person — one who squints
— looks at an object, one eye is directed at it
normally, but the other turns either inwards
or outwards and is apparently looking
elsewhere. One affected in this manner is a
squinter (skwint ' er, n.) and looks at objects
and persons squintingly (skwint' ing li, adv.),
with a squint.

Colloquially, to take a squint at an object
means to glance at it. A marksman is said
to squint or peer along the barrel of his
rifle to aline the sights, and a shopper may
squint or glance obliquely into a shop window
as he or she strolls past.

The name of squint or hagioscope is given
to a slanting opening in the wall of a church,
through which the altar might be seen from
a transept.

Probably akin to Dutch schuin oblique,
schuinen to slope, schuinte a slope.

squire (skwlr), n. A country gentleman ;
the principal landowner in a district ; an
attendant upon a knight ; a gallant ; a
woman's escort, v.t. To attend as squire ; to
escort (a woman). (F. proprietaire cam-
pagnard, rentier, ecuyer, cavalier ; servir
d' ecuyer a, servir de cavalier a.)

In olden days knights were attended by
squires, or esquires, who buckled on their
armour, and prepared them for battle. One
who escorts a woman is said to squire her or
act as her squire. To-day, however, we gener-
ally use the word squire to mean the chief
landowner in a country district.

A squireen (skwlr en', n.} is a petty squire,
the word being used chiefly in Ireland.
Squirelet (skwlr' let, n.} and squireling (skwir'
ling, n.} are terms applied in England to such
a man, or to a young squire. A squire's
office or dignity is called squirehood («.), or
squireship (n.) ; things relating to or befitting
a squire may be described as squirely (skwir'
li, adj.). The squirearchy (skwlr' ar ki, n.)
is the general body of squires, or the political
influence which they wield. In another sense
the word means rule or domination by a
squire. One who belongs to the squire-
archy is called a squirearch (skwlr' ark, n.) ;
things characteristic of this class are some-
times described as squirearchal (skwlr' ar
kal, adj.) or squirearchical (skwir ar' kik al,
adj.).

See esquire. SYN. : n. Esquire, landowner.
v. Accompany, serve, tend.

squirm (skwerm) , v.i. To writhe or wriggle ;
to move or proceed thus ; to feel or show
embarrassment or discomfort, n. A wriggling
movement ; a twist in a ship's rope. (F.
se tordre, tortiller, fremir ; tortillement.}

A worm will squirm, or writhe, when
disturbed ; an eel wriggles or squirms about
when taken from the water. A boy squirms
with shame when he is told, in front of
the class, how many mistakes there are
in his arithmetic, or how unsatisfactory his
behaviour has been. After a caning he may
squirm with pain or discomfort.

Cp. E. dialect squirr to whirl. SYN. : v. Wriggle.

squirrel (skwir' el), n. A small brown or
grey rodent, with bushy tail and pointed
ears, belonging to the genus Sciurus. (F.
ecureuil.)

The native English squirrel is reddish-
brown above and white below. This species
(Sciurus vulgaris) is found over most of
Europe. It lives in trees, and feeds on nuts
and acorns, bark, young shoots, etc., storing
up food in a hoard during autumn for use
next spring. The winter is spent in hiberna-
tion, unless the weather is very mild, when
the squirrel will remain about. The grey

4074

SQUIRT

STABLE

squirrel from North America has multiplied
in great numbers around London in recent
years, and is replacing the red squirrel.

Squirrels are often kept as pets, their
very active and perky movements affording
great interest and amusement. Squirrel fur
is in great demand for wraps and coats.

The squirrel-fish (n.) is a species of perch
found in the seas of the West Indies, so
named from the squirrel-like bark it makes
when taken from the water. The prairie
dog is sometimes called the barking squirrel.
Squirrel-grass (n.) — Hordeum maritimum —
has a flower thought to resemble the bushy
tail of a squirrel. Its hair-like awns are
somewhat like those of barley.

M.E. scurel, O.F. escurel, L.L. scilrellus, dim.
of L. sciwus, Gr. skiourus squirrel, from skia
shadow, our a tail.

squirt (skwert), v.t.
To eject in a jet. v.i.
Of a liquid, etc., to
be ejected in this
manner, n. A syringe ;
a jet or thin stream
of liquid. (F. seringuer,
faire jaillir ; jaillir ;
seringue, jet.)

Among the crude
fire-extinguishing ap-
paratus of bygone
days was a kind of
large squirt, or syringe,
with which water was
squirted, or directed
by the squirter (skwert '
er, n.) on to a blazing
building. Water
squirts from a garden
hose when the tap is turned on. When
the bombardier beetle is disturbed it squirts
a jet of fluid at its assailant. Gardeners
and others apply insecticide, in liquid or
powdered form, by means of a squirt.

A trailing plant found in the south of
Europe, and called the squirting cucumber
(n.) — Ecballium elaterium — bears small ellip-
tical fruits which, when ripe, break away
from their stalks and eject their juice and
seeds with some force through a hole at the
point of breakage.

M.E. swirten ; cp. Low G. swirtjen. SYN. : v.
Spout, spurt, n. Jet, syringe.

stab (stab), v.t. To wound with a sword,
dagger or other pointed weapon ; to thrust
(a weapon into) ; to pierce ; to roughen a
wall so that it will hold plaster ; to inflict
pain on ; to injure or hurt. v.i. To aim a
blow (at) with, or as with a dagger, etc.
n. A blow or thrust with a pointed weapon ;
the wound so made ; a pain as of a stab ;
an injury (to feelings, reputation, etc.).
(F. poignarder, larder, enfoncer, piquer, porter
atteinte a ; coup d'estoc, coup mortel, injure.}

In " Macbeth," Shakespeare represents
Duncan as stabbed to death with a dagger.
In duels the combatants were sometimes
armed with both sword and dagger, the sword

Squirrel.— The flying squirrel, which is able to leap
and glide a considerable distance.

being used for offence and the dagger mainly
for parrying.

The haymaker who spies a rat or other
vermin among the hay may stab at it with
his fork. Often. in such a case the intended
victim evades the stabs or jabs. When an
assassin was hired to kill an enemy secretly,
the victim often met his end through being
stabbed in the back. Thus a stab in the back
has come to mean an underhand action, or
a slander, which injures another. In book-
binding, the back margins of a pamphlet are
stabbed or pierced, in order to insert the
twine, wire, etc., with which the leaves are
fastened.

Before plastering a wall workmen often
find it necessary to roughen the surface with
a pick, a process they call stabbing.

Cp. M.E. stabbe, Icel.
stabbi, Dan. stabbe a
stump. See stub. SYN. :
v. Jab, pierce, n. Dig,
thrust.

Stabat Mater (sta/
bat ma/ ter ; sta' bat
ma' ter), n. A Latin
hymn about the
sorrows of the Virgin
Mary at the crucifixion
of Christ ; a musical
setting of this. (F.
Stabat Mater.)

The title is taken
from the opening
words, which mean
"The Mother was
standing," and the
hymn represents the
Virgin as standing at
the foot of the Cross. The Stabat Mater is
said to have been written in the thirteenth
century. It is sung in Roman Catholic
churches on the feast of the Sev^p Dolours,
and is much used during Lent.

stabilize (sta/ bi Hz). For this word,
stabilization, etc., see under stable [i].

stable [i] (sta' bl), adj. Firmly fixed ;
difficult to move or to destroy ; unwavering ;
constant ; resolute ; in chemistry, not
easily decomposed. (F. ferme, fixe, solide,
resolu, stable.}

A spinning top and a gyroscope are stable,
and remain in stable equilibrium, so long as
they continue in rotation. The state or
quality of being stable is stableness (sta/
bl nes, n.} or stability (sta bir i ti, n.).

A rowing boat remains stable so long as
its centre of gravity is low ; should its
occupants stand, or move so as to impair the
balance of the boat, its stability is lost and
it may capsize. In a kind of safety-lamp the
reservoir is made with a hemispherical
weighted bottom, so that it is rendered stable
and cannot readily be overturned or upset.
A man who has definite opinions which he
does not easily change, and who lives an
honest and straightforward life is often said
to possess a stable character. A stable

4075

STABLE

STACK

business is one well established. A chemical the dots ; in this the notes should be held for

compound not readily decomposed into its
elements is said to be a stable one.

Soon after the World War (1914-18)
there were in many European countries
very sudden changes in the value of money,
owing to the large amounts of paper currency
in use not represented by reserves of gold.

This evil was ended by the stabilization
(sta bi II za/ shun, n.) of the currency, a
definite gold value being guaranteed for
the various monetary units. During these
unsettled years Britain had acted so stably
'sta' bli, adv.] in financial matters that the
pound in paper money was little less in worth
than the gold sovereign, so that she had no
need thus to stabilize (sta/ bi liz, v.t.) her
currency artificially.

A stabilizer (sta/bi liz er, n.) is a vertical
or horizontal plane or fin forming part of an
airship or aeroplane, which helps to maintain
its stability or equilibrium while in flight ;
the name is also given to a long, sausage-
shaped bag on the envelope of a kite-balloon,
which serves to stabilize it, or keep it steady
in a wind.

O.F. estable from L. stabilis from stare to stand.
SYN. : Abiding, durable, established, resolute,
steady. ANT. : Ephemeral, frail, unstable, vacil-
lating.

stable [2] (sta/ bl), «. A building or part
wherein horses or cattle are kept ; the race-
horses in the care of a particular trainer.
v.t. To put or keep in a stable, v.i. Of horses,
to lodge in a stable. (F. etable, ecurie ; Stabler,
loger ; s'etablir, habiter.)

Formerly, many people of means rode in
horsed carriages, and stabled the horses in
a building near the house, or in a special part
of the house itself.

The motor-car has very largely displaced
the horse, and many stables have been
converte^ into garages, but here and there
we see a large house which still possesses
its stables or stabling (sta/ bling, n.). The
horses which are kept there are m charge of
a stable-man (sta' bl man, n.), who is often
assisted by a stable-boy (n.). Formerly
nearly every roadside inn provided stabling
or accommodation for horses.

At Newmarket, Epsom, and other places
where there are racing stables, there is keen
rivalry between those there employed as to
which stable shall turn out the greatest
number of winning horses.

O.F. estable, from L. stabulum stall, from stare
to stand.

stableness (sta/ bl nes). For this word
and stably see under stable [ij.

staccato (sta ka' to), adj. A musical
direction meaning detached or sharply
distinct, adv. In an abrupt detached manner.
(F. staccato, saccade' ; staccato.}

A dot placed over a note in written or
printed music indicates that it should be
played staccato. The note is sustained for
half its written length. Mezzo staccato
playing is indicated by a slur printed over

three-quarters of their length. Staccatissimo
(sta ka tis' i mo, adj.) or very staccato
treatment is indicated by pointed dashes
over the notes, which should sound only for
a quarter of their normal length.

Ital., p.p. of staccare, short for distaccare to
detach. See detach, attack. ANT. : adj. Legato,
smooth.

stack (stak), n. A pile of corn in the
sheaf, or of hay or straw, usually with a
thatched top ; any heap or pile of an orderly
kind ; a measure of wood, one hundred and
eight cubic feet ; a pile of rifles standing
together pyramid-wise on the butts ; a
chimney, or a number grouped together ;
a smoke funnel ; a tall, isolated rock. v.t.
To heap into a stack ; to pile up in the form
of a stack. (F. gerbe, meule, tas, monceau,
pile, faisceau, souche, pic; entasser, ameu-
lonner.)

Bricks are stacked at a building site in
readiness for the bricklayers. Timber is
built into stacks and left to season. Persons
who live in the country and burn a good deal
of wood usually keep this piled up in a stack.

Every farm of any size has its stack-yard
(«.), where the stacks of hay and corn stand.
Sometimes it is desirable for a stack to have
a foundation, on which it is raised above the
ground to protect the material from vermin,
and this is called a stack-stand (n.).

Stack. — An old chimney-stack being felled to make
room for a new building.

A single chimney is called a stack, but a
chimney-stack usually means a group) of
chimneys. The funnel of a steamer is a
smoke-stack. Climbers in Scotland and the
Lake District are familiar with another kind
of stack, a towering pile of rock which is
very often difficult to climb.

From O. Norse stakk-r ; cp. Swed. stack, Dan.
stak. SYN. : n. and v. Heap, pile, rick.

4076

STAGTE

STAFF

stacte (stak7 te), n. One of the spices
used by the ancient Jews in the preparation
of incense. (F. stacte.}

Reference is made to stacte in Exodus
(xxx, 34). Beyond the fact that it was a
sweet spice little is known about it, and it
may have been some form of tragacanth,
storax, or myrrh.

Fern, of Gr. staktos dropping, fromstazcin to drip.

stactometer (stak torn7 e ter), n. A small
pipette for measuring a liquid in drops.
(F. pipette.}

Gr. staktos dropping and E. meter.

stadium (sta7 di um), n. An ancient Greek
measure of length, about two hundred and
two yards ; a course for foot-racing and other
sports ; in pathology, a stage or period of
a disease, pi. stadia (sta7 di a). (F. stade.}

Stadium.— Ruins of the Stadium on the Palatine at Rome. It is
believed to have been built by Domitian, Hadrian, and Severus.

The original stadium was the foot-racing
course on the plain of Olympia where the
Olympic Games were held. The distance for
the short foot race in the games measured
a stadium. The ancient stadium at Athens
was rebuilt for the revived Olympic Games
held there in 1906. A modern stadium is
situated at Wembley, near London, where
important athletic meetings and football
matches are held.

L., from Gr. stadion stadium (202 yards) also
a race-course (that at Olympia being a stadium
long) .

stadtholder (stat7 hold er; stat7 hold er),
n. The governor or viceroy of a province
in the Netherlands ; the chief magistrate of
the United Provinces of the Netherlands.
Another spelling is stadholder (stad7 hold
er ; stad7 hold er). (F. stathouder.}

When the Netherlands were ruled by
Spain, the King of Spain was represented in
most of the provinces by a stadtholder or
viceroy. The most famous of these was
William the Silent, prince of Orange, who was
a stadtholder of the provinces of Holland
and Zealand.

In 1580, when the people of the northern
Netherlands had risen against the rule of
Spain, six of the seven states chose William

as stadtholder, his brother John becoming
stadtholder of the remaining state, Friesland.
Eventually the latter's descendants ruled the
whole of the states, and this office was held
by the family of Orange until 1802, when
the stadtholdership (staf hold er ship ; stat'
hold er ship, n.}, or stadtholderate (stat7
hold er at ; stat7 hold er at, n.) was abolished.
Dutch stadhouder, from stad place, later = city,
houder holder ; literally lieutenant or locum
tenens, at first applied to a regent or vice-regent.
staff [i] (staf), n. A stick or rod used for
help in walking, or as a weapon ; a rod
borne as an emblem of office or authority ;
a baton ; a wand ; a shaft or pole forming
a support or handle ; a rod used in surveying ;
a rod-like appliance, instrument, or fitting ;
a support ; a body of army officers assisting
a commander, whose duties con-
cern an army or regiment as a
whole ; a body of persons carry-
ing on an undertaking under* a
superior ; in music, a set of five
parallel lines on which and in
the spaces between which notes
are placed to indicate their
pitch, pi. staffs (stafs), in music
staves (stavz). (F. baton, hampe,
baguette, soutien, etal-major, per-
sonnel, portee.}

A walking stick is a staff ; a
ragged staff is a feature in many
heraldic crests. A flag is flown
from a flagstaff. A bishop or
other person holding high rank
may carry a staff as an emblem
of his office, or a wand or staff
may be borne be fore. him. Sur-
veyors use a graduated levelling-
rod called a staff. The word is used
figuratively to mean support, and bread is
sometimes" called the staff of life.

An officer serving on the staff of an army is
called a staff-officer (n.}, and is said to hold
staff rank. Such officers are trained at a
staff-college («.). Staff-sergeant (n.) is a
rank held by a non-commissioned officer in
certain departmental corps of the army, for
instance, those connected with transport or
supply.

By staff- work (n.) is meant the duties
performed by the officers on the staffs of the
navy, army, and air force, in peace and war.
It includes the making of plans for attack or
defence, the direction of operations, the
collecting of intelligence, and the training
of officers and men. Figuratively, the word
is used of the direction of an enterprise.

A business is run by a staff working, as a
rule, under a manager. Sounds iri music are
usually expressed by means of notes on
staves. This system is called staff-notation
(n.), and is distinct from sol-fa -notation, in
which notes are expressed by letters or
syllables.

" A.-S. staef ; cp. Dutch staf, G. stab, O. Norse
staj-Y ; akin to Sansk. stanibh to make firm.
SYN. : Pole, rod, stave, stick, support.

4077

STAFF

STAGE

staff [2] (staf), n. A mixture of plaster,
cement, and fibre used for covering temporary
buildings. (F. crepi.)

Origin obscure ; some suggest it is a variant
of stuff.

Stag.— A stag.

The term stag is used especially of
a ma'e red deer.

stag (stag), n. A male deer ; an irregu-
lar dealer in stocks and shares, v.i. To apply
for shares in a new company with the object
of immediate sale at a profit. (F. cerf,
agioteur ; jaive I' agiotage.}

The term stag is used especially of a
male red deer, five years old and more, the
name being applied also to the male of other
large kinds, of deer. A male fallow-deer,
however, is called a buck. The male of the
stag-beetle (n.) — Lucanus cervus — has large
branching mandibles that look almost like
horns. Stag-evil (n.) is a disease of horses
like lockjaw. A staghound (n.) is a large

Stag-beetle. — The forked mandibles of the stag-
beetle look like the horns of a stag.

dog used in hunting the stag. The name is
now used generally of a large variety of
foxhound. There were formerly two strains
of staghound, a dog derived from the blood-
hound. Both are now extinct. The name is
sometimes used of the Scottish deer-hound.
The chase of the stag is stag-hunting (n.).

In England it resembles fox-hunting, as the
animal is hunted by a pack of hounds and
mounted hunters.

A.-S. stagga; cp. O. Norse, stegg-r male bird.

stage (staj), n. A raised floor or platform ;
a scaffold used by workmen when building,
or carrying out repairs ; a platform on which
theatrical and other performances are given ;
the drama ; the theatrical profession ; a
scene of action ; a shelf or surface on which
objects may be exhibited or inspected ;
a stage-coach ; a regular stopping -place on
a route ; the distance between two such
places ; a platform at a quay, on which
people land from a vessel ; a definite point
or period in progress or development, v.t.
To put on the stage, v.i. Of a play, to lend
itself to representation on the stage. (F.
echafaudage, estrade, scene, theatre, diligence,
station, etape, quai, periode, degre ; mettre en
scene.}

Sometimes, when a presentation or like
ceremony is to take place out of doors, or in
a room having no platform, a low stage is
built on which the chief persons will take
their places. Pageants or plays may be given
on such a temporary stage or staging (staj'
ing, n.}. Staging is the name given also to
the platform or stage erected by workmen,
as, for example, that placed about a monu-
ment which is being cleaned or repaired, or
the scaffolding used by steeplejacks.

In theatres, halls, etc., there is a per-
manent stage, on which the players appear
when plays are staged. A drama which lends
itself to production is said to stage well.
In "As You Like It " (ii, 7), Shakespeare
makes Jaques say : —

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely

players.

Here the playwright means a scene of action,
the place in which we play our parts in life.

The stage has come to be a general term
for the theatre and the theatrical profession.
When we say that a person is going on the
stage we mean that he is about to take up the
profession of an actor. Events in a play not
portrayed on the stage are said to happen
off stage. Sounds or conversation are often
arranged to be heard off stage. The art of
writing and presenting plays is called
stagecraft (n.}, and the writer and producer
of a play must know a good deal about this if
his play is to be successful.

A stage-direction (n.) is an instruction
endorsed on a player's part, or given to an
actor, about his movements, etc. The stage-
door (n.) is the door into a theatre that is
used by the actors and those officials con-
cerned with the production. The stage-
manager (n.) is the man who looks after the
details of a production.

A person who is much interested in acting,
or who has a great desire to act, is sometimes
said to have stage-fever (n.), or to be stage-
struck (adj.). When he gets a part, however,
he may have stage-fright (n.), a feeling of

4078

STAGGARD

STAGNATE

intense nervousness, when he faces an audi-
ence. When this happens to speakers it is
also called stage-fright.

When acting a play it is sometimes
necessary to say something aloud in order
that the audience may hear, although the
utterance is supposed only to be a whisper.
This kind of " whisper " is called a stage-
whisper (n.), and is said with a suitable
gesture. So when we pretend to whisper
to someone, meaning all the while that our
words shall be audible to others, we call it a
stage-whisper. Anything that is exaggerated
or theatrical is said to be stagy (staj' i, adj.),
or to possess staginess (staj' i nes, n.). A
theatrical effect is called a stage-effect (n.).

Another meaning of the word stage is for
a regular stopping place on a route, or for
the distance between two places. This takes
us back to the days of the stage-coach (n.),
which travelled from one place or stage to
another, reaching each at a stated time. It
was driven by a stage- coachman (n.), or
stage-driver (n.). Passengers alight from a
vessel at a landing-stage. An omnibus is
officially known as a stage-carriage, and
bears inside a list of the stages between which
it plies.

Stage.

ocean st
from

the deck to the landing-stage.

A division in the life of a man or an
animal, or a point in development, is called
a stage. We speak thus of the stage of
childhood, or of the caterpillar stage of an
insect. Children learn lessons in easy stages,
passing gradually from the elementary
stages of subjects to those more advanced.

In the Science Museum at South
Kensington may be seen exhibits — models
and specimens — showing the stages through
which the railway locomotive has passed
in its development.

A person with a good deal of experience
in anything is called an old stager (old staj '
er, n.}.

O.F. estage, from assumed L.L. staticum from
status p.p. of stare to stand. SYN. : n. Dais,
degree, period, platform, step.

staggard (stag7 ard), n. A four-year-old

stag. (F. cerf de quatre ans.)

The stag has its full growth when five
years old, so a staggard is nearly full grown.

From E. stag and suffix -ard.

stagger (stag' er), v.i. To totter or reel ;
to stand or walk unsteadily ; to hesitate ;
to waver, v.t. To cause to reel ; to cause to
hesitate or waver ; to shock or surprise ;
to set in zigzag arrangement, n. A staggering
movement ; (pi.) giddiness ; a disease of
horses and cattle. (F. chanceler, vaciller ;
ebranler, chanceler; chancellement, vertige,
vertigo.}

A person overcome by weakness may
stagger, or walk staggeringly (stag7 er ing li,
adv.] with many a stagger. An unexpected
blow will make a person stagger, or totter,
and shock or surprise may make one reel
or stagger, too. When a person hears
suddenly of a great piece of misfortune we
say he has received a staggering blow.

The spokes of a wheel are said to be
staggered when they are set alternately
to right or left.

Earlier stackey ; cp. Icel. stakra frequentative
of staka to push ; Norw. stakra to stagger. SYN. :
Hesitate, reel, totter, waver.

staghound (stag' hound), n.
A large hound used in hunting the
stag. See under stag.

staging (staj' ing), n. A
platform or scaffolding ; the act
of putting a play on the stage.
See under stage.

Stagirite (staj' i rit), n. A
name given to Aristotle (384-322
B.C.), the great philosopher, from
Stageira, in Macedonia, his birth-
place. (F. Stagirite.)

stagnate (stag' nat), v.i. Of
liquid, to be or become motion-
less ; to cease to flow ; to be or
become inert or dull ; to be
inactive. (F. etre stagnant,
croupir.)

When a stream stagnates or
ceases to flow, the water becomes
stagnant (stag' nant, adj.). A
stagnant pool, although a happy hunting
ground for the naturalist, is most likely a
breeding place for mosquitoes, and water in
stagnation (stag na' shun, n.), or stagnancy
(stag' nan si, «.), emits an unpleasant odour.
People who inhabit a sleepy village might
be thought to live stagnantly (stag' nant li,
adv.) by those unaccustomed to the com-
paratively quiet or inactive life of such a
place. It is largely a matter of temperament
and disposition — although one might stag-
nate mentally, another would find plenty
to interest him. Stagnicolous (stag nik' 6
lus, adj.) birds are those that live in swamps
or in stagnant water.

From L. stagnans (ace. -nant-em) pres. p. of
stagndre to stagnate, cease to flow, from stagnum
standing water (stare to stand).

4079

STAGY

STAITH

stagy (staj' i), adj. Unreal ; theatrical.
See under stage.

staid (stad), adj. Sedate ; steady ; sober.
(F. grave, serieux, r as sis.)

When a person is grave or quiet in manner
he is said to be staid. One does not expect
to see undue staidness (stad' nes, n.) or
gravity in young people, but it is well for
them to know how to behave staidly (stad ' li,
adv.) on occasions when serious matters are
afoot.

Variant of stayed p.p. of stay to shore up,
support. SYN. : Grave, serious, sober. ANT. :
Flighty, frivolous, volatile.

Stained. — A craftsman fitting in the glass of a
leaded stained-glass window.

stain (stan), v.t. To discolour; to tarnish;
to soil ; to blemish ; to sully ; to colour
by means of a dye or a substance which is
absorbed into or unites chemically with the
material being treated ; to saturate with
a colouring matter in order to make
microscopical examination easy. v.i. To take
stains ; to give or receive a stain ; to cause
discoloration. n. A preparation used in
staining ; • a discoloration ; a spot ; a blot ;
a blemish ; a tarnish. (F. souiller, entacher,
teindre ; se tacher, teinture, souillure, defaut.)

When a substance is painted, the colour-
ing is applied as a coating, the pigment
being mixed usually with some viscous
medium which dries on exposure to air. A
stain, on the contrary, penetrates the
substance more or less deeply, and dyes it,
or changes its colour.

Wood, ivory, bone, and other absorbent
materials are stainable (stan' abl, adj.), and
wooden floors are frequently stained brown,
black, etc., by means of prepared stains.
Certain woods stain, or take stains, more
readily than others. Wood furniture is
stained by exposure to chemical fumes,
which produce a discoloration of the surface.

Glass coloured by oxides of metals fused
with it is called stained glass (n.). In glass-
painting, stained glass of a special kind is used
as colouring matter and fused on to the
surface of the glass to which it is applied.
The art of staining glass is very ancient,
and some of our old churches have beautiful

windows of stained or painted glass. A
stainer (stan' er, n.) is one who applies stain,
or anything which stains.

Thin sections of plant or animal tissue
which are to be viewed by the microscope
are treated with various stains. These affect
some portions more powerfully than others,
and cause them to stand out in contrast
with those which stain less readily or are
unaffected by the staining.

Steel which is stainless (stan7 les, adj.)
and does not rust, has now largely replaced
the older steels used to make cutlery, etc.
The quality of stainlessness (stan' les nes,
n.) is secured by the use of a special alloy.
A knife of stainless steel cuts an apple
stainlessly (stan' les li, adv.), whereas an
ordinary knife leaves a grey mark on the
apple.

A man wrongly accused of a crime and
found not guilty by the jury is said to leave
the court without a stain or blemish on his
character. One who acts dishonorourably
is said to stain, or sully, his reputation.

Short for distain, O.F. desteindre, from L.
dis- and linger e to dye ; perhaps affected by O.
Norse steinna to paint. SYN. : v. Blemish, dis-
colour, dye, soil, tarnish, n. Blot, discoloration,
tarnish.

stair (star), n. Each one of a flight or
set of steps, usually inside a house ; (usually
pi.) a flight of these. (F. marche, degre,
escalier.)

A stair is a step, but we use the word
now generally for the steps that are situated
indoors. Those outside the house we usually
refer to as steps. Below stairs means in the
basement or the servants' quarters of a house.
To go upstairs is to mount the stairs, or to
go to the upper part of a house.

A set of stairs in an unbroken line, as from
floor to floor, or from one landing to another,
is called a flight or pair of stairs. A staircase
(n.) — sometimes called a stairway (n.) — is a
flight of stairs with a banister or balustrade
at one or both sides,
the word also mean-
ing the part of a
building in which
this is contained.

A stair-carpet (n.)
is a carpet for the
stairs, and a stair-
rod (n.) is a wooden
or brass rod used to
keep the carpet in
position.

M.E. stew, A.-S.
staeger ; cp. Dutch
steiger, G. steg, O. Norse
stigi. Seesty [i] and [2].

staith (stath), n.
ctage furnished with projecting platforms
and shoots for loading vessels with coal,
etc. ; a staging attached to a wharf or quay.
Another spelling is staithe (stath) . (F. quai.)

Probably O. Norse stoth landing-stage ; cp.
A.-S. staeth bank, shore, from root of stand.

Staith. — A staith, or plat-
form rigged out from a
wharf or quay.

A wharf or landing-

4080

STAKE

STALE

stake (stak), n. A post or stick pointed
at one end and driven into the ground, as a
support, mark, etc. ; a post to which anyone
doomed to die by burning was bound ; a
tinsmith's small anvil fixed on a bench by a
pointed prop ; money, etc., wagered on some
event or contingency ; anything contended
for ; (pi.} money competed for in a race, or
such a race. v.t. To support or fasten with a
stake or stakes ; to mark (off or out) with
stakes ; to wager ; to risk. (F. pieu, poteau,
bucher, enclumeau, enjeu, prix ; garmr de
pieux, gager, engager.)

Plants are staked or fastened to a stake
for support. Stakes may also be used to mark
boundaries or as parts of a railing. To suffer
at the stake means to suffer death by
burning.

Money staked by parties to a wager
is often entrusted to a third party, called
a stakeholder (stak' hold er, n.), who hands
over the stake to the winner when the result
of the event on which it was wagered is
known. In law, a stakeholder is one who
holds money deposited by two parties to a
transaction until this is completed.

The entrance fee paid when horses are
entered for a race goes to form the stake or
prize money paid to the owner of the winner.
Horse-races are often known as stakes, using
the word in the plural — for instance, the
Eclipse Stakes, run at Sandown.

One who has an interest in a concern is said
to have a stake in it. He may have a large
sum of money at stake, or at hazard, in the
venture. One who risks his life or fortune is
said to stake it on his success. Every citizen
has a stake or interest in his country. A
man who marks out a plot by driving in
stakes at its boundaries is said to stake out
the plot.

An anchored boat marking the course
for a boat-race is called a stake-boat (n.). A
fishing net which is hung on stakes is
a stake- net (n.).

M.E. stake, A.-S. staca ; cp. M. Dutch and
Swed. stake ; akin to E. stick and stack .
SYN. : n. Post, prize-money, stick, wager, v.
Hazard, risk, venture, wager.

stalactite (sta lak' tit ; stal' ak tit), n. An
icicle-like deposit of mineral, usually calcium
carbonate, hanging from the roof of a cave ;
limestone produced in this manner. (F.
stalactite.}

Stalactites, or stalactitic (stal ak tit' ik,
adj.} deposits, are produced by the evapora-
tion of water which has oozed through, and
partly dissolved, mineral substances con-
tained in the earth and rock above the cave.
As it trickles the stalactite solidifies, the
drops that reach the floor of the cave harden-
ing into a cone-shaped mass, gradually
rising, called a stalagmite.

From Gr. stalaktos adj. from stalassein to
drip.

stalagmite (sta lag' mlt ; stal' ag mit), n.
A mineral incrustation or deposit on the

Stalactite.— A cave in New South Wales, with

stalactites hanging from the roof, and stalagmites

rising up from the floor.

floor of a cave, like an inverted stalactite, and
produced in the same manner as a stalactite.
(F. stalagmite.)

Droppings from a stalactite gradually
produce a cone-shaped mass called a stalag-
mite. The Cheddar Caves, Somerset, contain
many beautiful examples of stalagmitic (stal
ag mit' ik, adj.) and stalactitic deposits.
A column thus produced stalagmitically
(stal ag mit' ik al li, adv.) often in course of
time becomes united with the corresponding
stalactite above.

Stalagmitic deposits on the flpors of caves
anciently serving as the habitation of
primitive man have preserved for us crude
Stone Age implements and other relics, from
which scientists have been able to glean
much valuable information about the cave-
dwellers. See stalactite.

From Gr. stalagma drop, drip from stalassein
to drip.

stale (stal), adj. Not fresh ; musty ;
tasteless ; trite ; not new or novel ; in
athletics, out of condition through over-
training, v.t. To make stale. (F. rassis,
moisi, banal, vieux, suranne ; banaliser.)

Bread, when it grows stale, loses its
freshness and becomes dry. Many foodstuffs
lose taste and become insipid with staleness
(stal' nes, n.). The air in a badly- ventilated
room smells stale, and we remedy this
condition by admitting fresh air.

A stale joke is one we have heard before,
and which no longer causes amusement.
Stale news is not news any longer. A
person engaged in any sport or pastime is
liable to get stale if he plays too often.
Stalely (stal' li, adv.) means in a stale
manner.

4081

STALEMATE

STALL

In Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra"
(ii, 2), Enobarbus says of Cleopatra : —
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety.

Probably from Teut. root sta- stand ; cp. Flem.
slel stale. SYN. : adj. Dry, insipid, trite, vapid.
ANT. : adj. Fresh, new, novel.

stalemate (stal' mat), n. In the game of
chess, a position in which a player has no
piece he can move other than the king, which
cannot be moved without being placed in
check, v.t. To place (a player) in this
position ; to bring to a standstill. (F.
pat; faire pat, der outer, dejouer.)

A game in which stalemate occurs is a
draw, and a player who has little chance of
winning will sometimes give up pieces to get
a stalemate. Plans are said to be stalemated
if they cannot be proceeded with.

From M.E. stale, Anglo -F. estate, stalemate,
probably from obsolete E. stall to dwell, place,
and mate.

stalk [i] (stawk), v.i. To walk in pompous
or stately fashion ; to approach game
stealthily, or under cover, v.t. To pursue
(game) stealthily, n. The act of stalking
game ; a pompous gait. (F. se pavaner,
chasser a I'affut; filer; chasse a I'affut,
demarche fiere.}

A peacock stalks to and fro,
displaying its plumes. So a
pompous person is said to stalk
or strut about with affected
dignity.

Stalking is the usual method
of hunting deer. The stalker
(stawk'er, n.}, or deer-stalker, as
he is more often called, tries to
get close to his prey without
being seen. A dummy horse or
similar figure behind which a
sportsman concealed himself while
approacing game, was known as
a stalking-horse (n.), and this term
is also used to mean a pretence
or something concealing the real
object or intention of a person.

A.-S. stealcan walk warily ; cp.
stealc steep, perhaps akin to stalk [2].
SYN. : v. Stride, strut.

stalk [2] (stawk), n. The main
axis of a plant ; the support of
flower ; any slender support ; a tall chimney ;
a collection of these. (F. tige, tuyau.)

The stem or stalk of a plant springs from
the root and bears the foliage leaves and the
flowers. The stem of a flower, although
loosely called a stalk, is more correctly
described as a pedicel or a peduncle.

Some plants have stalkless (stawk' les,
adj.) or sessile leaves, the blade springing
direct from the stem, and having no leaf-
stalk or petiole. Stalked (stawkt, adj.)
leaves are, however, more common. Plants
with much stem and few leaves are said to
be stalky (stawk' i, adj.). A tiny stalk is a.
stalklet (stawk7 let, n.).

Crabs and lobsters are stalk-eyed (adj.)

crustaceans, the eyes being attached to
stalks or peduncles.

M.E. stalke, dim. of A.-S. stela stalk; cp.
Dutch steel, G. stiel. SYN. : Axis, stem, support.

stalker (stawk' er), For this word,
stalking-horse, etc., see under stalk [ij.

stalkless (stawk' les). For this word
and stalky see under stalk [2].

stall [i] (stawl), n. A single division of a
cow-house or stable, used for one animal ; a
booth in a street, market, or fair ; a com-
partment in a building for the sale of goods ;
a bench or table whereon goods are placed
for sale ; a fixed seat in the choir or chancel ol
a church, usually reserved for one of the
clergy ; in a theatre, one of a series of seats,
usually at the front of the pit ; a covering for
an injured finger, v.t. Of cattle, to place
or keep in a stall (especially for fattening) ;
to fit with stalls ; to allow or cause (an aero-
plane to lose flying speed so that it can
no longer sustain itself, v.i. To stick fast in,
or as in, mud ; of an _ aeroplane, to lose
flying speed to such a degree that the planes
are deprived of support. (F. stalle, echoppe,
fauteuil d'orchestre, doigtier ; garder dl'teable,
garnir de stalles ; s'empetrer.}

Stall.— A stable with many stalls. It is in a coal mine in Holland,
one thousand five hundred feet below the surface.

stem
a leaf

A stable contains usually several stalls,
in each of which a horse can be accommo-
dated. When cows return from the meadows
for milking they go each to the usual and
accustomed stall in the range of six, seven, or
more, into which the cow-house is divided.

A large open-air market is an interesting
sight, filled with stalls on which articles of
a varied nature are laid out for sale. Similar
stalls are seen in street markets and at fairs.
Stallage (stawl' ij, n.) is the right to put up
a stall in a market or fair, and also the rent
paid for this right.

The stalls in a cathedral or church are the
seats in the choir where the clergymen and
choristers sit. In cathedrals there are special
stalls for the canons, and a canonry is some-
times figuratively called a stall.

4082

STALL

STAMP

In Westminster Abbey are the official stalls
of the Knights of the Order of the Bath, and
in St. George's Chapel, Windsor, the knights
of the Garter have their stalls. In theatres the
stalls are the seats in the front part of the
pit, usually some of the most sought after
seats in the house.

To fatten an animal by keeping it in a stall
and without exercise, as farmers do when
they are preparing beasts for market, is to
stall-feed (v.t.) it.

A person who cuts his finger usually
protects the injury by using a covering called
a finger-stall (n.).

When the forward speed of an aeroplane
drops below a certain point it will no longer
answer to the controls, and is said to stall,
or to be stalled. Speed must be reduced
when preparing to land, but a pilot who
allows his machine to slow down to below the
stalling speed may stall the aeroplane, which
will then probably dive and crash.

M.E. stal, A.-S. steall ; cp. Dutch stal, G
stall, O. Norse stall-r from root sta- stand.

stall [2] (stawl), n. One who assists a
thief or pickpocket by distracting attention
while the theft is committed, and aids the
thief to escape.

Anglo-F. estal(e) decoy-bird, from A.-S. steall
place ; cp. G. stell-vogel decoy-bird. See stall [i].

stallion (star yon), n. A male horse.
(F. etalon.)

O.F. estalon from Teut. (E. stall), because
kept in stall and not turned out to work.

stalwart (stawl' wart), adj. Strong,
stoutly built ; sturdy ; firm ; resolute ;
courageous, n. A strong, robust person ; a
sturdy partisan ; one who takes a firm stand
on some question. (F. puissant, robuste,
solide, resolu, hardi ; fort.)

Blacksmiths and navvies must be stalwart
men, or they would not be strong enough
to do the work which falls to them. An old
oak tree is usually a stalwart sturdy tree.

A man or boy who acts and thinks for
himself shows stalwartness (stawl' wart nes,
n.) of mind. He acts stalwartly (stawl'
wart li, adv.) when he stands by his principles
or refuses to do something which he considers
to be wrong. The stalwarts of a party or a
movement are its loyal and firm supporters —
those who will not budge from its tenets.

M.E. stalworth, A.-S. stdelwierthe, from stall
place, and worth. SYN. : adj. Hardy, robust,
stout, unwavering. ANT. : adj. Feeble, irresolute,
wavering, weak.

stamen (sta/ men), n. The pollen-bearing
organ of a flower. (F. etamine.)

The stamen of a flower bears the anthers,
from which the ripe pollen escapes, to be
conveyed by insects to the pistil of another
flower, there to find its way to the ovules,
and turn them into fertile seeds. Stamens
and anthers are illustrated in a picture of the
organs of a flower given on p. 1663. Staminal
(stam' i nal, adj.) organs vary in arrange-
ment ; in the buttercup they are free and dis-
tinct, but in the pea arranged in two bundles.

Flowers are especially described as stami-
niferous (stam i nif ' er us, adj.} or staminate
(stam' i nat, adj.) when they bear stamens
and not pistils, those having pistils only
being said to be carpellary.

L. = thread, warp, from stare to stand.

Stamen. — A section of the Japanese anemone, showing
the numerous stamens of this flower.

stamina (stam' i na), n. Strength,
power of endurance. (F. vigueur.)

When a person makes a good recovery
from a serious illness we sometimes say that
he has a great deal of stamina, by which we
mean strength to bear pain and resist disease.
In the same way there is a moral or intel-
lectual stamina. A person without this
staminal (stam' i nal, adj.) quality is unable
easily to overcome his troubles or surmount
his difficulties.

L. stamina pi. of stamen warp, hence structure
of an organism. SYN. : Endurance, robustness,
vigour. ANT. : Feebleness, weakness.

staminal (stam' i nal). , For this word,
staminate, etc., see under stamen.

stammer (stam' er), v.i. To speak in
halting fashion, or with frequent repetitions
of the same syllable ; to stutter ; to speak
with faulty or imperfect articulation, v.t.
To utter haltingly, or with repetitions of the
same sound, n. The act of stammering ; a
tendency to stammer. (F. begayer, balbutier ;
begayement, balbutiement.)

One who is nervous or embarrassed may
stammer and stutter, and a person found out
in a delinquency may stammer out an excuse,
or utter it with a stammer.

To carry on a conversation with a
stammerer (stam' er er, n.}, or a person who
habitually stammers, is usually a rather
trying experience for the listener, who
must wait while the other stammeringly
(stam' er ing li, adv.] utters the words he
wants.

M.E. stammeren, A.-S. stamorian, a stammer ;
cp. Dutch stameren, G. stammeln. Akin to stem
[2]. SYN. : v. Hesitate, stutter.

stamp (stamp), v.t. To impress a mark,
name, or pattern upon with a dye, etc. ; to
fasten a stamp to ; to bring (the foot) down
heavily ; to crush or pulverize by downward
force or pressure ; to put (out) by stamping ;
to extinguish ; to destroy ; to impress (upon
the mind), v.i. To strike the foot forcibly

4083

STAMPEDE

STAMPEDE

on the ground, n. The act of stamping ; an
instrument used for stamping a name,
design, etc. ; a mark made by this ; an
official mark impressed or embossed on a
document to show that the duty or tax
chargeable on it is paid ; an adhesive label
bearing a distinctive design, stuck on duti-
able objects as evidence of payment of tax,
etc. ; a similar label having a specified value,
affixed to an envelope in payment of the
postal fee, or to a receipt ; a label or imprint
showing quality or genuineness ; a dis-
tinguishing mark or impress ; a kind or sort ;
a downward blow with the foot ; a blow with
a stamping machine ; a block that crushes
the ore in a stamp-mill. (F. marquer,
estamper, timbrer, f rapper du pied, pilonner,
extirper, imprinter ; trepigner ; estampage,
estampe, poinpon, empreinte, marque, controle,
timbre, estampille, genre, pretinement, pilon.)

Stamp. — Stamping

on lead pencils by

of the manufacturer
of a machine.

Horses will stamp their hoofs on the
ground impatiently when kept stationary
for a long period. A person who cannot
control his anger may express his feelings
by stamping with rage. Gold ore is stamped
or crushed to a powder in an apparatus called
a stamp-mill (n.), before the gold is extracted
by chemical means.

Any tool or machine for powdering material
or stamping impressions may be called a
stamper (stamp' er, n.), such as the mill used
for pulverizing flints required for the manu-
facture of porcelain. A stamper also denotes
one who stamps with his foot, or who uses or
affixes a stamp.

Monograms and addresses are stamped,
or impressed, on notepaper by means of a
die-stamp, which falls quickly and heavily
on the paper.

Rubber stamps are used for marking dates
on letters, receipts, and other documents.
For revenue purposes, impressed or adhesive
stamps are extensively used. A stamp-duty
(n.) is one collected by means of stamps of

the required value. Bills of exchange and
promissory notes both require stamping in
this way before they are legally valid.

A stamp Act (n.) is an Act of Parliament
concerned with the imposition of stamp-
duties. The most notable stamp Act in his-
tory is that of 1 765, taxing various documents,
newspapers, etc., in the American colonies
to provide money for their military defence.
It was passed without consultation with the
colonists, and was one of the causes that led
to the revolution of 1775.

Postage-stamps were at first embossed on
letters. In 1840 Great Britain gave the lead
by introducing adhesive postage-stamps — •
the famous black penny stamps bearing the
head of Queen Victoria. These were printed
in sheets and had to be cut out. Later issues
of postage -stamps were perforated at the
edges, so that they could be torn from the
sheets.

The collection of adhesive postage-stamps,
known as stamp- collecting («.), or philately,
has become one of the most popular hobbies
among young and old. The stamp-collector
(n.) usually inserts his specimens by means
of transparent gummed hinges, in a stamp
album (n.), that is, a book in which stamps
may be classified, according to date of issue
and face value, in sections devoted to the
country to which they belong.

Most proprietary articles have a stamp or
label affixed by the manufacturer as evidence
of their quality. The hall-mark on silver is a
stamp guaranteeing its genuineness. In a
figurative sense, a statement is said to bear
the stamp, or imprint, of truth when it is
obviously true. Generals of the stamp, or
character, of Napoleon are rare. A person
of the right stamp is one of real merit.
Things that we cannot forget are stamped on
our memory.

Successful plays may be said to have
received the stamp of popular approval.

A small fire can be stamped out, or ex-
tinguished by stamping on it with the feet.
A government may be said to stamp out a
disturbance when it takes swift or drastic
measures to suppress it.

M.E. stampen ; cp. Dutch stampen, G. stamp-
fen, O.F. estamper ; probably nasalized from
Teut. root stap- to tread. See step. SYN. : v.
Crush, impress, pulverize. n. Die, impress,
imprint, mark, type.

stampede (stam ped'), n. A sudden scatter-
ing and rushing away of a number of horses
or cattle, caused by fright ; a sudden panic
and flight or hasty dispersal of soldiers or a
crowd of people ; any impulsive, unreasoning
movement on the part of a large body of
people, v.t. To cause to stampede, v.i. To
take part in a stampede. (F. debandade,
fuite Zchevelee ; chasser pele-mele, mettre en
debandade; fuir en desordre.}

On American ranches large herds of cattle
are sometimes stampeded by a sudden
fright. Troops are said to stampede when
they break and run away with a common

4084

STAMPER

STAND

impulse to escape. The stampede of an
audience at the outbreak of fire in a theatre
may lead to considerable loss of life.

Span, stampida uproar, crash, akin to estampar
to stamp.

stamper (stamp' er). For this word see
under stamp.

stance (stans ; stans), n. In golf, the
position taken up by a player when about to
strike the ball ; in cricket, the position of a
batsman at the wicket when facing the bowler.

O.F., from L.L. stantia a standing. See stanza.

stanch [i] (stansh), v.t. To check or
prevent the flow of (blood) ; to stop (a
wound) from bleeding. Another spelling is
staunch (stansh ; stawnsh). (F. Rancher.)

A person who is skilled in first aid knows
how to stanch a wound by pressure. Severe
bleeding from a severed artery may be
stanched by applying a tourniquet.

O.F. estancher,. L.L. stancare, for assumed
stagmcdre, from L. stagnare to stagnate, cease
to flow. See stagnate, tank.

stanch [2] (stansh). This is a less usual
spelling of the adjective staunch. See
staunch [i].

stanchion (stan ' shon ; stan'shon), n. An
upright bar, or post, form-
ing the chief support of a
floor, deck, etc. ; a remov-
able vertical bar, or pair of
bars, for confining cattle in
a stall, v.t. To strengthen
or support with stanchions ;
to fasten (cattle) to
stanchions. (F. etancon,
epontille ; epontiller.}

O.F. estanchon dim. of
estance prop, from L.L.
stantia from stans (ace.
-ant-em) pres. p. of stare.

stand (stand), v.i. To
be upright on one's feet ;
to assume or maintain an
erect position ; to be in a
specified state, attitude,
situation, rank, etc. ; to
have a specified height ;
to be or continue to be im-
movable or at a standstill ;
to stop ; not to give way ;
to endure ; to remain steady or constant ;
to remain valid or unimpaired ; to lie
stagnant ; to be motionless ; to be in agree-
ment (with) ; to move into and remain in
a specified position ; to hold to a course at
sea ; to steer ; to offer oneself as candidate ;
of a dog, to point or set. v.t. To set in an
erect or specified position ; to place ; to
sustain or endure without giving way
or complaining ; to undergo (trial) ; to pay
for. n. The act of standing, especially with
firmness ; a position taken up ; a stoppage ;
a standstill ; a state of inactivity ; resistance ;
an erection for a number of persons to sit
or stand on ; a booth in a market ; an
exhibitor's place in an exhibition, on which
he displays his goods ; a support ; a table,

Stanchion. — Stanchions, or upright posts,

supporting a floor on one of the decks

of a ship.

rack, or other item of furniture in or on
which to place things ; a standing place for
vehicles waiting to be hired ; an area of un-
cut timber, etc. p.t. and p.p. stood (stud).
(F. etre debout, se tenir debout, se trouver
stationnaire , faire halte, resister, subsister,
tenir bon, cadrer avec, gouverner, se presenter
comme candidat, arreter ; eriger, dresser,
poser, supporter, subir, payer ; halte, pause,
inertie, resistance, estrade, baraque, socle,
station.}

At the conclusion of an entertainment,
when the National Anthem is played, the
audience stands up, and remains stationary
until the last note is played. There is also
a convention for audiences to stand during
the singing of the " Hallelujah Chorus " in
Handel's " Messiah." A chair stands on
four legs. A tall man may be said to stand
six feet in his socks. The pyramids of Egypt
have stood, or remained without falling, for
over five thousand years, and are likely
to stand for thousands more. Few modern
monuments would stand, or endure, the
ravages of time so well.

A person may acknowledge another's
correction of a mistake he has made by say-
ing : " I stand corrected,"
or else he may stand his
ground, that is, maintain
his position and refuse to
accept the correction.

When an editor allows
a passage in a manuscript
to stand, he does not alter
or delete it. The wisdom
of the Book of Proverbs
stands good, or remains un-
impaired, in spite of the
changes that have taken
place in civilized life.

Troops are said to make
a stand against the enemy
when they remain station-
ary and resist attack. We
make a stand for our
rights when we uphold
them, and take our stand
upon the accepted prin-
ciples of justice when we
base our actions or reason-
ing upon those principles. When an actor
takes his stand in the centre of the stage,
however, he simply stands there.

An umbrella-stand is a rack or stand in
which umbrellas are placed ; a band-stand
is a raised platform on which the instru-
mentalists are seated. At trade exhibitions,
the stands or structures for the display of
goods often take the form of large, elabor-
ately decorated huts, with comfortable
chairs for the use of customers.

It stands to reason, that is, it is obvious,
or logically demonstrable, that the main-
tenance of national health services should
not be left to private charity. A complete
set of arms for a soldier is termed a stand
of arms.

4085

STANDARD

STANDARD

To stand by when a thing is happening
is to look on as a bystander and do nothing ;
but to stand by a friend in trouble is to
give him help or support him firmly, and to
stand by a promise is to abide by it. On
a yacht, a sailor may be told to stand by the
tiller, that is, to take it and steer, or else to
stand ready to take it when the steersman
leaves. A person or thing that can be relied
upon in time of need is called a stand-by (n.).

We cannot stand for, in the sense of
support, a policy with which we disagree.
The symbol £ stands for, that is, represents,
the pound. A parliamentary candidate stands
for a constituency when he offers himself
for election.

We are said to stand in with other people
when we join them in some enterprise.
People stand off when they keep at a dis-
tance or move away. A ship stands off and
on when she tacks or sails a zigzag course
along the shore, alternately moving towards
the land and away from it. People whom we
know intimately do not stand on, or stand
upon, that is, insist on, ceremony with us.

Mountains stand out on the skyline or
are conspicuous against the sky. Patriots
stand out against, that is, persist in opposing,
oppression of their country. Accounts are
said to stand over if the demand for their
settlement is deferred. Honest people stand
to, in the sense of abide by, their promises ;
and soldiers stand to their guns when they
do not desert them.

To stand up means either to rise to one's
feet, or to remain erect or standing ; to
stand up for a cause is to back it up or give
one's support to it.

People are regarded as stand-offish (stand
awf ' ish ; stand of7 ish, adj.) if they keep to
themselves, and seern to shun advances
made by others. By behaving stand- offishly
(stand awf ish li ; stand of' ish li, adv.),
that is, in a distant and reserved manner,
they gain a reputation for stand-offishness
(stand awf' ish nes ; stand of ' ish
nes, n.).

The stand-pipe (n.) of a pump-
ing station is a very tall, upright
pipe open at the top and con-
nected at the bottom with the
main. The water rises in it
during the delivery stroke of
the pump and sinks again during
the suction stroke. The pipe
thus acts as a kind of buffer and
absorbs changes in pressure.

A standpoint (n.) is a point of
view from which a matter may
be regarded. We should care-
fully weigh matters from the
standpoint of others before
making decisions. Business is at
a standstill (n.), or there is a
cessation of activity in business,
during public holidays. A
motor-car comes to a standstill,
or stoppage, when it runs out of

petrol. A stand-up (adj.) fight is one fought
in earnest ; a stand-up collar is an upright
one. A person who stands is a stander (stand'
er, n.}, as opposed to a sitter, but a stander-by
(n.) is an onlooker.

A violent earthquake may leave few houses
standing (stand' ing, adj.), in the sense of
erect, in a town. A standing, or uncut, crop
of clover is called a stand. A standing army
is a permanent army, maintained by a
state. We have to take a standing jump
when we have no space to run and gain
momentum before jumping. A humorous
circumstance becomes a standing joke when
it is continually mentioned. The condition
of being on one's feet is standing (n.). A
custom of long standing is an old one ; a
person of high standing is an important
person.

Parliamentary business is carried out in
accordance with the standing orders (n.pl.),
which are rules respecting the manner of
conducting it. The standing gear (n.) or
standing rigging (n.) of a ship consists of the
shrouds and stays which are more or less
permanent and support the masts.

In lawn-tennis, a title-holder who is not
required to play through a tournament,
but defends his title against the tournament
winner, is said to stand out. Going inside
the base-line to accept a service or a ground
shot on the bounce is known as standing-
in (n.)

In Rugby football, the player whose
position is between the scrum-half and the
three-quarter backs is called the fly-half, or
stand-off half (n.). He is both an attacking
and a defensive player.

Common Teut. A.-S. standan ; cp. Dutch
staan, G. stehen, O. Norse standa, Goth, standan ;
akin to L. stare, Gr. stenai, San°,k. sthd to stand.
SYN. : v. Abide, halt, pause, stop, tolerate.

standard (stan' dard), n. A flag or banner
as a distinctive emblem ; the value given
to a measure or weight by law or custom ;

Standard. — The standard of the Royal Horse Guards (Blue) being

carried to the shrine of the Scottish National War Memorial at

Edinburgh. A guard of honour, formed by the 1st Royal Scots,

are presenting arms as the colour party passes.

4086

STANDER

STANZA

the weight or measure by which the accuracy
of others is judged ; anything serving as a
basis of comparison ; something accepted
as a model for imitation or comparison ;
in coinage, the proportion of gold or silver
and alloy fixed by authority ; the degree
of merit required for a particular purpose ;
a grade or classification of scholars in
elementary schools ; an upright post or
other support ; a tree or shrub supported
on its own stem or growing on a single
upright stem. adj. Recognized as a standard
for comparison, imitation, etc. (F. etendard,
drapeau, etalon, type, modele, titre, degre, etai,
en plein vent ; qui serf de modele, d'etalon.)

Standard.— Standard measure* of the British yard, foot, etc., on
wall at Greenwich Observatory.

The flag of a cavalry regiment, correspond-
ing to the colours of the infantry, is known
as its standard . A high standard of efficiency
is required of airmen before they are en-
trusted with fast planes. The standard book
on a science is that recognized by authorities
as the best of its kind.

The Standards Department (n.) of the
Board of Trade has charge of the British
standards of length and weight, and is
responsible for seeing that all weights and
measures used in trade are correct.

Elementary school-children are graded in
standards or classes according to their ages
or the standard of their work. A standard
lamp has an upright pillar or stem. The
proportion of pure metal and alloy in coinage
is known as the money standard. The present
silver standard is silver and alloy in equal
proportions.

For the sake of convenience a standard
time (n.), which is also called universal time,
is adopted over a belt extending seven and a
half degrees east and west of a meridan
selected as the central one. British standard
time is founded on the time of the meridian of
Greenwich.

The square, heraldic banner bearing the
national arms is known as the royal
standard. The soldier or other person who
carries a standard is called the standard-
bearer (n.).

What is called standard bread (n.) is made
with wheat flour containing at least four-

fifths of the whole grain. It is of a brownish
colour.

We standardize (stan7 dard iz, v.t.) a thing
by making it conform to a particular
standard, type, or model. The process of
doing this is termed standardization (stan
dard I za7 shim, n.). To standardize a solution
in chemistry, is to give it a specific value,
obtained by analysis, for use in fixing the
value of similar solutions.

O.F. estendard, from L. extender e to stretch
out, influenced by O.F. estandard, from O.H.G.
standen to stand. SYN. : n. Criterion, flag, model,
support, upright.

slander (stand' er). For this word,
^^^^^^^ standing, etc., see under stand.

stanhope (stan ' op), n. A type
I of light, open carriage, with

'jH either two or four wheels ; an

HHHBf °^ type of iron printing-press.
The carriage was named after
a Mr. Stanhope, who invented
it. The printing-press, called
also the Stanhope-press (n.),
was invented about 1800 by the
third Earl Stanhope (1753-1816).
He also invented the Stanhope-
lens (».), with convex faces,
having different curves.

staniel (stan7 yel), n. Old
name for the kestrel. See
kestrel. (F. emouchet.}

A.-S. stangella, from stan rock, gellan to yell.

stank (stangk) . This is the past tense of
stink. See stink.

stannary (stan' a ri), n.' A tin-mine ;
a tin-mining district in Cornwall or Devon.
adj. Pertaining to tin-mines or tin-works.

The stannaries in Devon and Cornwall
were formerly under the jurisdiction of
special law courts called the stannary courts.
A stannate (stan7 at, n.} is a salt of stannic
acid. A stannic (stan7 ik, adj.) compound
contains a high proportion of tin ; a stannous
(stan7 us, adj.) compound contains a low
proportion of tin.

Stanniferous (sta nif ' er us, adj.) rocks are
those containing tin. Pottery glazed with a
substance including a proportion of tin is
said, incorrectly, to be stanniferous. Stannite
(stan7 it, n.) is a rare mineral compound of
tin, copper, and iron sulphide. It has been
found in several of the Cornish tin mines,
and is often called by miners tin pyrites.

From L. stannum tin, and -ary.

stanza (stan7 za), n. A group of lines or
verses usually rhyming in fixed order, and
repeated in the same form throughout a
poem. (F. stance.}

The so-called verses of hymns are really
stanzas. There are many stanzaic (stan za7
ik, adj.) forms, that is, forms of stanzas, such
as rhyme royal, which has seven heroic
lines, ottava rima with eight, and the
Spenserian stanza with nine lines. Many
great poems are written in simple four-line

4087

STAPLE

STAR

stanzas. Gray's " Elegy," Tennyson's " In
Memoriam," and FitzGerald's " Omar
Khayyam " illustrate three different types.
The word stanzaed (stan' zad, adj.) is used
only in combination with a number, and is
applied to a poem having that number of
stanzas. For instance, Wordsworth's " The
Reaper " is a nine-stanzaed lyric.

Ital., properly a stopping place, station, from
L.L. stantia abode, from stans (ace. stant-em),
pres. p. of stare to stand.

staple [i] (sta/ pi), n. A U-shaped piece
of metal with pointed
ends driven into a post,
etc., to hold wire ; the
box-shaped part of a
lock that receives the
bolt ; a bent wire used
in wire-stitching ; the

metal tube holding the
reeds of a wood-wind
instrument like the
oboe. v.t. To furnish,
fasten, or attach with
staples. (F. piton, gdche ;
goupiller.)

Fencing wire is
attached to wooden
posts by means of staples. An ordinary bolt is
shot into a staple screwed to the door-post.
The wire-stitching machine used for fastening
the pages of a pamphlet or brochure together
is called a stapling-machine (n.}. The staples
used are cut from a length of wire bent at
each end, driven through the pages, and
clinched the other side. Loose folios can be
stapled together at the corners by means of
a handy apparatus, also called a stapling-
machine, which inserts ready-made staples.

A.-S. stapul pillar, prop ; cp. Dutch siapel
chair-leg, G. staffel step of ladder ; akin to step.

staple [2] (sta/ pi), n. A principal or
highly important article of commerce ; the
main substance or material of anything ;
raw material ; the fibre of wool, cotton,
etc., regarded as fixing its quality. adj.
Principal ; chief, v.t. To sort (wool, etc.),
according to its staple or fibre. (F. denree
principale, fond, brin ; principal; trier.}

Bread is a staple food ; coal is one of
Britain's staples, or staple industries. Sport
is the staple of a discussion, if it is the main
thing discussed. A person who sorts or
classifies wool or cotton according to its fibre
is called a stapler (sta/ pier, «.). Cotton of
short staple has short fibres.

O.F. estaple, M. Low G. stapel either in sense
of platform or heap. See staple [i].

star (star), n. A heavenly body shining
with its own .light and appearing as a small
fixed point ; an object or figure resembling
this, especially one with radiating points ;
an asterisk ; a white spot on a horse's fore-
head ; a prominent or brilliant person,
especially an actor or singer ; a heavenly
body considered as a controlling influence in
a person's fortunes, adj. Of actors, etc.,
eminent, brilliant, v.t. To set, spangle, or

m

Stars and Stripes. — The Star* and Stripes, the
national flag of the United States of America.

decorate with stars ; to put an asterisk
against ; of actors, actresses, etc., to present
as a star. v.i. To appear as a star (on
the stage or elsewhere.) (F, etoile, astre,
asterisque, celebrite, grand artiste ; cdlebre ;
briller, marquer d'une asterisque ; tenir les
grands roles.}

Planets rotate round the sun, and their
movements across the heavens may be
detected ; the stars appear to be fixed in
space owing to their immense distance from
the earth. The common proper motion
of stars in the same re-
gion of the sky is termed
their star-drift (n.}.
Stars may also be dis-
tinguished from planets
by the fact that they
twinkle instead of giving
a steady light. To the
ordinary observer of a
starry (star7 i, adj.) or
starlit (star' lit, adj.}
sky, that is, one in
which many stars are
visible, the stars seem to
be very much alike,
except for differences in
the strength of their light, which is known
as starlight (star' lit, n.}.

The starriness (star7 i nes, n.}, or starry
quality, of the sky is due to the presence of
about six thousand stars visible to the naked
eye, but there are many more that are re-
vealed by photography, and estimates made
of their total number range up to ten
thousand millions.

The light of individual stars may be red,
yellowish, or bluish. These colourings can
sometimes be observed by the naked eye, and
they are one of the methods by which the
stars are classified. The blue-white stars,
such as Sirius (a double star), are known to be
hottest, and the red stars, such as Aldebaran,
are the coolest.

On a starless (star' les, adj.) night no stars
are visible, owing to clouds, or to the intensity
of the moonlight. An astrologer or an astron-
omer is facetiously described as a star-gazer
(n.), and his occupation as star-gazing (n.).
Formerly the belief that the course of one's
life was influenced by the stars was wide-
spread. In a figurative sense, we still say that
an unfortunate person was born under an
unlucky star, and thank our stars that we
have better fortune. The literary star is,
of course, a brilliant or prominent writer.
Distinguished film-actresses are said to star:
in a kinematograph play. A music-hall
programme may star or give prominence to
a variety actor regarded as a star performer.
A celestial star is often represented as a
figure with radiating points. This device
is much used as an emblem and decoration.
Knights of the Garter wear the star of that
order on state occasions. Another decoration
of similar form is that of the Order of the
Star of India, an order of knighthood

4088

STARBLIND

STARE

established in 1861 in consequence of the
British assumption of direct government in
India.

The national flag of the United States is
popularly known as the Stars and Stripes (n.).
It is now composed of seven red and six
white horizontal stripes, arranged alternately,
representing the thirteen original states. In
the upper quarter next the staff are forty-
eight white stars on a blue ground, one for
each state of the present Union. It is some-
times called the star-spangled (adj.) banner.

A shell containing certain chemicals that
give a brilliant light when it bursts is called
a star-shell (star7 shel, n.). Such shells are
used chiefly for military purposes and are
sent up at night to assist in observing the
enemy.

An object resembling a star is said to be
starry, or if it has the form of a radiating
star, star-like (adj.). That is why a member of
the class Asteroidea of echinoderms is called
a starfish («.).

These sea animals have rays, or arms,
branching from a central body, in the under
part of which the mouth is placed. Among
the commonest species in Britain is the
five-rayed Asterias rubens, often seen on
the shore between the tide - marks. The
sun-star (n.) — Solaster papposus — has from
eleven to fourteen arms. They are mostly
sluggish animals spending much of their time
in one place, and often occurring in swarms.

The redstart, a bird j_ ._.,.,...
visiting Great Britain j
in the summer, is also | €-

called the star- finch Sl^~~~^

The star of Bethlehem j

(n.) — Ornithogalum — Q ^^JltoiaL^^
is a bulbous plant of
the lily family which
has white flowers
shaped like a star, and
striped outside with
green.

An evergreen tree
which grows in the
West Indies, is named
the star-apple (n.) —
Chrysophyllum. It has
small white flowers
and bears a luscious
fruit, resembling rosy
apples, and coloured
yellowish-green. When
cut open it shows a

star-shaped figure Star-stone (n.) is a
kind of sapphire. The Star Chamber (n.)
was an English court of law which existed
from 1487 to 1641. It is said to have met
in a room which had a ceiling decorated
with gold stars.

A.-S. steorra ; cp. Dutch ster, G. stern, L. stella
(ster-la), Gr. aster, Welsh seven, Sansk. star.

starblind (star7 blind), adj. Partly blind ;
seeing with difficulty. (F. myope.)

From A.-S. staer stiff (cp. G. starr), and blind.

D86 4089

starboard (star' bord), n. The right-hand
side of a vessel as one stands facing the bow.
adj. Placed on this side. v.t. To put or turn
(the helm) to starboard. (F. tribord; de
tribord ; virer de bord.)

When the steersman starboards the
helm, the vessel turns to port. The starboard
light of a vessel under way is green. It has
been decided to replace the old terms star-
board and port by right and left.

A.-S. steobord, from steor steering paddle,
rudder, and bord board. See steer [i].

starch (starch), n. A soft, white or
yellowish-white, powdery substance without
taste or smell, found in all plants except
fungi ; a paste made from this, used for
stiffening linen, etc. ; stiffness ; formality ;
spirit or backbone, adj. Stiff ; unbending ;
formal ; rigid, v.t. To stiffen or treat with
starch. (F. amidon, empois, raideur, rig-
ueur ; empese, guind6, raide ; empeser.)

Starch is a very valuable carbohydrate.
It is present in wheat, barley, potatoes, and
other food-plants, -and is " the chief con-
stituent of a number of important food-
stuffs, as, for example, arrowroot, rice,
sago, tapioca, and cornflour. It can be
dissolved in hot water, and the resulting
solution is used for stiffening linen and cotton
fabrics, sizing textiles and paper, etc.
Glucose is made largely from starch. A girl
who starches linen in a laundry or a machine,
used for starching is
known as a starcher
(starch7 er, n.). The
degree of stiffness or
starchiness (starch' i
nes, n.) r>f the linen
depends upon the
strength of the starch
solution and the way
it is used. The words
starchedness (starch 7ed
nes, n.) and starch-
ness (starch7 nes, n.)
are used, as well as
starchiness, to denote
stiffness of manner or
behaviour. Starchy
(starch7 i, adj.) food
is food containing
starch, and a starchy
person is one who is
very stiff and precise.
From stark . See
stark.

To look with eyes
; of the eyes, to look

m this way ; to stand out or be unduly
prominent ; of an animal's coat, feathers,
etc., to stand on end. v.t. To affect in a
particular way by staring. n. A staring
gaze. (F. regarder fixement, ouvrir de grands
yeux, se htrisser ; decontenancer ; regard fixe,
regard ebahi.)

We may stare in admiration, horror,
bewilderment, or stupidity. The word

•H

Starfish. — A large starfish resting on a rock in an
aquarium.

stare (star), v.i.
wide open and fixed

STARK

START

now more often than not implies rudeness.
To stare from idle curiosity is not good
manners.

Facts, when very obvious, and death or
ruin, when close at hand, are said to stare
us in the face. We stare a person out of
countenance when we stare so hard at
him that he becomes embarrassed. One
who stares is a starer (star' er, n.}.

The word staring (star' ing, adj.) can be
used of anything that stares, that is very
obvious, that forces itself on our attention.
We speak of staring eyes, a staring absurdity,
a staring new bungal9w built on the site
of a picturesque old cottage. A horse's coat
is described as staring when the hairs stand
up instead of lying flat. Staring (adv.)
occurs in such phrases as staring or stark
staring mad, staring sober, staring plain.
Staringly (star7 ing li, adv.) means in a staring
or glaring way.

A.-S. startan ; cp. Dutch staren, O. Norse
stara, also G. starr stiff, fixed, stieren.to stare.
See star blind.

stark (stark), adj. Stiff; desolate ; utter ;
arrant ; thorough ; stubborn ; strong ; re-
solute ; stern ; harsh, adv. Wholly ; quite ;
boldly ; stoutly. (F. raide, isole, absolu,
entete, fort, rude; tout a fait, nettement.)

We speak of the stark or sheer beauty of
a painting by a master hand, of the stark
character of a bare and desolate landscape,
of an act of supreme folly as stark madness,
and of a person without clothing as stark
naked. In other uses the word is chiefly
found in poetry or dialect.

Stark mad, or stark star-
ing mad, means absolutely
mad. Starkly (stark' li, adv.)
means stiffly, firmly, barely.
A room may be starkly fur-
nished ; a solitary tree on a
hill is outlined starkly against
the sky. Starkness (stark'
lies, n.) is the quality of being
stark.

A.-S. stearc ; cp. Dutch ster k,
G. stark, O. Norse sterk-r. SYN. :
adj. Bare, sheer, stiff, thorough,
utter

starless (star' les). For
this word, starlight, etc., see
under star.

starling [i] (star' ling),
n. The name applied to
various birds belonging to
the family Sturnidae. (F.
etourneau, sansonnet.)

The plumage of the common
starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is
black shot with green, blue,
and purple reflections ; many
of the feathers are tipped with buff. Starlings
roost and feed in large flocks. They are
useful as destroyers of caterpillars and grubs,
hut are very fond of fruit. They are
excellent mimics, imitating with amazing
exactness the notes of the skylark and

Starling. — The starling lives in

flocks, is noisy, and feeds rather

greedily.

other birds, and, indeed, any sound that
takes their fancy.

A.-S. staerlinc, dim. of staer ; cp. G. staar,
O Norse stari starling, cp. L. sturnus.

starling [2] (star' ling), n. A fence of
stout posts round the lower part of a pier
of a bridge, to protect it from damage by
vessels, ice, etc. (F. brise-glace, avant-bec.)

Perhaps corrupted from staddling, collective n.
From E. dialect staddle foundation, tree-stump,
A.-S. stathol \ cp G. dialect stadel barn, store-
house ; from root of E. stand.

starlit (star' lit). For this word, starry,
etc., see under star.

start (start), v.i. To make a sudden or
abrupt movement ; to make a beginning ;
to set out ; to arise ; of eyes, to appear
to be escaping from their sockets ; of tim-
bers, rivets, etc., to work loose or out of
place, v.t. To set going ; to set on foot ;
to cause to begin ; to give the signal to
(persons) to start in a race ; to rouse (game).
n. A sudden movement or shock ; a fitful
movement or effort ; a beginning or setting-
out ; a starting-place ; the amount of lead
granted in a race ; advantage gained ;
opportunity ; of timbers, etc., a loosened
place or state. (F. sursauter, tressaillir,
commencer, partir, provenir, sortir, se detacher,
se disjoindre ; inaugurer mettre en marche,
faire partir, faire lever ; sursaut, boutade,
debut, point de depart, avantage.) '

The unexpected appearance of a motor-
car on a quiet country road may cause us
to start aside, and a sudden noise in the
night may make us start
] with fright. It is good to
start work as early as pos-
; sible, and to start in good
time if we are going on a
journey. It is hard work,
just as much as influence,
that gives one a good start
in life. It takes two to start
a quarrel. A thing that is not
done continuously or with
sustained effort is done by fits
and starts. We start a clock
or machinery when we set it
in motion.

A starter (start' er, n.) is a
person or thing that starts.
The term is used especially
for a person, horse, animal,
etc., that has started or is
to start in a race, and also
for a person who gives the
signal for starting in a race
or for the railway official
who gives the signal for the
trains to start. The starter
of an aeroplane is a small
engine, electric motor, or other device by
means of which the pilot can start the main
engine from his seat.

Before a horse-race, the starters are
lined up at the starting-post (n . ) . The starting-
point (n.) is the point from which a person

4090

STARTLE

STATE

or thing starts, in other words, a point of
departure.

M.E. sterten ; cp. Dutch storten, G. sturzen,
Dan. styrte to rush, hurl. SYN : v. Begin,
commence, depart, inaugurate, originate, rouse.
n. Beginning, commencement, departure, in-
auguration, lead. ANT. : v. Close, end, finish,
terminate, n. Close, conclusion, end, finish,
termination.

startle (start7 1), v.t. To cause to start ;
to frighten ; to surprise ; to shock, n.
A start of alarm or surprise ; a sudden

Start.— Competitor! in an international race start off evenly at the
official starter fires a pistol.

gush of water. (F. faire tressaillir, effrayer,
surprendre, frapper d'honeur; tressaillement,
fremissement, jaillissement.)

Hearing a voice suddenly in the (Virk
may startle us. We are startled also when
we are alarmed or shocked, for instance,
by the receipt of startling (start' ling, adj.)
news, as, of a death, or a fire, or the outbreak
of war.

Anything done so as to cause alarm or
surprise is done startlingly (start' ling li,
adv.), and a person who, or event, etc., that
startles may be described as a startler (start7
ler, n.).

M.E. stertlen to rush wildly, A.-S. stearthan to
kick or struggle ; frequentative of start. See
start. SYN. : v. Alarm, frighten, rouse, shock,
surprise.

starve (starv), v.i. To die or suffer
from hunger ; to be in want ; to have a
strong craving, v.t. To cause to die or suffer
from lack of food; to force to surrender,
etc., thus ; to deprive of, or keep short of
(physical, mental, or spiritual nourishment
or needs) . (F. crever de faim, etre sur la
paille, desirer vivement ; affamer.)

In most civilized countries persons in
want are looked after by the State, and no
one need die of starvation (star va' shun, n.).
People may, however, be starving in other
ways — for instance, for sympathy, or know-
ledge, or spiritual comfort. A starving or
ill-nourished person or animal may be
described as a starveling (starv' ling, n )
or starveling (adj.), a word that is also em-
ployed in the sense of stunted, scanty,
meagre, inadequate. In some dialects starve
means to die, or cause to die, of cold.

A.-S. steorjan to die, sterjan to kill ; cp.
Dutch sterven, G. sterben. SYN. : Famish.

state (stat), n. Condition ; situation ; a
political community under a government
recognized by the people ; such a body-
forming part of a federal republic ; civil
government ; rank ; position ; dignity ;
splendour ; an impression taken from an
engraved plate at a certain stage, distin-
guishable by special marks, adj. Of or
relating to the state or body politic ; of or
relating to one of the states of a federal
republic ; used for or intended
for ceremonial occasions. v.t.
To set forth definitely and
clearly ; to specify ; in algebra,
to express the conditions of (a
problem, etc.) in symbols. (F.
etat, condition, puissance civile,
rang, dignile, pompe ; d'etat, de
gala; exposer, specifier, poser.)

In the political sense, a state
consists of a collection of people
who organize themselves in such
a way that they are able to act
together for common purposes.
Examples of such states are
Great Britain and France. The
United States of America form a
federal state, containing a number
of states, each of which posesses its own
state rights. The science of governing
such a state is statecraft (stat' kraft, n.} or
statesmanship (stats' man ship, n.}, and
men versed in this science are statesmen
(stats' men, n.pl.), who, when they rule
well, are said to act in a statesmanlike
(stats' man lik, adj.) or statesmanly (stats'
man li, adj.) manner.

A state-bank (n.) is one controlled by a
state, though the shareholders may be
private individuals. There are many such
banks in the U.S.A. A State paper (n.) is
a document relating to State affairs, and a
state-trial (n.) is a prosecution by the State,
especially for a political offence. State
Socialism (n.) is the management of the
great industries by the State for the benefit
of the people.

The term States General (n.pl.), the assem-
bly of the representatives of the estates
of "the realm, was applied to the Assembly
of France before the Revolution of 1789
and to that of the Dutch Netherlands, and
is still borne by the Dutch Parliament.
The parliaments of Jersey and Guernsey
are called the States.

As applied to engravings, the word state
denotes the stage that the plate had reached
when a print was made from it. In the case
of what is called a proof before letters,
for example, the state is that the plate is
fully engraved, but no words of any kind —
such as the title — have been added.

Important ceremonies are carried out in
a stately (stat' li, adj.) or dignified manner,
and their stateliness (stat' li nes, n.) is
usually emphasized by the fact that they

4091

STATER

STATIONARY

take place in a state-room («.), or room set
apart for ceremonial occasions. This term

railway trains stop to take up or set down
passengers or goods ; a military post ; in

is also applied to a sleeping apartment on India, the place of residence of the English
a steamer and to a private compartment officials of a district ; the society of such a
on a railway train. place ; rank ; condition in life ; the nature

The word statement (staf ment, n.) means of the place in which an animal or plant
the act of stating or that which is stated. is fitted to live ; a point from which measure-
It is often used to denote a formal account, ments are made in surveying ; a distance

adopted for the standard length ; a fixed
fast day appointed by the Church ; a church
to which a procession goes to perform
devotions ; one of the fourteen pictures or
images in a church representing scenes in
Christ's Passion, v.t. To assign to or place
in a particular station. (F. poste, station,
gare, position sociale, condition ; poser, poster.}
If we wish to meet a friend at a large
railway station we generally arrange to
take up our station in a particular part
of the building, to avoid any possibility
of missing one another. In Australia some
of the sheep stations, that is, farms where
sheep are raised, are as much as 100,000
acres in extent. Success is open to all of
us whatever our station or position in life.
The station-bill (n.) of a ship is a list of
the various stations or posts to be taken
up by officers and crew. The term station-
house (n.) is applied sometimes to the lock-
up attached to a police-station, to a small

Anything which may be stated is statable
(staf abl, adj.), and to do a thing statedly
(staf ed li, adv.) is to do it constantly, at
regular periods.

O.F. estat, L. status, trom p.p. ot stare to stand
SYN. : n. Condition, pomp, position, splendour,
status, adj. Ceremonial, official, v. Affirm, ex-
press, narrate, specify.

stater (sta/ ter), n. The name given to
various coins of antiquity. (F. statere.)

The Athenian gold stater was equivalent
to twenty drachmae, about i6s. 3d. in
modern money. The Persian stater, or
daric, was a gold coin worth about £i is. 3d.
Various silver coins were called staters.
The tribute money taken from the fish's
mouth (Matthew, xvii, 27) was a silver stater.
• -Or. stater, histanai from to make to stand, to
weigh.

->•. statesman (stats' man). For this word,
statesmanlike, etc., see under state.

static' (staf ik), adj. Relating to bodies
at rest or to forces in equilibrium
or balanced ; acting as weight
but not moving ; of electricity,
relating to electricity at rest.
Another form is statical (staf ik
al). (F. statique.)

A book resting on a table
exerts statical pressure, that is,
pressure produced by weight
without motion. The branch of
mechanics which deals with
bodies at rest and forces in
equilibrium and also with the
relations of strains and stresses
is named statics (staf iks, n.pl.).
The weight of the spring of a
safety-valve acts statically (staf
ik al li, adv.), that is, in a statical
manner, on the valve. The word
static is used by doctors with
various meanings, for instance,
in the sense of organic or
structural, as opposed to functional.

Gr. statikos causing to stand, trom sta-, root 01
histanai to make to stand. ANT. : Dynamic.

Statice (staf i se), n. A small genus of
herbs containing the sea-lavender. (F. statice.)

These plants, which are often found on
sea coasts, belong to the family Plum-
baginaceae. They have narrow evergreen
leaves and heads of lilac, white, or pink
flowers. There are many beautiful culti-
vated varieties.

Fcm. of Gr. statikos stanching (blood). See
static.

station (sta/ shim), n. A place, especially
an appointed one, at which persons or
things stand or are situated ; a place where

Station. — The meteorological station at the base of Peru's famous
volcanic mountain, the Misti, which is twenty thousand feet high.

country railway station, and, in Australia,
to the house belonging to a sheep-station.
Every railway station is in the charge of
an official called the station-master (n.). A
stational (sta/ shun al, adj.) matter is one
relating to a station.

F., from L. static (ace. -on-em), verbal n.
from stare to stand. SYN. : n. Location, post,
standing, status, v* Place, post.

stationary (sta' shim a ri), adj. Stand-
ing still ; not moving ; not intended to be
moved ; fixed ; unchanging ; of planets,
appearing not to move. n. In Roman
history, a member of the military con-
stabulary. (F. stationnaire, immobile, fixe,
invariable.)

4092

STATIONER

STATUS

A stationary engine is one fixed in place,
as opposed to a portable engine. Some
parts of an engine are moving parts, while
other parts, such as the bed-plate, cylinder,
and guides, have stationariness (sta/ shun
a ri nes, n.), the state or quality of being
stationary.

L. stationdrius, adj. from statio station. See
station. SYN. : adj. Fixed, motionless. ANT. :
adj. Locomotive, moving.

stationer (sta/ shim er), n. One who
sells pens, ink, paper, and other writing
materials, etc. (F. papetier.}

The articles sold by a stationer are col-
lectively called stationery (sta/ shun er i, n.}.
This word covers such things as ledgers,
note-books, pencils, blotting-paper, ink-pots,
paper-clips, rubber bands, and sealing-wax.

The Stationery Office (n.} is the British
Government department which supplies
books and stationery to all Government
departments and arranges for the printing
of parliamentary papers and reports and
Government publications. It was estab-
lished in 1782.

L.L. stationdrius stall-holder, bookseller with
a fixed place of sale. See stationary.

statist (sta'.tist), n. One who is skilled
in statistics. (F. statistician.}

From state and -ist, the word originally meant
one specializing in state affairs, a politician.
SYN. : Statistician.

statistics (sta tis' tiks), n.pl. Facts
expressed by numbers arranged and classi-
fied to show their relationships with each
other ; used as singular, the science of
collecting, arranging, and using statistics.
(F. statistique .)

The science of statistics has for its object
the collection of figures and records which
deal in one way or another with people and
their relations with each other, or with
natural phenomena. The populations of
countries, .the different occupations of the
inhabitants, trade, how long men and women
of different ages may expect to live, such
matters as these are dealt with by statistics.

The annual reports of the Minister of
Health, and the annual and monthly state-
ments of the Board of Trade are full of
statistics. A person who deals with facts
statistically (sta tis' tik al li, adv.], or in
a statistical (sta tis' tik al, adj.] manner, is
known as a statistician (stat is tish' an, n.)
or statist.

From statist with pi. suffix -ics.

statoscope (stat' 6 skop), n. An
instrument used on aircraft to show changes
of height.

The statoscope is more sensitive than
the ordinary altimeter, and is used specially
for flying tests.

Gr. statos standing, fixed, and E. suffix -scope.

statue (stat' u), n. A sculptured, cast,
or moulded figure in the round of a person
or animal, in marble, bronze, or other
material, nearly or over life-size. (F. statue.}

On Liberty Island, just outside New York,

stands a world-famous statue — Bartholdi's
statue of Liberty, presented to the United
States by France in 1886. The word statue

Statue. — A statue of the philosopher Aristotle as
a youth, in the National Museum, Paris.

is often used as a type of silence or of
absence of movement or feeling. We say that
a person stands as still as a statue, or that a
cruel man is as unmoved as a statue by appeals
for pity.

The art of sculpture is sometimes called
statuary (stat' u a ri, n.}, and so are statues
collectively. A sculptor may be called a
statuary, and his art the statuary (adj.} art.
A place adorned with statues or anything
having the appearance of a statue may be
described as statued (stat' ud, adj.}. A
small statue is a statuette (stat u et', n.}.

Anything resembling a statue, especially in
its dignity or beauty, is statuesque (stat u
esk ', adj . } . An actress may pose statuesquely
(stat u esk' li, adv.}, and we" may speak of the
statuesqueness (stat u esk' nes, n.} of her
attitude.

L. statua from status, p.p. of stare to stand,
be set upright.

stature (stat' yur), n. The natural height
of a body, especially of a human being.
(F. hauteur, taille, stature.}

The Japanese, as a race, are short of
stature. The word statured (stat' yurd, adj.}
is used chiefly in combination. The natives
of Patagonia are lofty-statured. Stature is
often used figuratively. Thus we can speak
of a person's mental or moral stature.

L. statura upright posture, from status p.p. of
stare to stand.

status (sta' tus), n. Standing, rank, or
position in society ; legal position or re-
lation to o+hftr.«t (F. condition, rang, etat.}

4093

STATUTE

STAY

Everyone has a status, that is, a certain

Eosition in relation to other people. A new
oy at school has an inferior status, in
contrast with the status of a prefect or
monitor. The status of a person may be
such as to entitle him to vote at Parlia-
mentary elections, or to impose upon him
the duty of serving on a jury. The Latin
phrase, status quo (state in which) is used to
denote the existing state of
affairs.

L., from p.p. of stare to stand.
SYN. : Footing, position, standing.

statute (stat' ut), ». An
enacted law ; an act of a cor-
poration or its founder intended
as a permanent rule or law. (F.
statut, loi.)

Many corporations, such as
the Universities of Oxford and
Cambridge, have statutes in
accordance with which they are
governed. The fairs for hiring
servants are sometimes called
statutes, or statute-fairs (n.pL).
As soon as a Bill has been agreed
to by Parliament it is placed on
the statute-book (n.), and be-
comes a law, binding all persons
who are within its scope. Strictly
speaking, all the Acts passed
during a session of Parliament constitute one
statute only. Statute law (n.), law arising
from Acts of Parliament, is distinguished
from the common law or unwritten law.

Statute-roll (n.) is another name for
statute-book, but the term is sometimes
applied also to an engrossed statute. In
old English law, a statute merchant (n.) was

stauroscope (staw' ro skop), n. An in-
strument used for observing the effects of
polarized light on crystals. (F. stauroscope.)

The stauroscope is used to determine the
direction of the planes of vibration of parallel
polarized light in crystals. A stauroscopic
(staw ro skop' ik, adj.] examination is one
carried out by a stauroscope.

From Gr.sfauros stake, cross, and E. suffix -scope.

Stave.— Coopers

Taking casks from the staves of old and disused
wine barrels.

stave (stav), n. One of the curved pieces
of wood forming the side of a cask, tub, pail,
or the like ; a narrow strip of other material
used for a similar purpose ; one of the boards
forming part of the curb of a well, mill-stone,
etc. ; a stanza or verse ; in music, a staff.
v.t. To break in the staves of ; to make (a
hole thus) ; to break a hole in ; to smash ;

a sealed record of a debtor's promise to pay to fit with staves ; to drive off or keep back

j • J _ j_ _ • _ • j_ i_ _ "ji__j_/Tr_ i _ rr -

on a certain date in a mayor's court.

A rule or order made by authority of a
statute is made statutably (stat' u tab li,
adv.), and is a statutory (stat' u to ri, adj.] of
statutable (stat' u tabl, adj.] rule or order.
Statutable also means conforming to the
requirements of a statute.

L. statutum neuter p.p. of statuere to set up,
enact, decide. SYN.: Decree, enactment, law, rule.

staunch [i] (stawnsh ; stansh), adj.
Trustworthy ; loyal ; true ; firm and sound.
A less usual spelling is stanch (stansh). (F.
fiddle, loyal, devoue, solide.)

A staunch ship is one that does not leak,
and is, therefore, reliable. Staunch friends
stand by one when one is in difficulties. They
are staunchly (stawnsh' li ; stansh' li, adv.),
or unwaveringly, faithful, and have the quality
of staunchness (stawnsh' nes ; stansh' nes,
».), that is, determined loyalty.

O.F. estanche fem. of estanc (F. Blanche) water-
tight, akin to estancher to stanch. See stanch.
SYN. : Dependable, determined, resolute, sub-
stantial, unwavering. ANT. : Crazy, disloyal,
infirm, tottering, undependable.

staunch [2] (stawnsh ; stansh). This is
another spelling of the verb to stanch. See
stanch [ij.

with or as with a staff ; to avert or ward off ;
to make (metal) firm by compression ; to
thicken (bar-iron) by heating and hammer-
ing, v.i. Of a ship's hull, to be broken in.
p.t. and p.p. staved (stavd) and, chiefly
nautical, stove (stov). (F. douve, stance,
portee ; enf oncer, def oncer, crever, garnir de
douves, chasser par le baton.}

A boat might be staved or staved in through

a collision, and a rock might stave a hole in

her hull. If a business is in a bad way, a

batch of new orders may stave off disaster.

Back formation from staves, pi. of staff. See statf .

stavesacre (stav' za ker), n. A plant
of the genus Delphinium, used in medicine.
See under delphinine. (F. staphisaigre.)

O.F. stavesaigre, L.L. staphisagria from Gr.
staphis raisin, agrios wild.

stay [i] (sta), v.i To continue in a certain
place ; to remain to dwell for the time
being ; to pause to show endurance.
v.t. To hinder ; to stop the progress of ; to
postpone, n. The act of staying or remaining
in a place ; suspension of judicial pro-
ceedings. (F. rester, demeurer, s'arreter,
attendre, tenir bon ; empecher, reprimer,
arreter, remettre ; sejour, sursis.}

4094

STAY

STEAL

We stay with friends during the holidays
when we go to visit or make a stay with
them. A strike of workmen stays the
progress of industry. A man who has
been ordered to pay damages in a court of
law sometimes asks the judge for a stay
of execution, that is, he asks him to stay
or suspend for a time the measures by
which he would be compelled to pay
the damage.

A person who is not given to travelling is
a stay-at-home (adj.) person or a stay-at-
home (n.). One who runs pluckily in a race,
or otherwise has great powers of endurance, is
called a stayer (sta' er, ».).

Probably irom O.F. estai-, estei-, stem ot some
tenses, of ester, L. stare to stand. SYN. : v. Abide,
dwell, hinder, remain, n. Halt, sojourn.

stay [2] (sta), n. A support; (pi.) a corset.
v.t. To support ; to prop up. (F. etai, corset :
soutenir, Mayer.) __

The crown of a locomotive's
firebox is in many cases supported
by bars riveted to it ; these are
called stay-bars (n.pl.) A stay-
rod (n.) is a long rod running from
end to end of a boiler to prevent
the ends from being pushed out-
ward by the steam. The same
term is used for a rod for tying
together two parts of a structure.

A stay-lace (n.) is a lace for a
corset, and a stay-maker (n.) is a
manufacturer of stays or corsets.

O.F. estai, n., estayer, v., probably
an extended use of the nautical v.
See stay [3].

stay [3] (sta), n. A rope or wire cable
supporting a mast or spar. v.t. To support,
secure, or turn with stays ; to put (a ship)
on the other tack. v.i. To turn to windward
in order to tack. (F. etai, hauban ; haubaner,
virer de bord ; s'elever au vent.}

A sailing ship is said to be in stays, or
hove in stays, while she is going about from
one tack to the other, so as to
bring the wind on her other side.
Should she fail to go about she is
said to miss stays. A stay-sail
(sta' sal ; sta ' si, n.} is a sail, usually
triangular, hoisted on a stay.

A.-S. staeg stay, mast- rope ; cp.
Dutch, G., O. Norse stag, and (from
Teut.) O.F. estai, n., estayer, v.

stayer (sta/ er). For this word
see under stay [i].

stay-lace (sta/ las). For this
word, stayless, etc., see under
stay [2].

stead (sted), n. Place which
another had or might have had ;
service ; a place of abode or work ; a farm ;
a site for a building ; a yard ; an imprint or
trace. (F. lieu, place.}

This word is found most commonly in the
phrases, " in his stead," and " in good stead."
A man prevented from attending some
function probably sends someone in his stead.

Stay. — Two stays of a

sailing ship — the fore-

s;ay and mainstay.

Knowledge of foreign languages stands a
person in good stead, that is, is useful to
him, when he is abroad.

A.-S. stede place ; cp. Dutch stede stad, place,
G. stadt, town ; akin to L. statio station (see
station), Gr. s fasts standing, posture.

steadfast (sted7 fast), adj. Unwavering ;
resolute ; steady. (F. ferme, vesolu, constant?)
We can speak of a steadfast friend, of
steadfast devotion to duty, or of a steadfast
gaze. A loyal friend sticks steadfastly (sted'
fast li, adv.] to us when things go wrong,
and we heartily appreciate the steadfastness
(sted' fast nes, n.) of his devotion.

A.-S. stedefaest nrm in its place, from stede
place, Jaest firm ; cp. O. Norse stathfast-r. See
stead, fast [i ]. SYN.: Constant, firm, inflexible,
steady. ANT. : Fickle, inconstant, irresolute,
wavering.

(sted' i), adj. Firmly fixed;
properly balanced ; 'regular ;
uniform ; constant ; not change-
able, v.t. To make steady, v.i.
To become steady, n. A rest or
support for the hand or a tool.
(F. ferme, equilibre, regulier, uni-
forme, constant, sur ; affermir,
assurer; s affermir; support.)

A thing is steady when it does
not shake or rock about. It is
sometimes difficult to keep one-
self steady in a very high wind.
A workman is in 'steady work
when he has regular employment,
and a steady workman is one who
is temperate and industrious.
The exclamation " Stead v ! "

steady

Stay-sail.— A ship sailing
under stay-sails.

means generally do nothing rashly, foolishly,
or hastily, and as a sailor's term, " Keep
the ship's head pointing in the same
direction." The weather is likely to be fine
when the barometer rises steadily (sted7 i li,
adv.], without moving back at all. In
statesmen and other people with heavy
responsibilities, steadiness (sted' i nes, n.) in-
spires more confidence than erratic
brilliance.

Probably from stead and adj. suffix
-y ; cp. G. stetig constant. SYN. :
adj. Constant, firm, regular, uni-
form, unwavering. ANT. : adj.
Changeable, intermittent, irregular,
unsteady.

steak (stak), n. A thick slice
of meat (especially beef) or fish
cut for cooking. (F. biftek, cotelette,
tranche.)

Used by itself the word usually
denotes beef-steak, that is, a steak
which is cut from the hinder
part of the animal.
M.E. steike, O. Norse steik, from steikja
to roast on a spit, akin to A.-S. stician to stick,
stab.

steal (stel), v.t. To take away secretly
without right or permission ; to commit
larceny by taking ; to plagiarize ; to obtain
by surprise, cunning, or deceit, v.i. To take

4095

STEALTH

STEARIN

secretly something to which one has no
right ; to come or go silently or secretly.
p.t. stole (stol) ; p.p. stolen (sto' len). n. A
successful and unexpected long putt in golf.
(F. voler, derober ; voler, se glisser.)

We can steal without breaking the law.
We steal precious moments to see a friend.
We steal an interview, or a kiss, or a person's
heart away. To steal a march on one is
to outwit him. In golf, to steal is to hole
a long and unexpected putt, the ball just
falling into the hole. The word stealer (steT
er, n.) is chiefly used in combination, such as
cattle-stealer, horse-stealer.

A.-S. stelan ; cp. Dutch stelen, G. stehlen.
SYN. : v. Creep, glide, pilfer, purloin, thieve.

stealth (stelth), n. Secrecy ; secret
procedure. (F. secret.}

This word is most often used in the ex-
pression by stealth. Some people delight
in doing good by stealth, without .telling
anybody. Anything done by stealth, that is,
secretly or surreptitiously, is done stealthily
(stelth' i li, adv.}. Some birds, such as the
water-rails, are so stealthy (stelth7 i, adj.}
in" their movements that they seem like
ghosts threading their way through the
reeds and sedges. Stealthiness (stelth' i nes,
»'.) is the quality of being stealthy.

M.E. stalthe, stelthe, from steal and suffix -th
forming abstract n. ; cp. O. Norse stulth-r
theft. SYN. : Furtiveness, secrecy.

steam (stem), n. Water in the form of
vapour, especially water in the gaseous
form into which it is changed by boiling ;
energy or go. v.i. To give off steam ; to rise
in the form of steam ; to progress by the
agency of steam ; to make energetic progress.
v.t. To apply steam to ; to cook, soften, or
otherwise treat with steam. (F. vapeur,
vigueur ; fumer, marcher a la vapeur ; passer
a la vapeur, accommoder a la vapeur.}

Water evaporates at all temperatures, and
even ice gives off vapour slowly. Water's
tendency to vaporize increases with its heat,
and is checked by outside conditions. A
dry wind blowing over the sea picks up
particles of water from the surface, and these
are suspended in the air as steam. A chilling
of the air makes these particles visible as mist.

When water boils, the vaporizing is very
rapid and violent, and vapour unmixed with
air, and called steam, is produced. The steam
from a kettle's spout is invisible while it
remains steam, but becomes visible as vapour
when its condensed particles mingle with the
air. Even the steam in a steam-boiler (n.),
a boiler used for raising steam under pressure,
contains particles of water suspended in it.
If it be further heated in a chamber away
from the water, these particles also turn into
steam and we get steam-gas (n.), or super-
heated steam, which is water in gas form

A steamboat (n.} or steamship (n.) is a
vessel propelled by steam. At the side of the
cylinder of a steam-engine (n.), which is an
engine worked by the pressure of steam on a
piston or pistons, there is a small chamber

called a steam-box (n.) or steam-chest (n.).
This contains a slide-valve, which moves
to and fro, admitting steam to the two ends
of the cylinder alternately.

Many machines, tools, and other devices,
such as the steam-crane (n.), steam-digger (n.),
steam-hammer (n.), steam-plough (n.), and
steam- whistle (n.), are worked by steam-
power (n.), which is the force of steam acting
on some moving surface.

The steam-navvy (n.) is a powerful excava-
ting machine worked by steam. It scoops
up earth or broken rock with a large bucket
on the end of an arm raised by steam-power.
Roads have improved greatly since the steam-
roller (n.) for levelling them came into use.

The steam-gauge (n.) of a boiler shows the
pressure of the steam inside the boiler. A
steam- cylinder (n.) is sometimes surrounded
by a hollow casing, called a steam-jacket (n.),
through which steam is passed to keep the
cylinder very hot.

Steam-engine. — Types of steam-engines : (left) a

modern turbine ; (at the back) an engine of about

fifty years ago ; (right) a rotative mill engine

designed by James Watt 11 736-1 819.)

A steam-tug (n.) is a small, but very
powerful steamer (stem' er, n.), that is,
steamship, used for towing ships. A cook uses
a vessel called a steamer for cooking vege-
tables, puddings, etc., by the heat of steam.
The air is steamy (stem' i, adj.) when charged
with hot vapour. The steaminess (stem' i
nes, n.) of the air in damp, hot places makes
them trying to live in.

A.-S. steam ; akin to Dutch stoom.

stearin (ste" a rin), n. An important
fatty compound present in solid animal and
vegetable fats. (F. stearine.)

4096

STEATITE

STEENKIRK

When partially broken down, stearin gives
glycerine and stearic (ste ar' ik, adj.) acid, a
salt of which is called a stearate (ste' a rat,
».). Stearic acid is used in huge quantities
in the manufacture of soap and candles. In
the trade stearic acid is called stearin.
From Gr. stear hard fat, suet, and E. suffix -in.
steatite (ste' a tit), n. A kind of talc, also
known as soapstone. (F. steatite.}

Steatite is white, grey, greenish, or brown.
It is extremely soft and easy to cut. It has
been used from very early times for orna-
mental carvings, and to-day is also used for
making fire-bricks, powders, paints, etc. It
is widely distributed, being found in Corn-
wall, the Shetland Isles, County Donegal in
Ireland, North America, and elsewhere. A
rock composed of, or of the nature of,
steatite is steatitic (ste a tit' ik, adj.).

From Gr. stear (gen. steat-os) hard fat, with
E. mineralogical suffix -ite.

steed (sted), n. A horse, especially a war-
horse. (F. cheval, destrier.)

This word is now used only in poetical
language or in fun.

A.-S. steda stud horse, charger ; akin to G.
stute brood-mare. See stud [2] .

steel (stel), n. A compound of iron and
carbon, capable of being shaped by hammering
without being broken ; a steel bar for sharp-
ening knives on ; a strip of steel for stiffening
corsets, etc. ; a sword, v.t. To cover, edge,
point, or face with steel ; to harden (the
heart, etc.) ; to nerve (oneself). (F. acier,
fusil, glaive; acerer, endurcir, fortifier.)

Sir Henry Bessemer, the inventor of the
process of steel-making known as the
Bessemer process (which see), once wrote :
" It may be averred that, as certainly as the
age of iron superseded that of bro'nze, so
will the age of steel reign triumphant over
iron." His prophecy has fulfilled itself.

Being stronger and tougher than iron,
and very little more expensive, steel is now
used in its place for many purposes, and the
much greater hardness of some varieties of
steel enable them to carry out duties which
iron could not perform. The more carbon
steel contains, the stronger and more
brittle it becomes, and the better it lends
itself to the process called tempering, by
which it is made intensely hard. Special
alloy steels are now used for metal-cutting
tools. With these work can be done much
more quickly than with ordinary steel tools.
The knights of old were steel-clad (adj.),
that is, clad in steel armour ; modern battle-
ships are steel-clad in the sense of steel-
plated (adj.), protected by steel plates. The
small nails in lawn-tennis shoes to prevent
slipping are called steel-points (n.pl.).

The art of engraving on steel is steel-
engraving (n.). A picture or design engraved
on a plate is a steel-engraving, and a print
taken from this is called by the same name.
Things and structures made of steel are
steel-work (n.). A steel-worker (n.) is one
engaged in manufacturing steel or shaping

it into parts. Things made ol steel, or like
steel in colour or hardness, can be called
steely (stel' i, adj.). We can call hard grey
eyes steely eyes, or can speak of a steely
glance. Steeliness (stel' i nes, n.) is the
quality of being steely. The weighing-
balance called a steelyard (n.) has a short arm
on which the thing to be weighed is hung, and
a long graduated arm along which a sliding
weight is moved to balance it.

To steelify (stel' i fi, v.t.) iron is to convert
it wholly or partly into steel by adding
carbon to it.

A.-S. style : cp. Dutch staal, G. stahl.

Steel. — A Bessemer converter in blast,
pig-iron into steel.

It converts

steenbok (stan' bok ; sten' bok), n. A
small South African antelope, Rhaphiceros
campestris. Other forms include steinbok
(stin' bok) and steinbock (stin' bok), a name
often applied to the Alpine ibex or wild
goat. (F. steinbock.)

The steenbok is tawny in colour, stands
about twenty inches at the shoulder, and
has upright horns about four inches in length .

Dutch from steen stone, bok buck, goat.

steenkirk (sten' kerk), n. A lace
cravat worn loose. Another form is stein-
kirk (sten' kerk). (F. steinkerke.)

The steenkirk was popular towards the
end of the seventeenth century. The loose
ends, instead of being elaborately tied,
were twisted together and thrust through
one of the buttonholes of the coat. The
name, derived from the battle of Steenkerke,
1692, was also applied to wigs, buckles,
and other articles of attire. It is said the
French officers in that battle had no time
for their usual careful toilet.

Steenkerke is a village of Hainaut, Belgium.

4097

STEEP

STEERABLE

steep [i] (step), adj. Sloping sharply ;
colloquially, excessive or unreasonable. A
poetical form is steepy (step7 i, adj.). n.
A steep slope or hill; a precipice. (F.
escarpe, d pic, exagerb, exorbitant: pente
escarpee, precipice.)

Devon and Somerset, and other parts
of the West Country abound in steep hills,
the well-known Porlock Hill being famous
for its steepness (step' nes, n.). In everyday
language, an extravagant demand, such as
an absurdly high price asked for any article,
can be referred to as a bit steep. We
steepen (step' en, v.t.) a path, that is, make

taking some prominent landmark, such as a
steeple, for the goal. From this perhaps
comes the term steeplechase (n.), now used
specially of a horse-race run over a course
provided with hurdles, water-jumps, and other
artificial obstacles. The term is also applied
to a cross-country run, to a foot-race over
a course with artificial obstacles, and to
a race-game played on a board with dice.
The term steeplechaser (n.) is applied both
to a rider in a steeplechase and to a horse
trained for steeplechasing (n.).

A.-S. siepei. sty pel, from steap high. See
steep [i].

steeply (step' li). For this word, steep-

a higher angle. A hill may steepen (v.i.),
or become steeper, at some particular point
where it may be said to rise steeply (step'
li, adv.).

A.-S. steap ; cp. Ice,, steypth-r lofty, steep,,
akin 'to stoeypa to overthrow, causal of slupa to
stoop. See stoop [ij. SYN. : adj. Abrupt,

ANT.

adj.

precipitous, sheer, unreasonable
Gentle, gradual, reasonable.

steep [2] (step), v.t. To soak
in liquid ; to wet thoroughly ;
to saturate, n. The process
of steeping ; a liquid used for
this purpose. (F. tremper, in-
fuser ; immersion, trempage,
infusion.)

Things may be dyed by
being steeped in a coloured
solution. A vessel in which
things are steeped is called a
steeper (step7 er, n.). Figur-
atively, we can speak of a
person being steeped in crime,
in study, slumber, etc.

M.E. stepen ; cp. Swed. slopa,
perhaps akin to E. stoup. SYN. :
v. Imbue, impregnate, pervade,
saturate, soak.

steepen (step7 en). For
this word, steeply, etc., see
under steep [i].

steeper (step7 er). For this
wrord see under steep [2],

steeple (ste7 pi), n. A lofty
structure rising above the roof
of a building, especially a
church tower with spire, belfry,
etc. (F. clocher, fleche.)

We seldom take a country
walk without seeing a steeple,
either perched on a hill or
nestling in a valley. A church
that has a steeple is steepled
(ste7 pld, adj.). The steeple-
jack (n.), the man who climbs
steeples and other high struc-
tures to do repairs, etc., needs steady nerves.
Steeple-crowned (adj.) hats, such as are worn
by Welsh women, have a tall pointed crown
shaped steeplewise (ste7 pi wlz, adv.), like
a steeple.

In olden times owners of hunters would
sometimes race their horses across country,

4098

Steeple.— The graceful steeple

of the church of St. DunstanV

in-the-East, London.

steer [i] (ster), v.t. To guide by means
of a rudder, wheel, handle, or the like ;
to direct (one's course), v.i. To guide a
ship, motor-car, etc. ; to direct one's course.
(F. gouverner, diriger, conduire, tnener, se
diriger ; conduire an gouvernail, se diriger.)
It is no easy task to steer a motor-car
in traffic. We steer clear of, or
I avoid, people we dislike.

A rowing-boat is steerable
(ster7 abl, adj.), that is, can be
i steered, by means of ropes
attached to the rudder, but in
large vessels the stesrer (ster7
er, n.), or man who steers, con-
trols the rudder by means of
a handle, steering-wheel (n.), or
other steering-gear (n.), or
steering (n.), as it is sometimes
called shortly. The steersman
(sterz7 man, n.) is a very im-
portant member of a boat's
crew. Many a race has been
lost through faulty steersman-
ship (sterz7 man ship, n.), that
is, lack of skill in steering.

Passengers travelling at the
cheapest rate are allotted
quarters in the part of a ship
called the steerage (ster7 ij, n.).
Usually this is in the bows, on
or below- the main deck. In a
warship the steerage is the
part of the berth-deck just
forward of the ward-room,
where the junior officers have
their quarters. A ship is said
to have an easy steerage when
she responds easily to the helm.
A vessel makes steerage-way
(n.) when she has sufficient
motion to enable her to be
controlled by the helm.

A.-S. stleran, from ^teor rudder,
originally pole ; cp. Dutch stuur,
G. steuer rudder, Gr. stauros stake. SYN. : Guide.
steer [2] (ster), n. A young ox. (F
bouvillon, bouveau.)

A.-S. stor ; cp. Dutch and G.stier, Icel. stjor-r;
akin to Sansk. sthavira stout.

steerable (ster7 abl). For this word,
steerage, etc., see under steer [ij.

STEEVE

STEM

steeve [i] (stev), v.i-. Of a bowsprit,
to be inclined upwards at an angle, v.t.
To give (a bowsprit) an upward tilt. n.
The angle that a bowsprit makes with the
horizon. (F. elevation du mat de beauprS.)

In a ship of Columbus's time a bowsprit
had a very large steeve or upward tilt,
and a sail was set on a yard below it. The
steeve has gradually lessened, and is now
small where used at all. Small craft usually
have horizontal bowsprits.

Origin doubtful : by some connected with
staff or stiff.

steeve [2] (stev), n. A spar with a
block and tackle at one end, used for stowing
cargo tightly, v.t. To stow (a cargo) with a
steeve ; to pack tightly. (F. estive ; estiver.}

From O.F. estiver, L. stlpare to crowd together,
pack, stow ; cp. Span, esteba stevedore's pole.

steinbock (stm' bok). This is another
form of steenbok. See steenbok.

stele (ste' le ; stel), n. A pillar, upright
slab, or other pre-
pared surface with
inscriptions or decor-
ative designs sculp-
tured on it. Another
form is stela (ste'
la), pi. stelae (ste 'le),
stelas (ste' laz) or
steles (stelz). (F.
stele.}

Stelae were often
very elaborately
carved or painted,
and many of the
stelar (ste' lar, adj.)
or stelene (ste' len,
adj.) decorations
were very beautiful.

Stelae were set up
by the ancient
Egyptians, Greeks,
and other peoples as
memorials of the
dead, as milestones,
or for recording
decrees, laws,
treaties, etc. Some remarkable examples of
Mayan stelae have been discovered in
Guatemala and South Mexico.

GJ. stele post, pillar.

stellar (stel' ar), adj. Relating to the
stars or a star ; of the nature of a star ;
shaped like a star. (F. stellawe.)

An astronomer spends much of his time
in making stellar observations. The stitch-
worts and the chickweed belong to the
genus of plants called Stellaria (stel ar' i a,
n.). These have stellate (stel' at, adj.),
stellated (stel' at ed, adj.), or stelliform (stel'
i form, adj.), that is, star-shaped, flowers,
the petals of which are arranged round a
centre stellately (stel' at li, adv.), in the
form of a star.

The word stelliferous (ste lif er us, adj.)
means bearing stars or having star-shaped

British Museum.

Stele. — A stele of an
Assyrian king.

Stem.— The stem is the

foremost part of a

ship's keel.

markings. Some crystals are stellular (stel'
u lar, adj.), or stellulate (stel' u lat, adj.)t
that is, shaped like little stars.

L.L. stellanus, from L. Stella star. See star.

stem [i] (stem), n. The main ascending
part of a tree, shrub,
or other plant ; the
stalk of a leaf, flower,
or fruit ; a term for
various stem-like
parts, such as the
part of a wineglass
between the foot and
the cup, or of a pipe
between the mouth-
piece and the bowl;
the part of a watch-
case carrying the
chain-ring ; the fore-
most member of a
ship, to which the
sides are fastened ;
the part of a noun, verb, or adjective to
which endings are affixed ; the stock or
main line of descent of a family ; a race.
v.t. To remove the stem from. (F. tige,
souche, tuyau, ttrave, vace ; dtmembrer.)

The stem of a plant raises the leaves so
that they may get light and air. Leaves
may grow out of it directly, or on branches
which it throws off. Some stems run along
the ground, and some even underground.
A potato is an underground stem greatly
thickened, and a bulb is the same.

A wave that sweeps a vessel from stem
to stern washes the whole length of its decks.
A keyless watch is sometimes called a stern-
winder (n.), as the winding spindle passes
through the stem. Some plants are stem-
less (stem' les, adj.) — they have no stem.

A stemlet (stem' let, n.) is a small stem.
Stemmed (stemd, adj.) tobacco is tobacco
leaf with the stems removed. In the sense
of having a stem, stemmed is generally
used in combination ; thus we speak of long-
stemmed or short-stemmed wineglasses. A
stemmer (stem' er, n.) is a person or machine
that stems or removes stems. In tobacco
manufacture a workman who strips tne
stem from the leaf is called a stemmer.

A.-S. stefn, stemn ; cp. Dutch stam, G. siamm
trunk, stem, and Dutch, G. steven, O. Norse stain,
stamn ship's stem. SYN. : n. Stalk, stock.

stem [2] (stem), v.t. To meet (a current,
tide, etc.) stem-on ; to make progress
against; to resist; to check; in mining,
to plug (a hole) for blasting, v.i. Of a
ship, to keep a certain course. (F. refouler,
tenir tete a, s'opposer a, arreter, etanchpr.
bourrer.)

A ship stems a gale when she ploughs
steadily through the waves. A cut artery
has to be closed by pressure to stem the
flow of blood.

Akin to G. stemmen to dam up, check, so
Icel. stemma, Dan. stemme, confused with stem
[i] of a ship. SYN. : Check, stanch, stop.

4099

STEMLESS

STEP

stemless (stem' les). For this word,
stemmer, etc., see under stem [i],

stemple (stem' pi), n. A cross-timber
in a mine-working, serving as a support or
a step. (F. traverse, poteau, etai^)

Cp. M. Dutch stympel foot of a piece of
furniture.

stench (stensh), n. A very offensive
smell. (F. puanteur.)

At intervals along a sewer a stench-trap
(n.) is inserted to prevent the escape of
foul gases into the air.

A.-S. stenc from stincan to emit a powerful
smell. See stink. SYN. : Stink.

stencil (sten' sil), n. A card or metal
sheet in which words or patterns are cut
out, so that paint or ink may pass through

systems of stenography are based on that
published by Pitman in 1837.

An expert stenographer (ste nog' ra fer,
n.} or stenographist (ste nog' ra fist, n.} — one
who writes in shorthand — can take down
250 words a minute. A stenotype (sten' 6
tip, n.} is a letter or combination of letters
used to represent a word or phrase.

From E. steno- and -graphy.

stentor (sten' tor; sten' tor), n. A
person with a very strong voice ; a howling
monkey ; a species of trumpet-shaped
protozoa. (F. stentor.)

The original Stentor was the legendary
herald of the Greeks at Troy. According
to Homer he could shout as loud as fifty

V/L4U. J\J UJ-J-CVU lVt*AiA^ \S*. A * A -•.». J.*.M.I*J m^i.*.^^ •*•»»«. v*»&»« ,. rr^t i 1 f .

the spaces on to a surface underneath; a ordinary men The most modern of sten-

design produced with a stencil; a pigment tors— called also a stentorphone (sten tor

i • ji • i • j _.r _i_ . _— i__j ._ i -j ion. n.} — is an eiecrnraJ lona -sneaker nsen

used in this kind of work ; a substance laid
over parts of the surface of a pottery design
to protect them from oil. v.t. To paint
(letter, designs, etc.) by means of a stencil ;
to decorate (a surface) in this way. (F.
stencil, pochoir, dessin au pochoir ; tracer
au pochoir.)

Names and addresses are stencilled on

fon, n.) — is an electrical loud-speaker used
in railway stations to utter stentorian (sten
tor' i an, adj.), that is, very loud, instruc-
tions to passengers.

step (step), v.i. To move and set down
a foot or alternate feet ; to go a short
distance or in a specified direction by or
as by stepping ; to walk or dance slowly,

packing-cases, and prices on tickets for or in a stately way. v.t. To do, perform, or
shops. The artistic stenciller (sten' sil er, measure by stepping ; to place the foot
n.) — one who does stencilling — is able to of (a mast), etc., in a step or socket, n.
repeat beautiful designs in this way on walls A pace ; a complete movement of the leg
and furniture. Stencils of words can be cut in walking, running, etc. ; the distance
with a special writing apparatus
or with a typewriter on waxed
sheets, for printing many copies.
Stencilling is much used in
textile printing and also in print-
ing wallpapers.

From M.E. stencelen, O.F. esten-
celer to cause to sparkle, from
estencele (F. etincelle) through
assumed L.L. stincilla by metathesis
for L. scintilla spark.

steno-. A prefix meaning
narrow. (F. steno-.)

A stenochrome (sten' 6 krom,
n.) is a coloured print produced
by a process called stenochromy
(ste nok' ro mi, n.), which enables
several blocks, each printing a
different colour, to be used at
the same time.

Gr. stenos narrow.

Step. — "The Step." From the painting by John Pettie, R.A.
(1839-93), a Scottish portrayer of chivalrous romance.

stenograph (sten' 6 graf), n. A
character used in shorthand ; something
written in shorthand ; one of various kinds
of machines for writing in shorthand. (F.
stenographie, stenotype.)

The art of representing sounds by steno-
graphs, called stenography (ste nog' ra fi, n.}
or shorthand-writing, has been practised
in some form for several centuries. In
the time of Cicero the Romans used an
abbreviated longhand for taking down
orations. A machine called a stenograph
bears types impressed with stenographic
(sten 6 graf ik, adj.) characters, and is
worked by pressing keys. Most modern

traversed thus ; a short distance ; the noise
made in stepping ; a mark made by the
foot ; a footprint ; a particular group of
movements of the feet in dancing ; the
manner of stepping ; simultaneous rhyth-
mic stepping by two or more people or
animals ; a single stair or tread in a flight ;
a rung of a ladder ; a support for the feet
in entering or leaving a vehicle ; that on
which the foot is placed in ascending or
descending ; a notch cut in ice or rock
to give support to the feet in climbing ; a
wood, iron, brick or stone platform before
a door, etc. ; a rest for the bottom of a
vertical shaft ; the socket into which the

4100

STEP-

STEPHANOTIS

bottom of a mast fits ; an action or measure
taken in a series ; a degree in scale or pro-
gress ; promotion or advancement from
one degree to another ; a rise in rank or
place ; (pi.) a hinged, self-supporting step-
ladder. (F. faire un pas, faire quelques pas,
marcher au pas; executer, dresser; pas, a
deux pas, empreinte, marche, degre, echelon,
marchepied, seuil, piedestal, emplanture,
demarche, avancement, echelle double.)

Infants have to be taught how to step
in walking, so that they .place the feet
correctly, and step with one foot after the
other in orderly and regular step. When
using an escalator it is important to step
off with the correct foot, or else one's steps
may be somewhat confused as the steps
or treads of the machine flatten out and
one steps on to the landing again.

On some foreign railways the platform
is often low, and so the coaches are provided
with projecting steps on which the passengers
rest the feet when alighting. Perhaps the
attendant of the car may place a short ladder
or pair of steps against the coach, on to
which people may step to reach the platform.

To step across or step over a puddle is
to stride across it. To step across to the
post-office is to go there We speak of going
a step or a few steps with a guest on his
return journey when we accompany him
for a short distance, or a short step. From
temptation to crime is sometimes only a
short step. The spider in the nursery
rhyme asked the fly to enter, or step into
his parlour. Ralegh, according to the
story, spread his cloak before Elizabeth,
in order that the Queen might not step
into the mire.

We may recognize a person in the distance
by his step or gait, or we may identify
him by the sound of his step when he enters
the house. It may be a quick and vigorous
step or a loud and heavy step.

Riggers step a mast when they erect
it in place. When a new dance comes out
we have to learn the step. To take a serious
step is to act in a way that may have grave
consequences. An officer is said to get
his step when he receives promotion. He
may make use of his leisure to qualify him-
self for promotion to a higher step or grade.

In many houses there is a step-ladder
(n.), or pair of steps, which opens out into
the form of an inverted V, and is self-
supporting. The word also means a straight
ladder with flat treads instead of round
rungs.

Platforms in greenhouses are stepped
(stept, adj.), that is, arranged stepwise
(step7 wiz, adv.), in the form of steps —
each higher and farther back than the one
below it. A horse is a fast stepper (step'
er, n.) if it moves quickly. A stepping-
stone (n.) is one of several stones laid in
a stream on which to cross. In a figurative
sense it signifies a means to an end. A

Step. — The steps of a mountain path in the picturesque
island of Capri, Italy.

step-dance (n.) is a dance performed by a
person to show some special form of step.
A.-S. steppan ; cp. Dutch stap, G. stapfe
footstep. SYN. : v. Advance, proceed, n.
Action, degree, measure, proceeding, stage.

step- (step). A prefix used to denote
nominal relationship, such as that which
exists when one parent dies and the surviving
one remarries. (F. beau-, belle-.)

If a boy and girl lose their mother through
death their father may marry again, in
which case the new mother or stepmother
(n.) will call the boy and girl her stepson
(«0 and stepdaughter (n.) respectively,
and each will be her stepchild (n.), to whom
she is a stepparent («.).

Perhaps the stepmother, when she mar-
ries, is a widow, and has children of her
own, in which case these latter will call
their new father stepfather (n.), and the
brother and sister they gain by the mar-
riage will be stepbrother (n.) and stepsister
(n.) respectively.

It used to be thought that stepmothers
were hard on their stepchildren, and step-
motherly (adj.) treatment meant neglectful
or unkind treatment. Perhaps this idea,
which, of course, is quite unfounded, was
derived from the unkind stepmother of
the fairy tales.

A.-S. sleop- orphaned ; cp. Dutch and G. sue/-.

stephanotis (stef a no' tis), n. A genus of
tropical climbing plants with waxy flowers.

The stephanotis, 5. floribunda, is culti-
vated as a hot-house plant. With its deep

4101

STEPMOTHER

STEREOTYPE

green leaves and fragrant waxy flowers
it is one of the most popular species.

From Gr. Stephanos crown, garland, ous (gen
dt-os) ear, lobe.

stepmother (step' muth er). For this
word, stepparent, etc., see under step-.

steppe (step), n. A vast treeless plain,
especially in Russia an;i Siberia. (F. steppe.}

Ru3. stepe.

stepping-stone (step' ing ston). One
of a series of raised stones placed in a
stream, marsh, etc., to enable people to
cross dry-shod. See under step.

stepsister (step' sis ter). For this word
see under step-.

stereo (ster' e 6; ster'e 6). This is a
shortened form of stereotype. See stereotype.

stereo-. A prefix meaning solid, stiff,
hard, firm. (F. stereo-}

The stereebate (ster' e 6 bat, n.} of a
building is a solid foundation or base.
The branch of chemistry named stereo-
chemistry (ster e 6 kem' is tri, n.} is con-
cerned with the composition of matter
as it is affected by the spacing of atoms in
the molecule. Painting done with pig-
ments mixed with water-glass to render
them permanent is called stereochromy
(ster' e 6 kro mi, n.}.

A stereo-electric (ster e 6 e lek' trik, adj.},
or thermo-electric current is one which
passes through a circuit containing a joint
of two different metals when these are
brought together at different temperatures.

Solid objects are delineated on a plane
surface by means of the art of stereography
(ster e og' ra fi, n.}. A stereograph (ster'
e 6 graf, n } or stereogram (ster' e 6 gram, n.}
is a drawing made by stereography.

Maps of the hemispheres in an atlas are
usually made by stereographic (ster e 6
graf ik, adj.} or stereographical (ster e 6
graf ik al, adj.} projection, the sphere being
delineated on the plane of a great circle.
Crystals also are sometimes represented
stereographically (ster e 6 graf ik al li,
adv.} to show their shape.

A stereome (ster' e 6m, n.} is a strengthen-
ing tissue of cells forming a support for a
part of a plant, especially the outer wall
of a stem.

The name of stereometer (ster e om' e ter,
n } is given to an instrument for measuring
the volume of bodies, and also to one of
another kind used to determine the specific
gravity of a substance which an ordinary
hydrometer cannot deal with. The making
of stereometric (ster e 6 met' rik, adj.} or
stereometrical (ster e 6 met' rik al, adj }
measurements is called stereometry (ster
e om' e tri, n.}.

Dissolving magic-lantern views are thrown
by a double lantern called a stereopticon
(ster e op' ti kon, n.}.

Gr. stereos, hard, solid.

stereoscope (ster' e 6 skop; ster' e 6
skop), n. An instrument through which two

photographs taken at slightly different angles
are viewed by both eyes at the same time,
the images blending to form one with an
appearance of solidity. (F. stereoscope.)

The stereoscope comprises a lens for each
eye, and a support to hold the double photo-
graph to be viewed. A stereoscopic (ster e
6 skop' ik ; ster e 6 skop' ik, adj.} photograph
is one suited for use in the stereoscope. It
must have been taken stereoscopically (ster
e 6 skop' ik al li ; ster e 6 skop' ik al li, adv.},
with a stereoscopic camera, which is in effect
two cameras side by side, with the centre
of their lenses about two and a half inches
apart, at an angle of convergence resembling
that of the human eyes.

The camera " sees " the objects from
slightly divergent angles in the same way
as our two eyes, and when we look at the
mounted prints through a stereoscope, the
images are blended, solid objects standing
out in bold relief, and appearing solid and
not flat as in an ordinary photograph.

The art of using the stereoscope or 'of
making slides for the instrument is called
stereoscopy (ster e os' ko pi ; ster e os' ko pi,
n.}.

From E. stereo- and scope, here meaning a
device for seeing objects in the solid or round.

Stereoscope. — The stereoscope, an instrument by
means of which two images are blended into one.

stereotype (ster' e 6 tip ; ster' e 6 tip), n.
A printing-plate cast in a mould taken from
set type. v.t. To take a stereotype of ; to
make regular and formal ; to make un-
changeable. (F. stereotype, clichd ; stereo-
type?, dicker, banaliser, fixer.}

The stereotyper (ster' e 6 tip er ; ster' e 6
tip er, n.}, one engaged in making stereo-
types, presses a pad of damp paper on to the
type forme, and beats it down with a stiff
brush, so that it takes the impression of
the type. The flong, as the pad is called,
which thus becomes a mould of the type, is
dried and put in a casting-box, and type
metal poured on to it. The cast plate or
stereo (ster' e 6 ; ster' e 6, n.} as it is usually
called, is then planed up and fixed in a
printing-press in place of type.

In business concerns and government
offices conventional letters or memoranda,
such as those acknowledging orders, money,
or letters, are couched usually in formal or
stereotyped phrases, the same or similar

4102

STERILE

STERN

wording being used with unvarying re-
gularity. Some people carry fixed and
stereotyped ideas through life, and are not
disposed to listen to anything which might
cause them to modify their views.

From E. stereo- and type.

sterile (ster' II), adj. Barren; unfruitful;
containing no living germs ; sterilized ;
barren of ideas. (F. sterile.}

Soil which has been
excessively cropped may
become unfruitful or
sterile. Milk is heated to
a certain point to kill any
germs and so ensure its
sterility (ste ril' i ti, n.}.
Poetry or other literary
work which is destitute of
originality or poor in ideas
is said to be barren or
sterile.

Surgeons sterilize (ster'
il Iz, v.t.) their instruments,
or make them sterile and
free from microbes. The
sterilization (ster il 1 za'
shim n.} is effected by
boiling and by the use of
chemicals. A sterilizer
(ster'il Iz er, n.} is a boiler
or other apparatus used in
sterilizing.

F., from L. sterilis ; akin
to Gr. stereos hard, stiff, and
G. starr rigid. SYN. : Barren,
unproductive. ANT : Fertile, fruitful, productive.

sterlet (ster7 let), n. A species of sturgeon,
Acipenser ruthenus. (F. sterlet, strelet.}

This sturgeon rarely exceeds three feet
in length, and is highly prized for food.
The sterlet is found in the Danube and other
rivers, and in the Black Sea and the Caspian.

F. or G., from Rus. sterlyadi.

sterling (ster' ling), adj. Of standard
value ; genuine ; pure ; sound ; of genuine
worth, n. British money. (F. pur, de bon
aloi, droit ; sterling.)

This word is used of coins or precious
metals. The British sovereign, or pound
sterling as it is often called, is accepted all
over the world at its face value, for the Royal
Mint was always careful to see that it was
of standard value and contained the full
weight of gold of the specified degree of
purity. Pure, unalloyed silver is called
sterling silver.

An article of sterling value is one not
showy or trashy, but of real worth. We
may say of a trustworthy boy that he is a
sterling fellow, and has sterling qualities.

Originally the E. silver penny, perhaps from a
"little star" on it. SYN. : adj. Fine, pure,
real, unalloyed, worthy. ANT. : adj. False,
pinchbeck, showy, trashy, unrefined.

stern [i] (stern), adj. Severe ; grim ;
rigid ; strict ; unyielding. (F. severe,
austere, opinidtre.}

Sterilize. — A sterilizing apparatus by means

of which three hundred dental instruments

can be sterilized in thirty, minutes.

A just judge must be stern and severe
with those who commit crimes of violence.
He must punish sternly (stern' li, adv.] on
occasion, while in certain cases he may de^in
a stern rebuke to be sufficient. Soldiers
are subject to a stern and rigid discipline,
and are inured to a stern and arduous life,
so that they may bear privations, and resist
an enemy with sternness
(stern' nes, n.} and for-
titude.

In poetical language the
wind and wave-swept
cliffs of a rocky isle in
northern latitudes might
be said to present a stern
and inhospitable aspect,
or to frown sternly on the
voyager.

A.-S. styrne ; akin to E.
stare, and Gr. stereos hard.
SYN. : Austere, forbidding,
harsh, rigid, ruthless. ANT. :
Compassionate, gentle,
lenient, mild, tolerant.

stern [2] (stern ; starn),
n. The back part of a ship
or boat ; the rump or tail
of an animal. (F. poupe,
arriere, croupe.}

The stern of a vessel is
at the hind end or that
opposite to the bow or
stem. A stern-chase (n.),
that is, a chase in which a
pursuing vessel follows in
the wake of one pursued, is proverbially a
long chase. The leading ship will perhaps
use a stern-chaser (n.), a gun -fixed in the
stern to fire aft, to check the pursuit.

A stern-fast (n.) is a rope or chain mooring
a ship by the stern. The stern-post (n.) of
a ship is an upright bar in which the lower
part of a ship's stern ends and to which the
rudder is attached. The stern-post, or stern-
frame (n.) as it is also called, of a big line.r,
is a casting weighing up to one hundred tons.
The stern-sheets (n.pl.) of an open boat
are the boards covering the floor near the
stern. The space
between the stern
and the aftermost
thwart also goes by
the name of stern-
sheets. A ship
makes sternway
(stern' wa, n.), when
she moves stern-
foremost (adv.), that
is, backwards. Some
river steamers have
a single paddle-
wheel, called a stern-
wheel (n.), at the
stern. Such a
steamer, named a
stern- wheeler (n.), is suited
water and narrow channels.

Stern.— The stern is the

back portion of a ship or

boat.

for shallow
The word

4103

STERN-

STEVEDORE

sterned (sternd, adj.), meaning having a
stern, is used in combination with other
words, as in flat-sterned, square-sterned.

The sternmost (stern' most, adj.) mast of
a ship is that nearest the stern, while the
sternmost ship of a fleet is one farthest to
the rear.

A ship makes a sternward (stern' ward,
adj.) movement when she goes sternward
(adv.), or sternwards (stern' wardz, adv.),
that is, astern, or stern first.

M.E. sterne steering gear, akin to steer ; cp.
O. Norse stjorn steering. See steer. SYN. : Rear.
ANT. : Bow, head, stem.

stern-, sterno-. Prefixes denoting a
connexion with the sternum or breast- bone.
(F. sterno-.}

The term sternalgia (ster nal' ji a, n.) may
refer to any pain in the chest, but is em-
ployed usually with reference to the sternal
(ster' nal, adj.) pains, or those in the region of
the sternum (ster' mini, n.), which accompany
the affection called angina pectoris. The
sternum or breast-bone in an adult is about
seven inches long, and is somewhat like a
dagger in shape, with the blade pointing
downwards. The true ribs are joined to the
sternum by cartilage.

The word sternoclavicular (ster no kla vik'
u lar, adj.), is used to describe anything con-
nected both with the breast-bone and the
clavicle, or collar bone.

From L. sternum, Gr. sternon breast-bone.

sternly (stern' li), adv. Rigidly; severely ;
strictly. See under stern [i].

sternmost (stern' most), adj. Situated
nearest the stern, or farthest to the rear.
See under stern [2].

sternum (ster' num), n. The breast-bone.
See under stern-. (F. sternum.}

L., from Gr. sternon chest, breast.

sternutation (ster nu ta' shun), n. A
sneeze ; the act of sneezing. (F. sternutation,
eternument.}

Snuff is a sternutative (ster nu' ta tiv, adj.)
or sternutatory (ster nu' ta to ri, adj.) sub-
stance, and, if inhaled, causes sternu-
tation. The use of some such sternutative
(n.) or sternutatory (n.), made of ground or
powdered tobacco, was fashionable until the
early nineteenth century, but is far less
common now.

L. sternu'atio (ace. -on-em) from sternu'dre
frequentative of sternuere to sneeze. SYN. :
Sneeze, sneezing.

sternward (stern' ward), adj. Situated in
or towards the stern, adv. Astern ; towards
the direction of the stern. See under stern [2] .

stertorous (ster' tor us), adj. Marked by
or resembling snoring. (F. stertoreux.)

This is a word used of a person or of his
breathing when he breathes in a deep,
heavy, laboured way, as if snoring. Such
stertorous breathing occurs in some diseases.
A person who is ill may breathe stertorously
(ster' tor us li, adv.}, but stertorousness
(ster' tor us nes, n.) is not always a symptom
of disease.

From Modern L. siertor a snoring, from L.
stertere to snore, and E. adj. suffix -ous.

stet (stet), v.t. To write " stet " against,
meaning " let it stand." (F. bon.)

Stet is a direction used in proof correcting.
The word is employed to cancel a correction
or alteration made in printed or written
matter. To stet a deleted or altered letter,
word, or phrase, the word stet is written at
the side, and has the effect of restoring the
letter, etc., to its original form. Proof
correctors also usually place a line of dots
beneath the letters which are to be stetted.

L. third person sing, present subjunctive of
stare to stand.

stethoscope (steth' 6 skop), n. An instru-
ment used for listening to body sounds,
usually in the region of the chest, v.t. To
examine with this instrument. (F. stetho-
scope ; ausculter.}

A stethoscope consists of a tube, at one end
of which is a small funnel-shaped chest-piece
and at the other a rather larger ear-piece.
Nowadays most doctors use a binaural
stethoscope, which has two ear tubes. The
stethoscopist (ste thos' ko pist, n.} can gain
valuable information about the state of the
heart and lungs by a stethoscopic (steth 6
skop' ik, adj.} examination.

Recruits for the army and navy and people
taking out life insurance policies, are
generally examined stethoscopically (steth 6
skop' ik al li, adv.}, or by stethoscopy (ste
thos' ko pi, n.}, as part of the routine
medical inspection they undergo.

The wooden rod with which a waterworks
inspector listens for the sound of water pass-
ing through the pipes
is called a stetho-
scope. When one end
is put on the valve
spindles, the listener
can detect the pass-
age of water by his
ear applied at the
other end. Should
the inspector find
that water thus
flows late at night,
when the house
supply is normally
shut off, he suspects
a waste.

From Gr. stethos
chest, and E. -scope.
stevedore (ste' ve dor), n. A man who
stows cargo in ships ; one who loads or
unloads vessels. (F. arrimeur.)

A stevedore takes charge of the stowage
of a ship's cargo. His work requires much
skill, since articles of many kinds have to
be stowed, and everything must be fixed so
that it cannot shift. Weight must be care-
fully distributed, and space must be used to
the best advantage.

From Span, estivador from estivar to stow a
cargo, L.L. stlvdre (and agent n. stlvdtor), L.
stlpdre to crowd together, to stow. See steeve.

Stethoscope. — Doctors use
a stethoscope to obtain in-
formation about the state
of the heart and lungs.

4104

STEW

STICK

stew [i] (stu), v.t. To cook by long
simmering or slow boiling, v.i. To be cooked
in this way ; to be oppressed by a close or
warm atmosphere, n. A dish prepared by
stewing ; a state of anxiety or worry.
(F. cuire a I'etuvee, etuver, mijoter ; s'appreter
en ragout, etouffer ; ragout, transe.)

Stews are made in a closed saucepan or
earthen pot, called a stew-pan (n.), or stew-
pot (n.}. A favourite dish of this kind is
Irish stew, prepared from mutton, onions,
and potatoes. The ingredients are allowed to
stew, or boil slowly, in a little liquid for some
time. Fruit, such as apples, pears, prunes,
etc., is cooked by stewing.

Tea is described as stewed when it gets very
strong from standing too long. A person is
in a stew when he is perplexed or disturbed.

O.F. estuver to have a hot bath, from estuve
heated room or bath. See stove.

stew [2] (stu), n. A fish pond ; a pond
or tank in which fish are kep>t alive until
required for the table ; an artificial oyster-
bed. (F. piscine, pare a huitres.}

O.F. estui tub for fish, perhaps akin to G.
stau dam, stauen dam up.

steward (stu' ard), n. A person employed
to manage another person's property or
affairs ; one who looks after the supply of
provisions, etc. for a college, club, ship, etc. ;
an attendant or waiter on board ship ; an
official at a race-meeting, ball, exhibition,
or other gathering. (F. intendanl, cconome,
steward, commissaire.}

The management of a large estate or
household may be placed in the hands of a
steward, who collects the rents, sees to the
accounts and generally superintends the
domestic staff. In the parable of the unjust
steward (Luke xvi), we read of one who was
called upon to give an account of his steward-
ship (stu' ard ship, n.).

Officials in control of
a race-meeting or those

»who perform a like duty
at a public meeting,
flower-show, dance, etc.,
,r are called stewards. On
board ship, the chief
•steward supervises the
Steward.— Badge of supply and preparation

steward in the Royal of f OOd and provisions ;

Navy> he and his assistants,

also called stewards, attend to the wants
of the passengers ; ladies may be waited on
by a female attendant called a stewardess
(stu' ard es, n.).

The arrangements at a coronation are in
the hands of an officer of state, called the
Lord High Steward, who may also be
appointed to preside at a trial of a peer.

A.-S. stigweard, from stig, perhaps hall, and
ward. See sty [i].

stichomyth (stik' 6 mith), n. Dialogue
in alternating metrical lines. Stichomythia
(stik 6 mith' i a) has the same meaning.
(F. stichomythie.}

Gr. from" stikhos verse, line, mythos speech.

stick (stik), v.t. To thrust the point of
(in, through, etc.) ; to kill by thrusting a
knife into ; to stab ; to insert ; to fix ; to
thrust ; to impale ; to fix on or as on a
pointed object ; to attach or fasten by
or as by a point ; to place or set ; to
cause to adhere ; to attach by or as by
adhesion ; to bring to a stand ; to nonplus ;
to furnish (a plant)
with a stick ; to com-
pose (type), v.i. To
be fixed by or with
a point, or in a man-
ner resembling this ;
to protrude ; to ad-
here ; to be or remain
fixed, by or as by
adhesion (in a place,
or in the mind) ; to
lose motion by or as
by jamming, friction,
etc. ; to be unpro-
gressive, or slow ; to
be checked or hin-
dered ; to remain
attached (to) ; to be
constant or faithful
(to) ; to persist ; to
hesitate or stop (at).
n. A thin shoot or
branch cut or broken
from a tree ; a rod,
wand, or baton of
wood or other
material ; anything
resembling this ; '.a

staff or cane to 4>arry in the. hand ; an
adjustable box forisetting type-;, a mast or
spar ; a stupid or awkward person ; a
thrust ; a jab ; a stab. p.t. and p.p. stuck
(stuk). (F. piquer, percer, fixer , enf oncer ,
empaler, clouer, coller, assembler, composer ;
s' attacker, adherer, se coller, se coincer,
s'empetrer, rester fidele, persister, hesiter ;
baguette, baton, composteur, mat, buche,
coup.}

A collector of insects sticks a setting pin
through an insect after it has been killed,
and sticks it to his setting board by sticking
in the pin. Receipts, etc., are stuck on to a
spike file, the point of which sticks up from
a base in an erect position, and sticks, or
juts, out from the papers impaled on it.
A gardener sticks his plants when they
grow high enough to need support.

Door fastenings which become rusted are
apt to stick, and are moved or operated
with difficulty ; the wheels of a machine
insufficiently oiled may stick, or come to
a standstill, through friction. Windows
stick in their sashes when the wood becomes
warped.

A man who will stick at nothing is one
without any scruples. A pertinacious one
sticks to his task despite hindrances or im-
pediments. We stick up, or set up, a target
to be shot at ; billposters are employed
to stick or paste up advertisements on

Stick-insect. — A stick-
insect standing on its
bead.

4105

H 7

STICKLEBACK

STIFF

hoardings. Stamps are coated with gum
so that they will adhere when we stick them
on letters. A loyal person is always ready to
stick up for, or support, his friends, and to
stick up to or oppose people who treat them
unfairly. A bully will often turn tail if one
sticks up to, or resists, him with a show of
courage.

We use sticks of many kinds — walking-
sticks, drum-sticks, sticks of sealing-wax, and
sticks for lighting the fire. A ship is said to
have the sticks blown out of her when she is
dismasted by a gale.

A village or town is sometimes described as
stick-in-the-mud (adj.) if dull and unpro-
gressive, and a stick-in-the-mud (n.) is a
person of whom the same things could be
said, who sticks and makes no progress.

A sticker (stik' er, n.) is a thing that sticks,
or a person who sticks ; a bill-poster is
known also as a bill-sticker. In cricket, a
batsman who can keep his wicket up, but
scores few runs, is described as a sticker ;
in an organ a sticker is a wooden rod con-
necting a key with a pallet.

A stickful (stik' ful, n.) of printing-type
is as much as a composing-stick will hold.
When the compositor's stick is full he must
lift out the type on to a galley. One cannot
turn a screw any further when it reaches its
sticking-place (n.), or sticking-point (n.).
Lady Macbeth, in Shakespeare's play (i, 7);,
bade her husband screw his courage to
the sticking place, when they were planning
the murder of Duncan.

The edges of small wounds can be brought
together with the aid of a piece of sticking-
plaster (n.), which is linen covered with a
sticky (stik' i, adj.), that is, glutinous ".on
viscous, coating, so that it sticks or adheres
firmly to a substance it is pressed against;

The tongues of some reptiles are coated
'stickily (stik' i li, adv.), so that insects they
touch stick to them, and are thus captured.1
Jam and treacle are characterized by
stickiness (stik' i nes, n.), that is, a sticky
quality.

The Scottish word stickit (stik' it, adj.)
means stuck fast, unable to proceed. It is
used figuratively in the term " stickit
minister," meaning a pastor who fails to be
elected to a pastorate.

There are several genera of stick-insect (n.).
They live in hot countries, and have long
thin bodies and legs. When they are at rest
the legs are kept rigid and stretched out, so that
the insects are easily mistaken for small twigs
A stuck-up (adj.) collar stands up straight
round the neck ; a stuck-up person is one
who gives himself airs.

A fusion of M.E. steken (cp.. Low G. steken, G,
stecheri) to stick, prick, and stikian (A.-S. stician;
G. sleeken) to stick fast ; both akin to E. steak,
stitch, stigma, instigate. SYN. : v. Adhere, attach,
cement, cling, fasten, n. Baton, rod, twig, wand.
stickleback (stik' 1 bak), n. A small fish
with a spiny back, of the genus Gasterosteus.
(F. epinoche.)

The three-spined, four-spined and nine-
spined sticklebacks are found in fresh water.
These very small fishes are most active and
greedy. The male builds a pear-shaped nest
of grasses and tends the eggs most carefully.
There is also a marine stickleback found round
the coasts of Great Britain. It has fifteen
spines, and measures about six inches in
length.

From A.-S. sticel prickle (cp. G, stichel, stachel)
and back. See stick.

Stickleback.— This species of stickleback lives in
ponds and builds a nest of grass.

stickler (stik' ler), n. One who insists
on or stubbornly contends for something. (F.
disputeur obstine, formaliste.)

This word is always followed by " for."
A stickler for etiquette is one who demands
the strict observance of good manners and
formalities.

From M'.E. stightlen to act as umpire, trequen-
tative"of A.-S. ,'stihtan (M. Dutch stichtn, G. stiffen)
to found, constitute.

. sticky (stik' i). This is an adjective
formed from 'stick. See under stick.
. stiff (stif), adj. Rigid ; not easily bent ;
unyielding ; not flexible ; not working
freely ; firm ; obstinate ; formal or precise ;
haughty ; " lacking grace or ease ; difficult ;
hard to deal with or accomplish ; of liquor,
strong ; of prices, high ; thick or sticky ;
riot , fluid. . (F. raide, inflexible, tenace,
opinidtre, guindi, arrogant, gauche, rude,
fort, pdteux.}

A 'door with stiff hinges does not open
easily. Cartridge 'paper is a stiff kind used
for making strong envelopes. Stiff shirt
fronts and high starched collars are con-
sidered uncomfortable wear by many men
who lead an active open-air life. A sailing
vessel that does not heel over much when she
has a stiff or strong wind abeam, is termed
a stiff ship. It is hard work digging in stiff
clay which is thick and tenacious.

A person who returns a stiff, or constrained,
bow to our greetings, or who bows stiffly
(stif li, adv.], may do so because he is natur-
ally reserved in manner, lacking in gracious -
ness, or else because he is feeling stiff after
heavy exertions. This latter kind of stiffness
(stif nes, n.} causes the muscles to ache when
they are moved. A rheumatic affection
which makes it painful for a person to turn

4106

STIFLE

STIGMA

his head is known popularly as stiff-neck («.).
A stiff-necked (adj.) person, too, may be one
who is self-willed and displays stiff-necked-
ness (n.), that is, stubbornness or obstinacy.

A stiff examination is one that tries all our
resources. There is said to be a stiff market
when the prices for some commodity do
not fluctuate, but remain firm. In a collo-
quial sense a stiff price means one that is
unreasonably high. When in trouble it is
best to keep a stiff upper lip, that is, to
be brave .or firm. A stiffish (stif ' ish, adj.)
climb is one that is somewhat stiff, which,
in this connexion, means difficult.

Anything that becomes stiff is said to
stiffen (stif7 en, -v.i.). Starch is used , to
stiffen (v.t.), or make stiff, the. fronts and

on its sound leg what is called a stifle-shoe
(n.), a specially constructed shoe which has
the effect of strengthening the weak joint.

Possibly connected with stiff.

stigma (stig' ma), n. A mark made with
a branding-iron on slaves, criminals, etc. ;
a mark or stain of disgrace or infamy ; in
botany, the part of a flower pistil that receives
the pollen ; in anatomy and zoology, a small
natural mark, spot, or pore on the skin ;
in pathology, a small red spot on the human
skin that bleeds under the stimulus of
excitement, etc. ; a distinguishing mark that
is an unpleasant or unfavourable symptom ;
(pi.) marks on the body corresponding to
the wounds of Christ after the crucifixion.
pi. stigmas (stig' maz) and, for the last

cuffs of, dress-shirts,, a process, described as four definitions, stigmata (stig' ma ta).

stiffening (stif' en ing, n.). ' Millboard is used
as a stiffener (stif 'en er, n.), a stiffening for,
or something that serves to stiffen, the covers
of high-class books. A force of untried
soldiers requires a stiffening, or admixture, of
experienced men to make it fit to withstand
an enemy attack.

A.-S. stif ; cp. Dutch styf, G. steif ; akin to L.
stipes stake, stipdre to crowd. SYN. : Constrained,
formal, inflexible, punctilious, unbending. ANT. :
Flexible, graceful, informal, limp, pliable.

stifle [i] (sti' fl), v.t. and i. To smother ;
to suffocate. (F. etouffer.)

Coal miners are sometimes
stifled to death by being
imprisoned by a fall of rock.
In a figurative sense, a
person may be said to stifle
the voice of his conscience
when he disregards its
promptings. The word is
also used in a more or less
exaggerated way, as when a
person who finds it difficult
to breathe in an oppressive
atmosphere declares that he
is stifling. It is in this sense
that we speak of the stifling
(str fling, adj.) heat, or the
stiflingly (sti' fling li, adv.)
close atmosphere of a room.
The stifling or suffocating
fumes of poisonous gas may
actually stifle a person.

M.E. stuf(f)len, perhaps from
O.F. estouffer. See stuff.. SYN.:
Choke, smother, suppress.

stifle [2] (sti' fl), n. In horses, dogs, and
other animals, the joint in the hind leg
corresponding to the knee ; a disease or
abnormal condition of this joint or of the
joint in front of it. (F. gr asset, vessignon du
gr asset.)

The stifle, or stifle-joint (n.), is situated
between the femur and the tibia, near the
junction with the body. A horse that has any-
thing wrong with this joint is said to be stifled
(stl'fld, adj.). The stifle-bone (n-.) of a horse
is its patella or knee-pan, the bone in front
of the stifle. Sometimes a stifled horse wears

Stigma. — The anthers and stigma

(marked with an arrow) of the

Bermuda lily.

(F. fletrissure, tache, stigmate.)

Originally a stigma was a token of
servitude or infamy burnt with hot irons
on the body of a slave or criminal. In a
figurative sense, we speak of the stigma of
dishonesty, for instance, that stains a person's
reputation. If we are so foolish as to stigma-
tize (stig' ma tiz, v.t.) an honest person as
a thief, we deserve to be sued for libel.
Stigmata, in the pathological sense, can be
produced on a person by means of hypnotic
suggestion, the skin becoming stigmatized,
or covered with spots. The
breathing pores of insects
and other invertebrates are
also called stigmata.

St. Francis of Assisi was
one of the saints who
developed stigmata, or marks
on the skin resembling those
on the crucified body of
Christ. This condition, or
the act of stigmatizing in
other senses, is termed stig-
matization (stig 'ma ti za'
shim, n.), and the saint or
devout person so marked is
termed a stigmatist (stig'
ma tist, n.). Stigmatic (stig
mat7 ik, adj.) markings of
this kind are attributed to
Divine favour, and one who
has them is also called a
stigmatic (n.). Figuratively,
a disgraceful or reproachful
name may be said to be
stigmatic.

The stigma of a flower is the spot usually
on the summit of the pistil. The stigmatic
surface, or that of the stigma, is not covered
by the epidermis occurring on the rest of the
pistil, and so absorbs the pollen shed upon
it. Some stigmatiferous (stig ma tif ' er us,
adj.) styles, that is, styles bearing stigmas,
have the stigma on the side instead of on the
top, and are distinguished as stigmatose
(stig' ma tos, adj.) styles.

Through- L. from Gr. = puncture, brandmark,
from stizein (for stig-yem) to prick. See stick.
SYN. : Brand, characteristic, spiracle, stain.

4107

STILE

STILT

stile (stil), n. A series of steps, or other
means, by which one may get over or through
a fence or wall. (F. echalier, echalis.)

Stiles are designed to allow people to
pass from field to field, without offering
cattle a means of escape. An act of kindness
to a person in need is sometimes described
as helping a lame dog over a stile.

A.-S. stigel, from stlgan (G. steigen] to climb.

stiletto (sti let7 6), n. A small, awl-like
dagger ; a pointed instrument used for
making eyelet-holes, v.t. To stab with a
stiletto, pi. stilettos (sti let7 6z), or
stilettoes (sti let' 6z). (F. stylet, poincon;
poignarder.)

The stiletto is an Italian weapon with a
needle-like point. Some types had a double
blade controlled by springs so that it could
be expanded sideways in the stilettoed
person's body.

Ital. dim. of stilo, L. stilus, styles a^ bodkin^
like writing tool. .,,) , » . .

still [i] (stil), adj. Motionless or almost
without motion ; silent ; hushed ; quiet ;
calm; of wines, not sparkling, n. Deep
silence; calm; stillness. adv. At .rest ;
without change of attitude opposition ; ../QOW
or then as previously ; at present > as '. ,v;et ;
now in contrast to the future ; .in 'addition-;
yet ; even then ; all the same ; nevertheless,
v.i. To calm or quiet ; to silence ; to
appease. (F. immobile, silencieux,. tranquille,
non mousseux ; silence, calme, repps; en
repos, cependant, encore, toujours, toutefois ;
calmer, faire taire, apaiser.)

Still.— Thr on denes Church at Harstad, Norway,
reflected in the still water of the lake.

A pool of still water is one unbroken by
ripples. The night is still when all the sounds
of daytime activities are hushed, and the
movements of things are scarcely perceptible.
We might speak of the dead still of night,
but the noun, as used here, is a more or less
poetical word. After the tumult and agitation
of city life, the stillness (stir nes, n.) or tran-
quillity of a summer evening in the country
is a refreshing quality, and one finds pleasure
in the stillness, or motionlessness of the trees.

When the word still is used to describe
the manner of sitting, .standing, or lying it
is regarded as an adverb, but in such phrases
as " keep still," or " keep your feet still,"
it is an adjective. The adverb is often used
with the comparative forms of adjectives, as
when we say that Manchester is large, but
London is still, or even, larger.

A man who is still young, is even now young.
When we declare that, in spite of advice to
the contrary, we still intend to do something,
we mean that our intentions are unchanged
after or in spite of the advice.

A person stills his conscience when he
quiets it ; we should still, or allay, our
desire for some pleasure if it will do harm to
others or ourselves

A painting of inanimate things, such as
fruit, flowers, vases, dead game, etc., is
described as a still life (n.), a word also used
to describe the subjects of the picture. Jean
Chardin (1699-1779), the French artist, was
an outstanding still life painter. The word
stilly (stir li, adv.), meaning in a still
manner, quietly, is seldom used. It may have
suggested the word stilly (adj.), meaning
marked by stillness, as in the well-known
lyric by Thomas Moore (1779-1852), which
begins '' Oft in the stilly night."

A'.-S. siiile; cp. Dutch stil, G. still; properly
resting in a place, cp. E. stall and G. stelle place.
SYN. : adj. Hushed, motionless, noiseless, placid,
serene, v. Allay, assuage, quiet, relieve. ANT. :
adj. Agitated, disturbed, noisy, restless, turbulent.
v. Arouse, provoke, stir.

still [2] (stil), n. An apparatus used in
distillation, especially of spirituous liquors.
v.t. To distil. (F. alambic; distiller.)

A still consists of a boiler, some kind of
condensing tube enclosed in a cooling system,
and a receiver to hold the condensed liquid.
It may vary in size from the small glass
apparatus used for experimental work in
laboratories to the large stills with a
capacity of thousands of gallons used by
spirit distillers and refiners.

The department of a factory which
contains the stills is known as the still-room
(n.), a name given also to a store-room for
liquors, preserves, etc., in a private house.
Early still-rooms had a still for distilling
cordials and perfumes.

From L. stilldre to drip, to cause to drip ;
or possibly short for distil. See distil.

stallage (stir ij), n. A stand for a cask ;
a low frame or bench for keeping articles from
the floor while draining or awaiting packing.
Stilling (stir ing, n.} and stillion (stir i
on, n.) have the same meaning. (F. chantier,
egouttoir.)

Probably Dutch stellag(i}e, from stellen to place
and suffix -age.

stillness (stir nes). For this word and
stilly see under still [i].

stilt (stilt), n. A long pole, with a pro-
jecting foot-rest, used in pairs for raising the
user above the ground while walking ; a

4108

STILTON

STING

long-legged, three-toed, wading bird, re
sembling the plover. (F. echasse.)

The upper part of each stilt is either bound
to the legs, or held in the hand. Walking on
stilts is chiefly a form of amusement, but in
the Landes, "France, stilts were formerly
used by the natives for travelling over the
marshy country. The name stilt, stilt-bird
(n.), or stilt-plover («.), is applied to marsh
birds of the genus Himantopus from their
long, slender legs. The word stilted (stilt' ed,
adj.) means raised artificially, as on stilts.

Mediaeval buildings often
have stilted arches, that is,
arches that spring from
upright pieces of masonry
resting on the imposts. In
a figurative sense, a pom-
pous or inflated literary style
is said to be stilted. An
author is said to write stiltedly
(stilt' ed li, adv.) when his
work is marked by stiltedness
(stilt' ed ties, n.), or affected
loftiness.

M.E. stilte ; cp. Swed. stylta,
Dutch stell, G. stelze. See stout.

Stilton (stir ton), n. A
rich cheese, originally largely
sold at Stilton, Huntingdon-
shire. A coaching stage on
the Great North Road.

stimulant (stim' u lant),
adj. Producing a rapid tem-
porary increase of energy or
activity, n. Something that
rouses or excites, especially
an alcoholic drink ; in
medicine, an agent or sub-
stance that temporarily
excites an organ to increased activity.
stimulant.)

The adjective is seldom used, except in
connexion with medicine. Smelling-salts,
hot strong coffee, sal volatile, and brandy
are stimulants often used for medical pur-
poses to stimulate (stim' u lat, v.t.) the system
or excite it to increased activity, a process
known as stimulation (stim u la' shim, n.).
Encouragement and praise may stimulate,
or rouse, a person to action. The one who
encourages him, and so gives the stimulus
(stim' ii liis, n.) — pi. stimuli (stim' u li) —
or incitement may be termed a stimulator
(stim' u la tor, ».).

A stimulating (stim' ii lat ing, adj.) speech
is one that incites us to mental or emotional
activity. It is stimulative (stim' u la tiv,
adj.) of the response it arouses, that is, has
the property of stimulating it. Snakes
are drowsy when kept in cages at a low
temperature. They become active under the
stimulus, or rousing effect, of warmth. Pinch-
ing is termed a mechanical stimulus, because
it irritates the nerves and causes muscular
action by an external and machine-like
agency.

Stilt. — Men, mounted on stilt
work in a hop-field.

(F.

In natural history a sting or stinging hair
is occasionally termed a stimulus, and a
nettle, for instance, might.be described as
stimulose (stim' u 16s, adj.), that is, covered
with stinging hairs.

From L. stimulans (ace. -ant-em) pres. p.
stimulare to urge on. incite, from stimulus goad,
sting, incentive.

stimy (str mi). This is another form of
stymie. See stymie.

sting (sting), v.t. To pierce or wound with
a sting ; to cause acute physical or mental
pain to ; to goad. v.i. To
have a sting ; to be able to
sting ; to have an acute or
smarting pain. n. A sharp-
pointed organ, usually con-
nected with a poison sac,
used by some animals as a
means of defence or attack ;
a. hair for secreting poison,
projecting from the surface
of certain plants ; the act of
stinging ; the wound caused
by a sting ; a severe ache,
pain or smart of mind or
body ; an acute stimulus.
p.t. and p.p. stung (stung).
(F. ptquer, piquer au vif,
aiguillonner ; aiguillon, dard,
piquant, piqure, angoisse.)

Bees often sting people
who disturb them ; they also
use their stings for killing
off unwanted members of
the hive. Drones, however,
are stingless (sting' les, adj.),
that is, without stings. We
may speak, too, of humour
that hurts nobody's feelings
as being stingless.
In an extended sense of the word, we say,
tor instance, that iodine stings when applied
to a cut, and also that the cut stings under
the treatment. A sluggish person may be
stung, or driven, into action by taunts. St.
Paul, in a famous passage in I Corinthians
(xy, 55) asks: "O death, where is thy
sting ? " In other words, where is the
anguish of death?

Certain fish have the power ot inflicting
so-called stings. The best known, perhaps, is
the sting-ray (n.), a name sometimes cor-
rupted to stingaree (sting' ga re, «.). It has
a long saw-like barb projecting from its
whip-like tail. With this it can give severe
wounds. Most of the sting -rays are tropical
fish, but one species (Trygon pastinaca) is
found in British seas.

The designations sting-bull (n.) and sting-
fish (n.) are applied to the weever (Trackings),
a small sea-fish with numerous sharp spines
along its back. Slime is introduced into
wounds inflicted by these weapons and gives
rise to inflammation.

The common stinging- nettle (n.)—-Urtica
dioica — is a weed that flourishes in waste
ground. Its stem and leaves are covered with

4109

STINGY

STIPPLE

snarp, hollow hairs through which an acrid
burning fluid flows when the tip is broken off:

A.-S. stingan ; cp. O. Norse and Swed. stinga,
Dan. s tinge \ possibly akin to stick. SYN. : n.
Ache, smart, stimulus, v. Smart. ,

stingy (stin' ji), adj. Mean;
niggardly. (F. ladre, avare,
chic he.)

A miser is stingy and has
the quality of stinginess (stin '
ji nes, n.), meanness or close-
fistedness. He pays his
servants stingily (stin7 ji li,
adv.), that is, in a niggardly
way, or else stingily does with-
out all domestic help.

Formerly in sense of stinging,
ill-humoured ; from sting and -y.
SYN. : Close-fisted, parsimonious.
ANT. : Generous, munificent, open-
handed.

stink (stingk), v.i. To have
or .give out a very offensive
smell ; to possess an evil reputation, v.t.
To annoy or drive (out) with a foul
smell. n. A strong offensive smell, p.t.
stank (stangk) and stunk (stungk) ; p.p. stunk
(stungk). (F. puer, etre mat vu; empester ;
puanteur.

Sting. — Stinging hairs of the

nettle, as seen under the

microscope.

stintless (stint' les, adj.) or unstinted services.
The bird called the little stint (Tringa
minutd) is about the size of a sparrow. It
frequents British shores in the spring and
autumn, and has mottled
plumage of brown and black.
A.-S. styntan to blunt, from
stunt dull-witted ; cp. O. Norse
stytta to stunt. See stunt [i]. SYN.:
y. Limit, restrict, .n.. Limit, re-
striction.

stipate (str pat), adj. In
botany, close set ; crowded. (F.
r amass d, serr6.)

From L. silpdtus, p.p. of stlpare
to crowd together.

stipe (st Ip), n. In botany
and zoology, a stalk, stem, or
stem-like support. Another
form is stipes (str pez), with
pi. stipites (stip7 i tez). (F.
stipe, pedicule.)

The stem bearing the cap
of a mushroom is termed a stipe, and so
is the stalk of the frond of a fern or
seaweed. Neither is a true stalk like that
of a leaf or a flower. Sepals furnished with
stipites are stipitate (stip7 i tat, adj.). The
trunks of certain palm-trees are said to be

A smell may be either pleasant or the stipiform (str pi form, adj.) or stipitiform
reverse, but a stink is always unpleasant. (stip7 it i form, adj.), that is, having the form
The skunk stinks, or gives out a stinking of a stipe. A stipel (sti7 pel, n.) is a small,
(stingk7 ing, adj.), or repulsive, odour when secondary stipule, occurring at the base of
;4. ;0 ^^^^A A ,,4.:~i — /„+; — i,/ A- -„ \ the leaflets of a compound leaf. Leaflets

furnished with stipels are said to be stipel -
late (sti pel' at, adj.).

F., from L. stipes stem, akin to stlpare to crowd
stipend (str pend), n. A fixed, periodical
payment for services rendered, especially
the salary of a clergyman. (F. honoraires,

it is attacked." A stinker (stingk7 er, n.)
or stinkard (stingk7 ard, n.) is an animal
that stinks, especially the teledu, or Malay
badger. In a figurative sense, the name
of an evil person may be said to stink in
the nostrils of, or be offensive to, decent
people."

The stink-horn (n.) — Ithyphallus impudicus appointements.)
— is a fungus growing in the form of a white, Although any person in receipt of a stipend

spongy pillar with a conical top. It secretes may be called a stipendiary (sti pend ' i a ri,

a green slime with an atrocious smell that
attracts flies. Stink-stone (n.) is a kind of
limestone that smells unpleasantly when
broken.

The missile called a stink-ball

n.), this word generally denotes a paid
magistrate as distinguished from an unpaid
justice of the peace. Stipendiaries or
stipendiary (adj.) magistrates are appointed
in London and other large towns where the

stink-pot (n.), is a vessel containing "a com- work is too heavy or too complicated for the
bustible mixture, which generates noxious available justices to perform unaided. They

are trained lawyers and give their whole
time to the work.

From L. stlpendium wages, pay, from stips
gift, and pendere to weigh out, pay.

stipes (sti7 pez). For this word,
stipiform. etc., see under stipe.

stipple (stip7 1), v.t. and i. To engrave,
draw, or paint in dots instead of lines, n.
This method ; work produced thus. (F.
pointiller ; pointille. )

House decorators sometimes stipple large
expanses of paintwork, in order to break the
monotony of the unrelieved surface of colour.
Engravers use a tool with a point bent
downwards, called a stipple-graver (».),'
when they produce stipple or dotted work.
One who stipples is a stippler (stip' ler, n.).

From Dutch stippelen, frequentative of stippen
to prick, from stip dot, speck.

or

vapours when exploded. It is used for
military purposes.

A.-S. stincan ; cp. Dutch and G. stinken,
Dan. stinke, Swed. stinka. SYN. : n. Stench
v. Reek.

stint (stint), v.t. To supply grudgingly
or scantily with food ; to give or allow
scantily or grudgingly, n. A limit or restric-
tion ; an allotted quantity, amount, etc., of
work ; the dunlin or other small shore bird
of the plover tribe. (F. lesiner sur, restreindre ;
lesine, manque, restriction, part, becasseau.)

A mean person stints himself in small
luxuries and pays others stintingly (stint'
ing li, adv.) for services they render him.
An enthusiast labours without stint, or
without sparing his efforts, for a cause in
which he is interested. We may speak of his

4110

STIPULACEOTJS

STITCH

stipulaceous (stip u la' shus). For this
word, stipular, etc., see under stipule.

stipulate (stip7 u lat), v.t. To lay down
or specify as necessary to an agreement.
v.i. To demand something as part of a
bargain ; in Roman law, to settle the terms
of a contract orally. (F. stipuler.)

The purchaser of some article in a shop
may stipulate that it shall be exchanged if it
proves unsatisfactory. The stipulator (stip'
u la tor, wJ thus avoids the risk of being
obliged to keep a defective article, provided,'
of course, that the shopkeeper agrees to the
stipulation (stip u la' shim, n.) or condition!

A clause of limitation in a document may
also be called a stipulation. In Roman law,
contracts could be made orally, if certain
legal forms of question and answer were
adopted. The process of making an agree-
ment in this way is referred to as stipulation.

From L. stipulatus p.p. of stipular I to covenant,
make conditions, from O.L. stlpulus firm.

stipule (stip' ul), n. A small leaf-like
outgrowth from a leaf, usually at the base
of the leaf-stalk. (F. stipule.}

Stipules are present usually in pairs on the
leaves of certain plants. The stipules of the
rose are united to the stem for the greater
part of their length, and are said to be
adnate. In other stipulate (stip' u lat, adj.)
or stipule-bearing plants, such as the willow,
the stipules stand out free of the stem.
Some plants have stipulary (stip' u la ri,
adj.) tendrils, which occupy the place of
stipules, and are stipulaceous (stip u la'
shus, adj.) or of the nature of stipules.

The beech and the oak have stipular (stip'
u lar, adj.) buds, which are enclosed and
protected by scale-like stipules. These fall
off when the buds open. Unlike the forms of
stipulation (stip u la' shun, n.), that is, the
arrangement and structure of stipules,
mentioned above, these stipules do not
resemble leaves. A stipuliform (stip' yu
li form, adj.) part is one that is shaped like a
stipule.

From L. stlpula, dim. of stipes. See stipe.

stir (ster), v.t. To cause to move, or keep
in motion ; to move vigorously ; to excite ;
to rouse (up) ; to bestir (oneself), v.i. To
move ; to begin to move ; to be in motion.
n. Agitation ; a commotion ; bustle ; excite-
ment ; sensation ; the act of stirring. (F.
remuer, agiter, troubler, mettre en mouvement,
s'empresser ; bouger, se remuer ; tumulte,
agitation.)

Porridge becomes lumpy if it is not stirred
while cooking. Cattle wading in a pool
stir up or disturb the mud. There is not a
stir, or not the slightest movement, on the
surface of absolutely still water. An exciting
event is said to create a stir. The stir or
bustle of city streets is confusing to some
country folk. Lazy people do not stir or
leave their beds in winter until the fires are
lighted and breakfast is nearly ready. We
give the fire a stir when we poke it.

A stirring (ster' ing, adj.) story is one that
stirs up our emotions, especially when it is
related stirringly (ster' ing li, adv.), or in a
rousing or stimulating way. A stirabout (ster'
a bout, adj.) person is active or bustling. A
cook who stirs a stew may be called a stirrer
(ster' er, n.). Sometimes the name of
stirabout (*.) is given to porridge. The
leaves of trees are stirless (ster' les, adj.),
or motionless, when -there is no wind.

A.-S. styrian ; cp. Dutch sloven, G. storen,
Swed. star a to disturb. See storm. SYN. :
v. Animate, excite, inflame, move, rouse, n.
Activity, agitation, bustle, movement. ANT. :
n. Quiet, rest, stillness, tranquillity.

, stirrup (stir' up), n. A horseman's foot-
rest, usually an iron
loop flattened at the
base ; this loop and
its leather support ;
a rope with an eye
for supporting the
foot-rope beneath
the yards of a ship.
(F. etrier.)

The stirrup, or
stirf up-iron (n.),
hangs by means of
a strap, called a
stirrup-leather («.)•
or stirrup-strap («.),
from an iron attach-
ment let into the saddle, and known as a
stirrup-bar (n.).

A drink given to a horseman as he sits on
his horse ready to
start is called a
stirrup-cup (n.).
Carpenters describe
a hanging support
as a stirrup-piece
(n.). In anatomy,
the word stirrup-r
bone (n.) denotes a
stirrup-shaped bone
found in the human
ear, etc. To be
stirrupless (stir' up
les, adj.) is to be with-
out stirrups.

A.-S. sti(g)Yap, from

Stirrup. — A horseman'*
foot rests in the stirrup.

Stirrups. — Short ropes

supporting the foot-rope

below a yard of a ship

are called stirrups.

stigan to mount, rap rope ; cp. G. stegreif.

stitch (stich), n. A single turn of the wool
or cotton round the needles in knitting, or
round the hook in crocheting ; the loop thus
made ; a single complete pass of the threaded
needle through cloth, etc., in sewing ; the
link of thread thus inserted ; a sharp pain
in the side. v.t. and i. To sew. (F. pointe de
couture, point de cote ; coudre.)

A knitter is said to drop a stitch when the
loop of wool or silk about to be formed
drops off the end of the needle and leaves a
gap in the fabric. Varied forms of stitches are
used in embroidery. A surgeon is said to put
stitches in a wound when he stitches it up, or
sews the edges together with wire, gut, or

4111

STIVER

STOCK

silk. A tear or rent in cloth can be stitched up
or mended by stitching. A dressmaker has to
be an expert stitcher (stich' er, n.).

The hedgerow plant called stitch wort
(stich' wert, n.) — Stellaria Holostea — is a
kind of chickweed with white, star-like
flowers, and an erect, jointed stem. It was
once believed to cure a stitch in the side.
This acute, internal pain is sometimes
experienced by runners, but it soon passes
off, and is in no way serious.

A.-S. slice a pricking, from stician to prick ;
cp. Swed. stick a stab, G. stick a sting. See stick.

stiver (sti' ver), n. Any small coin ; a
thing of little or no value. (F. denier, rond.)

A former Dutch silver coin, worth about a
penny, was the original stiver.

Dutch stuiver.

stoa (sto' a), n. A porch or portico in
ancient Greek buildings. (F. portique.)

Gr. = portico, colonnade; cp. Low G. stu}
stumpy. See Stoic.

stoat (stot), n. A common British
carnivore, Mustela erminea, of the weasel
family also called ermine, especially when in
its winter coat. (F. hermine.) ;

M.E. stot.

Stock*. — The stocks in which offenders were punished
at Kelvedon Hatch, Essex.

stock (stok), n. The trunk or main
stem of a tree, or other plant ; a stump,
a post ; a dull, stupid person ; the handle
of a gun, tool, or implement; any main
supporting or holding part ; the body of a
plane ; the cross-bar of an anchor ; a die-
stock for cutting screws ; the source of a
family or breed ; a race or family of specified
character ; a line of descent ; a distinct
group of languages ; in biology, a colony,
or group organism (of polyps, etc.) ; the
beasts and implements of a farm ; a store of
goods kept for sale or use ; the liquor from
stewed meat, bones, etc., kept for making
soups and gravies ; any of several varieties of
cruciferous plants with stout stems, hoary
leaves, and fragrant flowers ; a band of silk,
etc., worn as a cravat ; money lent to a
government or municipality and represented
by certificates entitling the holders to a fixed
interest ; the capital of a company divided
into shares, entitling the holders to a pro-
portion of the profits ; (pi.) the shares of
such capital ; a wooden frame with holes
for the feet, etc., formerly used for imprison-
ing petty offenders in a sitting position ; the
framework in which a ship is supported while
being built ; superior bricks for the outside

faces of walls, adj. Kept regularly in stock
for sale ; habitually used ; perpetually
repeated ; hackneyed, v.t. To provide with
goods, farm animals, or other requisites ;
to keep (goods) in stock ; to fit a stock to
(a gun, etc.). v.i. To take in supplies ; of
plants, to tiller. (F. tronc, poteau, buche,
crosse, hampe, manche, fut, j as, filler e, souche,
famille, race, betail, marchandises en magasin,
consomme, col-cravate, fonds, stock, actions,
bloc, chantier ; pourvoir, fournir, appro-
visionner, monter.}

There are many people of original Puritan
stock or ancestry in Boston, U.S.A. They
are descendants of the original settlers. The
stems of plants kito which a shoot is grafted
are termed stocks. Idols, and also senseless
people are contemptuously called stocks and
stones. A person becomes a laughing-stock
or butt for ridicule among his friends by
repeatedly acting in a foolish way.

Studious folk acquire a great stock, or
store, of knowledge. Its value depends upon
their ability to use it. A standing argument,
or one that is constantly used by people is
also known as a stock argument.

The housewife stocks, or supplies, her
larder with food for the household. Stock
sizes in clothes are those that fit the average
person, and are usually kept in stock, or
available for immediate sale, by the out-
fitter. A ship is on the stocks when being
built. In an extended sense something that is
in course of preparation is also said to be on
the stocks. Shopkeepers and others have
to take stock at intervals, that is, to make
lists of all goods remaining in stock, so that
they may renew their stock or lay in a stock
of articles likely to be wanted.

The process of doing this is called stock-
taking (n.). Records of goods received and
disposed of are kept in a stock-book (n.).
In a figurative- sense, to take stock of one's
prospects is to make a survey of them, and
to take stock of a person is to form an
estimate of his character or capacity.

Cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, and poultry
make up the live stock on a farm. Imple-
ments used on a farm, and its produce, are
known collectively as dead stock. A stock-
breeder (n.) or stock-farmer (n.) is one who
breeds or raises live stock on a stock-farm
(n.), a farm devoted to this work, which is
called stock-raising («.). In Australia a farm
hand, called a stock-man (n.), is employed
to look after the stock. On unfenced stations
in Australia, a mounted herdsman, called
a stock-rider (n.), has the work of rounding
up cattle. He uses a long-lashed whip with
a short handle, named a stock-whip (n.).
A stock-yard (n.) is an enclosure into which
cattle are herded for sorting, etc., and a
stock-car (n.) is a cattle-truck.

Financial stocks and shares are bought and
sold on commission for clients by a stock-
broker (n.), whose business is termed stock-
broking (n.). When commissioned to buy or
sell stocks, he goes to a stock-exchange (n.),

4112

STOCKADE

STODGY

a building in which stocks and shares are
bought and sold. There he does his business
with a stock-jobber (n.}, a person who is
engaged in stock-jobbing (n.), or stock-
jobbery (n.), that is, buying stocks and shares
from brokers in the hope of selling them at a
profit to others. The London Stock Exchange,
and that of New York, are the most import-
ant markets of this kind, and wield a great
influence over the finance of the world.

A stock-holder (n.) is a person who owns
stock. A stock-list (n.) is a list, published daily
or at intervals by a stock exchange, giving
the prices at which stocks are changing
hands. It shows the current value of stock
in the stock-market (n.), which means the
stock exchanges collectively, as well as the
business done in them. A
cattle-market is also called
a stock-market.

The stockdove (n.) —
Columba oena s — is a
European wild pigeon
common in Britain. It is
smaller and more uniform
in colour than the wood
pigeon. Cod, hake, had-
dock, ling, and other fish
of the same class are con-
verted into stockfish (n.)
by being split open and
dried in the sun, and so
preserved without the use
of salt.

The plant called the
stock originally bore the
name of stock-gillyflower
(n.), from the fact that it
has a stouter stock, or
stem than the clove-
gillyflower or pink. It be-
longs to the genus of herbs and shrubby plants
known to botanists as Matthiola. Many
cultivated varieties are familiar in gardens,
including the Brompton stock (M. incana),
the ten-week stock (M. annud), and the
night-scented stock (M. odoratissima) .

Stock for soup is made in a vessel called a
stock-pot (n.). To stand stock-still (adv.) is to
stand motionless, like the stock of a tree.

An anchor is stockless (stok' les, adj.) if it
has no stock or cross-bar at the top ; a shop-
keeper is stockless when his stock-in-trade
(n.), that is, his supply of goods for sale, is
exhausted. A workman's or manufacturer's
stock-in-trade consists of tools, appliances,
and materials needed in his trade. In a
figurative sense we say that a few worn-out
jokes are the stock-in-trade, or equipment,
of an inferior comedian.

A stocky (stok' i, adj.) man is short and
thickly built. He may be described as a
stockily (stok' i li, adv.) built person. We
may also speak of the stockiness (stok' i nes,
n.), or stocky quality, of short, sturdy horses.

A:-S. stocc ; cp. Dutch and Dan. stok, G. and
Swed. stock. SYN. : n. Family, lineage, store,
stump, supply, v. Keep, store, supply.

Stocking.— A
terested in the contents of a stocking.

stockade (stok '• ad), n. A line or enclosure
of upright, stout posts for purposes of
defence ; an arrangement of piles, serving as
a breakwater, etc. v.t. To surround or fortify
with a stockade. (F. palissade ; palissader.)

The mounds on which early Norman
castles were built were usually stockaded, or
provided with stockades. In modern warfare,
the stockade is used only as a defence against
wild tribes.

From Span, estacada from estaca stake. See
stake. SYN. : n. Palisade.

stockinet (stok i net'), n. An elastic
knitted fabric, used for under-garments,
etc. (F. coutil.)

Probably a corruption of stocking-net.
stocking (stok' ing), n. A tight knitted
or woven covering for the
foot and leg, reaching to
or above the knee ; an
elastic surgical appliance
resembling this, used for
supporting the leg, etc. ;
the lower part of an
animal's leg when coloured
differently from the rest.
(F. bos.)

This word is used chiefly
in the plural, because a
normal person wears a
pair of stockings. If we
take off 'our boots before
having our height measured
we shall know how high
we stand in our stock-
ings or stockinged (stok'
ingd, adj.) feet.

At the seaside children
like to run about stocking-
less (stok' ing les, adj.) or
without stockings on their
feet. Some brown horses have white stock-
ings, that is, the lower parts of their legs
are white. A stocking-frame (n.), stocking-
loom (n.), or stocking-machine (n.), is a
machine on which stockings are knitted.

Verbal n. from the v. stock in the obsolete
sense to attach stocks (shortened from nether-
stocks, that is, stockings) to the breeches. Stock
here means piece cut off, the earlier hose having
been divided at the knee into breeches and
stockings.

stockily (stok' i li) . For this word, stocky,
etc., see under stock.

stodgy (stoj' i), adj. Heavy; stiff;
indigestible ; crammed, bulging ; weighed
down with facts ; dull ; lacking lightness
or interest. (F. lourd, indigeste, bourre,
bonde, assommant.}

Heavy suet pudding is stodgy, and has
the quality of stodginess (stoj' i nes, n.}. A
person with a taste for the lighter forms
of fiction would find an encyclopaedia
stodgy reading. Stodgy people are dull and
prosaic.

Cp. E. dialect stog to stick in the mud. SYN. :
Filling, heavy, indigestible, lumpy, matter-of-
fact. ANT. : Digestible, light.

4113

STOEP

STOMACH

stoep (stoop), «. An open, roofed
platform outside a South African house.
Another form is stoop (stoop).

South African Dutch, akin to E. step.

Stoic (sto' ik), n. A member of a school
of philosophers of ancient Greece who
held that virtue was the highest good,
and that men should despise both pain
and pleasure ; a person indifferent to pain
and pleasure ; one who has great self-
control, adj. Relating to or characteristic
of the Stoic philosophy. (F. stoicien ; stoique.)

The Stoic school of philosophy was founded
'n Athens about 310 B.C. by Zeno of Citium,
Cyprus. This Zeno was a merchant who,
after suffering loss by shipwreck, settled in
Athens and devoted his life to study. His
disciples were called Stoics from the stoa,
or porch, in which Zeno lectured.

We say that a man is stoical (sto' ik al,
adj.) when he endures hardship bravely
and patiently, or has perfect control over
his feelings, or lives a severely simple and
self-denying life. Such people act stoically
(sto' ik al li, adv.) and possess the quality
of stoicism (sto' i sizm, n.). When the
word Stoic and its derivatives refer to the
school of philosophy they are usually spelt
with a capital 5.

See stoa. SYN. : adj. Calm, impassive, im-
perturbable, unemotional. ANT. : adj. Emo-
tional, excitable, impulsive, passionate.

stoke (stok), v.t. To look after or
tend (a fire or furnace) ; to look after
the furnace of ; to take (food) into
the mouth like fuel into a furnace ;
to feed (a person) in this way. v.i.
To look after a fire or furnace ;
to take in food like fuel for a
furnace. (F. attiser, fourgonner.)

One of the most arduous duties
in a steamship is the stoking of the
engines. If this does not go on
regularly the ship will never reach
her destination. The stoker (stok'
er, n.), or man who does this
work, toils in the stokehold (stok' hold, n.},
a compartment far down in the vessel, con-
taining the furnaces. There are also various
kinds • of mechanical stokers.
On land stoking is necessary in
order to keep blast-furnaces in
operation. A stoke-hole (n.) is
a space in front of a furnace
where the stokers stand, or an
opening through which the fire is
fed and stirred, or a hole in a ship's
deck to admit fuel for storage.

Brewing term from Dutch stoken,
from stok a stick.

Stokes mortar (stoks mor' tar), n.
A light trench-mortar used during the
World War (1914-18).

The Stokes mortar could be fired very

Stoker.— The badge

of a chief stoker in

the British Navy.

Y

Stoker. — The badge

of a stoker in the

British Navy.

stole [i] (stpl), n. An ecclesiastical
vestment consisting of a long narrow strip
of silk or linen ; a strip of fur or feathers
worn by women over the shoulders with
the ends hanging down ; loosely, a long
robe or gown. (F. etole, tour de cou.)

The stole worn by priests and bishops
passes round the back of the neck and
hangs down in front on both sides to below
the loiee. A deacon's stole is worn over his
left shoulder only.

L. stola, Gr. stole robe, from stellein to array.
stole [2] (stol). This is another form
of stolon. See stolon.

stole [3] (stol). This is the past tense and

stolen the past participle of steal. See steal.

stolid (stol' id), adj. Impassive ; dull ;

hard to move or arouse ; obstinate ; dogged.

(F. impassible, -insensible, obstine.)

A stolid expression on a person's face
is a dull, almost meaningless look. Stolidity
(sto lid' i ti, n.) or stolidness (stol' id
nes, n.) also denotes stubbornness of
purpose. It was a great day for Britain
when her soldiers stood stolidly (stol' id li,
adv.) before the attacks of the Germans in
the World War (1914-18).

L. stolidus dull, brutish. SYN. : Apathetic,
dogged, impassive, phlegmatic, stubborn. ANT. :
Emotional, excitable, lively, vivacious.

stolon (sto' Ion), n. A trailing or
prostrate branch that takes root at the
tip, thus producing a new plant ; in mosses
an underground shoot that develops
leaves ; a root-like creeping growth
in coral and other compound
organisms. (F. stolon.)

A growth produced by a stolon
or having a stolon is stolonate (sto'
Ion at, adj.). The strawberry is
stoloniferous (sto 16 nif ' er us, adj.),
that is, it produces stolons.

L. stolo (ace. -on-em) sucker, shoot.
stoma (sto' ma), n. A minute
opening in an animal body or in
the epidermis or outer cell layer of
plants, pi. stomata (sto' ma ta). (F. stomate.)
The most familiar of stomatiferous (sto
ma tif er us, adj.), or stomata-bear-
ing, objects are the leaves of
plants. Through their stomata
leaves take in gases from the air
and give out gases and water.
Other examples of stomata are the
spiracles, or breathing pores, of
insects. The prefix stomato-, mean-
ing having to do with the mouth,
occurs in a number of scientific
terms. For instance, the term
stomatogastric (stom a to gas ' trik,
adj.) means relating to or connected with the
mouth and the stomach.
Gr. = mouth.
stomach (stum' ak), n. A cavity in

rapidly, and was most useful in destroying the body where food is digested ; in certain

the nests of machine-guns installed by the
Germans. It was invented by Sir Wilfrid
Stokes in 1915.

animals, one of several such cavities ;
loosely, the lower front part of the body ;
appetite ; relish ; inclination, v.t. To put

4114

STOMATA

STONE

up with ; to tolerate. (F. estomac ; endurer,
souffrir.)

In man the stomach is a pear-shaped
enlargement of the alimentary canal.
Ruminants, that is, animals that chew the
cud, have four stomachs.

The name stomacher (stum' ak er, n.} was
given to an ornamental covering for the
chest worn by women under the lacing of
the bodice from the fifteenth to the seven-
teenth century, and also to a kind of waist-
coat for men. Anything that concerns the
stomach is stomachal (stom' ak al, adj.) or
stomachic (sto mak' ik, adj.). A medicine
that is good for the stomach is a stomachic
(n.). A stomach-pump (n.) is a suction
pump used in cases of poisoning for empty-
ing the stomach. Apoplexy in horses,
caused by paralysis of the stomach, is
called stomach-staggers (n.).

Through L. stomachus, from Gr. stomakhos
gullet, dim. of stoma mouth.

stomata (sto' ma ta). For this word,
stomatic, etc., see under stoma.

stone (ston), n. A small or moderate-
sized piece of rock ; a pebble ; a piece of
rock used or capable of being used for a
particular purpose ; rock or pieces of rock
for paving, road-making, or building ; a
gem ; a hard seed or kernel in a plum or
other fruit ; a small hard body formed in
the kidney, bladder, or other organs ; the
disease in which this occurs ; a measure of
weight of fourteen pounds, adj. Made of
stone ; paved with stone, v.t. To pelt with
stones ; to pave or face with stones ; to
remove stones from (fruit or ground). (F.
pierre, caillou, gres, pierre taillee, pierre
precieuse, noyau, pepin, calcul, stone; de
pierre, en pierre ; lapider, garnir de pierres,
vider.)

The word stone occurs in many common
expressions. To leave no stone unturned
means to do everything possible to achieve
an end. In a figurative sense, to cast
stones at a person means to speak evil
of him.

The term Stone Age (n.) is used of the
period of man's history before bronze or
iron had been discovered, when tools,
weapons, and implements were made of
stone. A stone-axe (n.) is a kind of hammer
with two blunt edges used for hewing and
dressing stones.

The word stone, used as an adverb and
meaning completely or quite, is sometimes
joined by a hyphen to other words, as in
stone-blind (adj.), stone-cold (adj.), stone-
dead (adj.), stone-deaf (adj.) and stone-still
(adj.). A primitive method of boiling water
was by the process known as stone-boiling
(n.), that is, by dropping red-hot stones
into it. A stone-borer (n.) or stone-eater
(n.) is a name applied to certain shell-fish
which bore into stones or rocks.

Stone-break (n.) is the name saxifrage
in more English guise. Granite and other

kinds of stone are broken into small pieces
for road-making and concrete with a power-
ful machine called a stone-breaker (n.).
This usually has two fluted jaws, set at a
small angle to one another, one of which
is moved to and fro slightly.

The stonechat (n.) is a small British
bird of the thrush family, with a cry
suggesting the striking together of two
stones. In many parts of the world, as at
Stonehenge, may be seen what is called a
stone circle (n.). This is a series of great
stones set up in prehistoric times, arranged
either in a circle or oval. Sometimes there
is a system of several circles.

Stonechat. — The stonechat, a British bird, so named
from its peculiar cry.

Anthracite coal is sometimes called stone-
coal (n.) on account of its hardness. A
stone-coral (n.) is coral which occurs in large
masses, more or less smooth on the outside,
as distinguished from branched coral.

Stonecrop (n.) is the popular name for
various creeping plants of the genus Sedum
much grown in rock gardens and borders.
The stone-curlew (n.), also known as the
stone-plover (n.), Norfolk Plover, and the
thick-knee (Oedicnemus scolopax) is a bird
that frequents waste stony places.

A person whose occupation is the shaping
of stone for building or other purposes is
called a stone-cutter (n.) or stone-dresser (n.).
A stone-mason (n.) both shapes stones and
uses them in building. The process of
stone-cutting (n.) is carried out both by
hand and with machines.

The name of stone-fern (n.) is given to
the fern Asplenium Ceterach and to other
ferns that grow in stony places. A stone-
fly (n.) is an insect of the family Perlidae,
the larva of which, found in water under
stones, is used as bait for trout. Any
fruit with a soft pulp covering a seed en-
closed in a hard shell such as the cherry,
plum, and apricot, is a stone-fruit ~ (n.).
For the stone-lily (n.) see under entrochite.
A stone-man (n.) is a pile of stones raised
as a landmark.

Some tribes in the Pacific Islands made
ujse of stone-money (n.) in the form of great
disks like millstones, weighing 'in some
cases several tons. By the term stone
monuments (n.pl.) archaeologists mean the
prehistoric monuments of unhewn stone

4115

STOOD

STOP

dating from the Stone Age. They include
menhirs, dolmens, cromlechs, and stone
circles, such as Stonehenge, in Wiltshire.

The names of stone-parsley (n.) and stone-
wort (ston' wert, n.) are given to various
wild plants resembling parsley in form,
especially to Sison Amomurn.

The stone-pine (n.) of Italy is a species
of pine which bears nut-iike fruit and has
branches spreading out like an umbrella. A
stone-pit (n.) is a quarry or hole in the
ground from which stone is got for any
purpose. The stone-rag (n.) is a kind of
lichen. The stone-snipe («.)'. *s a large
American snipe. When we „ say that one
object is a stone's throw (n.), or — to use
an older term — a stone-cast (n.) or stone's
cast (n.), away from another, we mean
that only a short distance — such as a stone
can be thrown — separates them.

In cricket, to stonewall (v.i.) is to bat
stolidly with little or no attempt to score
runs. This style of play is called stone-
walling (n.). By stone-ware (n.) is meant
a rough kind of non-transparent porcelain
that is glazed with salt. Mason's work
carried out in stone is stone-work (n.).

Land in which no stones are to be found
is stoneless (ston' les, adj.), and ground
covered with stones is stony (ston' i, adj.).
In a figurative sense, stony means hard or
pitiless. A stony-hearted (adj.) man is
one with no feelings of compassion. To
stare stonily (ston' i li, adv.) at a person
means to stare hard at him without giving
any sign of recognition, or to stare very
unsympathetically at him. The stoniness
(ston' i nes, n.) of a thing is its state or
quality of being stony in any sense of the
word.

Common Teut. word. A.-S. stdn ; cp. Dutch
steen, G. stein, O. Norse stein-n, Goth, slain-s,
akin to Rus. stiena wall, Gr. stia stone.

stood (stud). This is the past tense and
past participle of stand. See stand.

stook (stuk), n. A group of sheaves
v.t. To arrange in stocks.

ME. stowk ; cp. Low G. stuke ; akin to stack.

Stook. — A woman harvester setting up sheaves of
grain into stooks.

stool (stool), n. A . seat without back
or arms for one person ; a low bench for
the feet or for kneeling ; any low stool-like
support ; a decoy-bird or the piece of wood
to which it is fastened ; the stump oi a
tree, especially one from which shoots
emerge ; a plant or stock from which young
plants are produced, v.t. To send out
shoots. (F. tabouret, escabeau, leurre, souche,
plante mere; pousser des rejetons.)

The first stools were made by fitting
three or four legs to a stout piece of wood.
The three-legged stool, used for milking,
is frequently seen.

In Scotland it was usual to make women
who had committed certain offences sit
in church on the stool of repentance (n.),
or cutty-stool, while the minister publicly
rebuked them. A stool-pigeon (n.) is a
pigeon used as a decoy.

In the old English game ol stool-ball (n.)
one person stood in front of a stool set on
the ground, and tried to prevent his opponent
from hitting it with a ball thrown at it. It is
supposed to be the ancestor of cricket. The
game has been revived in a modified form.

A.-S. siol : cp. Dutch stoel, G. stuhl ; akin to
stand.

stoop [i] (stoop), v.i. To bend the body
forward and downward ; to stand or walk
with the head and shoulders bent forward ;
to bend down ; to slope ; to bring oneself
down (to) ; to condescend ; of a bird of
prey, to swoop, v.t. To cause to stoop ;
to bow (the head, shoulders, knee, etc.) ;
to deign to apply (thoughts, etc.). n.
An act of stooping ; an habitual bending
forward of the head and shoulders. (F.
s'incliner, se vouter, se pencher, pencher,
s'abaisser, daigner, condescendre , s'abattre,
fondre ; indiner, pencher; inclination,
penchement.)

Drill is useful for correcting a tendency to
stoop. A soldier never stoops, because he has
been trained to stand upright. In very old
people stooping is natural, though now
and again we see an old man or woman
every bit as upright as a young one. In
the title of Oliver Goldsmith's ever-popular
comedy, " She Stoops to Conquer," the word
is used in its figurative sense, of a giri
putting herself on a level with an inferior.

A.-S. stupian ; cp. M. Dutch stuypen, O. Norse
stupa to stoop ; akin to steep. SYN. : v. Bend,
condescend, deign.

stoop [2] (stoop). This is another form
of stoep. See stoep.

stoop [3] (stoop). This is another torrn
of stoup. See stoup.

stop (stop), v.t. To close by filling or
blocking up ; to prevent passage through ;
to obstruct ; to plug ; to stanch ; to
prevent the carrying out of ; to prevent
payment of ; to cause to cease ; of musical
instruments, to press (a string), close (a
hole, etc.), in order to alter the pitch ; to
produce (a note) thus ; to use (a finger,
etc.) for this purpose ; to provide with

4116

STOPE

STORE

punctuation marks ; to lash with thin
rope. v.i. To halt ; to cease ; to cease
working ; to stay ; to remain, n. The act
of stopping ; a pause ; an obstruction ; a
punctuation mark ; a pin or other device
for stopping motion, fastening, etc. ; a set
of pipes in an organ having a special tone ;
the knob or handle which controls this ;
the pressing down of a string or closing of a
hole in a musical instrument in order to
alter the pitch ; a device for effecting this ;
the part of the finger-board where pressure
is made ; a mode of speech assumed to
produce a special effect ; a disk with a hole
in the middle to regulate the amount of
light passing through a lens ; a mute
consonant. (F. boucher, fermer, obturer,
obstruer, etancher, arreter, empecher, sus-
pendre, faire cesser, presser, ponctuer ;
s' arreter, cesser, s'en tenir let, rester ; arret,
halte, pause, obstacle, signe de ponctuation,
point d'arret, jeu, trou, diaphragme.)

A policeman stops the traffic by holding
up his hand. A dentist stops a tooth, that
is, fills up a hole in it, with a stopping (stop'
ing, n.) of gold, cement, amalgam, or other
material. Our watch will probably stop
if we forget to wind it. A workman may
have his wages stopped in certain circum-
stances. We stop a cheque by instructing
our banker not to cash it.

Some trains stop at every station. If
we miss the last train home we may have
to stop in town. We cry " Stop, thief ! "
when we see a pickpocket running off with
somebody's watch. The comma, semi-colon,
colon, and full stop are the chief stops used
in punctuation.

The flow of liquid through a pipe is con-
trolled by a stop-cock (n.) or tap. A stop-
gap (n.) is anything used in the place of
something else for the time being. For the
very latest news we look to the stop-press
(adj.) items in a newspaper — those added
after the printing has actually begun. In
lawn-tennis, a volley made by holding the
racket still and allowing the ball to strike
it is called a stop-volley (n.). This stroke
is usually played close up to the net.

Races are timed with a stop-watch (n.),
a watch with a long seconds-hand travelling
round the dial, which is marked in fifths
or tenths of a second. The hand can
be stopped at any point by pressing a
catch.

The word stoppage (stop' aj, n.) means
the act of stopping or the state of being
stopped. There is . a stoppage of work
when a factory shuts down. Frost-bite is
due to stoppage of the circulation in the
part affected.

A stopper (stop' er, n.) is a person or,
more often, a thing that stops. A glass
stopper is a glass plug closing a bottle.
A tobacco stopper is a device for pressing
down the tobacco into a pipe-bowl. On
board ship a stopper is a device for checking
the motion of a rope or cable or for making

it shorter. To stopper (v.t.) a can or bottle
is to close its neck with 'a plug.

A stopple (stop' 1, n.} is the same as a
stopper, and to stopple (v.t.} a thing is to
stopper it. These words are not often used.

A.-S. -stoppian, L.L. stuppdre to stop with
tow, from L. stiipa, G. stype tow ; cp. Dutch
stoppen, G. stopfen. SYN. : v. Block, discontinue,
hinder, impede, obstruct, stay. n. Check, inter-
ruption, pause. ANT.: v. Continue, facilitate, help.

Stop. — A sentry stops the further progress of a civilian
along a pathway.

stope (stop), n. In mining, a space dug
or cut out between two horizontal galleries
in a more or less vertical seam of ore, to
remove the ore. v.t. To dig or cut out (ore,
etc.) in stopes. v.i. To dig or cut out ore, etc.,
thus. (F. gradin ; exploiter en gradins.}

In making stopes the material is cut away
in a series of steps either from below or from
above.

Perhaps akin to step.

stopple (stop7 1). For this word see
under stop.

storage (stor' aj). For this word see
under store.

storax (stor' aks), n. A vanilla-scented
gum-resin, used in medicine, and in making
incense. (F. storax, sty rax.]

The fragrant balsam obtained from
Styrax officinalis, a small tree found in the
Levant, was kaiown to the ancients. The
liquid storax of commerce is obtained from
Liquidambar orientate, a tree that grows in
Cyprus and Anatolia.

JL., from Gr. styrax the tree whence storax
is derived.

store (stor), n. . A plentiful supply ;
abundance ; a stock or hoard for future use ;
a place where things are kept ; a warehouse
or shop ; a pig, sheep, or other animal kept for
fattening ; (pi.) a large shop where articles
of many' different kinds can be bought;
supplies of provisions, and other things for
naval, military, or , household purposes.
v.t. '-To -Stock or furijish ; to lay up for future
use; to place jn a 'warehouse for safe keep-
ing ; to have accommodation for. (F, , pro-
vision, abondance, reserve, entrepot, depot,
magasin, munitions, vivres ; approvisionner,
amasser, emmagasiner.}

4117

STOREY

STORM

We speak of a well-stored memory and cf
a mind stored with* facts. Good housewives
keep a watchful eye on their stores, to see
that they do not get low. Before settling
down in a new house we sometimes have to
store our furniture. To set store or great
store by a thing is to value it highly, and to
be in store is to be reserved, ready for use.

A place where things are stored is a
storehouse (n.), and a book full of valuable
information is a storehouse of knowledge.
A storer (stor' er, n.} is one who, or that
which, stores away goods. Not all goods are
storable (stor' abl, adj.), that is, fit to be,
or capable of being, stored. Many houses
possess a store-room (n.). where articles that
are not wanted can be put.

To soldiers and sailors stores are the food
and other articles they need. These must be
taken out according to a regular system, and
the store-keeper (n.) must only let them go
out of his possession in the recognized way.
A supply-ship for the navy is called a store-
ship (n.). Storage (stor' ij, n.) means the
act of storing or warehousing, and also the
price paid for warehousing. A storage-
battery (n.), or accumulator, consists of a
number of cells in which electricity is stored.

From O.F. estor, L.L. (r,i)staurum, from L.
instaurare to renew. See restore. SYU.- : n.
Accumulation, plenty, stock, warehouse. v.
Accumulate, hoard, keep, supply.

storey (stor' i). This is another form of
story. See story [2].

storiated (stor' i ated). This is a shortened
form of historiated. See under history.

storied (stor' id). For this word see
under story [i] and story [2].

storiology (stor i ol ' 6
ji). For this word see
under story [i].

stork (stork), n. One
of a family of large wading
birds with long beaks and
long legs, belonging to the
heron tribe. (F. cigogne.)

The best known of the
storks is the white stork
(Ciconia alba). It usually
builds its nest among the
abodes of man, on house-
tops or church towers.
Except for black feathers
on the wings and back, its
plumage is white, and the
beak and legs are red.
The stork's-bill (n.) is a
plant whose seed-cases
resemble in shape a stork's
beak.

A.-S. store ; cp. Dutch,
Swed., Dan., stork, G. storch,
O. Norse stork-r ; perhaps akin to Gr. torgos
vulture.

storm (storm), n. A violent disturbance
of the atmosphere, attended by wind, rain,
snow, hail, or thunder and lightning ; a

Stork.— The white stork, a large wading
bird of the heron tribe.

violent disturbance in human affairs ; unrest ;
commotion ; an outbreak of applause,
indignation, etc. ; a passionate display of
feeling ; a heavy shower of blows, missiles,
etc. ; a direct assault on a fortified place ;
capture of a place by this means, v.i. To
rage ; to blow hard ; to rave ; to bluster.
v.t. To take by storm. (F. tempete, orage,
commotion, desordre, tumulte, assaut ; faire
de I 'orage, tempeter, s'emporfer ; prendre
d'assaut.)

This word is used figuratively just as
often as in its literal sense. We speak of a
new play being received with a storm of cheers
or hisses, as the case may be. A man beside
himself with rage may storm at anyone who
is near him. A storm in a teacup is a
great commotion about a trifling matter.

Towards the end of the eighteenth century
a movement was set on foot in Germany by
a school of young writers who defied literary
and social conventions/ arid wrote in a spirit
of passionate revolt. . From the title of a
drama written by one of their number, F.
M. von Klinger (1752-1831), the movement
was called storm and stress (n.). This phrase
is now often used of any period of seething
revolt and unrest in the life of a person or a
nation of other community.

Ships exposed to storms are storm-beat
(adj.), or storm-beaten (adj.). A storm-belt
(n.) is a 'region where storms are frequent.
The worst storm-belts are in the tropics.

The storm-bird (n.), storm-finch (n.), or
stormy - petrel («.), called by sailors Mother
Carey's chicken, is a small, black sea-bird,
common in the North Atlantic.

Ships are storm-bound (adj.) when, unable
to leave port on account
of rough weather. A wind-
storm usually blows in a
circle round a point called
a storm-centre (n.), a term
which is used figuratively
for the seat of disease,
rebellion, etc., the point
round which a storm of
any kind rages.

The mistle-thrush is
sometimes called the storm-
cock (n.) because it has a
habit of singing in squally
weather. The green wood-
pecker goes by the same
name in some parts, as its
cry is looked upon as
heralding a rain-storm.

When a storm is ex-
pected the meteorological
office warns the signal
stations round the coasts,
which raise the storm-cone
(n.,) a cone of canvas three feet high and
three feet across at the base, as a storm-
signal (n.).

A storm-glass (n.) is a sealed glass tube
containing a solution of camphor, which

4118

STORTHING

STOUT

thickens when the temperature falls and is
supposed in this way to denote the approach
of a storm of rain or snow. We call a
building storm-proof (adj.) if it is able to
withstand storms and keep out rain. A storm-
sail (n.) is a small and specially strong sail
used in stormy weather.

A person who storms in any sense of the
word is a stormer (storm7 er, n.). A stormful
(storm' ful,.adj-.) region is one abounding
in storms. The stormfulness (storm' ful nes,
n.), or stormy nature, of the ocean round
Cape Horn is notorious. An assault on a
fortress is led by a storming-party (n.), a body
of troops provided with scaling-ladders and
other special equipment.

Storm. — The lifeboat, braving the storm, goes to the
From the painting by B. F. Gribble.

The Pacific Ocean was so named by the
Portuguese navigator, Magellan, who was the
first European to enter it — in 1520 — because
at the time it was stormless (storm' les, adj.)
that is, free from storms. But this peaceful
ocean can at times be very stormy (storm'
i, adj.), or tempestuous ; indeed, the winds in
it can blow so stormily (storm' i li, adv.), or
violently, as to make its storminess (storm'
i nes, n.), or stormy quality, quite belie its
name.

A.-S., also in Dutch, Swed., Dan. ; cp. G. sturm,
akin to stir. SYN. : n. Gale, hurricane, out-
burst, tempest, tumult, v. Assault, bluster, rage,
rave. ANT. : n. Calm, peace, quiet, stillness..

Storthing (stor' ting), n. The Norwegian
Parliament. Another form is Storting (stor'
ting). (F. Storthing.)

The Storthing consists of one hundred and
twenty-six members, elected for three years.

Norw. stor great, t(h)ing assembly. See ttiing.

story [i] (stor' i), n. A recital or narrative
of real or imaginary events ; the events
forming the material of such a narrative';
such narratives collectively ; a tale'; ' a
legend ; a myth ; an anecdote ; a series of
specially interesting facts connected with a
person, place, institution, etc. ; the account
given of an incident ; the plot of a novel,
play, or the like ; a term used to or among
children for a falsehood. (F. histoire, conte,
craque.)

Among the • most popular collections of
stories are those of Hans Andersen and the
Brothers Grimm, and " The Arabian Nights'
Entertainments." If we see a forbidding-
looking house in a desolate spot we wonder
what its story is, what strange events have
taken place in it. The witnesses in a law-suit
may each tell a different story.

A story-book (n.) is a book containing
stories, especially stories for children.
Story-telling (n.) is a difficult art, and story-
tellers (n.pl.) and story-writers (n.pl.) have
to be very clever to make their stories
interesting. In the East there are professional
story-tellers whose business it is to recite
legendary and romantic tales. A storiette
(stor i et', n.), or story ette (stor i
et', n.), is a very short story.
One who makes a special study
of popular legends and tales is a
storiologist (stor i ol' 6 jist, n.),
or storyologist (stor i ol' 6 jist, n.),
and the subject of his study is
called storiology (stor i ol' 6 ji,
n.) or storyology (stor i ol' 6 ji, n.).
A work of art adorned with
scenes from well-known stories,
or a person, place, or thing cele-
brated in history or story, is
sometimes said to be storied
(stor 'id, adj.).

M.E. stone, O.F. [estoire, from L.
and Gr. historia narrative, report,
from his tor learned, versed. See
history. SYN. : Account, legend,
myth, narrative, tale.

story [2] (stor' i), n. A group of rooms on
the same floor ; anything compared to such
an arrangement ; each of a number of rows
or tiers of windows, columns, etc., arranged
horizontally one above the other, pi. stories
(stor' iz). Another form is storey (stor' i) ;
pi. storeys (stor' iz). (F. Jtage.)

In England it is unusual to see a house with
more than four stories, but business buildings
and blocks of flats often have more. In New
York and other American cities there are
buildings with forty or more stories, and in
London there are a number with over ten.
The word storied (stor' id, adj.) or storeyed
(stor' id, adj.) is generally used in combina-
tion. Thus we speak of a two-storied or
three-storied house. A story-post (n.) is
an upright that supports a beam on which a
floor or wall rests.

An'glo-L. historia, properly history (see story
[i]), hence perhaps tier of painted windows, or
of statues in a fagade. SYN. : Floor.

stoup (stoop), n. A drinking cup; a
basin for holy water, especially one near the
entrance of a Roman Catholic Church. (F.
coupe, flacon, benitier.)

From O. Norse staup, large cup ; cp. Dutch
stoop, G. dialect stauf. See steep [a].

stout (stout), adj. Strong ; sturdy ;
resolute ; fat or tending to fatness, n. A
variety of dark beer. (F. robuste, hardi, gros ;
stout.)

4119

STOVE

STRAGGLE

A stout cloth is one that is strong in
material and firmly woven. A stout staff is
a sturdy one. A stout ship is one that can
bear rough weather. A stout resistance is a
determined one. If a person's stoutness
(stout' nes, n.) is not very noticeable we may
call him stoutish (stout '' ish, adj.).

The word stout-hearted (stout hart' ed,
adj.) means courageous, not to be daunted.
Stout-heartedness (stout hart' ed nes, n.), or
courage, excites our admiration, as when
soldiers stoutly (stout' li, adv.), or stout-
heartedly (stout hart' ed li, adv.), stand up
to the enemy.

O.F.estout, estult,oi Teut. origin ; cp. M. LowG.
stolt, G. stolz proud ; perhaps akin to E. stilt, or
from L. stultus, foolish, foolhardy. SYN. : adj.
Bulky, corpulent, resolute, sturdy. ANT. : adj.
Feeble, thin, weak.

stove [i] (stov), n. An apparatus for
heating, cooking, etc., wholly or partly
closed, and burning gas, oil, or other fuel ;
the metal structure of a fireplace ; a drying
room for explosives, etc. ; a hot-house for
•plants ; an oven for heating the blast of a
blast-furnace, v.t. Tp dry, heat, or force
in a stove ; to disinfect with sulphur or
similar fumes. (F. poile, fourneau, etuve, serre ;
chauffer au four, Ztuver.)

Stove. — A slow combustion stove for heating (left),
and a gas stove.

Stoves are made of metal, brick, tile,
stone, and other materials. They are often
named from the purpose for which they are
used, such as cooking stove, or from the fuel
they burn, as gas stove, anthracite stove.

A stove-pipe (n.) is a pipe that takes smoke
from a stove to a chimney. In America a tall
hat is sometimes called a stove-pipe hat (n.).

Earlier, hot-room of a bath ; probably from
M. Dutch stove ; cp. Dutch stove hot-house, G.
stube room, A.-S. stofa, O. Norse stufa heated
bath-room. See stew.

stove [2] (stov). This is one of the forms
of the past tense and past participle of
stave. See stave.

stow (sto), v.t. To pack away, store, or
place neatly or in the proper place or order ;
to furl (a sail) ; to pack compactly with
articles. (F. mettre en place, arranger,
arrimer, ferler, serrer.)

Cargo is stowed on a vessel in such a way
that it can easily be got at when wanted for
unloading. A good deal of skill and knowledge
is necessary to make a man a good stower
(sto' er, n.}. Stowage (sto' aj, n.} means
both the act of stowing and the money paid
for stowing. A stowaway (sto' a wa, «.) is a
person who hides on a ship in order to get a
free passage.

M.E. stowen, from A.-S. stow place. SYN. : Fill,
pack, store.

strabismus (stra biz' mus), n. The
scientific term for squinting or a squint.
(F. strabisme.)

Strabismus is sometimes cured by dividing
one or more of the muscles of the eye. This
operation is known as strabotomy (stra bot'
6 mi, n.).

Latinized form of Gr. strabismos from strabos
squinting, from strephein to turn, twist.

straddle [i] (strad' 1), v.i. To walk,
stand, or sit with the legs apart ; to sprawl ;
to sit astride ; of the legs, to stand far
apart ; in U S.A. to hesitate between two
courses of action ; to hedge, v.t. To stretch
(the legs) far apart ; to stride across ; to
bestride ; in poker, to double (a stake), n.
The act of straddling ; the distance between
the legs of a person straddling ; in poker,
a doubling of the stake ; on the Stock
Exchange, a contract which gives the holder
the right of calling for stock or delivering
it at an agreed price. (F. marcher les jambes
ecarquillees, s'etaler, s'asseoir a califourchon,
ecarter les -jambes, hesiter, parier pour et
contre ; enfourcher, enjamber, se mettre a
calif ouvchon sur ; ecartement.}
. We straddle a gate when we have a leg
on either side of it. We straddle a horse
when we sit astride it. A straddle-legged
(adj.) position is one with the legs wide apart.
A straddler (strad ' ler, n.) is a person or thing
that straddles.

Modified frequentative (earlier strtddle) of
stride. SYN. : v. Sprawl, stride.

straddle [2] (strad' 1), v.t. To fire shots,
first beyond and then short of (a ship, etc.),
so as to get the range, n. A shot of this kind.

This is a term used in the Navy. Bracket is
the corresponding term in the Army.

See straddle [ij.

Stradivarius (strad i var' i us; strad i
var' i us), n. A violin, violoncello, or viola
made by Antonio Stradivari. An abbreviated
form is Strad (strad). (F. stradivarius.)

Latinized form of the maker's name.

strafe (straf), v.t. Slang term, meaning to
punish harshly ; to do an injury to ; to curse.

G. = " may He punish " from straf en to
chastise. The term arose in the World War
(1914-18).

straggle (strag' 1), v.i. To stray from the
main body or from the usual way ; to
spread out in irregular fashion ; to become

4120

STRAIGHT

STRAIN

dispersed ; to wander aimlessly ; to occur
here and there. (F. s'eparpiller, se disperse?,
errer.)

After the Lord Mayor's Show the crowds
straggle about the street. The word is used
specially of a soldier who strays from his
company or from the line of march, of a sailor
who is absent from his ship without leave, or
of a ship that strays from the line of battle.

A straggler (strag' ler, n.) is a person or
thing that straggles. A plant growing apart
from others of its kind, or a migratory bird
found outside its usual range, is a straggler.
Plants that grow stragglingly (strag ' ling li,
adv.), or in straggly (strag' li, adj.) fashion,
are a great trouble to the tidy gardener.

Etymology doubtful ; possibly frequentative
of M.E. straken to wander. See stretch. SYN. :
Ramble, stray, wander.

straight (strat), adj. Not bent, curved, or
crooked ; honest ; trust-
worthy ; steady ; candid ;
uninterrupted ; • level ; in
the right order or place ;
direct from the source, n.
The condition of being
straight ; a straight or even
piece of anything ; a
sequence at poker, adv.
In a straight line ; directly ;
with good aim; at once.
(F. droit, fidele, sincere,
constant, uni, exacte, direct ;
tout droit, sur le champ,
droit.}

A straight line is one ffl
that lies evenly throughout
its extent, or, in other
words, is the nearest
distance between two
points. A straight back is
one that is erect. Straight
hair is hair that is not
curly, waved, or frizzy. A straight talk is
a piece of plain speaking. We say a man is
straight when he is honest and upright in
all his dealings. To put things straight
is to put them in order. It is always better
to go straight to the fountain-head for in-
formation. In lawn-tennis a player who
wins a match without losing a set is said to
win in straight sets (n.pl.).

We all trust a straightforward (strat for'
ward, adj.) man, for we know. that he will
act straightforwardly (strat for' ward li, adv.),
and not deceive us. Straightforwardness
(strat for' ward nes, n.) is always appreciated.
A straightforward task is one that presents
no difficulties or complications.

It is important that certain things, such as
measures used by surveyors and architects,
shall be perfectly straight. If an architect
finds that one of his rulers lacks straightness
(strat' nes, n.), he should not use it.

A straight-edge (n.) is a strip of metal or
wood with one edge straight, used as a ruler,
or to test surfaces and edges. To do a thing
straightway (strat' wa, adv.) is to do it at

Straight. — A ploughman, as is his wont,
intent on ploughing a straight furrow.

once. To straighten (strat ' en, v.t. and i.)
means to make straight, or to become
straight, and a straightener (strat' en er, n.)
is a person who straightens, or an appliance
used for straightening.

A.-S. streht p.p. of streccan to stretch. SYN.
adj. Even, fair, honest, level, upright, adv.
Immediately. ANT. : adj. Crooked, shifty,
uneven.

strain [i] (stran), v.t. To stretch
tightly ; to exert as much as possible ;
to overtax ; to injure or distort by undue
exercise, effort, stretching, etc. ; to force
beyond the recognized limits ; to force the
meaning or intention of (words, rules, etc.) ;
to embrace or press closely ; to make
uneasy or artificial ; to purify by passing
through a filter or similar medium ; to
clear (solids) out of a liquid, v.i. To strive
intensely ; to pull (at) ; to be filtered ; to
trickle, n. An act of strain-
ing ; a violent or excessive
effort; a pull; an injury
or change of structure
caused by violent or ex-
cessive effort, pull, or force ;
a song; a tune; a definite
part of a piece of music ;
a passage of poetry ; style
of expression ; drift or
tendency. (F. tendre, forcer,
surcharger, outrer, etreindre,
server, passer,filtrer, tamiser;
se forcer, faire des grands
efforts, se filtrer ; effort,
tension, entorse, foulure,
chant, essor.)

A railway porter can
carry very heavy weights
without straining himself.
In mechanics, strain means
the change in the form of
a structure caused by a
load or other force, and stress means any
force that produces a strain. We strain a
point when we do more than we are entitled
to do or more than we are bound to do in
the circumstances.

A strainer (stran' er, n.) is a utensil or
device used for straining, either in the sense
of filtering or tightening.

From O.F. estraindre (stem eslreign-), L.
stringer e. See stringent. SYN. : v. Constrain,
distort, filter, force, overtax, n. Over-exertion,
pressure, style, tension.

strain [2] (stran), n. A race or stock ;
a breed ; an inherited quality or tendency ;
an addition of some racial or family element.
(F. race, lignage.)

Many families in England are proud to
possess a strain of Huguenot blood in their
veins. Owners of racehorses and hounds
endeavour to secure animals of a good
strain. There may be a savage strain or
there may be an artistic strain in a person's
character.

A.-S. streon gain, begetting, whence strlenan
to acquire, beget. SYN. : Breed, race, stock.

027

4121

STRAIT

STRAP

strait (strat), adj. Narrow or restricted ;
strict, n. (Usually pi.} a narrow belt of
water between two larger ones; a difficult
position; distress. (F. dtroit, serve ; detroit,
embarras.)

The adjective is seldom used nowadays,
except in allusion to the strait gate (Matthew
vii, 13) and the straitest sect (Acts xxvi, 5).
To straiten (strat ' en, v.t.) means to make
narrow, to restrict, to subject or reduce to
hardship or distress. A person who has not
enough to live upon can be said to be in
straitened circumstances. A strait - laced
(adj.) person is one who is very precise and
Puritanical in matters of conduct. A strait-
jacket (n.), or strait-waistcoat (n.), is a
garment used for lunatics or prisoners when
they are violent, and to strait-waistcoat (v.t.)
a person is to confine him in such a garment.

O.F. estreit, estroit, from L. strictus p.p. of
stringer e to draw tight. See strain [i], strict.

strake (strak), n. A line of planking
or plates extending the length of a ship
or boat ; the iron rim of a cart-wheel ; one
of the plates forming this. (F. gabord.)

The strake of a
boat corresponds to a
course of bricks in
a wall. In clinker-
bui It boats the
strakes overlap like
weather-boarding ; in
carvel-built boats
they make a smooth
joint, giving a level
surface.

Akin to stretch.

strain i n e o us
(stra min' e us), adj.
Like or coloured like
straw; worthless.
(F. de paille, leger comme la paille.)

From L. stramineus from strdmen (gen. -min-is)
straw, from stra-tus p.p. of sterner e to strew!

stramonium (stra mo' ni um), n. A
drug prepared from the thorn-apple, used
in the treatment of asthma. See datura; (F.'
stramonine.)

Modern L., perhaps from Tatar.

strand [i] (strand), n. The shore of a
sea ; the side or bank of a lake or river. v.t.J
To run aground, v.i. To be driven ashore.
(F. cote, rivage ; faire echouer ; echouer.)

One of the most important thoroughfares
in London is the Strand, which got its
name because at one time it was the strand
or shore by the side of the Thames. A
sailor who runs his ship aground is said to
strand her ; sometimes a whale is stranded,
or thrown uj) high and dry on the beach
by wind and waves. A person who is
left without money, or who is placed in
some other awkward position, is said to
be stranded, the past participle only being
used in this sense.

A.-S., also Dutch, G., Swed., and Dan. ; origin
obscure. SYN. : n. Bank, beach, margin,
shore.

Strake.— Part of a boat,
showing the skrakes.

strand [2], n. One of the strings or
wires of which rope is made. v.t. To break
a strand. (F. toron, fil de caret.)

Rope, whether made of fibre or of wire,
is composed of a
number of strands
which are twisted
together. When rope
is to be spliced the
strands are unlaid or
untwisted. When a
rope is worn through
in one or more
strands and is likely
to break it is said to
be stranded.

Perhaps O.F. estran ;
cp. G. strdhne.

Strange (Stranj), Strand. — A three-strand

adj. Alien ; foreign ; r°i>e (WO. and a 8tranded
unfamiliar; not well

known (to) ; not one's own ; novel ; unusual ;
eccentric, awkward ; surprising ; unexpected ;
unacquainted. (F. etranger, inconnu, singu-
lier, bizarre, extraordinaire, dtrange, embar-
rassant, surprenant.)

When we visit a strange or foreign land
we may find many things that are strange
to us, and strike us strangely (stranj ' li,
adv.), by their novel and unusual appearance
or character. Even common things have
strangeness (stranj ' nes, n.) or peculiarity.

One who is new to a place is a stranger
(stranj ' er, n.) to it. In a neighbouring
county one may feel a stranger.

O.F. estrange, L. extrdneus foreign, from extra
without. SYN. : Alien, foreign, novel, peculiar,
unexpected. ANT. : Familiar, usual.

strangle (strang ' gl), v.t. To choke or
throttle ; to kill by squeezing the windpipe ;
to stifle or suppress. (F. etrangler, etouffer,
supprimer.) .

In some countries murderers and other
evil-doers were put to death by strangling,
which was carried out by a professional
strangler (strang' gler, «.). We sometimes
talk of a movement being strangled when
it is suppressed or hindered, and not allowed
to develop. Strangles (strang ' glz, n.pl.) is
an infectious catarrh which affects animals.
• O.F, estr angler, L. str angular e to strangle,
Gr. stranggaldn ; cp. stranggos twisted. SYN. :
Choke, suppress, throttle.

strangulate (strang ' gu lat), v.t. To
strangle ; in pathology, etc., to compress
(a blood-vessel, etc.) so as to stop circulation.
(F. etrangler.)

The state in which a vein .or intestine
is strangulated is known as strangulation
(strang gu la/ shun, n.).

From L. stranguldre (p.p. -atus) to throttle.

strap (strap), n. A band, of leather or
other flexible material, used to form a
fastening, or to hold things together ; a
strip of metal to connect or fasten parts
together ; in botany, a part of a corolla
shaped like a strap, v.t. To fasten with a
strap ; to thrash with a strap ; to strop

4122

STRAPPADO

STRATIFY

or sharpen ; in surgery, to close (a cut) with
adhesive plaster. (F. courroie, lien, bande ;
sangler, cingler, Her, donner les etrivieres a,
repasser.)

The leather or webbing strap is usually
fitted with a buckle. Two used with a
holder form a rug strap, or pair of straps.
Straps also form part of the harness of a
horse. •/=*•;- • . . •

Metal straps are used to connect and
secure timbers, as in roof principals, where
straight or forked ones are employed. In
machinery a connecting rod is fastened by
a strap of iron, which passes round its end,
as in the rod connecting crank and treadle
of a lathe. A strapper (strap' er, n.) is one
who straps. We sometimes refer to a
strong man as a strapping (strap' ing, adj.)
fellow, or call him a strapper. A thrashing
with the strap is facetiously called strap-
oil (n.).

Ornamentation, in the form of crossed or
interlacing bands, is known as strap-work
(n.). The edges of wounds are strapped or
brought together by a strapping (n.) of
plaster. In tramcars and some railway
coaches looped straps of leather are used
as hand-holds for standing passengers, and
one for whom there is no seating accommo-
dation is called a strap-hanger (n.).

A.-S. stropp, from L. struppus, stroppus ;
cp. Gr. strophos band, rope, from strephein to
twist. SYN. : n. Band, strip, thong, v. Fasten.

strappado (stra pa/ do), n. A punish-
ment or torture inflicted by
fastening a person's hands, etc.,
with a rope, lifting him up, and
letting him fall to the length of
the rope. v.t. To punish writh
the strappado. (F. estrapade ;
soumeitre a I'eslrapade.)

Ital. strappata, from p.p. of
strappare to tug, haul, with suffix
altered to Span, form -ado ; said
to be related to Dutch straffen,
G. strafen to punish, and Dutch
straf, G. straff taut, tight.

strapper (strap' er). One
who straps ; a strong, lusty
person. See under strap,

strata (stra' ta), n.pl. This
is the plural of stratum. See
stratum.

stratagem (straf a jem), n.
A trick or ruse used in warfare to
deceive an enemy ; an artifice.
(F. stratageme, ruse, artifice.)

By stratagem, or the use of tricks or
manoeuvres designed to deceive and mislead
an enemy, a commander may mask a move-
ment he wishes to conceal, or divert the
attention of his opponent.

In Athens the strategus (stra te' gus, n.) —
pi. strategi (stra te' jl) — or general, was one
of the officials, appointed annually, who

an army or of a campaign. A general who
is a good strategist (straf e jist, n.) seeks to
place his own men and material so that an
enemy is put at a disadvantage, and fights
under conditions least favourable to his
success at times and places imposed upon
him by the strategist.

A commander must possess a thorough
knowledge of strategics (stra te' jiks ; stra
tej' iks, n.), and be able to make sound
strategic (stra te' jik ; stra tej' ik, adj.] or
strategical (stra te' jik al ; stra tej' ik al,
adj.) plans. By directing his men strate-
gically (stra te' jik al li ; stra tej' ik al li,
adv.) or to the best possible advantage, he
may gain a victory. Tactics, often men-
tioned in conjunction with strategy, means
the handling of forces actually in touch
with the enemy, and the conduct of a battle.

Gr. slrategema, from strategein to hold command
of an army, hence to plan a campaign, from
strategos a general, from stratos army, agein
to lead. SYN. : Artifice, ruse, trick.

strath (strath), n. A broad valley; a
river-course with high ground on each side.

The Scottish dance known as the strath-
spey (strath spa', n.) gets its name from
Strathspey, that is, the strath of the Spey,
where apparently it originated. It is slower
than the reel, and, unlike the reel, abounds
in jerky movements. The music for the
dance is also called a strathspey.

Gaelic srath ; cp. Welsh ystrad flat valley ;
akin to L. and E. stratum.

Strath. — The famous strath of Craig o' Leakie, near Invercauld,

Aberdeenshire. The straths of Scotland are broad stretches of low*

lying ground, generally traversed by a single large river and its

affluents.

stratify (straf i fl), v.t. To form or
arrange in strata. (F. stratifier.)

The deposits of mud, sand, etc., at the
mouth of a river are stratified, or laid down
in strata, by the water. The greater part
of the earth's surface is stratified, consisting
of layers of different rocks.

The sea deposits various strata on the

commanded the army in turn. Strategy beaches, and stratification (strat i n ka'

(straf e ji, n.) means the science or art of
conducting war, and the management of

shun, n.) is clearly visible in chalk cliffs,
where successive layers of chalk, sand,

4123

STRATIGRAPHIG

STRAY

pebbles, etc., are often to be seen. Rocks
that are arranged in a number of thin layers
are said by geologists to be straticulate
(stra tik' u lat, adj.}.

From L. stratum neuter p.p. of sternere to lay
down, spread out, and -ficdre compounding form
of facer e to make, to do.

stratigraphic (strat i graf ' ik). For this
word, stratigraphy, etc., see under stratum.

sir ato -cirrus (stra/ to sir" us). This
is another form of cirro-stratus. See under
cirrus.

stratocracy (stra tok' ra si), n. Mili-
tary rule ; dominion or government by
military men. (F. stratocratie, regime
militaire.}

Gr. stratos army and E. -cracy.

stratum (stra/ turn), n. A layer or
coat ; in geology, a layer or bed of material
spread out more or less horizontally, espe-
cially one deposited by water. pi. strata
(stra'ta). (F. couche.)

This word is used by geologists to mean
a set or series of layers considered as a
whole, or any one of the laminae or layers
which compose the set. The sedimentary
strata of the earth's crust were laid down
in the distant past on the beds of. seas,
oceans, and lakes then existing. Among
such rocks are the sandstones, slates, lime-
stones, and chalk.

The coal-measures are stratiform (strat' i
form, adj.), taking the form of strata. The
branch of geology called stratigraphy (stra
tig' ra n, n.) deals with the arrangement
of these layers and their successive order of
deposition. A stratigraphic (strat i graf
ik, adj.) or stratigraphical (strat i graf ik
al, adj.) diagram represents strata as they
lie one on another. At a geological museum
may be seen maps in which the composition
of many regions of the earth is depicted
stratigraphically (strat i graf ik al li, adv.).

L. neuter p.p. of sternere to lay down, spread
out. SYN. : Bed, layer, thickness.

str ato -cumulus (stra' td ku' mu his).
This is another form of cumulo-stratus.
See under cumulus.

stratus (stra/ tus), n. A cloud - form
which has a great extension horizontally
and a low altitude, pi. strati (stra/ ti).
(F. stratus.}

Meteorologists distinguish kinds of clouds
according to altitude and other circum-
stances. A stratus is one that lies between
two thousand and seven thousand feet above
the earth, and is spread out in a continuous
sheet horizontally. It is seen usually at
morning and evening, especially in autumn.

L. p.p. of sternere to spread out.

straw (straw), n. The dry, ripe stalks
of wheat, rye and other kinds of grain ; a
piece or single stalk of this ; a trifle or
worthless thing ; a straw hat. (F. paille,
Hard, chapeau de paille, canotier.}

Straw, the stalks from grain which has
been threshed, is extremely useful for many
purposes. Cottages and ricks are thatched

with it ; the farmer uses it as bedding for
his beasts, and it is strewn on the earth to
protect young plants from the cold.

Few fruits are more popular or more
succulent than the strawberry (straw' ber i,
n.} which grows on a low stemless plant
throwing out runners. A tint resembling
that of the pulpy fruit when crushed is
known as crushed strawberry. The leaf
of a strawberry plant is the emblem of a
duke, his coronet being ornamented with
a representation of eight such leaves. The
strawberry-tree (n.) is an evergreen arbutus
that bears a fruit resembling the strawberry.

A pale yellow, of the colour of straw,
is known as straw-colour (n.), and material
of this hue is said to be straw-coloured (adj.).
Straw-board (n.) is a brittle yellow pulp
board much used for making boxes and
for the covers of books ; it is so called because
it is made of straw, which is pulped and then
spread out in a layer of the desired thickness.
The caddis-worm is called the straw-worm
(n.) ; anything resembling or made of straw
is strawy (straw' i, adj.). A straw-hat (n.)
is one made of plaited or woven straw,
and is sometimes called a straw.

A.-S. streaw ; cp. Dutch stroo, G. stroh ; akin
to L. sternere (p.p. strdt-um), E. strew.

Strawberry. — Picking cultivated strawberries, two of
which are shown in the inset.

stray (stra), v.i. To deviate from the
right or proper way ; to wander ; to lose
the way ; to go wrong, n. A straggler ; a
domestic animal that has strayed, adj.
Straggling ; strayed ; wandering ; sporadic.
(F. erver, devier, se- fourvoyer, s'egarer; bete
epave ; egare, vagabond, fugilif.}

Cattle which stray, and are found straying
or wandering on the roads, are placed in
a pound by the police. When the owner
seeks to reclaim the strays he must pay a
fine, and also the expenses of feeding the
stray beasts while in the pound.

Those also who wander from the path
of duty or from the right way of life
are said to stray. When a hen misses one

4124

STREAK

STRENGTH

oi her brood she goes anxiously alter the
strayer (stra' er, «.), or straggler, calling to
it in her way.

O.F. estraier, Irom L. ex tra vagdrl to wander
outside. See extravagant. SYN. : v. Err,
wander, n. Truant, wanderer, adj. Occasional,
sporadic.

streak (strek), n. A long narrow

members in order that they may offer the
least resistance to currents.

In hydrodynamics, stream-line means the
line of flow of particles in a stream, or
a path free from eddies taken by a fluid
round a solid object. The fish has developed
such a stream -line (adj.) form — rather blunt
in front, and tapering gradually aft ; as it

irregular mark or band different in colour swims the water can close in behind it without
from its ground, u.t. To mark with streaks. eddies, which cause dragging and loss of

(F. rait; rayer.)

Sunset clouds are streaked with orange
or crimson, and golden streaks of light may
announce the sunrise.

We may say of a person, perhaps, that he
has a streak, or element, of humour in his
character. Bacon, when cut, may have

power.

Men have learned co stream-line (v.t.)
submarine boats, the underwater parts of
ships, the envelopes of airships, the body,
wings, and spars of an aeroplane, and the
body of a racing motor-car.

A.-S. stream ; ' cp. Dutch stroom, G. strom.

streaky (strek' i, adj.] look — it may SYN. : n. Brook, current, flow, river, rivulet.

consist of alternating streaks of fat and

lean ; some people prefer it when

it possesses this streakiness (strek '

i nes, n.). Streakily (strek' i li,

adv.) means irregularly, or in a

streaky manner.

A.-S. strica stroke ; cp. G. slrtch ;
akin to E. strike. SYN. : n. Smear,
stripe, vein.

stream (strem), n. A body
of flowing water ; a brook ; a
river ; a flow of liquid ; a current,
or steady flow ; the direction of
this ; a large quantity of some-
thing flowing ; a mass that moves
onward continually ; a moving
throng, v.i. To move or flow in
or as in a stream ; to run or
flow out in abundance ; to run
with liquid ; to hang or float in
the wind. v.t. To pour out
(liquid) in abundance. (F. flcuve,
torrent, ruisseau, riviere, courant,
cours d'eau, /lot; couler, jaillir, ruisseler,
flatter; repandre.)

The waters of many streams help to
swell the flow, or stream, of a large river.

Windows stream or run with rain in a

v. Flow, gush, issue, pour, wave.

Stream. — A pastoral scene, " The Stream." From the painting by
J. C. Hook, R.A.

street (stret), n. A road in a village
or town, usually flanked by houses, etc. ;
this together with such houses. (F. rue.)

Certain old Roman roads are still named
street — for example, Stone Street and

storm, and the gutter-spouts stream out Watling Street — but in modern usage a
water. Crowds stream into our railway street means a short road in a village or
stations at holiday time, and there is a other populated place. A road is usually

longer than a street and leads very often
from one town to another.

The fronts of most houses look street-
ward (stret ' ward, adv.), or towards the

continual . stream of people to the
trains.

A streamlet (strem ' let, n.) is a little stream.
A district that is without streams or rivers

is streamless (strem' les, adj.), but one in street, although there are exceptions when
which they are plentiful may be called the rear is the streetward (adj.) side.

streamy (strem ' i, adj.), to use a rare word.
This last word also means like, or flowing

A street-sweeper («.) is a man who is

employed to keep the streets clean ; it is

in, a stream. To hang in the wind, as a also the name of a machine used for the

banner does, is to stream, and a long narrow same purpose. A scavenger, or cleaner

.flag or a pennon is called a streamer (strem' of the streets, is sometimes called a street -

er, n.). Another streamer is the column orderly (n.). A street-arab (n.) means a

of light that shoots across the sky, as in child of the gutter, or a vagrant, who has

the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. no settled home.

In the science of aerodynamics stream- A.-S. straet, from L. strata, from stratus p.p.

line (n.) means the direction or course taken of sternere to lay down, to spread, hence to pave,

by air currents as they impinge on the strength (strength), n. The state or quality

body, planes, etc., of an aircraft, and also of being strong ; muscular force ; capacity

the shape given to such a body or its for exertion or endurance ; the capacity of

4125

STRENUOUS

STRETCH

a body to withstand or sustain force or strain
without yielding or breaking ; power of
resistance ; the degree in which a person or
a body is strong ; solidity ; tenacity ;
vigour ; intensity ; power ; potency ; force
measured in numbers, of an army, ships,
etc. ; the proportion of a whole number
present, mustered, etc. (F. force, puissance,
resistance, solidite, vigueur.)

There is something very attractive about
the possession of physical strength, and people
are always willing to read or hear about feats
of strength. But enviable as strength of
this kind may be, strength of character, too,
is desirable. The tensile strength of a wire,
rope, etc., is measured by the breaking strain.

During an armed conflict much may de-
pend on the relative strengths or numbers
of the various battalions, divisions, and
armies, as well as of the squadrons and fleets
of ships or aeroplanes. ^_^___-__

To strengthen (strength'
en, v.t.) a building is to
make it stronger. A sapling
strengthens (strength' enz,
v.i.) as it grows ; an athlete
as he acquires more
strength and stamina.
Anything which imparts
strength is a strengthener
(strength ' en er , n . ) . In the
case of the athlete, his
training may have been
the strengthener, without
which he might well be
comparatively strengthless
(strength' les, adj.) or
feeble.

A.-S. strengthu, from strung
strong. SYN. : Force, might,
power, tenacity, vigour. ANT.:
Feebleness, weakness.

strenuous (stren' u us),
adj. Vigorous ; energetic ;
zealous ; persistent. (F. energique, assidu,
zele.}

Football is a strenuous game, played
vigorously, or strenuously (stren' u us li,
adv.). A former president of the United
States — Theodore Roosevelt — urged people
to. live more strenuous or energetic lives.
There is much to be said for his advice, and
if Great Britain is to hold her place in the
world her young people must take their
careers seriously and show as much
strenuousness (stren' u us nes, n.) in their
work, whatever it is, as they display in games
and sports.

From L. strenuus active ; cp. Gr. strenes strong ;
E. suffix -ous. SYN. : Ardent, keen, zealous. ANT. :
Inert, lazy, lethargic slack.

strepitoso (strep i to' so), adv. In music, in
a noisy or impetuous manner. (F. strepitoso.)
Ital. = clattering.

stress (stres), n. Constraining force ;
tension ; pressure ; strain ; in mechanics,
force exerted between or upon bodies or

parts ; weight ; emphasis ; accentuation ;
importance, v.t. To subject to stress ; to lay
stress on. (F. force, pression, charge, poids,
accent, accentuation; charger, appuyer sur,
souligner.)

Driven by stress of weather, a trawler
may leave her nets and make for the nearest
safe anchorage. Masts and spars are con-
structed to withstand stress and strain, but
they may snap under stress in a bad
storm.

In mechanics, a stress is a force, or com-
bination of forces, which causes a strain. A
thrust stress produces a compression strain ;
a pulling stress causes the strain named
tension. A clock-spring when wound up is
in a state of stress, and exerts a stress or
reaction in its uncoiling.

Every English word of more than one
syllable has one syllable stressed, or empha-
sized, while the others are
left stressless (stres' les,
adj.), that is, without
emphasis. One who writes
a message may underline
some words to stress their
importance.

Shortened from distress,
influenced by O.F. estrece
from L. sir ictus. SYN .: Im-
portance, pressure, tension,
urgency, v. Emphasize.

stretch (strech), v.t. To
tighten ; to make taut ; to
draw out; to straight ten;
to extend or cause to
extend in any direction ;
to draw out to the .full
length ; to reach out (a
hand, etc.) ; to place some-
where in a taut, extended,
or outspread state ; to
strain ; to expand or
distend; to lay out (a
person) with a blow ; to
strain; to do violence to; to distort, v.i.
To be extended or expanded ; to extend
one's limbs ; to reach ; to have a specified
extension; to admit of being drawn out.
n. An act of stretching; a state of being
stretched ; a continuous line, tract, or
expanse ; a continuous spell ; the distance
a ship sails on the same tack. (F. tendre,
etirer, allonger, deploy er, coucher, exagerer;
s'etendre, setirev, s'elargir; tension, etendue,
bordee.)

One can stretch a strand of elastic rubber
to several times its original length without
breaking it, but there is a point at which it
will cease to stretch, and will snap. Gloves
which are tight when first worn may stretch
with longer use. We stretch out a limb by
extending it to its full length. Railways now
stretch across all civilized countries.

Telegraph lines are tightly stretched
between their posts, the lineman using a vice
with a ratchet by means of which the wire
is stretched and made taut.

display of strength
woman of Japan.

4126

STREW

STRIFE

People have been known to fast for several
weeks at a stretch, or on end. In most
trades men work continuously for a stretch,
or spell, of eight hours. Anything which
stretches, or serves to stretch, is a stretcher
(strech' er, n.). An injured person is carried
on a kind of litter called a stretcher.

In brickwork a stretcher is a brick placed
lengthwise in the direction of a wall, one
laid crosswise being known as a header. A
wall made up entirely of stretchers so laid is
said to be built with stretcher-bond (n.},
each course being a stretcher-course (n.), and
the joints of one course being opposite the
centres of the bricks in the courses next
above and below it.

An elastic substance, or one that stretches
much, is said to be stretchy (strech' i, adj.).

A.-S. streccan , cp. Dutch strekken, G. strecken ;
perhaps akin to E. stark. SYN. : v. Elongate,
extend, lengthen, strain, tighten. n. Expanse,
extent, span, spell, tract. ANT. : v. Compress,
contract, loosen, shorten.

strew (stroo), v.t. To scatter ; to spread
about or cover by scattering, p.p. strewn
(stroon), or strewed (strood). (F. semer,
eparpiller, couvrir.)

Floors were formerly strewed, or covered,
with rushes. On the first Palm Sunday the
people strewed branches in the path of
Christ, as he entered Jerusalem.

A.-S. streawian ; cp. G. streuen. See straw.
SYN. : Scatter, spread.

Striated. — Skin of the African scaly ant-eater, show-
ing the striated surface of the scales.

stria (strl' a), n. A strip or streak ; a
small groove or furrow running parallel to
others, pi. striae (strl' e). (F. strie.)

To striate (strl' at, v.t.) is to mark with
striae. Ordinary muscle tissue is striate
(strl' at, adj.), and the striated fibres which
compose it have both lengthwise and trans-
verse markings on them. Some rocks exhibit
striation (strl a' shim, n.), the surface being
marked with fissures caused ages ago by the
passage of a glacier.

L. = furrow, groove.

stricken (strik' en). This is a form 01
the past participle of strike. See strike.

strict (strikt), adj. Exactly or precisely
defined ; governed by exact rules ; accurate ;
rigorous ; severe ; not lax ; not admitting of
deviation or exception. (F. strict, precis,
exact, rigoureux.)

In wartime, the discipline of soldiers, at
all times strict, or characterized by strictness
(strikt' nes, n.), becomes more stringent
still. Any violation of the strict rules and
regulations is severely punished. Civilians
who accompany an army are amenable to
military law, and must obey orders strictly
(strikt' li, adv.), or precisely.

A stricture (strik' chur, n.) is a censure, or
a severe criticism of conduct. In pathology, a
stricture means a contraction of a duct or pass-
age in the body, which when thus contracted
is said to be strictured (strik' churd, adj.).

From L. strictus p.p. of stringere to strain.
SYN. : Accurate, exact, precise, rigid, rigorous.
ANT. : Inaccurate, lax, slack.

stride (strid), v.i. To walk with long steps.
v.t. To bestride ; to cover in a single step.
p.t. strode (strod) ; p.p. stridden (strid' en),
or strid (strid). n. A long step or pace ;
the distance covered by such a step. (F.
marcher a grandes enjambees; enfourcher,
enj amber; enjambee.)

Soldiers march with a regulator measured
stride, at an even pace or stride. We may
roughly measure a plot of land by pacing
or striding along its margins. If in striding
through a country lane we have to cross a
puddle we may take it in our stride, striding
or stepping over the obstacle.

A.-S. strldan ; cp. Low G. strlden to strive,
stride, Dutch strijden, G. straiten to contend.
SYN. : v. Bestride, pace, step, straddle, walk.
n. Pace, step.

strident (strl' dent), adj. Sounding harsh
and loud. (F. strident.}

Bolts and hinges which have grown rusty
with disuse creak in a strident manner
when one attempts to move them. Some
persons have. harsh, metallic voices, and are
then said to talk stridently (strl' dent li, adv.).

The harsh creaking noise made by cicadas,
crickets, and some other insects is called a
stridor (strl' dor, n.). Such insects stridulate
(strid' u lat, v.i.), or make this stridulous
(strici' u lus, adj.) noise by rubbing the hard
parts of their body together. The stridula-
tory (strid' u la to ri, adj.) organ is usually
the wing-case, or the femur, each of which is
provided with a roughened, file-like surface.
The grasshopper is a stridulator (strid' u la
tor, n.), which makes its chirp by rubbing
wing and femur together, but the stridulation
(strid u la' shun, n.) of the cricket is produced
by the wings alone.

L. strldens (ace. -ent-em), pres. p. of strldere to
creak. SYN. : Grating, harsh.

strife (strif), n. Conflict ; contention ;
hostile struggling ; contest undertaken in
emulation or rivalry. (F. lutte, contention,
concurrence.)

4127

STRIGA

STRIKE

An agitator endeavours to sow strife and
dissension among people. Athletes compete
in friendly strife.

O.F. estrif, O. Norse strith (cp. Dutch strijd,
G. streit], or from source of G. streben to
endeavour. See strive. SYN. : Contention,
contest, dispute, struggle. ANT. : Amity, concord.

striga (stri' ga), n. In botany, a short,
stiff hair or hair-like scale, pi. strigae
(stri' ji).

Botanists describe the surface of a leaf
or stem that is covered with strigae as strigose
(stri' gos, adj.], or strigous (stri' gus, adj.}.
These words also mean of the nature of
strigae.

L. striga a row of corn or hay cut down, perhaps
from stringer e to press together ; cp. stria.

Strike. — Driving a wedge into a piece of tree trunk
by striking it with a heavy hammer.

strike (strlk), v.t. To hit; to deliver a
blow or blows upon ; to drive or send with
a blow ; to collide with ; to cause to pene-
trate ; to thrust (into) ; to secure (a hooked
fish) by jerking the line upwards ; to cause
(an hour) to sound by beats on a bell, etc. ;
to stamp or mint (a coin) ; to ratify (a
bargain) ; to arrive at (an average) ; to
determine (a balance) ; , to assume (an
attitude) dramatically ; to cause to become
(blind, etc.) ; to affect or impress mentally ;
to arrest the attention of ; to afflict ;* to
cause (a match) to ignite ; to light upon
suddenly ; to occur to suddenly ; to level
off (a joint in masonry) ; to level (a measure of
grain, etc.) by scraping off the surplus ; to
lower (a flag or sail) ; to take down (a tent) ;
to cease (work) as a protest against low
wages, etc. v.i. To hit ; to deliver a blow
or blows (upon) ; to dash (against, upon,
etc.) ; to run aground or against rocks ;
to sound the time ; to cease work as a
protest ; to enter or turn (into a track, etc.) ;
to diverge (to) ; to arrive suddenly ; to
take root ; to jerk fishing tackle so as to
secure the hook in a fish's mouth ; to lower
nags or sails as a sign of surrender ; in

geology, to extend in a specified direction
(of strata), n. The act of striking, especially
a massed refusal to work until a grievance is
remedied ; a discovery (of minerals) ; the
jerk by which an angler secures a hooked
fish ; a straight rule for levelling grain, etc.,
in a measure ; a rod or narrow board for
levelling a surface ; in geology, the horizontal
direction of a bed of rock. p.t. struck (struk);
p.p. struck (struk) or stricken (strik' en).
(F. assener, frapper, heurter, percer, sonner,
ratifier, ttablir, saisir, allumer, rencontrer,
araser, amener, plier, faire greve ; frapper,
heurter, dchouer, sonner, se mettre en greve,
prendre racine, baisser pavilion, amener les
voiles; greve, regie, radoire, inclinaison de
couche.}

It is unpleasant to strike one's elbow
accidentally against a sharp object. We
strike a match by rubbing it against the
side of the matchbox. If the match strikes,
or gives a light by being struck, we succeed
in striking, or producing, a light. The
executioner of mediaeval times struck off
the heads of, or beheaded, his victims with
an axe. An idea strikes one when it occurs
to one by chance.

Coins are said to be struck, because they
are shaped and impressed by stamping.
Similarly, a printer is said to strike off, or
print, a number of posters. To strike a
person off a list, however, is to remove his
name from it.

People are said to strike out, or make
vigorous strokes of various kinds, when
boxing, swimming, or skating. We strike
out a line of action for ourselves when we
make a plan and follow it. Steel strikes sparks
out of flint, that is, produces them by striking.
A writer strikes out misspelt words when
he deletes them, or draws pen or pencil
lines through them.

To strike up a tune is to begin to sing or
play it, and to strike up a friendship or
conversation with a person is to enter into
it without formalities.

The Biblical expression " well stricken in
years " means aged. To be stricken with
fever is to be affected by it. A pitched
battle is sometimes called a stricken field.
Many people use a strike-a-light (n.), which is
a mechanical lighter containing a flint, to
light their pipes, etc.

A small money allowance, called strike-pay
(n.), is made by his trade union to a striker
(strik' er, n.), that is, a workman on strike,
to prevent him from starving, owing to the
stoppage of his wages. A strike in which
workmen of many trades take part is called
a general strike.

A blacksmith's striker is an assistant
who wields a heavy hammer. The striker
of a gun or rifle is a part which flies forward
when the trigger is pulled. It has a pointed
part which indents and explodes the cap
or the cartridge. In lawn-tennis, the player
who receives the service is called the receiver
or striker-out (n.).

4128

STRING

STRINGENDO

A striking (strlk' ing, adj.] picture is one
that strikes our attention by being out of the
common. Some persons have a striking,
or impressive, manner, that strikes, or arrests,
us. Others are strikingly (strlk' ing li, adv.],
that is, very noticeably, handsome. Others

A piece of music in sonata form for such
a group is also called a string quartet.

A string-board (n.) or string-piece (n.) is
one of the side pieces of a wooden staircase
which supports the ends of the steps. A
string-course (n.) is a horizontal band or

gain charm those who meet them by the course projecting from a wall, to break up

(••-ilj't'ri rrt-»*ie>c> / OT-T-I \r i Ti rr floe /w I Tr»OT- to -rho /-• * • , , • *

strikingness (strlk ' ing nes, n.), that is, the
striking quality, of their conversation.

A.-S. strican to go, flow, stroke , cp. Dutch
strijken, G. streichen to stroke ; akin to L.
stringere to graze. See stroke [i] and [2]. SYN. :
v. Beat, buffet, hit, knock, smite.

string (string), n. Twine, or thin cord ; a
long strip of this, or of leather, or other
material, used for tying up, lacing together,
or fastening objects ; a string-like fibre, etc. ;
a stretched wire or piece of twisted gut in a
musical instrument, yielding a tone or tones
when vibrated ; a number of objects
threaded on a string ; a series of things
fastened together in line ; a number of
persons or things of one kind following one
another in close succession ; in billiards, a
scoring board having button indicators
sliding on wires ; the score marked with this ;
(pi.) a body of stringed musical instruments.
/;./. To furnish with a string or
strings ; to thread on a string ;
to fasten the string on (a bow) ;
to strip the hard edge-fibres off
(beans) ; to make (nerves) tense.
v.i. To become stringy ; in
billiards, to decide who shall
begin a game by making pre-
liminary strokes, p.t. and p.p.
strung (strung) . (F. corde, ficelle,
cordon, lacet, filandres, chapelet,
serie ; garnir de cordes, mettre
une corde a; devenir filandreux.}

Ordinary string is thicker than
thread, but finer than cord.
Certain items of clothing are
fastened with strings, such as
shoe-strings, apron-strings, and
bonnet-strings. Onions are tied
in strings for keeping. We also
speak of a string of sausages,
when they are linked together in
a line. A puppet is usually worked by
strings attached to its limbs. Hence, when
one person controls or influences the actions
of others, he is said to pull the strings.

The mediaeval archer carried a spare
string for use if the one on his bow should
break. In a figurative sense a person is said
to have two strings to his bow when he has
an alternative course in reserve in case the
one he is following should fail. One's nerves
are said to be strung up when one is excited
or keyed up for some effort. Highly-strung
people are over sensitive.

A string-band (n.}, or string-orchestra (n.},
consists only of players on stringed (stringd,
adj.] musical instruments, especially violins,
violas, violoncellos, and double-basses. A

a flat, uninteresting surface.

The twitching of a horse's hind legs in
walking is known as string-halt (n.).

The gut meshing of a lawn-tennis racket is
called the stringing (string' ing, n.), a term
also applied to the fixing of the gut into the
frame of the racket.

A stringer (string' er, n.) may be a person
who strings or fits the strings on a piano
or tennis racket, or who strings beads, etc.

A violin lacking its strings is a stringless
(string' les, adj.) instrument. A small gauge
used by violinists and others for measuring
the thickness of their strings is called a
string-gauge (n.). Runner beans become
stringy (string' i, adj.), or fibrous, when old.
In Australia the name of stringy-bark (n.)
is given to several species of eucalyptus,
or gum-tree, the bark of which is remarkable

String. — Girl gardeners stringing crocuses to protect thei
damage by birds.

from

for its stringiness (string' i nes, n.), that is,
its stringy or fibrous nature.

A string-board is sometimes called a
stringer ; so also is a horizontal timber or
girder running lengthwise in a building or
other structure. The stringer of a boat is a
narrow plank running fore-and-aft inside the
ribs. In a steel ship, the stringers are hori-
zontal metal girders riveted to the frames
inside to keep them the right distance apart,
and to stiffen the sides. On railway bridges
longitudinal sleepers, named stringers, are
sometimes used instead of cross-sleepers.

A.-S. streng ; cp. Dutch streng, G. strang ; akin
to strangle. SYN. : Cord, leash, line, thread, train.

stringendo (strin jen' do), adv. In
music, hastening ; in quicker time and louder.

string quartet (n.) is a group of four players, (F stringendo, en pressant le temps.}
usually two violinists, a violist, and a 'cellist. Ital., from stringere, strignere to press.

4129

STRINGENT

STROKE

stringent (strin' jent), adj. Of rules,
rigid or strict ; tight or binding ; con-
vincing ; compelling assent. (F. strict,
obligatoire, convaincant.}

Stringent restrictions leave no loophole
for the person who is bound by them to
use his own discretion. They are drawn up
stringently (strin' jent li, adv.], that is,
strictly and precisely, and have the quality
of stringency (strin' jen si, n.), that is, rigour
or strictness. The money-market is said
to be stringent when money is scarce, and
financiers find difficulty in carrying out their
operations owing to its stringency.

From L. stringens (ace. -ent-em) pres. p. of
stringer e to draw tight ; akin to E. string. SYN. :
Binding, hampered, precise, tight, unaccom-
modating. ANT. : Accommodating, loose, un-
hampered.

stringer (string' er). For this word,
stringless, etc., see under string.

strip [i] (strip), v.t. To remove the cover-
ing from ; to skin, peel, or husk ; to plunder ;
to deprive (of) ; to remove (clothes, bark,
rigging, etc.) ; to milk (a cow) to the last
drop ; to tear off (the thread)
from a screw, v.i. To undress ;
to come away in strips ; of a
projectile, to be fired without
spin ; of a screw, to have the
thread torn off. (F. depouiller,
peler, devaliser, traire a sec,
arracher le filet de ; se deshabiller,
tomber par rubans.)

A house is stripped when all
its furniture and fittings are
removed ; a ship when it is dis-
mantled ; and a tree when its
fruit is all gathered, or all its
branches are sawn or broken off.
Bathers strip, or take off their
clothes, before entering the water.
The thread of a bolt is sometimes
stripped when the unit is screwed
on too tightly. One who strips
bark from trees, shoddy from a
carding machine, etc., is known
as a stripper (strip' er, n.), and so
is a machine or appliance used for this or
similar work. Strip-leaf (n.) is a kind of
tobacco with the stems of the leaves removed.

A.-S. -strypan ; cp. Dutch stroopen. G. streifen.
SYN. : Denude, despoil, undress.

strip [2] (strip), n. A long, narrow band
or piece of anything. (F. bande.}

A strip may be of any size, provided that it
is long in proportion to its width. It may be
as small as a strip or band of paper used to
make a spill, or as large as the strip of land in
South-west Africa, the Caprivi enclave, about
eighteen thousand square miles.

Probably akin to E. strap, strop, or to stripe.

stripe (strip), n. A long narrow band of a
distinctive colour or material ; a chevron ;
a blow with a cane, whip, scourge, etc.
v.t. To mark with stripes. (F. raie, bande,
chevron, galon, coup de fouet ; rayer, barrer,
galonner.)

A stripe differs in texture or colour from
the surface on which it occurs. Evening
dress trousers, for instance, usually have a
stripe of braid clown the side seams. Tigers and
many other animals are striped or have their
fur banded with stripes of different colours.
The zebra, in particular, is a, very stripy
(strip' i, adj.) beast, that is, one having, or
marked with, stripes. The stripiness (strip'
i nes, n.), or stripy character, of so'me fabrics,
is very pleasing, but loud or obtrusive stripes
are unsuitable for clothing.

Probably a weaver's term from M. Dutch
stripe ; cp. G. streif, with third sense cp. Dutch
strippen to whip. SYN. : «. Band, strip.

stripling (strip' ling), n. A youth or
lad whose figure is not yet mature and filled
out. (F. petit jeune homme.)

Dim. of E. stripe or strip [2], implying an
undeveloped youth all length and no breadth.

strive (striv), v.i. To try or work hard ;
to vie ; to struggle, or contend ; to quarrel
(with each other), p.t. strove (strov) ; p.p.
striven (striv' en). (F. faire tous ses efforts,
rivaliser, lutter, se disputer.}

Strive. — Pelicans engaged in a battle on land, each striving to
secure the coveted piece of food.

We should all strive to do our work as
well as possible, if only for the sake of our
own self-respect. The striver (striv' er, n.}
against misfortunes stands a better chance
of overcoming them than the person who
bears them passively.

O.F. estriver from the source of estrif strife. See
strife. SYN. : Contend, emulate, endeavour.,
tight, struggle.

strobile (strob' il ; stro' bil), n. A fir-
cone or similar fruit. Another form is
strobilus (stro bi' liis) ; its pi. is strobili
(stro bi' 11). (F. strobile.)

F., from Gr. strobilos spinning top, hence (from
shape) a fir cone, from strephein to whirl.

strode (strod). This is the past tense of
stride. See stride.

stroke [i] (strok), n. A blow; the shock,
impact, or noise of a blow ; a sudden attack
(of illness, etc.) ; a single effort ; a skilful or

4130

STROKE

STRONG

successful effort ; one of a series of repeated
movements, as of an oar, piston, etc. ; the
rate, length, or manner of such movements ;
a mark made by a single sweep in one
direction of a pen, pencil, or brush ; a stroke-
oar, v.t. To act as stroke for (a crew or boat).
(F. coup, attaque, trait, coup de maitre, coup
d'aviron, trait de plume, coup de pinceau,
chef de nage ; gouverner la nage.}

At some schools boys are punished with
strokes of the cane. A striking clock sounds
the hours by strokes on a bell or coil of wire.
In the tropics Europeans sometimes suffer
from heat-stroke, a violent form of sun-stroke,
producing insensibility and convulsions. A
swordsman gives his opponent a finishing
stroke when he suddenly ends the combat
by killing him. Any highly original or apt
idea may be described as a stroke of genius.
A good stroke of business is a profitable
transaction.

The stroke or stroke-oar
(n.) of a rowing crew is
said to stroke the boat.
He sits nearest the stern,
and sets the time of the
stroke, or the rate at
which the rest of the crew
pull their oars.

In cricket, the different
ways of hitting the ball
are called strokes, each
having a special name, as
the cut, drive, glide, pull,
square cut, etc. The term
is also used in other sports
for the act of hitting the
ball, and, in a special
sense, in golf, for a point
or unit of scoring.

M.E. stroc, from A.-S.
sir lean. See strike. SYN. :
n. Blow, hit, impact, shock.

stroke [2] (strok), v.t.
To rub gently in one
direction ; to pass the hand caressingly over.
n. The act of stroking ; a spell of stroking.
(F. caresser, passer la main sur ; caresse.}

An animal's hair or fur becomes ruffled up
if it is stroked in the opposite direction to
that in which it lies. To stroke a person
the wrong way thus means to ruffle his temper
or annoy him. The hand of the stroker (strok'
er, n.) is passed strokingly (strok' ing li, adv.],
that is, in a stroking manner, over a cat's
back when he gives it a stroke.

A.-S. stracian, from strican to flow, stroke. See
stroke [i] and: strike. SYN. : v. Caress, fondle.

stroll (strol), v.i. To walk in a leisurely
way ; to go. for a short saunter. -v:t. To walk
slowly along (a road) or about (a place), n.
A leisurely walk ; a saunter ; a ramble.
(F. se balader, faire un tour; parcourir a
loisir; balade.)

On public holidays, many people may be
seen strolling in the parks. A stroller (strol7
er, n.) merely saunters along ; he is not a
strenuous walker. In former times, an

Strong. — A strong man holding a heavy
bar-bell above his head.

actor who belonged to a troupe that travelled
from place to place, on foot or otherwise,
giving performances in villages, private
houses, and towns, etc., was called a strolling
player (n.) or stroller. The miniature play
performed before the king in " Hamlet "
(iii, 2) is presented by a strolling company (n.),
or party of itinerant actors.

Perhaps obsolete G. strolchen, stro lien, to
wander as a tramp (strolch vagabond). SYN. : v.
arid n. Ramble, saunter.

stroma (stro' ma), n. The framework or
support of tissue forming the chief mass of a
bodily organ ; the cell body of a red blood
corpuscle, pi. stromata (stro' ma ta).

Doctors describe an inflammation of the
stroma as stromatic (stro mat' ik, adj.}.
Gr. = bedding, from stronnynai to strew.
strong (strong), adj. Possessing or able
to exert great force ; powerful ; muscular ;
capable; vigorous; ener-
getic; having power of
resistance or endurance ;
healthy ; tough ; solid ;
not easily broken, worn,
captured, etc. ; having
great numbers, resources,
or great naval or military
power ; wealthy ; having
a specified number of men,
etc. ; affecting the senses
powerfully ; loud and
penetrating ; pungent ; in-
toxicating ; ill-smelling ;
glaring ; vivid ; convinc-
ing ; bold ; stressed;
accented ; in grammar,
forming the different parts
of speech by changes of
the stem-vowel, and not
by the addition of a con-
sonant. (F.fort,musculeux,
capable, vigour eux, ener-
gique, resistant, puissant,
penetrant, piquant, enivrant, puant, eclatant.}
Hercules and Samson are traditional types
of the strong man — one of superior physical
development, capable of exerting great
muscular force. People who are not liable to
illness and who are able to overcome the
effects of disease, are said to have strong
constitutions.

A strong force, that is to say, one large
in numbers, is needed to capture a strong,
or well-fortified, position. A troop of boy
scouts, thirty strong, is one numbering
thirty members.

We should make a strong, or emphatic,
protest when treated unfairly or unjustly.
In the law courts, a strong case is one well
supported by evidence. Strong colours are
intense ; strong outlines are such as are
boldly defined.

When we hear a person speak with a strong,
or broad, Scottish accent, we may safely
guess his nationality. In music, the strongest
accent falls on the first beat of the bar.

4131

STRONTIA

STRUGGLE

Every bank has a strong-room («.), that is, strove (strov). This is the past tense of

a specially built, fire-proof and burglar-proof strive. See strive.

chamber in which valuables are kept. It is
built of steel and concrete, and, in effect,
is a very large, fixed safe. A receptacle
for valuables that is difficult to break open
is known as a strong box (n.)

struck (struk). This is the past tense
and past participle of strike. See strike.

structure (struk' chur), n. The manner in
which a building, organism, or other com-
plete whole is constructed or organically

In the Middle Ages, the robber baron formed ; the arrangement of parts or organs

depended largely for security upon his
stronghold (n.), or fortress. Any secure place

in a complex whole ; construction ; a com-
bination of parts, as a building, machine,

of refuge may also be called a stronghold. or organism, especially the supporting frame-
People, especially women, with strong, work or all the essential parts. (F. cow-
vigorous minds, capable of reasoning clearly
and soundly, are said to be strong-minded
(adj.). This word was once used .in a dis-
paraging sense of supporters of feminism.

A strongish (strong' ish, adj.) smell is one
that is somewhat strong. The word strongly
(strong' li, adv.) means in a strong manner,
in many of the senses of the adjective. A

struction, distribution, edifice.)
• Anatomy is the science of the structure
of organisms. In comparative anatomy we
learn of the structural (struk' chur al, adj.)
similarities and differences, that is, as regards
structure, between the lower animals and
man. A skyscraper may be described as a
towering structure, or building. Sentences

strongly-accented line of verse is one with having a simple structure, or arrangement of

heavily marked stresses. words, are easier to understand than involved

A.-S. strung ; cp. O. Norse strang-r, Dutch, sentences.

G. streng strict ; akin to L. stringer e to strain. Modern steel bridges are very strong

SYN. : Energetic, firm, forcible, hardy, powerful. structurally (struk' chur al li, adv.], that is,

ANT. : Delicate, feeble, infirm, powerless, weak. as regards their construction, unless they

strontia (stron' shi a), n. An oxide of happen to contain structural defects, or

strontium. Another less common form is defects in their structure. Minerals are
strontian (stron' shi an). (F. strontiane.

The hard, malleable,
yellowish-white metallic ele-
ment called strontium (stron '
shi um, n.} belongs to the
same group as calcium and
barium. It occurs in nature
chiefly in the form of stron-
tianite (stron' shi an it, n.},
which is a carbonate of the
metal.

From Strontian in Argyll-
shire, Scotland, where it was
first found.

strop (strop), n. A strip
of leather or canvas on which
razors are sharpened ; an
apparatus for the same pur-
pose ; in nautical use, a ring
or closed band of hide, rope,
or iron, attached to a yard,
pulley, block, etc., as a pur-

Strop. — Various forms of rope and
iron strops attached to blocks.

structureless (struk' chur les, adj.) in the
sense that they lack organic
structure, but we may speak
of the structure of certain
igneous rocks, for instance,
as being chiefly crystalline.

F., from L. struct ur a fitting
together, adjustment, from
struere (p.p. structus) to pile
up, arrange.

struggle (strug' 1), v.i. To
make violent movements ; to
make great or determined
efforts, especially against
difficulties ; to strive hard
(to) ; to contend ; to make
one's way (along, etc.)
against difficulties, etc. n.
An act or spell of struggling ;
a strenuous effort of body or
mind under difficulties ; a
hard contest; a fight of a

chase for tackle, etc. v.t. To sharpen on or confused character. (F. se debattre, lutter, se

with a strop. (F. cuir a rasoir, cuir a
repasser, estrope ; repasser sur le cuir.}
A.-S. strop, olden form of strap. See strap.

strophe (strof i ; stro' n), n. The first
part of an ode recited by the chorus in ancient
Greek drama ; one of two or more sections
of a lyric poem that correspond exactly in
metre ; a stanza. (F. strophe.}

In the ancient Greek theatre, there was a
dramatic convention for the chorus to turn
from right to left when they chanted the
strophe, or first section of the choral ode, and
then from left to right for the antistrophe.
The strophic (strof ik, adj.) metres, or those
of the strophe, were repeated exactly in the
antistrophe.

Gr. strophe, from strephein to turn.

demener ; effort, lutte, rixe.}

A trapped animal struggles to escape from
the trap. Many people have to struggle
against adversity, and find life a hard
struggle. It is sometimes a struggle or efforl
to get on to a crowded vehicle, but the
thoughtless struggler (strug' ler, n.}, whc
forces his way on at the expense of old and
infirm people has cause to be ashamed ol
himself. In a figurative sense, a gleam oi
sunlight may be said to struggle through
the clouds.

A struggling (strug' ling, adj.) artist i?
one who finds it difficult to earn a living
from the sale of his pictures, or to win a
reputation for himself. A person may be
said to climb strugglingly (strug' ling li, adv.),

4132

STRULDBRUG

STUBBY

or with struggles, up a steep and slippery
path.

M.E. strogelen ; perhaps a frequentative akin
to O. Norse strug-r ill-will, Swed. dialect strug,
strife. SYN. : v. Contend, endeavour, labour, strive.
n. Contest, endeavour, jostling, labour, melee.

Struldbrug (struld'
brug), n. One of the
unfortunate inhabi-
tants of Luggnagg, in
Swift's " Gulliver's
Travels," who were
incapable of dying,
and lingered on sup-
ported by a miserable
pittance from the
state.

This word is some-
times used allusively,
as when an old man,
who lives on an in-
sufficient pension, is
described as having become a Struldbrug.

Name invented by Swift.

strum (strum), v.t. To play (a piano,
banjo, etc.), monotonously or unskilfully ;
to play (a tune) in this way. v.i. To perform
on an instrument thus. n. The sound made
by playing in this way. (F. tapoter, massacrer.)

Variant of thrum with s prefixed. See thrum.

struma (stroo' ma), n. Another name for
scrofula or tuberculosis ; a cushion-like
swelling on a plant, pi. strumae (stroo' me).

A person affected with struma can be
described as strumous (stroo' mus, adj.), a
a word that can also be applied to any
condition caused by or of the nature of struma.
The alternative form strumose (stroo' mos,
adj.) is used in botany to describe a part that
has a struma or strumae.

L. slriima tiimour, from struere to heap.

strung (strung). This is the past tense
and past participle of string. See string.

strut [i] (strut), v.i. To walk in a pompous
or an affected manner, n. Such a gait. (F.
se pavaner ; demarche altiere.}

Some people who affect superiority parade
about with a strut, taking stiff, dignified
steps, and holding their heads erect. Cocks,
turkeys, and peacocks also strut or walk
about struttingly (strut' ing li, adv.}.

M.E. strouten to protrude ; cp. Dan. strutte to
strut, G. strotzen to bulge. See strut [2].

strut [2] (strut), n. A piece of wood or
timber in a structure, resisting pressure or
thrust along its length ; an oblique brace.
v.t. To support or strengthen with struts.
(F. entretoise, etai ; entretoiser, etayer.}
" Cp. Low G.~ strutt rigid. See strut [i],

struttingly (strut' ing li). For this word
see under strut [i].

strychnine (strik' nin ; strik' nin), n. A
highly poisonous alkaloid drug obtained
from nux vomica, etc. (F. strychnine.}

Strychnine is a colourless crystalline
substance with an exceedingly bitter taste.
It is used in medicine in minute quantities
as a nerve stimulant. Strychnine poisoning,

Struggle. — Fox terriers engaged in a playful but
determined struggle for a piece of sacking.

which is accompanied by spasms known
as strychnic (strik' nik, adj.} convulsions,
resembling the symptoms of tetanus, is also
called strychninism (strik' nin izm, n.} or
strychnism (strik' nizm, n.}.

L. strychnos, Gr. strykhnos nightshade, and
E. chemical suffix -ine.

stub (stub), n. The
projecting stump of
a tree, tooth, etc. ; a
stump, end, or remnant
(of a cigar, pencil,
etc.). v.t. To clear
(land) of stubs, trees,
etc., by uprooting
them ; to grub (stubs)
up by the roots ; to
knock (one's foot)
against a stub or pro-
jection. (F. troncon,
chicot, bout; deblayer,
deraciner, donner du pied contre.}

The stubs of felled trees send out shoots
and fresh leaves if they are left in the ground.
They have to be stubbed up before the land
in which they are growing can be cultivated.
It is difficult to write with a stub of pencil, or
c~e that is stubby (stub' i, adj.}, that is,
short and thick like a stub. Some dogs'
tails are cut very short and have the quality
of stubbiness (stub' i nes, n.}.

A.-S. stubb ; cp. Dutch stobbe, O. Norse slubb-r ;
also Gr. stypos stem, stump. SYN. : n. End,
fag-end, remnant, stump.

stubble (stub' 1), n. Stumps of corn, etc.,
left in the ground after harvesting ; a field
covered with stubble ; short, bristly growth
of hair. (F. chaume, eteule.}

Stubble has to be ploughed in before
another crop can be sown. Sometimes
cattle are put out to graze on grass or clover
growing among the stubble. They are then
said to be stubble-fed (adj.}. It is uncomfort-
able to walk in thin shoes over a stubbly
(stub' li, adj.} field, that is, one covered with
stubble. A man gets a stubble of short,
stiff hairs on his chin if he delays shaving.
His chin becomes stubbly, or like stubble.

O.F. estuble, L.L. stupula, L. stipula, dim. of
stipes stem, post.

stubborn (stub' orn), adj. Unyielding ;
inflexible ; unreasonably obstinate ; not to
be persuaded ; difficult to deal with. (F.
inflexible, entete, opinidtre, tetu, refractaire.}

Donkeys and mules are stubborn animals.
Facts are said to be stubborn things; they
cannot be ignored and they sometimes
spoil our fancies and theories. People with
stubborn wills behave stubbornly (stub'
orn li, adv.}, that is, in an obstinate manner.
They have the quality of stubbornness (stub'
orn nes, n.}.

Perhaps from A.-S. stubba. See stub. SYN. :

Inflexible, intractable, obdurate, refractory.

ANT. : Accomodating, docile, flexible, tractable.

stubby (stub' i). For this word see undev

stub.

4133

STUCCO

STUDIOUS

stucco (stuk' 6), n. A fine plaster used for
coating walls, or moulding into decorations
in relief ; a coarse plaster or cement used
for coating the outsides of buildings, adj.
Made of stucco ; ornamented with decora-
tions in stucco ; coated with stucco, v.t. To
coat with stucco, pi. stuccoes (stuk' 6z).
(F. stuc ; enduire de sine.}

A stucco composed of lime and powdered
marble is used for cornices and mouldings.
Some houses have stuccoed outer walls,
coated with a stucco containing a large
proportion of sand.

Ital., of Teut. origin; cp. O.H.G. stucchi
crust, G. stuck piece. See stick.

stuck (stuk). This is the past tense and
past participle of stick. See stick.

stud [i] (stud), n. An ornamental boss,
knob, or large-headed nail , one of the round,
projecting pieces of leather fixed to the soles
of football boots ; a kind of two-headed
button used for fastening a collar or shirt-
front ; a rivet ; a cross-piece in a link of
chain-cable ; a small pin or spindle on which
a lever or wheel is pivoted ; a stud-bolt ; a
cross-piece of wood in a partition to carry
laths for plastering ; any short upright piece
of timber in a roof, bridge, etc. v.t. To orna-
ment or set with studs ; to bestrew. (F.
bossette, bouton, clou bouton, rivet, montant ;
clouter, semer.}

Many old church doors are studded with
large, square-headed nails, the heads of which
project from the wood-work. In a figurative
sense, the sky is said to be studded or thickly
set with stars. A stud-bolt (n.) is a bolt with
a thread cut on each end. One end is screwed
into a fixed part, such as a cylinder ; . the
other receives a nut to hold on the removable
piece — in this instance, the cylinder head.

In Rugby football,
the studs on a
player's boots may
not be more than
three-quarters of an
inch in length,
measured from the
sole of the boot, and
not less than three-
quarters of an inch
in diameter at the
base and half-an-inch
at the top. Not fewer
than three nails,
driven in flush with
the base of the stud,
may be used. In Association football, the
studs may not be less than half an inch in
diameter nor project more than half an inch.
In no case may they be pointed or conical,
and no nails may project.

A.-S. studu post ; cp. G. stutze prop, Dan.
stod stub.

stud [2] (stud), n. A number of horses
kept for breeding, racing, hunting, etc. ; the
place where they are kept. (F. haras.}

A breeder of pedigree horses and cattle
keeps a stud-took (n.), which is a register of

Stud.— Three different
kinds of studs.

Studding sail.— The stud-

ding sails are those set

outside the square sails.

the pedigrees of his animals. Horses are bred
on a stud-farm (».). A stud-horse (n.} is a
stallion. The term stud is also used of cattle,
dogs, etc.

A.-S. stod ; cp. G. gestut, O. Norse stoth.
Dan. stod ; akin to stand.

studding sail (stun' si), n. A small sail
forming an extension
to a square sail. (F. !
bonnette a etui.}

Studding sails are
set upon light spars
attached to the main
booms.

Perhaps from Dutch.

student (stu'
dent), n. A person
receiving instruction
at a college, univer-
sity, or other teach-
ing institution ; one
engaged in study ; a
studious person ; a
close observer ; a
person assisted by grants from a foundation
to carry out study or research. (F. etudiant,
eleve, personne studieuse, boursier.}

Anyone pursuing studies at a technical
school, training college, or other place of
higher education, is a student in the general
sense of the word. The student of botany
is engaged in the study of that branch of
knowledge ; he is not necessarily attending
an institution to receive instruction in it.
Any person of a studious nature may be
described as a student.

The word studentship (stu' dent ship,
n.} may mean the condition or fact of being
a student, or else a fellowship or scholarship,
carrying a grant that enables the holder to
follow out some line of study. At Christ
Church, Oxford, senior members of the
foundation are called students. They corres-
pond to fellows of other colleges.

From L. studens (ace. -ent-em) pres. p. of
studere to apply oneself to, be zealous for.

studiedly (stud' id li). For this word see
under study.

studio (stu' di 6), n. The workroom of
a sculptor, painter, or photographer. (F.
atelier.}

Studios often have skylights, or windows
placed in a north light, so that the artist
may work in suitable conditions.

Ital., from L. studium zeal, application, hence
a work-room, study.

studious (stu'dius), adj. Given to study ;
eager to get knowledge from books ; pains-
taking ; anxious (to do something) ; careful
or observant (of). (F. studieux, diligent,
applique, soigneux^ attentif.}

Some people are studious in the sense of
being fond of learning. Beethoven shaped
and reshaped his melodies with studious,
or assiduous, care. To be studiously (stu'
di us li, adv.} polite is to be polite in a careful
and painstaking way ; to be studiously
inclined is to have a bent for learning. The

4134

STUDY

STUFF

state or quality of being studious is studious-
ness (stu' di us nes, n.}.

L. studiosus zealous. See student, studio,
study. SYN. : Assiduous, attentive, contem-
plative, diligent, solicitous. ANT. : Careless,
idle, inattentive, indifferent.

study (stud" i), n. The giving of time and
thought to acquiring knowledge, especially
from books ; the pursuit of a branch of
learning ; something that is studied or is
worthy of study ; a sketch or model made for
practice or as a preliminary design for a
painting, statue, etc. ; a musical composition
for developing, testing, or displaying the
performer's skill ; a learner of theatrical
parts ; a room used for studying or doing
literary work, etc. ; a fit of musing ; close
attention ; earnest .endeavour ; the object
of such attention or endeavour, v.t. To devote
time or thought to investi-
gating or acquiring know-
ledge of ; to make a study
of ; to scrutinize ; to con-
s i d e r attentively ; t o
commit to memory ; to
take pains to bring about
(a desired result) ; to be
zealous for ; to humour (a
person). v.i. To apply
oneself to study, especially
to reading; to follow a
course of studies (under a
master, etc.); to try
deliberately or earnestly
(to do something). (F.
etude, cabinet d' etude,
reverie, application, soin ;
etudier, scruter, s'occuper
de.. menager ; etudier,
s'appliquer.}

Knowledge is gained by
study, or mental applica-
tion, and the boy who
wishes to get on in the
world must devote part of his time to
studying the theoretical side of the work
he is taking up. At school our studies are
pursued in the form of lessons. Artists
often make studies, or preliminary sketches,
to help them in the production of important
works.

In music, a study is really an extended
exercise, and is generally based upon one
particular difficulty of technique. Many
works of this kind are written for the piano-
forte. In some cases such studies are display
pieces.

An actor is said to be a quick study if he
learns his parts with ease, and a slow study
if he takes a long time to memorize them.
Actors study their parts when they learn
by heart the words they have to speak and
adapt themselves to the characters they have
to assume. A room in a house used for
literary work or the transaction of business
is often called a study, although the user of it
may be engaged in no special studies. A
brown study, is a reverie, or day-dream.

Study. — A young
study o

We should endeavour to study, or consider,
the interests of others, and study, or be on
the watch, to avoid hurting their feelings.
It is rude to study, or examine closely, a
stranger's face, and we behave with studied
(stud' id, adj.], or deliberate, rudeness, if we
slight an acquaintance in a noticeable and
intentional manner. On the other hand, to
be studiedly (stud' id li, adv.] polite is to be
deliberately and even exaggeratedly so.

O.F. estudie (F. etude), L. studium, from,
studere to be eager, busy oneself. SYN. : n.
Consideration, endeavour, examination, investi-
gation, • research. v. Consider, investigate,
scrutinize.

stuff (stuf), n. The material of which any-
thing is made or can be made ; a woven
fabric, especially one of wool ; any textile
fabric ; trash ; nonsense, v.t. To pack or
cram full (with) ; to fill
(up) ; to insert seasoning
or stuffing in (a fowl, etc.)
before cooking; to fill the
skin of (a dead animal) so
as to restore its original
shape ; to fill (a person's
head) with ideas, nonsense,
etc. v.i. To feed greedily ;
to gorge. (F. matiere, etoffe,
fadaise ; bourrer, bonder,
farcir, empailler ; s'empif-
frer, goinfrer.}

Food-stuffs are articles
used as food, such as
green-stuff, or vegetable
produce. A man is said to
have good stuff in him if
he shows sterling qualities.
Carpenters describe
boarding an inch thick as
one-inch stuff ; thick stuff
is planking more than
four inches thick. House-
hold stuff is an archaic
expression meaning furniture. A barrister
who has not taken silk wears a stuff
gown (n.).

Cushions are stuffed with soft materials
by a stuff er (stuf' er, n.). Another kind of
stuffer is the taxidermist who prepares and
mounts the skins of animals and birds, so
that they resemble the living forms. Any
substance used to stuff a receptacle or fill it
tightly may be called stuffing (stuf ing, n.).
A cook uses stuffing consisting of minced
herbs and other materials as a filling for
the carcass of a turkey. Upholstered chairs,
couches, and settees contain a stuffing of
wool or hair.

The piston-rod of a steam-engine or pump
passes through a chamber, called a stuffing-
box (n.), packed with material which prevents
the escape of steam or water, but allows the
rod to move freely. If the windows are kept
tightly shut a room soon becomes stuffy
(stuf' i, adj.), that is, close and fusty, and the
air in it stuffy, or hard to breathe in. The
stuffiness (stuf' i nes, n.), that is, the state of

n the

book.

4135

STULTIFY

STUN

being stuffy, of ill-ventilated rooms is far
more dangerous to the health than a con-
tinuous current of cool clean air. A cold
may give rise to a stuffy feeling in one's
chest, that is, a sensation of obstruction.
A stuffy conversation is one that lacks
freshness.

O.F. estoffe material, furniture ; cp. Ital. stoffa
piece of rich fabric, Prov., Span, estofa. cloth.

stultify (stur ti fl), v.t. To render absurd
or useless ; to cause or prove to be self-
contradictory, inconsistent, or foolish ; to
make a fool of ; in law, to allege or prove
(a person) to be mentally incapable of
performing an act. (F. tourner en ridicule,
bafouer, declarer fou.)

A person who preaches generosity and is
himself mean, stultifies his own teaching,
or makes it absolutely inconsistent, and also
stultifies himself, or exhibits himself in a
ridiculous aspect. The foolishness and
prejudices of others may stultify or nullify
the efforts of a reformer, or bring about their
stultification (stul ti fi ka' shun, n.}, or
neutralization.

From L. stultificdre, from stultus foolish,
-ficdre compounding form of facere to make.
SYN. : Neutralize, nullify.

stum (stum), n. Unfermented grape-juice.
v.t. To prevent (wine) from fermenting ; to
stop (wine) from fermenting further, by
adding chemicals. (F. mout, rape.}

Dutch stomm dumb, quiet ; cp. G. stumm
dumb.

stumble (stum' bl), v.i. To lurch forward
after making a false step ; to trip in walking,
through striking the foot against something,
and be in danger of falling ; to act, move, or
speak in a blundering way ; to fall into
error ; to come by chance (upon) ; to feel
scruples or hesitate (at), n. An act of stum-
bling ; a blunder. (F. trebucher, broncher,
tituber, bredouiller, se fourvoyer, rencontrer ;
faux pas.}

It is easy to stumble when running up an
unfamiliar staircase in the dark, or to
stumble over unseen obstacles in one's
path. A horse that is a stumbler (stum' bier,
n.}, or given to stumbling, is a danger to its
rider.

An obstacle or circumstance of any kind
that causes one to hesitate or experience
difficulty in carrying out a plan or adopting
an opinion is known, figuratively, as a
stumbling-block (».). In the dark one
walks stumblingly (stum' bling li, adv.), that
is, with stumbles, over rough ground.

M.E. stomblen, stumlen, frequentative (with
euphonic b) from a stem found in obsolete E.
stummer to stumble ; cp. Norw. stumla : ckin to
stammer. SYN. : v. Blunder, err, trip.

stump (stump), n. The part of a felled
tree left in the ground ; the remnant of a
limb, tooth, or other object from which part
has been cut, broken, or worn away, etc. ; a
stub ; a pointed roll of paper or leather used
for lines, etc., in pencil or crayon drawings ;

in cricket, any one of three uprights forming
the wicket ; (pi.) the legs. v.i. To walk
stiffly, clumsily, or heavily, as if on wooden
legs ; to make, or go about giving, stump-
speeches, v.t. To rub down (a line, drawing,
etc.) with a stump ; to tour (a district)
making political speeches ; in cricket, tc
put out (a batsman) by dislodging a bail-
while he is out of his crease ; to puzzle ;
to remove (tree-stumps) from land. (F.
souche, troncon, moignon, chicot, bout, estompe,
guichet, gigue; .clopiner, faire des discoun
aux carrefours ; estomper, haranguer, mettrt
a quia, deraciner.)

In newly-settled districts in America
where tree-stumps were plentiful, a stump
was often chosen by a political speaker as a
convenient, ready-made platform. Hence,
people who go about making public speeches
at election times are said to go stumping.
In England, the word is often used in a
contemptuous or depreciatory sense. Thus it
is that a political ranter is called a stump-
orator (n.) or stump-speaker (n.). Stump-
oratory (n.) is speechmaking of the kind
suited to elections and agitations, and a
bombastic speech on electioneering matters
is known as a stump-speech (n.).

The dentist removes stumps of teeth by
means of an instrument called a stump-
extractor (n.). People are said to stump about
when they walk heavily and noisily.

The stumps in cricket are each twenty-
seven inches high, and each set of three,
when placed in position, must be eight inches
wide. To stump a batsman, the wicket-
keeper, who is sometimes called the stumper
(stump' er, n.), must dislodge one or both
bails while the batsman is out of his crease in
playing the ball. The ball must not be taken
from in front of the wicket. In a colloquial
way, a question that stumps, or is too hard
for, a person is called a stumper. A stumpy
(stump' i, adj.) person is short and thick-set.

Cp. Dutch stomp, G. stump f blunt, a stump ;
cp. E. stub. SYN. : n. Butt, remnant, stub.
v . Pose, puzzle.

Stump. — The stump-tailed lizard is found
in Western Australia.

stun (stun), v.t. To render senseless with
a blow ; to deafen temporarily with noise ;
to daze or bewilder ; to stupefy with horror,
etc. (F. assommer, etourdir, abasourdir,
transir.)

Travellers who approach near Niagara
Falls are stunned by the unceasing roar of the

4136

STUNDISM

STUPOR

waters. In another sense we may be stunned
or dazed with astonishment by a piece of
unexpected good fortune.

Shortened irom O.F. estoner (F. etonner),
assumed L.L. extonare to thunder out. See
astonish. SYN. : Bewilder, confuse, overpower.

Stundism (stoon' dizm), n. The doctrines
of a dissenting religious body that arose in
south Russia in the later half of the nine-
teenth century.

The publication of the translation of the
Bible into modern Russian in 1861, and the
influence of German Protestant settlers led
to the rise of Stundism. The Stundist (stoon'
dist, n.}, or adherent of this movement,
rejected the ceremonies, doctrines, and
authority of the Orthodox Church.

From G. stunde hour, lesson, probably used by
German settlers as a name for the religious
ineetings, and E. n. suffix -ism,

stung (stung). This is the past tense
and past participle of sting. See sting.

stunk (stungk). This is a past tense
and the past participle of stink. See stink.

stunsail (stun' si). This is a contracted
form of studding sail. See studding sail.

stunt (stunt), v.t. To check the growth
of ; to dwarf ; to cramp, n. A check in
growth. (F. rabongrir, rapetisser ; rabou-
grissement, rebougri.)

The Japanese are very clever at stunting
trees. They confine the roots of very young
shoots in small pots and give the trees very
little water and light. In this way they pro-
duce dwarf trees many years old but only a
few inches high. Lack of the proper kind of
nourishment is a cause of stuntedness (stunt'
ed nes, n.), that is, the state of being stunted,
in human beings.

From A.-S. stunt foolish, probably short
(witted), akin to O. Norse stott-r short. SYN. :
v. Check, cramp, dwarf.

stupe (stup), n. A piece of cloth dipped
in a liquid, wrung, and used as a fomentation.
v.t. To foment ; to treat with a stupe. (F.
fomentation ; bassiner.) '

L. stitpatow. • See stop."

stupefy (stu' pe fl), v.t. To make stupid,
dull, or senseless ; to deprive of sensibility.
(F. hebeter, stupefier.}

A person who is dead drunk is stupefied
with drink. Great sorrow sometimes stupe-
fies emotional people, producing stupefaction
(stu pe fak' shun, n.}, that is, numbness or
torpor, whether of body or mind. Narcotic
drugs are said by doctors to have a stupe-
f active (stu7 pe fak tiv, adj.] effect, that is,
they reduce the taker to insensibility, or
produce stupor. The word stupefier (stu' pe
f I er, n.) is seldom used. It means a medium
that stupefies a patient.

F. stupefier from L. stupefacere, from stupere to
be numbed, struck senseless, and facere to make.
SYN. : Benumb, deaden, drug, numb.

stupendous (stu pen' dus), adj. Astound-
ing, marvellous, or astonishing in size,
height, degree, etc. ; prodigious. (F.
tionnant, prodigieux.}

The national debt of Britain represents
a stupendous sum of money. The Nile dam
is regarded as a stupendous feat of engineer-
ing. The Eiffel Tower in Paris, strikes one
as a stupendously (stu pen' dus li, adv.], or
astoundingly, high structure. Visitors to
New York are sure to be impressed with the
stupendousness (stu pen' dus nes, n.) of
American skyscrapers.

From L. stupendus gerundive of stupere to be
struck senseless, to be astonished at; E. adj.
suffix -ous. See stupid. SYN. : Amazing, mar-
vellous, surprising, prodigious, wonderful. ANT. :
Commonplace, natural, normal, ordinary, usual.

Stupendous. — Visitors to Paris marvel at the stupendous
height of the Eiffel Tower.

stupeous (stu' pe us), adj. In natural
history, having tufts of hair or filament,
or long, loose scales, like tow. stupose,
(stu' pos; stu pos.) has the same meaning.
'• From L. stupeus adj. from stupa tow ; E. -ous.
' stupid (stu' pid), adj. Slow-witted ; dull
in understanding ; in a state of stupor ;
senseless ; nonsensical ; uninteresting. (F.
stupide, bete, engourdi, insense, absurde.}

Stupid people lack ordinary activity of
mind. They are slow to grasp the meaning
of anything that is at all complex, and they
are sometimes guilty of stupid, or foolish,
actions. Their stupidity (stu pid' i ti, n.},
that is, the state or quality of being stupid, is
sometimes very provoking. Some comic
songs that amuse us very much when sung
by a clever comedian have very stupid
or foolishly dull words. A bewildered person
may behave stupidly (stu' pid li, adv.}, or in
a manner showing stupidity, in a crisis.

L. stupidus from stupere to be stunned. SYN. :
Dull, foolish, insensible, obtuse, senseless. ANT. :
Bright, clever, intelligent, perceptive, quick.

stupor (stu' por), n. A dazed condition ;
a trance-like state ; to'rpor ; lethargy.
(F. stupeur.}

027

4137

STUPOSE

STYLE

A state of apathy accompanied by drowsi-
ness is known to doctors as stupor, and is
described as a stuporous (stu' por us, adj.)
state. A very deep stupor, from which the
patient cannot be roused, is called coma.

L. = insensibility, stupefaction. SYN. : Stupe-
faction, torpidity.

stupose (stu'pos; stupes'). This word
means the same as stupeous. See stupeous.

sturdy [i] (ster' di), adj. Robust ;
strong ; hardy ; vigorous ; resolute. (F.
robuste, fort, hardi, vigour eux, resolu.)

Healthy, well-built children have sturdy
limbs and walk sturdily (ster' di li, adv.), or
in a sturdy manner. Their parents have
reason to be proud of the sturdiness (ster' di
nes, n.), or robustness and vigour, of such
children.

In former times an able-bodied vagabond,
given to using violence, was called a sturdy
begger (n.).

Originally meant " giddy," hence " reckless "
from F. estourdi,p.p. of estourdirto stun. SYN. :
Firm, lusty, robust, stalwart, strong. ANT! :
Ailing, delicate, feeble, weakly.

sturdy [2] (ster' di), n. A brain-disease of
sheep, caused by the presence of a species
of tape-worm in the brain. (F. tournis.)

A sturdied (ster' did, adj.) sheep, that is,
one affected with sturdy, turns round and
round as if giddy.

See sturdy [i],

sturgeon (ster' jon), n. A large fish of the
genus Acipenser, with a mailed head and body
and a projecting snout. (F. esturgeon.)

Sturgeon. — The sturgeon, the roe of which is a table
delicacy called caviare.

By an Act of Edward II, all sturgeon
caught in England belong to the king. This
fish has a gristly skeleton, and its elongated
body is protected and strengthened by hard,
bony scales. The upper lobe of the tail is
much longer than the lower. The largest
species of sturgeon (Acipenser huso) occurs
in the Danube, the Caspian and Black
Seas, and the Sea of Azov. Other species
are found in coastal waters on both sides of
the North Atlantic.

The roe of sturgeon, when salted, pressed,
and dried, is known as caviare. Isinglass
is made from its air-bladder.

O.F. esturgeon, L.L. sturio (ace. -on-em), of
Teut. origin, cp. O.H.G. sturjo.

sturnoid (ster' noid), adj. Like a starling ;
belonging to the family Sturnidae, which
contains the starlings.

From L. sturnus starling and E. suffix -oid.

stutter (stufer), v.i. To speak hesitatingly
with spasmodic repetitions of sounds or
syllables, v.t. To utter thus. n. The act or

habit of stuttering. (F. balbutier, begayer ;
balbutiement.}

A stutter usually consists of continued
and involuntary repetitions of the initial
consonants of words. The stutterer (stuf
er er, n.} speaks stutteringly (stuf er ing li,
adv.], or with a stutter, owing to excitement,
fear, or some nervous affection, and not be-
cause of any defect in his organ of speech.
Thus a person who stutters when speaking
can often sing without showing any trace
of stuttering (stuf er ing, n.}, because he
then gives all his attention to vocalization.

Frequentative of obsolete E. stut ; cp. Dutch
stotteren, G. stottern to stutter, G. stossen to
knock.

sty [i] (sti), n. A pen for pigs ; a mean or
filthy house, v.t. To place in or as if in a sty.
v.i. To live in or as if in a sty. (F. porcherie,
taudis ; mettre dans une liable a cochons.)

A.-S. stl, perhaps = stig hall (see steward) ;
cp. O. Norse stla, stl, Dan. sti, Swed. stia.

sty [2] (sti), n. , A small inflamed swelling
on the edge of the eyelid. Another form is
stye (sti). (F._.orgelet, compere-loriot.}

The doctor's name for a sty in one's eye
is hordeolum.

Probably from A.-S. stlgan (G. steigen) to rise.

. Stygian (stij ' i an), adj. Of or resembling
the River Styx, or the infernal regions
through which it flowed ; gloomy. (F.
du Styx, d'enfer, sombre, profond, te'ne'breux .)

Stygian darkness is a gloominess or black-
ness suggestive of the infernal regions of
classical mythology, or of the Stygian river,
the Styx.
From Gr. Styx (ace. Styg-em) from stygein to hate.

style [i] (stil), n. A pointed instrument
with which the ancients wrote on wax-
coated tablets ; a graving-tool, etching-
needle, or other sharp-pointed instrument
or object ; in anatomy, the styloid process ;
manner of writing or speaking ; the form in
which thoughts are expressed ; the manner of
doing a thing, as distinguished from what is
done ; the general or collective character-
istics of literary or artistic expression, or mode
of decoration, distinguishing a person or
people, a school or period, etc. ; a superior or
fashionable manner or form ; distinction ;
fashion ; pattern ; shape ; mode of address ;
method of reckoning time. v.t. To term ; to
designate ; to describe formally by name and
title. (F. style, pointe a graver, maniere, ton,
facon, mode, Elegance, genre, litre; donner
le litre de, qualifier, appeler.}

The style with which a Roman gentleman
wrote had a blunt top end, which was used
for erasing words by smoothing out the wax.
In the course of time a piece of writing was
termed a style — a now obsolete meaning — and
eventually style came to denote the manner
in which words were put together, especially
in regard to clearness, effectiveness, and
beauty of language.

Thus it is that we speak of the epic style
or mode of writing characteristic of heroic
poetry, of the various architectural styles,

4138

STYLE

STYLOGRAPH

or modes of building and decoration, and of
a work of art — its form and the way the
artist has expressed his ideas, as dis-
tinguished from the matter expressed.

In a more general and colloquial sense,
we say that a commonplace person lacks
style or distinction. We dp a thing in style,
or in good style, when it is done in a
superior or fashionable manner. Shoes
are made in different sizes and styles, or
patterns.

In sport, style is a general
term applied to a player's
game, as good style, easy
style, or bad style.

Until the year 1752 the
Julian Calendar was used
in Great Britain (see
calendar). Then the New
or Gregorian calendar was
introduced, eleven days
being cut out of that year
in order to make the
calendar correct by solar
time. Consequently, dates
were said to be in the new
style (n.) — abbreviated to
N.S. — if in agreement with
the Gregorian Calendar,
and in the old style (n.) —
abbreviated to O.S. — if
reckoned according to the
Julian calendar.

In Scots law the formal
wording of a document
is termed its style, and from this sense
the word has come to be used generally
for legal technicality, as when a lawyer
speaks of words of style. Thus it is that a
person's legal or official title is known as his
style.

The Roman writing implement, or style,
was sometimes used as a dagger. Instru-
ments, tools, and other objects resembling
it are also called styles. Examples are, the
graver used in engraving, a probe with a
blunt point used by surgeons, and the needle
used in etching. In natural history and
anatomy, processes and parts of animal
bodies are said to be styliform (stu" i form,
adj.), or shaped like a style, such as the styles
or bristles of the antennae of flies, and the
styles of sponges, which are spicules pointed
at one end.

Clothes are stylish (stil' ish, adj.) if they
are smart and in accordance with the pre-
vailing fashions. A woman wearing them is
stylishly (stir ish li, adv.) dressed, and shows
stylishness {stil' ish nes, n.), the quality or
state of being stylish, in her dress.

A writer who has a good or highly elabor-
ated literary style is a stylist (stil' ist, n.).
There are stylistic (sti lis' tik, adj.) differences,
or ones pertaining to literary style, between
the " Lucy " poems of Wordsworth, and
" The Prelude." The first mentioned works,
exemplified by " The Education of Nature,"
are stylistically (sti lis' tik al li, adv.] simple,

Style.— Henry James (1843.1916), the

Anglo-American novelist, whose literary

style showed great subtlety.

that is, simple as regards style, the second
is lofty and impassioned.

O.F. stile, style, L. stilus writing (or graving)
tool, confused with Gr. stylos column. SYN. : n.
Diction, fashion, manner, name, title, v. Entitle,
designate, name, term.

style [2] (stil), n. The gnomon or metal
upright on a sundial, which casts the shadow ;
in botany, the narrowed extension of the
ovary, in many flowers, which supports the
stigma. (F. style.)

The style of a flower con-
nects the ovary, or egg-
case, with the stigma.
Tubes growing from the
pollen grains travel down
it, and fertilize the ovules,
or convert them into seeds.
Gr. stylos pillar.
stylet (stil7 et), n. A
small, slender, pointed in-
strument ; a stiletto ; a
graving tool ; a form of
pencil used by the blind ;
in surgery, a wire stiffen-
ing for a tube ; a slender
probe. (F. stylet.)
F., from Ital. stiletto.
stylish (stir ish). For
this word, stylist, etc., see
under style [i].

Stylite (str lit), n. A
mediaeval hermit living on
the top of a pillar. (F.
Stylite.)

St. Simeon Stylites was the first and most
famous of the pillar-saints, or Stylites. He
lived in the fifth century, and spent thirty
years of his life on the top of a- high pillar
near Antioch.

From Gr. stylos pillar and E. suffix -ite.
stylo-. This is a prefix meaning styloid,
used in anatomy in the formation of the
names of muscles connected with the styloid
bone in the skull.

stylobate (sti' 16 bat), n. A continuous
base supporting a row or rows of columns.
(F. stylobate.)

The stylobate was a feature of ancient
Greek temples. Just as a pillar stands on a
pedestal, so a row of pillars stands on the
stylobate. This consisted sometimes of two
or three massive steps, and, in other cases, of
a lofty, solid wall.

F., from Gr. stylobates from stylos pillar and
bainein to step, stand.

stylograph (str 16 graf), n. A pen with a
conical, finely-perforated point, supplied
with ink from a reservoir in the handle.
(F. stylographe.)

The stylograph, or stylographic (sti 16
graf ik, adj.) pen has a fine wire almost
filling the hole in the point. As one writes
stylographically (sti 16 graf ik al li, adv.),
that is, with a stylograph, the tip of this wire
shakes and allows the ink to run out on to
the paper.

From E. style TI] and suffix -graph.

4139

STYLOID

SUBAERIAL

styloid ;(stl' loid), adj. In anatomy,
shaped like a column, n. The styloid process.
(F. styloide.}

In many cases a part of a bone of a
slender, tapering or pointed shape is known
as a styloid process, especially the slender
spike of bone projecting downwards and
forwards from the base of the temporal bone.

From Gr. stylos column and E. suffix -old.

stylus (stf lus), n. The style used by the
ancients for scratching letters on wax-
coated tablets ; a smooth-pointed instrument
for tracing or impressing writing through
carbon paper. (F. style.)

L. stilus. See style [i].

stymie (stl' mi), n. In golf, the position
when a player's ball lies in the line of an
opponent's putt, the two balls being more
than six inches apart, v.t. To hinder (an
opponent) in this way. Another form is
stimy (str mi).

Sc., perhaps dim. of styme glimpse, a little bit.

styptic (stip' tik), adj. That checks
bleeding. n. A styptic preparation. (F.
styptique.}

Barbers use alum as a styptic.

From F. styptique, through L. from Gr.
styptikos, from styphein to contract.

styrax (stl' raks), n. A genus of trees
and shrubs, yielding valuable gums, and
containing the storax. (F. styrax.}

L., and Gr. styrax.

Styrian. — A Styrian landscape : a bird's-eye view of Graz and the
River Mur, in Styria, a province of the Austrian Republic.

Styrian (stir' i an), adj. Of or belonging
to Styria, a province of the Austrian
Republic. (F. styrien.)

Styria is on the borders of Yugo-Slavia.
The Styrian Alps are those ramifications of
the Alpine chain that traverse all parts of
Styria.

Styx (stiks), n. In classical mythology,
the river encircling. Hades. (F. Styx.)

According to ancient myths, the spirits
of the dead were ferried across the Styx

by Charon. When a person dies, he may be
said to cross the Styx.

Gr. Styx, from stygein to hate. See Stygian.
Suabian (swa' bi an). This is another
form of Swabian. See Swabian.

suable (su' abl), adj. Capable of being
sued ; liable to be sued. (F. passible de
poursuite judiciaire, sujet a proces.)

A person who refuses to pay his debts is
suable, and has suability (su a oil' i ti,n.), that
is, liability to be proceeded against in court.
From E. sue and -able.
suasion (swa' zhun), n. Persuasion or
influencing by argument or advice. (F.
persuasion.)

Moral suasion is the persuasion exercised
by one's conscience, or by an appeal to
the conscience, The conscience has a
suasive (swa/ siv, adj.) influence or one
tending to persuade. When a person appeals
to us suasively (swa/ siv li, adv.), or so as to
persuade, we are inclined to do as he wishes.
From L. sudsio (ace. -on-em) from suddere to
persuade, advise. See suave. SYN. : Persuasion.
ANT. : Compulsion.

suave (swav ; swav), adj. Bland, pleasant
in manner ; mollifying ; polite. (F. suave.)
A suave person has a blandly polite
manner ; his suave politeness is almost too
agreeable to be natural or sincere. He
behaves suavely (swav' li, adv.), or with
suavity (swav' i ti, n.), that is, the quality
of being agreeably polite: Polished and
.^, urbane actions or speeches are
sometimes described as suavities.
F. , from L. sudvis sweet, pleasant,
for suddu-i's, akin to E. sweet . See
suasion. SYN. : Agreeable, bland,
polite, soothing, urbane. ANT. :
Blunt, impolite, irritating, provok-
ing, rough. -

sub (sub), n. A colloquial
abbreviation for several words
beginning with this prefix, such
as subaltern, sub-editor, subscrip-
tion, v.i. To act as substitute,
or as a sub-editor.

sub-. Prefix meaning under,
below, lower in position, degree
or rank, inferior, secondary,
partial ; rather, approaching,
bordering on ; slight ; also de-
noting addition, support, close-
ness, covertness. In mathematics
the prefix denotes the inverse of
a ratio. (F. sous-, sub-.)

Parts or organs situated under
or beneath the abdomen are said to be sub-
abdominal (sub ab dom' i nal, adj.). Subacid
(sub as' id, adj.) means mildly or slightly acid.
In pathology a disease in which symptoms
are of a less acute kind than normal is des-
cribed as subacute (sub a kut', adj.).

In geology, modification and ^alterations
affecting the earth's surface, or those which
take place in the open air, are said to be
subaerial (sub a er' i al, adj.). This word
is opposed to submarine or subterranean.

4140

SUBAERIALLY

SUBGONSGIOUSNESS

Frost, wind and driving sand produce
changes subaerially (sub a er' i al li, adv.}.
One who ascribes the configuration of the
earth's surface to such agencies has been
called a subaerialist (sub a er' i al ist, «.).

A subagent (sub a' jent, n.) is one who is
employed by an agent ; his office or position
is a subagency (sub a/ jen si, n.).

subahdar (soo ba dar'), n. In India,
the chief native officer in a company of sepoys.
The subahdar is a commissioned officer,
and ranks next above a jemadar.

Earlier, governor of a subah or province.
Hindustani fiibahdar. Pers. dar master.

subaltern (sub' al tern), adj. Subordin-
ate ; of inferior rank ; in logic, particular,
in relation to a universal, n. In the army, a
commissioned officer of lower rank than a
captain. (F. subalferne.)

First-lieutenants and second-lieutenants
in the army are subaltern officers, or, shortly
subalterns.'

F. subalterne, from L.L. subalternus (sub under,
alternus alternate). SYN. : adj. Junior, lower,
subordinate, n. Junior, subordinate.

Sabapennine.— A typical view in the subapennine region of Italy,
showing characteristic rocky country.

subapennine (sub ap' e nm), adj.

habits, are described as subaquatic (sub a
kwat' ik, adj.). The word subaqueous (sub
a/ kwe us, adj.) is used of rocks, such as
chalk and limestone, formed beneath the
water. It also means done, used or found
under water. The regions bordering just
south of the Arctic Circle are known as
subarctic (sub ark' tik, adj.) regions.

subaudition (sub aw dish' un), n.
The mental act of supplying words omitted ;
the understanding of more than is actually
expressed. (F. subaudition.)

When we read between the lines, as the
saying goes, or gather from the expression
of a person's face more than his mere words
express, we perform an act of subaudition.
A subaudition is something implied but not
stated.

sub-base (sub' bas), n. The lowest
section of a base ; an auxiliary base.

In architecture, a sub-base is the lowest
division of a base having more than one
layer. The word is used also of a base or
support placed under a machine. A second-
ary base of supplies, such as that made by
an explorer, is also known as a
sub-base.

subcaudal (sub ka w' dal), -adj.
Situated under or near the tail.
(F. subcaudal.)

This word is used of snakes.
The subcaudal plates or bones are
those at the tail of the animal.

The subcentral (sub sen' tral,
adj.) parts of the earth are those
near its centre ; a subcentral
support is one beneath the
centre of the thing -supported.

A subclass (sub'klas, n.) of
animals or plants is a group form-
ing a sub-division of a class.

The subclavian (sub kla' vi an,
adj.) arteries are those situated
under the clavicle or collar-bone ;
subclavicular (sub kla vik' u lar,
adj.) is another word used to
describe parts or organs in this
A subcommission (sub ko mish/'un,

In geology, denoting or characteristic of n.) is a group of people, forming part of a
strata such as those occurring typically commission, appointed to give attention to a
on the flanks of the Apennine mountains in
Italy. (F. subapennin.)

This word is applied to a series of rocks,
now some four thousand feet above sea

special part of the commission's work. A
member of it is a subcommissioner (sub ko
mish' un er, n.). Similarly, a subcommittee
(sub ko mit' i, n.), is an under-committee, or

level, containing fossils of marine animals a section of a committee. A surface is sub-

similar to those now living in the Mediter-
ranean. From the character of the fossil
remains geologists conclude that the sub-
apennine rocks have been raised to their
present location in relatively recent times.

concave (sub kon' kav, adj.) if slightly
concave ; a body is siibconical (sub kon ' ik
al, adj.) if it tapers slightly.

Ideas which have passed from our memory
or conscious mind may still be present in

The word subapostolic (sub ap 6s tol' ik, the subconscious (sub kon' shus, n.) or the

adj.) is used of events happening in, or
matters relating to, the period — about A.D.
50- 1 50 — which followed immediately that
in which the apostles of Jesus lived.

subconscious (adj.) mind, and may be
recalled to memory by association. Im-
pressions of which we are not conscious
may be received subconsciously (sub kon'

Animals, like the otter and the wading shus li, adv.). Subconsciousness (sub kon'
birds, which are partially aquatic in their shus nes, n.) is used to mean a state of

4141

SUB-CONTINENT

SUBDUE

imperfect or lowered consciousness, and also
the contents of the mind not at the moment
within the field of consciousness.

A sub-continent (sub kon' ti nent, n.) is
a great area of land smaller than a continent,
or a large part of a continent. The word
is used specially of South Africa.

A large contract is often split up into
parts, each called a subcontract (sub kon'
trakt, n.) and undertaken by a subcontractor
(sub kon trakt ' or, n.), who is responsible
to the contractor-in-chief. The latter is
said to sublet or subcontract (sub kon trakt',
v.t.) the work given out, and one who under-
takes it to subcontract (v.i.) for it.

The subcostal (sub kos' tal, adj.) muscles
are those upon the deeper part of the ribs.
The subcostal arteries are situated below
the ribs. A subcrystalline (sub kris' ta
lin ; sub kris' ta lin, adj.) substance is
a substance imperfectly crystallized. The
subcutaneous (sub ku ta' ne us, adj.) tissue
is that lying just under the skin. An
injection is made subcutaneously (sub ku
ta' ne us li, adv.) when the fluid is squirted
under the skin. The true skin, the dermis,
is subcuticular (sub ku tik' u lar, adj.), or
situated below the cuticle, or scarf-skin.
Subcylindrical (sub si lin' dri
kal, adj.) means imperfectly
cylindrical.

A sub-deacon (sub de' kon,
n.) in the Roman Catholic
Church belongs to the order next
below that of deacon. A sub-
dean (sub' den, n.) is an assistant
dean, holding an office named a
subdeanery (sub den' er i, n.).
A subdecuple (sub dek' upl, adj.)
ratio expresses the proportion
i : 10, or one part of ten, the
inverse of that expressed by
decuple, which is 10 : i. The
word subdermal (sub der' mal,
adj.) has the same meaning as
subcutaneous, namely, beneath
the skin.

subdivide (sub di vid'), v.t.
and i. To divide again into
smaller parts. (F. subdiviser.)

England is divided territorially into
counties, and these are subdivided into
hundreds. A hundred is therefore a sub-
division (sub di vizh' un, n.). Some animal

church, the amen is often sung to, or accom-
panied by, a subdominant chord followed
by a tonic or key chord.

Formed from subdominans (ace. -ant-em) pres.
p. of assumed L. subdomindre, from sub under,
not entirely, domindrl to be lord, dominate, from
dominus lord, master.

sub dor sal (sub dor' sal), adj. Of fins,
etc., situated near the back.

From L. sub under, close to, dorsum back,
with suffix -al (L. -dlis.)

sub double (sub dub' 1), adj. Having
the ratio of one to two.

From E. sub- and double.

subdue (sub du'), v.t. To conquer ;
to reduce to subjection by superior force ;
to overcome ; to tame ; to tone down ;
to make less vivid or glaring. (F. vaincre,
subjugUer, dompter, modifier.)

The Roman legions under Caesar subdued
Gaul and made its people subject to Rome.
Among the tribes Caesar subdued were the
Belgae. Pompey grew jealous of the
conqueror, or subduer (sub du' er, n.}, how-
ever, and recalled Caesar. The latter,
marching into Italy, made himself master
of Rome, and seized the treasury, subduing
all resistance, and putting Pompey to* flight.

Subdue.— Thusnelda, wife of Arminius, brought before Tiberius by
Germanicus, who had subdued some German tribes.

Nations are subduable (sub du'abl, adj.),
or capable of being beaten, only by force of
arms, but the subdual (sub du' al, n.), or
subduement (sub du' ment, n.), of a fierce and

cells multiply by subdividing into two spirited animal, which means the process of

taming it, can best be effected by kindness.

The lighting of a room is given subdued-
ness (sub dud' nes, «.), the condition of
being subdued, when it is reduced in degree,
as by lowering blinds, or turning down
lamps. Colours are said to be subdued
when they are moderated or toned down.
M.E. sodewen (later through L. influence

portions, each subdivision later subdividing
in turn. Anything which can be divided
and then divided again is subdivisible (sub
di viz' ibl, adj.).

L.L. subdividere, from L. sub under, diwidere
to divide.

subdominant (sub dom' i nant), n.

The fourth note above the key-note of a fj " ^ n £'* ilatc

^l* nJi Of or ^IO-H™ *X ti? subdewe), O.F. sodmre to deceive, seduce, L.

scale, adj. Of or relating to this.
sous-dominante.)

The subdominant of C major is F.
is the note below the dominant, G.

It
In

subducere to draw up, withdraw. The E. mean-
ing is due to L. subdere to put under, subdue.
SYN. : Conquer, moderate, overcome, subjugate,
vanquish.

4142

SUBDUPLE

SUBJECT

subduple (sub' dupl), adj. Containing
one part of two. (F. sous-double.}

The ratio i : 2 is a subduple ratio, whereas
2 : i is a duple ratio. The term subduplicate
(sub du' pli kat, adj.), which is also used of
ratios, means expressed by the square root.
The subduplicate ratio of a : b is v/ a : J b.

A sub-editor (sub ed' it or, n.) is an under-
editor, or assistant to an editor ; he prepares
and arranges copy for the press, subject
to the supervision of the editor. To per-
form work of this nature is to sub-edit
(sub ed' it, v.t.) copy, or to sub-edit (v.i.).

Sub-editor. Sub-editors at work sub-editing copy for a daily paper.
A messenger is seen waiting.

The pigment cells of the skin are sub- tenure.
epidermal (sub ep i der' mal, adj.), situated
immediately beneath the epidermis or cuticle.
A triangle is subequilateral (sub e kwi lat'
er al, adj.) if its three sides are of almost
the same length, and a plant's stem is
suberect (sub e rekt', adj.) if not quite
upright.

suberic (su ber' ik), adj. Of or per-
taining to cork ; derived from cork ; of
the nature of cork. (F. subereux.)

Cork contains a peculiar waxy compound
of cellulose which is known as suberin
(su' ber in, n.). Suberic acid is formed
by treating cork with nitric acid. Suberose
(su' be ros, adj.) and suberous (su'beriis, adj.)
mean corky, and are used of substances
possessing the nature or texture of cork.

From L. sub BY cork-tree, cork, and E. suffix ic.

subfamily (sub fam' i li), n. In the
classification of plants or animals, a primary
subdivision of a family.

Undergraduates at Oxford are required
to wear clothes which are subfusc (sub
fusk', adj.), or subfuscous (sub fus' kiis,
adj.), that is, of darkish hue, on certain
occasions. A substance is subgelatinous
(sub je lat' i mis, adj.) if somewhat like
gelatine in character.

A subgenus (sub je' mis, n.) is a subdivision
of a genus. The azaleas compose a sub-
generic (sub je ner' ik, adj.) group of the

rhododendron genus. An orange is sub-
globular (sub glob' u lar, adj.), or nearly
globular. A subgranular (sub gran' u lar,
adj.) substance is one somewhat granular
in form. In classifying animals and plants,
a group is sometimes divided into smaller
groups, each called a sub-group (sub groop',
n.). A newspaper article is often subdivided
into parts, each with its own sub-head
(sub hed', n.), or sub-heading (sub hed' ing,
n.), a minor heading at the top. Branches
of the portal vein, which carries blood away
from the liver are subhepatic (sub he pat' ik,
adj.), situated beneath the liver.
The sub-Himalayan (sub hi ma'
la yan, adj.) regions of India lie
somewhat south of the main
range of the Himalayan moun-
tains. Subhuman (sub hu' man,
adj.), means less than human, or
else almost human, like the
pithecanthrope.

In the development changes
of some insects — for example,
the ephemerae — a stage preceding
the imago is called the sub-imago
(n.). In this stage the wings are
expanded, but the body is still
enclosed within its pellicle. In
feudal times subinfeudation (sub
in fu da' shun, n.) signified the
granting of land by an inferior
lord to a dependant. It also
denoted an estate or fief so
granted, and this system of
A subinspector (sub in spek' tor,
n.) is an official of lower rank than, and an
assistant to, an inspector.

subjacent (sub ja' sent), adj. Situated
beneath ; lying under ; in a lower position.
(F. sous-jacent, subjacent.)

A subjacent stratum is one underlying
another formation. A valley, such as the
beautiful Wye valley, is subjacent to the hills
surrounding it.

F., from L,. subjacens (ace. -ent-em), pres. p.
of subjacerc to lie under. SYN. : Underlying.

subject (sub' jekt, adj . and n. ; sub jekt', v.),
adj. Under the control of another; de-
dependent ; liable or prone (to) ; exposed (to) ;
conditional, n. One under the political rule
of a person or state ; that which is to be dealt
with ; one owing allegiance to a sovereign ;
a matter treated of or to be treated
of in discussion or representation ; a theme
or motif ; a circumstance which furnishes
or serves as a cause or occasion for an action
or feeling specified ; in logic, that part of a
proposition about which something is pre-
dicated ; in grammar, a noun or its equiva-
lent ; the nominative of a sentence ; the
ego ; the conscious self ; the substance or
substratum of a thing, as distinguished
from its attributes, v.t. To subdue ; to
make liable ; to expose. (F. assujetti a,
sujet a, expos6 a, sous la condition de ; sujet,
theme, motif, soi-meme> substance; assujettir,
soumettre, exposer.)

4143

SUBJOIN

SUBJUNCTIVE

All British subjects are subject to the
law of Great Britain. Subjects of the King,
when they visit or settle in other parts of
the Empire, enjoy privileges denied to sub-
jects of another state, and are not subjected
to the restrictions imposed upon the latter,
who are subject to special regulations as
to registration, etc. Britons are encouraged
to emigrate to our Overseas Dominions, and
their settlement and welfare form the sub-
ject of many schemes devised by the home
and colonial governments jointly ; any
grievances they may suffer may become
the subject of discussion in Parliament
or in the press.

A subject state is one in subjection (sub
jek' shun, n.) to another, the latter being
called a sovereign state. We are all taught
to keep our passions in subjection, or under
control.

Subject. — The famous artist, Landseer, as a boy,
making a sketch, the subject being a cow.

The subject of a book, play, picture or
debate is that which forms its main topic
or subject-matter (n.). In an index or a
catalogue, those items treating of a similar
subject may be arranged under one subject-
heading (n.), usually printed in more
conspicuous type, for ease of reference.
Subjectless (sub' jekt les, adj.) means having
no subject.

In grammar, the noun or other word
which stands for that about which we are
speaking is called the subject, and is in
the nominative case. A proposition in logic
consists of subject, copula, and predicate,
and the first is that term about which
something is affirmed or denied.

Philosophers use the word subject for
the ego, or thinking individual. That which
occurs within his mind is subjective (sub
jek' tiv, adj.), everything outside it being

objective. There are philosophers who state
that all knowledge is subjective, and that
truth cannot be proved objectively, or
outside our own minds. This theory is
known as subjectivism (sub jek' tiv izm, n.),
and one who upholds it is a subjectivist
(sub jek' tiv ist, n.).

In art, the term subjective is applied to
works in which the individuality of the
artist or composer is very prominent, his
point of view being unduly emphasized.
The word also means illusory or fanciful.

Subjectivity (sub jek tiv' i ti, n.), or sub-
jectiveness (sub jek' tiv nes, n.) is the quality
or state of being subjective. In a work of
art, subjectivity is that quality which is
peculiar to the individual author or artist,
and also means the undue emphasis or
expression of this. A composer's character
may be expressed subjectively (sub jek'
tiv li, adv.) by his work.

O.F. suget, from L. subjectus, p.p. of subjicere,
subicere to throw or place under. Subjectus
is used as n. in the sense of subject, one under-
neath or inferior, subjectum (neuter) being used
of a grammatical subject or the subject of a
preposition. SYN. : adj. Liable, prone, sub-
sidiary, tributary, n. Matter, motif, substance,
theme, topic, v. Expose, subdue. ANT. : adj.
Independent, sovereign. n. Object, ruler,
sovereign.

subjoin (sub join'), v.t. To add at the
end ; to append ; to affix. (F. aj outer.}

P.F. subjoindre, from L. subjungere to add,
annex, from sub under, close to, jungere to join.

subjugate (sub' ju gat), v.t. To sub-
due ; to bring into subjection ; to enslave.
(F. subjuguer, asservir.)

The Romans subjugated Gaul, Caesar
himself, the subjugator (sub' ju ga tor, n.),
remaining as the governor of the province.
In ancient days subjugation (sub ju ga'
shun, n.), which is the process of subjugating,
or the state of being subjugated, often
meant slavery for the vanquished, for the
conqueror carried off many of the inhabi-
tants to his own country.

L. subjugdtus, p.p. of subjugdre to put under
the yoke, from' sub under, jugum yoke. SYN. :
Conquer, subdue, vanquish.

subjunctive (sub jungk' tiv), adj.
Of or relating to the mood of a verb used
to express doubt or condition, hypothesis,
etc. n. The subjunctive mood. (F. sub-
jonctif.)

The subjunctive mood expresses doubt,
possibility, supposition, consequence, or
wish, and is the mood used in a sentence
subjoined to a principal sentence.

A subjunctive clause is introduced by a
conjunction. In the following example the
words after " lest " form a subjunctive
clause : "I will make a note of the date
lest it should slip my memory."

The subjunctive does not express a fact
directly, but only subjunctively (sub jungk'
tiv li, adv.), that is, in a manner which
shows the relation of the fact to the mind
of the speaker. In the two following

4144

SUBKINGDOM

SUBLIMINAL

sentences the verbs " be " and " were "
are in the subjunctive : "If the king be
taken our cause is lost ; " " were he the
offender, I should punish him severely."

L. subjunctlvus connecting, from subjunctus,
p.p. of subjungere to subjoin, and suffix -ivus
(F. -if, E.-ive.)

subkingdom (sub king' dom), n. One
of the chief or primary divisions of animals
or plants.

Plants are divided into two subkingdoms,
the flowering plants, or phanerogams, and the
so-called flowerless plants, or cryptogams.

A sublanceolate (sub Ian' se 6 lat, adj.)
leaf is one somewhat lanceolate in shape.
Sublapsarian (sub lap sar' i an, n.) is the name
applied to one who believed that God
permitted the fall of man, and then decreed
his redemption. See infralapsarian.

From E. sub and kingdom.

sublate (sub lat'), v.t. In logic, to deny,
or regard as false.

Logicians use this verb as the opposite
of posit. They posit a proposition and
sublate its opposite. The latter process is
sublation (sub la/ shun, n.).

L. subldtus, used as p.p. of toller e
to take up, from sub from under,
lotus, as p.p. of ferre to bear,
remove. See collate. SYN : Deny.
ANT. : Affirm, posit.

sublease (sub les', v. ; sub'
les, n.), v.t. To grant an under-
lease of. n. A lease granted to
a tenant by the original lessee
and not by the owner. (F.
relouer, sous-louer ; sous-bail.)

A person who leases a build-
ing from its owner sometimes
subleases part or the whole of it
to another person. Thus the
original lessee becomes a sub-
lessor (sub les' or, n.), and the
person who takes the property
on a sublease is a sublessee (sub
les e', n.). Should one underlet a
building or part without a lease
he is said to sublet (sub let',
v.t.) it.

In the navy, a midshipman who qualifies to
become a lieutenant is rated as a sub-
lieutenant (sub lu ten' ant, n.), a rank which
corresponds to that of a lieutenant in the
army. An illustration of the badge of rank
borne on his sleeve by a sub-lieutenant is
given on page 2525.

sublimate (sub' li mat), v.t. To sublime ;
to convert (a solid substance) by heat into
a state of vapour, and to solidity again by
cooling, without apparent liquefied action at
an intermediate stage ; to purify ; to refine.
(F. sublimer.)

Arsenic, camphor, and other substances
are capable of sublimation (sub li ma' shun,
n.), and are prepared commercially in this
way. Sublimated (sub' li mat ed, adj.)
sulphur is sold as flowers of sulphur, and
mercuric chloride as corrosive sublimate.

L. subllmatus, p.p. of subllmdre to raise, lift
on high, perhaps from sub up to close to, llmen
lintel.

sublime (sii bllm'), adj. Of the highest,
noblest or loftiest nature ; exciting feelings
of awe ; grand ; noble ; exalted, v.t. To
elevate or exalt ; to make sublime ; sub-
limate, v.i. To become elevated or exalted ;
to be sublimated. (F. sublime, noble ; ennoblir,
clever; s' ennoblir.)

This word is applied to anything which by
its grandeur or nobility appeals strongly to
our better emotions. Thus we speak of
sublime heroism or love, of the sublime
genius of a poet or painter, and of the sublime
beauty of a scene. Things which inspire awe,
wonder, reverence, are said to show sublime-
ness (su bllm' nes.-w.), or sublimity (sii blim'
i ti, n.). Sublimely (su blim' li, adv.) means
with sublimity, or in an exalted manner.
The peaks of a" great mountain chain may be
said to tower sublimely, or loftily, above us.
The word sublime is also used ironically. We
sometimes talk of a person's sublime
ignorance or conceit.

The former government of the Turkish

Sublime Porte. — The Sublime Porte, the building at Constantinople
which housed the principal government departments of the former
Turkish Empire.

Empire was known as the Sublime Porte (n.),
as was also its central office. It is said that
this title is derived from a lofty gate at
the entrance of the building housing the
government departments.

Sulphur — a solid — when being distilled
in a purifying plant, vaporizes and then
recondenses in solid form. Any substance
which behaves thus is said to sublime, or to
sublimate. Sublimed sulphur in this powdered
form is known as flowers of sulphur.

F., from L. subllmis. See sublimate. SYN. :
adj. Awe-inspiring, elevated, lofty, noble, v.
Purify.

subliminal (sub lim'i nal), adj. Pertaining
to subconsciousness ; not perceived by con-
sciousness. (F. subliminal).

This word is used of mental processes
regarded as lying below the threshold of

4145

SUBLINGTJAL

SUBMIT

normal consciousness, or appertaining to a
supposed subconscious or subliminal self.

The two sublingual (sub ling' gwal, adj.)
glands are situated under the tongue, on the
floor of the mouth, and secrete saliva.
Deposits lying near or below a shore line are
sublittoral (sub lit' oral, adj.). The word
sublunary (sub lu' na ri, adj.) means beneath
the moon, or, in other words, on the earth ;
worldly or mundane matters are sometimes
described as sublunary ones.

submarine (sub ma ren'.. adj. ; sub' ma
ren, n. and v.), adj. Situated, growing, or
moving under the surface of the sea. n. A
submarine boat. v.t. To sink or attack with
a submarine boat. (F. sous-marin.)

Submarine telegraph cables are laid on the
beds of seas and oceans ; submarine tunnels
are those passing under salt water. A
submarine mine (n.) is an explosive mine
laid in the sea to damage or sink a ship which
may strike it ; a system of sending sound
signals through water is known as submarine
signalling (n.).

Submarine.— The British submarine "Odin
water just after the vessel was

on the surface of the
launched.

The history of submarine navigation may
be said to date from near the end of the
eighteenth century, when Fulton experi-
mented with a boat which could be sub-
merged. The modern submarine boat (n.) is
a warship which can be completely sub-
merged, and is able to remain under water
for long periods, whether moving or at rest.
The chief function of a submarine is to dis-
charge torpedoes at an enemy warship, first
approaching unperceived to within a short
distance. Some submarines are provided with
apparatus for laying mines.

To submerge a submarine, water is ad-
mitted into its ballast tanks until the buoy-
ancy is almost destroyed. A horizontal
rudder at the stern and two hydroplanes
near the bows are then brought into use to
make the vessel dive as it moves forward,
and to keep it at any required depth.

From L. sub under, and marine (L. marlnus
of the sea) .

submaxillary (sub maks il' a ri), adj.
Situated under the lower jaw. (F. sous-
maxillaire.)

A large part of the saliva is secreted by
the two submaxillary glands, one under each
side of the jaw, below the inferior maxilla.
The ducts from these open into the mouth
under the tip of the tongue. Submental
(sub men' tal, adj.) parts or organs are those
situated under the chin, such as, for instance,
the submental artery.

submerge (sub merj'), v.t. To put under
water, or other liquid ; to inundate : to
plunge, or sink in water, etc. ; to overwhelm.
v.i. To sink under water, etc. (F. submerge*,
inonder, plonger, accabler ; couler.)

Off the shores of England in many places
there are submerged forests which have
been put under water by the sinking of our
coasts. Their present position, therefore, is
the result of submergence (sub mer' jens,
n.) as this sinking is called. Figuratively,
;i debtor hopelessly insolvent is
said to be submerged in debt.

A submarine vessel which can
travel on the surface and, when
desired, can sink and proceed
under water, is submergible (sub
merj' ibl, adj.) or submersible
(sub mers' ibl, adj.) at will, by
taking in water-ballast. The
process of thus sinking in the
water is called submersion (sub
mer' shun, n.), and the boat is
said to submerge, when she sinks
below the surface.

When it is desired to submerge,
or to submerse (sub mers', v.t.)
such a vessel so that, in a
submerged state, she may travel
along concealed, her periscopes
may be projected above the
water, thus enabling those within
the vessel to view objects on
the surface. Submersed (sub
merst', adj.) is used of plants
growing under water.

O.F. submerge?, from L. submergere, from sub
under, mergere to plunge, sink. SYN. : Inun-
date, overflow, sink.

submission (sub mish' un). For this
word: submissive, etc., see under submit.

submit (sub mit'), v.t. To surrender
(oneself) ; to put under the control of; to
subject ; to offer for consideration ; to urge
with deference, v.i. To yield ; to give in ;
to be submissive. (F. soumettre, proposer ;
se soumettre, se rendre, se resigner.)

When a beaten army yields, its com-
mander submits or puts forward his willing-
ness to submit the terms which the victors
may see fit to impose upon the vanquished.
Napoleon III submitted himself to the
Germans after the- ill-fated battle of Sedan,
surrendering personally to the victorious
commander. We may describe any act

4146

SUBMONTANE

SUBPOENA

of yielding or surrender as one of submission
(sub mish' un, n.), and he who performs it is
submissive (sub mis' iv, adj.), that is, ready
to give way, or accept commands meekly.

As a token of submissiveness (sub mis' iv
nes, n.) or obedience, the burghers of Calais
were required by Edward III, when they
brought him the keys of the city, to comport
themselves most abjectly or submissively
(sub mis' iv li, adv.), each burgher having
a rope round his neck. But for the pleading
of Queen Philippa, each submitter (sub
mit' er, n.) would have met a speedy death.

FromJL. submittere, summittere, (p.p. submissus)
to let down, put under, submit, from sub under,
mittere to send. SYN. : Offer, present, refer,
surrender, yield. ANT. : Oppose, resist.

Submit. — An appeal being submitted to the Witan, the
of the Anglo-Saxon Witenagemot or parliament.

fO(

kj

submontane (submon'tan), adj. Situated
at the foot of a mountain, or range of
mountains.

A submontane region is one lying about the
lower slopes of a mountain, or about the
foot-hills of a range.

The number nine is a submultiple (sub null/
tipl, n.} of sixty-three, being contained in it
exact number of times — seven times,
bbacco is subnarcotic (sub nar kot' ik, adj.],
that is, mildly narcotic. The rate of the pulse
is said to be subnormal (sub nor' mal, adj.)
if below the normal, or usual, rate. The
suboccipital (sub 6k sip' i tal, adj.) nerves
are situated under the occiput.

There are many suboceanic (sub 6 she
an' ik, adj.) mountains, covered by the waters
of the oceans.

The ratio 3 : 24 is suboctuple (sub ok' tupl,
adj.), that is, in the proportion of i to 8.
The eye is directed downwards by a sub-
ocular (sub ok' u lar, adj.) muscle — one
attached under the eye. The bone under an
eye is suborbital (sub or' bit al, adj.), that is,
below the orbit or eye-socket.

A suborder (sub or' der, n.) of plants or
animals is a division of an order, and may
be called also a subordinal (sub or' di nal,
adj.) group.

subordinate (su bor' di nat, adj. and n. ;
su bor' di nat, v.), adj. Below or inferior in
importance or rank; subject or subsidiary
(to), n. A person who works under another
or who is lower in rank or status, v.t. To
make lower or inferior ; to treat as of less
importance ; to make subject to. (F.
subordonne, accessoire ; subordonne ; subor-
donner, assujettir.)

A captain in the army is subordinate in
rank to a major, and a lieutenant is the
subordinate of a captain. In grammar a
subordinate clause is generally in the
subjunctive mood.

The head of every great business has a
number of subordinates, or persons who
carry out his orders, and the
subordination (su bor di na' shun,
n.) of one person to another is
essential if the business is to be
carried on properly. In team-
work the members subordinate
their individual interests and
aims to those of the team. Those
low in rank or position, although
at the time acting subordinately
(su bor' di nat li, adv.) may one
day rise to have many sub-
ordinates themselves.

In theology, the doctrine of
the priority of the First Person
of the Trinity over the Second
and Third is called subordina-
tionism (su bor di na' shun izm,
n.).

L.L. subordindtus , p.p. of subor-
dindre to place below, from L. sub
under, below, ordindre to put in
order. SYN. : adj. ' Lower, sub-
n. Inferior. ANT. : adj. Higher,
i. Superior.

suborn (su born'), v.t. To induce or pro-
cure (a person) to commit perjury, or other un-
lawful act; to procure (such act), (^.suborner.)
In reports of trials we sometimes hear of a
person trying to bribe a witness to swear to
false evidence. One who thus attempts to
suborn a perjury is severely punished, and if
the suborner (sii born' er, n.) is successful in
his subornation (sub or na' shun, n.), so that
a witness gives untrue testimony, he may
be sent to prison for a long term.

F. suborner, from L. suborndre to equip or
incite secretly, from L. sub- under, secretly,
orndre to adorn, supply, furnish.

sub oval (sub 6' val), adj. Nearly oval.
(F. subovale.)

This word and subovate (sub 6' vat, adj.)
are applied to objects roughly elliptical or
somewhat like an egg in shape.

L. sub- somewhat, nearly, ovum egg, with
E. suffix -al (L. -dlis.)

subpoena (sub pe' na; su pe' na), n. A
writ, commanding the attendance of a
witness or defendant at a court of justice, v.t.
To serve with such a writ. (F. citation; citer.)
L. sub poena under a penalty. The v. is
derived from the n.

servient.
superior.

4147

SUBPOLAR

SUBSEQUENT

subpolar (sub po' lar), adj. Near one of
the poles ; in astronomy, lying directly under
one of the celestial poles.

Subpolar countries are those near the Polar
regions. A sub-prefect (sub pre' fekt, n.) in
France is an official who assists a prefect, the
head of a district called a department. His
office is a sub-prefecture (sub pre' fek chur,
«.). The subprior (sub prl' or, n.) of a
priory ranks next to the prior.

A subquadrate (sub kwod' rat, adj.) surface
or object is one nearly square. A sub-
quadruple (sub kwod' ru pi, adj.) ratio is one
of i : 4 ; a subquadruple solution of a
chemical contains one part out of four of that
chemical. Similarly, a subquintuple (sub
kwin' tu pi, adj.) ratio is one of i : 5, and a
subquintuple solution contains one part out
of five.

A subregion (sub re" jun, n.) is a division
of a region — one of the great districts into
which the earth's surface is divided by
botanists and zoologists.

Subpolar. — A magnificent waterfall in Iceland, an
island in the subpolar region.

subreption (sub rep 'shim), n. The act of
obtaining something by fraudulent repre-
sentation or by surprise ; a deceitful repre-
sentation, or an inference drawn from it.
(F. subreption.)

In its first sense a subreption means
especially the concealment of facts so as to
obtain a dispensation or a faculty. The term
is used in ecclesiastical law.

F., from L. subreptio, surrcptio (ace. -on-em)
stealing, from subreptus, surreptus, p.p. of
subripere, surripere, from sub- secretly, rapere to
snatch.

subrogation (sub ro ga' shun), n. The
substitution of one person for another, with
the succession to the latter's rights as
creditor, etc. (F. subrogation.)

Subrogation occurs when one person
takes the place of another, and succeeds

to the latter's rights in respect of a debt, etc.
In the insuring of ships the underwriter
indemnifies the insurer against loss, but is
himself entitled to claim, in the insurer's
name, any sum the latter might have
recovered from a third party.

That portion of the body which is sub-
sacral (sub sa' kral, adj.) is situated under the
sacrum, the lower part of the vertebral
column. Subscapular (sub skap' u lar, adj.)
means situated beneath the scapula.

subscribe.(siib skrib'), v.t. To write (one's
name, etc.) at the end of a document; to
sign ; to attest ; to contribute or promise
to contribute (a donation), v.i. To sign; to
assent ; to enter one's name in a list of
contributors ; to make or promise a contri-
bution ; to undertake to purchase a news-
paper, book, etc. (F. souscrire, signer,
attester ; signer, souscrire, s'abonner.)

A person's signature subscribed below an
appeal for donations denotes his willingness
to subscribe the amount he indicates. A
legal document is subscribed or attested
by those who witness the signatures of the
contracting parties.

A subscriber (sub skrl' ber, n.) to an
opinion is one who assents to it ; to a benevo-
lent institution, one who contributes sums
for its support ; to a periodical, or book,
one who agrees to purchase it. A signature
at the foot of a letter, etc., is a subscription
(sub skrip' shun, n.), but this word is used
chiefly of a money gift or payment or of a
contract to purchase a book, journal, etc. A
subscription to a society or fund is distin-
guished from a donation in being periodical.

A subscript (sub' skript, adj.) letter is one
written below another. In certain Greek
words the letter iota (i) is written under
other vowels, and is called iota subscript.

L. sitbscrlbere, from sub under, scrlbere to write.

subsection (sub sek' shun), n. A division
of a section. (F. subdivision.)

From L. sub under, and section.

subsellium (sub sel' i um), n. A small
ledge on the underside of a hinged seat which
acted as a support to one leaning against
it when the seat was turned up. pi.
subsellia (sub sel' i a). (F. misericorde.) -

A subsellium is also called a misericord ;
it relieved the weariness of standing for long
periods during worship. For illustration
see page 2789.

Things below the reach of the senses are
subsensible (sub sen' sibl, adj.). A subseptuple
(sub sep' tupl, adj.) ratio is one of i 17;
6 : 42 ; and so on. A subseptuple share is
one part out of seven.

subsequent (sub' se kwent), adj. Follow-
ing immediately, in order, time, or place ;
later ; succeeding after. (F. subsequent.)

The subsequent career of a boy when he
leaves school may depend very largely upon
himself. Education has prepared him to enter
upon it, and the subsequent years will prove
his mettle. That which follows an event

4148

SUBSERVE

SUBSOIL

occurs subsequently (sub' se kwentli, adv.] to
it, and is an example of subsequence (sub' se
kwens, n.).

L. subsequens (ace. -ent-em), pres. p. of subsequl
to follow soon after, from sub under, after,
sequl to follow. SYN. : Following, succeeding.
ANT. : Antecedent, preceding.

subserve (sub serv'), v.t. To serve as
means for promoting (an end). (F. subvenir
a, aider a, contribuer a.)

The end which good government should
subserve is the happiness and prosperity
of a people. Proper recreation subserves
the health of school children ; hence playing
fields and opportunities for games are
provided for them. Subservient (sub ser'
vi ent, adj.) means serving or adapted to
promote some end, and the word is used
also in the sense of obsequious or servile ;
subservience (sub ser' vi ens, n.) and sub-
serviency (sub ser' vi en si, n!) are used
chiefly of slavish or cringing service. One
who acts thus is said to behave subserviently
(sub ser' vi ent li, adv.}.

L. subservire, from sub under, servlre to serve.

subsextuple (sub seks' .tupl), adj. In
the proportion of i : 6.

The numbers 12 and 72 are in subsextuple
ratio.

Subside. — The remains of a garden which subsided.
The lorry is tipping material into the hole made.

subside (sub sid'), v.i. To fall in level ;
to settle down lower ; to sink ; to cave
in ; to become tranquil ; to abate. (F.
s'affaiser, se tasser, couler a fond, s'effondrer,
s'apaiser.}

The ground above a tunnel may cave in
or subside, and its subsidence (sub si' dens ;
sub' si dens, n.) may cause neighbouring
buildings also to settle down lower, or
subside.

As floods subside or fall to a lower level,
the mud, etc., held in suspense, settles or
subsides, so that a thick sediment is left
on the land which was inundated.

As a storm subsides or becomes tranquil
the tumult of the wind lessens or subsides.

L. subsldere to sink or settle down, from sub
under, sldere to settle, akin to seder e to sit.
SYN. : Abate, settle, sink.

subsidiary (sub sid' i a ri), adj.
Auxiliary ; supplementary ; serving to aid
or supplement ; subsidized, n. A helper
or auxiliary ; an accessory. (F. subsidiaire,
auxiliaire ; auxiliaire, aide.}

Every large manufacturing industry gives
employment to other subsidiary ones, which
furnish supplies needed by the former. A
tributary is subsidiary to a river. Sub-
sidiarily (sub sid' i a ri li, adv.} means
secondarily, or subordinately.

L. subsididrius of a reserve. See subsidy. SYN.:
Auxiliary, supplementary. ANT. : Chief, main.

subsidy (sub' si di), n. Aid in money,
granted by a government. (F. subvention,
subside.}

A subsidy meant once a sum of money
granted by a parliament to the sovereign,
or a tax imposed to raise it.

One country may subsidize (sub' si diz,
v.t.}, or pay a subsidy to, another country
in return for assistance in war, or for a
friendly neutrality. Subsidies are granted
by governments to certain shipping lines
which carry the mails under a contract.

Another kind of subsidy, also called a
bounty, is granted to industries, held to
be of national importance, such as that of
sugar-beet growing, to enable them to
establish themselves or keep going.

O.F. subsid(i)e, from L. subsidium auxiliary
forces in reserve, help, relief, from subsldere to
settle down, remain. See subside. SYN. :
Bounty, grant.

subsist (sub sist'), v.i. To exist ; to
continue to exist ; to live ; to support
life ; to find sustenance, v.t. To maintain.
(F. exister, subsister, vivre ; faire subsister,
entretenir.}

A thing may be said to exist for any time,
however short, whereas to subsist is to con-
tinue to be, to maintain existence. A beggar
subsists, or ekes out a bare subsistence (sub
sist' ens, n.} on the doles of the charitable.
We subsist on the necessaries of life, air,
food and shelter. Under the Poor Law,
institutions are provided for unfortunate
people who have no means of subsistence.

Subsistence money is that which is paid
before the regular pay-day to workmen,
soldiers, etc., to supply their temporary
needs.

F. subsister, from L. subsistere to take up a
position, remain, continue, from sub under,
sistere to cause to stand, stand, sistere being
properly the causal of stare. SYN. : Continue,
exist, live, support. ANT. : Cease, end, perish.

subsoil (sub' soil), n. The layer of
earth just below the surface-soil. (F. sous-
sol.}

4149

SUBSPECIES

SUBSTITUTE

The subsoil may be rich in chemical
constituents, but is generally poor in that
organic matter which supports life, and is
found in the surface soil. A farmer some-
times uses a subsoil plough, which breaks
up the subsoil without bringing it to the top.

A subspecies (sub spe' shez, n.) of plants
is a division of a species of greater import-
ance than a variety. Differences which
mark off one subspecies from another are
subspecific (sub spe sif ik, adj.).

The earth is subspherical (sub sfer" ik al,
adj.), that is, almost spherical, being flat-
tened at the poles. To the substage (sub'
staj, n.) of a microscope, a fitting below
the stage, are attached the condenser and
diaphragm.

substance (sub' stans), n. That of
which a thing consists ; matter ; material
as opposed to form ; essence ; the essential
nature of a thing ; gist ; purport ; mean-
ing ; that which has reality ; firmness ;
solidity ; possessions ; real worth. (F.
substance, matiere, essence, sens, rtalite, bien,
merite.)

The images seen in a mirage have form
but not substance.

Lead is a dense, heavy substance, pumice
a light porous substance. A spendthrift is
said to waste his substance, and so he soon
becomes one who is no longer a man of
substance. A student makes notes of the
pith or substance of a lecturer's remarks.

We contrast substance and shadow ; if
the sun goes in the latter may disappear,
but the body which casts it remains, and is
therefore substantial (sub stan' shal, adj.],
a word used also for solid or durable. A
substantial reward is one of considerable
value, its receiver is substantially (sub
stan' shal li, adv.) or liberally rewarded.
To prove something true is to substantiate
(sub stan' shi at, v.t.) it, and the act of doing
so is substantiation (sub stan shi a' shun, n.).
One who makes a charge against another
is expected to substantiate his statement,
or give sufficient ground for it.

In metaphysics substance means the
essence which underlies a phenomenon.
Substantialism (sub stan' shal izm, n.) is the
name of a form of philosophy, the upholders
of which, called substantial ists (sub stan'
shal ists, n.pl.), maintain that all pheno
mena are based upon substantial realities,
or that they have substantiality (sub stan
shi al' i ti, n.), that is, reality. To sub-
stantialize (sub stan' shal Iz, v.t.) anything
is to make it substantial, or to give reality
to it.

F., from L. substanlia being, essence, from
substans (ace. -stant-em), pres. p. of substare to
exist, from sub under, stare to stand. SYN. :
Essence, matter, possessions, reality, solidity.

substantive (sub' stan tiv), adj. Ex-
pressing existence ; real ; substantial ; in-
separately existent ; not
or implied ; not sub-
servient, n. A noun. (F. substantif.)

In grammar a substantive is a word which
can be used as the name of a person, thing,
or idea. Such words are said to be sub-
stantival (sub stan ti' val, adj.) or to be used
substantively (sub' stan tiv li, adv.) or
substantially (sub stan tiv' al li, adv.).

In public business a substantive motion
is an independent proposal, as compared
with the amendments or alterations sug-
gested to it. An army officer who holds a
certain real or substantive rank may be
promoted temporarily to one of higher
degree. If his promotion is confirmed and
made permanent, the new appointment
becomes substantive.

F. substantif, from L.L. substantlvus sell-
existent, substantial, from L. substantia. See
substance. SYN. : adj. Real, permanent, sub-
stantial, n. Noun.

substation (sub' sta shun), n. A
subsidiary station. (F. sous -station.)

Substations play an important part in
the transmission of electrical energy from
a main station, or source of supply, to the
places where it is to be made use of. In
the substation the type of the electrical
current or its Voltage may be changed so
as to fit it for transmission, or for the
specific needs of the district to be supplied
with energy.

From E. sub- and station.

dependently and s
merely inferential

Substitute.1 — Drawing water from a stand-pipe, a
substitute for the regular water supply.

substitute (sub7 sti tut), n. A person
or thing which serves for or takes the place
of another, v.t. To cause to fill the place,
or perform the function of another ; to put
in place of. (F. snbstitut. remplafant ;
substituer, remplaccr.)

If a player in a team is prevented from
taking part in a game another may be
deputed to act as his substitute. Margarine
may be usefully substituted for butter for
many purposes. To guard the public against
its fraudulent substitution (sub sti tu' shun,
«.). however, wrappers in which it is sold

4150

SUBSTRATUM

SUBTILE

must bear the name " margarine." Any-
thing taking the place of something else is
substitutional (sub sti tu' shun al, adj.], or
substitutionary (sub sti tu' shun a ri, adj.).
To prevent its substitutive (sub' sti tu tiv,
adj.] use in beverages, methylated alcohol —
not subject to the same heavy excise duty
as ordinary alcohol — is given a distinctive
colour and an unpleasant taste.

In some countries where compulsory
military service was the rule a man might
formerly be hired to serve substitutionally
(sub sti tu' shun al li, adv.), or in place of
another.

O.F. substitut, from L. substitutus, p.p. of
substituere to place under, instead of, from sub
under, in place of, statuere to place, set.

substratum (sub stra' turn), n. That
which underlies ; a layer or stratum lying
under another ; a ground or basis, pi.
substrata (sub stra/ ta). (F. fond, base,
couche inferieure, substratum.}

The fertile, mellow top soil of a garden
may have a substratum of heavy clay
beneath it. A statement which is largely
false may have a substratum of truth.

L. = neuter of substrdtus, p.p. of substernere
to spread under, used as a noun (= something
spread under).

substructure (sub struk' chur), n.
A foundation ; an under-structure. (F.
substruction, fondation.)

The foundations of a building Slf
form its substructure, as opposed
to the superstructure erected
upon them.

F., from L. substructio (ace.
-on-em), from substructus, p.p. of
substruere to build under, from sub
under, struere to erect, build.

subsume (sub sum'), v.t.
To include in a more general
class.

If we say all dogs are animals,
we make a subsumption (sub
sump' shun, n.} or a subsumptive
(sub sump7 tiv, adj.) statement,
because we include the class of
dogs in the larger class of
animals.

Modern L. subsiimere, from L.
sub under, sumere to take.

sub-temperate (sub tern' per at), adj.
Situated in the colder parts of the tem-
perate regions.

The sub-temperate regions of the earth
are those near the temperate zones and on
the polar side of them.

A subtenant (sub' ten ant, n.) is a person
who rents a property or part of it, from one
who is himself a tenant. His mode of
holding, or his tenure, is a subtenancy (sub'
ten an si, n.}

subtend (sub tend'), v.t. In geometry, to
be opposite to. (F. sous-tendre .)

This is a word used in geometry of a
chord, or the side of a triangle. The
hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle is
the side that subtends the right angle. A

chord of an arc of a circle is its subtense
(sub tens', n.) — the line which subtends it.
L. subtendere, from sub under, tendere to
stretch.

subter-. This is a Latin prefix meaning
under, less than.

subterfuge (sub'ter fuj), n. Prevarica-
tion, shift, or artifice employed to escape
blame or, in argument, to evade an issue ;
the use of such a shift, etc. (F. subterfuge,
evasion, ruse.}

A wrongdoer sometimes has to resort to
subterfuge in order to avoid punishment,
or to conceal his misdeeds. A mob orator,
faced with a question difficult to answer,
may try to divert his opponent to a side
issue, as a subterfuge. Or he may employ
a subterfuge of another kind — an untrue
or misleading statement, calculated to
silence his questioner.

F., from L.L. subterfugium, from L. subter-
fugere, from subter- secretly, fugere to flee, take
refuge. SYN. : Evasion, prevarication, shift.

subterposition (sub ter po zish' un), n.
The state of being under something else ;
this position. (F. subterposition.}

Geologists say that a stratum is in subter-
position when it is under another stratum.
The opposite is superposition.

L. subter under, and E. position.

Subterranean. — A subterranean motor
accomplishes a very strange journey, its
main sewers.

train in Paris, which
course lying through the

subterranean (sub te ra' ne an), adj.
Underground ; belonging to the underworld ;
working secretly, subterraneous (sub te ra' ne
us) has the same meaning. (F. souterrain.}

The mole spends most of its life in sub-
terranean runs, since it hunts its food
subterraneously (sub te ra' ne us li, adv.},
that is, below the surface of the ground,
subterrestrial (sub te res' tri al, adj.} is a
rare word having the same meaning as
subterranean.

From L. subterrdneus , from sub under, terra the
earth, and E. adj. suffix -an (L. -anus}. SYN. :
Secret, underground.

sub' til), adj. Thin;
finely woven. (F. rare,

subtile (suf il
tenuous ; delicate ;

tenu, fin, subtil.}

4151

SUB-TITLE

SUBURB

This is an older form of the word subtle,
and is now used rather of things than of
mental characteristics, for which the later
form is to be preferred. The ether is a very
subtile or tenuous medium. Subtility (sub
til' i ti, n.) has the same meaning as sub-
tlety. To subtilize (suf il iz, v.t.) an argu-
ment or to subtilize (v.i.) is to introduce
into it very fine distinctions — to split hairs
as one says.

A variant spelling of subtle. See subtle.
SYN. : Tenuous, thin. ANT. : Coarse, dense,
solid.

sub-title (sub7 ti tl), n. A secondary
title to a book or other composition ; a
half-title. (F. sous-litre.}

Scott's " Guy Mannering " has the sub-
title of " The Astrologer." The second
kind of sub-title is usually printed two
pages before the title-page, and gives the
short title of the book in question.

E. sub- and title.

subtle (suf 1), adj. Tenuous ; rarefied ;
evasive ; difficult to grasp or trace ; making
fine distinctions ; acute ; discerning ; in-
genious ; insidious ; crafty ; cunning. (F.
tenu, rarefie, evasif, subtil, perspicace, in-
genieux, ruse, fin.)

Penetrating or pervasive odours are
sometimes said to be subtle, and the word
is used of thin delicate fabrics, but except

(sub trak' shun, n.) we find the difference
between two numbers or quantities. By a
subtractive (sub trak' tiv, adj.) operation
we may determine that number which must
be added to the lesser of two given numbers
so that both these shall be equal. The
quantity or number that has to be taken
away from another is the subtrahend (sub'
tra hend, n.).

L. subtractus, p.p. of subtrahere to draw away
from under, from sub under, traherc to draw.
SYN. : Deduct. ANT. : Add.

subtriangular (sub tri ang' gu lar),
adj. Imperfectly triangular.

A subtriangular figure is one approxi-
mately triangular in shape. In ethnology a
subtribe (sub7 trib, n.) is a division split
off from a tribe. The ratio of i : 3. or
any other in like proportion, is a subtriple
(sub' tripl, adj.) ratio. A subtriplicate (siib
trip' li kat, adj.) ratio is one expressed in
cube roots. The ratio \Ja : \Jb is the
subtriplicate ratio of a : b,

The subtropic (sub trop' ik, adj.) or sub-
tropical (sub trop' ik al, adj.) regions, called
also the subtropics (sub trop' iks, n.pl.},
are near the tropics ; a subtropical climate
is cooler than tropical, but warmer than
temperate.

subulate (su' byu lat), adj. In botany
and zoology, long, narrow, and tapering

in poetical language the latter use of the to a point ; awl-shaped. Subuiiform (sTf

word is rare.

A subtle stratagem is one subtly (suf li,
adv.) conceived, which shows cunning or
craft in its planning. A subtle mind is a
keen one ; able to make fine or
subtle distinctions. A too subtle
argument may be so complicated
as to be extremely difficult to
follow. Subtlety (suf 1 ti, n.)
is the quality of being subtle,
in any of its senses.

M.E. sutil, sotel (and other
spellings), from O.F. s(o)util, subtil,
from L. subtllis fine, slender, precise,
subtle ; perhaps from s^^b- close
beneath tela web, that is, finely
woven. SYN. : Acute, crafty, fine,
ingenious, insidious. ANT. : Guile-
less, simple, straightforward.

subtonic (sub ton' ik), n.
In music, the note a semitone
below the tonic or key note.
(F. note sensible.}

The note B natural is the subtonic of
the scale of C. The subtonic is commonly
called the leading note.

L. sub under, below, and tonic.

byu li form, adj.} has the same meaning.
(F. subule.)

Modern L. silbuldtus (p.p. form), from L. subula
awl, from suere to sew.

Suburb. — The entrance to the town of Bry-sur-Marne. a suburb of
the city of Paris.

suburb (sub' erb), n. An outlying part
of a town or city. (F. faubourg.)

As a city grows many who find occupa-
tion in it make their homes in the outlying

subtract (sub trakf), v.t. To take districts, villages once isolated becoming

linked up with the metropolis as suburbs.
New suburbs are made by building houses
on a suitable site adjacent usually to a
railway line, a station springing up later
for the convenience of the suburban (su'
berb' an, adj.) dwellers. In the plural the
suburbs mean the environs of a town.

O.F. suburbe, from L. suburbium, from sub
under, close to, urbs city, town.

away (a part), quantity, etc., from a whole
or from a greater quantity ; to deduct.
(F. soustraire, retrancher.)

In arithmetic a lesser number is sub-
tracted from a greater number. Since
algebra deals with minus as well as plus
quantities, a greater quantity may be sub-
tracted from a smaller one, the remainder
being a negative quantity. By subtraction

4152

SUBVENTION

SUCCESSION

subvention (sub ven7 shun), n. A
grant of money in aid ; a subsidy or bounty.
(F. subvention.}

F., from L. subventio (ace. -on-em), from sub-
venire to assist, from sub up to, venire to come.

subvert (sub vert'), v.t. To overturn ;
to upset ; to destroy. (F. renverser, boule-
verser, detruire.)

During the " Terror " the French revolu-
tionaries, having already subverted the
monarchy, and overthrown the entire social
edifice, tried to subvert or destroy Christi-
anity, endeavouring to set up in its place
another system of worship, with every tenth
day as • a rest day. Doctrines adverse to
religion or morality, aiming at their sub-
version (sub ver7 shun, n.}, have been pro-
mulgated by other revolutionary bodies,
as in Russia, where subversive (sub ver7 siv,
•adj.) laws forbad Christian practices.

F. subvertir, from L. subvertere to overturn,
from sub from under, vertere to turn. SYN. :
Destroy, overturn, upset.

Subway.— The Holland Tunnel, a subway under the Hudson River,
New York, U.S.A.

. subway (sub' wa), n\ - An underground
conduit, passage, or tunnel.; (F. souterrain.)

succeed (suk sed7), v.t. To follow : to
come after (in order or time) ; to take the
place previously occupied by ; to be heir or
successor to. v.i. To follow in time or order ;
to be heir, or successor (to an office, estate,
etc.) ; to have success ; to attain a desired
object ; to end successfully or prosperously.
(F. suivre, succeder, remplacer, heriter ;
succeder, reussir.)

At the death of a king his heir succeeds
to the throne, and becomes his successor
(suk ses7 or, n.). A period of calm succeeds a
storm ; bud, flower, and fruit succeed one
another in a plant's development.

O.F. succeder, from L. succeder e to go from
under or near, follow after, result, succeed,
prosper, from sue- = sub under, cedere to go.
SYN. : Flourish, follow, prosper, thrive. ANT. :
Antedate, anticipate, fail, precede.

succentor (suk sen7 tor), n. A deputy pre-
centor ; the leading bass singer in a choir.
L.L. = one who accompanies in singing, from
L. succinere to sing to, from sue- = sub under,
canere to sing (centor is modified
form of cantor}.

success (suk ses'), n. The act
of attaining a desired object; a
favourable result ; the attain-
ment of worldly prosperity, fame,
or position ; a thing or person
that succeeds. (F. succes.)

We speak of. the success of a
plan that is brought to a favour-
able issue. .'-X book is a success
if it is read "and'liked by many
people. The writer of it is also
a success.

A play is successful (suk ses7
ful, adj.), or is "attended by
success, when it attracts large
audiences. Its popularity is a
measure of its successfulness (suk
ses7 ful nes, n.), or successful
quality. A successful tradesman
is one who has achieved success
in his business. A boy who comes through
an examination successfully (suk ses7 ful li,

Subways are made under pavements of adv.) does so with success — in other words,

city streets to carry gas and water pipes,
electric cables, telegraph and telephone
wires, and so on. Subways for foot-
passengers are built between railway stations,
and at points under a road where traffic is
dense.

sue-. This is a form of the prefix sub-
used before c. See sub-

succades (su kadz7), n.pl. Candied
fruits preserved in syrup.

O.F., from L. suc(c)us juice, and suffix -ade.

succedaneum (suk se da7 ne um), n.
A substitute, pi. succedanea (suk se da7
ne a)^ (F. succedane.)

This word is used chiefly of things, rarely of
persons. Succedaneous (suk se da7 ne us, adj.)
matter acts as a succedaneum or substitute.
Neither of these words is in ordinary use.

L. succeddneus (neuter -um), from succeder e to
follow after. See succeed.

his papers satisfy the examiners and he
succeeds in passing.

O.F. succes, from L. successus, from p.p. of
succedere advance, succession, happy issue,
success. See succeed.

succession (suk sesh7 un), n. A following
in order ; a series of things or persons
following in order ; the act or right of
succeeding to an office or inheritance ; the
order in which persons having this right
succeed ; a set of persons succeeding
thus ; in biology, the order of descent in the
development of species. (F. suite, succession.)

A succession of failures, that is, failures
coming one after another without any inter-
vening success, is disheartening, but we
should remember that a run of bad luck is
often followed by a run of good luck. The
eldest son of an earl succeeds to the title,
the next in age is second in the succession.

026

4153

SUCCESSOR

SUCH

and will succeed if the heir dies. Events
follow in rapid succession when they occur
immediately one after another. The rotation
of crops is sometimes termed the succession
of crops. When a plant blooms several times
after the first crop of flowers dies, it is said
to produce successional (suk sesh' un al,
adj.) flowers, that is, flowers occurring in
succession, succession duty (n.) is a tax
paid by an heir on succeeding to property.

Things that follow one another in un-
interrupted sequence are successive (suk ses'
iv.,.adjt), andoeeur successively (suk ses' iv li,
adv.), or in succession, successiveness (suk
ses' iv nes, n.) is the state or quality of
following in order.

F., from L. successio (ace. -on-em). See succeed,
success. SYN. : Descent,
rotation, sequence, series.

successor (suk ses'
or). For this word see
under succeed.

succinct (suk singkt'),
adj. Expressed in few
words. (F. succinct,
concis, laconique.}

A succinct narrative
contains no unnecessary
words, yet all the essen-
tial details are given
succinctly (suk singkt 'li,
adv.), or with brevity
and conciseness. Pro-
verbs and maxims have
the quality of succinct-
ness (suk singkt' nes, n.),
for at their best they
contain much wisdom
in a few words.

L. succinctus, p.p. ot
succingere to gird below,
tuck up, from sue- = sub,
cingere to gird. SYN. :
Brief, concise, condensed, pithy, terse. ANT. :
Lengthy, involved, prolix, verbose, wordy.

succory (suk' 6 ri). This is another name
for chicory. See chicory.

succose (suk' 6s), adj. In botany, sappy ;
juicy. (F. seveux, juteux.)

L. suc(c)us juice, and E. suffix -ose (L. -osus).

succour (suk' or), v.t. To come to the
aid of ; to help or relieve in distress or
difficulty, n. Aid in time of difficulty or dis-
tress. (F. secourir ; secours, aide, assistance.)

Help or assistance may be given to anyone.
Succour is aid given to the helpless, to
fugitives, refugees, etc. Formerly a military
force was said to succour a town when it
drove away a besieging enemy. People
are succourless (suk' or les, adj.) when they
are destitute or else without help.

O.F. sucorre, soscorre, from L. succurrere to run
to the assistance of, from sue- = sub under, to,
currere to run. SYN. : v. Assist, help, relieve.
«. Aid, assistance, help, relief.

succulent (suk' u lent), adj. Juicy; in
botany, thick and fleshy ; of plants, having
thick, juicy stems and leaves. (F. succulent,
juteux, charnu.)

Succulent. — A negro boy of Virginia, U.S.A.,

enjoying an enormous slice of melon, a very

succulent fruit.

Meat is said to be succulent when it yields
plenty of gravy, and, in an extended sense
of the word, a person might be said to give
a succulent, or luscious, smile. Oranges are
succulent fruit, and are succulently (suk' u
lent li, adv.) inviting to a hot and thirsty
person.

The succulence (suk' u lens, n.)} that is,
the succulent quality of the cactus, agave,
and other succulent plants, enables them to
survive long periods of drought. Their thick,
fleshy stems and leaves are stored with water
in the form of sap.

L. suc(c}ulentus full of juice, Irom suc(c)u-
combining form of suc(c)us juice, and adj. suffix
-lentus. SYN. : Juicy, luscious, rich.

succumb (su kum'), v.i. To cease to
resist ; to give way (to) ;
to submit ; to die owing
to disease, wounds, etc.;
to die. (F. ceder, se
soumettre, succomber,
mourir.)

This word is used
chiefly of persons and
communities. A nation
may succumb, or be
forced to yield, to a
powerful invader. Thus
Rumania succumbed, or
was overcome, in 1917.
A person succumbs to
a temptation when he
ceases to offer resistance
to it. When people
succumb to an operation,
they die from the effects
of it.

L. succumbere to lie
under, sink down, yield,
from sue- = sub under,
cumbere (a form of cubdre
to lie). SYN. : Die, submit, surrender, yield.

succursal (su ker' sal), adj. Auxiliary ;
subsidiary. (F. succursale.)

This word is used chiefly in connexion
with religious buildings and offices. A
succursal chapel is a chapel-of-ease, which is
dependent upon a parish church.

From L.L. succursale subsidiary branch, from
succursus help, and L suffix -dlis. See
succour.

such (such), adj. Of that kind ; of the
same or like kind or degree (as) ; similar ;
the previously mentioned (person or thing) ;
having a particular quality or nature as
specified, or previously indicated ; having the
same quality or nature ; so great, adv.
So. pron. Such a person, persons, or things ;
the same. (F. tel, pareil, semblable ; tant ;
tel.).

This is a word used in making comparisons,
for the purpose of indicating the quality
or quantity of a thing. Sometimes the thing
with which the comparison is made is not
expressed but is merely implied, purposely
left vague, or is regarded as understood by
the speaker or hearer. We may say, for

4154

SUCK

SUCTION

instance, that such earthquakes as that of
Tokyo in 1923 are, fortunately, rare, when we
mean earthquakes like the one at Tokyo.
When speaking of the world's great scientists
we may not wish to give a long or complete
list of the people we have in mind, and so
we say : " Scientists such as Newton and
Einstein." It is then clear that the com-
parison is extended to other scientists of
the same high standing.

A person may be startled by our sudden
entrance into a room, and declare __..____.._
colloquially that we gave her
such, or so great, a fright. The
word " such " is often used in
sentences where " so " would be
a better word. For instance, we
say that we never saw such a
short man as Tom Thumb, when
we mean a man so short as this
dwarf.

A desert becomes such, or be-
comes a desert, through the
action of natural forces. Here
the word is a pronoun. The
archaic expression " such as " in
the sense of " those who " occurs
in the Bible (Psalm cvii, 10) :
" Such as sit in darkness and the
shadow of death."

To select such and such
articles in a shop is to choose
certain ones, or some. Such-like
(adj.] people are those of such a kind as have
already been mentioned. Most of us dislike
snails, slugs, and such-like (pron.}, that is,
things like them. This word, however, is a
colloquialism.

M.E. swulc(h), swilc, A.-S. swylc, swelc ; cp.
Dutch zulk, G. solch, O. Norse slik-r, Goth.
swaleik-s ; = so like, originally meaning of such
a shape or form. See so, like [i].

suck (suk), v.t. To draw (liquid) into the
mouth by suction ; to drink in ; to acquire
(knowledge, etc.) ; to absorb ; to draw (in or
down) ; to engulf ; to draw liquid, etc.,
from, as with the mouth ; to dissolve in this
way. v.i. To draw liquid, etc., in by suction ;
to draw in milk or nourishment thus ; to
make a noise as of sucking, n. An act or spell
of sucking ; a pull caused by suction ; the
noise of swirling water having a sucking
action. (F. sucer, absorber, avaler, engloutir ;
sucer, Uter ; suction.)

We suck lemonade through straws by
making a partial vacuum in the mouth with
our lips. Eddies on the surface of flowing
water suck down small floating objects.

Animals that give suck to their young are
described as mammals. A sucking (suk'
ing, adj.) mammal, or one in the early stage
of its life, when it feeds by sucking, is some-
times called a sucker (suk' er, n.). The word
is used in this sense especially of a new-born
whale and a sucking-pig (n.), that is, a pig
before it is weaned.

Certain kinds of fish that suck in food, or
else have organs called suckers on their

heads or bodies, are given the names of
sucker and sucking-fish (n.). The sucker, or
sucking-disk (n.), with which fish of the latter
kind are provided, is a flat or concave surface
adhering to objects by means of suction.
The sucking-fish, of which lumpsucker is an
example, is thus able to attach itself to other
fish, to rocks, and even to ships.

There are many suckers, used for grasp-
ing prey, on the tentacles or arms of the
octopus.

Suck. — Lambs on Saltholm Island, near Copenhagen, vigorously
sucking milk from bottles.

In gardening, a shoot of a shrub or tree
is called a sucker when it is sent up from
the root, from an extension of the root, or
from the bole at ground level. The piston
of a suction-pump is also known as a sucker..
Shopkeepers sometimes attach small articles
to their show-windows by means of a hook
fixed to a circle of rubber which clings to
the glass when wetted and pressed against
it. A device of this kind is also called a
sucking-disk.

M.E. suken, souken, A.-.S. sucan, sugan ; cp.
Dutch zuigen, G. saugen, O. Norse siiga, L. sugere,
suc(c}us juice. SYN. : v. Acquire, imbibe.

sucrose (sii' kros), n. Cane sugar, or any
compound sugar of the same chemical
composition and properties. (F. saccharose.}

F. sucre (sugar) and E. suffix -ose.

suction (suk' shun), n. The act or process
of sucking ; the production of a partial
vacuum so as to draw in a fluid, or cause
a body to adhere, through external atmo-
spheric pressure. (F. suction.}

When the nozzle of a garden syringe is
dipped in water and the piston is drawn
up a partial vacuum is created inside the
tube. Air cannot enter the nozzle to relieve
the vacuum, and the water is forced up by
the pressure of the air outside. This is a
simple example of suction.

The common pump which raises liquids
by suction is called a suction-pump (ft.). A
suction-pipe (n.} is a pipe leading from a
pump of this kind to the reservoir from which
the water, etc., is to be drawn. Liquid is

4155

SUDANESE

SUEDE

sucked up this pipe into the suction-box (n.),
suction-chamber (n.), or barrel of the pump.

Many gas-engines are run on suction-gas
(n.) which is gas that is drawn or sucked into
the cylinder from a kind of furnace
called a gas-producer.

The humming-bird has a suctorial (suk
tor' i al, adj.) beak, that is, one adapted for
sucking honey from flowers. The remora
is one of the suctorial fishes which are
equipped with a suctorial organ called a
sucking-disk. Other animals that have
mouths used for sucking in food are also said
to be suctorial.

O.F., fromL. suctio, (ace. -on-em], iromsuctus,
p.p. of sugere to suck.

Sudanese (soo da nez'), adj. Of or
belonging to the Sudan, a region to the south
of Egypt, n. An inhabitant of the Sudan.
Another spelling is Soudanese (soo da nez').
(F. soudanien, soudanais.)

The Sudanese inhabiting the north of
the Sudan are mostly Hamites and Arabs,
but those of the south are negroid, and from
these the country received its Arabic name,
Beled-es-Sudan, which means the land of
the Blacks.

Sudanese. — A native Sudanese musician with his
curious stringed instrument and bow.

sudarium (su dar' i um), n. A napkin
or cloth for wiping the face, especially that of
St. Veronica, which, according to legend,
became miraculously stamped with the
portrait of Christ ; any miraculous portrait
of Christ ; the napkin on Christ's head in the
sepulchre, pi. sudaria (su dar' i a).

There is a mediaeval legend that when
Christ was on His way to Calvary, St.
Veronica handed Him her kerchief to wipe
the sweat from His brow. When Christ
returned the cloth or sudarium it bore a
perfect likeness of His features.

In ancient Roman baths, a room heated
with hot-air or steam, and called a sudatorium
(su da tor' i um, n.) — pi. sudatoria (su
da tor' i a) — was used to produce sweating.

L., from sudare to sweat. See sweat.

sudd (sud), n. A floating mass of vege-
tation impeding navigation of the White
Nile ; a temporary dam built across a river.

The foundations of the Nile dam were
built between sudds or embankments raised
to shut out water from the site.

Arabic sudd obstruction, barrier.

sudden (sud 'en), adj. Happening without
warning ; made, done, or come upon
unexpectedly; instantaneous; abrupt; rapid.
(F. imprdvu, inopine, immediat, subit, rapids.}

Sudden death takes place instantly, as
when a soldier is killed by the sudden
explosion of a bomb. A path is said to take a
sudden turn when it bends abruptly. We
come to a sudden determination when we
make up our minds to do something without
waiting to think the matter over.

Things happen all of a sudden (adv.) when
they occur suddenly (sud' en li, adv.), that is,
without preparation or warning. The archaic
expression on a sudden (adv.) has the same
meaning. An unexpected gunshot may
make one jump by its. suddenness (sud' en
nes, n.), that is, its quality of being sudden.

M.E. and O.F. sodain, from L. subitdneus,
enlarged form of subitus sudden, p.p. of sublre
to steal upon, from sub- secretly, lye to go. SYN. :
Abrupt, hasty, quick, rapid, unexpected. ANT. :
Anticipated, deliberate, expected, gradual, slow.

sudoriferous (su do rif' er us), -adj. In
anatomy, conveying perspiration ; of glands,
causing or secreting perspiration. (F.
sudorifere , sudorifique . )

The skin is pitted all over with millions
of tinysudofiferous glands, which produce or
secrete sweat. This reaches the surface of the
skin -through the sudoriferous canals. A
sudorific (su do rif ik; n.) or sudorific (adj.)
medicine is one that promotes perspiration.
- L.L; sudorifer (F. sudorifere), from L. sudor
(ace. -or-em) sweat, and -fer from ferre to carry. .,

Sudra (soo' -dra)y w. fA member of the
lowest of the four great Hindu c'astes iri
India. (F. foudra.)

Sansk. sudra, perhaps the name of a con-
quered tribe.

suds (sudz), n.pl. Soapy water forming
a frothy mass ; soapsuds ; froth or foam.
(F. eau de savon, ecume.)

Originally either dregs, filth, or flood water,
fen water ; cp. M. Dutch sudde marsh, bog.

sue (su), v.t. To prosecute (a person) in
a law-court ; to make application to (for
damages, etc.) ; to entreat or petition, v.i.
To take legal proceedings (for) ; to make
entreaty (to or for). (F. poursuivre, solliciter.}

When a man suffers loss, because another
has broken a contract made with him, he
may sue or prosecute the offender in a
court of law and recover damages. The
person who sues is called the plaintiff, and
the person whom he sues is the defendant.
To sue out a writ or pardon is to petition
for and obtain it in a court of law. A man
sues for mercy when he begs for mercy.

O.F. sevre, suir, assumed L.L. sequere (L. sequl)
to follow. SYN. : Beg, entreat, petition, pray,
prosecute.

suede (swad), n. Undressed kid leather,
used for gloves and shoes ; the colour of this.
adj. Made of suede. (F. peau de Suede.}

4156

SUET

SUFFOCATE

Suede or suede leather has a rough surface
and will not take a polish.
F. de Suede ot Sweden.

suet (su' et), n. The hard fat obtained
from the kidneys and loins of sheep and oxen.
(F. suif.)

Chopped or grated suet is much used in
cooking, especially to make suet-pudding (n.).
The mixture of which it is made is suety (su '
e ti, adj.), or contains suet. Suety fat, how-
ever, is hard fat, resembling' suet.

Dim. from O.F. seu, L. sebum tallow, suet,
grease.

suf-. This is a form of the prefix sub-
used before/. See sub-.

suffer (suf er), v.t. To undergo (some-
thing painful or disagreeable) ; to ex-
perience (an injustice) ; to put up with ;
to endure (without flinching, etc.) ; to
tolerate ; to allow, v.i. To endure pain,
grief, etc., to be executed. (F. souffrir,
subir, eprouver, permettre ; souffrir.}

Suffer. — Judas suffers remorse, from the painting, II

of Judas," by E. Armitage, R.A., in the Tale Gallery, London.

Things are said to suffer injury when
they are damaged or broken. When a
house is burned down the owner suffers
a loss unless the house is fully insured.
Hot-tempered people find it difficult to
surfer or put up with an affront.

The word sufferable (suf er abl, adj.),
which means endurable or bearable, is
used chiefly with a negative. We may
say, for instance, that a certain person's
manners are not sufferable when we mean
that we cannot suffer or tolerate them,
sufferance (suf er ans, n.) is a more or less
archaic word, once used in the senses of
suffering, forbearance, or submissiveness.
It survives in the expression " on suffer-
ance," which means " by virtue of tolera-
tion, though not of actual consent." Thus
a person may continue to occupy a house,
when the lease expires, if the landlord raises
no objection. We then say that the tenant
is there on sufferance, that is, by the implied
consent of his landlord.

A sufferer (suf' er er, n.} is one who suffers,
especially physical pain or injury, suffering

(suf er ing, n.) is either a pain endured, or ,
the bearing of pain.

M.E. suffren, soffren, from O.F. sufrir, sofrir,\
assumed L.L. suffer ire = sufferre, from suf- = sub
under, ferre to bear, endure. SYN. : Allow,,
bear, experience, let, permit. ANT. : Deny, ,
forbid, refuse, resist.

suffete (suf et), n. One of the two chief/
magistrates of ancient Carthage. (F. suffete.){
L. suffes (ace. etem) from Phoenician ; cp/
Heb. shophet judge.

suffice (su fls'), v.i. To be enough ; _
to be adequate or sufficient, v.t. To satisfy ;
to be enough for. (F. suffire ; contenter, "
satisfaire, suffire a.)

It is ridiculous to make a great deal of i
fuss about a mistake when a few words '
will suffice to put things right. We may •
round off a story of our misadventures during ,
a journey by remarking " Suffice it to Say >
that we arrived in time." Four or five I
hours of sleep suffice some people : others ;;
require eight or nine hours, and declare i
that a shorter rest will not '
suffice to refresh them.

A sufficiency (sii fish' en si,
n.) of anything is a large enough
supply of it to meet our needs.
A sufficiency also means a com-
petence, that is, sufficient (su
fish' ent, adj.), or enough, wealth
to live in easy circumstances.
A sufficient reason is one that
serves to justify an action.
When asked if we would like
another helping of food at table
we may reply that we have had
sufficient (n.). This is a colloqui-
alism, meaning a- sufficient or
adequate quantity.

A matter is made sufficiently
(su fish' ent li, adv.) clear if
explained in a manner that
suffices to make it understandable. Some-
times the purpose to which this word
relates is merely implied, as when we say;
that a person is not sufficiently or adequately '
clad. This means that he is not wearing
sufficient clothes to go out without endanger-
ing his health. Food is sufficingly (su fis'
ing li, adv.) nourishing, if satisfyingly so.

F. suffisant, pres. p. of suffire, from L. sufficere
to supply, be supplied thoroughly, suffice, from
suf- = sub under, to a certain degree, facere to
make.

suffix (suf iks), n. A letter or syllable
added to the end of a word, or to a root,
to form a new word. v.t. To add as a
suffix in the formation of a word. (F. suffixe ;
aj outer a la fin.)

L. suffixus, p.p of suffigere to fasten, from
suf- = sub under, close after, figere to fix, add to.
ANT. : Prefix.

suffocate (suf 6 kat), v.t. To choke ;
to kill by stopping respiration ; to smother ;
to cause difficulty in breathing to. v.i. To
become choked or stifled ; to feel suffocated.
(F. suffoquer, etouffer ; suffoquer, s' etouffer.)

4157

SUFFRAGAN

SUGAR

There is a tradition that Edward V (1470-
1483) of England, and his younger brother
were suffocated or smothered to death in
the Tower of London by the orders of their
uncle, who became Richard III.

A room is said to be suffocatingly (suf
6 kat ing li, adv.] hot when the air in it is
overheated and difficult to breathe. Drown-
ing, strangling, and the breathing of gas
containing insufficient or no oxygen, are
all causes of suffocation (suf 6 ka' shun, n.),
which means the process and also the act of
suffocating.

L. suffocdtus, p.p. of suffocdre to choke, from
suf- = sub under, fauces (pi.) the throat. SYN :
Choke, smother, stifle.

suffragan (suf ra gan), adj. Of a
bishop, assisting, n. A suffragan or assistant
bishop. (F. suffraganf.)

In a special sense a suffragan is a bishop
consecrated to assist a diocesan bishop.
His work is to manage a part of the diocese
and his seat or district is • known as his
suffraganate (suf ra gan at, n.). In a
general sense all bishops are suffragan
bishops to the archbishop of the province
in which their dioceses are situated.

L.L. suffragdneus helping, assisting, from L.
suffrdgdri to vote for, help. See suffrage.

suffrage (suf rij), n. A vote ; consent
or approval shown by voting ; the right
to vote, especially in parliamentary elections ;
a short petition said by a con-
gregation, as a response to the ]
priest, as in the litany. (F. j
suffrage, voix, votes.}

The Reform Acts of 1832, 1867, ''
and 1885 were important steps
towards democratic government
in the United Kingdom, for they
extended the suffrage, and gave
a much larger number of men
the right of voting for members
of Parliament. Until 1918, the
suffrage was confined to adult
males, and was termed manhood
suffrage. But from the early
years of the twentieth century,
until the World War there was a
great deal of agitation in Britain
for woman suffrage, entitling all
adult females to vote.

A woman who took a leading
part in this demand was jocu-
larly known as a suffragette (suf
ra jet', n.), and a male sup-
porter of the movement was termed a
suffragist (suf ra jist, n.), a word which
also means one advocating an extension of
the suffrage. Woman suffrage in Britain
was partly achieved by Act of Parliament
in 1918, and finally extended to all adult
females in 1928.

The word suffrage is also used in other
senses, as when we say that the electors
of the United States gave their suffrages
or supporting votes for prohibition. In
an extended sense a person may be said

to have our suffrage for an appointment
when we prefer him to all other applicants.
F., from L. suffrdgium ; a suggested derivation
is from suf- = sub under and frag-, root .of,
frangere to break, from a broken tile or potsherd
being used as a voting tablet. SYN. :
Franchise, vote.

suffuse (su fuz'), v.t. To overspread, as
if coming from within, and colour or moisten
(the cheeks, etc.). (F. couvrir.)

A blush is said to suffuse a girl's cheeks.
Tears suffuse the eyes when they well up
in them. In an extended sense, the sky
is suffused with the red of dawn. The act
or process of suffusing, or the state of being
suffused, is termed suffusion (su fu' zhiin, n.).
' L. suffusus, p.p. of suffundere to pour on
something below, from suf- = sub under, fundere
to pour.

sugar (shug' ar), n. A sweet crystalline
substance obtained from the juice of various
plants, especially the sugar-cane and the
beet ; in chemistry, one of certain soluble
and fermentable carbohydrates with a sweet
taste, including ordinary sugars., glucose and
dextrose ; any substance having a sweet
taste ; nattering or cajoling words, especially
when serving to reconcile a person to some-
thing unpleasant, v.t. To sweeten, cover, or
sprinkle with sugar ; to mitigate, disguise
or render palatable by flattery, soft words,
etc.- (F. sucre; sucrer, adoucir, amorcer.}

Sugar-cane. — Negro worker* in a typical plantation of sugar-cane
in the island of Barbados, West Indies.

The two chief sources of the sugar bought
at the grocers are the sugar-cane (n.), a
tall grass growing in tropical countries,
and the sugar-beet (n.), a variety of the
common beet (Beta vulgaris). which grows
in temperate climates.

The sugar-cane (Saccharum officinarum) is
allied to corn and maize. It grows to a
height of from six to fourteen feet, and
takes about nine months to mature. After
being cut off close to the ground, the stalk
is taken to a sugar-house («.)» or place

4158

SUGGEST

SUGGEST

where raw sugar is made, and passed between
the rollers of a sugar-mill («.), which crushes
the cane and squeezes out the juice. A
sugar-planter (».) is a person who owns
or manages a plantation on which sugar-
cane is grown.

Beet sugar is extracted from the sliced-up
roots of the vegetable by soaking them in
hot water. Both cane-juice and beet-
juice are treated with lime ; and the non-
sugars in them are caused to be precipitated.
Water is evaporated from the mixture in
vacuum pans, leaving a semi-solid mass of
sucrose crystals and syrup. Finally the
syrup is separated from the crystals in
centrifugal machines.

The resulting raw
sugar is sent to a sugar-
refiner (n.), one who
refines sugar, to have
certain impurities re-
moved from it in an
establishment called a
sugar-refinery (n.}. Here
it is washed, dissolved,
filtered, and purified. In
some cases the natural
colouring matter is also
removed before the
sugar is again crystal-
lized by evaporation.

In France and other
European countries, the
native sugar-beet in-
dustry was enabled to
compete with cane sugar
in the world's markets,
by the aid of a grant
of public money, known
as a sugar-bounty (n.).

The sugar-bean (n.} is a variety of kidney-
bean, especially Phaseolus saccharatus.
sugarberry (n.) is another name for the
hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) , a North
American tree with a sweet cherry-like fruit
also called a sugarberry. The Australian
sugar-gum (n.) is a large eucalyptus tree
with leaves having a sweet flavour.

Maple-sugar is obtained from the sap
of the sugar-maple (n.) or sugar- tree (n.) —
A cer saccharinum — a North American tree. A

frove or small plantation of such trees is
nown in America as a sugar-orchard (n.).

Sugar boiled and allowed to harden for
use as a confection is known as sugar-candy
(n.) or, simply, candy. Refined sugar
moulded into the form of a large cone is a
sugar-loaf (n.). The sugar-mite (n.) — Tyro-
glyphus sacchari — is a mite that infests
unrefined sugar. A small sweetmeat con-
sisting of sugar rolled into a ball is called a
sugar-plum (n.). sugar-tongs (n.pl.) are
a pair of small tongs used for taking lumps
of sugar from a sugar-bowl (n.) or dish
in which sugar is served at table.

A person who is employed by a confec-
tioner to sprinkle or decorate pastries, etc.,
with sugar is called a sugarer (shug' ar er, n.).

Sugar-mill. — A Cuban sugar-mill, which crushes
the cane and squeeze* out the juice.

Many people prefer their tea to be sugar-
less (shug' ar les, adj.), or without sugar.

A sugary (shug' a ri, adj.) substance
abounds in or resembles sugar ; sugary
words are flattering or honeyed words.
The quality or condition of being sugary
is sugariness (shug' a ri nes, n.).

O.F. sukere, chucre, etc. (F. sucre), L.L. suc-
carum, Sansk. sarkara, Arabic sukkar ; cp. Pers.
shakar, L. saccharum, Gr. sakkharon.

suggest (su jest'), v.t. To cause (an
idea, etc.) to arise in the mind ; to call up
in the mind by association of ideas ; to
hint ; to propose as a solution or explana-
tion ; to put forward for consideration. (F.
suggfrer, inspirer, pro-
poser.}

When a friend is in
difficulties we may be
able to help him by
suggesting a suitable
course of action. Some-
times, however, the right
idea will not suggest
itself, or present itself to
the mind at the oppor-
tune moment. The
elaborate organization
of a termitary, or nest
of white ants, suggests
or evokes the thought of
a system of civilization
in which life is regulated
with mechanical per-
fection.

William Willett, a
London builder, sug-
gested the adoption of
summer time in England .
This suggestion (su jes'
chun, n.), or proposal, became law in 1916
— the year after its suggester (su jest' er,
n.) died. The insinuation of an idea,
belief, plan, or impulse, into the mind is
also known as suggestion. In an extended
sense of the word, we may say that a
sea-green frock contains a suggestion or hint
of blue.

Doctors have been able to cure certain
nervous diseases by suggestion, that is, by
the introduction into the patient's mind of
ideas of well - being. People who yield
readily to suggestion while under the in-
fluence of hypnotism are said to be very
suggestible (su jest' ibl, adj.) subjects.
Such people when hypnotized will accept
fantastic ideas, suggested to them by the
hypnotist, at which they would laugh when
in a normal state. Certain forms of mad-
ness are due to self-suggestion or auto-
suggestion. There is no suggestible remedy
for a complaint when there is none that can
be suggested.

A speech or sermon is suggestive (sii
jes' tiv, adj.) if it tends to suggest ideas
for us to think over. To act or speak
suggestively (su jes' tiv li, adv.) is to act or
speak in a way which suggests something

4159

SUICIDE

SUITE

not actually done or said. The action or
words then have suggestiveness (su jes'
tiv nes, n.), the quality of being suggestive.

L. suggestus, p.p. of suggerere to put under,
furnish, suggest, from sug- — sub under, gerere
to bear, bring. SYN. : Allude, hint, intimate,
propose

ordinary daily wear : a dress suit is a
formal set of black clothes worn in the
evening at social gatherings, etc. Cloth
having a loud pattern, such as that used for
some sports suits, does not suit or befit
many types of men. Sometimes women's
costumes are called two-, or three-piece suits,

suicide (su' i sid), n. ' The taking of according to the number of garments they

one's own life purposely ; a person who
kills himself intentionally ; an act that
has a disastrous effect upon the doer. (F.
suicide.)

In law, suicide is self-murder by a person
who has reached years of discretion and is
of sound mind. Attempted suicide is a
punishable offence. A person may be said
to commit social suicide when he performs
some act that places him outside the pale.
A suicidal (su i sid' al, adj.) risk is one that
endangers the life of the person concerned.
Some mad people are suicidally (su i sid'
al li, adv.) inclined, or have suicidal ten-
dencies, that is, they are liable to commit
suicide if not watched carefully.

F., from Modern L. sulcldium, suiclda, from
sui of oneself, -cldium a slaying, clda slayer,
from caedere to kill, as in homicide, matricide,
parricide, regicide. SYN. : Felo-de-se.

suint (swint ; su' int), n. The natural
grease containing potash salts, present in
the fleeces of sheep. (F.
suint.}

Suint washed from
sheep's wool is used as a
source of potash in some
European .countries.

O.F. suint, from suer to
sweat.

suit (sut), n. The act
of suing ; a request ; an
action in a court of law
to enforce a right or
claim ; courtship ; a set
of man's outer clothes,
usually a jacket, waist-
coat and trousers or
breeches, especially when
made of the same cloth ;
one of the four sets in a
pack of playing - cards ;
those cards belonging to
one of these, dealt to a
player ; a set (of sails or
other articles) used at one
time. v.t. To fit ; to
adapt ; to make appro-
priate or fitting (to) ; to
satisfy ; to meet the wishes of ; to agree

Suit. — A finely decorated suit of armour,
probably made in the sixteenth century.

comprise. A suit-case (n.) is a. large, oblong
case, with a single handle, in which clothes
may be carried when travelling.

In whist a player is said to have a long
suit when he holds more than three cards
of a suit, and a short suit when he has less
than four. In this and other card games
it is necessary, if possible, to follow suit,
that is, play a card of the same suit that
has been led. When a person follows the
example of a friend .and adopts tennis as a
recreation, he is said to follow suit.

When a man proposes marriage to a
woman after courting her for some time,
he may be said to press or push his suit.
A person who fulfils a promise or threat
immediately after making it is said to suit
the action to the word. If a certain item
of food does not agree with us we may
say that it does not suit us.

A composer sets the words of a song to
suitable (sut' abl, adj.) music when the
tune and accompaniment that he provides
are well suited to the spirit
jjjjjgjjjgjjjgj^ of the words. A suitable
occasion is a convenient or
proper one. The quality
or state of being suitable
is suitability (sut a bil' i ti,
n.) or suitableness (sut7 abl
nes, n.).

People are suitably (sut'
ab li, adv.) clothed if their
clothes are appropriate to
the occasion or conditions
prevailing when they are
worn. A suitor (su' tor, n.)
is a petitioner or plaintiff in
a lawsuit, or the wooer of a
woman.

O.F. suite, from sivre to
follow (F.' suite from suivre) ;
perhaps from assumed L.L.
sequlta = secuta, variant of
secta a following, sect, from
L. sequl (p.p secutus) to follow.
SYN. : n. Application, court-
ship, entreaty, petition. v.
Adapt, agree. ANT. : v. Clash,
disagree, dissatisfy.
suite (swet), n. The retinue of a

with ; to be appropriate to. v.i. To agree or sovereign, ambassador, or other great
correspond (with) ; to be convenient. (F. person ; a set of rooms or furniture ; in
requete, cour, complet, couleur, jeu de voiles; music, a set or a series of contrasted pieces,

formerly always in the same key. (F. suite,
cortege, ameublement complet, serie.)

The musical suite originally consisted
of dance tunes in contrasted styles, such
as the saraband, gavotte, and others. The
keyboard suites are important works of

ajuster, assortir, satis/awe, alter a ; convenir a,
s'accorder avec.)

A suit of armour consists of those items
of armour that are worn at one time.
Suits of clothes are designed for various
purposes. A lounge suit is intended for

4160

SUITOR

SULPH-

this kind. Modern orchestral suites, such
as " The Planets " by Gustav Hoist, are
on a much more elaborate and extensive
scale, and their different movements are
seldom in the same key.
F. = a following. See suit.

Suite. — The bed-room of a private suite of rooms in the Cunard
liner "Aquitania."

suitor (su ' tor) . For this word see under
suit.

suivez (swe' va). In music, direction
to continue to play in the same style or
to adapt the playing (of a musical accom-
paniment) to the soloist's style. (F. suivez.}

F. = continue, second pi. imperative of suivre
to follow, keep on.

sulcate (sul' kat), adj. In botany and
anatomy, grooved, fluted ; having length-
wise furrows, or channels. (F. si/lonne,
cannele.)

L. sulcdtus, p.p of sulcare to furrow, from
sulcus furrow.

sulk (sulk), v.i. To be silently or inactively
resentful or ill-tempered, sulks, n.pl. A
fit of sulkiness. (F. bonder; bouderie.)

Ill-temper or resentment causes a person
to sulk or adopt a sulky (sulk' i, adj.] attitude,
or remain obstinately ill-humoured. The
sulky person, or one who behaves sulkily
(sulk' i li, adv.], refuses to speak, or respond
to well-meaning people who try to cheer him
up. He is said to be in the sulks, or to suffer
from sulkiness (sulk' i nes, n.), that is, the
state or quality of being sulky.

A kind of light, two-wheeled, horse-drawn
vehicle, sometimes without a body, is called
a sulky (n.), because it is an unsociable
means of conveyance, having room for only
one passenger. Sulkies are used chiefly for
driving trotting-horses in speed trials.

Cp. A.-S. d-solcen sluggish, indifferent ; North
Frisian sulke to sulk.

sullen (stir en), adj. Silently and persist-
ently resentful or unforgiving ; obstinately
ill-humoured ; unsociable ; dismal ; for-
bidding, sullens, n.pl. A sullen state of
mind. (F. morose, renfrogne, insociable, triste,
sombre, mauvaise humeur.}

A sullen, or heavy and sour-tempered face
betrays the feelings of its owner. He is to be
pitied, because sullenness (sul' en nes, n.),
the quality or condition of being sullen, is a
gloomy, unresponsive state of mind. It is a
persistent form of sulkiness, whereas sulki-
ness is merely a passing fit of
the sullens.

Dark rain-clouds may be said
to lower sullenly (sul' en li, adv.),
or gloomily, overhead. They
are as depressing as the person
who stares sullenly, or dismally
and morosely, at those who try
to put him in a better frame of
mind.

M.E. soletn singular, lonely, O.F.
solain, assumed L.L. soldnus soli-
tary, from L. solus alone. SYN. :
Cross, gloomy, ill-natured, morose,
sulky. ANT. : Bright, cheerful,
good-tempered, happy, merry.

sully (sul' i), v.t. To soil ; to
lessen the purity or magnifi-
cence of ; to disgrace. (F.
souillev, ternir.)

This word is used chiefly in
poetry and poetical prose,
usually in a figurative sense.
Ignoble acts may be said to sully a person's
character. The detractors of a great man
endeavour to sully his reputation.

O.F. soillier (F. souiller) to soil, perhaps in-
fluenced by M.E. sulien, A.-S. sylian, from sol
mire ; cp. G. suhle mire, Swed. sola to bemire.
See soil [2], which is a doublet. SYN. : Defile,
soil, stain, taint, tarnish.

sulph- . A prefix used before a vowel in
chemical terms to indicate that sulphur is an
ingredient of a compound, or that sulphur
has been substituted for oxygen, or that a
compound has been derived from an acid
containing the radical SCXOH. Another
form, used before consonants, is sulpho-.
(F. sulf-, sulfo-.)

Examples are sulphamic (sul fam' ik, adj.)
and sulphocyanic (sul fo si an' ik, adj.).
Often the prefix thi-, thio- is used in place
of sulph- or sulpho-.

A salt of sulphuric acid is a sulphate (sul'
fat, n.), and a salt .of sulphurous acid a
sulphite (sul' fit, n.). Sodium sulphate
(Glauber's salts) and magnesium sulphate
(Epsom salts) are two common sulphates.
The waters of many springs and wells are
sulphatic (sul fat' ik, adj.), that is, contain
sulphates.

A compound of sulphur with an element
or a radical, with the exception of the gaseous
and halogen elements, is known as a sulphide
(sul' fid, n.). Many of the sulphide! are
important industrial chemicals. Sodium
sulphide, for example, is used in the bleaching
and dyeing industries.

The white crystalline compound known as
sulphonal (sul' fo nal, n.) is used as an
hypnotic and anaesthetic. A sulphone (sul'
fon, n.) is any one of the group of compounds

4161'

SULPHUR

SUM

containing the radical SO2 united to two
hydrocarbon radicals. A sulphonic (sul fon'
ik, adj.) acid is one containing the radical
SO2OH, this radical being known as the
sulphonic radical or sulphonic group.

Modern combining form of L. sulphur. See
sulphur.

sulphur (sul' fur), n. A pale greenish-
yellow, non-metallic element, which occurs
naturally in large quantities, both in the free
and combined states ; a name given to
various pale yellow butterflies. adj. Pale
yellow with a greenish tint. (F. soufre ;
jaune soufre.}

Sulphur, also called brimstone, is found
in the free state in many parts of the world,
chiefly in volcanic districts. It also occurs in
metallic sulphides, usually called pyrites,
and in sulphates, such as heavy spar (barium
sulphate) and gypsum (calcium sulphate).
Iron pyrites is also known as sulphur-ore (n.).
The chemical symbol of sulphur is S.

A spring of water containing sulphur or a
sulphide is known as a sulphur-spring (n.}.
Such springs occur at Harrogate and else-
where. The sulphur-charged water of a
sulphur-spring can be described as sulphur-
eous (sul fur' e us, adj.), a word also meaning
sulphur-coloured and of the blue colour of
the flame with which sulphur burns. This
sulphureousness (sul fur' e us nes, n.) gives
the water an unpleasant taste and often a
sulphury (sul' fur i, adj.) odour, making the
air smell sulphureously (sul fur' e us li, adv.).

Sulphur candles are often used to sulphur-
ate (sul' fu rat, v.t.) or sulphurize (sul' fu rlz
v.t.) a room which has been occupied by a
person suffering from an infectious disease, or
to clear a room of insect pests. The sulphura-
tion (sul fu ra' shim, n.), or burning of the
sulphur, is carried out in a sulphurator
(sul' fu ra tor, n.), and the sulphuretted (sul
fu ret' ed, adj.) air quickly kills the disease
germs or the pests. Sulphuretted hydrogen,
or hydrogen sulphide, is a colourless gas
smelling like rotten eggs.

sulphuric (sul fur' ik, adj.) acid, or oil of
vitriol, is one of the most important heavy
chemicals, and millions of tons are made each
year. There is hardly an industry in which
the acid is not used.

sulphurous (sul fur' us ; sul' fur us, adj.)
acid is obtained by bubbling sulphur dioxide
through water. Many salts of this acid, which
are known as sulphites, are of commercial
importance. Speech or writing that is heated
or profane may be described as sulphurous.

L. sulphur, sulfur ; cp. Sansk. fitlvari.

sultan (sul' tan), n. A Mohammedan title
meaning sovereign or ruler ; ar= absolute ruler ;
a tyrant ; a breed of white-crested domestic
fowl, which came originally from Turkey ;
a popular garden flower. (F. sultan.)

The title of Sultan was applied specially
to the ruler of the Turkish Empire. There
are other sultans, such as those of Zanzibar,
Morocco, and Johore.

The flower sultan, usually known as
sweet sultan, is purple, white, or yellow,
sultan-pink (adj.) and sultan-red (adj.) mean
respectively rich dull pink and rich dull red.

The wife, mother, or daughter of a sultan
is a sultana (sul ta' na, n.), or — to use an
old-fashioned word — sultan ess (sul' tan es, n.).
The sultana, or sultana raisin, is a small seed-
less kind grown in Asia Minor. The name
sultana-bird (n.) is given to the purple water-
hens, handsome birds with blue and purple
plumage, shaded with green, brown, and
black. They are found in most of the warm
regions of the Old World.

The word sultanate (sul' tan at, n.) means
either the same as sultanship (sul' tan ship,
n.), that is, the office or dignity of a sultan,
or the territory ruled over by a sultan.
sultanic (sul tan' ik, adj.) means of, relating
to, or characteristic of, a sultan, despotic,
arbitrary ; and rule or conduct like that
of a sultan is sultanism (sul' tan izm, n.).

F., from Arabic sultan victorious, king, the
original meaning being territory, that over
which one rules.

Sultan. — Flowers of the sultan, or sweet sultan, a
member of the cornflower genus.

sultry (sul' tri), adj. Of atmosphere or
weather, hot and close. (F. suffocant,
etouffant.}

Before a thunderstorm the atmosphere is
often sultry ; in the stifling air we long for a
breeze to cool us. The sultriness (sul' tri
nes, n.) usually passes when the storm is
over. A very close, oppressive day may
be described as sultrily (sul' tri li, adv.]
warm.

From obsolete E. suiter to swelter. See
swelter. SYN. : Close, heavy, oppressive. ANT. :
Breezy, cool, fresh.

sum (sum), n. The total amount resulting
from the addition of numbers or quantities ;
a particular amount of money ; a brief
statement or expression, taking details into
account, but not dwelling on them ; sum-
mary ; substance ; a question or problem in
arithmetic, v.t. To add together ; to combine
or express as one total or whole ; to express
in a few words, v.i. To go over the chief
points again. (F. total, somme, resume, calcul,
probleme ; additionner, resume r, recapituler.)

The answer of an addition sum is called the
sum ; of a subtraction sum, the remainder ;

4162

SUMACH

SUMMER

of a multiplication sum, the product ; and
of a division sum, the quotient. The sum
of one and two is three.

The verb is generally used with the word
up. A judge is said to sum up when he
goes over the most important parts of the
evidence and arguments for the benefit of the
jury. A poet might refer to the stars as
sumless (sum' les, adj.], that is, incapable of
being counted, without number. The adding
together of numbers is summation (sum a'
shun, n.), and so is the summing up of a
person's character.

M.E. summe, O.-F. sume, from L. summa chief
part, amount, fern, of summus highest, chief,
a superlative from sup(er) above. SYN. : n.
Aggregate, essence, gist, total, whole.

sumach (su ' mak ; shoo ' mak) , n . A genus
of poisonous trees or shrubs, some of which
are used in tanning and dyeing ; a prepara-
tion of sumach leaves, etc. Another form
is sumac (su' mak; shoo' mak). (F. sumac.)

The most important sumach of commerce
is Rhus coriaria, cultivated for its leaves,
which are dried and powdered for use in
tanning. From the Venetian sumach (R.
coiinus) comes the dye-stuff known as young
fustic. Japanese lacquer is made from the
varnish-tree, R. vernicifera.

F. sumac (Span, zumaque), from Arabic summdq.

summary (sum' a ri), adj. Reduced to a
few words ; condensed ; done quickly or
without formality or ceremony. n. A
condensed statement. (F. abrege, succinct,
sommaire; resume.)

A summary statement, or summary, of a
matter is one expressed in the fewest words
possible, without giving any unnecessary
details. A magistrate has summary juris-
diction in regard to some offences ; he can
punish them summarily (sum' a ri li, adv.),
that is, in a summary manner, or at once,
instead of referring the case to a higher court.

Some newspapers summarize (sum' a riz,
v.t.), that is, print a summary, or condensed
account, of the news contained in each issue.
The British Broadcasting Corporation sum-
marizes the day's news in its daily news-
bulletins. A summarist (sum' a rist, n.) is
one who summarizes, or makes a short or
condensed statement out of a longer one.

F. sommaire (n. and adj.) ; adj. from assumed
L. summarius pertaining to the sum, substance, or
chief thing (L. summa) ; n. from L. summdrium,
neuter of assumed summarius used as n. SYN. :
adj. Brief, compendious, concise, short, succinct.
n. Abridgment, abstract, compendium, epitome,
precis. ANT. : adj. Diffuse, lengthy, prolix.

summation (sum a 'shun). For this word
see under sum.

summer [i] (sum' er), n. The second or
warmest season of the year ; (pi.) years of
age or life. adj. Relating to, used in, or
suitable for, summer, v.i. To pass the summer.
v.t. To feed (cattle) during the summer ; to
provide summer pasture for (cattle). (F.
ete ; d'e'te, estival ; passer I'&te ; estiver.)

In Britain June, July, and August
are popularly regarded as the summer

months. A spell of warm weather that some-
times comes about St. Luke's Day (October
i8th) is called St. Luke's summer (n.), or
St. Luke's little summer (n.). A warm spell
about the time of St. Martin's Day (November
nth) is 'called St. Martin's summer (n.), or
St. Martin's little summer (n.), a term
sometimes applied to a season of prosperity
after misfortune. Indian summer (n.) is a
term used in America for a period of mild
weather in the autumn or the early part of
the winter.

Summer-house. — A summer-house is a very delight-
ful addition to a garden.

In many gardens there is a summer-house
(n.), a sort of rustic hut, generally open in
front, used for sitting in during the summer.
What is called summer-lightning (n.) is
sheet lightning without thunder, often seen
in the summer.

The word summering (sum' -QT ing, n.) is
used to denote spending the summer,
pasturing cattle in the summer, and the
summer treatment of hunters. In some
country parts very early apples or pears are
called summerings.

A summerless (sum' er les, adj.) year is one
in which the summer is wet and cold. This
lack of a proper summer may be partly
made up for by summerly (sum'er li, adj.) or
summery (sum'er i, adj.), that is, summer-like
(adj.) weather in the autumn.

summer-time (n.) is the season of summer.
By summer time (n.) — without a hyphen — is
meant the official time one hour ahead of
Greenwich time, used from a certain date in
April until the first Sunday in October, with
a view to saving daylight. See under day.

A.-S. sumer, sumor ; cp. Dutch zomer, G.
sommer, O. Norse sumar, Sansk. samd half-year.
ANT. : n., adj., and v. Winter.

summer [2] (sum' er), n. A term used in
various connexions for a framework or
support, and especially for a horizontal
beam supporting the joists of a floor or roof.
(F. poutre de plancher.)

When on the face of a building, a summer
is called a breastsummer, or bressummer.

O.F. somier pack-horse, beam. L.L. saumdrius
for sagmdrius, from Gr. sagma saddle.

4163

SUMMERING

SUMPTUOUS

summering (sum' er ing). For this
word, summerless, etc., see under summer [i].

summersault (sum ' er sawlt) . This word
is another spelling of somersault. See somer-
sault.

summit (sum' it), n. The highest point
or degree ; the highest peak or ridge. (F.
sommet, time, apogee, zenith.}

The Himalayas contain the loftiest
mountain summit in the world, Mount
Everest, whose summit is twenty-nine
thousand and two feet above sea-level. We
speak of a man reaching the summit of his
ambition when he has attained the highest
degree of knowledge, power, fame, or of
whatever he set out to achieve.

The summit-level (n.) of a railway, road,
or canal is its highest point. summitless
(sum' it les, adj.) means without a summit.

F. sommet, dim. of O.F. som top, from L.
sitmmum (neuter of summus). SYN. : Acme,
apex, peak, vertex, zenith. ANT. : Base, bottom,
nadir.

Summit. — A building on the summit of Harney
Peak, Harney National Forest, South Dakota, U.S.A.

summon (sum' on), v.t. To command to
appear at a stated time and place, especially
in a court of law ; to call upon (to surrender,
etc.) ; to send for ; to call into action. (F.
citer, sommer, mander, faire appel a.)

We summon a servant by ringing the bell.
We summon or summon up our courage
or resolution when we have a task to perform.
A summoner (sum' on er, n.) is one who
summons, and especially one who takes out
a summons (sum' onz, n.) — pi. summonses
(sum' onz ez) — a notice to a person ordering
him to appear in court at a certain specified
time as a juror, or to answer a certain
charge, or to give evidence. In ordinary
language to summons (v.t.) a person means
to cite him before a court or to serve with
a summons.

From pres. stem of O.F. somondre, semondre,
L.L. summonere to summon, in L. to warn
privately, give a hint, from sum- = sub secretly,

monere to warn, remind. SYN. : Assemble, bid,
call, cite, convoke.

sump (sump), n. A pit, well, or chamber,
in which liquid is collected. (F. puisard.)

The sump of a mine is a pit at the lowest
point of the mine, below the working levels,
into which the water of the mine drains.
The sump of a motor-car engine is a chamber
in the bottom of the crank-case, used as a
reservoir for lubricating oil. In a metal
furnace a pit for collecting the metal when
it is fixed for the first time is called a sump.

Low G. or M. Dutch sump ; cp. G. sumpf
swamp, Swed. sump, akin to E. swamp.

sumpitan (sum' pi tan), n. A long blow-
pipe used by the Dyaks of Borneo for
shooting arrows. See under blow-pipe.

The arrow used with the sumpitan is
sometimes incorrectly called a sumpit
(sum' pit, n.).

Malay word.

sumpter (sump' ter), n. A beast of
burden. (F. bete de somme.)

This word is seldom used by itself, being
usually joined to the name of the animal.
A sumpter-horse (n.) or sumpter-mule (n.)
is one used for carrying packs on its back,
as distinguished from one used for riding.

O.F. sommetier the driver of a packhorsc ;
(cp. O.F. ' sommier packhorse), from assumed
L.L. sagmatarius (L. sagmdriuss), from sagma
packsaddle (L.L. = load, pack, burden), from
Gr. sattein to pack, load. Cp. E. dialect seam a
horse-load measure, and summer [2] beam (so
called from bearing a heavy weight).

sumption (sump' shun), n. The major
premise of a syllogism.

L. sumptio (ace. -on-em) a taking, from sump-
tus, p.p. of siimere to take.

sumptuary (sump' tu a ri), adj. Serving
to or intended to regulate expenditure.
(F. somptuaire.)

In England at one time it was thought
necessary to pass sumptuary laws enacting
that persons should not spend more than a
certain amount of money on dress, or wear
very fine clothes, or eat very rich food, and so
forth. Most of these laws were repealed early
in the seventeenth century. Modern equiva-
lents of sumptuary laws were the luxury
taxes suggested and in a few cases instituted
during and after the World War (1914-18).

L. sumptudrius, from sumptus expense, p.p.
of sumere to take, use, spend, from sub under,
emere to take, buy.

sumptuous (sump' tu us), adj. Rich and
costly ; splendid ; luxurious. (F. somptueux,
magnifique, luxueux.}

The emperors and nobles of ancient Rome
spent huge sums on very sumptuous feasts,
and, like Dives, the rich man of the parable
(Luke xvi, 19-31), fared sumptuously (sump'
tu us li, adv.) every day. Oriental princes
are noted for the sumptuousness (sump' tu
us nes, n.), or magnificence, of their apparel.

F. somptueux, from L. sumptuosus, from
sumptus expense. See sumptuary. SYN. :
Gorgeous, magnificent, rich, splendid. ANT. :
Mean, plain, poor, simple.

4164

SUN

SUN

SUN: SOURCE OF LIGHT AND HEAT

The Great Heavenly Body which is Ninety-three Million Miles Away

sun (sun), n. The great heavenly body
round which the earth revolves, and from
which it gets warmth and light ; a fixed star
which is the centre of a system ; the light and
heat of the sun ; a place so warmed or lighted ;
a brilliant or magnificent object ; a source of
splendour, honour, or inspiration, v.t. To
expose to the sun. v.i. To sun oneself. (F.
soleil ; exposer au soleil ; se chauffer au soleil.}

This enormous body, without which life
as we know it would be impossible, is distant
about ninety-three million miles from the
earth, and is eight hundred and sixty-four
thousand miles in diameter.

The officers of a ship use I
a sextant to take the sun,
which means to find its I
angle above the horizon,
in order to determine
longitude and latitude.
For sun-and-planet gear,
see underpla.net.

A sunbeam (n.) is a ray
of the sun. When water is
sprayed from a hose, a
kind of small rainbow,
called a sun-bow (n.), may
be seen in the spray. Ex-
posure to a hot sun causes
sunburn (n.), a darkening
of the skin. We return
from a summer holiday at
the seaside more or less
sunburned (adj.) or sun-
burnt (adj.), that is, tanned
by the sun. A sun-burner
(n.) is a circle of gas or
electric lights under a circular reflector,
throwing a strong light downwards.

When the sun shines out suddenly, we call
the flood of light a sun-burst (n.) The sun-
dial (n.), an instrument which shows the time
by casting a shadow on a graduated dial, is
a very old invention, sun-dog (n.) is a
name applied to a fragment of a rainbow and
also to a mock sun or parhelion (which see).

At sundown (n.), sunset (n.), or sunsetting
(n.), the sun sinks below the horizon.
Australians describe as sundowner (sun'
doun er, n.) a tramp who arranges so that
he reaches a house about sundown, and thus
makes sure of a night's lodging. Meat, fish,
and fruit are sun-dried (adj.) if preserved by
being dried in the heat of the sun.

By sunlight (n.) we mean either daylight,
or else the bright unobscured rays of the sun
which make a landscape sunlit (adj.), and are
called sunshine (n.). The absence of clouds
gives us sunshiny (adj.) weather.

At sunrise (n.), sunrising (n.), or, as it is
called in America, sunup (n.), the sun rises
above the horizon in the east. A sunspot (n.)
is a dark spot on the surface of the sun. When

Sun-fish.— The short sun-fish, a large fish
of remarkable shape.

such spots are seen on the sun there may be
magnetic storms on the earth. A variety of
translucent feldspar which gives out brilliant
red flashes is called sunstone (n.).

Power obtained directly from the heat
of the sun is called sun-power (n.). It
has been used on a small scale to raise
Steam in special boilers on which the heat
of the sun is concentrated by reflectors.
A sun-recorder (n.) is an apparatus which
records the duration and strength of
sunlight. This instrument burns a line
on a card, or discolours a photographic
paper, or controls an
electrically- worked pen.

A day is sunless (sun' les,
adj.) if it is without sun-
shine. Unbroken clouds
cause sunlessness (sun' les
nes, n.), the state or quality
of being sunless. A light
is sunlike (sun' Ilk, adj.)
if its brilliancy suggests
that of the sun. A sunny
(sun' i, adj.) room is one
that gets plenty of sun-
shine ; a sunny person is
one with a bright, cheerful
disposition, who often
smiles sunnily (sun' i li,
adv.), that is, brightly.
The state of being sunny
in either sense is sunniness
(sun' i nes, n.). The sun-
ward (sun' ward, adj.) side
of a house is that which
faces the sun. The earth
moves sunward (adv.) or sunwards (sun'
wardz, adv.) during part of the year, and
away from it at other times.

Certain animals and plants are named
after the sun. The name sun-bird (n.) is
given to the beautiful little birds forming
the family Nectariniidae, of which there are
many species. They have long beaks and
bright plumage, much like that of the
humming-birds. They are found in Africa,
southern Asia, the East Indies, and
Australia. The sun-bittern (n.) — Eurypyga
helias — is a crane-like bird found in Brazil
and Guiana. Its plumage is boldly
striped with white, black, and brown.
For the remarkable plant known as the
sundew, see sundew.

The sun-fish (n.} is a huge fish with a
very short, deep body and short tail. Its
scientific name is Orthagoriscus. Other fishes
are called sun-fish. The sunflower (n.) with
its huge yellow-pet ailed flowers, is a well-
known garden favourite (see helianthus).
The sun-rose (n.), or rock- rose, is a trailing
shrub with yellow flowers, known to
botanists as Helianthemum.

4165

SUNDAE

SUNN

Exposing the naked body to the rays of
the sun is called taking a sun-bath («.).
A sun-blind (n.) is a canopy outside a window
to keep out the sun. A sun-bonnet (n.),
like a sun-hat (n.) or sun-helmet (n.}, is
worn to protect the head from the sun.
It is more or less sun-proof (adj.], that is,
capable of resisting the sun's heat. The
term sunshade (n.) is applied to a parasol
and also to a sun-blind. The use of such
protections lessens the risk of sunstroke (n.),
a brain affection due to excessive heat (see
under heliosis). A person suffering from
sunstroke is sun-stricken (adj.] or sunstruck
(adj.}.

Sunshade. — Baby with a sunshade, enjoying herself
in a Devon wheat-field.

The sun has been worshipped as a sun-
god (n.) in many parts of the world. A
person devoted to this form of religion,
called sun-worship (n.) — see heliolatry — is a
sun-worshipper (n.). A sun-myth (n.)', more
often called a solar myth, is a myth or
legend the hero of which represents the sun
in one or more of its various aspects.

M.E. sonne, A.-S. sunne ; cp. Dutch zon,
G. sonne, O. Norse, akin to sunna, L. sol.

sundae (sun' de), n. An ice-cream
containing crushed fruit or flavoured with
fruit-juice.

Sunday (sun7 da ; sun' di), n. The
first day of the week ; the Christian day of
worship and rest. (F. dimanche.)

Sunday is set aside by Christians for
worship and rest in memory of the resur-
rection of Christ.

An event is said to be unlikely to occur
in a month of Sundays if there is no prospect
of its happening for a very long time to
come. What is called colloquially a person's
Sunday best (n.) is his or her best clothes,
worn on Sundays. The term Sunday-
closing (n.) means the closing on Sunday
of places in which trade of any kind is
done. In a more limited sense it signifies
the compulsory closing of inns and other
places where intoxicating liquor is sold.

Robert Raikes (1735-1811), a Gloucester

newspaper proprietor, is regarded as the
founder of the Sunday-school (n.), a school
in which religious subjects are taught on
Sundays.

A.-S. sunnan-daeg ; cp. Dutch zondag, G.
sonntag, O. Norse sunnu-dag-r, after L.L. dies
solis day of the sun.

sunder (sun'der), v.t. To separate, or keep
separate ; to sever ; to split, v.i. To be
separated. (F. separer, fendre; se separer.

This word is commoner in books than in
speaking. In conversation we should not
say that the Straits of Dover sunder
England and France. The rather rare phrase
in sunder (adv.] means asunder, apart.
The act of sundering, or the state of being
sundered, is sunderance (sun' der ans, n.}.

A.-S. sundrian from sundor apart ; cp. G.
sonder separate (adj.), without (prep.) O. Norse
sundr asunder. SYN. : Disjoin, divide, separate,
sever, split. ANT. : Attach, bind, join, unite.

sundew (sun' du), n. A hairy insect- eating
plant of the genus Drosera. (F. drosere.}

The sundews get their name from the
tiny drops of clear liquid with which the
upper surface of the leaves is covered, and
which glisten in the sun like dew. This
sticky secretion is poured out by hairs,
which are really so many tiny glands.
When small insects touch these hairs they
are not only held fast, but all their soft
parts are gradually digested by the plant
and absorbed as food.

The plants grow in damp places. The
common or round-leaved sundew (Drosera
rotundifolia] is the best known.

From sun and dew.

sundown (sun' doun). For this word,
sundowner, etc., see under sun.

sundry (sun' dri), adj. Several ; various.
n.pl. Oddments ; articles of a miscellaneous
kind ; items not needing special mention.
(F. plusieurs, divers; menus frais, objets
depareilles, articles diver ses.

In book-keeping, various unimportant
items are sometimes grouped together as
sundries, to avoid unnecessary detail. The
expression all and sundry means everybody
collectively and individually, each and all.

A.-S. syndrig, from sundor apart, asunder,
severally. See sunder. SYN. : adj. Several,
various.

sung (sung). This is the past participle
of sing. See sing.

sunk (sungk). This is the past participle
of sink and sunken the participial adjective.
See sink.

sunless (sun' les). For this word, sun-
light, etc., see under sun.

sunn (sun), n. A pod-bearing plant
cultivated in southern Asia for its fibres ;
the fibre it produces. Another form is
sunn-hemp (sun' hemp).

This plant is a native of India and Ceylon.
It has long narrow leaves and yellow flowers.
The fibre, from which cordage, sacking, etc.,
are made, comes from the inner bark. The
plant is called Crotalaria juncea.

Hindi san, Sansk. sdna of hemp.

4166

SUNNA

SUPER-CALENDERED

Sunna (sun' a), n. The traditional part
of the Mohammedan law, regarded by
orthodox Mohammedans as having equal
authority with the Koran.

The Sunna is ba-ed on the traditional
sayings and deeds of Mohammed. A Sunni
(sun' i, n.) or Sunnite (sun' It, n.) is one who
accepts both the Sunna and the Koran.
The Sunnite (adj.) view is opposed to that
of the Shiites, who accept the Koran only.

Arabic sunna tradition.

sunny (sun' i). For this word, sunrise,
sunshine, etc., see under sun.

sup (sup), v.t. To drink a little at a
time, as when using a spoon ; to sip ;
to provide supper for. v.i. To take supper.
n. A mouthful or small quantity (of liquor,
broth, porridge, etc.) ; a sip. (F. siroter,
humer a petites gorgees, donner a souper a ;
souper. bouchee, gorgee.)

A cat sups milk when it laps it. To have
had neither bite nor sup means to have
had nothing to eat or drink.

M.E. soupen, A.-S. supan : cp. Dutch zuipen,
G. saufen, O. Norse supa.

sup-. This is the form of the prefix
sub- used before a p. See sub-.

super (su' per). This is a shortened
form of supernumerary, applied especially
to an actor not belonging to the regular
company, who appears on the stage but
has no words to speak. It is also an abbre-
viation used by bee-keepers for a super-
hive, a story added to a hive.

super-. This is a prefix meaning above,
beyond, over, in a higher degree, in addition,
in excess, exceeding ; in chemistry, present
in large quantities. (F. super-, sur-.)

L. super, comparative form akin to Gr. hyper,
Sansk. upari, E. over, up.

super able (su' per abl), adj. Capable
of being overcome. (F. surmontable.}

Most of the ordinary difficulties of life are
superable, in other words, they can be
surmounted with a little determination,
superably (su' per ab li, adv.] means so as
to be superable.

L. superabilis, from superdre to get above,
surmount, from super above. SYN. : Con-
querable, surmountable. ANT. : Insuperable,
unconquerable, unsurmountable.

superabound (su per a bound'), v.i.
To abound exceedingly ; to be too abundant :
to be more abundant. (F. sumbonder.)

The writings of Sir James Barrie super-
abound in whimsical and delicate fantasy.
Very few people possess a superabund-
ance (su per a bun' dans, n.) of wealth or
fortune. A person who is very much alive
is said to have superabundant (su per a
bun' dant, adj.) vitality. Another person
may be superabundantly (su per a bun'
dant li, adv.) blessed with good health.

Sometimes one number or thing is added
to another, and then something else is
added to the result. This is to superadd
(su per ad', v.t.) it, or make a superaddition
(su per a dish' un, n.). A superaltar (su

per awl' tar, n.) is a portable slab of stone
consecrated for use on an unconsecrated
altar ; also a reredos or a retable. A sup«-
angelic (su per an jel' ik, adj.) being is one
who is more than angelic.

superannuate (su per an' u at), v.t.
To pension or cause to retire on account
of age ; to disqualify or incapacitate on
account of age. (F. retraiter, mettre d la
retraite.)

Some large business concerns have funds
to which the employees and the firm contri-
bute certain sums of money, and in this
way an employee, when he reaches a certain
age, is enabled to retire with a pension or
superannuation (su per an ii a' shun, n.).
Superannuation also means the act of
superannuating;

Altered from L.L. superanndtus one who has
lived beyond the year, from super beyond, annus
year. SYN. : Pension, retire.

Superb. — A view of Grindelwald and the massive
Matter-Horn, a superb scene in Switzerland.

superb (su perb'), adj. Grand, magnifi-
cent ; splendid ; imposing ; majestic. (F.
tnagnifique, superbe, imposant, majestueux.}

Anything of impressive beauty, such as
a noble building, a glorious view, or a
stately piece of prose or verse, may be
described as superb. Jewels attract by
the superbness (su perb' nes, n.} of their
colour and brilliance. A house set in
superb natural surroundings is superbly
(su perb' li, adv.] situated.

F. superbe, from L. superbus, for superfuos,
proud ; from super above, and stem fu- to be ;
cp. fui I was, Gr. hyperphyes of extraordinary
growth. SYN. : Grand, imposing, magnificent,
majestic, stately. ANT. : Ignoble, mean, poor.
. super-calendered (su per kal' en
derd), adj. Of paper, highly finished. (F.
de haute calandre.)

41 67

SUPERCILIARY

SUPERFICIAL

Super-calendered paper gets its high finish
by being passed between highly polished
rollers. A supercanopy (su per kan' 6 pi,
n.) is an arch or gable over a smaller one.
The person in a merchant ship who looks
after the sale, etc., of the cargo is called a
supercargo (s LI per kar' go, n.). A super-
celestial (su per se les' ti al, adj.) being is
one which exists above the firmament or
great vault of heaven, and anything super-
celestial is more than heavenly.

superciliary (su per sir i a ri), adj.
Relating to the eyebrows ; situated over
the eyebrows ; having a marking over the
eyebrows, n. A ridge or marking over the
eyebrows. (F. sourcilier.)

L. supercilium eyebrow, from super above,
cilium eyelid, and E. suffix -ary (L. -drius).

supercilious (su per sir i us), adj.
Disdainful ; contemptuous ; overbearing ;
haughty. (F. dedaigneux, mdprisant, arro-
gant, hautain.)

When a person is in a supercilious mood
he often raises his eyebrows, as if with
contempt or surprise. To show supercilious-
ness (su per si!' i us nes, n.) or to act super-
ciliously (su per sil' i us li, adv.) is a sign of
arrogance, and it is a bad thing for anyone
to get a reputation for being supercilious.

L. supercili-um eyebrow, raised to express
haughtiness, and E. suffix -ous (L. -osus). - SYN.' :
Arrogant, contemptuous, disdainful, haughty,
overbearing.

supercivilized (su per siv' i lizd), adj.
Excessively civilized ; too sophisticated.

If one of our early ancestors were to
come to life again he would probably think
we were living in a supercivilized age, com-
pared with the one he knew. In the
classification of animals a superclass (su'
per klas, n.) is a group comprising more
than one class. The placing of one order
of columns over another is an example of
what is called supercolumniation (su per
kd him ni a' shun, n.) or supercolumnar
(su per ko lum' nar, adj.) arrangement. To
cool a liquid in such a way as to make its
temperature go below freezing-point, without
letting the liquid become solid, is to supercool
(su per kool', v.t.) it. In geology, super-
cretaceous (su per kre ta' shus, adj.) strata
are strata situated above the cretaceous.

A person who is eminent above the usual
run is supereminent (su per em' i nent,
adj.). We could refer to his supereminence
(su per em' i nens, n.), and say that he
towers supereminently (su per em' i nent li,
adv.) above others.

supererogation (su per er 6 ga'
shun), n. Doing more than is required
by duty or by the circumstances. (F.
surerogation.)

It would be a work of supererogation
to dig wells in a region abounding in streams.
In the Roman Catholic Church works of
supererogation are good works over and
above those strictly required by the

commandments of God. Such good works
can be said to be supererogatory (su per e
rog' a to ri, adj.).

L.L. supererogdtio (ace. -on-em) excess work or
payment, from supererogdre to pay out beyond
what is due, from super above, e- out, rogdre
to ask.

super-ethical (su per eth' ik al), adj.
Above the sphere of ethics.

Love of parents for their children is
super-ethical ; it is not a question of ethics,
or right and wrong, but is instinctive. A
superexcellent (su per eks' e lent, adj.) clock
is one that is particularly excellent ; it shows
its superexcellence (su per eks' e lens, n.), or
quality of being superexcellent, by keeping
time very accurately.

In the classification of animals a super-
family (su per fam' i li, n.) is a group of more
importance than a family, but below a
suborder. Soap is said to be superfatted
(su per fat' ed, adj.) if it contains a higher
proportion of fats than ordinary soap.

Super-ethical. — "Mother's Darling," a painting by

Joseph Clark. The subject, which is motherly love.

is super-ethical.

superficial (su per fish' al), adj. Re-
lating to, forming, or situated on the sur-
face ; not deep ; shallow. (F. superficiel,
pen pro fond.}

A wound is superficial when it goes very
slightly below the surface. Superficial know-
ledge is knowledge that has no depth. A
writer who deals with a subject superficially
(su per fish' al li, adv.) does not go deeply
into it, but merely skims the surface.
Friendship that is shallow or lacks sincerity
has superficiality (su per fish i al' i ti, n.)
or superficialness (sti per fish' al nes, nr),
the quality or state of being superficial. A
surface is a superficies (su per fish' i ez, n.)
— pi. superficies (su per fish' i ez.)

4168

SUPERFINE

SUPERIOR

L.L. superficialis, .from L. superficies surface,
from super above, "over, fades face. SYN. :
Shallow, trivial. ANT. : Deep, penetrating,
profound.

superfine (su' per fin), adj. Of extra
fine quality ; over-refined. (F. surfin,
superfin, recherche.}

Superfine cloth is cloth made of the best
material by the best methods. Superfine
manners are manners that are so refined
as to be almost ridiculous. The
state of being superfine is super-
fineness (su' per fin nes, n.).

From E. super- above, excessively,
and fine.

superfluous (su p£r' floo us),
adj. More than is needed ; un-
necessary. (F. superflu.)

Poor people have no super-
fluous money, or, in other words,
no superfluity (su per floo' i ti',
n.} of money ; they have none
beyond what they need for
actual necessities. Things that
are not necessities are super-
fluities. To a traveller in the
tropics a fur coat would be a
superfluity : its superfluousness
(su per' floo us nes, n.}, or
quality of being superfluous, is
obvious. To be superfluously
(su per' floo us li, adv.] clad is to
have too many clothes on.

L. superfiuus overflowing, from
super- above, to excess, fluere to
flow, and E. adj. suffix -ous. SYN. : Excessive,
needless, redundant, unnecessary. AN.T. : Essen-
tial, necessary.

superheat (su per het'), v.t. To over-
heat ; to heat (steam) above boiling-point
out of contact with water. (F. sur chauffer .)

Steam in a boiler is saturated steam — it
contains a quantity of moisture. If it is
passed well away from the water into a
chamber heated from outside, called a
superheater (su per het' er, n.}, the moisture
in it can be evaporated by heating it still
further, and superheated steam, which is
water in gas form, is produced.

A superhive (su' per hlv, n.}, or super, as
it is usually called by bee-keepers, is a story
added to a hive. Strength, bravery, or
endurance is superhuman (su per hu'"man,
adj.) if far above what men ordinarily show.
A man may become superhumanly (su per
hu' man li, adv.) strong in a time of great
danger. A superhumeral (su per hu' mer al,
n.) is a term for a vestment worn over the
shoulders, such as an amice or a pallium.

In colour-printing, printers sometimes
superimpose (su per im poz', v.t.) colours,
that is, place one on top of another. The
act of superimposing and the state of being
superimposed are superimposition (su per
iferpo zish' un, n.). The word superincum-
bent (su per in kum' bent, adj.) means lying
or resting on something else. To super-
induce (su per in dus', v.t.) anything is to

bring it in or develop it as an addition, and
the action of so doing is superinduction
(su per in diik' shun, n.). The institution
of an incumbent to a benefice to which
another clergyman has already been insti-
tuted is a super- institution (su per in sti tu'
shim, n.).

superintend (su per in tend'), v.t. To
have the management of ; to direct. (F.
surveiller, regir.)

— Boys directing a hose while an officer of the
Fire Brigade superintends.

Any person who superintends is a super-
intendent (su per in ten' dent, n.), and holds
a superintendent (adj.) position. The word
is used especially of a person' who presides
over a Sunday-school, of a Wesleyan
Methodist minister who has control- over a
circuit, and of a Lutheran minister in
charge of a district. The post of superin-
tendent is a superintendentship (su per in
ten' dent ship, n.). A building is generally
erected under the superintendence (su per in
ten' dens, n.), or supervision, of an architect.

O.F. superintendant, from L.L. superintendens
(ace. ent-em), pres. p. of superintended to super-
intend, from super over, intendere to give
attention to. SYN. : Control, direct, manage,
oversee, supervise.

superior (su per' i or), adj. Higher in
position, rank, dignity, quality, or degree ;
of a quality above the average ; not to
be influenced ; arrogant or disdainful, n.
One higher than another in rank or other
respect ; a thing of higher value or quality
than another ; the head of a monastery,
convent, or other religious house. (F.
supcrieur, plus etendu, arrogant; superieur.)

Leather is superior to canvas as a material
for shoes, because it lasts longer. A superior
person is one who claims to be better than
the general run. In the classification of
animals and plants a genus is superior to
a species, for it may include many species.
The captain of a company is his lieutenant's

D26

4169

SUPERJAGENT

SUPERNORMAL

superior officer. An honest man is superior
to bribery — he is above taking or receiving
bribes.

A superioress (su per' i or es, n.) is the
head of a religious house for women. We
should endeavour to prove our superiority
(su per i or' i ti, n.) by our conduct rather
than by talking about it. superiorly (su
per7 i or li, adv.] means in a superior manner.

Earlier super iour, O.F. super ieur, from L.
superior (ace. or-erri) higher, comparative of
superus one who is above (super}. SYN. : adj.
Better, excellent, higher, predominant, upper.
ANT. : adj. Inferior, lower, poor, subordinate,
worse.

superjacent (su per ja7 sent), adj.
Lying on or above. (F. superposed)

This word is chiefly in scientific use.

L. super above, and jacens (ace. -ent-erri),
pres. p of jacere to lie.

Superlative. — The stately Taj Mahal near Agra, a
superlative example of Indian architecture. >'* )

superlative (su per7 la tiv), adj. Surpassing
all others ; supreme ; of an adjective or
adverb, expressing the highest or utmost
degree of quality, quantity, etc. n. The
superlative degree ; a word expressing this
degree ; (pi.} exaggerated language. (F.
superieur, supreme, superlatif; superlatif,
enflure.}

When an adjective or adverb consists of
one syllable and sometimes when it has two
syllables, we form the superlative by adding
-est to the positive. Otherwise the super-
lative is formed by placing the adverb most
before the positive. We say fullest, happiest,
merriest, but most splendid, most beautiful.
People who are given to exaggeration are
said to talk or write in superlatives.

Helen of Troy, according to the legend, had
superlative beauty ; Cleopatra was super-
latively (su per7 la tiv li, adv.} fascinating ;
and there is no question as to the superlative-
ness (su per7 la tiv nes, «.), that is, the
brilliant quality, of Napoleon's generalship.

F. superlatif, L. super lativus, from superlatus
carried beyond, excessive, used as p.p. of

super-ferre, -tollere, from super beyond, ferre to
bear, tollere to raise, bear. SYN. : adj.. Con-
summate, supreme.

superman (su7 per man), n. An imaginary
superior human being. (F. surhomme.)

As imagined by the. German philosopher,
F. W. Nietzsche (1844-1900), the superman
will be a ruthless being developed from the
normal human type, uninfluenced by the
usual religious, moral, social, or political
considerations.

The word supermedial (su per me7 di al,
adj.) means situated over the middle. A
number of molecules combined together and
acting as a physical unit form a super-
molecule (su per mol7 e kul, n.). Desires are
supermundane (su per mun7 dan, adj.) which
relate to things above those of this world.

The word supernaculum (su per nak7 u lum,
adv.) is a modern Latin rendering of the
German aufden nagel, on to the nail. A person
drinking supernaculum emptied the last
drain — from his cup on to his thumb-nail.
If there was more than a drop, the liquor
ran off, and he had to drink again. A super-
naculum (n.}, or a supernacular (su per nak7
u lar, adj.] wine, means a wine that one drinks
to the last drop, that is, a very fine one.

supernal (su per7 nal), adj. Heavenly ;
divine ; lofty. (F. celeste, divin.)

Q.F. superkel, 'from L. supernus above, upper,
with E. suffix -al (L. -dlis).

supernatant • (su per na' tant), adj.
Floating on the surface. (F. qui surnage.)

This word is used especially to describe
a liquid that floats on the surface of a
heavier one.

L. supernatans (ace. -tant-em) pres. p. of
supernatdre to swim, float above, from super
above, natdre to swim.

supernatural (su per nach7 ur al ; su per
nat7 yural), adj. Pertaining to powers above
the forces of nature ; outside the sphere of
natural laws- ; .miraculous ; out of the natural
or ordinary course of things ; abnormal, n.
That which is supernatural. (F. surnaturel.)

By the word supernaturalism (su per nach '
ur.al izm ; su per riat7 yiir al izm, n.) is meant
either supernatural character, a system of
supernatural events; or belief in the super-
natural. One who believes in the super-
natural is a supernaturalist (su per nach/ ur
al ist ; su per nat7 yur al ist, n.). According
to the supernaturalistic (su per nach ur a lis7
tik ; su per nat yur a lis7 tik, adj.) view
miracles are explained fas being due to the
divine power of God. The rationalist, on the
other hand, refuses to supernaturalize (su
per nach7 ur a llz ; su per nat7 yur a Hz,
v.t.) them, that is, to regard them as having
supernaturalness (su per nach7 ur al nes ;
su per nat7 yur al nes, n.}, the quality of being
supernatural, or of having been performed
supernaturally (su per nach7 ur al li ; su
per nat' yur al li, adv.}.

If a man is deaf in one ear his power
of hearing with the other ear may be
supernormal (su per norm7 al, adj.], that is,
above the normal. This word is also used

4170

SUPERNUMERARY

SUPERSTITION

by those interested in psychical research for superscribe (su' per skrib, v.t.} our address
phenomena, which are quite different from and the date, that is, write them at the head

those of ordinary everyday life. A super-
numerary (su per nu' mer a ri, adj.] clerk,
or supernumerary (n.), is an extra clerk.

of our letters, or that we superscribe our
letters with our address and the date. The
term superscription (su per skrip' shun, n.}

At a theatre a supernumerary — usually is used chiefly for a piece of writing at the

called a super — is a person employed in
addition to the regular company, who

head of a document, such as a doctor's
prescription.

appears on the stage but has no speaking supersede (su per sed'), v.t. To put in
part. Super-nutrition (su per nu trish' un, n.) piace of ; to set aside ; to take the place of.

means over-feeding or extra feeding.

The superoctave (su per ok7 tav, n.) of an

(F. supplanter, remplacer.)

A remarkable feature of the modern age

organ is a stop which sounds two octaves is the way in which the motor has super-
above the principal stop. Superorder (su' seded the horse. To such a degree has this
per or der, n.} is a term used by biologists for supersession (su per sesh' un, n.), or — to use
a 'group of animals coming above an order two uncommon words — supersedence (su per
but below a class ; superordinal (su per or' sed' ens, n.) or supersedure (su per se' dyur,

di nal, adj.) means relating to such a division.
A superordinary (su per or' din a ri, adj.)

n.), been carried that it is now very
unusual' to see any large amount of horse

thing is one above the ordinary. The soul traffic on the roads. Supersedeas (su per
of man is superorganic (su per or gan' ik, se' de as, n.) is the name given to a writ,
adj.), that is, something above his quality the object of which is to stay proceedings
of being an animal organism. By the in a court of law.
superoxygenation (su per oks i je na' shun,
n.) of air is meant giving it more oxygen
than it has naturally.

A superparasite (su per par' a sit, n.) is a
parasite that lives on

another parasite ; its
existence can be de-
scribed as superparasitic
(su per par a sit' ik, adj.).
A superphosphate (su
per fos' fat, n.) is a
phosphate containing
the largest possible
amount of phosphoric
acid. Superphosphate
of lime is a valuable
fertilizer. A super-
physical (su per fiz' ik al,
adj.) happening is one
that cannot be explained
by the known laws of
nature.

To superpose (su per
poz', v.t.) is to place on
or over. To superpose
a triangle on another
means to suppose it to
be placed on another,
especially in such a way
that the superposition
(su per po zish' un, n.),

Superstitious. — A shrine in the Solomon Islands
behind which the superstitious natives never pass.

Anything that is supersensible (su per
sen' sibl, adj.), supersensual (su per sen' shu
al ; su per sen' su al, adj.), or supersensuous
(su per sen' su us, adj.) is beyond the reach
of the senses. A person
who is extremely or
excessively sensitive is
said to be supersensitive
(su per sen' si tiv, adj.).
Supersolar (su per so'
lar, adj.) means above
the sun. A supersolid
(su per sol' id, n.) is a
solid of more than three
dimensions. It is exceed-
ingly difficult, if not
impossible, to imagine
such a figure, but its
properties can be ascer-
tained by means of
mathematics. A person
thought too spiritual is
called superspiritual (su
per spir' i tu al, adj.),
and shows superspiritu-
ality (su per spir i tu al'
i ti, n.)

superstition (su per
stish 'un), n. Unreason-
able belief in or fear of

that is, the act of superimposing, makes the supernatural, the mysterious, or the

the two triangles coincide exactly.

unknown; a religion, practice, or notion

A super-royal (su per roi' al, adj.) sheet founded on such. (F. superstition.)

of paper is one larger than the size called
royal.

Belief in witchcraft was once a very

A part of the body above the sacrum stitious (su per stish' us, adj.) if it results
bone is supersacral (su per sa' kral, adj.). from, involves, or savours of superstition,
To supersaturate (su per sat' u rat, v.t.)
water with salt, as much salt as it will take

common superstition. A practice is super-
stitious (su per stish' us, adj.) if it results
from, involves, or savours of superstition,
and a person is superstitious if he is inclined

up is dissolved in it, while cold, and then

to believe in or attach importance to super-
stitions.

rmore salt is added while it is heating. The Many people are superstitiously (sii per

water is then in a state of supersaturation stish' us li, adv.) afraid of sitting down

(su per sat u ray shim, n.), and will deposit thirteen at a table, walking under a ladder,

some salt as it cools. We may say that we spilling salt, and of doing many things that

4171

SUPERSTRATUM

SUPINE

are considered unlucky. Others show their above or transcending time. Superterrene

superstitiousness (su per stish7 us nes, n.) by
wearing so-called lucky stones, and so on.

F. from L. superstitio (ace. (on-em) lit. stand-
ing above or near a thing in fear or wonder,
especially anything divine or supernatural, from
super above, statum supine of stare to stand.

superstratum (su per stra/ turn), n. A
stratum or layer resting on another, pi.
superstrata (su per stra7 ta). (F. couche
superposee.)

This word is used chiefly in geology. In
some districts the prevailing soil is chalk

with a superstratum of gravel. The super- sequence or contrast ;
structure (su per struk' chur, n.) of a bridge
is the part of it above the foundations or
piers. Its roadway is a superstructural (su per
struk' chur al, adj.) part, that is, belongs to
and forms part of the superstructure. The
word supersubstantial (su per sub stan' shal,
adj.), as used of God, means above or
transcending material substance. It i& also
applied to the eucharistic bread. A dis-
tinction is supersubtle (su per sut' 1, adj.),
and has the quality of supersubtlety (su per
sut7 1 ti, n.)t if it is too subtle. !«•

(su per ter7 en, adjj and superterrestrial
(su per te res7 tri al, adj.) have the same
meaning as supertelluric, and also mean
heavenly. The supertonic (su per ton7 ik, n.)
of a musical scale is the note next above the
tonic or fundamental note, as D in the scale
of C. One sometimes sees supertuberation (su
per tu ber a7 shun, n.) in potatoes, which is
the forming of new tubers on other tubers.

supervene (su per ven7), v.i. To come as
something additional ; to follow as a con-
to follow closely.

Superstrata.— Cliffs of the island of Heligoland, showing super-
strata, several layers, or strata, resting one upon the other.

supertax (su7 per taks), n. A tax levied
in addition to ordinary income-tax on in-
comes over a certain figure.

The supertax was first put into force in
1909, at the rate of sixpence in the pound
on incomes over ^5,000, the first ^3,000 not
being counted. In April, 1914, it was applied
to all incomes over ^3,000, and on a scale
which rose with the size of the income.
During and after the World War (1914-18)
it was greatly increased. A supertax-payer
(n.) is one who has to pay supertax.

From E. super and tax.

supertelluric (su per tel ur7 ik), adj.
Above the earth.

This word is not often used. The super-
temporal (su per tern7 por al, adj.) parts of

If a man is badly bruised in falling from
his horse, fever may supervene, and the
injury may prove fatal. Supervention (su
per ven7 shun, n.) is the act or fact of
supervening.

; L. super venire. to come after something else,
from super beyond, venire to come. > > ,

supervise (su per viz7), v.tsTo direct or
watch over with authority ; to superintend.
('F.. surveiUer.)

A -headmaster's work consists chiefly in
, . supervising— he has the general
supervision (su per vizh7 un, n.)
of the work done at his school.
\ A supervisor (su ' per viz or, n.)
is one who supervises, an in-
spector or superintendent. His
duties are supervisory (su per vl7
zo ri, adj.), that is, concerned
with supervising.

L.L. supervlsus, p.p. of supervidere
to oversee, from super over, videre
to see. SYN. : Control, direct,
manage, oversee, superintend.

supinate (su' pi nat), v.t. To
turn the palm (of the hand)
upward.

The forearm contains two
muscles whose work is to
supinate the hand, or perform
the act "of supination (su pi na7
shun, n.). Each of these muscles
is a supinator (su' pi na tor, n.).
L. suplndtus, p.p. of supinare to bend back-
wards, from suplnus on one's back. See supine.
ANT. : Pronate.

supine (su pin7, adj. ; su7 pin, n.), adj.
Lying on the back with the face upwards ;
without energy ; lethargic ; lazy. n. In
Latin grammar, a verbal noun, formed from
the stem of the past participle, and having
the accusative ending in -um and the ablative
in -u. (F. couche sur le dos, nonchalant,
paresseux ; supin.)

The hand is supine when supinated or
turned palm upwards. A person is supine
in the literal sense of the word when lying
flat on his back, face upwards. This is the
reverse of being prone. In a figurative sense,
a supine person is one who is disinclined to

the skull are those .in the upper part of the exert himself, especially to look after his own
temporal region, that is, the region about
the temples. Supertemporal also means

interests. One cannot feel much sympathy
for those who meet difficulties supinely

4172

SUPPER

SUPPLIANT

(su pin' li, adv.), or in a supine manner, and
display supineness (su pin' nes, n.), that is,
lethargy or indolence, when energy is needed.

L. supinus. lying on one's back, hence, lazy,
from assumed sup = sub under, up to. The
grammatical supine is said to be so called
because, although it resembles a noun in its
terminations, it depends on the verb. SYN. :
adj. Apathetic, idle, indolent, listless, torpid.
ANT. : adj. Active, alert.

supper (sup7 er), n. A meal taken at the
end of the day, unless late dinner is the last.
(F. souper.)

To be supperless (sup'er les, adj.) is to have
no supper.

M.E. and O.F. soper, super, originally in-
finite = to sup, take a meal or soup, from Low
G. sup en. See sup.

Supper. — Jesus and His disciples at the Last Supper, as represented
on the reredos of Durham Cathedral.

supplant (su plant'), v.t. To oust, or
take the place of, especially by craft or
treachery ; to supersede. (F. supplanter,
evincer.)

On Canadian farms, large mechanical
reapers and binders are now supplanting,
or taking the place of, the older harvesters.

Jacob is a famous example of a supplanter
(su plant' er, n.}, one who displaces or dis-
possesses another by underhand means. In
Genesis (xxvii, 15-29) we read how he im-
personated and supplanted his brother Esau.

F. supplanter, from L. supplantdre to trip up,
put something under the sole of the foot, from
sup- = sub under, planta the sole of the foot.

supple (sup' 1), adj. Easily bent ; pliant ;
submissive ; flattering ; fawning, v.t. To
make supple, v.i. To become pliant. (F.
souple, flexible, soumis, servile; assouplir ;
s'assouplir.)

The leather used for boots requires to be
very supple ; stout, stiff footwear can,
however, be suppled by use. Physical drill
keeps the limbs supple, and five-finger
exercises on the piano supple the fingers.
In a figurative sense, a person who is artfully
accommodating, or who behaves obsequiously
to serve his own ends, is said to be supple ;
sb also is one who yields readily to persuasion.

Various climbing shrubs with tough but
supple stems have been given the name of
supple-jack (n.), including a species of

clematis (Clematis aristata] growing in
Australia, and certain South American
climbers of the genus Paullinia and allied
genera. From the latter, walking-sticks — also
known as supple-jacks — are sometimes made.

Fishing-rods require great suppleness (sup'
1 nes, «.)• that is, pliancy. Cats move
supply (sup' li, adv.) or supplely (sup' 1 li,
adv.), that is, in a supple or lissom manner.

F. souple, from L. supplex bending (the knees)
under, submissive, from sup- = sub under.
plicdre to fold. SYN. : adj. Flexible, lissom,
lithe, pliable, pliant. ANT. : Rigid, stiff,
stubborn, unbending,

supplement (sup' le ment, n. ; sup le
ment', v.), n. Something added to supply
deficiencies ; an additional number or part
of a periodical, or book, etc. ;
the angle that added to another
makes the sum of two right
angles, v.t. To make additions
to ; to complete by additions. (F.
supplement ; aj outer, supplier a.)
The leading newspapers some-
times issue special supplements,
complete in themselves, and
additional to the regular pub-
lication. Some people supple-
ment their incomes by doing
work in their spare-time.

A supplemental (sup le men'
tal, adj.) or supplementary (sup
le men' ta ri, adj.) volume of a
book is one that contains matter
that extends the -scope of, or
completes, some publication pre-
viously issued. The supplementation (sup le
men ta' shun, n.) of missing wgrds in an in-
scription is the act of supplementing them, or
adding them to complete the wording of it.
F., from L. supplementum, from suppler e to
fill up, from sup- = sub up, and plere to fill, with
suffix -mentum.

suppleness (sup' 1 nes). For this word
see under supple.

suppliant (sup' li ant), adj. Entreating ;
beseeching humbly ; expressing supplication.
n. A humble petitioner. (F. suppliant.}

One of the most moving scenes in the plays
of Shakespeare occurs in " Coriolanus "
(v, iii). The banished Roman returns with
an army of Volsces, determined to bring
about the destruction of the city that treated
him unjustly. In his tent in the Volscian
camp, Coriolanus is visited by his mother,
his wife, and his son. They come before him
suppliant, kneel suppliantly (sup' li ant li,
adv.] or beseechingly at his feet, and beg him
to be faithful to his country. Although
Coriolanus remains obdurate, and the
suppliants return without success to the city,
he is eventually softened by their prayers,
and Rome is saved. The word suppliance
(sup' li ans, n.} means the action of a suppliant
or the state of being suppliant.

F. pres. p. of supplier to entreat humbly, from
L. supplicdre. See supplicate. SYN. : adj.
Begging, entreating, supplicating.

4173

SUPPLICATE

SUPPORT

supplicate (sup' li kat), v.t. To beg or
ask earnestly and humbly for ; to address
in prayer, v.i. To make a humble petition
(for). (F. supplier, implorer ; supplier, faire
des supplications.}

When Calais surrendered through starva-
tion to Edward III in 1346, his queen,
Philippa of Hainault, supplicated him, or
besought him supplicatingly (sup' li kat ing li,
adv.], that is, in a supplicating manner, not
to destroy the town as he had threatened.
Touched by her supplication (sup li ka' shun..
n.), or earnest petition, he spared the city and
incidentally avoided a brutal act that would
have been greatly to his discredit. Any
humble prayer addressed to God is a suppli-
cation. A supplicatory (sup' li ka to _ri,,
adj.] request is one expressing supplication.

L. supplicdtus, p.p. of supplicdre to beseech,
from L. supplex (ace. -plic-em). See supple.
SYN. : Beg, crave, implore, petition.

Supply. — Natives of Mozambique, a seaport of Portuguese East
Africa, bringing a supply of ground maize into camp.

supply [i] (sii pi I'), v.t. To provide with
what is wanted ; to furnish (with) ; to
serve instead of ; to fill (a vacancy,
etc.) as a substitute ; to make up for (a
deficiency), n. The act of supplying things
needed ; that which is supplied ; a stock
or sufficiency ; one who acts as substitute ;
(pi.) necessary stores, provisions, etc. ; money
voted by Parliament for cost of govern-
ment ; a money allowance. (F. Journir,
pourvoir, remplacer, remplir ; provision,
materiel, remplafant, vivres, subsides.)

The service-pipe of a house supplies
the house with water from the main. The
water-supply of London is greatly superior
to that of many European cities. A thing
is said to supply a need if it meets it. A
householder lays in a good supply of coal
before winter comes. An army is at a great
disadvantage if it runs short of supplies — •
food, guns, ammunition, clothes, etc.

A school-teacher who is kept available
to fill temporary vacancies in different
schools is said to be on supply, and is known
as a supply.

Early in each year the House of Commons
considers the estimates of expenditure for
the various public services, and for the
navy and army. When engaged on this
work the House is known as a Committee
of Supply.

Trading is based upon the economic
law of supply and demand, which is the
chief factor in regulating prices. Supply
means the quantity of goods or material
for sale at a certain price, and demand the
readiness of people to pay that price. If
supply increases and demand decreases,
prices fall ; but a decrease in supply and
an increase in demand send prices up.

A supplier (sii pli'er, n.) is one who supplies
or provides what is needed.

J3.F. suppleier, soupleer, supplier, from L.
suppler e. See supplement. SYN. : v. Afford,
furnish,' give, provide, yield. ANT. : v. With-
draw, withhold.

;„ „ supply [2] (sup'li). For this

word see under supple.

support (sii port'), v.t. To
bear the weight of ; to hold up ;
to keep from yielding or giving
way ; to give strength or en-
durance to ; to supply with
necessaries ; to provide for ; to
aid (a friend or party) ; to back
up ; to speak on behalf of ;
to tend to. establish (a state-
ment) ; to endure (pain, distress)
without yielding ; to actor sus-
'tain (a part) ; to carry on (a war,
argument), n. The act of sup-
porting ; the state of being
supported ; a person or thing
that supports ; a prop ; assist-
ance ; subsistence. (F. soutenir,
supporter, appuyer, entreienir,
venir en aide a, endurer, jouer
le role de ; support, soutien,
secours, subsislance.)

Foundations of great strength are needed
to support a New York skyscraper. A life-
buoy supports a non-swimmer until he is
rescued. The arches of a bridge support
the roadway and are themselves supported
by towers. Witnesses are called to support
evidence given in court. Men support or
keep their families by working for them.
Proper nourishment is needed to support
life. A person is said to be without visible
means of support if he is apparently destitute.
Grief is made more supportable (sii port'
abl, adj.), that is, able to be borne, by the
sympathy of friends. A statement is not
supportable if it cannot be maintained or
proved. We might say that an engine
whistle is just supportably (sii port' ab li,
adv.) shrill, that is, its shrillness is barely
tolerable.

A supporter (sii port' er, n.) is one who,
or a thing which, gives support in various
senses of the word. In heraldry a supporter
is a figure shown at the side of a shield as
if supporting or guarding it. A person or

4174

SUPPOSE

SUPPRESS

thing is supportless (su port' ies, adj.) i
without any support, or unsupported.

F. supporter, from L. supportare to convey,
in L.L. to sustain, endure, from L. sup- = sub
under, portdre to carry. SYN. : v. Assist, bear,
confirm, endure, tolerate. ANT. : v. Abandon,
betray, desert, drop, overthrow.

suppose (su poz'), v.t. To assume to
be true ; to lay down without proof ; to
imagine; to believe; to take for granted ; to
accept as probable ; to require or involve as
a condition. (F. supposer, croire, etre per-
suade de.)

For purposes of argument, it is sometimes
necessary to suppose that
certain things are true in
order to keep the discussion
within reasonable limits.
We may suppose or pre-
sume the existence of life
on Mars, but we have no
justification for supposing
that its inhabitants are
like human beings. When
we ask a friend what he
supposes will happen in
certain circumstances we
want to know what he
thinks will happen.

Sometimes the word is
used simply as a means of
introducing a proposal, as
when someone says " sup-
pose we go for a drive."
Its present participle is
also used in the sense of
" if " : for example, sup-
posing it rains we shall
have to stay indoors.

The statement that creation supposes or
implies a Creator arises out of our conception
of the nature of creation.

A supposable (su poz' abl, adj.) case is

Suppress. — Sir James Brooke (1803-68),

who suppressed a rebellion in Sarawak

and was given the title of Rajah.

supposititious (su poz i tish' us), adj.
Substituted for the real thing ; not genuine.
(F. pretendu, suppose.}

Supposititious writings, or spurious ones,
are sometimes attributed to celebrated
authors. Such works are suppositiously (su
poz i tish' us li, adv.] produced, and have
the quality of supposititiousness (su poz i
tish' us nes, n.).

L. suppositUius fraudulently substituted,
from sup- = sub- under, secretly, by trickery,
ponere (p.p. posit-us), to put, place, and suffix
-it-ious. See suppose.

suppositive (su poz' i tiv), adj. Of
the nature of, or based on
supposition ; supposed. (F.
suppositif.)

F. suppositif, from L.L.
suppositivus, from L. sup-
positus, p.p. of supponere,
from sup- = sub under, ponere
to place.

suppress (su pres'), v.t.
To subdue ; to put down ;
to overcome ; to keep in or
back ; to restrain ; to con-
ceal ; to withhold or with-
draw from circulation. (F.
subjuguer, reprimer, retenir,
cacher, etouffer, supprimer.}
Sir James Brooke (1803-
1868), better known as
Rajah Brooke of Sarawak,
led a most adventurous life
in the Eastern Archipelago.
He was very successful in
suppressing piracy, and
also had some success as
the suppressor (su pres' or,
n.) of head-hunting. The latter offence he
made punishable by death, and showed that,
however deeply rooted the custom was,
it was nevertheless suppressible (su pres'

one that is imaginable, presumable, or that ibl, adj.) or capable of being suppressed,
may be assumed for the sake of argument.
We may introduce a theory by saying " it
is supposable that the facts are thus."
The supposed Prester John is a romantic
character, who is thought to have existed,
but, as we show by using this qualifying
word, with no real certainty. A supposed
Old Master is one that is possibly a fake.
It is supposedly (su poz' ed li, adv.), the
work of some great painter, that is, it is
considered to be his work by way of sup-
position (sup 6 zish' un, n.), which means
the action of supposing. A supposition is
something supposed or implied, or an
uncertain belief, that may be false or
mistaken. Statements are suppositional
(sup 6 zish' un al, adj.), and are made sup-
positionally (sup 6 zish' un al li, adv.), if
put forward as mere suppositions.

F. supposer, from L. sup- = sub under, F.
.^poser to put, place, influenced by L. supponere
(p.p. -posit-us) with same meaning. See com-
pose, pose. SYN. : Conjecture, fancy, imagine,
presume, surmise. ANT. : Know.

His attempts at the suppression (su presh'
un, n.), or putting down, of opium-smuggling,
were vigorously resisted by the Chinese.
Brooke, however, defeated them on several
occasions, and, as a result of these and
other reforms, he greatly increased the
prosperity and welfare of Sarawak.

We endeavour to suppress or repress our
feelings when it is inappropriate to give
vent to them. A suppressed laugh, however,
is a subdued one : it is audible, although
the attempt is made to stifle it. In countries
not enjoying freedom of the press, a book
unfavourable to the government is instantly
suppressed or prevented from being published.
Much military and naval news was suppressed
in Great Britain during the World War.

An advocate of suppression in the above
senses may be called a suppressionist (su
presh' un ist, «.). Such people favour
suppress* ve (su pres' iv, adj.) measures or
those which tend to suppress. In botany,
the absence of an organ or part normally
present in a plant is termed suppression.

4175

SUPPURATE

SURCHARGE

L. suppressus, p.p. or supprimere, from sup- =
sub under, premere to press. SYN. : Check,
overpower, quell, repress, stifle. ANT. : , En-
courage, express, free, reveal, show.

suppurate (sup7 u rat), v.i. To fester ;
to form pus. (F. suppurer.)

authority, power, or rank is known as
supremacy (su prem' a si, n.).

We may speak of the supremacy of a
great athlete, that is his supreme position
by reason of outstanding achievements
over other athletes. Reason may be said

A boil suppurates when it comes to a to have supremacy over superstition, for

head, by generating pus — a process known
as suppuration (sup u ra' shun, n.). A

it is a superior quality of the mind.
We are supremely (su prem7 li, adv.]

suppurative (sup7 u ra tiv, adj.} preparation happy when we experience happiness in
or a suppurative (n.) is one that causes what seems the highest possible degree

suppuration. A suppurative affection, how- * tmxt&iX r, , «- -°

ever, is one attended by suppurating.

From L. suppuratus, p.p. of suppurdre to
suppurate, fester underneath, from sup- = sub
underneath, and pus (gen. pur-is) matter.

supra-. This is a prefix meaning higher unrivalled. ANT. : adj Inferior, minor seconl
than, over, above ; before, beyond, besides. dary, subordinate,
more than. (F. supra-.)

A supremely inefficient person lacks efficiency
to a supreme extent.

F. from L. supremus, superlative ot superus
above, upper, from super above, higher. SYN. :
adj. Foremost, highest, paramount, peerless,

This prefix is used in
the formation of a very
large number of ana-
tomical words, in the
same way as the prefix
super-. The supraclavic-
ular (su pra kla vik' u
lar, adj.) muscles, for
instance, are situated
immediately above the
clavicle or collar-bone.

The upper jaw-bone is
termed the supramaxil-
lary (su pra maks7 il a ri,
adj.) bone or supramax-
illary (n.).

The prefix supra- is
also used in the sense
of beyond. It is the
reverse of infra-. Many
of the words in which
it occurs have a more
usual alternative form in
which the prefix super-
is employed. Thus supra-
mundane (su pra miin' dan, adj.) means the
same as super-mundane, that is, superior
to, or above, the world.

L. supra, lor sup era, ablative fern, of superus
above (with parte part understood).

Photo: Vandyk.

Supreme. — King George V, the supreme ruler
of a mighty Empire.

sur- . This is a prefix,
used chiefly with words
of French origin, mean-
ing above, over, extra,
excessively.

F. sur. L. super See
super.

sura (soo' ra), n. A
chapter of the Koran.
Another spelling is surah
(soo7 ra). (F. sur ate.)

Arabic = step, degree.

surah (sii' ra), n. A
soft, twilled silk fabric.
(F. surah.}

The flimsy material
known as surah was for-
merly used for women's
dresses.

Perhaps from Surat in
India.

surat (su rat7), n. A
kind of coarse, short
cotton grown in the
Bombay Presidency,
India ; a coarse cotton
cloth woven from this,
and usually uncoloured. (F. toile de Surate.)
See surah.

surcease (ser ses'), n. ' Cessation, v.i.
To cease. (F. cessation ; cesser.)

We might say that a true enthusiast shows

supreme (su prem'), adj. Highest in no surcease of fervour, and pursues his

authority, power, degree or importance ;
utmost ; extreme ; greatest possible ; final.
n. The highest amount or degree (of) ; a
title of God. (F. supreme.)

God is called the Supreme Being, or the

life's work without surcease.

O.F. sursis, fern, sursise, p.p. of surseotr to
suspend, defer, delay, also as noun = delay,
from L. super sedere. Not connected with E.
cease. See supersede.

surcharge (sur charj7), v.t. To over-

, ..

Supreme, because He is omnipotent or ioad ; to overburden ; to overcharge ; to
supreme m power. The supreme Pontiff subject to an extra charge; to impose
is a title of the Pope. The greatest artists, payment of (a sum) or on (a person), especi-
musicians, and writers are the supreme or any of an additional charge for making
highest exponents of their art. • •

The Supreme Court of Judicature is the
highest court of law for England and Wales.

a false income-tax return, etc. ; to show
an omission of credit in an account ; to
saturate or fill to excess ; to overprint a

b consists of the Court of Appeal, the fresh value, etc., on the face of (a postage-..
High Court of Justice. The chief court stamp, etc.) n. An overload ; an over-;i
in the United States is also called the charge ; an additional charge made as a

Supreme Court.
The condition

of being supreme in

fine for false returns of taxable property ; the
showing in an account of an omission for

4176

SURCINGLE

SURF

which credit has not been given ; an amount
to be refunded by a person through being
disallowed in an official account ; a value
printed on a postage-stamp, etc., differing
from its original value. (F. surcharger,
saturer; surcharge, excedent.}

If a letter is not stamped sufficiently,
the receiver of it is surcharged. He has to
make up the proper value of the postage,
and also pay a surcharge equal to the amount
that was short.

If an invoice shows ^5 to be due for
goods, and does not allow for certain of
them having been returned, there is a sur-
charge or overcharge, and an accountant

(serd' i ti, n.) is a scientific term for
deafness.

L. surdus deaf, noiseless, hence deaf to reason,
irrational. The mathematical sense is explained
as due to a mistranslation of Gr. alogos without
speech, without reason.

sure (shoor), adj. Certain ; having no
doubts (of); confident; positive; trusting
confidently (that) ; reliable ; safe ; trusty ;
unfailing ; certain to find or keep (success,
etc.). adv. Surely. -(F. sur, assure, certain,
confiant, positif, loyal, infaillible, assuremeni.}

We should be sure of a person's honesty
before trusting him with large sums of
money. When we feel sure of success we

examining it would surcharge it with the are confident of gaining it. A sure victory

value of the returned goods.

When there is a shortage of postage-
stamps of a particular value, a government
may surcharge a number of stamps of
another value, so that they can be used in
the place of those that are exhausted until
new supplies of the latter are available.
Some stamps with
surcharges are very
valuable.

F. from sur ( = L.
super] over, above, and
charge load. See charge.

surcingle (ser'
sing gl), n. A girth or
belt to put round the
body of a horse, etc.,
for holding a blanket
or cloth on its back ;
the girdle of a cas-
sock, v.t. To gird or
fasten with a surcingle.
(F. surfaix, sangle,
ceinture ; sangler.}

O.F. sursangle, sur-
cengle girth, from sur =
L. super above, and
L. cingulum belt, girdle.

surcoat (ser' kot), n. A loose garment
worn over armour ; an outer jacket worn
by women from the fourteenth to the six-
teenth century. (F. cotte d'armes, surcot.}

A knight's surcoat often had emblazoned
on it his own arms or those of his order.
The Crusader's surcoat had a red cross.

O.F. surcote, from sur (= L. super] above, over
and cote coat.

surd (serd), adj. In mathematics;
irrational; in phonetics, sounded with the
breath and not with the voice, n. A con-
sonant uttered in this way ; an irrational
number. (F. irrationnel, sour A ; quantite.
irrationnelle, consonne sourde.]

Surd consonants, such :as p, j, s, are
uttered with the breath without vibration
of the vocal chords, and not with the voice
as are the sonant consonants or voiced
sounds b, v, z. In mathematics, a surd
quantity is one that cannot be expressed
in rational numbers. A radical sign, in-
dicating that the root of a given number
is to be extracted, is required in some cases
to determine the value of a, surd. Surdity

Surcoat. — The surcoat as worn (left) by a soldier
and (right) as a woman's garment.

is one that is certain to be achieved. .An
accurate marksman is sometimes described
as a sure shot To be sure that a thing is
right is to be positive of it.

If we have been out expecting to meet a
friend, and return to say that he was there
sure enough, we mean that he was actually
there, in reality and
not in mere expecta-
tion. In conversa-
tional language we
sometimes say "to be
sure " instead of "of
course," or " without
doubt." The old
proverb, " look before
you leap," bids us to
make sure, that is, to
find out exactly what
things are, before we
take an important
step.

Mules and goats are
very sure-footed (adj.}
animals, that is, they
are able to keep their
foothold in very diffi-
cult places. A mountain goat plants its
feet surely (shoor' li, adv.], that is, securely,
or without risk of slipping, on rocky ledges.
To say to a person, " surely you are wrong,"
is to imply that, according to one's own
knowledge or belief, there is a probability
that he has made a mistake.

The state or quality of being sure or
certain is known as sureness (shoor' nes, n.)
or surety (shoor' ti, n.}. A person who makes
himself responsible for another in some way
is said to be or stand surety for that person
if he goes bail for him, or guarantees that
the other will pay a sum of money or perform
an engagement. The pledge is also called a
surety, and the state of being a surety, or
the obligation of a surety, is suretyship
(shoor' ti ship, n.}.

O.F. segur, seur, from L. securus. See secure,
a doublet of sure. SYN. : Confident, infallible,
positive, stable, trustworthy. ANT. : Doubtful,
fallible, uncertain, unstable, untrustworthy.

surf (serf), n. The swell of the sea break-
ing on a beach or rocks, etc. ; the foam of
this. (F. ressac.]

4177

SURFACE

SURGEON

The surf is very heavy on sloping shores
directly exposed to great ocean rollers.
The disturbed and surging state of the water
makes it impossible for passengers to be
landed from ships in ordinary boats. In
such circumstances, passengers are fetched off
in a surf-boat (n.), which is a large, strong,
and very buoyant open boat. The surf-
boatman (n.) is experienced in handling
boats in surfy (serf7 i, adj.) water.

The sport called surf-riding (n.) comes from
the South Sea Islands, and is popular among
bathers in places where a heavy surf breaks
on the beach. The person taking part in it
swims out to sea with a large flat board. On
this he then stands, kneels, or lies, and is
carried ashore on the crest of a wave.

The surf -bird (n.) — Aphriza
virgata — is related to the
turnstone and sandpiper,
and frequents the western
shores of America.

Formerly spelt suffe, both
forms in reference to the coast
of India, but perhaps the same
as sough. See sough.

surface (ser' fas), n. The
outside part of anything that
has length and breadth ; any
of the boundaries of a
material body ; such a
boundary considered in
regard to its texture, etc. ;
in geometry, that which lias
length and breadth, but not
thickness ; outward appear-
ance, v.t. To put a smooth or
polished surface on (paper,
etc.) ; to plane. (F. surface, dehors ; calendrer,
degauchir, r abater, taquer.)

Most roads and railways are constructed
on the surface of the ground. A diver comes
to the surface when he rises to the top of the
water. Granite has a rough surface. Many
articles which are good on the surface, that
is, at first view, are really of poor quality.

In mining, a surface-man (n.) is a work-
man employed at the surface, that is, above
ground or in the open air. A railway surface-
man keeps the permanent way in order.
Printing from a raised surface, such as
ordinary type and wood-blocks in relief, is
called surface-printing (n.), as opposed to
printing from plates that hold the ink in
lines engraved into them.

A drop of water retains its form owing to
the surface-tension (n.) of the liquid, which is
a condition of the surface molecules, causing
them to act together as a stretched elastic
membrane. This tends to contract to its
minimum area and so holds together the
interior molecules.

Rain-water collecting on the surface of the
ground is called surface-water (n.). The word
surfaced (ser' fast, adj.) is used only in com-
bination with qualifying words, as smooth-
surfaced, or rough-surfaced, to indicate the
kind of surface possessed by an object.

Surf- boat. — A Chinese surf- boat,

designed to pass safely through

the surf.

F. = upper face, from sur ( = L. super)
above, face ( = L. facies) face. The same as L.
and E. superficies. SYN. : n. Appearance, aspect,
exterior, face, outside. ANT. : «. Inside, interior.

surfeit (ser' fit), n. Excess, especially in
eating or drinking ; a feeling of oppression
resulting from this ; satiety, v.t. To feed
to excess ; to overload ; to satiate with ;
to cloy. v.i. To overfeed. (F. exces, rassasie-
ment ; rassasier, souler, saturer ; se gorger.)
An old chronicler states that King Henry I
(1068-1135), a son of William the
Conqueror, died of a surfeit of lampreys.
People who neglect to take recreation
sometimes surfeit themselves with work.

O.F. surfait, sorfait excess, p.p. of sorfaire to
do or make too much, from sor- = sur- = L.

super- above, to excess, faire =

L. facere to make. : SYN. : n.

Excess, glut, nausea, satiety.

v. Cram, gorge, satiate.

surfy (serf i). For this
word see under surf.

surge (serj), v.i. To move
up and down or to and fro ;
to heave, n. A large rolling
wave ; a swell ; waves ; the
heaving motion imparted by
waves to a ship. (F. s'enfler,
se soulever, tanglier; lame,
houle, on de s, tang age.)

A crowd of people surges
forward when it moves in a
great wave. Emotions surge
up in, or surge through, one's
mind when one experiences
a surge, or wave, of strong
feeling. A sweep of liquid from one side of
a tank to the other is called a surge.

O.F. surgir, from L. surgere to rise, from
sur- = sub- up, from under, -rigere — regere to
direct. See source.

surgeon (ser' jon), n. A medical man who
treats injuries, deformities, and diseases by
performing manual operations on those
affected ; a medical practitioner holding the
diploma of the Royal College of Surgeons,
but not the degree of M.D. ; a general
practitioner ; a medical officer of the navy,
the army, or a military hospital ; a surgeon-
fish. (F. chirurgien.)

The work of a surgeon, in the strict sense
of this word, is known as surgery (ser' jer i,
n.), which is the department of medicine in
which operative or manipulative treatment
is employed in checking and curing disease.
The consulting-room of a general prac-
titioner, as well as that of a surgeon, is
called a surgery. Some surgical (ser' jik al,
adj.) operations require great surgical skill,
that is, skill on the part of the surgeon.

A surgical fever sometimes follows an
operation and is caused by sepsis, due to
surgery. Many internal complaints are now
treated and cured surgically (ser' jik al li,
adv.}, that is, by means of surgery, which
were thought in former times to be incurable.

•

4178

SURIGATE

SURMOUNT

The surgeon-fish (n.), or surgeon (Acron-
urus), is a sea-Ash haying a sharp, lancet-
shaped spine on each side of its tail. It
frequents coral reefs and islands and feeds
on polyps and vegetable substances.

Contraction -of chirurgeon (no longer in use),
as O.F. surgien of chirurgien, from Gr. kheirourgia
handiwork, from kheir hand, ergon work, ergein
to work; F. suffix -en, L. -anus.

suricate (sur' i kat), n. A small South
African mammal resembling the weasel. (F.
suricate, surikate.}

The suricate (Suricata tetradactyla) is a
slender, graceful little animal, allied to the
civets, with long, soft, grey
fur. In South Africa it is
often kept as a pet, and is
a good mouser.

Probably a native name,
confused with Dutch katje,
dim. of kat cat.

Surinam toad (su ri
nam' tod), n. A large
South American species of
toad, whose young are
nursed in the back of the
female.

The Surinam toad (Pipa
americana) frequents the
damp forests of Brazil and
Guiana, the Dutch part of
which is known as Surinam.
The animal is chiefly re-
markable for the way in
•which the eggs are carried
and hatched. The female
first deposits them in the
water, in the usual way.
Then the male toad places
them one by one on the
female's back, which
becomes soft at spawning
time. The eggs sink into
separate cells in her skin,
which grows over them.
There they are hatched,
develop into tadpoles, and
finally, as perfectly formed
through the skin and escape,
then sheds her skin.

Surinam toads spend most of their lives
in the water. During the dry season, they
sleep, or aestivate, buried in the mud.

surlily (ser ' li li) . For this word see under
surly.

surloin (ser' loin). This is an old form of
sirloin. See sirloin.

surly (ser' li), adj. Churlish; displaying
an unfriendly temper; uncivil. (F. maussade,
bourru.)

Surly people answer questions surlily

(ser' li li, adv.), or in a rude, grudging

.manner. A display of surliness (ser' li nes,

£«.)» the quality of being surly, does not

encourage friendliness on the part of others.

M.E. serly,syrly ; -ly = A.-S. -Itclike ; the first
element has been explained as (i) sir-, sir-like =
like a sir or lord, haughty, (2) A.-S. sur sour =

Suricate. The suricate, a small weasel-
like animal found in South Africa.

toads, burst
The mother

sourish, ill-tempered. SYN. : Gruff, ill-tempered,
rude, sullen. ANT. : Civil, friendly, gay, good-
humoured.

surmaster (ser' mas ter), n. A master
next in rank to the headmaster in some
schools. (F. surveillant general.}

The second master at St. Paul's School,
London, is called the surmaster.

From sur- — L. super over, and master.
surmise (sur mlz'), n. A supposition on
evidence ; a suspicion of the existence of
something, or a guess as to its nature ; a
conjecture. i(.t. To guess or imagine with little
evidence; to conjecture; to suppose, v.i. To
make a guess or conjecture
on slight evidence. (F.
conjecture, soupcon ; se
d outer de, s'imaginer,
conjecturer, soupcon ner.)

In a famous sonnet, " On
First Looking into Chap-
man's Homer," John Keats
(1795-1821) compares his
emotions with those of the
Spanish adventurers who
first set eyes upon the
Pacific, and : —

Look'd at each other
with a wild surmise —
Silent, upon a peak in

Darien.

Anyone who first takes
up the " Iliad," or the
" Odyssey," may rightly
surmise that there is a feast
of adventure awaiting him.
Whatever is surmised, how-
ever, is merely a suspicion,
for we marke a surmise
only when our knowledge
is too small to form a defi-
nite opinion about a thing.
Most results are surmisable
(sur mlz' abl, adj.), for
they can be conjectured, or
guessed, but few can be
predicted with certainty.
O.F. = accusation, fern, of surmis, p.p. of
surmettre to put upon, accuse of, from sur = L.
super above, F. mettre to put, L. mittere to send,
put. SYN. : n. Conjecture, supposition, suspicion.
v. Conjecture, divine, guess, infer. ANT. : n.
Certainty, conviction, knowledge, v. Know.

surmount (sur mount'), v.t. To overcome ;
to lie or be on the top of ; to be above.
(F. maitriser, surmonter.}

Courage and determination will help us to
surmount, or get over, most difficulties,
provided, of course, that they are surmount-
able (sur mount' abl, adj.), or capable of
being overcome. There are many mountain
peaks surmounted or capped with snow
in Norway. In heraldry, an ordinary is said
to be surmounted by another, when the
other ordinary is situated above it.

O.F. surmonter, from sur (= L. super) above,
monter to mount (from L. mons, ace. mont-em
mountain). SYN. : Cap, conquer, overcome,
vanquish.

4179

SURMULLET

SURPRISE

surmullet (sur mul' et), n. A species of
red mullet. See under mullet. (F. surmulet,
rouget.}

F. surmulet, from saur(e) brownish-yellow, red-
dish and mulet mullet. See mullet, sorrel.

surname (ser' nam), n. A descriptive
name formerly given in addition to a
baptismal or personal name ; a person's
family name. v.t. To give a surname to ; to
call by a surname. (F. surnom, nom de
famille ; surnommer.)

Formerly, the various Johns, say, in a
community were distinguishes from one
another by descriptive or allusive surnames,
which were often mere nicknames. John,
the blacksmith, would be called John Smith.
A very tall John came to be known as John
Longfellow. Most surnames commemorate
the occupation, residence, father's Christian
name, or a peculiarity of some ancestor.

F. sur ( = L. super) over and above, and
nom (L. women), altered to E. name.

surpass (sur pas'), v.t. To excel in size,
amount, or quality ; to outdo.
(F. surpasser, I'emporter sur.}

The greatness of the Roman
Empire is surpassed, or exceeded,
by that of the British Empire.
When we meet with a success
that surpasses our expectations,
we experience one that goes
beyond anything we anticipated.

The rose is hardly surpass-
able (sur pas' abl, adj.), cap-
able of being surpassed, in sweet-
ness of scent. The Taj Mahal,
near Agra, in India, is a build-
ing of surpassing (sur pas' ing,
adj.), that is, extraordinary,
beauty. People have to play
surpassingly (sur pas' ing li, adv.),
or exceedingly, well to become
renowned as musicians.

F. surpasser, from sur ( = L.
super) above, beyond, passer to pass.
See pass. SYN. : Exceed, outdo, outstrip.

surplice (ser' plis), n. A loose, white
linen vestment, with full sleeves, worn at
divine service by clergy and choristers,
usually over a cassock. (F. surplis.)

A surplice may reach to the hips, the
knees, or the ankles. A surplice-choir (n.)
is one that is surpliced (ser' plist, adj.), or
dressed in surplices. A fee paid to a clergy-
man for baptisms, funerals, and other
occasions on which he has to don his surplice
specially, is called a surplice-fee (n.).

O.F. surpliz, surplis, from L.L. superpelliceum,
from super above, over, pelliceum fur coat,
made of skin (L. pellis). See pelisse.

surplus (ser' plus), n. That which remains
over when needs have been satisfied ; what
is not required for the purpose at issue ; a
balance after all debts have been paid ; an
excess. (F. surplus, excedent.}

A skilled tailor's cutter uses his cloth so as

to leave little surplus. The surplus of an
estate is the residue, or amount remaining,
after all debts and legacies have been paid.
A Chancellor of the Exchequer plans his
budget so that it will yield enough revenue
to leave a surplus, or surplusage (ser' plus
ij, n.}, when all national expenditure has
been met.

F., from L.L. superplus, from L. super above,
over, plus more. SYN. : Excess, overplus, re-
mainder, residue. ANT. : Deficit, lack, shortage.

surprise (sur prlz'), n. The act of attack-
ing or assailing unawares ; the feeling aroused
by something sudden or unexpected ; aston-
ishment ; something that causes astonish-
ment ; something unexpected, v.t. To take
unawares ; to come upon suddenly ; to
capture by sudden and unexpected attack ;
to strike, with wonder, astonishme'nt, or dis-
gust ; to be contrary or different from what
is expected ; to lead or drive unawares
(into doing something). (F. coup de main,
surprise, etonnement; surprende, prendre au
depourvu, etonner.}

Surprise. — One of the methods of training police horses not to take
fright when surprised.

An important part of the art of war is
the taking of the enemy by surprise, or when
they are unprepared. An unexpected present
is a pleasant surprise, and the recipient
shows that he is full of surprise. It is some-
times possible to surprise a dishonest
person into an admission of guilt by suddenly
accusing him of his crime.

A person who is shocked by some action
of a friend may declare that he is surprised
at his friend's behaviour. To be surprised
in the act is to be caught unawares while
doing something. A fancy dish designed to
arouse surprise is often known as a surprise.

A surprisal (sur prlz' al, n.) is an act of
surprising, but this word is seldom used.
A surprising (sur prlz' ing, adj.) event gives }
rise to wonder or astonishment. Dogs are
sometimes surprisingly (sur prlz' ing li, adv.)
intelligent, that is, so intelligent as to cause
surprise.

4180

SURREBUT

SURVEY

O.F. fern, of surpris, p.p. of surprendre to sur-
prise, take unawares, from sur ( — L. super)
upon, prendre (L. prehendere) to take, seize.
SYN. : n. Amazement, astonishment, shock,
wonder, v. Amaze, astonish.

surrebut (sur e but'), v.i. In law, to reply
to a defendant's rebutter. (F. tripliquer.}

A plaintiff surrebuts when he returns a
surrebutter (sur e but' er, n.}, or reply to
the defendant's rebutter.

From F. sur ( = L. super] upon, in answer to,
and rebut. See rebut.

surrejoin (sur re join'), v.i. In law,
to reply to a defendant's rejoinder. (F.
dupliquer.)

When a plaintiff replies to a defendant's
rejoinder, he surrejoins, or delivers a
surrejoinder (sur re join' der, ».).

From F. sur ( = L. super) upon, in answer to
and rejoin. See rejoin \i\.

Surrender. — " Hands up ! " A body of Germans surrendering to the

Cameron Highlanders near Langemarck during the World War

(1914-18).

surrender (sii ren' der), v.t. To give up
possession of, especially on demand or under
compulsion ; to give over to the power or
control of another ; to give (oneself) up to
an influence, emotion, etc. v.i. To give one-
self up or to yield something into the power
of another ; to accept a demand for sub-
mission from an enemy ; to appear in court
at the appointed time after being allowed
bail. n. The act of surrendering ; the state of
being surrendered. (F. rendre, livrer, s'aban-
donner ; se rendre; reddition, capitulation^

In 1871 the French had to surrender Paris
to the Germans citer a long siege. Some
pessimistic people surrender, or abandon
themselves, to despair very easily. A prisoner
let out on bail has to be surrendered by his
surety when the time of tne bail expires. He
then surrenders to bail. The surrender of
an insurance policy is the giving up of claims
to benefit on it for an agreed sum.

O.F. surrendre, from sur ( = L. super) above,
over, rendre (L. reddere) to give back. See
render. SYN. : v. Abandon, deliver, yield. ANT. :

Oppose, resist.

surreptitious (sur ep tish' us), adj.
Done by stealth or fraud : kept secret. (F.
subreptice.)

A surreptitious act is one done on the sly.
Surreptitious glances are made surreptitiously
(sur ep tish' us li, adv.], that is, stealthily,
or even craftily.

L. surreptltius, -tlcius, irom surreptus, p.p.
of surripere, from sur- = sub- secretly, Vapere to
snatch, seize. SYN. : Clandestine, crafty, sly,
stealthy, underhand. ANT. : Frank, obvious,
open

surrogate (sur' 6 gat), •«. A deputy,
especially of a bishop or his chancellor ; a
substitute. (F. delegue.}

An ecclesiastical surrogate is appointed
by a bishop to grant marriage licences and
probates. His office is called a surrogateship
(sur ' 6 gat ship, n.).

L. surrogatus, p.p. of surrogare to substitute,
put in someone else's place, from
sur- = sub- instead of, rogdre to
ask, propose, choose.

surround (su round'), v.t.
To lie or be situated all round ;
to encircle ; to invest, n. The
bare part of a floor round a
carpet, frequently stained and
polished. (F. environnev,
entourer, cerner.}

Besiegers surround a town
when they set up their siege-
works all round it, and cut
off its communications. The
environs of a place are the
surrounding parts. English
fields are usually surrounded,
or enclosed, by "hedges. The
pleasantness of a" house as a
residence depends largely on
its surroundings (su round'
ingz, n.pL], that is, the build-
ings or grounds situated round
people are affected by their sur-
roundings, or the external influences that
come into their lives.

O.F. suronder to overflow, from L.L. super-
unddre, from L. super over, unddre to flow, from
undo, wave. The modern sense is due to confusion
with round. SYN. : v. Encircle; enclose, en-
compass, environ, invest.

surtax (ser' taks, n. ; ser taks', v.), n.
An additional tax ; a supertax, v.t. To put
a surtax on. (F. surtaxe.}

From sur = L. super above, in addition, and tax.
surtout (ser' too), n. A man's overcoat,
especially of frock-coat shape.
F. = over all.

surveillance (sur va' lans ; sur va'
lyans), n. A close watch; supervision. (F.
surveillance.}

F., from surveiller to watch over, from sur =
L. super over, veiller = L. vigildre to watch, from
vigil awake. SYN. : Inspection, invigilation,
supervision.

survey (sur va', v. ; ser' va, n.), v.t. To
look over ; to take a general or compre-
hensive view of ; to form a general idea of

it. Most

4181

SURVIVE

SUSPECT

the outstanding features and arrangement
of ;. to examine and determine the condi-
tion, value, etc., of ; to make accurate
observations and measurements of . the
boundaries, size, position, contours, etc., of
a country, coast, etc.). n. The act or
process of surveying ; a general view ; an
official inspection (of stores, buildings,
roads, etc.) ; the operations involved in
surveying land, etc. ; a map or plan show-
ing results of this ; the persons or a depart-
ment carrying on such work. (F. inspecter,
examiner, expertiser, arpenter ; examen, ex-
pertise, arpentage, plan, agent voyer.}

When we look at a scene from a command-
ing position we may be said to survey it.
Often we have cause to take a mental survey
of a series of incidents.

Surrey. — An explorer using a theodolite in making
a survey.

A scene may be said to be surveyable
(sur va/ abl, adj.], or capable of being sur-
veyed, from a height.

Until recently surveying (sur va/ ing, n.},
that is, the process or art of making surveys
of the earth's surface, was always carried out
with tapes and chains, and with instru-
ments measuring angles. Surveys are now
also made from aeroplanes, a series of
aerial photographs being taken of a district
and joined together to form a map. A
surveyor (sur va/ or, n.} is one who surveys,
or inspects, especially a person professionally
engaged in land-surveying. An ordnance
survey may mean a government map of
a district, or else the surveying, or observa-
tion and measurement, on which it is based.
Surveyors of taxes are officials who super-
intend their collection. A surveyorship (sur
va/ or ship, n.} is the office of surveyor.

O.F. surveoir, surveeir, from L.L. supervidere
to look over, supervise, from L. super over,
vi'dere (p.p. vls-us] to see. SYN. : v. Contemplate,
examine, inspect, superintend, view. n.
Contemplation, inspection, supervision.

survive (sur vlv'), v.t. To outlast or
outlive ; to live through ; to continue to
live or exist in spite of. v.i. To remain
alive; to continue to exist. (F. surpasser
en duree, survivre a; survivre, vivre}

When a man lives longer than his friends
he is said to survive them. Noah and his
family survived the deluge, for they remained
alive after it had passed. In adventure
story-books, the hero always survives the
worst perils, that is, he comes safely through
them. Many old customs have survived,
or lasted on, in spite of changing fashions.
One such survival (sur vlv' al, n.} is the
holiday, called Furry Day, which is still
observed at Helston, in Cornwall.

In biology, the process or result of natural
selection is termed the survival of the fittest.
Those forms of , life that are best adapted
to their surroundings are preserved ; those
less well suited become extinct.

When only one person is saved from a
fire or shipwreck he is termed the sole
survivor (sur vi' vor, n.}, that is, one who
survives. In law, the survivor of a joint
tenancy or other interest, and who is
entitled to take over the whole tenancy,
is said to possess a right termed survivor-
ship (sur vi ' vor ship, n.}, which also means
the fact of one person surviving another.

F. survivre, from sur ( = L. super) over,
beyond, and vivre ( — L. vlvere] to live. SYN. :
Continue, outlast, outlive, persist. ANT. :
Disappear, predecease.

susceptible (su sep' tibl), adj. Capable
of being influenced or affected ; sensitive
or impressionable ; admitting (of) ; liable
(to). (F. susceptible, passible, sujet a,
expose a.}

A susceptible person is readily affected
by some emotion. His disposition or ten-
dency to respond to outside influences is
termed his susceptibility (sii sep ti bil' i ti, n.},
susceptiveness (sii sep' tiv nes, n.}, or sus-
ceptivity (sus sep tiv' i ti, n.}. We should
avoid offending the susceptibilities, or sen-
sitive feelings, of our neighbours.

An artistic person is susceptibly (su sep'
tib li, adv.], or in a susceptible manner,
interested in some object of great beauty.
Children are said to be susceptible to, or
susceptive (su sep' tiv, adj.] of, measles, for
they are subject to that disease. Our work
is susceptible of improvement if it is capable
of being improved.

F., from L.L. susceptibilis, from susceptus,
p.p. of suscipere to take up, from sus- = sub-
under, up, capere to take, and suffix -ibilis. SYN. :
Impressionable, sensitive, susceptive, touchy.
ANT. : Insensitive, insusceptible, unimpression-
able.

suslik (soos' lik). This is another
spelling of souslik. See souslik.

suspect (sus pekt', v. ; sus' pekt or siis
pekt', adj. and n.}, v.t. To think to exist ;
to be inclined to think (that) ; to have
an impression of the presence of, but
without certainty ; to believe to be guilty,

4182

SUSPEND

SUSPENSE

but without certainty ; to doubt or mis-
trust, v.i. To be suspicious, adj. Sus-
pected ; subject to suspicion ; suspicious ;
doubtful, n. A person believed to be guilty
of an offence. (F. se douter de, soupconner,
suspecter, se mefier ; avoir des soupcons ;
suspect, douteux ; personne suspecte.}

When the police have to deal with a
person suspected of crime they keep the

an object or apparatus from which some-
thing is suspended. For instance, a device
gripping round the leg, etc., and attached
to the top of a sock in order to keep it up,
is called a suspender. In this sense, the
word is commonly used in the plural. In
shops, braces are sometimes termed sus-
penders. Particles of matter are suspensible
(sus pen" sibl, adj.] in water if they are

suspect under surveillance in the hope capable of being suspended in it. They

that some careless action will afford proof
of his guilt. It is a good rule to be slow
to suspect people, for suspicions that are
unfounded do a great deal of harm. It
is better to suspect, or mistrust, the genuine-
ness of insinuations made against others
until we have actual proof of their truth,
suspectable (sus pekt' abl, adj.] evidence
is open to suspicion.

F., from L. suspectus, p.p. of suspicere to look
up from, under, mistrust, from sus- = sub under,
specere to look. SYN. : v. Believe, conjecture,
distrust, doubt, surmise. ANT. : v. Know,
trust.

then have suspensibility (siis pen si bil' i ti,
n.}, that is to say, the capability of being
suspensible.

F. suspendre, from L. suspendere, from SMS- =
sub under, pendere to hang. SYN. : Adjourn,
defer, hang, postpone, stop.

suspense (sus pens'), n. A state of
doubt, uncertainty, waiting, or anxious
expectation ; in law, the temporary cessa-
tion of a right. (F. incertitude, suspens,
sursis.)

A really good adventure story keeps the
reader in suspense until the very end. In
other words, he remains full of expectance,

suspend (sus pend'), v.t. To hang up, and rather apprehensive as to what will

by attaching to some
support above ; to
sustain particles, etc.
in a fluid ; to cause
to cease for a time ;
to keep undecided, or
put in abeyance tem-
porarily ; to defer ;
to debar temporarily
from an office or
privilege, or from
taking part in some
activity ; in music,
to prolong (one or
more notes of a chord)
into the chord that
follows. (F. pendre,
surseoir, differer,
suspendre.)

When a sunbeam
penetrates a darkened
room, countless par-
ticles of dust, sus-
pended in the air, are
revealed by its light.
Eventually this dust
settles and can be
swept up. A stationary
airship may be said to
be suspended in mid-air. A meeting is sus-
pended when it is adjourned. A judge
suspends judgment when he defers his
decision. A bank is said to suspend pay-
ment . when it cannot meet the calls made
upon it and has to close its doors.

In some sports, players are sometimes
punished for breaking rules by being
debarred or suspended from taking part
in the game for certain periods of time.

A person or circumstance that puts a
stop to something, especially for a time

Suspend. — A Great Western Railway locomotive

suspended by chain tackle from a powerful

hundred-ton overhead crane.

finally happen. Less
pleasant • is the sus-
pense, or mental state
of anxiety, that one
experiences when
awaiting news of a
friend who is ill.

The act of suspend-
ing or the condition
of being suspended
is termed suspension
(sus pen7 shun, n.).,

The waters of some
rivers carry a great
deal of silt in sus-
pension. When this is
deposited it forms
banks and shallows,
which obstruct navi-
gation.

In music, a discord
produced by holding
on a note from a pre-
vious chord is termed
a suspension. Usually
the suspended note
then proceeds to a
note consonant with
the new chord, and
so is resolved. The suspension, or prolonging
in this way, of whole chords is a feature of
modern music.

A bridge having its roadway suspended
from wire cables passing over towers and
anchored in the ground at each end is called
a suspension-bridge (n.). Such a bridge
has no supports underneath its span.

In law, a suspensive (sus pen7 siv, adj.)
condition is one whose operation is sus-
pended until the occurrence of some event.
It is suspensively (sus pen' siv li, adv.)

only, may be called a suspender (sus pend' er, conditional. A suspensive veto applies for
n.). This word, however, generally means a time only. In surgery, a bandage that

4183

SUSPICION

SUTRA

acts as a support for a diseased or injured endure; to give strength to; to maintain;
part is known as a suspensory (sus pen' so to uphold ; to establish by evidence ; to
ri, adj.) bandage or as a suspensory (n.).

F. suspense, fern. p.p. of suspendre.irom L.
suspensus uncertain, doubtful, p.p. of suspendere.
See suspend. SYN. : Anxiety, apprehension,

expectation, indetermination, uncertainty. ANT. :
Decision, determination, execution, finality,
settlement.

Suspense. — A faithful hound anxiously awaiting his master's arrival.
From the painting, "Suspense." by Sir Edwin Landseer.

suspicion (sus pish' un), n. The act
or feeling of one who suspects ; being

corroborate ; to confirm ; to keep up (a
part or character) ; to experience. (F.
appuyer, etayer, supporter, entretenir, sou-
tenir, corrobover, confirmer, eprouver.)

This word is now seldom used in the
literal sense of support, although it is
common in its figurative senses.
We may say, however, that a
globe of glass is capable of sus-
taining or bearing great pressure.
r- A person is said to sustain
injuries when he experiences
them. Some people can sustain
or stand great cold. An argu-
ment is sustainable (sus tan'
1 abl, ddj:} if it can be sustained,
or shown to be sound 'or correct,
by its sustainer (sus tan'er, n.},
or the one who supports it.

We all require food to sustain
us or keep us going. Thus it is
that food and nourishment, or
the means of sustaining life,
are known as sustenance (sus'
te nans, n.).

The maintenance or upkeep
of an institution or establish-
ment is termed its sustentation
(sus ten ta' shun, n.). A sus-
tentation fund (n.) is a fund for
assisting poor clergy.

M.E. susteinen, sustenen, from O.F. sus-,

suspected ; a partial belief that someone sous-, sos-tenir from L. sustinere to hold up,

is guilty, or that something is wrong ;
mistrust ; doubt ; a very slight amount.
(F. soup f on.)

A suspected person is under suspicion.
Perhaps his guilt shows itself in his actions,

from sus- = sub- from under, tenere to hold.
SYN. : Encourage, strengthen, substantiate,
support, uphold. ANT. : Drop, weaken, yield.
susurrant (su sur' ant), adj. Rustling ;
whispering ; murmuring. Another form is

which may then be said to arouse suspicion! susurrous (su sur' us). (F. qui murmure.)

If we think that an opponent is cheating , L- susurrans (ace. -ant-em), pres.p. of susurrdre

we should obtain some definite proof of our urn

suspicion before accusing him. An honest sutler (sut er) n One who follows

or trusted friend is above suspicion, or too an army and sells food and drink to the

obviously honourable to deserve it. A salad soldiers. (F. vivandier, cantimer.}

may be said to contain a suspicion of garlic , Formerly an army on the march had

if it is very slightly flavoured with that to rely very largely on sutlers for its pro-

» ° *' xrioi/-\r^o I\/I ^~vHi=if-n r*r\n r\ t T-I r\n o *~\T xiroi-TOfja m*ilrA

vegetable.

visions. Modern conditions of warfare make

Policemen are on the watch for people rt impossible for these camp-followers to
behaving in a suspicious (sus pish' us, adj.) Parry °n the}f. operations and sutlery (sut'
manner or suspiciously (sus pish' us li leri, ^.), as this business of supplying troops

adv.), that is, in a way that excites sus-

with food and wine was called, is now a

picion. Suspicious circumstances are such thmg of the past. In olden days many a
as to justify suspicion. Some people are man spent a comfortable old age on the

suspicious or mistrustful when we offer Ps of his sutlership (sut ler ship, n.).

to do them a kindness, others are suspicion- Of Dutch origin. O. Dutch soetalaar, Dutch

less (sus pish'un l,s, adj.) or f unsuspecting ^^^^^^^i. ^»

A disposition to suspect others is called menial office . ycp G sudeln to do dirty work>

suspiciousness (sus pish' us nes, «.).

O.F. suspecion, souspefon, from L. suspicio
(ace. -on-em), from L. suspicere. See suspect.
SYN. : Distrust, doubt, mistrust, soup9on.
ANT. : Certainty, conviction, knowledge.

mess, cook messily, akin to E. suds.

sutra (soo' tra), n. One of a collection of
short rules for ritual, etc., in Sanskrit litera-
ture. (F. soutra.)

The books of rules and religious teachings

sustain (sus tan'), v.t. To hold up or of the Brahmins are called Sutras,
keep from falling ; to bear the weight of ; Sansk. sutra thread, string ; cp. L. suere to
to bear up against or under ; to enable to sew.

4184

SUTTEE

SWAG

suttee (su te"), n. The Hindu custom
whereby a widow burned herself on the
funeral pyre with the body of her husband;
such a widow. (F. suttee, suttie, sdti.)

The Government of India made suttee
illegal in 1829 after it had been followed for
many centuries. Under sutteism (sii te" izm,
n.}, or the custom of suttee, the widow was
believed to make atonement for the sins of
her husband and attain reunion with him in
another world.

Sansk. satl true or faithful wife, fern, of
sat being, real, true, pres. p. of as to be, exist.

suture (su' chur), n. The immovable
junction of two parts as if by sewing ; the
line formed by the cohesion of two parts
or bones ; the pulling together of the edges
of a wound by stitching, v.t. To unite by
a suture, (F. suture; suture r.}

The sutures of the skull are the lines of
junction of the bones of which it is composed.
Surgeons have to suture, or stitch together,
the wounds caused by operations. For
internal wounds catgut is generally used as
the sutural (su' chur, al, adj.] , material,
because it is gradually ab.sor.bed. Silkworm
gut is used for the .suturation (su .cha^ra'
shun, n.) of a surface .wound. -: Peas and
beans may be said to be sutured (su ' churd,
adj.), the pods of each being divided sutur-
ally (su' chur al li, adv.), that is, by a suture,
or seam. V«i'.y/»ii : •- V •? ./

F., from L. sutura, from :sutiis,-p.p. of suere

tO Sew. • ;, ; ••>.-;;. :; ~ L' .<•' • .','

suzerain (su ' ze .ran ; v - su ' . ze . ren) ;»« n.
A ruler with supreme' : power ; a feudal
lord ; a sovereign, or r a;: state exercising
authority over another! (F. suzerain.)

In the Middle Ages this term was applied
to the vassals-in-chief who held their land
directly from the king.- and" in turn had
sub- vassals holding of them. To-day, cer-
tain atates, though having tlieir own govern-
ment, are unable to act independently of a
suzerain, or supreme state
which controls their policy,
Great Britain exercises this
kind of suzerainty (su' ze
ran ti ; su' ze ren ti, n.) over
the native states of India.

F. from sus above, L. su(r)-
sum, from sub under and
versum neuter p.p. of vertere to
turn, that is, turned upwards,
above, superior ; formed on the
analogy of F. souverain. SYN. :
Overlord, sovereign. ANT. :
Dependant, vassal.

svelte (svelt),adj. Supple;
lissom; slender. (F. svelte,
ilance.)

A woman with a graceful
willowy figure is svelte.

F., from Ital. svelto loose,
slender, p.p. of svellere to uproot.

swab (swob), n. A mop for cleaning
floors, ships' decks, or like surfaces ; a
small piece of cotton-wool or sponge used

Swab. — A deck swab made of old
rope yarns.

to absorb moisture ; a clumsy, unmannerly
person, v.t. To clean, mop, or wipe with a.
swab or mop. (F. fauber, faubert, tampon,
lourdaud ; fauberter.)

If a doctor thinks a child has diphtheria,
he will rub the inside of its throat with a
small cotton-wool swab, which he will place
immediately in a plugged tube. This swab
will then be sent to a competent authority,
such as the local medical officer of health,
and will be examined for germs of the
disease.

Formerly the sailor of low rank, whose
work it was to swab, or clean, the decks, was
called a swabber (swob' er, n.}. Now the
terms swab and swabber are sometimes
applied to a person who has rough and clumsy
ways, like a sailor who has not been long
aboard.

Of Dutch or Low G. origin, perhaps imitative.
Dutch zwabben to swab, G. 'sivabben, Low G.
schwappen to splash", Swed. svabla ; also Swed.
svabb a mop, a dirty person.

Swabian (swa' bi an), adj. Of or
relating to Swabia, a mediaeval German
duchy. <n. An inhabitant of Swabia. Another
form iS'Suabian (swa' bi an). (F. souabe.}
-The Swabian. lands lay along the upper
courses of both the Rhine and the Danube,
taking in the eastern and northern parts
of what is now Switzerland.

From L.L. Suabia, G. Schwaben ; cp. L Suebl.

swaddle (swod' 1), v.t. To wind or
swathe in bandages, wraps, or clothes. (F.
ernmailloler.) '•• \

It was once an almost \ universal custom
to swaddle new-born babies with many
yards of material in order to prevent them
using their arms and legs. This unhealthy
practice has now been given up in most
civilized countries. In a figurative sense,
to swaddle is to restrict.

When the Three Wise Men came to see
Lord they found Him in a manger
wrapped in swaddling-clothes
(ii.pl.), sometimes called
swaddling-bands (n.pl). Fig-
uratively, we may speak of
a young inexperienced person
or some very new thing or
idea as being still in swad-
dling clothes.

Frequentative or dim. from
swathe ; cp. A.-S. swethel swad-
dling-band. See swathe. SYN. :
Enwrap, swathe, wrap.

swag (swag), n. Stolen
booty ; dishonest gains ; a
pack or bundle ; cheap trashy
goods ; a festoon. (F. butin,
paquet, feston.)

The proceeds of a burglary
and also a bribe or other
unlawful money payment
are sometimes spoken of as swag. In
Australia the same term is applied to the
bundle of clothes which a tramp or miner

our

D27

4185

N7

SWAGE

SWALLOW

in search of work carries on his journey
through the bush. A swagman (swag'
man, n.) may be either a tramp or one who
keeps a swag-shop (n.), where he trades in
swag or trashy articles.

Probably of Scand. origin ; cp. O. Norse
sveigja to bend, swing about, Norw. svagga,
E. sway It probably means a bundle that is
made unsteady through its weight. SYN. :
Baggage, haul, loot, plunder, spoil.

swage (swaj), n. A tool used for
shaping iron or other metal under the
hammer, v.t. To shape with a swage.
(F. etampe ; Stamper.)

A swage is a die in two pieces. One of
them fits into the anvil, and the other is
mounted on a handle. The metal to be
shaped is laid on the bottom swage, and the
top swage is then laid on the metal and
struck with a. sledge-hammer. A black-
smith uses a swage-block (n.), which is a
massive cast-iron block with holes through
it, and grooves of different sizes and shapes
round the edges.

M.E. swage ornamental moulding or border,
from O.F. souage, F. suage moulding round the
base of a column, etc., from O.F. seue rope.

swagger (swag'er), v.i. -To strut about
in a vain or defiant manner ; to brag ; to
bluster, v.t. To bluff (a person) into doing
something, n. A swaggering walk or
speech ; dash ; a self-confident manner.- adj.
Smart; fashionable. (F. plastronner.crdner;
bluffer; rodomontade, suffisance ; chic.}

A person may swagger, or behave in an
insolent overbearing way,
in order to conceal his real
nervousness. Children
love to see a regiment of
Guards in their swagger
uniforms, and we all rather
admire these smart
soldiers, who walk with a
slight swagger, throwing
out their chests and sway-
ing their shoulders.

A person who talks
swaggeringly (swag' er ing
li, adv.], or boastfully, is
despised by his fellows, and
such a swaggerer (swag' er
er, n.} seldom gets the envy
or admiration which he
hopes to gain by his self-
confident ways.

Of Scand. origin. Fre-
quentative of swag (v.i.) to
sway. See swag, sway. SYN. :
v. Boast, brag, strut. «.
Bravado, dash, gasconade.

swagman (swag' man).
For this word and swag-
shop see under swag.

Swahili (swa he' li), n. A mixed Arab and
Bantu race living in the island of Zanzibar
and on the adjoining mainland ; the
language spoken by this'race.

Swahili.— The wife of & wealthy Swahili
trader of Zanzibar.

Swahili is now spoken in a large part of
Africa, having become a sort of universal
tongue among many different races. It
contains a great number of Arabic, Indian,
and European expressions.

Arabic suwahili belonging to the coasts.

swain (swan), n. A country lad or lover ;
a male lover. (F. pastoureau, galant.)

This word originally meant a servant
attending on a knight. In the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries it was a common term
in pastoral poetry for a shepherd or country
boy. In this sense it is still used by poets,
and we often speak humorously of any lover
as his lady's swain.

Of Scand origin. O. Norse, svein-n boy,
servant ; cp. Swed. sven swain, youth, O.H.G.
swein swine-herd, A.-S. swan herdsman, swine-
herd, E. boatswain, coxswain. SYN. : Gallant,
sweetheart, wooer.

swallow [i] (swol' 6), n. A small,
migratory, long-winged bird of the genus
Hirundo. (F. hirondelle.)

The swallow, a yearly visitor to our
country, is known by its forked tail, its
steely-blue back, and reddish throat. Its
note is a low musical twitter. Early in April
pairs or small nights arrive from Africa,
etc., and in May the birds begin to build
their cup-shaped nests.

The swallow- fish («.), or sapphirine gur-
nard (Trigla hirundo}, owes its name to its
large pectoral fins. Swallow- wort, (n.) is
the popular name for the greater celandine
(Chelidonium majus) and certain American
perennial plants of the
genus Asclepias.

When we speak of a
swallow-tail (n.), we mean
a deeply-forked tail, or
anything that has this
characteristic. The name
is applied to a variety of
humming-bird, to various
species of butterfly, to a
kite with its tail cut in this
way, a flag or pennon
with a two-pointed end,
often called a burgee, and
also the coat of a man's
dress suit. Anything of
this shape is swallow-tailed
(adj.).

M.E. swalewe, A.-S. sweal-
(e)we ; cp. Dutch zwaluw,
G. schwalbe, O. Norse svala.

swallow [2] (swol' 6),
v.t. To take into the
stomach ; to suck in ; to
engulf ; to overwhelm ;
to accept (statements,
opinions, etc.) eagerly or
without examination ; to
accept (an affront or slight) ;
to retract or take back. v.i. To perform the
act of swallowing, n. The gullet ; the
amount taken at once; a swallow-hole. (F.
avaler engloutir, gober ; gosier, gorgee.)

4186

SWAM

SWAP

We swallow when we receive food as
nourishment into the stomach through the
mouth and the alimentary canal. An earth-
quake may swallow, or erigulf, a whole city.
The expenses of an illness may swallow up, or
use up, a person's savings. When Napoleon I
was at the height of his power, France seemed
likely to swallow up all the other states of
western Europe.

A stupid person will usually swallow any
improbable rumour, and a person with
no courage or pride will swallow an insult ;
such a one will swallow, or recant, his own
expressed opinion rather than offend an
influential friend.

One who swallows in any sense in which
the verb is used is a swallower (swol' 6 er, n.),
and anything that can be swallowed is
swallowable (swol' 6 abl, adj.}. A swallow-
hole (n.), or swallet (swol' et, n.}, is an
opening in limestone into which a stream
disappears from sight.

M.E. swelwen, swelghen, A.-S. swe(o)lgan to
swallow, absorb, devour ; cp. Dutch zwelgen,
G. schwelgen, O. Norse, svelga. SYN. : v.
Absorb, consume, devour, engross, recant.

swam (swam). This is the past tense of
swim. See swim.

swamp (swomp), n. A tract ot land
saturated with water, v.t. To cause (a boat)
to fill with water ; to plunge in or as in a
swamp ; to overwhelm with superior num-
bers, troubles, or difficulties, v.i. To be filled
with water ; to be submerged. (F. marais,
marecage , faire couler, enfoncer dans uw
marais, accabler ; s'emplir d'eau.)

Swamps are usually unhealthy places,
breeders of disease. A heavy sea may
swamp a vessel, and houses on a river bank
are often swamped by a rising tide. Many
kinds of trees, as, for example, mangroves
and willows, grow in swampy (swomp' i,
adj.) land. One political party is said to
swamp another when it gains a very large
majority of seats at an election.

Cp. A.-S. swamm, G. schwamm, Dutch zwam,
O. Norse, svopp-r, Swed. svamp, all meaning
sponge, fungus, or both ; also Gr. somphos
spongy. See sump. SYN Marsh, morass,
slough.

swan (swon), n. A large web-footed,
long-necked water bird belonging to the genus
Cygnus ; the northern star-group Cygnus ;
figuratively, a poet or a singer. (F. cygne.)

The tame swan (Cygnus olor), ... with
its spotless white plumage, and reddish
bill, surmounted by a black knob at the
base of the upper mandible, is the mute
swan ; the wild swan (Cygnus musicus),
also white, but with a lemon-yellow bill,
is the whistling swan or whooper. A male
swan is a cob-swan ; a female swan is a ten.

There is no truth in the old belief that the
swan sings before its death, but we still
speak of the last or dying work of a poet or
other artist as a swan-song (n.), and the poet
hnnself as a swan ; Shakespeare is often

spoken of as the Swan of Avon. Fn old folk-
legends we read of swan-maidens (n.pl.),
who, by means of magic robes of swans'
feathers, were able to take the form of
swans.

Because of the swan's graceful carnage
in the water, swanlike (adj.) has come to mean
having grace of movement. The word swan-
necked (adj.) means long-necked. A swan-
neck (ii.j is a pipe or rail curved like a swan's
neck. Natural swansdown (swonz' doun, n.)
is the soft under-plumage of the bird, but
the name is also given to thick, soft, woollen
cloth, and to a thick, cotton cloth with a nap
on one side. Swanskin (n.) may be either a
swan's skin with the feathers, or a soft,
fine-twilled flannel.

Swan. — A pair of swans building their large nest
at the water's edge.

The place where swans breed is a swannery
(swon' er i, n.), and part of the duty of the
swanherd (n.), who has charge of the swans, is
to attend to the swan-marks (n.pl.), which
usually take the form of a notch on the upper
bill, by which the owner of the swan is
known. Some public bodies appoint an
official swan-marker (n.) to mark the young
swans each year. Swan -marking (n.) is
sometimes called swan-upping (n.), or,
incorrectly, swan-hopping (n.). Swan-shot
(n.) are about the size of buck-shot.

A.-S. ; cp. Dutch zwaan, G. schwan, O. Norse
svan-r, perhaps akin to L. sonus, E. sound, L.
sonare, Sansk. svan to. resound.

swap (swop), v.t. and i. To exchange ;
to barter, n. An exchange. (F. echanger,
troquer ; e change, troc.)

Most boys and girls love to collect some-
thing, whether they are interested in postage-
stamps, cigarette pictures, or birds' eggs.
The great fun of collecting is that it is
usually, possible to swap duplicate specimens
with friends, and everybody knows the joy
of securing a bargain by means of a swap.
Although this word is now very colloquial,
it has long been in use.

M.E. swappen to strike, move quickly, probably
imitative ; cp. Low G. swaps the noise of a slap,
and for the sense cp. E. strike a bargain,
attitude. SYN. : v. and n. Barter, exchange.

4187

SWARD

SWATH

sward (sword), n. Land covered with
short grass ; turf. (F. gazon, pelouse.)

Swarded (sword' ed, adj.], or swardy
(sword' i, adj.], means grassy or turfy.

A.-S. swear d hide, rind, skin (the original
meaning), covering ; cp. Dutch zwoord, G.
schwarte, O. Norse svorth-r skin of the head,
surface or covering of the earth.

sware (swar). This is the archaic past
tense of swear. See swear..

swarm [i] (sworm), n. A large body of
insects, small animals, or people, particularly
when moving about in a disorderly .way ;
a cluster of bees leaving a hive for a new
home, under the direction of the queen ; a
great number of people or things, v-.i. To
collect together in readiness for something ;
to throng or crowd together ; to be very
numerous ; to leave the hive in a swarm.
(F. foule, nuee, essaim, multitude ; grouiller,
s'attrouper, fourmiller, essaimer.}

Swarm. — A swarm of bees from a hive building
combs in the open, which is very unusual.

During a hot summer English gardens are
often infested by swarms, or large numbers,
of ants, and we often read of the damage
done by swarms of locusts. Every bee-
keeper knows the curious habit bees have of
leaving the hive with their queen and re-
maining hanging in a swarm until a new home
is found for them. The Roman Empire
fell to pieces in the fifth century A.D., because
the Emperor's troops were not strong enough
to withstand the swarms of barbarians, who
never ceased to swarm over the frontiers.

In biology, a swarm-cell («.), or swarm-
spore (n.), is a spore having independent
motion ; it is also called a zoospore.

A.-S. swearm ; cp. Dutch zwerm, G. schwarm,
O. Norse svarm-r ; perhaps from root swer to
hum, cp. G. schwirren to buzz, Sansk. svar to
sound Some connect it with swerve to move
wildly. SYN. : n. Crowd, mass, multitude,
throng, v. Cluster, congregate, mass.

swarm [2] (sworm), v.t. To climb (a tree
or post) by clinging to it with arms and legs.
v.i. To climb in this manner. (F. grimper.)

Sometimes at country fairs a prize is
given to anyone who can swarm or climb
up a greasy pole and fetch down something
hanging at the top.

Cp. obsolete E. swarve to climb = swerve.

swarthy (swor' thi), adj. Dark ; dusky ;
having a dark complexion. (F. brun, basand.}

Oriental people usually have swarthy
complexions, and so, in a less degree, have
the inhabitants of certain parts of the south
of Europe. Bright sunshine colours even
a fair complexion swarthily (swor' thi li, adv.],
and at the end of a hot summer many people
show a degree of swarthiness (swor' thi nes,
h.), which they lose in the winter.

Altered from swarty a derivative of M.E.
swart, A.-S. sweart black ; cp. Dutch zwart, G.
schwartz, O.- Norse svart-r, L. sordes dirt, sordidus
dirty. SYN. : Dark, dusky.

swash (swosh), v.i. To make a noise as of
water washing about ; to splash about ;
to bluster, v.t. To strike violently, n. A
washing or splashing of water ; bluster ;
a shoal in a tideway at the mouth of a river.
(F. clapoter, 6clabousser, fanfaronner ; frapper
fort; clapotis, fanfaronnade.)

On some coasts the sea swashes continually
against the foot of the cliffs. Fighting men
of olden times were apt to swash, or lash out,
with their swords on all occasions, and the
air was often rent with the swashing of a
sword against an opponent's buckler. Such
swaggering bullies or bravos were known
as swashbucklers (swosh' buk lerz, n.pl.}.

Some machines have a rod moved up and
down by a swash-plate (n.}, which is a
circular plate mounted slantwise on a re-
volving shaft.

Imitative ; cp. Swed. dialect svasska, Norw.
svakka to make a swashing noise, Swed.
svassa to use bombastic language. See swish.

swastika (swas' ti ka), n. A primitive
symbol in the form of a cross with all its ends
continued at right angles. (F. svastika.)

The origin of the swastika-^whlch is also
known as the fylfot and the gammadion — is
uncertain. It has been found on ancient
remains in Asia Minor, China, Mexico, Peru,
and India, and may be connected with sun
worship. It appears in mediaeval ecclesi-
astical art and in heraldry.

Sansk., belonging to svasti good fortune.

swath (swawth), n. A line or ridge of
grass or grain, cut and thrown together by a
scythe or mowing-machine ; the track cut
by a scythe or mowing-machine in one
course. (F. andain.)

This word is not often used to-day, but
in Shakespeare's " Troilus and Cressida,"
Nestor describes the " strawy Greeks " as
falling before the sword of Hector " like the
mower's swath " (v, 5).

A.-S. swaeth, swathu footprint, track ; cp.
Dutch zwad, G. schwad. The original meaning
was perhaps a shred. See swathe. «

4188

SWATHE

SWEAT

swathe (swath], v.t. To bind or wrap in a
bandage, cloth, or the like. n. A bandage ;
a band ; a wrapping. (F. emmailloter ;
bandage.}

A.-S. swathian, from swath- bandage, shred,
piece of cloth. SYN. : v. Envelop, enwrap,
swaddle, n. Baniage, fold.

sway (swa), v.i. To
move backwards and
forwards ; to swing ; to
waver or be unsteady.
v.t. To cause to waver or
swing ; to direct the
course of ; to control ; to
influence; to prejudice.
n. Rule or control ; the
act of swinging or sway-
ing. (F. osciller, balancer,
vaciller ; . ballotter, bran-
ler, gouverner, r eg i r ,
influencer ; empire, oscil-
lation.}

The sway, or rule, of
the King extends all
over the British Empire.
Trees sway when there is
a strong wind blowing,
and sometimes we are
swayed, or led to alter
our opinions, by the talk
of a friend.

A horse that has
its back hollowed or
strained by carrying too
heavy a load is de-
scribed as being sway-
backed (adj.}, or swayed (swad, adj.}.

Perhaps Low G. swajen. See swag. SYN. :
v. Fluctuate, .influence, oscillate, vacillate, n.
Authority, dominion, influence, suzerainty.

swear (swar), v.i. To affirm or make a
solemn declaration with an appeal to God
or some sacred being in confirmation ; to
take an oath ; to give evidence on oath ; to
promise on oath ; to use profane language.
v.t. To affirm, declare, or promise with an
oath or a solemn appeal to God for the
truth of what is said ; to cause to take an
oath ; to bind by an oath ; to utter pro-
fanely, p.t. swore (swor) — archaic, swa.re
(swar); p. p. sworn (sworn). (F.jurer, prefer
serment, sacrer ; jurer, assermenter.}

Witnesses in a court of law are required
to swear that their evidence is " the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."
A person telling an unlikely tale may be
asked if he will swear, or make a solemn
declaration, as to its truth. In early feudal
times every vassal was required to swear
allegiance to his lord before taking possession
of his lands, and, having sworn, was obliged
to support his lord, even against the king.

It is the custom to-day to swear in, that is,
administer an oath to, 'all sailors, soldiers,

Swathe. — A woman of Brittany, France, hold-
ing her baby, swathed like a papoose.

confidence. A person swears off bad habits

if he states solemnly that he gives them up.

One who swears, in any sense, is a swearer

(swar' er, n.), but more especially this word

means one given to the use of bad language.

A.-S. swerian ; cp. Dutch zweren, G. schworen,

O. Norse sverja. The original sense seems to

have been to speak (cp.

answer] ; perhaps akin to

swarm.

sweat (swct), n. A
moisture given off from
the skin of an animal
body ; moisture forming
on cold surfaces ; the
act of sweating ; toil or
exertion ; a state of
anxiety or panic, v.i.
To give off moisture
from the pores of the
skin ; to give off mois-
ture ; to toil ; to be in
a state of anxiety or
panic, v.t. To cause to
sweat ; to ooze ; to
make (people) work for
miserably low wages ;
to subject (people) to
extortion; to join
(soldered parts) by heat-
ing ; to ferment (hides,
tobacco, etc.). (F. sueur,
peine, transe ; transpirer,
suer, suinter, trimer ; faire
suer, exploiter, souder,
faire fermenter.}
All healthy persons sweat when heated by
exertion. Fear sometimes makes us break
out in a cold sweat. The walls of a new house
often sweat, or give off moisture, some
months after the plaster is seemingly dry.
Dishonest people sweat coins by shaking
them in a greased leather bag. The particles
of metal chipped off stick to the grease and
are melted out of it. If we are asked to under-
take a specially difficult or hard task we
may say it is a great sweat.

One who or that which sweats or causes to
sweat in any sense of the word is a sweater
(swef er, n.}. Of recent years laws have been
passed to ensure the payment of a fair wage
to workers in most trades, and sweaters of
labour are now happily rare. The garment
called a sweater is a woollen jersey worn
before and after games to prevent chills.
A vapour-bath for causing profuse sweat
is sometimes called a sweating-bath (n.}.
In a Turkish bath a sweating-room (n.} is a
room heated with hot air so as to cause
sweat ; in a cheese* factory it is a room for
sweating the moisture from cheeses. A
sweating-iron (n.) is an instrument used for
scraping the sweat from horses.

An epidemic form of malaria that appeared

airmen, and magistrates and most public first in England in 1485, was called the

officials, before they enter on their duties.
A man may be said to swear by people, firms,
and articles in which he expresses great

sweating- sickness (77.). The same name is
now given to an epidemic which occurs in
India, allied to the worst form of cholera.

4189

SWEDE

SWEET

A life of ease and idleness may be said to
be sweatless (swef les, adj.). Hard, physical
exercise usually makes us sweaty (swef i,
adj.). To work sweatily (swef i li, adv.) is to
work so as to be moist with sweat. A
person in a state of sweatiness (swef i nes,
n.) should always rub himself down with a
rough towel to avoid getting a chill.

A.-S. swaetan (v.), from swat (n.) ; cp. Dutch
sweet, G. schweiss, O. Norse sveiti, L. suddre (v.),
Gr. idiein (v.), Sansk. svid (v.). SYN. : n. Fatigue,
heat, labour, perspiration, v. Exude, ooze,
perspire.

Swede (swed), n. A native of Sweden ;
swede, a Swedish turnip. (F. suedois, rutabaga.}

Swedes, or Swedish turnips, are largely
cultivated in England for cattle-food, and
are sometimes served as a table vegetable.

From Swed. Svi-ar ; the d is explained by A.-S.
Sweo-theod, O. Norse Svl-thjoth Swedish people ;
cp. Dutch Zweed, G. Schwede, F. Sue'dois.

Swedenborgian (sweden bor'ji an), adj.
Of or relating to the teachings of Emanuel
Swedenborg. n. A follower of his teaching.
(F. swedenborgien.)

Swedenborg (1688-1772) was a celebrated
Swedish scientist, philosopher, and theologian.
He claimed that God had commissioned him
to disclose the spiritual sense of the Scriptures
by a reconciliation of natural and spiritual
things. He also stated that his soul had
been allowed to enter heaven, hell, and the
intermediate state between them.

The New Jerusalem Church, which accepts
Swedenborgianism (swe den bor' ji an izm,
n.) as Swedenborg 's religious teaching is
called, was started in 1787, and has grown
steadily, especially in America.

Swedish (swe' dish), adj. Of or relating
to Sweden and its people, n. The language
of that country. (F. suedois.}

From E. Swede and suffix -ish ', cp. G.
schwedisch.

Sweep. — Sweeps are used mainly for guiding a
vessel when drifting with the tide.

sweep (swep), v.i. To clean away dirt
and dust with a broom or brush ; to pass
swiftly over or along ; to extend in an
unbroken line or slope ; to move in a stately
manner ; of the eyes, to range over a view or
sight, v.t. To clean with a broom .or
brush ; to traverse swiftly and powerfully ;
to carry away or along with violence ; to
range over ; to survey quickly with the
eye ; to rake with gun- or rifle-fire ; to

drive or push in front ; to touch in passing ;
to propel with sweeps or oars. p.t. and p.p.
swept (swept), n. An act or motion of
sweeping ; a curving stretch of road or
beach ; a wide expanse ; the range or
compass of anything with a sweeping
motion ; violent destruction or riddance ;
a long oar used to move barges or small
ships in a calm ; a pump-handle ; a sweep-
stake ; one who sweeps chimneys. (F. balayer,
voler, s'6tendre, se pavaner ; balayer, ramoner,
parcourir, enlever, embrasser du regard,
enfiler, chasser, effleurer, mener a I'aviron;
balayage, cours, etendue, aviron de galere,
brimbale, poule, ramoneur.)

A strong wind sweeps over a plain ; a
swollen river often sweeps over its bed and
floods the surrounding country. An aval-
anche sweeps all before it, and an epidemic
may sweep off thousands of the population
of a country. An officer directing artillery
fire will first sweep the district with his
eyes through his glasses, and then order
his men to sweep the enemy's lines with
gun-fire.

Butterfly hunters use one kind of sweep-
net (n.) ; poachers drag another kind over
the ground to catch partridges. Fishermen
use a third kind, also called a sweep-seine (n.},
which is a very long kind of seine.

People who take part in a sweepstake
(swep' stak, n.}, which is a method of
gambling, put their money into a common
pool and draw numbered tickets. All the
money is divided among those who draw
the tickets bearing the winning names.

A sweeper (swep' er, n.} is one who sweeps,
or a machine for sweeping, such as a road-
sweeper or carpet-sweeper. A scythe makes
a sweeping (swep' ing, adj.}, in the sense
of a circular, movement. A sweeping state-
ment is comprehensive and general and
covers many points. Things swept up by
a broom, brush, or sweeper are sweepings
(n.pl.) ; we often use this word to mean
refuse or litter. The sweepings of a popu-
lation are its dregs or worst elements.
Some people express their opinions too
sweepingly (swep' ing li, adv.), or widely,
giving them too much sweepingness (swep'
ing nes, «.), the quality or state of being
comprehensive or general.

Probably from A.-S. swdep- modified stem of
' swap an ; cp. G. schweifen to ramble, sweep along,
O. Norse sveipa. See swipe, swoop. SYN. : v.
Brush, clean, dust, rake. n. Clearance, curve,
reach, space.

sweet (swet), adj. Tasting like sugar
or honey ; not sour, bitter or stale ;
having a pleasant smell or sound ; attractive
to the eye ; fresh and wholesome ; pleasing
to the mind ; agreeable ; charming ; pretty.
n. A dish having a sweet taste ; a sweet
person or thing ; (pi.) confectioneries ;
pleasures ; pleasant experiences. adv.
Sweetly. (F. sucre, doux, agreable, frais,
c harm ant ; entremet doux, mignon, sucrerie,
agrement ; doucement.)

4190

SWELL

Most people like to listen to a sweet singer,
that is, one with a sweet, or melodious,
voice. Rest is sweet, or delightful, after a
hard day's work, although work in which
we are interested is itself sweet, or pleasant.
Little children with agreeable manners are
sometimes said to be sweet and are often

SWELL

A sweet-tempered (adj.) person is good-
tempered and lovable. Sugar is used in
enormous quantities to sweeten (swef en,
v.t.) food, that is, make it sweet. Fruits
sweeten (v.i.), or become sweet, as they ripen.
In old days honey was used as a sweetener
(swef en er, n.), or sweetening (swef en

given sweets. Most of them have a sweet ing, n.), that is, a substance which gives

rOOT.h Tna.r IS rhP\7 IllrA C-«7P><^-f-_-f-ac-fi-nrr /liol-./~,o ^-.»r^^-t-»-.^^,^. .*.„ — 1 A. -A. • • i • . i

tooth, that is, they like sweet-tasting dishes
better than savoury ones. Quite small children
often call a sweet a sweety (swef i, n.}.
A sweetmeat (swef met, n.) may be either
an ordinary lollipop, a sweet made almost
entirely of sugar, a chocolate, a sugar plum,
a fruit candied with sugar, etc.

The sweet potato (n.) is
the root of a climbing y :
American plant (Batatas I
batatas) ; the sweet-root I
(n.) is better known as
iiquorice-root ; the sweet-
sop (n.) is a kind of
custard-apple. The sweet-
water (n.) is a variety of
white grape with a sweet,
watery juice; the sweet-
lime (n.) is the fruit of an
Asiatic tree of the Citrus
family ; and the sweeting
(swef ing, n.), is a sweet
and very juicy variety of
apple.

Many plants are sweet-
scented (adj.), that is, give
out a pleasant smell from
their flowers, leaves, stems,
or roots. Among them is
the rose called sweet-brier
(n.) on account of the
fragrance of its leaves.
The sweet- flag (n.), or
sweet- rush (n.), has a
fragrant root, which is used in medicine
and confectionery. The sweet-gale (n.), also
called sweet- willow (n.) and bog myrtle,

Sweet. — An out-of-doors sweetmeat seller
in a town of Syria.

sweetness to what it is mixed with.

Carrots have a sweetish (swef ish, adi.},
that is, a rather sweet, taste; and there is
a sweetishness (swef ish nes, n.), which is
the quality of being sweetish, about the
flavour of a ripe tomato.

Birds sing sweetly (swef li, adv.), that is,
in sweet tones, in the spring,
and fill our gardens and
woods with the sweetness
(swef nes, n.), which is
the sweet nature, of their
songs. The sweetness of
an article of food generally
means its sugar-like taste,
but may mean freshness.

Common Indo - European
word. M.E. swete, also s(w)ole,
A.-S. swete (for swoti-) ; cp.
Dutch zoet, G. suss, Goth.
sut-s, O. Norse soet-r, L. sudvis
(for suadvis), Gr. hedys (for
swadys), Sansk. svddu, from
svad to taste, please, sweeten.
SYN. : adj. Amiable, dulcet,
fragrant, fresh, wholesome.
ANT. : adj. Acid, discordant,
displeasing, fetid, stale, un-
wholesome.

swell (swel), v.i. To
grow larger ; to dilate ; to
expand ; to- increase by
addition ; to rise above
the surrounding level ; to
heave ; to be puffed out ; to bulge ; to
become larger in amount ; figuratively, to
show elation, or to be inflated with rage. v.t.

is valuable for its fragrant leaves. The To increase the size, bulk or strength,

sweet- John (n.) is a narrow-leaved variety
of the sweet-william (n.), a perennial plant,
called by scientists Dianthus barbatus, which
gardeners love on account of the sweet
scent of its flowers.

In almost every garden is found the
sweet-pea (n.), which produces beautiful
flowers of many colours, and is related to
the garden pea. In the spring we eagerly
gather the sweet-violet (n.), or wood- violet.
The sweet- wood (n.), is the true laurel (Laiirus
nobilis), which gives out a peculiar odour
when crushed. The same name is some-
times applied to other * trees and shrubs
of the same family.

The sweetbread (swef bred, n.), which is
the pancreas of a calf or sheep, is eaten as
a delicacy. The word sweetheart (swef
hart, n.) means a lover, either male or

numbers, or intensity of; to inflate, n. The
act of swelling ; gradual increase ; dilation ;
elevation ; rise ; the heave of the sea after
a storm ; a billow ; increase of power or
intensity ; an increase of sound followed
by a decrease ; a swell-organ ; a bulging
part in a surface ; a dandy ; a person of
importance, adj. Showy ; dandified ; dis-
tinguished ; fashionable, p.p. swollen (swo'
len) or swelled (sweld). (F. s'enfler, se
dilater, augmenter, s'elever, se gonfler, faire
saillie, grandir, bouffir d'orgueil, bouffir de
colere ; agmndir, enfler ; gonflement, accroisse-
ment, elevation, houle, renflement, bombement,
gandin, gros bonnet; voyant, elegant, fashion-
able.}

Rivers swell after heavy rain or snow ;
sails swell in a wind ; our hearts may swell,
that is, feel like bursting, with anger or

female ; and to sweetheart (v.i.) is to indulge pride. Extravagance swells expenditure,
in love-making. The sweet-oil (n.) used and immigration swells the population of a
for salads is olive oil. country.

4191

SWELTER

SWILL,

A boy who gets his cap for cricket or
football at school is considered a swell.
Such a one may probably show his import-
ance by wearing swellish (swel' ish, adj.),
that is, somewhat dandified, clothes and bv
putting on a swagger.

One section of a large organ called the
swell-organ (n.) is enclosed in a case named
the swell-box («.)• The front of the box
is made up of a number of pivoted shutters,
each of which is a swell-blind (n.). These,
when closed, make the sound of the pipes
inside almost inaudible. The organist can
open them and so increase the volume of sound
by pressing on a pedal.

The swell mob (n.) i
means well - dressed I
swindlers or pick-
pockets, and swelldom
(swel' dom, n.) means
swells, in the sense of
dandies, collectively, or
the fashionable world.

A heavy blow on the
body causes a swelling
(swel' ing, n.), that
is, a swollen condition,
in the part struck.

A.-S. swellan ; cp. Dutch zwellen, G. schwellen,
O. Norse svella, also Swed. svall swell of the sea,
disturbance. The sense well-dressed r or im-
portant person is derived from the idea of swell-
ing or being puffed up with pride. SYN. : v.
Augment, distend, enhance, inflate, magnify,
wax. ANT. : v. Abate, decrease, diminish, sub-
side, wane.

swelter (swel' ter), v.i. To be oppressed
and faint with heat ; to sweat profusely ;
of the weather, to cause oppression, languor,
or faintness. v.t. To cause to faint ; to
overpower (as with heat), n. A hot or
sweltering condition. (F. Give excede de
chaleur, ruisseler de siteur ; accabler de
chaleur ; chaleur ttouffante.)

We swelter if we have to wear heavy-
clothes in hot weather, but blazing
sunshine which swelters us
delights our visitors from India
and other hot countries. The
air just before a heavy thunder-
storm is usually sweltry (swel'tri,
adj.), or oppressively hot. English
people who go to live in the
tropics must be prepared to live
swelter ingly (swel' ter ing li, adv.)
most of the year.

Frequentative of M.E. swelten to
die, A.-S. sweltan to die ; cp. O. Norse
svelta, Goth, swiltan to die, O.H.G.
schwelzan to burn.

swept (swept). This is the
past tense and past participle of sweep.
See sweep.

swerve (swerv), v.i. To turn to one
side ; to leave the regular or proper course.
v.t. To cause to diverge, n. The act of
swerving. (F. faire un ecart ; Barter ; ecart.)

A motor-car sometimes swerves suddenly
to avoid a collision. A person swerves from

Swift. — The common swift, a bird like the swallow,
but related anatomically to the humming-birds.

Swifter. — A swifter fixed
round a boat.

the right path when he does something
wrong.

In cricket some bowlers are able to make
the ball swerve in the air. A ball that does
this is called a swerver (swerv' er, n.). In
Rugby football, a player who suddenly
changes his direction to avoid being tackled,
is said to swerve, and the act is a swerve.

A.-S. sweorfan to scrub, file (hence to turn
aside rapidly) ; cp. Dutch swerven to swerve, rove.
Dan. svirre to whirl round, Icel. sverfa to file.
Swed. svarfva to turn. SYN. : v. Deviate, diverge.
swift (swift), adj. Moving with great
speed ; rapid ; fleet ; quick ; ready ;

_ prompt ; coming or

passing quickly ; brief.
adv. Swiftly. n. A
swallow-like bird be-
longing to the genus
Cypselus, especially
the common swift (C.
apus) ; a genus of swift-
flying moths. (F.
rapide, vite, vif,
prompt, soudain ; vite ;
martinet, hepiale.)

The race is not always
to the swift, staying
power and perseverance being sometimes as
valuable as swiftness (swift/ nes, n.), or
fleetness. So swift is the greyhound that
it can outrun a hare, swift-heeled (adj.) or
speedy as the latter may be. Swift trial
and punishment are meted out to the spy
caught in war-time. In James (i, 19), the
apostle writes : " let every man be swift
to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."

One of our kings, the son of Canute, was
called Harold Harefoot because he ran so
swiftly (swiff li, adv.), or was swift-footed
(adj.). Swift-winged (adj.) or swift-handed
(adj.) vengeance is that which speedily
overtakes its victim, and, in poetical language,
swift-winged nights are those which pass
quickly.

The bird known as a swift
gets its name from the rapidity
of its flight, a small species being
called the swiftlet (swiff let,
n.). The quick-flying moths
that belong to the genus
Hepialus are popularly called
swifts. One kind, the ghost-
moth, is noted for hovering and
swaying over one spot.

Sailors give the name of swifter
(swiff er, n.) to a rope used to
fasten, hold, or tighten something,
and to a fender round a boat.

A.-S. swift, from swlfan to move
quickly ; cp. O. Norse svlfa to sweep, turn, rove,
E. sweep, swoop. Final/ is an adj. suffix. SYN. :
adj. Prompt, quick, rapid, ready, speedy. ANT: :

adj.

adj. Slow, tardy.

swill (swil), v.t. To rinse ; to flush
(out) ; to cause water to flow over ; to
drink greedily, v.i. To run freely ; to flow
over a surface ; to drink to excess, n.

4192

SOME FINE SWIMMERS AMONG THE LOWER ANIMALS

Swimmer. — The twelve swimmers illustrated are as follows : 1. Manatee. 2. Hammer-headed shark.

3. Edible frog. 4. Darter, seen below the surface. 5. Darter following its prey. 6. Otter. 7. Trout.

8. Red-breasted merganser. 9. Sea-lion. 10. Sea-horse. 11. Polar bear. 12. Moose.

-Facina Page 4193.

SWIM

SWINE

Hog-wash ; semi-liquid food for animals, Many people learn how to swim by taking

especially swine. (F. rincer, laver a grande lessons in a swimming-bath (n.), which is a
eau, wonder, boire avidement ; couler, dd- pool, either under cover or in the open, large

border, s'enivrer; lavure d'dcuelles.)

enough to swim in. Some may be glad of

Dishes after being washed are rinsed or the aid of a swimming-belt (n.), which

swilled in cold water. The sink may be serves to keep them afloat. Affairs go on

swilled out when the task is finished by swimmingly (swim' ing li, adv.) when they

letting water from the tap swill or flow go forward easily,
over it.

Kitchen slops or refuse, known as swill or

swillings (swil' ingz, n.pl.}, are often collected

A.-S. swimman ; cp. Dutch zwemmen, O.H.G.
swimman, G. schwimmen, O. Norse svimma. For
the sense of being giddy ; cp. A.-S. swlma

and used, mixed with meal, for pig-food. A dizziness, giddiness, Dutch zwijm, G. schwindel
person who swills, or guzzles, drinking dizziness, schwinden to disappear, O. Norse
grossly and greedily, may be described as
a swiller (swir er, n.).

A.-S. swillian to wash ; cp. swill swillings,
hogwash (hence to drink like a pig), also an
excessive amount of liquor. SYN. : v. Pour
rinse, wash.

swim (swim), v.i. To float on or in
a liquid ; to move
through the water by
making strokes with
arms and legs, tail,
fins, wings, etc. ; to
go along smoothly
or glidingly ; to be
drenched or flooded
(with liquid) ; to
appear to whirl ; to
have a reeling sen-
sation ; to feel dizzy.
v.t. To traverse or
accomplish by swim-
ming ; to compete thus
in (a race) ; to compete
with thus ; to cause (a
horse, etc.) to swim ;

svimi dizziness, svina to subside, disappear. In

this sense the word is perhaps of different origin.

SYN. : v. Float. ANT. : v. Sink.

swindle (swin7 dl), v.t. and i. To

defraud or cheat grossly, n. A fraudulent

scheme ; the act of swindling ; a deception.

(F. escroquer ; escroquerie.)

^^^^^ This word is used

•"-^fc-"' for those who cheat

people by tricks or
by misrepresentations,
swindling money out
of them perhaps by
selling them articles
that are worthless.
Fraudulent aclvertise-
ments, by which dis-
honest people sought
to swindle the public,
were once not infre-
quent. Reputable ad-
vertisers and the news-
papers have combined

Swim.— A swimmer swimming in the sea. to make things hard

for those who thus

to float (a ship, etc.). n. A spell of swim- sought to obtain money by a swindle, or

ming ; a part of a stream where fish are swindlingly (swin7 dling li, adv.], so that a

numerous; the main current of business, swindler (swin7 dler, n.) of this kind is now

public affairs, etc. p.t. swam (swam) ; p.p. seldom met with.

swum (swum). (F. flatter, nager, filer, fare G. schwindeln to be dizzy, act recklessly,
trempe, avoir des vertiges, tourner ; traverser • swindle, schwindler swindler, from O.H.G. suintan

a la nage, faire nager, lancer; tour de to waste away. See swim. SYN. : v. Cheat,

natation, mouvement des affaires.

defraud, n. Cheat, deception, fraud.

Horses and dogs swim with their limbs ; swine (swin), n. A pig ; a hog ; any

fishes with their fins and tails. Certain flat- animal belonging to the family Suidae,

fish swim along by moving the body with especially to the genus Sus ; a greedy,

a curious undulating motion. Some birds bestial person, pi. swine (swin). (F. pore,

use their wings when swimming under pourceau, cochon.)

water. When a horseman swims his horse Swine may be described as omnivorous

across a stream he may swim beside it. animals, since they feed on substances of

Emotion makes the eyes swim with tears. a varied nature and are not disposed to be

Weakness may cause the head to swim, so dainty or particular in their food. Swine

that one feels dizzy, and has a whirling or are turned into beech or oak forests to feed

reeling sensation, things appearing to swim On the mast or acorns. A person who tended

before one's eyes.

The swim-bladder (n.), or sound, of a fish
is an air-bladder which enables it to rise

swine was called a swine-herd (n.).

People of piggish or gluttonous habits
are said to be swinish (swm7 ish, adj.), or

or sink in the water. Some streams are to behave swinishly (swin' ish li, adv.) ', con-

swimmable (swim7 abl, adj.), or capable ol duct of this kind is described as swinishness

being swum, only by a powerful swimmer (swin7 ish nes, n.).

(swim7 er, n.). A "swimmeret (swim7 er et, n.) Swine are apt to suffer from an infectious
of a crustacean is one of several members with disease of the lungs, called swine-fever (n.)
which it propels itself through the water. or swine-plague (n.) ; the disease known
A jelly-fish swims by opening and closing its as swine -pox (ft.) is a form of chicken-
conspicuous umbrella-like swimming-bell (n.). pox. The truffle is called swine-bread (n.)

4193

SWING

SWIPE

move with

or sow-bread, because greatly relished by overhead, in which a pair of persons swing
swine ; the dandelion is called swine's- themselves by pulling alternately at ropes.

One type of bridge, called a swing-bridge
(n.), is pivoted at one end, and is free to
swing horizontally through a quarter-circle.
When swung across a waterway, road
vehicles may use it ; when it swings back
to allow ships to pass gates swing to and
bar the roadway. A swing-plough («.) is

_j a plough without wheels.

A swinger (swing' er, n.)
is one who swings himself
or another, or who causes
things to swing or oscillate.
Children like to swing from
the handles of a giant
stride, or swing one another
in a swing rigged up for
them. A song goes swing-
ingly (swing' ing li, adv.),
that is, with a swing, when
sung in a lively way, in
good time ; a vigorous
walker goes along swing-

snout (n.) from the shape of the receptacle
to which its plumed seeds are attached.

A.-S. swln (sing, and pi.) ; cp. Dutch zwijn, G.
schwein, O. Norse svin, originally an adjective
form, akin to L. sulnus pertaining to swine,
from sits pig. See sow [2]. SYN. : Hog, pig.

swing (swing), v.i. To
an oscillating or to-and-
fro motion when suspended
or fixed by a point or
side ; to sway ; to oscillate ;
to rock ; to wheel ; to hang
so as to be free to sway
or oscillate ; to turn about |
a centre ; to use a swing ;
to move with an easy,
swaying gait. v.t. To cause
to move to and fro, oscil-
late, sway, or vibrate ; to
suspend ; to wheel (a com-
pany, etc.) ; to cause to
turn as on a pivot or about
a centre ; to wave ; to
brandish ; to cause to
move to and fro while
seated in a swing; to
dangle (the legs, etc.). p.t.
swung (swung) or, rare,
swang (swang) ; p.p. swung.
n. The act of swinging ;
an oscillation ; a swinging
movement ; the extent or
duration of this; a
pendulum-like tendency to alternation of
movement, vacillation ; free course ; a
swaying gait ; a seat slung on ropes ; a spell

Swing. — A girl enjoying herself on a
swing erected in a garden.

A.-S. swingan to scourge,
flutter ; cp. G. schwingen to
soar, swing, brandish, Swed.
svinga to swing, whirl. SYN. :
v. Hang, oscillate, suspend,
sway, vibrate, n. Oscillation,
vacillation.

swinge (swinj), v.t. To
strike hard ; to beat. (F.
cingler, etriller.)
This word is an old-fashioned word, not
often used nowadays. We sometimes talk,
in a colloquial way, of a swingeing (swinj'

of swinging in this. (F. se balancer, osciller, ing, adj.), or thumping victory, and a jury

in a libel case is said to award swingeing
damages to a plaintiff when they award
him a large sum.

A.-S. swengan to shake, causal of swingan
to swing. See swing.

swingingly (swing' ing li), adv.t In a
swinging manner : liltingly ; easily. See
under swing.

swingle (swing' gl), n. A wooden instru-
ment used to beat flax and separate the fibre

vibrer, pendiller, tournoyer ; faire osciller,
faire vibrer, tonrner, agiter, brandir, se
balancer; balancement, oscillation, va et
vient, courbe decrite, vacillation, balancoire.)

A pendulum of just over 39 inches in
length swings once a second. Its swing
may be made long or short in sweep, but
the duration is not affected. A pendulum
is swung or suspended by a flexible spring.

A ship swings at her anchor when she

moves round it with the tide or current. from the woody part. v.t. To clean (llax)

A good walker swings along at four miles
an hour, and swings his arms rhythmically
as he goes. An officer wheels or swings
his company into line, the company swinging
or wheeling round to face the new direction.
A factory is said to be in full swing when
all sections of it are working.

In golf, the to-and-fro movement of
the club in preparing to strike the ball

by beating it with a swingle. (F. battre
le lin.)

The swingle was a sword-shaped imple-
ment with which the workman beat the
flax when swingling it. The coarser part of
the flax fibre obtained by swingling is called
swingling-tow (n.). This process is now
carried out by machinery.

The swingle-bar (n.) or swingle-tree (n.) of

is called swing, a term also applied to a a cart or of a plough is a cross-bar, pivoted at
similar movement of the bat or racket in
other sports.

The swing-back (n.) of a camera is an
arrangement which enables the plate to
be kept upright when the lens is pointed
upwards or downwards. Many visitors to
fairs take a ride in a swing-boat (n.), a
boat shaped carriage swinging from a frame

the middle, to which the traces are attached.

M.E. swingle, M. Dutch suringhel ; cp. A.-S.
swingele whip, instrumental n. from swing.

swinish (swln' ish). For this word,
swinishness, etc., see under swine.

swipe (swfp), v.t. To give a very hard
or reckless hit at (a cricket ball, etc.) ; to
slog ; of anchors, to raise or drag up ; to

4194

SWIRL

SWITCH

drink greedily or at a gulp. v.i. To make
such a hit ; to slog. n. A very hard or
reckless hit or endeavour to hit (at cricket,
etc.) ; a slog.

This word is used chiefly in cricket.
Swipes (swlps, n.pl.} is a term for inferior
beer, or for beer generally.

A.-S. swipian to beat, akin to sweep. SYN. :
v. and n. Slog.

swirl (swerl), v.i. To form eddies ; to
whirl about, v.t. To carry (along, etc.) with
an eddying motion, n. An eddy ; a whirling
motion ; the swift rush of a fish, or a vessel,
through water ; the disturbance so caused;
(F. tourbillonner, tournoyer ; emporter en tour-
billon; tourbillon, tournoiement.)

In his " Water Babies," Kingsley speaks
of fish swirling or rushing at a fly as an oar-
blade swirls in a boat-race. At the foot of a
waterfall, or where currents meet, swirls or
eddies are formed in the water, and objects
are swirled round or swirled down stream by
the current.

Of Sc. origin. Cp. Norw. svirla to
whirl, frequentative of sverra, Swed.
svirra, G. schwirren to whiz, whirr.
SYN. : v. Eddy, whirl, n. Eddy.

swish (swish), v.i. To make
a whistling or rustling noise in
cutting the air ; to move with
such a noise, v.t. To make this
movement with (a cane, etc.) ;
to cut (off) with such a move-
ment ; to flog with the birch.
n. A whistling sound of, or as of,
a cane or lash passing swiftly
through the air ; a stroke with
a birch, cane, etc. (F. siffler ;
faire siffler, cingler, fouetter ;
sifflement, coup de verges.}

In the days when corporal
punishment was more frequent
boys were swished with the birch,
and the swish or noise made by its passage
through the air, like the swish of the cane
in use to-day, made its hearers flinch.

Imitative.

Swiss (swis), adj. Of or relating to
Switzerland, n. A native or inhabitant of
Switzerland ; the people of that country.
pi. Swiss (swis). (F. suisse ; Suisse.)

Switzerland, 'the territory of the Swiss, is
a mountainous country lying between France,
Germany, Italy and Austria, with an area
of about sixteen thousand square miles. The
Swiss Confederation comprises twenty-two
cantons, or states, and the languages spoken
vary in different districts, so that a Swiss
may speak German, French, or Italian.

Swiss soldiers were formerly employed as
body-guards to various European courts.
The Papal Guard, or Swiss Guard, at the
Vatican consists of Swiss officers and men.

F. Suisse, M.H.G. Swiz, from the canton
Schwyz.

switch (swich), n. A pliant twig or shoot
cut from a tree ; a tapering rod ; an artificial
tress of hair tied at one end and used in

hairdressing ; a device used to connect and
disconnect railway lines, etc., and so divert
trains from one track to another ; a device
for completing or breaking an electric circuit,
or for transferring current from one circuit
to another, v.t. To beat with a switch ; to
whisk or snatch ; to turn or swing round
suddenly ; to divert (a train) from one track
on to another ; to turn (on or off) or transfer
to another circuit with a switch, v.i. In
telephoning, to cut off connexions. (F.
baguette, tresse, aiguille, commutateur ; fouetter,
enlever vitement, tourner vitement, aiguiller',
garer ; couper.)

One who drives cattle may cut a switch
from the hedge with which to urge them on.
Children are switched, or punished by blows
from a switch, or thin stick. A woman who,
through illness, is obliged to have her tresses
cut, may get them made up by a hairdresser
into a switch, which she can use until her hair
grows long again. We switch on electric

Switch-board. — The high-frequency switch-board of the powerful
broadcasting station at Zeesen, near Berlin, Germany.

light or power by a turn of the switch, or
switch on our wireless apparatus.

At a telephone exchange each group of
lines is connected to a switch-board (n.),
so that the operator may interconnect one
subscriber's line with another, switching on
a user to the person with whom he desires to
converse, and switching him off when he
has completed his conversation. Switch-
boards of special construction are used in
power stations. A cow switches or whisks
its tail to and fro to switch away flies.

One of the chief attractions at some
amusement fairs is the switchback (swich'
bak, n.), which is an elevated train that
travels by its own momentum in a series
of dips and inclines.

Railway tracks are provided with switches
at cross-overs and sidings. Switches or
points are manipulated by a switch-man (n.),
or pointsman.

Of Flem. or Low G. origin ; cp. M. Dutch swick
whip, Low G. swutsche, zwukse a thin rod,
zwuksen to swish. See swish, twitch. SYN.: n.
Rod, shoot, tress, twig. v. Divert, turn.

4195

SWIVEL

SWORD

past

swivel (swiv' 1), n. A device comprising
a ring and pivot, or other mechanism, used
to connect two parts in such a way that one
can revolve freely ; a support allowing free
motion horizontally, v.t. and i. To turn on
or as on a swivel. (F. tourniquet; pivoter.}

In a common type of swivel a
link is furnished with a headed
pin or stud, which passes through
a loop of the adjacent link. The
hook on a dog-lead is connected
with the strap by a swivel, so that
the hook may be revolved with-
out twisting the strap.

A turn-table swivels round its
central support, and rowlocks are
often made to swivel or turn on
a pivot. A swivel-gun (n.) is a
gun mounted in a pivoted crutch,
which allows it to be swivelled
or turned in any direction. A gun
of this kind is used in wild-fowl
shooting on our rivers and broads.

Most cranes lift their loads with a swivel-
hook (n.), the shank of which turns in an eye
attached to the lifting rope or chain ; a
swivel- joint (n.) between two parts allows
one to turn while the other is stationary.

A.-S. swlfan to move rapidly, to revolve ; cp.
Icel. sveifla to spin round. Akin to swift.

swob (swob). This is an old spelling
of swab. See swab.

swollen (swo' len). This is the
participle of swell. See swell.

swoon (swoon), v.i. To sink into a faint-
ing fit. n. A faint; syncope. (F. s'evanouir;
evanouissement, syncope.}

M.E. swounen, swoghenen, from A.-S. geswogen
senseless (from a swoon) p.p. of swogan to move
noisily, sough, sigh. See sough. SYN. : v. and
n. Faint.

swoop (swoop), v.i. To come (down)
with a rush, as a bird of prey ; to descend
or rush swiftly upon prey ; to make a sudden
attack from a distance, v.t. To dash upon and
seize while on the wing ; to snatch (up).
n. A swooping movement ; a sudden attack ;
a sudden snatching or carrying off of many
things at once. (F. s'abattre, fondre ; happer
au vol ; action de fondre, coup.}

A peregrine will sometimes swoop upon a
grouse or pheasant which has been wounded
by a sportsman, and carry it away. In
Shakespeare's " Macbeth " (iv, 3), Macduff
laments that he has lost his wife and children
at one fell swoop, slaughtered by Macbeth's
soldiers.

A.-S. swdpan to sweep along ; cp. G. schweifen
to rove, ramble, O. Norse sveipa to swoop, sweep.
See sweep. SYN. : v. and n. Plunge, pounce, snatch.

swop (swop). This is another form of
swap. See swap.

sword (sord), n. A weapon of offence,
consisting of a sharp-edged blade of metal
set in a hilt, and used for cutting or thrusting,
or both ; military power ; sovereignty ;
destruction by the sword ; war ; death.
(F. epee, glaive.}

Swords are among the most ancient of
weapons, and are of many shapes. Bronze
Age swords were leaf-shaped, with a small
grip. Those of the ancient Greeks and Romans
were short, straight, and double-edged
weapons, adapted for thrusting.

Modern swords include the scimitar, a
curved Eastern weapon with its cutting edge
on the convex part, and the sabre, a heavy
cavalry weapon having a blade with a strong
back, adapted both for thrusting and cutting.
The court sword of to-day is a rapier.

The sword was at one time the most
important weapon of the soldier. It is a
symbol of military might and power, the
emblem of judicial authority, and also of
sovereign power vested in the king.

On the dome of the Central Criminal Court,
London, stands a great gilded figure of
Justice holding up in her right hand the
sword of justice.

The Lord Mayor of London, the chief
City magistrate, has his sword-bearer (n.},
who, with the bearer of the mace, precedes
him when he attends the sessions. A sword
of state is borne before a sovereign on
ceremonial occasions.

The expression, fire and sword, means
rapine, or the destruction wrought by
invaders. In the fierce and bloodthirsty
warfare of long ago, many of the populace,
together with captured soldiers, were put to
the sword, or slaughtered, by victors,
especially if a lengthy resistance had been
made by the vanquished. Since a sword
is usually wielded in the right hand, the
sword-arm (n.) means the right arm, and the
sword-hand (n.) the right hand.

Sword. — A bride and bridegroom cutting their
wedding-cake with a sword.

A sword-bayonet (n.} is a bayonet with a
sword-shaped blade. A sword is hung from
a sword-belt (n.) ; its blade is a sword-blade
(n.) ; a cut made with a sword, or the scar
it leaves, is a sword-cut (n.). The hand of
one who uses a sword is protected by a
sword-guard (n.) on the hilt ; a knot or tassel
of ribbons attached to the hilt is called a
sword-knot (n.). A sword-cane (n.), or
sword-stick (n.}, is a cane, hollow for the

4196

SWORE

SYGONIUM

greater part of its length, enclosing and
serving as a sheath for a long, pointed blade.

Fencing with swords is sword-play (n.) ;
one who takes part in it is a sword-player (n.),
or swordsman (sordz' man, n.) ; and the
skill with which he handles his weapon is
swordsmanship (sordz' man ship, n.).
Figuratively a smart interchange of repartee
or argument is called sword-play.

A person carrying or armed with a sword
is sworded (sord' ed, adj.). Modern soldiers
are for the most part swordless (sord' les,
adj.), that is, without swords, though they
carry a more or less swordlike (sord' Ilk,
adj.) bayonet. The armour worn by knights
was designed to be swordproof (sord' proof,
adj.) — that is, able to resist cuts or thrusts
from a sword.

One kind of sword-dance (n.) is a dance
performed by one or two people over two
swords laid crosswise on the ground. Another
is a dance in which the male dancers clash
their swords together.

A South American species of humming-
bird is called the sword-bill (n.), on account
of its long sword-shaped (adj.) bill.

One of the most
formidable of sea-fish
is the sword-fish (n.),
which has its upper
jaw lengthened into a
smooth, horny spike,
sometimes three feet
long. The European
species, Hippias gla-
dius, is occasionally
taken in British
waters. Whales and
large fish form the
prey of the sword-fish,
these being pierced
and killed by its
swordlike weapon.

Among plants
named after the sword are the sword-flag
(n.) — the yellow flag or marsh flag — and the
sword-lily (n.), or gladiolus. Sword-grass
(n.) is a name given to sedges and other
plants with sword-shaped leaves ; the. sword-
bean (n.) — Canavalia ensiformis — is a
climbing leguminous plant with curved
scimitar-shaped pods about a foot long. It
grows in tropical countries.

A.-S. sweord ; cp. Dutch zwaard, G. schwert,
O. Norse sverth. SYN. : Blade, brand, death,
steel.

swore (swor). This is the past tense and
sworn (sworn) the past participle of swear.
See swear.

swum (swum). This is the past participle
of swim. See swim.

swung (swung). This is the past tense
and past participle of swing. See swing.

Sybarite (sib' a rit), n. An inhabitant of
Sybaris, an ancient Greek colony in south
Italy, noted for the effeminacy and luxury
of its people ; (sybarite) an effeminate and
luxurious person. (F. sybarite.)

Sword-fish. — With its long and spiky upper jaw a
sword-fish will attack a whale.

Sybaris, situated on the Gulf of Tarentum,
was founded by emigrants from Greece in
the eighth century B.C. ; the city was famed
for its luxury and riches.

One who is effeminate and leads a life of
luxury is now called a sybarite, or said to
be sybaritic (sib a rit' ik, adj.] in his ways,
this manner of life being described as
sybaritism (sib' a rit izm, n.).
L. Sybarlta, Gr. Sybarites.
sybil (sib' il). This is an incorrect form
of sibyl. See sibyl.

sycamine (sik' a min), n. The black
mulberry-tree (Morus nigra). (F. murier
noir.)

L. sycamlnus, Gr. sykamlnon, probably from
Heb. shiqmah (pi . shiqmlm) sycamore.

sycamore (sik' a mor), n. A bushy fig-tree
(Ficus sycomorus) of Egypt and Syria ; a
timber tree, Acer pseudoplatanus, allied to
the maple. (F. sycamore, faux platane.)

The Egyptian sycamore, or sycamore-fig
(n.), is a tree common in Palestine. Its
fruit is inferior in flavour to and is smaller
than that of the common fig.

The British tree known as the sycamore,
or sycamore - maple
(n.), is a fairly large
one, with a straight,
smooth trunk and
spreading branches.
Its leaves have five
lobes. The wood,
which is firm and of a
fine grain, takes a high
polish, and is used for
cabinet work a»d
many other purposes.

Formerly sycamore.
L. sycomorus, Gr.
sykomoros, as if fig-
mulberry (from sykon
fig, moron mulberry) ,
but probably of Semitic
origin, as sycamine.
syce (sis), n. In India, a groom.
Hindustani from Arabic sais.
sycee (si se"), n. Ingots of silver used in
China as a medium of exchange.

Sycee — or to use the full name, sycee
silver (n.) — bears the stamp of an assayer or
banker, denoting its weight and purity. Its
value is reckoned in Chinese taels, and
varies with the current price of silver.

Chinese sai sze fine silk, because when pure it
can be drawn out into fine threads.

sychnocarppus (sik no kar' pus), adj.
In botany, bearing fruit several times before
dying ; perennial.

From Gr. sykhnos frequent, karpos fruit ; E-ows.

syconium (si ko' ni um ; si ko' ni um), n.

A multiple fruit, like that of the fig. pi.

syconia (si ko' ni a ; si ko' ni a), syconus

(si ko'mis; siko'nus) — pi. syconi (si ko' ni ;

si ko' ni) — has the same meaning. (F. sycone.)

This type of fruit consists of a hollow

receptacle containing a number of very

small flowers which produce tiny ovaries.

Modern L. from Gr. sykon fig.

4197

SYCOPHANT

SYLLOGISM

sycophant (sik7 6 fant), n. A flatterer; a
parasite ; a toady. (F. sycophanie, flagorneur,
leche-pieds.)

In ancient Greece the word sycophant
was used of a person who gave information
against people who broke the laws of the
state, and so came to have its later
meaning of one who seeks to gain favour.
Sycophancy (sik7 6 fan si, n.) means flattery
or toadying. Meanly obsequious or cringing
flattery is said to be sycophantic (sik 6 fan'
tik, adj.), or sycophantish (sik7 6 fan tish,
adj.) behaviour.

L. sycophanta, Gr. sykophantes, from sykon fig,
phainein to show, but no certain explanation of
the name has been suggested. It has possibly
something to do with the sacred fig-trees. SYN. :
n. Flatterer, toady.

syenite (si'enit), n. A granular crystalline
rock, composed of feldspar, hornblende, and
often mica, with or without quartz. (F.
syenite.)

The granite from Syene in Upper Egypt,
which contains hornblende, was originally
called syenite, but the name is now applied
to igneous rocks, consisting essentially of
dominant feldspar, which are commonly
classed, as syenitic (si e nit' ik, adj.}.

syl-. This is a form of the prefix syn.
See syn-.

syllable (sir abl), n. ,
A single sound forming
a word or part of a word
and containing a vowel
sound with or without
consonants ; the smallest
particle or least amount
of speech, v.t. To pro-
nounce by syllables ; to
utter. (F. syllabe;
syllaber.)

A syllable must con-
tain a vowel or vowel
sound, as /, but need not
contain a consonant,
although many syllables
consist of a vowel and
one or more conson-
ants. It is sometimes
said of someone who
will not divulge informa-
tion that we cannot get
a syllable from him.
Syllabled (sil'abld, adj.)
means having syllables.
The words /, at and
strength are one-sylla-
bled, or mono-syllabic.

To pronounce or arti-
culate by syllables is
to syllabize (sir a biz, v.t.) this action or

Process being called syllabification (si lab i
ka7 shim, n.). Syllabic (si lab7 ik, adj.)
means consisting of a syllable or syllables,
and is opposed to alphabetic. Our language
is alphabetic, but Chinese is syllabic. A
mono-syllabic word is one consisting of one
syllable. To utter words in a syllabic

4198

tlrtlisti Museum

Syllabary. — A Babylonian syllabary, or list
of characters representing syllables.

manner, or syllabically (si lab' ik al li»
adv.) is to articulate or pronounce each
syllable distinctly. A syllabary (sil7 a ba ri,
n.) is a list of characters representing
syllables. In some languages a syllabary
serves as an alphabet.

O.F. sillabe, L. syllaba, Gr. syllabe that which
holds or is taken together and forms a single
sound, from Gr. syl- = syn- together, lambanein
(stem lab-) to take. The last of the three 1's
is intrusive ; cp. E. principle from L. principium.
syllabub (sil7 a bub). This is another
spelling of sillabub. See sillabub.

syllabus (sil7 a bus), n. An abstract
or summary ; an outline ; a table of con-
tents, pi. syllabuses (sil7 a bus ez). (F.
sommaire, abrege, table des matieres.}

A college generally issues a syllabus,
giving an abstract of the main headings
of its courses of instruction. In the
Roman Catholic Church the syllabus is
the summary of points decided by the
Curia, especially a list of heretical doctrines,
practices or institutions appended to the
encyclical of Pius IX in 1864.

See syllable. SYN. : Abstract, summary.
syllepsis (si lep' sis), n. The applica-
tion of a word in two different senses at
once. />/. syllepses (si lep7 sez). (F. syllepse.)
Syllepsis occurs when one word is used
in both a literal and a
metaphorical sense. Of
Charles I Evelyn said
that he was " circled
with his royal diadem
and the affections of his
people." The word
"circled" is here syllep-
tic (si lep7 tik, adj.), and
is used syllepticaliy (si
lep7 tik al li, adv.).

Syllepses occur also in
sentences in which a
verb or adjective refers
to two nouns or pro-
nouns, but only agrees
with one, as in the
sentence "Neither you
nor I was there."

Gr. = taking together,
from syl- = syn- together
lepsis taking (from lam-
banein, fut. leps-omai]

syllogism (sil ' 6
jizm), n. A form of
argument consisting of
three statements, the
third of which depends
on the other two ;
deductive reasoning, as
opposed to inductive reasoning. (F.
syllogisme.)

The following is an example of a syllogism :
" All men must die. The emperor is a man.
Therefore the emperor must die." The
first statement is called the major premise,
the second the minor premise, and the
third the conclusion.

SYLPH

SYMMETRY

To syllogize (sir 6 jlz, v.i.} is to argue
syllogistically (sil 6 jis' tik al li, adv.}. To
syllogize (v.t.) an argument is to put it
into syllogistic (sil 6 jis' tik, adj.) form.

O.F. silogime, sillogisme, L. syllogismus, Gr.
syllogismos reckoning together, reasoning, from
syllogizesthai to reason, from syn with, logos
reason. SYN. : Deduction. ANT. : Induction.

sylph (silf), n. One of a race of beings
or spirits supposed to live in the air ; a
female fairy or spirit ; a graceful and slender
girl or woman ; a name applied to various
species of long-tailed humming-birds. (F.
sylphe, sylphide.)

Sylphs were believed to come between
material and spiritual beings, to be like
human beings in many respects, but without
a soul. Sylph-like (adj.) means like a sylph,
graceful, slender, airy.

F. sylphe, generally
taken to be from Gr.
silphe a kind of beetle,
grub, or moth, but it is
difficult to see the
connexion. The word
was used by Paracelsus,
who perhaps derived it
from sylva (silva) wood,
and nymph. It has also
been connected with
sulevia (of ,Celtic origin)
a guardian spirit among
the Gauls.

sylvan (sir van),
adj. Relating to or
associated with woods
or a wood ; abounding
in woods or trees ;
wooded ; rural ; rustic.
n. A spirit or deity of
the woods ; a wood-
land person or animal ;
a rustic. Another
form is silvan (sil'
van). (F. sylvestre,
boise, champetre ; syl-
vain, campagnard.)

A wooded country scene might be des-
cribed as a sylvan landscape. Sylvahite
(sir van It, n.) is an important ore of gold-,
consisting of gold and silver telluride.
sylvate (sir vat, n.) or silvate (sir vat, n.) is
a salt of silvic (sil' vik, adj.) acid, a colourless
crystalline compound contained in wood-
resin. The science of forestry is sometimes
called sylviculture (sir vi kul chur, n.) or
silviculture (sir vi kul chur, n.).

L. silvdnus belonging to a wood (silva), E.
suffix, -an = L. -anus. SYN. : adj. Rural, rustic,
wooded, woodland, woody. ANT. : Town-like,
urban.

sym-. This is a form of the prefix syn-.
See syh-.

symbion (sim' bi on), n. An organism
living in a kind of partnership with another
for mutual benefit. Another form is sym-
biont (sim' bi ont).

One of the most familiar instances of
this kind of association, which is called

Sylvan. -

symbiosis (sim bi 6' sis, n.}, is seen in lichens,
which consist of colonies of algae and fungi
living together symbiotically (sim bi of ik
al li, adv.), or in a symbiotic (sim bi of ik,
adj.) way, each supplying some needs of the
other.

Gr. symbion (gen. -ont-os) neuter pres. p. of
symbioein to live with, from syn with, bios life.
symbol (sim' bol), n. An object taken
to represent an idea or quality ; an emblem ;
a letter, character, or the like used as the
conventional sign of some object, process,
etc. ; in chemistry, an abbreviation of
the name of an element ; a creed, v.t. To
symbolize. (F. symbole, embleme ; sym-
boliser.)

The circle is used as the symbol of eternity,
since it has neither beginning nor ending.
The cross is symbolic
(sim bol' ik, adj.) or
symbolical (sim bol' ik
al, adj.) of Christian-
ity, that is, it serves
as a symbol of that
faith. The Trinity
is represented sym-
bolically (sim bol' ik
al li, adv.), or in a
symbolic manner, by
a triangle.

The study of creeds
and the study of the
mystic rites and cere-
monies of antiquity
are sometimes called
symbolics (sim bol' iks,
n.). By symbolism
(sim' bol izm, n.) is
meant either the use
of symbols, a system
of symbols, or sym-
bols generally. The
symbolism used in
chemistry represents
each element by one
letter or two letters
of its name.- Nitrogen has N for its symbol,
nickel Ni, gold Au (short for Latin aurum).
A symbolist (sim' bol ist, n.) is one who
uses symbols or practises symbolism. To
symbolize (sim' bol Iz, v.t.) a thing means
to represent it by a symbol or as a symbol,
or to treat it as symbolic. The colour white
symbolizes purity. We symbolize (v.i.),
that is, use symbols, in many of the
sciences.

The study of symbols is symbology (sim
bol' 6 ji, n.), and the worship of symbols
or the undue veneration of symbols is
symbolatry (sim bol' a tri, n.) or symbolo-
latry (sim bo lol' a tri, n.).

F. symbole, L. symbolum, Gr. symbolon token,
sign, from symballein to bring together, from
sym- = syn- together, ballein to throw, bring.
SYN. : Creed, emblem, sign, token.

symmetry (sim' e tri), n. The due
proportion of the parts of a whole to each
other ; such an arrangement of parts that

"A Fairy Woodland," a sylvan scene.
From the painting 'by E. Parton.

4199

SYMPATHY

SYMPODIUM

those on one side of a line are similar to
those on the other side in size, shape, and

which becomes visible only when heated
or treated with a chemical. A person deals

position ; regularity of form ; in botany, with a situation sympathetically (sim pa

i «j *_ JT "L ^_ AX ~ .^«1~ ~*^4-n1n 4 1 , , ,4- ' *1- A 1 II ^,,7,. \ ,-^K,^,". "U ~ V* « ,* ^11 «,- IJ- I.i-1-v

regularity in the number of sepals, petals,
stamens, etc. ; balance ; harmony. (F.
symetrie.)

Most animals with backbones are sym-
metrical (si met' rik al, adj.) or symmetric
(si met' rik, adj.), that is, have symmetry.
This means that a line running through
the centre of the spine divides the skeleton
into two similar parts. Most leaves also
are divided symmetrically (si met' rik al
li, adv.) in this way by the centre rib.
Some simply constructed creatures, such as
the jelly-fish and sea-urchins, have no
heads or tails, and their symmetricalness
(si met' rik al nes, n.), or state of being
symmetrical, is not two-sided, but what
is called radial, the parts being arranged
round a centre like the spokes of a wheel.

The rare words symmetrist (sim' e trist,
n.) and symmetrician (sim e trish' an, n.)
denote one who gives great attention to or
insists upon symmetry.
To symmetrize (sim' e triz,
v.t.) a design is to give it ;
symmetry. The act of
doing this and the effect 1
produced are both sym-
metrization (sim e tri za'
shim, n.).

Gr. symmetria, from sym-
metros commensurate, from
sym- = syn-, and metron
measure. SYN. : Balance, cor-
respondence, harmony, reg-
ularity. ANT. : Asymmetry,
irregularity.

sympathy (sim'pathi),
n. The quality or state
of being affected by
another's feelings or of
sharing them ; fellow-
feeling ; agreement in
views, desires, etc. ; com-
passion ; the relation
existing between different
parts of the body by
which a diseased or other condition in the

Symphony. — Mozart (1756-91),
great composer, who wrote many beautiful
symphonies.

thet' ik al li, adv.) when he handles it with
due regard to the feelings of those concerned,
and understanding of their points of view.

Though we should be sympathetic, we
should avoid sympatheticism (sim pa thet'
i sizm, n.), which is a tendency to be unduly
sympathetic.

When we sympathize (sim' pa thiz, v.i.)
with a person in distress we either merely
feel sympathy with him, or we express our
sympathy in words or deeds. A sympathizer
(sim' pa thiz er, n.) is one who sympathizes
with another.

Gr. sympatheia from sym- = syn- together,
pathos suffering, from pathein to suffer. SYN. :
Accord, affinity, agreement, compassion, har-
mony. ANT. : Antipathy.

sympetalous (sim pet' al us), adj.

Having the petals joined.
From E. sym- and petalous.
symphony (sim' fo ni), n. A har-
monious mingling oi

•HMHHHHI sounds, colours, etc. ; a
long musical work for an
orchestra, following the
plan of a sonata ; for-
merly a prelude or similar
piece. (F. symphonie.)

A symphony is really a
sonata for orchestra, and
consists of several con-
trasted but closely con-
nected movements. The
•chief symphonists (sim ' fo
nists, n.pl.), or composers
of symphonies, are Haydn,
Mozart, Beethoven, and
Brahms.

Music in this form is
said to be symphonic (sim
fon' ik, adj.], a term also
applied to other orchestral
music of a similar elabor-
ate and epical nature, such
as a symphonic poem (n.),
which follows no fixed

plan, and is generally descriptive or romantic.

one may give rise to a corresponding con- An harmonious and pleasant blending of
dition in the other; the relation existing sounds is symphonious (sim fo' ni us, adj.).

between inanimate bodies by which-: the
vibration of one may cause the vibration of
the other. (F. sympathie.)

People who have tastes in common are
in sympathy with each other. It is natural
to feel sympathy with those who. are: in
trouble. A sympathetic (sim pa thet' ik,
adj.) nature is one that is easily stirred to
sympathy. Damage suffered by one " eye

L. Gr. symphonia, from symphonos in harmony,
from sym- = syn with, phone sound, voice.

sympiesometer (sim piesom'e ter), n.
A form of barometer in which the pressure
of the atmosphere is measured by means
of confined air or other gas pressing against
the column of liquid ; an instrument for
measuring the pressure or rate of speed
of a current of water or other liquid. An-

may produce sympathetic inflammation, other form is sympiezometer (sim pi e zom'

that is, inflammation not due directly to e ter, ».). (F. sympiezometre.)

the same cause, in the other. The striking From Gr. sympiezein to compress, and E.

of a note on the piano may cause the sym- meter.

pathetic vibration of some object in the
room. Secret messages are often written
in sympathetic ink (n.), a colourless ink

sympodium (sim po' di um), n. A
false axis or stem formed by a branch
taking upon itself the duties of a stem

4200

SYMPOSIUM

SYNGHONDROSIS

and thus imitating the true stem. pi.
sympodia (sim po' di a).

Gr. sym- — syn with, podion little foot, dim. of
pous (ace. poda) foot.

symposium (sim po' zi um), n. A
wine party ; a convivial gathering ; a
friendly discussion ; a series of short articles
on the same subject by different writers.
pi. symposia (sim po' zi a). (F. banquet.}

In ancient Greece it was the custom for
those who had partaken of a banquet to
join together afterwards for wine, music,
and the exchange of opinions.
The philosopher Plato represents
one of his dialogues, " The Sym-
posium," as taking place at one
of these gatherings, and from
this comes the use of the word
for a collection of opinions. The
person who presided over the
symposiac (sim po' zi ak, adj.)
or symposial (sim po' zi al, adj.)
festivities was called the sym-
posiarch (sim po' zi ark, n.).

L. symposium, Gr. symposion,
from sym = syn together, posis act
of drinking. SYN. : Carousal, dis-
cussion, table-talk.

symptom (simp 'torn), n. A
noticeable change in the body or
any of its functions indicating
disease ; a sign ; an indication ;
a trace. (F. symptome, indice.)

The branch of medical science
which deals with the symptoms of disease
is known as symptomatology (simp to ma
tol' o ji, n.). By carrying out a sympto-
matic (simp to mat' ik, adj.] or sympto-
matical (simp to mat' ik al, adj.) examination,
or examining his patient symptomatically
(simp to mat' ik al li, adv.),- a doctor can
rind out what disease he is suffering from.
'.. O.F. symptome, L. and Gr. symptoma chance,
casualty, symptom, irom.G.-sympiptein to fall to-
gether, fall in with, irom._sym- — syn with, ptoma
something fallen or. happened, from piptein to
fall. SYN. : Indication, mark, sign, token.
.-. syn-. A prefix from the Greek meaning
with, along with, together, alike, at the
same time. (F.-syn-.)

prefix becomes sym- before b, m.

Formerly the synagogue was used for
instruction in the law as well as for worship.
Notable features of every synagogue are
the ark or cupboard containing the scrolls
of the law, and the reading desk. Syna-
gogal (sin' a go gal, adj.) or synagogual (sin'
a go gal, adj.} and synagogical (sin a gog' ik
al ; sin a goj' ik al, adj.) mean relating to a
synagogue.

F., from L. synagoga, Gr. synagoge bringing
together, from syn with, agoge bringing, from
age in to bring.

and p, as in symbol, symmetry, sympathy,
syl- before /, as in syllable, sys- before s,
as in syssitia, unless 5 is followed by a
.consonant, when syn- becomes sy-, as in
system. In nearly every case the second
element is of Greek origin, synovia being
the chief exception.

synaeresis- (si ner' e sis), n. The drawing
together . of two syllables into one sound.
(F. syn ere se.)

The use of " e'er " for ' ' ever " is an example.

Gr. synairesis a taking together, from syn- and
hairein to take ; cp. diaeresis.

synagogue (sin' a gog), n. A Jewish
congregation for worship and religious
instruction ; the building where it meets.
(F. synagogue.)

Synagogue. — A synagogue, that is, congregation of Jews engaged in
worship. The place of meeting is also called a synagogue.

synaloepha (sin a le' fa), n. The
slurring or suppression o£ a vowel at the
end of a word before a vowel at the beginning
of the next. Another spelling is synalepha
(sin a le' fa). (F. synalephe.)

In Greek and Latin verse "synaloepha is
constantly used, but in English it is optional.
We have an instance of synaloepha in the
following line from Gray's " Elegy in a
Country Churchyard " : —

" Awaits alike th' inevitable hour."

Flowers are synantherous (si nan' ther us,
adj.) when they have the anthers on their
stamens joined together. A plant is syn-
anthous (si nan' thus, adj.) if its leaves and
flowers appear at the same time, as in the
Japan quince (Pyrus japonica).

Synaphea (sin a fe' a, n.) is a term of
classical prosody meaning the uninterrupted
maintenance of the same rhythm in a
metrical line.

The sutures of the skull and the sockets
of the teeth are connected by a method
of jointing called synarthrosis (sin ar thro'
sis, n.) — pi. synarthroses (sin ar thro' sez)—
which allows no movement.

The mulberry is a syncarp (sin' karp, n.)
or syncarpous (sin kar' pus, adj.) fruit,
that is, one having a large number of little
fruits joined together to form a single mass.
The bones of the spine are united by cartilage
in such a way that the joints are almost
rigid. This kind of jointing is named
synchondrosis (sin kon dro' sis, n.).

D26

4201

07

SYNCHRONISM

SYNDIC

L., from Gr synaloiphe smearing together,
from syn- with, together, aleiphein to besmear,
blot out.

synchronism (sing' kro nizm), n. The
happening of two or more events at the
same time ; a statement of such a happening :
an arrangement of historical events or per-
sonages in a table, according to their dates ;
the keeping of uniform time ; coincidence oft
periodic movement between two or more
instruments. (F. synchronisme .)

There is synchronism between the flash
of lightning and the peal of thunder, although
we usually hear the thunder some time after
we have 'seen the lightning, owing to. the
different speeds at which sound and light
travel. Events that occur synchronistically
(sing kro nis' tik al li, adv.] or synchronously
(sing' kro nus li, adv.] happen at the same
time, and synchronize (sing' kro niz, v.i:)
or are synchronous (sing' kro nus, adj.) or
synchronistic (sing kro nis' tik, adj.}.J^

When we assign the same date to two
events, or make clocks keep standard time
we synchronize (v.t.) them. The person who
carries out these processes, which are called
synchronization (sing kro ni za' shun, n.), is
a synchronizer (sing' kro niz er, n.}, a name
also given to a device for synchronizing
clocks.

Gr. syngkhronismos, from Gr. syngkhronos
happening at the same time, from syn- together,
khronos time SYN. : Concurrence, simulta-
neousness.

Synchronism.— Although thunder is usually heard

after a flash of lightning is seen, actually there is

synchronism between them.

synclastic (sin klas' tik), adj. Of curved
surfaces, bending evenly in all directions.

The surface of a ball is convexly synclastic,
and the inside of a bowl is concavely
synclastic.

In places where the earth's strata dip
so as to form ho] lews or valleys, the two
slopes of a valley are called synclinal (sin
kir nal ; sing' kli nal, adj.], that is, they

slope downwards towards the same line,
forming a syncline (sing' klin, n.}, or
synclinal (adj.) trough. A ridge, on the other
hand, formed by strata sloping upwards, is
called an anticline.

From Gr. syn with, klaslos curved, broken,
from klaein, Man to break.

syncopate (sing' kp pat), v.t. To shorten
.(a, word) by leaving out one or more letters
from the middle ; to displace temporarily
the regular beat in music. (F. elider, syncope/.)
We syncopate the 4 word "Gloucester.'-
pronouncing it " Glostef."

Composers vary the' flow of their music
when they syncopate or interrupt the:natural
beat of the rhythm by binding a \veak
beat onto a strong beat that follows, or by
accenting a note in an unaccented : part'* of
the bar. This, unequal division of the time
' of notes is .called syncopation (sing to pa '
shun, n.), a .term occasionally applieH to
syncopating in the grammatical, sense. -'
... , L. syncopdtus, p.p. of syncopdre J. general! y
meaning tp swoon, be deprived' of strength; from
syncope, Gr. -syngkope, from . syn with, hope
cutting, from koptein to strike, cut.

syncope (sing' ko pe), n. Unconsciousness
through weakening of the heart's action ;
the omission of a letter or syllable from
the middle of a word. (F. syncope.}

In the grammatical sense of the word the
more usual term is syncopation (see under
syncopate). Fainting is the popular name
for syncope, and doctors might describe an
attack of faintness as a syncopal (sing7 ko
pal, adj.] attack.

L., from Gr. syngkope. See syncopation.
syncotyledonous (sin kot i le' do nus),
adj. Having the cotyledons joined together.
This word is used by botanists to describe
plants in which the seed-leaves, or first leaves,
are not separate.

The term syncretism (sing' kre tizm, n.)
means an attempt or tendency to reconcile or
blend together differing religious, philo-
sophical, or other ideas, opinions, principles,
or practices. Anything relating to syncretism
is syncretic (sin kre' tik ; sin kret' ik, adj.),
or syncretistic (sing kre tis' tik, adj.), and one
who practises, or is in favour of syncretism
is a syncretist (sing' kre tist, n.). In the
seventeenth century George Calixtus (1586-
1656), a Lutheran divine, endeavoured to
syncretize (sing' kre tiz, v.t.) the warring
factions of the Church, but the various
divisions refused to syncretize (v.i.).

The words syndactyl (sin dak' til, adj.) and
syndactylous (sin dak' til us, adj.), which have
the same meaning, are used to. describe
animals that have some or all of their fingers
or toes entirely or partly joined.

syndic (sin' dik), n. A term applied
at different times and places to officials
of various kinds ; at Cambridge University,
a member of a special committee of the
Senate. (F. syndic.)

This word is generally used in the sense
of a representative, or delegate. The syndics

4202

SYNDICALISM

SYNOPSIS

of ancient Greece were advocates, or at a
later date judges. The syndic of an Italian
town is the chief official or mayor.

F. from L. syndicus, Gr. svndikos one who helps
in a court of justice, from syn- together, dike
justice.

Syndic.—" The Syndics." From the painting by Rembrandt (1606-
1669), the famous Dutch artist.

syndicalism (sin' di kal izm), n. A theory
of social organization that aims at placing
the ownership and control of the various
industries in the hands of the corresponding
trade unions ; such a system of industry.
(F. syndicalisme.)

Syndicalism originated in France. A
syndicalist (sin' di ka list, n.} is one who
upholds this theory.

From syndic, suffixes -al (L. -dlis), -ism
(L. -ismus) .

syndicate (sin'di kat, n. ; sin' di kat, v.)t
n. A number of persons or firms working
together to carry through some business
enterprise ; a council of syndics, v.t. To
form into a syndicate , to manage or effect
by a syndicate. (F. syndicat ; syndiquer.)

A syndicate is often formed merely to
take over some undertaking with a view to
re-selling. The term is also frequently
applied to a body of persons who buy up
literary matter for simultaneous publication
in various periodicals.

The syndication (sin di ka/ shim, n.} of news
is the act of syndicating it, that is, of publish-
ing it in many newspapers at the same time.

F. syndicat, L.L. syndicates, a p.p. formation.
See syndic.

syne (sin), adv. A Scottish word meaning
since, ago, afterwards.

Shortened from M.E. sithen. See since.

synedrium (si ned' ri um), n. An
assembly or council, especially the Jewish
Sanhedrim. (F. tribunal, sanhedrin.)

L. synedrium, Gr. synedrion. See sanhedrim.

synod (sin' 6d), n. A meeting for dis-
cussion, especially a meeting of churchmen
for discussing Church affairs ; a council of
Presbyterians between the presbyteries and
the General Assembly. (F. synode.)

This word is nowadays used particularly
for a diocesan synod. This is an assembly,
called together by a bishop, of all the clergy
in his diocese, and any other people whom
he likes to summon, to discuss and settle
the religious affairs of the diocese. A
Roman Catholic synod ap-
points synodal (sin' 6d al, adj.)
examiners, whose work it is to
examine the fitness of people
to be parish priests, etc. The
Holy Synod (n.) was the supreme
governing body of the Russian
branch of the Orthodox Eastern
Church. Things done at a synod
are done synodically (si nod' ik
al li, adv.}.

The words synodic (si nod' ik,
adj.) and synodical (si nod' ik al,
adj.) are sometimes used in the
same sense as synodal, but
oftener in an astronomical sense.
The time from new moon to new
moon, for instance, is called the
synodic month (n.) or synodic
period («.).

F. synode, L. synodus Gr. synodos
from meeting, syn with, hodos way.
synonym (sin' 6 nim), n. A word having
the same or nearly the same meaning as
another of the same language. (F. synonyme.}
The words furze, gorse, and whin are
synonyms, or words synonymous (si non' i
mus, adj.) with each other. One could be
substituted for another in a sentence without
the slightest change of meaning ; but this is
not true of many words regarded as
synonyms. For instance, humble and lowly
are synonymous, or of the nature of synonyms,
but we could not end a letter with the
formula, " Your lowly servant."

Then the word vessel is often used
synonymously (si non' i mus li, adv.), or as
a synonym for ship ; but vessel has other
senses that are not synonymous or equiva-
lent in meaning to ship. Thus is will be seen
that the synonymity (sin 6 nim' i ti, n.), or
synonymy (si non' i mi, n.), that is, the
quality of being synonymous, of many
words, does not imply strict identity of
meaning, and so synonymy, or the use of
synonyms, requires great care. It is far
better to repeat the same word than to use
a fresh synonym every time the same notion
occurs.

A synonymatic (sin 6 ni mat' ik, adj.) or
synonymic (sin 6 nim' ik, adj.), collection, or
system, that is one of synonyms, is also
called a synonymy ; so also is the use of
synonyms for emphasis as in the expressions
" ways and means," " in any shape or form."
F. synonyme, from L. synonyma (neut. pi. of
adj. synonymus), Gr. synonymos, from syn with,
together, onoma name. ANT. : Antonym.

synopsis (si nop' sis), n. A summary ;
a general or collective view. pi. synopses
(si nop' sez). (F. resume.)

The early instalments of serial stories are

4203

SYNOVIA

SYPHER

generally provided with a synopsis, giving
an account in concise language of events
since the beginning of the story. The
Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are
known as the synoptic (si nop' tik, adj.)
gospels because they give accounts of the life
of Christ, each from nearly the same point
of view. Each of their writers may be termed
a synoptic (n.), or synoptist (si nop' tist, n.).
A synoptic or synoptical (si nop' tik al, adj.)
index is one that gives a synopsis of the book
to which it is appended, and is said to be
compiled synoptically (si nop' tik al li, adv.).
L., Gr. synopsis, from syn- with, together,
opsis view, sight. SYN. : Abstract, conspectus,
summary.

synovia (si no' vi a), n. A colourless,
stringy fluid, serving to lubricate. (F.
synovie.)

Synovia is secreted in the synovial (si no7
vi al, adj.) membrane, a thin strong membrane
which lines the interior of joints. Inflamma-
tion of this membrane is known as synovitis
(sin 6 vi' tis, n.).

Modern L., a word invented, perhaps arbi-
trarily, by the Gsrman physician and chemist,
Paracelsus (died 1541).

syntax (sin' taks),M. The part i
of grammar which deals with the |
proper use and arrangement of
words in a sentence ; the gram- !
matical construction of sen- \
tehees. (F. syntaxe.)

Historical syntax treats of
the development of sentence-
construction in a single language.
A* purist sets great store by
syntax, but a slavish observation
of syntactic (sin tak'' /tik, adj.) or
syntactical (sin tak',tik a\,'ddj.)
laws, or those of syntax, doe's not
necessarily produce stylistic
beauty, even though the writer's
work is syntactically (sin tak' tik
al li, adv.), or as regards syntax,
flawless. The branch of mathematics called
syntactics (sin tak' tiks, n.) deals with
the various ways in which things can be
put together under certain conditions, as in
combinations and permutations.

F. syntaxe, from L., Gr. syntaxis, from syn-
together, taxis order, .arrangement, from tassein
(aorist etaxa) to arrange.

synthesis (sin7 the sis), n. The putting
together of two or more things ; combina-
tion ; composition ; a building-up of
separate elements into a complex whole,
especially the formation of theories, general
ideas, etc., from conceptions or facts ; in
grammar, the formation of compound
words, instead of using prepositions ; in
surgery, the union of divided or broken
parts, pi. syntheses (sin7 the sez). (F.
synthese.)

When we deduce a theory by proceeding
from cause to effect, we are employing what
philosophers call synthesis, or the synthetic
' ik, adj.), or synthetical (sin thet'

ik al, adj.) method. This is opposed to
analysis, which is the action of proceeding
in thought from effect to cause, or from
consequences to the laws that govern them.
In chemistry, the formation of a compound
by combining its elements is termed synthesis .
Synthetic rubber is produced synthetically
(sin thet' ik al li, adv.), or artificially by
means of synthesis.

The German language has a marked
synthetic character, for the Germans have a
tendency to form words by means of synthesis
or combining a number of simple words to
express a more complex idea, instead of
using them separately and conveying the same
thought with the aid of prepositions, etc.
A synthesist (sin' the sist, n.), or synthetist
(sin" the tist, n.), is one who makes de-
ductions by synthesis, and not analysis.

L., Gr. = putting together, mixture, from syn-
together, thesis putting, from tithenai to put,
place. SYN. : Combination, composition. ANT. :
Analysis, decomposition.

syntonic (sin ton' ik), adj. Of wireless
transmitters and receivers, tuned to the
same wave-length ; of or connected with the

sin thet

Synthetic. — Synthetic jam, biscuits and other foodstuffs made of
potatoes in Germany in 1918, the last year of the World War.

ordinary diatonic scale in ancient Greek
music. (F. syntonique.)

The third note in the ancient syntonic
scale was syntonous (sin' to mis, adj.), that is,
intense, because it was tuned to a higher
pitch than in other scales.

In wireless telegraphy, in order to establish
communication between a transmitting
station and a receiving set, it is necessary
to syntonize (sin'tonlz, v.t.) them, that is,
adjust them to the same wave-length. This
process is called syntonization (sin to nl
z&' shun, n.), and is sometimes done by means
of an apparatus called a syntonizer (sin to
nlz' er, n.). There is syntony (sin' to ni, n.),
or syntonism (sin' to nizm, n.), that is, a
syntonic condition, between sets that are
tuned in sympathy.

Gr. syntonikos, from syntonos stretched tight,
intense, from syn- together, tonos tone.

sypher (si' fer), v.t. To join (planks, etc.)
by bevelling and overlapping the edges so
as to leave a smooth surface.

4204

SYPHON

SYRUP

A joint made by syphering is called a
sypher- joint (n.).

Said to be a variant of cipher.

syphon (si' fon). This is another spelling
of siphon. See siphon.

syren (si' ren). This is another spelling
of siren. See siren.

Syriac (sir' i ak), adj. Pertaining to the
language of the ancient Syrians, n. The lan-
guage of the ancient Syrians. (F. syriaque.)

Syriac or Syrian (sir' i an, ».) is the
language that was spoken by the Syrians,
or Syrian (adj .) people in ancient times. It is
also called Western Aramaic. An idiom or
expression peculiar to this language is termed
a Syriacism (sir' i a sizm, n.}.

L. Syriacus, Gr. Syriakos, from Gr. Syria, from
Syr os a Syrian.

syringa (si ring' ga), n. The mock orange,
an ornamental shrub, with clusters of sweet-
scented, creamy-white flowers ; a genus of
shrubs containing the lilacs. (F. seringa,
seringat.)

Gr. syrinx (ace. syringg-a) pipe, tube. The stems
were made into tobacco pipes.

syringe (sir' inj), n. An
instrument, consisting of a tube
with a piston and nozzle, for
drawing in liquid by suction and
expelling or ejecting it in a
stream, spray, or jet. v.t. To
spray or cleanse with a syringe.
(F. seringue ; seringuer.)

Hot-house plants are usually
watered by being syringed.
Medical syringes made of glass
or plated metal are used for
cleaning wounds, and openings,
such as the nasal passages. A
hypodermic syringe (n.) termi-
nates in a hollow needle, with
which the skin is punctured so
that an injection may be made
under the skin. A syringeful (sir'
inj ful, n.) is as much liquid
as can be drawn into a syringe.

O.F. seringue, from L. syrinx (ace. synng-em),
Gr. syrinx (ace. syringg-a) reed, pipe, tube.

syrinx (sir' ingks), n. A Pan-pipe ; the
lower larynx of a bird ; in anatomy, the
Eustachian tube, connecting the throat and
the ear-drum ; in surgery, a fistula ; in
archaeology, a narrow tunnel or gallery cut
through living rock in ancient Egyptian
rock tombs, pi. syringes (si rin' jez). (F.
flute de Pan, trompe d'Eustache, fistule,
syringe, syrinx.)

The Syrinx of Greek legends was an
Arcadian nymph whom the gods changed
into a tuft of reeds, to save her from Pan.
That deity, however, cut the reeds and made
them into a Pan-pipe. Hence that ancient
musical instrument is sometimes called a
syrinx. The organ by means of which birds
sing is also called the syrinx. It is controlled
by muscles known as the syringeal (si rin'
je al, adj.) muscles.

The human syrinx or Eustachian tube
supplies the drum of the ear with air. In-
flammation of this organ is known as
syringitis (sir in ji' tis, n.). The combining
form syringo- is used in the formation of
certain anatomical and pathological words
relating to the syrinx, or to a fistula.
Syringotomy (sir in got' 6 mi, n.), for
instance, is the operation of cutting a
surgical syrinx or fistula — a narrow, tube-
like passage which may form in the body
through injury or disease

Gr. = pipe.

Syro-. This is a prefix from Gr. Syros,
meaning Syrian.

The Syrian language is strictly Syro-
arabian (sir 6 a ra' bi an, adj.) for it is a
dialect of Arabic that was developed in
Syria. The Syro-phoenician (sir 6 fe nish'
an, adj.) people were those Syrians living in
Phoenicia, a division of Syria corresponding
to the present Great Lebanon.

syrtis (ser' tis), n. A quicksand, pi.
syrtes (ser' tez). (F. syrte, sable mouvant.)

Two large quicksands off the north coast

Syrtis.— A large sandbank in the Gulf of Sidra, Tripoli, the Syrtis
Major of the ancients.

of Africa were known to the ancients as
Syrtis Major and Syrtis Minor. The Greater
Syrtis is now called the Gulf of Sidra ; the
Lesser Syrtis the Gulf of Gabes.

L., from Gr. = quicksand, from syrein to drag,
draw along.

syrup (sir 'up), n. A concentrated solution
of sugar in water ; a medical preparation
containing this ; the condensed, uncrystal-
lizable fluid separated from sugar during
manufacture ; treacle ; a liquid of this
consistence. Another spelling is sirup (sir'
up). (F. sir op.)

Syrups prepared by boiling with fruit juices
are used for flavouring summer drinks, and
for various purposes in cookery. A liquid
is said to have a syrupy (sir' up i, adj.),
consistency if it is viscid, or has the qualities
of syrup.

O.F. syrop (cp. Span, jarope), from Arabic
shardb drink, wine, syrup, from shariba to drink.
See sherbet, shrub [i].

4205

SYSSITIA

SYZYGY

syssitia (si sit7 i a), n.pl. The public meals
for the men and youths in ancient Sparta and
Crete ; the custom of having the chief meal
of the day in public.

Gr. pi. of syssltion a [ceding together, from
syssltos (adj.) from sys- = syn with, sltos food.

systaltic (sis tal' tik), adj. Of the heart,
alternately contracting and dilating ; pulsa-
tory. (F. systaltique.)

The systaltic action of the heart begins at
birth and never ceases until death.

L.L., from Gr. systaltikos, from sys- = syn-
together, staltos, verbal adj., from stellein to
place, draw together. See systole.

system (sis' tern), n. A number, group, or
set of objects, facts, opinions, etc., arranged
according to some logical or scientific plan ;
a group of related natural objects or
phenomena ; a living, natural, or mechanical
structure, made up of parts working to-
gether or arranged and organized for some
special purpose, and regarded as a whole ;
in astronomy, a group

of heavenly bodies mHamBmmw^^m&:±
moving in orbits round
a centre or central
body, and exercising
mutual attraction; in
geology, a set of strata;
a method or plan of
classification; an
organized scheme or
orderly method of
procedure; regular or
logical arrangement or
method ; in music,
the staff ; the arrange-
ment of staves needed
for a complete score.
(F. systeme, organism*,
mdthode, portee.}

Railways are worked
on what is called the
block system or
method of signalling.

The whole organization ot railways in Britain
may be termed the British railway system.
The sun, planets, and planetoids, make up
the solar system. A mountain system is a
range of mountains, including subsidiary
spurs and branches, such as the Alpine
system.

When we say that alcohol is bad for the
system, we mean the bodily system, or
the body regarded as an organized whole.
Any group of organs or structures in the
body having a special function may be called
a system. The lungs and air passages form
our respiratory system.

A system-maker (n.), contemptuously
called a system-monger (n.), is one fond of
devising systems or methods. A systematic
(sis te mat' ik, adj.] investigation is one that
is carried out according to some organized
scheme or plan. It is made systematically
(sis te mat' ik al li, adv.), or methodically.

A systematist (sis' tern a tist, n.) reduces
facts, ideas, etc., to a system, or sticks 'closely

4206

to a particular system of thought or work.
Carl Linnaeus (1707-78), the Swedish
botanist, was a celebrated systematist, or
classifying naturalist. He endeavoured to
systematize (sis' tern a tiz, v.t.} botanical
classification, or reduce it to a system. His
systematization (sis tern a ti za' shim, n.), or
systematizing of plants has had a great
influence on botany. It is essential that the
contents of a museum be systematized, or
arranged according to a system or ordered
plan. A systematizer (sis tern a tiz' er, n.}
is one who arranges things systematically.
In physiology, a systemic (sis tern' ik, adj.]
injury is one that affects either the whole
system, or a particular one, as the nervous
system. The systemic circulation is that
supplying the whole body with blood, as
opposed to the circulatory system of the
lungs alone. People whose work is system-
less (sis' tern les, adj.], or without system,
waste a great deal of time and run con-
siderable risk of

Systyle. — The Olympcion at Athens, the ruins of a
notable example of systvle architecture.

making mistakes and
omissions.

L., Gr. sy sterna, from
syn- with, together, and
stenai to stand. SYN. :
Classification, orderli-
ness, organization,
method, plan. ANT. :
Chaos, confusion, dis-
arrangement, disorder,
irregularity.

systole (sis' to le),
n. In physiology, the
contraction of the
walls of the heart
which forces the blood
outwards ; a similar
regular contraction of
other organs. (F.
systole.}

Gr. = drawing to-
gether. See systaltic.

systyle (sis' til), adj. In architecture,
having columns set comparatively close
together, or, strictly at a distance of twice
their diameters. (F. systyle.}

The famous Pantheon at Rome is an
example of systyle architecture. In botany,
flowers having their styles joined together
in a single column are said to be systylous
/~:-' ti lus, adj.}.

(sis'

L., Gr. systylos, from sys- = syn- together,
stylos column.

syzygy (siz' i ji), n. The conjunction or
opposition of the moon or a planet with the
sun ; either of the points at which these
take place. (F. syzygie.}

The moon is in syzygy when it is in line
with the sun and the earth, either between
them, or on the opposite side. The former
is called conjunction, the latter opposition.

L., Gr. syzygia joining together, conjunction,
from Gr. syzygos joined together, from sy- =
syn- together, and -zygos, from zeugnynai to join,
from zygon yoke.

TABASHEER

T, t (te). The twentieth letter of the
English alphabet and the nineteenth of
the Latin. It is a dental stop or explosive,

tun or tuns, thunder (nautical) ; for Testa-
ment, as in O.T. Old Testament; type, in
t.g. type genus; turn in T.O. turn over;

produced like d by placing the tongue Their in T.R.H. Their Royal Highnesses ;

against the upper teeth or gums, and Trade in T.U.C. Trade Union Congress. As

suddenly withdrawing it so as to release a motor-car index letter it stands for Devon-

the breath, but unlike d it is " hard," surd ~v***- ^^ — +— • ^«« --*-— « «* ^- «««;*,

or voiceless, that is, it is pronounced without

vibration of the vocal chords. In many

words t is silent between s or f and / or en,

as in castle, thistle, fasten, listen, often,

soften. In the p.t. and p.p. of verbs in

/, n, p and s the letter t often takes the

place of -ed, as in spilt, burnt, leapt, crost.

For th, a sound only found in a few other
European languages, English formerly had
two special letters, the thorn, which survived
for a long time in the form y (a letter that
happened to resemble it), as in ye = the,
and the crossed d. The English alphabet
being defective, th is
used for two simple
sounds, the voiceless
and voiced dental
spirants, found re-
spectively in such
words as thing and
the. These sounds are
produced by placing
the tip of the tongue
between the teeth,
and allowing the
breath or voice to
pass through. They
are represented pho-
netically in this book
by th and th.

At the beginning
of a word the voiced

th is only found in certain words containing
an old demonstrative root, as the, this,
that, they, then, there, though, and in the
pronoun of the second person singular,
thou, thy, thine, but in words of Teutonic
origin it is usual between vowels, as in
father, heathen, and where a following vowel
has been dropped or is silent, as in paths,
bathe, mouth, v. (pathz, bath, mouth),
compared with path, bath, mouth, n., or
between r and a vowel, as in worthy, northern
(wer' thi, nor' /Aern). In compound words
like foothold, Eltham, / and h are sounded
separately. In a few words of foreign
origin, as thyme, Thomas, Thames, thaler,
Pathan, th = /.

As an abbreviation / stands for tempera-
ture, tenor, Territory, tempo, ton or tons,

Victoria and Albert Museum.

Tabard. — A velvet and silk brocade tabard, with

applied heraldic embroidery, of the seventeenth

century.

shire. The interesting story of the origin
of this letter will be found on page xvii.
ta (ta), inter. Thank you. (F. merci.)
The childish and colloquial expression ta
is a very easy sound to make, and probably
originated in the nursery as an attempt to
say " thank."

Taal (tal), n. The debased form of
Dutch spoken by the South African Dutch.
(F. patois boer.)

, The Boers speak the Taal, which contains
a certain number of Kafir words. Some of
its words, such as kloof, kopje and trek,
have passed into the English language.

Dutch = language.
tab (tab), n. A
small flap ; a tag or
tongue. (F. patte.}

Most boots and shoes
have tabs or leather
flaps that fit beneath
the laces or buckles.
Some caps have ear-
tabs, or pieces of cloth
protecting the ears.

Possibly akin to tape.
SYN. : Flap, strip, tag,
tongue.

tabard (tab' ard),
n. The distinctive
coat of a herald or
pursuivant; a knight's
garment emblazoned
with his arms and worn over the armour ;
a sleeveless woollen gown worn by peasants
in the Middle Ages. (F. tabar, tabard.}

The tabard of a herald is a short loose
coat, with short wide sleeves, open at the
sides and embroidered on back, front and
sleeves with the royal arms.

O.F. tabart, tabard, tribart, possibly connected
with L. trabea robe of state.

tabaret (tab' a ret), n. A fabric having
alternate stripes of satin and watered silk,
used chiefly for upholstering. (F. satin
raye.)

Origin obscure, possibly connected with tabby.

tabasheer (tab a sher'), n. A white

opal-like deposit of silica occasionally found

in the joints of bamboo. Another spelling

is tabashir (tab a sher'). (F. tabaschir.}

4207

TABBY

TABLATURE

Tabasheer is prized in the East as a
medicine. •

Hindustani and Arabic tabdshlr chalk.

tabby (tab' i), n. A fabric, especially
silk, with a watered surface ; a garment
made of such material ; a cat with a striped
or a brindled coat ; a gossipy old woman ; a
moth with clouded fore wings of the genus
Aglossa; a mottled kind of concrete, adj.
Wavy or watered ; made or consisting
of tabby ; brindled, v.t. To give a wavy
appearance to (silk, etc.). (F. tabis, tabi,
chat tigre, commere; moire, de tabis ; moirer.)

Tabby silk or other material is watered
or tabbied by being passed between en-
graved rollers. The tabby or tabby cat (n.)
has the same markings as the wild cat.
Its brown, tawny or grey coat has stripes
or streaks of a darker shade.

From F. tabis, L.L. attdbi, from Arabic Attdbiy a
quarter of Bagdad where the fabric was made. In
sense of old woman, and in the obsolete sense of
she-cat, perhaps =the name Tabitha. See dorcas.

tabef action (tab e fak' shim), n,
Emaciation caused by disease.
(F. deperissement, marasme.)

From L. tabefactus, from tabes
wasting, consumption, facere to
make.

tabellion (ta bel' i on), n.
An official scribe or notary
under the Roman Empire
and in France before the
RevolutioH. (F. tabellion.)

F. from L.L. tabellio (ace.
-on-em) from L. lobelia dim. of
tabula table.

taberdar (tab' er dar), n.
Any one of certain scholars of
Queen's College, Oxford.

At one time the taberdars
of Queen's College actually
wore tabards.

For tabarder. See tabard.

tabernacle (tab' er nakl),
or other temporary dwelling ; the movable
sanctuary used by the Israelites before
settling finally in Palestine ; a place of
worship ; the body as the abode of the
soul ; an ornamental receptacle on a Roman
Catholic church altar for the pyx or the
consecrated elements ; in architecture, a
niche, pinnacle, or canopied stall ; an
elevated socket or hinged post on a river
boat, to enable the mast to be unstepped
or lowered, v.i. To live in or as if in a
tabernacle, v.t. To give shelter to. (F.
tabernacle, temple.)

The tabernacle of the Israelites, as de-
scribed in Exodus (xxv-xxvii, xxx, xxxi,
etc.), was an elaborate and richly decorated
structure, erected in the middle of the
camp. The tabernacle was surrounded by a
sacred enclosure or court, and contained two
rooms, the outer of which, known as the Holy
Place, contained the altar of incense, and the
table of shew -bread.

The Holy of Holies, in the tabernacle,

Tabernacle. — The tabernacle
which a removable mast rests.

n. A tent

contained the ark, and was entered only
by the High Priest on one day in the year —
the day of Atonement.

The Levites were entrusted with the work
of carrying the different pieces of the taber-
nacle during the wanderings of the children
of Israel.

Whitefield's Tabernacle is the name of a
famous chapel built in Tottenham Court
Road, London, in memory of George
Whitefield (1714-72). one of the early
Methodist leaders.

The Jews were bidden by God (Leviticus
xxiii, 33) to keep the Feast of Tabernacles
(n.) for seven days after the fifteenth day
of the seventh month. During this feast
the worshippers lived in huts made of
green boughs. The feast commemorated
the wanderings of Israel in the wilderness,
and also celebrated the completion of the
harvest.

In many cathedrals one may see tabernacle
work (n.), that is, richly carved canopies
and traceries over the pulpit, and stalls in
the choir or chancel. It is
also usual to apply the name
tabernacle to abbots' stalls
and niches for images.

From L. taberndculum dim. of
taberna tent.

tabes (ta' bez), n. In
medicine, a slow wasting
away, especially of the
muscles. (F. marasme.)
L. = a wasting away.
tabinet (tab' i net), n. A
watered fabric of silk and
wool, used for window cur-
tains, etc. (F. tabi, tabis.)

The French declare that
tabinet was named from its
first manufacturer, a M.
Tabinet, a French refugee,
who settled in Ireland.

According to others the term is a mere trade-
name suggested by tabby.

tablature (tab7 !a chur ; tab' la tyur),
n. A mental picture ; a vivid description ;
in music, an old system of showing musical
sounds by means of letters or figures instead
of notes. (F. tableau, tablature.)

The musical tablature used for the lute
in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries
was written on a staff having as many
parallel lines as the instrument had strings.
Letters of the alphabet representing the
different frets on the instrument were
written above the string to be stop-
ped, and showed what note was to be
sounded. For wind instruments, numbers
or dots indicating the finger holes were used
instead, the latter being called the dot way.
The time values of the notes were written
above.

F. tablature, p2rhaps after Ital. tavolatura
verbal n., from tavolare to board, also to set to,
from L. tabula table.

4208

TABLE

TABLE

table (ta/ bl), n. A piece of furniture
having a large horizontal flat surface,
supported by one or more legs, especially
one on which meals are placed, work done,
or games played, etc ; this as used for meals ;
the company taking a meal at a table ;
food served at table ; a board used for a
game : either half of a folding backgammon-
table ; the part of a machine, or machine-
tool on which the material is placed for
working ; a slab of wood or stone, etc ;
such a slab bearing an inscription ; the
matter inscribed on it ; a list of numbers,
facts, etc., arranged systematically, especi-
ally in columns ; a flat face of a gem ; a
flat surface ; a plateau ; a band of flat
moulding on a wall ; in palmistry, the palm
of the hand. v.t. To enter in a table or list :
to lay (a bill) on the table in
Parliament : to strengthen (the
edges of sails) with wide hems ;
to set (timbers) together with
alternate grooves and projections
in the edges to prevent slipping,
etc. (F. table, tablette, table des
matieres, facette, plan, plateau,
paume ; dresser la table de, deposer.
assembler.)

A table is sometimes named
according to the meal laid on
it, as a breakfast-table, dinner-
table, tea-table, etc. A billiard-
table, on which the game of
billiards is played, has a slate
top, covered with green cloth.
A toilet-table, or dressing-table,
at, which women do their hair,
etc., often has upright mirrors
fitted at the back. We say that
a person keeps a good table
when the meals provided in his
house are carefully and amply prepared.

In Parliament, to lay a bill on the table, or
to let it lie on the table, means that a con-
sideration of it is deferred indefinitely by the
vote of the House. Matters are upon the table
when they are under discussion. Protestants
call the altar the Lord's table or holy table.

One of Aesop's fables tells of a stork
that was invited to a meal by a fox and
found that the food was served in a shallow
pan. The stork turned the tables on the
fox, that is, reversed the conditions and
put the fox in an equally awkward position,
by inviting it to a meal served in a jar with
a narrow neck.

Ordinary beer of the kind taken at meals
is called 'table-beer (n.). A table-book (n.)
is a handsomely-bound book kept on a
table for show rather than for use. When
used for meals, a table is often covered
with a linen cloth called a table-cloth (n.).
At other times a covering, usually of coloured
material, is sometimes used. This is also
known as a table-cloth or table-cover (n.).

Several flat-topped mountains in South
Africa have been given the name of Table
Mountain, from a fancied resemblance to

the article of furniture. The best known is
the Table Mountain near Cape Town. In
summer dense white clouds often overhang
its summit, and are termed its table-cloth.
A gem is said to be table-cut (adj.) when
it has a flat top or table. The table d'hote
(tabl dot, n.)—pl. tables-d'hote (tabl dot)—
of an hotel is the common table for guests
in the public dining-room, or else a meal
served there. The expression has been
adopted from French and means literally
" host's table." A table-d'hote (adj.) dinneV
is one provided by a restaurateur, etc., at
a fixed price, and generally at a fixed hour.
It is distinguished from a dinner taken a la
carte, when the guest chooses the items he
prefers from a list on which they are priced
separately.

Table Mountain. — Table Mountain, near Cape Town. The white

clouds which often overhang its summit in summer are termed its

table-cloth.

A table-knife (n.) is a knife used for
cutting up food at table or when taking
meals. A table-land (n.) is an elevated
plain, or plateau. Examples are the Deccan
in southern India, and the Sahara Desert.
Table-cloths and napkins are known col-
lectively as table-linen (n.).

Spiritualists formerly practised table-lift-
ing (n.), table-moving (n.), or table-turning
(n.), as it is variously called, but nowadays
it is chiefly regarded as a game. Those
taking part sit round a light table, resting
the tips of their fingers on the top, but not
consciously trying to move it. After a time
the table may tilt or give jerks. . This, it
is explained by scientists, is caused by
unconscious muscular effort on the part of
those touching it.

The higher officers of the navy and army
receive an allowance called table-money
(n.), to enable them to entertain guests.
Members of many clubs have to pay a charge
known as table-money for the use of the
dining-room.

A table-spoon (n.) is a spoon of extra
large size used for serving food from dishes.
Its contents, called a table-spoonful (n.), are

4209

TABLEAU

TABOR

twice those of a dessert-spoon, and equal
about half an ounce of water.

Chat at meal-times is table-talk (n.),
which also means light, familiar conversa-
tion, or miscellaneous talk at other times.
Plates, dishes, cups, saucers, knives, forks,
spoons and other articles used at meals are
known collectively as table-ware (n.). A

tablier (ta blya), n. A small apron, or
a part of a woman's dress resembling an
apron. (F. tablier.)

F. = apron, L. labuldrium, aoVj . from tabula table.

tabling (ta/ bling). For this word see
under table.

tabloid (tab7 loid), n. The registered
trade-name for a drug 01 medicinal substance

tableful (ta/ bl ful, n.} of people is a full sold by a London firm in the form of a small

table, or as many as can sit round it. In
architecture, the making of a projecting
table or cornice is known as tabling (ta'
bling, n.} — a term also denoting a course
of this kind, especially a coping.

F., from L. tabula board, plank. SYN. : n.
Board, cuisine, food, list, slab, tablet.

tableau (tab' 16), n. A picturesque

flattish circular tablet, adj. Of plays,
writings, etc., highly compressed or con-
centrated. (F. pastille ; concis.)

A tabloid sermon is one very much
condensed. It purports to contain the
essentials of a longer sermon, but takes only
a few minutes to deliver.

From E. table (cp. tablet] and suffix -oid. The

representation or description, especially a trade-name belongs to the firm of Burroughs,

motionless group of persons, dressed and
arranged to represent some scene or event ;
an effective or dramatic situation brought
about suddenly, pi. tableaux (tab7 loz).
(F. tableau.)

Wellcome & Co.

taboo (ta boo'), n. A custom among
the Polynesians of shunning certain persons,
acts or things as sacred or accursed ; a
person or thing set apart thus ; the system

In England, a tableau generally means under which this is enforced by religion,

what is known in full as a tableau vivant superstition, etc. ; any similar prohibition ;

(tab 16 ve van, n.} — pi. tableaux vivants a ban. adj. Prohibited ; forbidden ; under

(tab 16 ve van) — or living picture. This a ban ; consecrated. v,t. To place under

is a kind of dramatic spectacle, without
sound or movement on the part of the
performers, but usually with accompanying
music.

The people taking part
in it may be costumed
and arranged to represent
an actual painting come
to life as it were, or they
may represent an his-
torical or other event.

F. = picture, dim. of table.

tablet (tab Met), n. A
thin flat piece of wood,
ivory, or other material for
writing on ; pi. a set of
these fastened together ;
a slab of stone, etc., bear-
ing an inscription or
serving as a memorial ;
a small flat cake of some
medicine or other sub-
stance. (F. tablette, plaque.}

The ancients used tablets
of wood, etc., covered with
wax for writing upon with
styles. In later times,
cardboard tablets were

Tablet. — An ancient Babylonian mem-
orial tablet of King Eannatum.

taboo ; to forbid or exclude by social
influence, etc. Another spelling is tabu (ta
boo'). (F. tabou ; inter dit ; interdire.)

Taboos probably arose
among primitive peoples
in connexion with totems,
but they were later ex-
tended to many other
matters, and in some
instances serve to protect
property and the rights
of individuals. Anthro-
pologists have made close
studies of taboo and have
brought to light many
obscure customs. For in-
stance in the Trobriand
Islands, near New Guinea,
a native making a special
expedition in a canoe
must not point at objects
with his hand before sail-
ing. If he breaks this
taboo he will become sick.
In an extended sense

British Museum. Qf the WQrd we say> for

instance, that golf is
tabooed, or taboo, on

used for memoranda. The votive tablets Sunday by strict Sabbatarians, or that
on the walls of Roman Catholic churches were public opinion consists largely of taboos

or prohibitions.

Polynesian tapu, tabu. SYN. : n. Ban, inter-

placed there in fulfilment of a vow, by

people saved from shipwreck or other

expected death, and generally record the diction, prohibition. adj. Banned, forbidden,

fact of their deliverance. A tablet of soap interdicted, prohibited, v. Ban, forbid, interdict.

tabor (ta' bor), n. A small drum
formerly used in rustic music to accom-
pany a pipe. (F. tambour in.)

The commonest type of tabor was a
very light double-headed drum. It hung
from the player's left wrist or thumb, an<

is a flat or flattish piece. Medicines are
often prepared in tablet form, by being
pressed into a convenient shape, sometimes
with the addition of gum. A tablette (tab
let', n.} is a flat, projecting coping stone
on a wall, etc.

From F. tablette, dim. of table. See table.

was beaten with a stick held in the right

4210

TABOURET

TACK

Tabouret.— A low tabouret, and (right)
tabouret of camp-stool design.

hand. The fingers of the left hand were
thus free to play a small whistle or tabor-
pipe («.)•

O.F. form ot tambour drum. See tambourine.

tabouret (tab" 6 ret), n. A small seat ;
a frame for embroidery ; a small rabor. (F.
tabouret, metier a broder.)

The kind of seat called a tabouret is usually
without arms or a back. A small tabor
or timbrel is also called a tabret (tab7 ret. n,].

F. dim. of tabour See
tabor.

tabular (tab 'filar),
adj. In the form
of a table ; having
a broad, flat surface ;
formed in thin plates
or laminae ; arranged
in or reckoned from
tables. (F. en forme
de table, tabulaire.)

Flat-topped hills are
tabular hills, but the
word is seldom used
in this sense. A tabular statement is one set
out as a table. Statistics are usually given
tabularly (tab' u lar li, adv.], that is, in the
form of tables. The people who draw up
railway time-tables have to tabulate (tab' u
lat, v.t.), or put in tabular form, the details
of train departures and arrivals. This verb
is also used, in its past participle, to mean
shaped with a flat upper surface.

Certain fossil corals having horizontal
partitions or plates, forming chambers in
the body of the coral, are said by scientists
to be tabulate (tab' u lat, adj.), or to possess
tabular dissepiments.

The act or process of tabulating in any
sense, or the actual arrangement of facts
in the form of a table, is tabulation (tab u
la' shun, n.). A tabulator (tab' u la tor, n.)
is one who draws up tables or tabular
statements, or else a device on a typewriter
for spacing out columns of figures side by
side.

From L. tabula table with E. suffix -an

tacamahac (tak' a ma hak), n. An
aromatic gum resin obtained from various
Mexican and South American trees. (F.
tacamaque.) >^

• Aztec tecomahiyac.

tac-au-tac (tak 6 tak), n. In fencing,
a series of rapid attacks and parries, during
which neither fencer scores a point ; a
parry followed immediately by a riposte.
(F. tac-au-tac.}

F. clash for clash, imitative of the succession
of smart taps that accompany this.

tachometer (ta kom' e ter), n. An
instrument for recording small variations in
the velocities of machines. (F. tachymetre.)

A speedometer is one kind of tachometer.
Other kinds work by centrifugal action,
and are used for industrial purposes. Tacho-
metry (ta kom' e tri, n.) is the measurement
of velocity by means of such instruments.

From Gr. takhos speed and -meter.

high

tachygraphy (ta kig' ra n), n. Shorthand
or stenography, especially on any of the
systems used by the ancient Greeks and
Romans. (F. tachygraphie.}

In Plutarch's life of Cato the Younger,
it is related that this Roman senator had his
oration on Catiline's conspiracy recorded
by tachygraphy. Cato obtained several
tachygraphie (tak i graf ik, adj.) or tachy-
graphical (tak i graf ik al, adj.) writers and
placed them in differ-
ent parts of the Senate
House. These men,
Plutarch tells us, put
down " in little and
short strokes equiva-
lent to words," all that
Cato said. Evidently
the Roman tachy-
grapher (ta kig' ra fer,
n.), or writer of tachy-
graphy, was as skilful
as a modern parlia-
mentary reporter.
From Gr. takhys swift and E. suffix -graphy.
tachylyte (tak' i lit), n. A black, glassy
form of basalt. (F. tachylyte, tachylite.)

Deposits of tachylyte, or of tachylytic
(tak i lit7 ik, adj.) rock, are common in most
volcanic regions.

From Gr. takhys swift, and -lytos loosed, from
lyein to loose. ..

tachymeter (ta kim'e ter), n. A surveying
instrument for locating points rapidly.

The use of a tachymeter is called tachy-
metry (ta kim' e tri, n.).

From Gr. takhys swift and E. -metre.
tacit (tas' it), adj. Understood, existing,
or implied, though not definitely stated ;
silent.' (F. soUs-entendu, tacite, implicite.}

A schoolmaster gives his tacit consent to
an action when he witnesses it and does not
forbid it. A tacit agreement is an under-
standing between the parties concerned,
that has not been stated in so many words,
nor put on paper as a formal contract. We
consent tacitly (tas' it li, adv.] to a friend's
actions when we make no protest, but allow
him to understand, by our silence, that we
do not object to them.

• - From L. tacitus from tacere to be silent. SYN. :
Implied, inferred, understood.

taciturn (tas' i turn), adj. Habitually
silent ; • reserved in speech. (F. taciturne.)
A taciturn person is not fond of speaking.
He has the quality of taciturnity (tas i ter' ni
ti, n.), and behaves taciturnly (tas' i turn li,
adv.), or in a reserved, uncommunicative
manner.

From L. tactturnus from tacere to hold one's
peace. SYN. : Close, reserved, uncommunicative.
ANT. : Garrulous, loquacious, talkative.

tack (tak), n. A short, sharp nail with a
flat head ; one of a series of long, rapid
stitches employed as a temporary fastening
in sewing ; the forward lower corner of a
sail ; a rope holding this down ; the course
of a sailing boat, as determined by the

4211

TACKLE

TACT

position of her sails ; a temporary change of
direction of a ship, so as to bring the wind on
the other side of the sails ; a course of action ;
a sticky condition ; a strip of cloth for
fastening a branch to a wall with a nail ;
a strip of lead for securing a pipe. v.t. To
fix with tacks ; to stitch together lightly
with long stitches ; to add (to or on), v.i. To
change the course of a vessel by bringing her
head round, and letting the wind fill her sails
on the other side ; to alter one's conduct or
policy. (F. broquette, fanfil, amure, bordee,
demarche; clouer, faufiler ; virer de bord.)

Sailing vessels cannot sail directly into
the wind, but, by tacking, they can move
forward against the wind in zigzag fashion.
When a boat tacks she first edges as close
as possible into the wind on one side, then
turns her bows across the path of the wind,
and sails at a similar acute angle to it on
the other side.

A ship or boat is said to be on the star-
board tack when she has the wind blowing
on her starboard side, and the tack or
forward corner of the sail is inclined in that
direction. Similarly, a boat on the port
tack is sailing with the wind blowing on her
port side.

A vessel sailing on the wrong tack, will
get off her course. Thus, in a colloquial way,
we say that a person is on the wrong tack
when he uses the wrong means to persuade
someone, or else is misled in his conclusion
about some matter.

Tin-tacks are iron tacks coated with tin.
They are used for fastening down floor
coverings, for attaching labels to packing-
cases, and many other purposes. A machine
for fixing tacks is called a tacker (tak7 er,
n.), a word also meaning one who tacks,
in other senses of the verb.

Tailors usually tack together the diflerent
pieces of cloth forming a suit, so that it can
be altered if necessary when it is tried on
by the person ordering it. We tack on a
few words to the end of a letter when we
write a postscript.

In law, tacking (tak7 ing, n.) is the right
of the holder of a mortgage on a property
to claim priority over the holder of a previous
mortgage, of which notice was not given.
In connexion with Parliament, tacking is
the addition, by the House of Commons, of
a clause not relating to money to a money-
bill. Such a clause must then be passed by
the House of Lords, which cannot reject a
money-bill.

Rubber solution becomes tacky (tak' i,
adj.], that is, somewhat adhesive, or sticky,
when partly dried. A surface coated with it
has the quality of tackiness (tak7 i nes, n.}.

Assumed O. Northern F. toque peg, nail ; cp.
Dutch tak twig, G.zacke prong, tine, East Frisian
and Dan. takke pointed object. See attach, at-
tack, detach. SYN. : v. Annex, append, fasten.

tackle (tak7 1), n. An arrangement of
ropes, pulleys, etc., used for hoisting,
lifting, or for working sails, etc. ; a windlass

or winch with its ropes, etc. ; the outfit or
gear required for any particular work or
sport ; in football, the legal obstruction of
an opponent, v.t. To grapple with (diffi-
culties, work, etc.) ; in football, to collar or
obstruct (an opponent). (F. pal an, atiirail ;
attaqner, empoigner.)

All the ropes and pulleys, etc.,
used in working a ship's sails and
spars, or for hoisting other heavy
weights, are known as her tackle.
The anchors and cables holding her
at anchor form the ground-tackle.
The fishing tackle used by anglers,
includes rods, lines, hooks, etc.

In Association football, to charge
or otherwise lawfully attempt to
dispossess an opponent of the ball
is to tackle him, and the action is
called a tackle. To tackle in Rugby
football is to hold an opponent who
has the ball so that he cannot at
any moment while he is so held, pass or
play the ball. In the event of a tackle, the
ball can only be brought into play with the
feet.

When a player in a football team tackles
an opponent skilfully, we say that his
tackling (tak7 ling, n.} is good. A person
tackles a problem when he sets his mind to
solving it.

Probably M. Low G. (or Dutch) takel from taken
to lay hold of. See take. SYN. : n. Apparatus,
gear ; v. Clutch, collar, grasp, seize.

Tackle.

Tackle.— A Rugby football player, with the ball,
well tackled by an opponent.

tacky (tak7 i). For this word see tinder
tack.

tact (takt), n. An aptitude for doing and
saying what is best fitted to the circum-
stances, or the person to be dealt with ;
an intuitive sense of what is fitting or right ;
in music, time, a beat, or a measure. (F.
tact, discretion, delicatesse, frappe.)

A hostess who possesses tact does not in-
vite two people who dislike each other to the
same party. A tactful (takt7 ful, adj.) man
expresses himself in a way that does not give

4212

TACTICS

TAFFETA

offence. He does not abuse, bully, or
grumble at others, who cause him annoyance,
but reminds them of their failings tactfully
(takf ful li, adv.), that is, in a manner that is
the outcome of tact. He may be said to
exercise tactfulness (takf ful nes, n.), or
delicate regard for the feelings of those
around him.

A person who talks on subjects hurtful
to his hearers is tactless (takf les, adj.) or
wanting in tact. A remark made tactlessly
(takf les li, adv.), or in a blundering mala-
droit way, may do as much harm as one that
is deliberately offensive. Tactlessness (takf
les nes, n.) is a lack of adroitness in one's
relations with others, due to a want of tact.

From L. tactus (sense of) touch, from p.p. of
tang ere to touch. SYN. : Delicacy, discernment,
discrimination, nicety. ANT. : Tactlessness.

tactics (tak' tiks), n. The theory or
practice of handling naval and military
forces, especially when in contact with an
enemy ; procedure or devices to attain
some end. (F. tactique, precede.)

Regarded as an art or science, tactics is
often treated as a singular noun, but when
put into practice it is generally treated as a
plural. A general shows good strategy when
he disposes his forces, and moves his army
in such a way that he secures an advantage
over the enemy before actually engaging
with them. If his tactics, or handling and
manoeuvring of troops, during the battle
are equally good, he will probably defeat the
enemy, provided that they do not hopelessly
outnumber his own, force.

Napoleon, however, reminded us that an
army marches on its stomach, and it is very
true that strategy and. tactics both, fail .if
logistics, the transporting and quartering
of troops in a proper manner, are neglected.
For instance, the cleverest tactical (tak' tik al,
adj.) movements, or those pertaining to
tactics, cannot be carried out by tired and
starving men. , A tactician (tak tish',an, n.)
is an expert in tactics, whether military or of
other kinds, who. is able to outmanoeuvre
his opponents tactically (tak' tik al li, adv.},
that is, as regards' tactics.

Gr. taktikat neuter pi. of taktikos, adj. from
tassein to put in order.

tactile, (tak. '.til ; tak ' til), adj. Oi'or con-
nected with the sense of touch ; perceptible
hy this sense. (F. tactile.)

The whiskers of a cat are regarded as
tactile organs, as they convey the sense
of touch, and are used by the animal for
feeling its way. The tip of one's tongue has
great tactile sensibility. A tactile manifesta-
tion is one received through the tactual
(tak' tu al, adj.) sense, or perceived tactually
(tak' tu al li, adv.), that is, by the sense of
touch. Tactility (tak til' i ti, n.) is the quality
or condition of being tactile.

From L. tactilis from tactus p.p. of t anger e
to touch.

tactless (takf les). For this word,
tactlessly, etc., see under tact.

tactual (tak' tu al). For this word, and
tactually, see under tactile.

tadpole (tad' pol), n. The larva of a frog,
toad, or other tailless batrachian, after it
leaves the egg, but before the loss of the
tail, and the appearance of the fore limbs.
(F. tetard.)

. Some writers deny the name tadpole to
the free-swimming embryo of the frog just
after it leaves the egg, and confine it to
an intermediate stage in the larval life of
the frog, during which the hind limbs grow
out from the base of the tail. Only in one
species, Xenopus, do the fore limbs appear
simultaneously.

M.E. tadpolle- frorn, toad and poll head, from
being, as it were, all head. Cp. the French
name tetard.

Tadpole. — The tadpole stage in the development of
a frog.

tael (tal), n. The Chinese ounce, equal
for trade purposes to one ounce and a half
avoirdupois ; a Chinese money of account,
or unit of value. (F. tael.)

The value represented by the tael, as a
monetary unit, varies with the price of silver.

Port., from Malay tahil weight.

ta'en (tan). This is a poetical contraction
of taken, the past participle of take. See
take.

taenia (te" ni a), n. In architecture, a
fillet separating the frieze of a Doric column
from the architrave ; in anatomy, a ribbon-
like part ; a roller-bandage ; the head-band
of an ancient Greek or Roman ; the genus
of intestinal worms containing the common
tape-worm, pi- taeniae (te' ni e). (F.
filet, tenia, ver solitaire.)

•••• A worm related to the tape-worm is some-
times termed a taenioid (te' ni oid, adj.)
worm. In anatomy, parts of a taenioid or
ribbon-like shape^ are 'called taeniae.

L., from Gr. tainia fillet.

tafferel (taf ' er el), n. The upper part of a
ship's stern.

This word is now often spelt taffrail, to
indicate the after part of the poop-rail, or
railing running round the stern.

From Dutch taf er eel, dim. of taf el table.

taffeta (taf e ta), n. A light, stiff, glossy
silk fabric, having a plain texture ; a
similar fabric containing wool or linen.
(F. taffetas.)

O.F. taffetas, I tal. taffeta, from Pers. taftah,
from tdftan to twist.

4213

TAFFRAIL

TAIL

Taffrail.— The taffrail at
the after end of a ship.

taffrail (taf ' ral ; taf ral), n. The hinder
part of the poop-rail or rail round the stern
of a ship. (F. couronnement de la poupe.}

Corruption of
tafferel.

Taffy (taf \},n. A
nickname for a
Welshman.

This word is a
humorous imitation
of the Welsh pro-
nunciation of Davy,
or David — in Welsh,
D afy d d — a name
borne by many
Welshmen in honour
of their patron saint.

tafia (taf i a), n.
An inferior kind of
rum distilled from molasses of low grade,
etc. (F. tafia.)

Native West Indian name.

tag (tag), n. Any small appendage ; a
small tied-on label ; the metal point on the
end of a bootlace ; a loop on the back of a
boot for pulling it on ; a loose or ragged
end or edge ; a ragged tuft of wool on a
sheep ; an animal's tail, or the tip of this ;
a closing speech of a play addressed to the
audience ; the refrain of a song ; a stock
phrase or quotation ; a children's game in
which one player chases and tries to touch
one of the others, v.t. To fit, furnish, or mark
with a tag or tags ; to apply a stock phrase
or phrases to ; to attach (to, on to, or to-
gether) ; to touch (a player) in the game of
tag ; to follow closely. (F. patte, etiquette,
ferret, tirant, replique, chat.}

Some people try to display their learning
by introducing Latin tags, or well-worn
quotations from Latin writers, - into their
conversation. Untidy people sometimes leave
the tags on the backs of the boots sticking
out. They should, of course be tucked in
before the boot is laced. The tags on boot-
laces are metal bindings that make it
easier to pass the lace through the eyelet
holes.

In the game of tag, the player who
endeavours to tag or touch one of the others
is called the tagger (tag' er, n.}, or " it."
When he succeeds in tagging someone, that
person becomes tagger, and the other joins
the players who try to avoid being tagged.

Very thin sheet-iron coated with tin is
known as taggers (tag7 erz, n.pl.}; when un-
coated with tin, it is called black taggers.

The expression tag-rag (n.) has the same
meaning as rag-tag, and denotes the riff-raff,
or the rabble. A tagtail (tag7 tal, n.) is a
kind of worm with a yellow tag or tail,
used by anglers. In a figurative sense, one
who hangs on to another person, a flatterer
or toady, is called a tagtail. Anglers also use
a fly called a red tag, having a red-tipped tail,
for catching grayling.

Perhaps from tack, or obsolete E. dag in same
sense.

Tagetes (ta je' tez), n. A genus of showy
American plants comprising the French and
African marigolds. (F. tagete.}

These plants belong to the aster family,
and bear yellow or orange flowers on long
stalks.

Modern L,., from L. Tages a god of the Etrus-
cans.

Taic (ta' ik), ad]. Of or relating to the
Tai. n. The language of the Tai.

The Tai are the chief race in the part of
Asia called Indo-China, which lies between
south-west China and India. They include
the Shans of Burma and the Siamese, and
are of Mongoloid stock.

taiga (tl' ga), n. A coniferous forest
stretching across sub-arctic America, Europe,
and Asia to the south of the tundra.

Belts of pines, firs, spruce, and larch, of
the same kind as the northern taiga, also
occur in mountainous regions just below
the upper limit of trees.

Siberian term.

tail [i] (tal), n. The hindermost part of an
animal, especially a prolongation of the
spine ; anything resembling this in shape or
position ; the stabilizing and control vanes
at the rear of an aeroplane or airship ; the
luminous train or slender end of a comet ;
the stem of a note in music ; the rearmost,
lower, or inferior part of anything ; the
exposed end of a slate or tile in a roof ;
the concealed end of a brick in a wall ;
a slender backward extension of a butterfly's
wing ; a retinue ; a queue ; (usually pi.} the
skirt of a coat. v.t. To furnish with a tail ;
to attach (to) ; to form the end of (a pro-
cession) ; to insert an end of (a timber) into
a wall ; to remove the tails or stalks from
(fruit), v.i. To follow closely after; to
fall behind or drop (away or off) in scattered
formation ; of an anchored ship, to swing
(up or down-stream) with the tide. (F.
queue, empennage, chef de base, pan, cortege.}

Tail. — An Assamese butterfly which has very long
tails on its wings.

The tails of mammals are extensions of
the backbone consisting of gradually taper-
ing vertebrae covered with flesh and skin.

The tail of a bird is made up of long, stiff
feathers, and is used as a rudder when in the

4214

TAIL

TAILOR

air. The fan of brilliant feathers that are"
known as the tail of the peacock is not a tail
in the true sense of the word. It is strictly
formed of the tail-coverts (jt.pl.) of the bird.
This is a scientific term denoting the feather?
covering the quill-feathers of the true tail.

In fishes the tail is the part behind the
abdomen bearing the caudal fin. It serves as
a propeller. The flexible abdomens of some
crustaceans and scorpions are known as their
tails. The swallow-tail butterflies have tails
of a different kind — these are really backward
projections of the wings. The tail of a comet
is a sheath of luminous matter extending
from its nucleus. This tail is not situated
behind the comet, but in a direction away
from the sun — the explanation being that it
consists of matter on which the sun exercises
repulsion.

The tail of one's eye is the outer corner ;
the tail of a brick in a wall is the unexposed
end, also called its tailing (tal' ing, n.). When
a pack of dogs tails away during a long run,
its action may be described as a tailing-off.
In calico printing, a blurring of colours due
to a faulty impression is termed a tailing.
The refuse, or inferior parts, of certain
products, such as the chaff of threshed
grain, are technically known as tailings (tal'
ingz, n.pl.).

People may be said to tail on to a procession
when they follow on at its tail or end. Dogs
hang their tails between their legs when
cowed or dejected. In a figurative sense,
a person in a cowed frame of mind is de-
scribed as carrying his tail between his legs.
Cooks top and tail gooseberries, when they
remove the withered remains of the flower
at the top of the fruit, and the stalk,
regarded as its tail, at the bottom.

A cricket team is said to have a tail when
the last few batsmen fail to score many runs.
This tail is generally composed of the wicket-
keeper and men who are included in the team
largely on account of their value as bowlers.

The tail of a gale is a comparatively calm
period at its end, and the tail of a stream is a
stretch of smooth water following a rough
part. In the science of fortification, the
tail of the trenches is the point at which an
attacking force begins to dig trenches and
work forward under cover. A sudden attack
by the besieged may compel the besiegers to
turn tail, that is, run away.

The tailboard (n.) of a cart or wagon is
its hinged or sliding board at its back. A
tail-coat (n.) is a man's morning coat with
long tails or skirts behind, or else an evening
dress-coat, similarly designed. The tail-end
(n.) of a speech, procession, or other thing is
the fag-end, or finishing end. The down-
stream gate of a lock is its tail-gate (n.) ; the
up-stream gate its head-gate.

The end of a chapter or book is sometimes
decorated with a small ornamental design
or sketch, called a tail-piece (n.). The tail-
piece of a violin or similar instrument is

the piece of wood, generally of ebony, to
which the lower ends of the strings are
fastened. A pump draws in water through
its tail-pipe (n.), or suction pipe. Water
flows away from a water-wheel or turbine
through a channel called a tail-race (n.).

Beasts '-and birds are tailed (tald, adj.),
if they have tails. Lambs, however, are
said to be'tailed when their tails are cut off.
Human beings are tailless (tal' les, adj.).

A.-S. taegel ; cp. O. Norse tagl horse's tail,
Swed. lagel horse-hair, Goth., tagl hair. SYN. :
n. Conclusion) end, rump, termination, train.

tail [2] (tal), n. In law, limitation of
ownership ;• limited ownership ; an estate
limited to a person, or to certain specified
heirs. (F. substitution.)

From F. faille notch, tally. See tally.

Tailor. — An Indian master tailor fashioning a
garment in his work-room.

tailor (ta' lor), n. One who makes and
repairs men's, and sometimes women's,
outer garments, v.i. To work as a tailor, v.t.
To make outer garments for. (F. tailleur ;
etre tailleur; tailler.}

The term tailor is often restricted to a
person who makes suits and overcoats to
order, with special attention to fitting
the measurements of individual customers.
Tailoring (ta/ lor ing, n.), or the occupation
of a tailor, is at its best a highly skilled
business. A woman following this business
is called a tailoress (ta/ lor es, n.). A woman's
costume is said to be tailor-made (adj.),
when it is made by a tailor, in a plain style,
of more or less heavy material, and with
particular attention to closeness of fit.

The tailor-bird (n.) — Orthotomus sutorius —
is an Asiatic bird that forms its nest by
sewing two large leaves together at the edges,
and filling the bag thus made with grass and
hair. It uses its beak as a needle, and
uses cocoon silk or vegetable fibre as cotton.

O.F. taillour, from tailler to cut. See tally.

4215

TAIN

TAKIN

tain (tan), n. Very thin tin-plate ; tin-
foil for backing mirrors. (F. tain.}

F., shortened form of etain tin, L. stannum.

taint (tant), n. A spot, or trace of decay,
unsoundness, or disease, moral or physical ;
a corrupting or depraving influence ; a state
of corruption. v.t. To introduce disease,
decay, or some corrupting influence, etc.,
into ; to infect ; to sully ; to tarnish.
v.i. To be affected or infected with the first
traces of corruption, etc. (F. tache, alter-
ation, corruption, pourriture ; infecter, con-
taminer, souiller ; s'alterer, se gdter.)

Noxious vapours may be said to taint or
poison the air, filling it with taint or infection.
Meat taints easily in hot weather. , In , a
figurative sense we may say that there is no
taint of suspicion about a perfectly , good
person. His character is taintless (tanf Ies7
adj.},, or without blemish.

From F. teint, p.p. of teindre to dye, stain,
L. tinctus, from tingere. SYN. : n. Blemish, blot,
stain, tinge. v.~ Corrupt, defile, infect/ pollute,
sully.

Taiping (tl ping), n. One who took part
in the Chinese rebellion of 1856^64. Another
spelling ' is Taeping (tl'.ping).,^ (F. Taiping.)

This word has a very large number of
idiomatic and colloquial senses. We take
a kettle by the handle to lift it. We take a
house when we arrange to occupy it. A
delicate person who takes, or catches, a chill,
usually takes medical advice, by consulting
a doctor, and is probably advised to take, or
have, a rest from work.

A person takes a train when he travels
by it, and probably takes his luggage, or has
it conveyed, with him, but if he takes his
family to the seaside, he conducts them there.
Plays are said to take when they please
public taste. We take things calmly when
we regard them in a philosophical manner.
A piecejpf music marked presto is taken, or
performed, very quickly.
., A.take'-in (n.) is a deception, fraud, or
imposition ; a take-off (n.) is a caricature
or, burlesque, or else the place from which a
jumper's . feet leave the ground when he
leaps." In~croquet, a stroke that drives one's
ball ^forward, so as to touch another ball
without "sh'ifting it, is called a take-off.

A' taker jtak' er, n.) is one who takes —
especially one who accepts a bet. A taking

) (tak '-ing,, .adf.) woman is attractive, perhaps

The Taiping rebellion was' a ^civiKwary; because she is takingly (tak' ing li, adv.), or
fought -between the supporter's of ^ the " captivatinglyi , dressed, or because of the
Manchu dynasty, and the southern^ Chinese*: takingriess '(tak' ing nes, w.), or pleasing

who followed the usurper Hung Siu-ts'ualn:
Charles Gordon (1833-85), afterwards ttie
famous general, was employed by the
Emperor to reorganize the loyal army, and
completely routed the rebels.

Chinese, from t'ai great, p'ing peace.

taj (taj), n. The tall, conical hat of a
Mohammedan dervish.

Pers. from Arabic.

take (tak), v.t. To grasp ; to lay hold of ;
to obtain possession of by force ; to capture ;
to catch ; to captivate ; to carry away ;
to carry with one ; to cause to come with
one ; to convey ; to use ; to acquire ; to
purchase ; to select ; to accept ; to receive ;
to put up with ; to find out by inquiry ; to
understand ; to infer ; to be infected with ;
to be affected by ; to bear in a specified
way ; to regard (as) ; to adopt ; to derive ;
to deduct ; to make or perform ; to photo-
graph, v.i. To take hold ; to get a grip ; to
become fastened ; to have the effect desired
or intended ; to succeed ; to please ; to betake
oneself (to) ; to be attracted or inclined (to) ;
to admit of being photographed, p.t. took
(tuk) ; p.p. taken (tak' en), n. The act of
taking ; that which is taken ; the quantity
or amount taken ; a catch of fish ; takings
in a shop, or of a box-office, etc. ; the amount
of copy taken for setting up at one time by
a compositor ; this when set in type. (F.
prendre, saisir, s'emparer de, fasciner, enlever,
emporter, faire suivre, transporter, faire usage
de, acquerir, acheter, accepter, supporter,
comprendre, inferer, attraper, eprouver, subir,
regarder comme, adopter, tirer, photographier ;
trouver prise, se fermer, reussir, plaire, se
mettre, s'adonner a; prise, gains, impression.)

qualify ,7pf her manners. The taking (n.) of
wild animals is the capture of them ; in a
shop, the takings (tak' ingz, n.pl.) are the
receipts.

Late A.-S. tacan, from O. Norse taka ; cp.
Swed. taga, Dan. taga ; akin to tack. SYN. : v.
Adopt, arrest, remove, seize, use. ANT. : v.
Bestow, confer, give, present, return.

Takin. — The takin, a rather rare ruminant animal,
found OD the borders of Tibet and Assam.

takin (ta' kin), n. A horned, heavily-
built ruminant animal of the eastern
Himalayas, allied to the antelope.

The takin (Budorcas taxicolor] has very
large hoofs and a tiny goat-like tail. Its
coarse coat is reddish-brown mingled with
black.

Native name in Assam.

4216

TALAPOIN

TALES

Ta'.aria. — Ta!aria, the
wings of Hermes.

talapoin (tal' a poin), n. A Buddhist
monk in Siam, Ceylon, etc. ; a small West
African monkey (Cercopithecus talapoin}.
(F. talapoin.}

A native name in Pegu = my lord.

talaria (ta lar' i a), n.pl. In classical
mythology, the
winged sandals '
or wings worn by
Hermes, and other
messengers of the \
gods. (F. talonnieres.)
L. neut. pi. of talaris,
adj. from talus ankle.

talbot (tawl'bot),
n. A large, white
variety of hound,
no longer bred, with
long, drooping ears,
heavy jaws, and a
marked sense of smell. (F. chien courant.)

Supposed to be named after the Talbot
family to which belong the earls of Shrewsbury.

talbotype (tawl' bo tip), n. A very early
photographic process, invented by W. H.
Fox Talbot and patented by him in 1841.

The paper on which pictures were taken
by this process was prepared by dipping it
successively in solutions of nitrate of silver,
potassium iodide, and gallo-nitrate of silver.
The paper, after being exposed in the camera,
developed itself, and the image was fixed
by washing it with water.

talc (talk), n. A fibrous magnesium silicate
which occurs usually in trans-
parent plates or prisms, and
sometimes in granular masses ;
loosely, mica. (F. talc.)

Talc, most of which comes
from the United States, has
a characteristic soapy feel.
It is silvery-white, greenish-
white, or green in colour,
very soft, very resistant to
acids and alkalis, and a
good insulator. Powdered
talc finds many uses as a dry lubricant,
as a dressing for leather and rubber, and
in the manufacture of soaps, paints, and
varnishes.

The slate found near the Lizard, in Corn-
wall, contains some talc and may be said to
be talcky (talk7 i, adj.). Certain kinds of
granite are talcoid (talk' oid, adj.), talcous
(talk' us, adj.), or talcose (talk 6s, adj.), that
is, they consist largely of talc. Some granite
found in Wicklow contains a massive talc
called talcite (tals' it, n.), used to make
acid baths, sinks, and hearthstones.

F., from Arabic talq, Pers. talk.

tale (tal), n. A story spoken or written,
either in prose or verse ; a true or fictitious
narrative ; a legend ; a fable ; a report ;
information ; a number counted and de-
clared. (F. conte, histoire, legende, rumeur,
chiffre.)

We like a tale to be interesting, whether
it is the chronicle of an historical event, or

Talent. — A bronze talent fro
Abydos. Upper Egypt.

a product of the imagination. From old
folk-tales or legends we learn a great deal
of the lives and thoughts of our ancestors.

Formerly, any enumeration or reckoning
was called a tale, and the word, used in this
sense, is often found in literature.

People who talk scandal about their
neighbours, or those who circulate malicious
rumours, are said to spread tales. Anyone
who gives information likely to make trouble
for his fellows is said to be a talebearer (n.).
The practice of spreading malicious reports
is talebearing (n.).

A person who recounts or writes tales is a
tale-teller (n.). The minstrels who wandered
in the Middle Ages from castle to castle re-
counting stories of heroic deeds, might be
called tale-tellers. To-day, when we speak of
a tale-teller, we mean someone who delights
in recounting facts that may bring trouble
to his associates.

A.-S. tael number, talu story ; cp. Dutch taal
speech, G. zahl number, O. Norse tal ; akin to telL
SYN. : Anecdote, chronicle, history, legend, saga.

talent (tar ent), n. A weight and money
of account, used by the ancient Greeks,
Romans, and Hebrews, etc. ; great ability ;
a special aptitude for any art, business, etc. ;
persons possessing talent. (F. talent.)

The later Attic talent was fifty-seven
and three-quarters pounds in weight, and
in silver money represented about ^250 of
our money. The Jewish silver talent was
worth roughly £340, and the Jewish gold
talent about ^10,000.

The Parable of the Talents,
held in trust to trade with
(Matthew xxv, 14-30), has
given the word its second
meaning of mental capacity
of a high order. A talented
(tar ent ed, adj.) person has
a strength of intellect that
can be trained to a pitch of
excellence in certain direc-
tions, but he is less fortunate
than a genius, who has peculiar gifts of
imagination which enable him to create on
his own account, and carry him far above
his fellows. Many seemingly dull people are
really not quite talentless (tal' ent les, adj.),
that is, destitute of talent, though their
talents may be hard to discover.

A.-S. talente, L. talentum, Gr. talanton balance,
from tlan to bear. See atlas. SYN. : Capacity,
endowment, faculty, flair, gift. ANT. : Inability,
incompetence, ineptitude.

tales (ta/ lez), n. A writ for summoning
jurors to make up a deficiency; a list of
those who may be thus summoned. (F.
jure special supplementaire.)

When men and women are summoned to
courts of law in order to serve on the jury,
great care is taken to ensure the attendance
of more than will be actually required, in
order that the work of the court may not be
held up for lack of jurors. This is done
chiefly because in certain circumstances a

4217

P 7

TALE-TELLER

TALK

juror may be challenged, that is, one of the
parties in the case may object to that par-
ticular juror taking part in the proceedings.

It sometimes happens that more jurors are
challenged than was anticipated, and then
a talesman (talz' man ; ta' lez man, n.) has
to be brought in. Talesmen are enrolled by a
special writ, called a tales, usually from
among the spectators in the court. To ask
for the issue of such a writ is to pray a tales.

L. from the opening words of the writ tales
de circumstantibus, etc., such of the bystanders
as ...

tale-teller (tal' tel er). For this word
see under tale.

Taliacotian (tal i a ko'shan), adj. Relating
to or named after Gasparo Tagliacozzi, a six-
teenth century Bolognese surgeon. Another
form is Tagliacotian (tal ya ko' shan).

The Taliacotian operation, first described
by Tagliacozzi, is still of some importance in
plastic surgery ; by it a new nose is formed
by taking a graft from the arm or forehead,
this graft only being cut when the new
flesh on the nose is growing.

talion (tal' i on), n. The law of retaliation,
by which the offender was treated as he had
treated his victim. (F. talion.}

The Hebrew law of talion is thus stated in
Exodus (xxi, 23-25) : " Thou shalt give life
for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for
hand, foot for foot, burning for burning,
wound for wound, stripe for stripe." It is
replaced in the Sermon on the Mount by a
higher moral command (Matthew v, 38, 39).
Talion was enforced in Babylonian, early
Roman and Mohammedan law, and it still
prevails in Abyssinia. In the early Anglo-
Saxon codes such punishments were super-
seded by graduated money payments, and
talionic (tal i on' ik, adj.} punishment was
no longer recognized by law.

L. tdlio (ace. -on-em) from talis such, like.

taliped (tal' i ped), adj. Club-footed ;
having the feet twisted into an unusual
position. (F. bot.}

Sloths are taliped animals. Talipes (tal' i
pez, n.} is the deformity called club-foot in
some unfortunate human beings. It also
means the natural twisting of the sloth's
feet which makes these animals very
awkward on the ground, but adapts them
for clinging back downwards to the branches
of trees.

Modern L. talipes (ace. -ped-em), from L. talus
ankle, and pes (ace. ped-em) foot.

talipot palm (tal' i pot pam), «. A
handsome palm tree (Corypha umbraculifera) ,
native of Ceylon and the Malabar Coast of
India. (F. iallipot.}

The trunk of the talipot sometimes
attains a height of one hundred feet ; it is
crowned by a huge tuft of wide, fan-shaped
leaves, which are used as a writing material
by the natives.

South Indian tdlapat, Sansk. tdlapattra, from
tdla fan-palm, patra leaf.

talisman (tal' is man ; tal' iz man), n.
A charm carved or engraved with astrological
figures or magic formula ; something which
produces extraordinary effects. (F. talisman.}

In the Middle Ages a talisman was usually
a figure engraved on a disk of metal or stone,
when two favourable planets were in con-
junction. It was supposed to exercise a
protective influence on the wearer.

To-day some foolish people associate any
good fortune that comes their way with the
possession of an object with "talismanic
(tal is man' ik ; tal iz man' ik, adj.} virtues.

F., Span., or Port, talisman, or I tal. talismano,
Arabic tilsam charm, Late Gr. telesma mystery,
from telein to bring to an end (telos) to
consecrate. SYN. : Amulet, charm, mascot.

Talk. — The movie-tone, the wonderfully ingenious

apparatus for producing talking kinematograph

films.

talk (tawk), v.i. To utter words ; to
speak ; to converse familiarly ; to discourse ;
to confer ; to tell ; to chat. v.t. To express
in words.; to speak about ; to discuss ; to
speak (a language) ; to influence by talking.
n. Conversation ; gossip ; rumour ; dis-
cussion ; the subject of conversation ;
conference. (F. parler, causer, confer er,
discuter, *aconter ; dire, parler de-, discuter,
parler; conversation, bruit, rumeur, sujet,
conference.)

A child begins to talk when he is a lew
months old, but it is a long time before he
can talk or carry on a conversation with grown
up people. A lecturer talks or discourses
to his audiences. By talking, or conferring,
two people of opposite opinion may arrive
at a compromise.

When a number of people are talking on
frivolous topics we may wonder what they
can find to chat about. We say a man talks
Spanish if he can hold a conversation in

4218

TALL

TALLY

that language. To talk a man down is to
out-talk him, to talk him over is to persuade
him by talking. At a meeting of a missionary
society there is sure to be a talk or discussion
on the aims of the society.

Some people are more talkative (tawk'
a tiv, adj.] or inclined to talk than others.
A boy, who is talkative in class will probably
be called a chatterbox by his master. A
person who meets us with a flow of words
greets us talkatively (tawk' a tiv li, adv.]
He has the quality of talkativeness (tawk'
a tiv nes, n.}, or garrulity.

When primitive races try to talk English
the queer jumble of sounds they produce is
sometimes called talkee-talkee (taw' ki
taw' ki.. n.} A conversation that goes on for
a long time without result may be said to
be mere talkee-talkee.

The phonograph is a talking-machine (n.},
that is, a device which mechanically records
and reproduces speech, music and other
sounds. The word is also used for the gramo-
phone, which only reproduces sounds, the
recording being done by a separate apparatus.

Anyone who talks in any meaning of the
word is a talker (tawk' er, n.), but the word
is more often used of a chatterbox or boaster.
A parrot is a talking (tawk' ing, adj.) bird,
that is, it has the gift of speech. We say a
person is always talking if he exercises his
power of speech too freely.

M.E. talke, from A.-S. tal- with frequentative
suffix -k. See tale, tell, walk. SYN. : Converse,
speak, n. Conversation, gossip.

tall (tawl), adj. Lofty in stature ; above
the average in height ; extrava-
gant ; excessive. (F. de haute
taille, grand, extravagant.}

A tall man is a man who is
taller than the average of men
we are accustomed to see. A
tall story is a story which
cannot easily be believed ;
The " Adventures of Baron
Munchausen," for example, con-
tains some tall stories. Exces-
sive tallness (tawl' nes, n.} of
stature is sometimes a great
disadvantage.

Earlier, gallant, efficient, A.-S.
gelael prompt, active, swift ; cp.
O.H.G. gi-zal quick, Goth, un-tal-s
uncompliant. For the change
of meaning cp. clean, handsome
pretty. SYN. : Exorbitant, high,
lofty. ANT. : Little, short, small.

tallage (tal' ij), n. A form
of taxation levied on free-
holders, not of gentle birth,
under the Norman and Angevin kings.
(F. taille.}

Properly tallage was the arbitrary taxes
to which the demesne lands and the Royal
boroughs were subject. Under the Norman
kings every town came to be regarded as in
some lord's demesne, and the royal vassals
claimed the same right as the king to demand

Tally. — Tally - sticks were

formerly used to record
and loans.

occasional payments from those of their
dependants who did not pay the feudal
dues.

MagnaCharta (1215) demanded a restriction
of the tallages exacted from the citizens of
London, but the royal right to obtain money
in this way was not surrendered until 1340,
when representatives of the middle classes
were allowed to vote their share of the
taxes.

M.E. and O.F. taillage, from tailler to cut, and
-age. See tail [2], tally.

tallboy (tawl' boy), n. A very tall chest
of drawers, usually made in two sections, one
fitting on the top of the other.

From E. tall and boy.

tallith (tal' ith), n. A scarf worn during
prayer by the Jews. (F. taleth.}
Heb. = shelter, covering.

tallow (tal' 6), n. A product of the harder
kinds of animal fat used for making candles
and soap, and for dressing leather, v.t. To
smear with tallow ; to fatten. (F. suif ;
graisser, engraisser.}

The best tallow is obtained from the fat
of cattle and sheep. When pure it is white
and almost tasteless, but usually it has a
yellowish tinge ; hence a person with a pale
complexion is sometimes called a' tallow-
face (n.) or said to be tallow-faced (adj.) or
he may be said to have a tallowish (tal' 6 ish,
adj.) face.

One who makes or sells tallow-candles
(n.pl.) is called a tallow-chandler (n.).. Sheep
are sometimes said to be tallowed when they
are so fed that they become very
H! fat. A tree which produces a
tallowy (tal ' 6 i, adj.) substance
is called a tallow-tree («.).

M.E. talgh ; cp. Dutch talk, G.,
Dan., Swed. talg.

tally (tar i), n. A stick in
which notches or marks are
made as a means of keeping
accounts ; an account ; some-
thing which is the counterpart
of something else ; a mark
signifying a fixed number of
objects ; a tag or label for
identifying a thing, v.t. To
score on a tally ; to record ; to
check off ; to haul (a square-
sail) square to the centre line
of a ship when running before
the wind. v.i. To agree ; to
correspond (with). (F. taille,
compte, contre - partie, porte-
numero, etiquette ; entailler,
numeroter, verifier; s'accorder, cadrer.}

Before the days of writing, sellers and
buyers kept their accounts on a stick split
down the middle. To record a transaction
the two parts were fitted together, only the
parts of the same stick would tally exactly,
and notches were cut across both. The
seller kept one half and the buyer the other

sales

4219

TALLY-HO

TAMANDUA

At a later date paper tallies in the form of
indentures were used in business. - The little
disks, each bearing a duplicate number,
which serve to identify articles left in a
cloakroom, are tallies in common use to-day.

A tallyman (tal' i man, n.), is one who
tallies, also one who keeps a tally-shop (n.),
that is, a shop at which goods are sold on the
tally system (n.), now commonly called the
instalment system. Under this system the
purchaser receives goods on credit, and pays
for them in weekly or monthly instalments.

From F. taille incision, cut, L. tdlea a cutting,
stick. See tail [2]. SYN. : n. Counterfoil, dupli-
cate, mark, notch, score, v.i. Coincide, match,
suit. ANT. : v.i. Disagree.

tally-ho (tal i ho'), inter., n. The cry used
by huntsmen to urge on their hounds, v.i. To
use this cry. v.t. To urge on (hounds) with
this cry. (F. taiaut.)

The tally-ho of the master, or the hunts-
man, of a pack of foxhounds means that the
fox- has got away.

Apparently a mere E. variant of F. taiaut
(earlier forms are theau le hau, thialau, thia
hillaud), apparently a meaningless ejaculation.

tallyman (tal' i man). For this word,
tally-shop, etc., see under tally.

talma (tal' ma), n. A large cape or full
cloak, usually with a hood, worn by men and
•women in the first half of the nineteenth
century. (F. talma.)

After Francois Joseph Talma, the great French
tragedian (1763-1826), who popularized this
coat.

talmi-gold (tal' mi gold), n. A kind of
brass, usually thinly coated with gold, used
for cheap jewellery.

G. trade-name.

Talmud (tal' mud ; tal mood '), n. The
collection of Jewish civil and religious law,
other than that contained in the five books of
Moses. (F. Talmud.)

There have been many
writers on Talmudic (tal
mood'ik; tal mud' ik,
adj.) or Talmudical (tal
mood' ik al; tal mud' ik
al, adj.] matters. The
Rabbi Maimonides (i 135-
1204) was a famous Tal-
mudist (tal' mud ist; tal
mood' ist n.), and his
Talmudistic (tal mud is'
tik ; tal mood ist' ik,
adj.) writings are still
valued by Jewish
scholars. See Mishna,
Gemara.

Late Heb. tal mud
teaching, from Idmad to
teach.

talon (tal' on), n. A claw, especially of
a bird or beast of prey ; the projecting
part of a lock-bolt ; the hinder part of certain
objects, such as the heel of a sword-blade,
part of the shell of a bivalve, also called
the heel ; a wave-like moulding ; figuratively,

the cards left in the pack after dealing ; the
last part of a sheet of coupons. (F. griff e,
serre, talon.)

Wild beasts in menageries often become
so fond of their keepers that they never
expose their talons. It is against the talon
of a lock that the key presses when it
sh oots the bolt.

Formerly used, as in O.F., of the hinder part
of the foot of a quadruped, also the hinder
claw of a bird, O.F. talon, L.L. talo (ace. -on-em)
heel, augmentative of L. talus ankle.

taluk (ta look7), n. A district in India from
which the revenue is collected by a native
official. Another form is talook (ta look').

The taluk is an estate in India which in
some ways resembles the English manor of
the Middle Ages. The chief landowner lets
the land to subtenants, and the whole
district, instead of paying taxes which may
vary in amount, contributes a fixed sum to
the revenue.

The officer,, in control of the taluk, or the
Indian collector of the revenue, is called a
talukdar (ta look' dar, n.).

Hindustani ta'alluq estate, from Arabic.
talus (ta' lus), n. The ankle-bone; a
form of club-foot ; in fortification, the slope
of a wall or earth bank ; a sloping mass of
fragments at the base of a cliff. (F. cheville,
malleole, pied hot, talus.)

It is on the talus or ankle-bone that the
weight of the body rests in the form of
club-foot called talus, the toes being drawn
up towards the leg so that only the heel rests
on the ground. The talus or slope of a wall
face may be due to the wall being built lean-
ing against a bank, or to the wall decreasing
in thickness from the base to the summit.
L. talus ankle, heel.

tal war (tal' war), n. This is another form
of tulwar. See tulwar.

tamable (tarn' abl),
adj. Capable of being
tamed. (F. domptable.)
Some wild animals are
tamable, but others
remain wild, however
kindly they are treated.
Stories are told of the
tamability (tarn a bil' i
ti, n.), or tamableness
(tarn' abl nes, n.) of lions
and other wild beasts,
but they cannot all be
believed.

From tame and -able.
tamandua (ta man'
du a), n. The small
four - toed ant-eater
(Tamandua tetradactyla.)
(F. tamandua.)
The four-toed tamandua is arboreal in its
habits and is the only species of the genus
Tamandua. It is smaller than the great ant-
bear (Myrmecophaga jubata), which is some-
times called the tamanoir (tarn a nwar, n.).
Port., from native Brazilian.

bird of

4220

TAMARACK

TAME

Tamarin. — The tamarin

is found in South and

Central America.

tamarack (tarn7
a rak), n. The
American larch, also
called the hackma-
tack (which see) ; a
North American
pine, Pinus Murray-
ana. (F. mtleze
americaine.}

American Indian.

tamarin (tarn7 a
rin), n. A mar-
moset belonging to
the genus Midas.
(F. tamarin.}

Tamarinsare found
in South and Central
America. They are
distinguished from
other marmosets by
having longer canine
teeth.

South American
native word.

tamarind (tarn '
a rind), n. A legu-
minous tropical tree,
Tamarindus indica ;
the fruit of this. (F.
tamarinier.}

The tamarind is
grown in the East
and West Indies. Its
long brown pods contain an acid pulp used in
making cooling drinks and sweet preserves.

M.F., from Span, tamarindo, from Arabic tamr-
hindl, from tamr ripe date, Hind India.

tamarisk (tarn' a risk), n. Any plant of the
genus Tamarix. (F. tamaris.)

The common tamarisk, T. gallica, is a
hardy evergreen shrub, found near the
Mediterranean, where it favours sandy
places. This species has been planted with
some success on our warmer coasts. It has
feathery branches and bears white or pink
flowers in dense spikes.

Manna is obtained from T. mannifera, an
allied species found in the Sinai peninsula.

From L. tamariscus, earlier tamarix.

tambour (tarn' bor), n. A drum ; a frame
used to stretch ma-
terial for embroid-
ery ; silk or stuff so
embroidered; in
architecture, a cylin-
drical stone forming
a course in a column ;
a drum-shaped part
of a structure ; a
ceiled lobby at the
entrance to a build-
ing ; in fortification,
a palisaded defence
at an entrance or
road. v.t. and i. To embroider with or
on a tambour. (F. tambour; broder au
plumetis.)

The name tambour is given especially to

Tambour. — A tambour
for Embroidery.

the bass drum. Its tightly stretched skins
are held in position by hoops, and a some-
what similar device is used in the circular
embroidery frame, called a tambour, on
which material is stretched for decorating
with needlework.

The tambour in architecture is a large
cylindrical stone such as that forming part
of the shaft in a pillar ; a roofed-in vestibule
in a porch, which keeps out draughts, is
a tambour of another sort, and the word is
used also of the cylindrical structure which
supports a cupola.

F., from Arabic tanbur drum ; perhaps imi-
tative ; cp. tabor. SYN. : n. Drum.

tambourine (tarn bo ren7), n. A shallow
drum covered with
parchment on one r

end only, and having i ^»^riMBkt • I

loose jingling metal
disks or bells on the
hoop; a lively Pro-
vencal dance, origi-
nally accompanied
by the tabor and
pipe ; the music for
this. (F. tambour de
basque.}

The tambourine is Tambourine.— The tarn-

held in one hand

and struck with the bells.

o^her. The effect of

the instrument depends as much on the

jingling of the bells as on the sound from

the parchment. The dance is more often

called tambourin (taw bu ran, n.}.

From F. tambourin, tabor, without 'bells or
disks, dim. of F. tambour.

tame (tarn), adj. Reclaimed from wild-
ness ; domesticated, not wild ; made
tractable ; docile ; submissive ; spiritless ;
dull ; insipid ; cultivated ; produced by
cultivation, v.t. To reclaim from the wild
state ; to domesticate ; to make docile ; to
subdue ; to humble. (F. apprivoise, do-
mestique, doux, docile, soumis, sans force, fade,
cultive ; apprivoiser, dompter.}

Man has succeeded in taming most animals
and even in making them so tame that they
can be induced to perform various feats.
Not even the lion or the tiger is — to use a
poetical word — tameless (tarn' les, adj.}, and
in the hands of a skilful tamer (tarn7 er, n.}
the animal may be persuaded to submit
tamely (tarn7 li, adv.} to being posed on a
pedestal, and so on.

The squirrels in our public parks have
acquired a surprising degree of tameness
(tarn' nes, n.}, and in hard weather birds will
approach man tamely to procure food.

Through irrigation and the use of modern
appliances the desert has been tamed and
brought into cultivation after long ages in its
wild state. Engineers might be said to tame
or subdue an impetuous torrent when they
conduct its waters to a power house, there
to drive turbines and generate electricity.

4221

TAMIL

TAN

An experience lacking in interest or excite-
ment is said to be tame, and the flat, un-
interesting scenery of fenland districts may
be considered tame, compared with that of
mountainous or rugged country.

A.-S. tarn ; cp. Dutch tarn, G. zahm, O.
Norse tam-r ; cp. L. domdre, Gr. damaein, Welsh
dofi, Sansk. dam to tame. See domain. SYN. :
adj. Domesticated, dull, spiritless, tractable,
uninteresting, v. Domesticate, subdue. ANT. :
adj. Fierce, rugged, savage, unsubdued, wild.

, — A wild Californian condor which became so tame that it
followed its master like a dog.

Tamil (tarn' il), n. One of a non- Aryan
Dravidian people inhabiting South India
and part of Ceylon ; the language spoken
by this people. (F. Tamoul.)

Native word, identical with Sansk. Dravida.

tamis (tarn' is), n. A sieve or strainer
made of cloth. (F. tamis.)

F = sieve.

Tammany (tarn' a ni), n. A political
organization of the Democratic party in
New York ; a disparaging term for any
similar organization.

The political body known as Tammany,
Tammany Hall or the Tammany Society
was originally a charitable and social
organization, but later became political,
and for over a century has been identified
with the Democratic party, to which it
is affiliated.

Tammany ism (tarn7 a ni izm, n.) means-
principles or methods like those of Tammany.

Named after Tamanen, chief of the Dela-
ware Indians in 1683.

tam-o'-shanter (tarn 6 shan' ter), «.
A round cloth or woollen cap which fits
closely round the brows and is wide and
full above. (F. beret ecossais.)

The tam-o'-shanter is a cap of Scottish
origin, named after a character in the poem
by Robert Burns having a similar title.

tamp (tamp), v.t. To fill up (a blast-
hole) above the charge with rammed clay,
sand, etc. ; to ram down. (F. bourrer.)

A blast-hole is tamped, or packed with
tamping (.tamp' ing, n.), to prevent the
charge being dissipated, and to get the full
force of the explosion. A miner tamps the
material with a copper rod, which cannot
cause sparks. The ballast of a railway
track is tamped or made solid by ramming.

Perhapsfromtow/>m(g), a corruptionof/am/ncw.

tampan (tarn' pan), n. A kind of
venomous South African tick.
Native name.

tamper (tarn' per), v.i. To
meddle (with) ; to make unlaw-
ful or unauthorized alterations ;
to exert influence corruptly.
(F. se meler de, pratiquer.)

To tamper with machinery
is unwise, for the tamperer (tarn'
per er, n.) may injure himself
or damage the apparatus. To
tamper with a will or other legal
document, making alterations
without having authority to do
so, is a serious crime. People
are said to tamper with a witness
when they try to prevent him
from giving true evidence.

Variant of temper, originally in
sense of to mould, knead. SYN. :
Interfere, meddle.

tampion (tarn' pi on), n.
A wooden plug placed in the
muzzle of a gun to keep out
dust and damp ; a stopper for
the top of a closed organ pipe. Another
form is tompion (torn' pi 6n)i (F. tape,
tampon.)

Variant of tampon.

tampon (tarn' pon), n. A plug of lint,
etc., used to stop bleeding, v.t. To plug
(a wound) with a tampon. (F. tampon;
tamponner.)

A tampon of lint or cotton wool applied
to a cut absorbs blood and exposes a very
large surface of it to the air, thus aiding
coagulation.

F. variant of O.F. tapon bung, dim. of tape
plug ; cp. Dutch tap plug, tap. See tap [2].

tam-tam (tarn' tarn). This is another
form of tom-tom. See tom-tom.
' tan [i] (tan), n. The bruised and broken-
up bark of oak or other trees used in curing
hides ; the colour of this, yellowish-brown ;
trie bronzing of the skin by sun and weather.
adj.:" Having the colour of tan. v.t. To
convert (raw hide) into leather by steeping
in a solution of tan bark, mineral salts, etc. ;
to treat (sails, nets, etc.) with a hardening
or protective process ; to make (the skin)
brown by exposure to sun. v.i. To become
sun-browned. (F. tan, hale; couleur de tan;
tanner, hdler, basaner ; se basaner.)

The object of tanning (tan' ing, n.) is to
convert the raw skins into leather, which
has pliancy, toughness and durability, and
is to a certain extent waterproof when

4222

TAN

TANGENT

suitably tanned. Among the trees of which
the barks are used in tanning are oak,
acacia, mangrove, wattle, willow and hem-
lock. Different kinds of leather are tanned
with chromium compounds, alum, or oil
respectively.

People who are out in the weather a lot
become tanned, the skin taking on the
colour of tan. Sunlight tans the skin, some
people tanning, or becoming sunburnt,
more readily than others. We associate a
tanned complexion with robust health,
and speak of a person having a healthy tan.

Spent tan bark is used to cover a riding
track. It is sometimes made up into tan-
balls (n.pl.} for use as fuel, and may also
be turned to account in a tan-bed (n.), that
is, a hotbed for plants. A hot-house contain-
ing such a bark-bed is called a tan-stove (n.).

Hides are tanned by being soaked for
months in tan-liquor (n.) or tan-ooze (n.),
which is water in which bark has been
steeped. A tanyard (n.) or tannery (tan'
er i, n.), that is, a place where the process
of tanning, tannage (tan' ij, n.) is carried
on, contains a number of large pits or tanks,
filled with tan-liquor of differing strength.
Tannage means also the result of tanning.

Any substance which can be tanned is
tannable (tan' abl, adj.}. Tanning is a very
old trade, and was known to the ancient
Egyptians . The Apostle Peter lodged at J oppa
with one Simon, a tanner (tan7 er, n.), that
is, a person engaged in tanning (Acts x, 6) .

F. fan, probably of Celtic origin ; cp. Breton
tann oak, tan.

tan [2] (tan). This is an abbreviation
of tangent. See tangent.

tana (tan' a), n. In India, a police station ;
formerly a military post ; the soldiers
occupying such a post.

The commander of a tana is called a
tanadar (tan' a dar, n.}.

Hindi thdna.

tanager (tan' a jer), n.
American finch-like
birds belonging to the
family Tanagridae. (F.
tangara.}

The tanagers are
small birds, mostly
with brightly-coloured
plumage, for example,
the scarlet tanager
(Pyranga rubra). Tan-
agrine (tan' a grin, adj.)
means of or relating to
the Tanagridae, or to
the sub-family Tana-
grinae ; a bird resem-
bling a tanager is said
to be tanagroid (tan'
a groid, adj.).

From South American
native tangara.

tandem (tan' dem), adv. Of horses,
etc. (harnessed) one behind another ; with
two horses thus harnessed, n. A vehicle

One of various

with a pair of horses harnessed thus ; a
cycle for two or more riders one behind
another, adj. Arranged as, or belonging to,
a tandem. (F. en tandem; tandem.)

Before the motor-car became popular it
was fashionable to drive tandem, or in a
tandem chaise, the pair of horses being
harnessed one in front of the other. Bi-
cycles and tricycles are made in which two
persons ride tandem, and the adjective is
used generally of objects arranged one
behind another, and not abreast.

L = at length, at last. Originally used pun-
ningly, but now a recognized term. ANT. : adv.
Abreast.

tang [i] (tang), n. A strong flavour or
taste ; a distinctive quality. (F. gout,
arriere-gout, caractere.}

Some fruits have a slightly bitter tang
or flavour. It is very pleasant when a
breeze is blowing, to find in it a tang or
taste of the sea. Peat smoke has a tangy
(tang' i, adj.) reek.

Special sense of tang [2], something penetrating.
tang [2] (tang), n. A projecting tongue
or shank of a knife, chisel, bradawl, etc;,
which is inserted into the haft ; the part of
a sword-blade to which the hilt is fastened.
v.t. To furnish with a tang. (F. sole ; garnir
d'une soie.)

Firmer chisels are generally tanged, the
tang being driven into the wooden handle ;
in some mortise chisels the blade has no
tang, but is furnished instead with a socket,
into which the handle fits.

Most tangs are spike-shaped ; but those
of some knives are flat, lying between the
two scales of a split handle.
O. Norse tange point, tang.
tang [3] (tang), v.i. To give out a loud
ringing or harsh sound, v.t. To cause to sound
thus. n. A harsh or ringing noise ; a twang.
(F. rdsonner ; fairs sonner ; son aigu.)

An old-fashioned custom when bees swarm
is to tang pieces of metal or pans, so that
they tang, or give out a
sonorous ringing sound;
in order to induce the
bees to settle. In some
dialects this is called
tanging the bees.

Imitative, like twang.
tang [4] (tang), n.
One of various kinds
of seaweeds. (F. algue
I marine.)

This is a name given
I to Fucus nodosus and
\ F. vesiculosus, also
; known as tangle.

Cp. Norw. and Dan. tang.
tangent (tan'jent),
d adj. Meeting at a
point but not intersect-
ing, n. A straight line

which meets a curve but does not intersect it,
even if produced ; one of the trigonometrical
functions. (F. tangent; tangente.}

4223

Tandem. — A foot-propelled tandem cycle, with small
side-car attached.

TANGERINE

TANIST

A line drawn perpendicular to the radius some, as goodwill, are intangible. Tangibly

Tangent. — A circle,
showing tangent at

of a circle where the latter intersects the
circumference is a tangent to the circle, and
is tangential (tan jen' shal, adj.). It meets
the circumference tangentially (tan jen'
shal li, adv.) at one point, but even if pro-
duced does not intersect the curve. In
the diagram R is the radius and T the tangent.
If another radius, Ri,
now be drawn and pro-
duced to intersect the
tangent, a right-angled
R triangle is formed. In
this the ratio of the tan-
gent side to the radius is
called the tangent of the
angle (abbreviated to tan)
between the two radii.
Expressed in another way
we may define the tangent
of the angle in a right-angled triangle as the
ratio of the perpendicular subtending it to the
base. This is a trigonometrical function.

If a stone is whirled rapidly in a sling
and suddenly released it flies off at a tangent,
an expression used for any sudden change
in one's course of action, thought or speech.
Tangency (tan' jen si, n.) is the state of
touching or being in contact.

From L. tangens (ace. -ent-em).

Tangerine (tan jer en'), adj. Of or
relating to Tangier, n. A native of Tangier ;
(tangerine) a small kind of orange grown
near Tangier. (F. tangitan; Tangitan,
mandarine.}

Tangier is a large city of
Morocco, and is situated on the
Straits of Gibraltar. About
two-thirds of the Tangerines
are Moorish, the remainder
being mostly Jews. Europeans
also form part of the Tanger-
ine population. Tangerine
oranges — shortly called tan-
gerines— are small and of a
flattened shape.

From T anger, F. form of
Tangier and adj. suffix -ine.

tanghin (tang' gin), n. A
Madagascar tree, Tanghinia
venenifera; bearing a poison-
ous fruit ; poison extracted from its kernels.
(F. tanghinia, tanghin.}

F., from Malagasy tangena.

tangible (tan' 'jibl), adj. Perceptible by
touch ; real ; definite ; able to be realized ; not
elusive ; in law, corporeal. (F. tangible.)

In the strict meaning of the word a thing
is tangible if we can touch it ; a difference —
as of texture — which we can perceive or
appreciate by touch is a tangible one.
Tangible advantages are real ones — those
clearly and definitely perceptible, or likely
to materialize.

In a business some assets, such as build-
ings and machinery, which have tangibility
(tan ji bil' i ti, n.} or tangibleness (tan' jibl
nes, n.) are known as tangible assets, while

Tangerine. — The tangerine, a

small, sweet orange grown near

Tangier, Morocco.

(tan' jib li, adv.} means in a tangible manner.
F., from L. tangibilis from tangere to touch.
SYN. : Evident, palpable, perceptible, real,
substantial. ANT. : Intangible.

tangle [i] (tang' gl), v.t. To twist together
into a confused mass ; to entangle ; to
snare ; to complicate, v.i. To become inter-
twined or knotted together, n. A confused
mass of intertwined threads, etc. ; a confused
state ; a bar with ropes or threads attached,
used for dredging delicate forms of marine
life. (F. entremeler, emmeler, empetrer,
embrouiller ; s'entrem&ler ; enchevetrement,
embarras.}

It requires patience to unravel a tangled
mass of thread ; when holding wool for one
who winds it a careless person may quite
easily make a complicated tangle of the
skein. To straighten out a tangle — or
muddled state of things — in business affairs
may be a task of some difficulty for a solicitor
or an accountant. Many climbing plants
twine in a tangly (tang' gli, adj.} manner with
others. Ivy twists tanglingly (tang' gling li,
adv.} about other plants.

Probably a nasalized form of M.E. tagil to
entangle ; cp. Sc. dialect taigle to impede, Swed.
dialect taggla to disarrange. SYN. : v.t. Com-
plicate, entangle, involve, twist, n. Confusion,
entanglement, muddle.

tangle [2] (tang' gl), n. One of several
large kinds of seaweed.

A leathery British seaweed (Laminaria
digitata} found near low water mark is
popularly called the tangle, a
name given also to two kinds
of Fucus.

Akin to Norw. taangel, O.
Norse thongul-l,

tango (tang' go), n. A
dance for couples, a develop-
ment of an old Spanish one.
(F. tango.}

The tango is derived from a
South American form of an old
gipsy dance originating in
Spain, and had some vogue in
England early in the present
century.

Span. American name.
tangram (tan' gram), n.

A Chinese puzzle square.

This puzzle consists of a square which
is cut into seven pieces of different shape.
The solver must put these pieces together
so as to form a square ; another pastime is to
combine the pieces of the tangram so as to
make figures of different animals or objects.

Perhaps Cantonese fang Chinese, and -gram.

tangy (tang' i), adj. Possessing a dis-
tinctive taste of tang. See under tang [ij.

tanist (tan'ist), n. The chosen successor
of an Irish chieftain. (F. chef de clan.}

The tanist, usually the most powerful
member of the family, was elected as heir
presumptive during the lifetime of the chief,
and on his death inherited all the lands of
the chief ship. The system of tenure known as

4224

TANK

TANREG

tanistry (tan' 1st ri, n.}, by which a chief
had only a life interest in his estate, was
abolished in the time of James I.

Irish tanaiste, tanaise heir apparent, one next
in succession.

tank (tangk), n. A large vessel or
chamber for holding liquid, gas, etc. ; a
cistern ; a reservoir ; the part of a loco-
motive tender used to hold water ; a heavily
armoured car used in warfare, moving
along on endless revolving tracks made of
jointed plates. (F. citerne, reservoir,
chateau d'eau, tank.}

Tank. — The heavily armoured car called i
was devised during the World War.

Houses to which water is piped contain
tanks for storage in which a constant level is
maintained by an automatic valve. Rain
water in a country house may be conducted
to an underground tank, or reservoir, of
brick or concrete. In India irrigation
reservoirs or storage ponds for water are
called tanks.

A tank-engine (n.) is a locomotive which
has no tender and carries its water in a
tank on each side of the boiler, or behind
the footplate, or in a semicircular saddle-
shaped tank over the boiler.

The word tankage (tangk ' ij, n.) means
the storage of liquids in tanks, the charge
made for this, the capacity of tanks, or
the refuse from boiled-down fats, which is
used as manure.

Oil, paraffin, and petrol are carried in
bulk in a tank-car (n.) upon roads and
railways, and in a tank-ship (n.), tank-
steamer (n.), or tank-vessel (n.) by sea. A
tanker (tangk7 er, n.}, as any of these ships
are called, is divided by watertight bulk-
heads into a number of huge tanks, and is
able to carry thousands of tons of oil.

The tanks with which the British surprised
the Germans at. the battle of Flers on
September i5th, 1916, had been built in
the greatest secrecy, and were given a
name that was purposely misleading, so
that the enemy might not suspect their
secret.

Instead of road wheels the tank is fur-
nished with two endless belts of linked
plates, after the manner of the caterpillar
tractor. These are driven by sprockets,
and are independent, so that by using one
only the vehicle can be steered. Machine-
guns are carried in a revolving turret, and
quick-firers in sponsons or casemates.

Its shape and length enabled the tank to
crawl up steep inclines and to span trenches
and like obstacles, flattening out the enemy's
defences as it went. A tankette (tang ket7,
n.) is a light tank.

Gujarati tankh or Port, tanque pond ; cp.
Span, estanque, O.F. estang (F. 6tang), L. stagnum
> landing water. SYN. : Cistern, reservoir.

tankard (tangk ' ard), n. A large metal
drinking vessel, sometimes fitted with a
lid. (F. pot, hanap.}

In inns drink is often served in pewter
tankards. Some old silver tankards are
very beautiful pieces, and high prices are
very frequently paid for them by collectors.

From F. tanquart,
or Dutch tanckaert.

tannable (tan'
abl). For this word,
tannage, etc., see

under tan [i].

t arm ate (tan' at),
n. A salt of tannic
acid. See under
tannic.

tanner (tan' er),
n. One who tans
leather, etc. See
under tan [i].

tannic (tan7 ik),
adj. Derived from
or relating to tan.

(F. tannique.}

A tannate (tan7 at, n.} is a salt of tannic
acid, the latter being so named from its
presence in tan. The acid itself, an astrin-
gent substance, varying in constitution,
obtained from gall-nuts and the bark of
oak and other trees, is used in tanning
leather, in dyeing, and in the manufacture of
writing-ink. It is commonly known as
tannin (tan7 in, n.}. Tannin is present in
tea, hops, and other vegetable products.
It is employed in medicine in various ways.

From tan (with n reduplicated) and -ic.

tanrec (tan7 rek), n A small nocturnal,
insect-eating mammal (Centetes ecaudatus}
of Madagascar. Another form is tenrec
(ten' rek). (F. tanrec, tenrec.}

The tanrec, sometimes called the Madagas-
car hedgehog, is one of the largest insect-
eating mammals. It's body is tailless and
is from twelve to sixteen inches long, covered
with hairs and bristles, together with
flexible spines. The animal feeds on ground
insects, grubs, and earth-worms, rooting
for the last with its long, pointed snout.

F., from Malagasy tandraka.

Tankard. — An English
silver-gilt tankard.

4225

TANSY

TAP

tansy (tan7 zi), n. A perennial herb,
Tanacetum vulgare, with feathery aromatic
leaves. (F. tanaisie.}

Tansy, often found growing by the
roadside, bears yellow, button-like flowers.
Its finely divided leaves are bitter, and were
formerly used for flavouring.

From O.F. tanaisie (earlier athanasie), through
L.L. from Gr. athanasia immortality, from a- not,
thanatos death. The flowers last very long.

tantalize (tan' ta liz), v.t. To annoy
or torment with the offer of something
desirable which is kept continually beyond
reach or attainment ; to excite hopes for
(something that will not be realized).
(F. tantaliser.}

To hold out a bone almost within reach
of a chained-up dog is a cruel way of tan-
talizing the animal. To annoy a prisoner,
or for a worse motive, a jailer might tell
him falsely that his release was probable, so
tantalizing him with hopes not likely to be
fulfilled. Sometimes boys tantalize one
another with false reports or misleading
information, perhaps about the result of
an examination. This method of tan-
talization (tan ta II za' shun, n.} may afford
amusement to the tantalizer (tan' ta Hz er,
n.}, but is very annoying to
the victim.

A ripe apple may hang
tantalizingly (tan' ta Hz ing
li, adv.] near, but just beyond
our grasp.

From Gr. Tantals (see Tan-
talus) and -ize. SYN. : Tease,
torment.

tantalum (tan' ta lum), n.
A rare, white metallic element
with a high melting-point.
(F. tantale.)

Tantalum is employed
for the filaments of incandes-
cent electric lamps, as it can
be drawn out into a fine,
tough wire, fusing at the high
temperature of 2,25O°C.
It is also alloyed with steel,
to which it imparts strength
and hardness, and, being un-
affected by acids, is used for
chemical apparatus.

Coined from Tantalus (see
Tantalus) owing to its inability
to absorb acids when immersed.

Tantalus (tan' ta lus), n. In Greek
mythology, a son of Zeus, condemned to
stand up to his chin in water, which receded
when he tried to drink it ; a lockable spirit-
stand ; an American wading bird the wood-
stork or wood-ibis. (F. Tantale, tantale.}

In a tantalus spirit-stand the decanters
are in sight but fastened with lock and
key. A tantalus-cup (n.) is a scientific
toy illustrating the action of a siphon.
The cup contains the figure of a man,
in whose body is concealed a siphon.
As the bend of the siphon is just below the

level of the man's lips, the water no sooner
rises in the cup to this height than it begins
to recede.

mount), adj>
(F. equivalant,

Tantalus.— The tantalus, a stork-like
wading bird with powerful legs.

tantamount (tan' ta
Equivalent in effect or value.
qui equivaut.}

One who hesitates directly to refuse a
request may express himself in some polite
and roundabout answer, which nevertheless
is tantamount to a refusal.

From Anglo-F. tant amunter to amount to as
much (tant from L. tantus so great, amunter
to amount, from L. ad to, mons — ace. mont-em —
a hill. SYN. : Equivalent.

tantara (tan' ta ra ; tan ta' ra), «. A
quick succession of notes on a trumpet, horn,
or like instrument.
Imitative.

tantivy (tan' ti vi ; tan tiv' i), adv.
At full gallop, n. A quick gallop. (F.
ventre a terre ; galop.)
Probably imitative

Tant r a (tan' tra), n. One of several
classes of Sanskrit religious books dealing
mainly with magic.

Sansk = thread, warp (hence) principle.
tantrum (tan' trum), n. A fit of temper ;
a display of anger or petulance. (F. trans-
port, rage.)

Formerly also tantarum.
Taoism (tou' izm), n. A
Chinese religion based on the
teachings of the philosopher
Lao-tsze (sixth century, B.C.).
(F. Taoisme.)

Taoism is one of the official
religions of China. In the
Taoistic (tou is' tik, adj.]
system of belief the world is
regarded as a huge living
machine, the centre of which
is the Supreme Being, who
has two manifestations,
namely, Heaven and Earth.
The mystical moral teaching
of Lao-tsze, though very
obscure, contains many lofty-
ideas. The ordinary Taoist
(tou' ist, n.}, however, com-
bines with this creed various
Buddhist doctrines, and a
belief in witchcraft and
alchemy.

From Chinese tdo way, path
and -ism.

tap [i] (tap), v.t. To strike gently ; to
cause to strike lightly ; to put leather on the
heel of (a shoe), v.i. To strike a light blow.
n. A rap ; a light blow ; the sound of this ;
a piece of leather put on the heel of a shoe ;
(pi.} in the U.S. army, a signal for lights to
be put out in soldiers' quarters. (F. tapoter ;
taper ; tape, couvre-feu.} . •

In Lancashire a man goes round the
streets early in the morning to rouse workers
by tapping' at their windows with a stick.
For this service the tapper (tap' er, n.}
receives an agreed payment. A blind man

4226

TAP

TAPE

cp.

F. taper. SYN. :
cock or faucet

taps the pavement with his stick as he goes,
and people who hear his tap make way for
him.

Probably imitative ,
v. and n. Rap.

tap [2] (tap), n.
through which liquid
is drawn off ; a plug
or bung ; liquor of a
particular quality or
brew ; a tap-room at
an inn ; a tool for
cutting internal screw-
threads, v.t. To fur-
nish with a cock or
tap ; to pierce so as
to draw off liquid ; to
draw off or allow to
escape thus; to
draw fluid from ; to
establish connexion or
communication with
for trade, supplies,
etc. ; to intercept (a
message) ; to divert
current from (a wire
or circuit) ; to make
an internal screw-
thread in. (F. cannelle, robinet, cru, buvette,
bar, taraud ; mettre en perce, tirer, tarauder.)

Beer or wine in a cask that has been
broached or tapped is on tap, that is, ready
for use as required. The cask also is then
said to be on tap. Speaking of the merits
of different brews of liquor, people talk of an
excellent tap or an indifferent tap. The
tap-room (n.), or tap, of an inn is a bar where
liquor is drawn and consumed. Tapster
(tap' ster, n.) is an old-fashioned name for
one who draws and serves liquor.

The tap-root (n.) of a plant is ats main
root, which goes straight downwards some
distance. The trees on a rubber plantation
are tappable (tap' abl, adj.) when old enough
for tapping (tap' ing, n.), the process of
drawing off sap. The tapper (tap' er, n.),
the person who taps them, cuts grooves
in the bark to let the sap ooze out and collect
in vessels fixed below.

It is possible for merchants and exporters
to tap new markets, when railways are laid
across a region or new sources of supply
are opened up by making roads. In war-
time an enemy's telegraph-lines may be
tapped, so that any messages passing may
be tapped, or intercepted.

Some inductance coils used in wireless
apparatus are tuned, or varied in capacity,
by means of tappings, or lengths of wire
attached at intervals to the turns of the
coil to be brought into circuit. A coil of
this kind is called a tapped coil (n.).

A tap-bolt (n.) is a headed screw, used
for metal, which can be screwed into a
hole previously tapped for its reception.
To tap such a hole in a plate a steel tap,
a tool like a screw, bearing on its edge

threads corresponding to those of the bolt
to be used, is placed in the hole and slowly
turned, cutting its way by means of a
wrench into the metal of the plate, and
forming an internal thread. The hole
drilled for tapping has to be somewhat
smaller in diameter
than the bolt, so that
there is sufficient
material left for the
threads.

A.-S. taeppa ; cp.
Dutch tap, G. zap fen,
O. Norse tappi. SYN. :
n. Cork, faucet, plug,
spigot, valve, v. Divert,
draw, intercept, pene-
trate, pierce.

tapa (ta' pa), n.
A tough kind of paper
made from the bark
of the paper-mulberry
tree, and used in the
Pacific islands for
clothes, mats, hang-
ings, etc.
Native term.

Tap. — Testing the wheel of a tram-car by tapping

it with a hammer.

tape (tap), n. A
narrow strip of woven
cotton or linen material used in dressmaking,
etc., and for tying up parcels ; such a strip
stretched across a race-course at the winning-
posts ; a narrow flexible band rotating on
pulleys in a machine ; a tape-measure ; a
narrow strip of paper ; a travelling paper
strip on which messages are recorded by a
telegraphic apparatus, v.t. To furnish with
tapes ; to fasten or strengthen with tape ;
to bind (sections of a book) with tape bands.
(F. ruban de fil, mettre en ruban ; munir de
rubans, fixer par des rubans.)

The tape used by seamstresses may be
twilled or plain, and is seldom more than
an inch wide, its principal use being to
bind the edges of materials or to afford
additional strength where needed. Seams
of garments are often taped. Coloured
tape — usually red, pink, or green — is used
to tie up documents. From its use in
Government offices, red-tape has come to
mean undue and excessive formality or very
strict adherence to routine.

A garment from which the fastenings
of tape had been removed might be said
to be tapeless (tap' les, adj.). A tape-line
(n.), generally called a tape-measure (n.), is a
strip of linen tape or other flexible material,
graduated in measures of length and winding
in and out on an axis contained in a circular
metal or leather case.

The name of tape-machine (n.) is given
to a form of telegraphic printer which records
news, stock exchange quotations, etc., in
type on a narrow band of paper. It is also
called the ticker.

Adhesive paper tape is used to seal and
fasten parcels, and in various manufacturing
processes to reinforce materials.

4227

TAPER

TAR

Different kinds of flat worm which infest In preparing tapioca the pulped root-
the intestine of various animals are called stock is washed to extract the starch, which

is then dried on heated plates.

Port., from native Brazilian tipioca cassava-
A small slender
with wax. adj.

tapeworm (n.).

A.-S. taeppe tape, ribbon.

taper (ta/ per), n.
candle ; a wick coated
Growing thinner towards one end. v.t.
To make gradually smaller towards one end.
v.i. To become taper. (F. bougie; effile ;
effiler, tailler en pointe.}

The small candles used in churches or
for decorating Christmas-trees are called
tapers, a name also given to the long thin
wax-coated wicks employed to light a num-
ber of gas jets or to melt sealing-wax.

A cone or a pyramid tapers towards its
apex; a billiard -cue also has a tapering
(ta' per ing, adj.] form. Taper fingers, which
are smaller, or taper off towards their tips,
are much admired.

Most tree-trunks grow taperwise (ta/ per
wiz, adv.], gradually lessening in diameter,
and this condition, known as taperness (ta/
per nes, n.}, is imitated in certain architectural
columns, which are shaped taperingly (ta/
per ing li, adv.}.

A.-S. tapor ; cp. Irish tapor, Welsh tampr.

tapestry (tap' es tri), n. A textile
fabric in which the woof is supplied from a
spindle and not by a shuttle, having a
design made by stitches across the warp ;
any ornamental fabric with designs formed
in this manner, v.t. To adorn with tapestry.
(F. tapisserie ; tapisser.)

Tapestry. — A piece

The Orchard," designed by

(1834-96).

In the making of tapestry, a very ancient
craft, coloured threads are interwoven
with the warp so as to produce line and tone.
Tapestries were used to hang on walls or
over doorways, and a room so adorned was
said to be tapestried (tap' es trid, adj.). Much
famous tapestry was made at the Gobelin
works in France.

M.E. tapecery, F. tapisserie, from tapisser to
furnish with tapestry, from F. tapis carpet, L.L.
tapecum, Gr. tapetion, dim. of tapes tapestry.

tapeworm (tap' werm), n. A flat worm
infesting some animals. See under tape.

tapioca (tap i 6' ka), n. A granular
starchy substance made from the root-
stock of the cassava, and used for puddings,
etc. (F. tapioca.)

4228

juice.

tapir (ta/ pir), n. A hoofed pig-like
mammal allied to the rhinoceros. (F. tapir.)

The tapirs are vegetable-feeding animals
of nocturnal habits, living generally near
water in the wooded regions of the tropics.
The nose and upper lip are developed to
form a flexible proboscis, the legs are short,
and the body is clumsy in build.

The South American tapir (Tapirus
americanus) is nearly black in colour, when
adult. The Malayan tapir (T. malayanus)
has a longer snout, and bears a large saddle-
shaped white marking extending back from
behind the forelegs. Young tapirs in both
Asiatic and American species are striped
and spotted, and do not acquire the char-
acteristic markings or colouring until later
in growth. A number of tapiroid (ta/ pir
oid, adj.) animals have become extinct,
remains of some such tapiroids (n.pl.)
having been found near those of early man.

From native Brazilian tapira.

tapis (ta pe' ; tap' is), n. Tapestry or
similar material. (F. tapis.)

Tapestry was formerly used as a table
covering, as, for instance, in a council-cham-
ber. Hence when subjects or matters come
up for discussion or are under considerati9n
they are said to come or be on the tapis.

F. — carpet or similar patterned woven-
work. See tapestry.

tappable (tap' abl), adj. Fit
for or capable of being tapped.
See under tap [2].

tapper (tap'er), n. One who
or that which taps. See under
tap [i].

tappet (tap' et), n. A lever,
cam, or projection on a machine
moved by or moving another
part intermittently. (F. menton-
net, taquet.)

A tappet-loom (n.) is a loom
in which the various operations
of weaving are controlled by
tappets on a revolving shaft.
The valves of a motor-car engine are worked
by a tappet-motion (n.), each being opened
in turn by a tappet-rod (n.), moved by a
cam. A tappet-wheel (n.) carries a tappet.
Possibly dim. of tap [2].
tapping (tap' ing), n. The act of
broaching, or inserting a tap ; the act of
drawing off liquid ; the cutting of a thread
by means of a screw-tap. See under tap [2],
tapster (taps' ter), n. One who draws
and serves liquor. See under tap [2].

tapu (ta poo'). This is another spelling
of taboo. See taboo.

tar [i] (tar), n. A thick, dark sticky
liquid obtained from coal, wood, or shale
by distillation, v.t. To coat or treat with
tar. (F. goudron: goudronner.)

TAR

TARE

When coal is burned in an open fire,
bubbles of coal-tar are seen oozing out of
it in places, accompanied by flame. In
gas-works this kind of tar is carried over
with the gas and separated from it in a
cooler. Tar is used for protecting wood-
work from damp, in making roads, and
for many other purposes.

By fractional distillation coal - tar is
separated into its many constituents —
hydrocarbons, phenols, etc. These again
are further treated to yield a still more
varied collection of substances, used in
chemistry and medicine, and in many arts
and industries.

Wood-tar, usually called Stockholm tar
or Archangel tar, is distilled from pine.
It is thinner and more penetrating than
coal-tar, and is used, among other purposes,
for waterproofing ropes. Creosote is ob-
tained from wood-tar.

At one time tar-water (n.), that is, water in
which tar has been steeped, was employed
as a medicine. The tar-water of a gas-
works, a tarry (tar' i, adj.) ammoniacal
liquid, is obtained in the process of purifying
and cleansing gas.

A.-S. teoru ; cp. Dutch and G. teer, O. Norse
tiara, Dan. tjaere. Probably from tree.

tar [2] (tar), n. A sailor. (F. loup de
mer.)

This is a colloquial term.
Apparently short for tarpaulin.

tara (ta' ra), n. An edible fern found
in New Zealand and Tasmania.

The tara, or tara-fern (n.) is a kind of
bracken. Its rootstock is baked.

Native word.

taradiddle (tar a did' 1). This is
another spelling of tarradiddle. See tarra-
diddle.

tar ant ass (tar an tas'), n. A Russian
four-wheeled carriage, the body of which
rests on two long poles serving as springs.
(F. tarantass.}

Rus. tarantasu.

tarantella - (tar an tel' a), n. A
rapid, whirling Neapolitan dance in triplets,
for one couple ; the music for such a dance.
(F. tarantelle.}

This dance originated in Italy, in the
sixteenth century. It was popularly con-
sidered to be a remedy against tarantism
(tar' an tizm, n.), an epidemic dancing
mania arising in those who believed them-
selves to have been bitten by a large spider
called a tarantula (ta ran7 tu la, n.).

The tarantula, Lycosa tarantula, a species
of spider which spins no web but makes a
burrow, has a body as large as a pigeon's
egg. Although its bite is poisonous, it has
been much exaggerated, being no worse than
that of other large spiders.

Ital. dim., properly dance of Taranto, L.
Tarentum, Gr. Tar as (ace. Taranta), a city of
south Italy. The spider (Ital. tarantola) is also
uamed from Taranto.

taratantara (tar a tan' ta ra), n.
The sound of a trumpet or bugle ; a bugle-
call. (F. taratatata.}

Imitative.

Tarantula. — The nest of the tarantula, a large
spider, whose bite is poisonous.

taraxacum (ta rak' sa kum), n. A
genus of composite plants including the
dandelion ; any plant belonging to the
genus ; a drug prepared from the plant.

Taraxacums are mostly stemless plants,
the rosettes of leaves appearing to rise
directly from the roots. The dandelion is
Taraxacum officinale, from the milky roots of
which is prepared the drug taraxacum, the
base of which is a bitter principle named
taraxacin (ta raks' a sin, n.}.

Modern "L., through Arabic from Pers. talkh
chakok bitter herb.

tarboosh (tar boosh'), n. A brimless
cap or fez worn usually by Mohammedans
in the East. (F. tarbouch, Chechia.}

The tarboosh is usually red in colour/:
It sometimes forms part of a turban.

Arabic tarbush.

tardamente (tar da men' ta). For this
word and tardo (tar' do) see under tardy.

tardy (tar' di), adj. Slow-moving ;
sluggish ; late ; dilatory ; acting unwillingly.
(F. tardif, en retard, peu dispose.}

One who goes reluctantly, or tardily (tar'
di li, adv.}, on an errand moves with tardy
steps. Tardy help may arrive too late to
be of much use to one who needs it. Some
people show tardiness (tar' di nes, n.}, the
quality of being tardy or behindhand, in
keeping their appointments, or in meeting
their obligations.

In music tardamente (tar da men' ta,
adv.} and tardo (tar' do, adv.} mean slowly.
A tardo (adj.} passage is one marked with
either of "these words and intended to be
played in slower time.

From F. tardif, from L. tardus. SYN. : Dila-
tory, late, reluctant, sluggish, unwilling. ANT. :
Prompt, quick, speedy, willing.

tare [i] (tar), n. A vetch, especially
the common vetch, Vicia sativa. (F. vesce.}

4229

TARE

TARIFF

This pod-bearing plant is extensively
cultivated for fodder. The tares men-
tioned in the Bible are weeds.

M.E. ; cp. Dutch tarwe wheat.

tare [2] (tar), n. An allowance or deduc-
tion made for the weight of wrappings or
cases in which goods are packed ; the
weight of a vessel in which goods are
weighed ; the weight of an unloaded railway
wagon or other vehicle ; the weight of a
motor vehicle without fuel, load, etc. v.t.
To find the tare of. (F. tare; tarer, prende
la tare de.}

For customs purposes and other reasons
it is useful to know the net weight of goods
without wrappings, cartons, cases, or any
material used to make articles secure and
safe in transport. The total weight of a
package is its gross weight, from which,
by subtracting the net weight of the con-
tents, is obtained the weight of the tare.
Real tare is the actual tare ; average tare
is the figure or amount obtained by
weighing empty cases, etc., and striking
an average. The tare of a railway wagon
is painted outside it. When a loaded wagon
is weighed, this weight is deducted to
ascertain that of the load.

Reductions called tare and tret are made
from the gross weight of certain kinds of
merchandise. Tret means the weight of
dust and rubbish, which is reckoned usually
as one twenty-sixth of the weight after
tare has been deducted.

F., from Span, tara, Arabic tarha that which
is thrown away, deducted.

Target. — Lady archers noting their score* after
tome good shooting at the target.

target (tar' get), n. An object set up as a
mark to be fired at ; an object of attack
or criticism ; a butt ; a small disk-shaped
signal at a railway switch ; a small circular
shield or buckler ; the neck and breast
of lamb as a joint. (F. cible, point de mire,
plastron, targette.)

The archery target is circular, made of
canvas or leather stuffed with straw. It
is painted with a bull's-eye surrounded by

rings. Some musketry targets are similar
in shape ; others have the form of part
or whole of the human figure. Warships
practise their guns at floating targets, either
stationary or drawn swiftly along by another
vessel. Old warships themselves are made
to do duty as targets.

The shield called a target was made of
wood covered with ox-hide, this being
ornamented and strengthened with spikes
and bosses. Highlanders were formerly
targeted (tar7 get ed, adj.), carrying a target
and a broadsword. A foot -soldier armed
with a target used to be called a targeteer
(tar ge ter', n.).

O.F. targuete dim. of targe, O. Norse targd
shield. SYN. : Butt, mark.

Targum (tar' gum), n. Any one of
various Aramaic versions or paraphrases
of the Old Testament. (F. tar gum.}

Targums are believed to date from the
captivity in Babylon, when many Jews
were unable to read Hebrew, the place of
which was gradually being taken by Aramaic.
Often the Targumic (tar goo' mik, adj.] or
Targumistic (tar gum' is' tik, adj.] writings
gave only the sense rather than a literal
translation of the Holy Books. At first they
were purely oral ; they were not committed
to writing until a century after the Christian
era. A Targumist (tar' gum ist, n.) was a
compiler of the Targums. Later the word
meant one who expounded these writings.

Chaldean = interpretation. See dragoman.

tariff (tar' if), n. A list of duties payable on
goods entering or leaving a country ; a
duty on any particular class of goods im-
ported ; a law imposing such duties ; a list
or table of charges v.t. To value or price ;
to draw up a list of duties on (goods). (F.
tarif; tarifer.}

A customs tariff shows how much duty
must be paid on tobacco, silk, wine, and
other commodities when they are imported.

A tariff, or duty, may be imposed on all
imported goods of a certain class solely
for the purpose of raising revenue, or it
may be a protective tariff, that is, one
designed to prevent home producers from
being undersold in the home market by
foreign producers. The effect of such a
tariff is to raise the price of cheaper im-
ported articles.

An agitation was started by Mr. Joseph
Chamberlain in 1903 for rearranging the
tariff on British imports, so as to foster
mutual trading between the colonies and the
mother country. The object of this move-
ment is known as tariff reform (n.). In
the United States tariff reform means a move
in the direction of free trade, or the removal
of tariffs.

. The railways issue tariffs showing their
charges for carrying various kinds of goods.
Hotels and restaurants also have their tariffs.

M.F. tariff e, Span, tar if a tariff, Arabic ta'rlf
notification, from 'Irf knowledge. SYN. : n.
Duty, price-list, scale, schedule, tax.

4230

TARLATAN

TARSIER

tarlatan (tar' la tan), n. A thin, trans-
parent muslin, originally imported from
India. (F. tarlatane.}

F. tarlatane, probably of Indian origin.

tar macadam (tar ma kad' am), n. A
mixture of broken stone with tar or a
bituminous compound, used to make a
surface for a roadway. (F. tarmac.}

From E. tar and macadam.

tarn (tarn), n. A small mountain lake.
(F. mare.}

Many tarns are found in Wales and
Cumberland, and in Scotland, where they
are characteristic features of the scenery.
Some of them may be due to the blocking
up of little valleys by debris deposited by
glaciers.

O. Norse Ijorn ; cp. Swed. dial. t(j)arn.

tarnish (tar' nish), v.t. To lessen or
destroy the lustre of ; to stain ; to soil. v.i.
To lose lustre, n. Loss of lustre ; a blemish ;
a stain ; a film of discoloration forming on
the exposed surface of a mineral. (F. ternir,
souiller ; se ternir, perdre son lustre ; ternisse-
ment, perte d'eclat, souillure.}

Most metals tarnish, or lose their brightness,
on exposure to the air. Gold is an exception.
A silver or silver-plated spoon used to eat
an egg tarnishes through the action of the
sulphur present in the egg. An ill deed
is said to tarnish a good name. Things liable
to tarnish are tarnishable (tar' nish abl, adj.}.

From F. terniss- stem of ternir to dim ; cp.
O.H.G. tarnen, M.H.G. ternen to obscure, hide.
SYN. : v. Stain, sully, n. Discoloration.

taro (tar' 6), n. One of various tropical
plants of the arum family, especially
Colocasia esculenta and macrorhiza, used as
food in the Pacific Islands. (F. taro.)

Native name.

taroc (tar' 6k). This is another form of
tarot. See tarot.

tarot (tar' 6), n. One of a special set of
figured playing cards first used in Italy
in the fourteenth century ; (pi.) the games
played with these. Among other forms is
taroc (tar' 6k). (F. tarots.}

The tarots, which are twenty-two in
number, are added to a pack of fifty-six
cards, making up the total to seventy-eight
cards.

F., from Ital. tarocchi (pi.)

tarpan (tar' pan), n. The extinct wild
horse of Tartary ; any one of the wild
descendants of the domestic horse in the
same region. (F. tarpan.}

Tatar word.

tarpaulin (tar paw' lin), n. Strong canvas
coated with tar or other waterproof sub-
stance ; a sheet of this material ; a sailor's
tarred or oiled sou'wester hat. (F. prelort,
toile goudronnee, suroit.}

Tarpaulins, that is, large sheets of tar-
paulin, are used to cover railway-wagons and
other vehicles, or as temporary coverings for
a variety of purposes. Colloquially, a sailor
is called a tar, short for tarpaulin.

Corrupted from tarred palling from pall,
to cover over. See pall [ij.

Tarpeian (tar pe" an), adj. Relating to a
rock or cliff of the Capitoline Hill at Rome.
(F. tarpeien.}

According to tradition, when the Capitol
was besieged by the Sabines, Tarpeia, a
daughter of the governor, opened the gates
to the soldiers, on condition that she received
that which they wore on their left arms,
meaning their gold bracelets. As the Sabines
entered, however, they cast their shields upon
Tarpeia and killed her. She is said to have
been buried at the bottom of the rock after-
wards named the Tarpeian rock (n.}, from
which traitors were hurled.

tarpon (tar' pon), n. A large fish, Megalops
atlanticus, belonging to the herring family.
(F. tarpon.}

The tarpon is found in the warmer waters
of the western Atlantic. It forms excellent
food, and attains a length of six feet, and a
weight of one hundred pounds.

Cp. Dutch tarpoen.

Tarpon. — The tarpon, a large edible fish, which
frequents the warmer waters of the western Atlantic.

tarradiddle (tar a did' 1), ». A fib: a
fictitious account. (F. craque.}

This is a colloquial word.

tarragon (tar' a gon), n. .A perennial
herb, Artemisia dracunculus, allied to worm-
wood. (F. estragon.}

This plant is a native of southern Europe,
its aromatic leaves are used in cookery, and
in the preparation of tarragon vinegar.

From Span, taragona, Arabic tarkhon, perhaps
from Gr. drakon serpent, dragon.

tarrock (tar' 6k), n. Another name for
the young gull, the kittiwake, the tern,
and the guillemot.

Origin obscure ; -ock is a dim.

tarry [i] (tar' ri). Of or resembling tar ;
smeared or coated with tar. See under tar [i],

tarry [2] (tar'i), v.i. To remain or continue
in a place ; to stay ; to lodge ; to linger ;
to be late. v.t. To wait for. (F. sejourner,
rester, tarder, s'arreter ; attendre.)

This word is used now chiefly in poetical
language.

M.E. tarien to hinder, delay, perhaps
A.-S. tergan to vex, influenced by E. tire [i] and
by F. larger to hinder, retard from L. tardus slow.

tarsal (tar' sal). For this word and for
tarsi see under tarsus.

tarsia (tar' si a), n. A kind of mosaic
inlaid woodwork used in Italy in the Middle
Ages. (F. marqueterie .}

Ital. in same sense.

tarsier (tar' si er), n. A small, large-eyed
lemur. (F. tarsier.}

4231

TARSUS

TASEOMETER

The tarsier (Tarsius spectrum] is a small
shy creature, nocturnal in habits, which lives
in Borneo and the neighbouring islands.

F. formed from L. tarsus, alluding to shape
of foot. See tarsus.

tarsus (tar' sus), n. The j
bones which constitute the
ankle ; in birds, the shank of
the leg ; in an arthropod, the
terminal segment of a limb ; a
cartilage-like structure in the
eyelid, pi. tarsi (tar7 si). (F.
tarse.)

This is the name given to
the collection of bones between
the lower leg and the meta-
tarsus. In man, the tarsus has
seven bones, called the tarsal
(tar' sal, adj.) bones ; these
form the greater part of the
arch of the foot. In birds, the
name of tarsus is given to the
lowest joint of the leg, though
this really includes metatarsal
bones, and is more accurately
described as a tarsometatarsus
(tar so met a tar' sus, n.).

Modern L., from Gr. tarsos flat
of the fcot.

tart [i] (tart), adj. Sharp to the taste ;
acid ; keen ; cutting ; biting ; piercing.
(F. aigre, acre, mordant, piquant.}

Certain fruits are tart to the taste. Others
are tartish (tart' ish, adj.) — that is, somewhat
sharp or tart, affecting the palate more or
less tartly (tart' li, adv.). Tartness (tart' nes,
n.) in a fruit is often due to its unripe con-
dition. Biting or pungent remarks are
sometimes said to be tart.

A.-S. teart, perhaps akin to tear [i]. SYN. :
Acid, biting, cutting, sharp, sour. ANT. : Sweet.

tart [2] (tart), n. A pie containing fruit ;
a piece of pastry with a filling of jam,
fruit, etc. (F. tarte, tourte.)

A small tart is known as a tartlet (tart'
let, n.).

O.F. tarte, possibly variant of tourte from L.
tortus p.p. of torquere to twist.

tartan [i] (tar' tan), n. A woollen or
worsted fabric woven with lines or stripes
of different colours at right angles, forming
distinctive patterns ; the pattern on this ;
a garment, especially a Scotch plaid, made of
this material ; a Highlander ; a Highland
regiment, adj. Made of or resembling tartan.
(F. tartan.)

Each Highland clan has its particular
tartan, the plaid and kilt being woven in a
distinctive chequered pattern. Woman's
dress fabrics are made in tartan pattern,
imitating one or other of the Scotch tartans.

Possibly from O.F. tiretaine (Span, tiritand)
thin wool-stuff, or M.E. tartarin Tartary cloth ;
but neither seems convincing.

tartan [2] (tar' tan), n. A small single-
masted Mediterranean coasting-vessel, carry-
ing a lateen sail and a foresail. Another
spelling is tartane (tar' tan). (F. tartane.)

F. tartane, perhaps from Arabic tarldah ship.

Tarsier. — The tarsier, a small,
shy, large-eyed lemur.

tartar [i] (tar' tar), n. A. deposit formed
during the fermentation of wine ; a cream of
tartar ; an incrustation of phosphate of
lime deposited on the teeth. (F. tarre.)

The tartar, or argol, which
forms in wine-casks is a white
or reddish crust. Anything
derived from this substance is
said to be tartaric (tar tar' ik,
adj.) — for example, tartarie acid
(n.). A salt of this is a tartrate
(tar' trat, n.). Potassium tar-
trate, also called cream of tartar,
is a white substance with an
acid taste used in making
baking-powder and beverages.
It must not be confused with
tartar emetic (n.), which is a
double tartrate of potassium
and antimony, used as a medi-
cine, and very poisonous except
in small quantities. ,

The incrustation of saliva and
phosphate of lime, which forms
on teeth, is removed by the
dentist in the process called
scaling.

F. tartre, from L.L. tartarum,
perhaps Arabic durd dregs.
Tartar [2] (tar' tar). This is another form
of Tatar. See Tatar.

Tartarus (tar' ta rus), n. In Greek
mythology, an abyss below Hades, in which
the Titans were imprisoned ; the dwelling-
place of the wicked in Hades ; the infernal
regions. (F. tartar e, les enfers.)

The Titans, twelve gigantic sons of
Uranus, were so strong that the latter cast
them into Tartarus, lest they should harm
him. This chasm, according to Homer, was
reputed to be as far below Hades as earth is
below heaven. By other writers the Tartarean
(tar ter' e an, adj.) region is described as the
place where evil spirits were confined.
L., from Gr. Tartaros the infernal regions.
tartish (tart' ish). For this word tartly,
etc., see under tart [i].

tartlet (tart' let). For this word see under
tart [2].

tartrate (tar' trat). For this word see
under tartar [i].

Tartufe (tar tuf), n. A hypocritical pre-
tender to piety. Another spelling is Tartuffe
(tar tuf).

Tartufe is the central character of the
comedy, " Le Tartufe," by Jean Baptiste
Moliere (1622-73). A sanctimonious person
or one who feigns virtues that he does not
possess may be said to be Tartufish (tar tuf '
ish, adj.), and hypocrisy of any kind can be
called tartufism (tar tuf izm, n.).

taseometer (tas i om' e ter), n. A device
for measuring strains in buildings by means
of the tones given out by a stretched wire.
(F. taseometre.)

From Gr. tase- stem of tasis tension, from
teinein to stretch, E. suffix -meter.

4232

TASIMETER

TASTE

tasimeter (ta sim' e ter), n. An electrical
device for measuring very small changes in
moisture, temperature, or pressure. (F.
tasimetre.)

Even a minute change in the degree of
moisture, etc., varies the pressure in a carbon
button forming part of the tasimeter,
allowing more or less current to pass through
a circuit. The tasimetric (tas i met' rik, adj.]
variations of current are shown by a delicate
galvanometer.

Gr. tasis (teinein to stretch) extent, and -metev
measure.

task (task), n. A definite amount of work
imposed ; a lesson to be learned ; a piece
or work undertaken voluntarily. v.t. To
impose a burden upon ; to oppress with severe
or excessive work or exertion ; to strain ;
to overtax. (F. tdche, devoir, besogne ; donner
une tdche a, surmener, accabler.)

Day by day tasks are set in school, by one
whose work or task it is to teach, in order to
prepare young people for the tasks they will
take up when they go out into the world.

A taskmaster (task' mas ter, n.}, or task-
mistress (task' mis tres, n.}, is one who im-
poses a task, or one whose office it is to set
tasks to others. Taskwork (task' werk, n.} is
work done by the job or piece, as opposed to
day-work or time-work.

O. Northern F. tasque, L.L. tasca = tax a tax.
See tax. SYN. : n. Business, labour, lesson,
occupation, v. Overtax, strain, tax, work.

Tasmanian (taz ma' ni an ; tas ma' ni an),
adj. Of or relating to Tasmania, n. An in-
habitant of Tasmania. „ _„ _ __

(F. tasmanien).

Tasmania is an 1
island off the south |
coast of Australia,
from which it is distant
eighty miles at the
nearest point, the
Bass Strait inter-
vening. Tasmania
forms part of the
Australian Common-
wealth. .

Agriculture, stock-
raising and mining are
the main occupations
of the Tasmanians.

The word is also used in a different sense
for the aboriginal inhabitants of Tasmania,
now extinct.

Both the Tasmanian wolf (Thylacinus
cynocephalus) and the Tasmanian devil
(Sarcophilus ursinus) are flesh-eating animals
found in that country.

Adj. from Tasmania, named after Abel Tasman,
a Dutch navigator (d. 1659).

tass (tas), n. A drinking cup or its con-
tents ; a small draught of liquor. (F. tasse.)

This word is mainly Scottish.

O.F. tasse cup ; probably Arabic tass bowl.

tassel (tas' el), n. A pendant tuft of
threads, or cords, used as an ornament or a
cushion, cap, etc. ; anything resembling
such an ornament : a small ribbon attached

Tasmanian. — The Tasmanian wolf is remarkable

for its strong limbs, and boldly striped back and

flanks.

to a book as a marker, v.t. To furnish or
adorn with tassels ; to remove the tassels from
Indian corn. (F. gland, signet; orner de
glands.)

A member of a cricket or football team
sometimes wears a cap having a distinctive
tassel. A tassel may consist of a rounded
wooden mould covered with twisted threads
which hang down loosely. Cushions are often
tasselled at the corners, and fringes, too, are
decorated with tassels. The tuft of stamens
at the top of a stalk of Indian corn is called
a tassel, and the plant is said to be tasselled
when the head is removed, as is sometimes
done to strengthen the growth.

O.F. tassel from L.L. tassellus, of doubtful
origin, but possibly akin to Ital. taschetta,
dim. of tasca pocket, hanging pouch, cp. G.
tasche.

taste (tast), v.t. To try or perceive the
flavour of by the tongue or palate ; to eat
or drink a small quantity of ; to have
experience of ; to share in. v.i. To have
experience (of) ; to partake (of) ; to have
a flavour (of) ; to smack (of), n. The sensa-
tion caused in certain parts of the mouth by
contact with some soluble substances ;
flavour; the faculty by which this is per-
ceived ; a small portion taken as a sample ;
liking ; inclination or aptitude ; the power of
discerning or enjoying the good or beautiful
in nature, or in art and literature ; execution,
style, or disposition as affected by or viewed
with regard to this. (F. gouter, savourer,
eprouver ; sentir, deguster ; gout, bouchee.)
The organs of taste
are situated chiefly
at the tip and back of
the tongue, and in the
back part of the
palate. The four chief
sensations of taste are
sweetness, bitterness,
sourness, and saltness.
A substance is not
tastable (tast' abl,
adj.), and cannot be
tasted, unless it is
soluble. Water when
free from any sub-
stance which can
impart to it a taste or
flavour, is tasteless (tast' les, adj.). An
insipid, flavourless dish is said to be tasteless,
a savoury, appetising one being described as
tasty (tas' ti, adj.).

The decoration of a house is said to be in
good taste, if it agrees with our ideas of
aesthetic taste, or our canons of beauty,
harmony, or fitness. A remark causing need-
less offence is said to be in bad taste, as also
might any action denoting lack of respect,
or of a sense of beauty or fitness.

A tasteful (tast' ful, adj.) arrangement of
furniture — one in which it is disposed
tastefully (tast' ful li, adv.), or tastily (tast'
i li, adv.) — is pleasing to the eye and accords
with good taste and correct judgment. The

D28

4233

R7

TAT

TATTLE

quality of tastefulness (tasf ful nes, n.)
then manifested is the opposite of that shown
when things are disposed tastelessly (tasf
les li, adv.), or without regard to taste. Using
the word in its other sense we may say that
medicines are sometimes compounded taste-
lessly in such a manner that they are taste-
less. Tastelessness (tasf les nes, n.) may be
lack of flavour, or of artistic taste.

The quality and flavour of wines and teas
is tested by an expert of discriminating taste,
called a taster (tasf er, n.), who has the sense
of taste highly cultivated. In olden days,
when a chief or a king had often reason to
fear poisoning, he employed an official taster
to taste every dish or drink before it was
served. A grocer's taster is a small scoop
for cutting small samples from cheese for
customers to taste.

Some wines taste or smack of the soil in
which the vine grows. We all taste, or
experience, sorrow or disappointment, which,
perhaps, is compensated for when we later
taste happiness or success. A taste, or
predilection, for art or music is seen some-
times in quite young people. To follow one's
taste or bent in life is not always practicable.

O.F. taster to test by hand, assumed L.L.
taxitdre, frequentative of L. taxdre to estimate.
See tax. SYN. : v. Experience, sample, savour,
smack, try. n. Discernment, flavour, judgment,
relish, savour.

Taste. — A water taster, of the Metropolitan Water
Board, testing water by taste.

tat [i] (tat), v.t. To make (trimming) by
knotting, v.i. To work at or make tatting.
(F. faire de la frivolite.)

The term tatting (tat' ing, n.) is used
chiefly of a kind of lace edging consisting
of a set of loops strung on a thread, on which
they are afterwards pulled up to form a
loop-edging.

Origin obscure ; possibly akin to Dan. tat,
Norw. taatt thread.

tat [2] (tat), n. A coarse kind of canvas
made in India ; gunny-cloth.

Hindi tat strip of canvas.

tat [3] (tat). This is another spelling of
tatty. See tatty.

tat [4] (tat). For this word, in the phrase
tit for tat, see tit for tat.

ta ta (ta ta'), inter. A familiar form of
salutation at parting ; good-bye.

Tatar (ta' tar), adj. Of or relating to
Tartary, or to various Mongolian, Ugrian
or Turkic races in Asia and Europe, n. A
native of Tartary or a member of one of these
races ; a person of savage or intractable
disposition. Another form is Tartar (tar'
tar). (F. tartar; Tartare.)

The Tatars who invaded Europe under
Genghis Khan in the thirteenth century
were nomads of Mongol or Turkish origin.
Their descendants, who inhabit European
Russia, still show traces of Mongol blood.
Peoples of the same racial stem as the in-
vaders, who to-day are found in Siberia and
the Caucasus, also bear the name of Tatars.
The name Tartary is no longer used as a
geographical term, but formerly meant the
region lying between the Pacific and the
river Dnieper.

By ethnologists Tatars are ranked as
intermediate between true Mongols and
Europeans. The Tatar languages are dialects
of Turki. Figuratively a Tartar means a
savage, and to catch a Tartar is to meet
more than one's match. The form Tatar is
perhaps more correct as applied to the race.

Turkish and Pers. Tatar.

tatter (tat' er), n. A rag ; a torn and
hanging piece or shred. (F. lambeau, haillon.)

A gale may rend a sail to tatters. In our
abbeys and cathedrals are preserved the
torn and tattered (tat' erd, adj.) colours
formerly carried in battle by some of our
famous regiments. Shot and shell have
contributed to give them the tattery (tat'
er i, adj.) or ragged appearance they present.

An urchin in rags and tatters is sometimes
called a tatterdemalion (tat er de ma' li on,
n.), a word used also for a scamp or a
ragamuffin.

O. Norse totrar rags. SYN. : Rag, shred.

tatting (tat' ing), n. Knotted work used
as edging or trimming ; the process or act
of making this. See under tat [ij.

tattle (tat' 1), v.i. To chatter; to prattle ;
to gossip, n. Prattle ; idle or trivial talk.
(F. bavarder, cancaner ; bavardage.)

Gossipy people tattle, talking idly at great
length, retailing the tattle of the moment,
or chatting tattlingly (tat7 ling li, adv.) about
things of little consequence. . A tattler (tat'
ler, n.) is one who prattles, or who finds it
hard to keep a secret.

The sandpiper is sometimes called the
tattler, because of its repeated cry.

Probably from M. Flem. tatelen to prattle ;
cp. Low G. tateln, tatlen to gabble, cackle. Of
imitative origin. SYN. : v. Babble, chatter,
gossip, prattle, n. Gossip, prattle.

4234

TATTOO

TAUTOLOGY

tattoo [i] (ta too'), n. A signal given by
beat of drums, or a bugle call summoning
soldiers to their quarters ; the hour of this
signal ; a spectacular display given by
soldiers, usually at night, v.i. To beat or
play a tattoo. (F. retraite ; sonner la retraite.)

From Dutch taptoe (to put the) tap to, that is,
close the bar of an inn.

tattoo [2] (ta too'), v.t. To mark (the skin)
by pricking it and rubbing in pigments.
n. A mark or design so produced. (F.
tatouer ; tatouage.}

The practice of tattooing is very wide-
spread, both among civilized and savage
races. Tribal marks are often tattooed by
the latter. Elaborate spiral designs were
used by the Maori tattooer (ta too' er, n.}, the
face of a chief being almost entirely covered
by a tattooed pattern.

Polynesian tatau.

tatty (tat' i), n. A grass curtain hung in
doorways in India.

The tatty is made
usually of cuscus grass
which has a pleasant
smell, and is often
kept moist to cool the
air.

Hindi tattl grass mat.

tau (taw), n. The
Greek letter T ; a tau
cross ; the American
toad - fish, Batrachus
tau. (F. tau.}

St. Anthony's Cross,
which has no arm above the cross-bar, is
called the tau cross (n.) or tau. The toad-fish
bears ridges at the hinder part of its head
which suggest the shape of the tau.

taube (tou' be), n. A German military
aeroplane used in the early part of the World
War (1914-18).

The taube was a monoplane used for
bombing. Its wings swept backward and it
had a wide tail, these features giving the
machine a somewhat bird-like outline.

G. = dove, akin to E. dove.

taught (tawt). This is the past tense and
past participle of teach. See teach.

taunt [i] (tawnt), v.t. To reproach or
upbraid with contemptuous or insulting
words, n. Bitter or sarcastic reproach. (F.
reprocher, insulter ; injure, vif reproche . )

A person who taunts, that is reproaches,
anyone with sarcastic, biting or contemptuous
remarks, is a taunter ( tawnt' er, n.), and to
speak in such a manner is to speak tauntingly
(tawnt' ing li, adv.).

Perhaps irom F. tant pour tant as much for so
much, tit for tat, from L. tantum so much. SYN. :
v. Deride, gibe, insult, revile, twit. n. Gibe,
sarcasm, sneer.

taunt [2] (tawnt), adj. High, lofty.

This is a word, used by sailors, of masts and
spars set at great height.

Cp. nautical E. ataunt with all sail set, F. autant
as much (as possible), from au (L. ad ilium) to
the, tant so much. See taunt [i].

British Museum.

Tau cross. — An Anglo-Saxon tau cross, made of
ivory. The period is about 1020.

taurine (taw'rm), adj. Bull-like ; belong-
ing to the bull genus ; of or relating to the
constellation Taurus. (F. taurin.)

From 4500 to 1900 B.C. the sun appeared in
Taurus at the spring equinox. Statues and
images in the shape of or resembling the bull
are tauriform (taw' ri form, adj.). Tauromachy
(taw rom' a ki, n.) is a learned name for bull-
fighting, the national sport of Spain.

L,. taurlnus, adj. from taurus (Gr. tauros] bull.
Taurus (taw' riis), n. The Bull, a con-
stellation which forms the second sign of the
Zodiac. (F. le Taureau.)

In this group are included the bright star
Aldebaran and the Pleiades.
L = bull.

taut (tawt), adj. Stretched tight ; neat ;
ready for action. (F. raids, tendu.)

To a sailor a taut ship, or tight ship, is
one in good order throughout.

M.E. toght ; cp. A.-S. teon to draw. SYN. :
Neat, tense, tight, trim.
ANT. : Loose, slack.

tautochrone (taw'
to kron), n. A curve
such that a solid body
rolling down under the
influence of gravity
will always reach the
same point in the same
time, from whatever
point it may start. (F.
tautochrone.)

If we invert the
curve traced by a point
on a bicycle wheel
we have a single tautochrone, which is always
a cycloid. The tautochronism (taw tok' ro
nizm, n.) of curves is the property of being
tautochrones.

From Gr. tauto (to auto) the same, and khronos
time.

tautog (taw tog'), n. A fish of the genus
Tautoga, common on the Atlantic coasts of
temperate North America.

The tautog is highly esteemed in the
United States as a food-fish. It is known
popularly as the oyster-fish, and the black-
fish, but is quite distinct from the black-
fish of British waters.

North American Indian taut-auog.

tautology (taw tol' 6 ji), n. A useless
repetition of the same idea or meaning in
different words. (F. tautologie.}

Beginners in public speaking are often
given to tautology, that is, saying the same
thing several times over when once would
have done. A practised speaker is rarely
a tautologist (taw tol' 6 jist, n.}, and is careful
not to tautologize (taw tol' 6 jiz, v.i.}, that
is, not to say the same thing again and
again., for he knows that tautologie (taw to
loj' ik, adj.} or tautological (taw to loj' ik al,
adj.} statements bore and confuse his hearers.
Tautophpny (taw tof ' 6 ni, n.} is a term used
for continual repetition of the same sound.

From Gr. tautologia, tauto the same thing, and
logia speaking. SYN. : Redundancy, repetition.

4235

TAVERN

TAX

tavern (tav' ern), n. A house where
wines and spirits are sold, and where
provision is made for travellers and parties ;
a public house ; an inn. (F. taverne, auberge.}

Taverns were called by this name in
England as early as the thirteenth century.
They were not licensed until 1752.

In Shakespeare's day the taverns, especially
the Mermaid Tavern in Fleet Street, were
used as club houses by a band of literary wits,
who, in addition to Shakespeare himself,
included Christopher Marlowe, Ben Joiison,
and Sir Walter Ralegh. John Keats, immor-
talized their meetings in his lines : —
Souls of Poets dead and gone,
What Elysium have ye known,
Happy field or mossy cavern,
Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern ?

F. taverne, from L. taberna hut, booth, stall.
SYN. : Hostelry, hotel, inn.

Tavern. — Hunters stopping at a tavern for refreshment. From the
painting by Sanderson Wells.

taw [i] (taw), v.t. To tan hides or skins
with mineral salts instead of vegetable
extracts. (F. megir, megisser.}

Leather-dressers often taw the skins of
smaller animals such as sheep, lambs, and
goats. One who does this is a tawer (taw' er,
n.}, who works in a tawery (taw' er i, n.},
that is, a place where the operation of
tawing is carried on.

A.-S. tawian ; cp. Dutch touwen to curry,
O.H.G. zouwjan to prepare.

taw [2] (taw), n. A game of marbles ;

From Tawdry lace, Saint Audrey's lace, a
silk necktie sold at her fair at Ely. 'st.
Etheldrida, A.-S. &thelthryth, was queen of
Northumbria in 671. SYN. : adj. Flashy, garish,
tasteless, vulgar. ANT.: adj. Elegant, tasteful.
tawer (taw' er). For this word and
tawery see under taw [i].

tawny (taw' ni), adj. Brownish-yellow
in colour; of the colour of tanned hides.
(F. faune, tanne, brun rouge.}

A person whose skin is tanned by the sun,
as, for example, a Moor, is said to be tawny.
People speak, too, of a tawny lion, because the
skins of many lions are of this colour, which
is called tawniness (taw' ni nes, n.}.
F. tanne, p.p. of tanner to tan.
tax (taks), n. A charge imposed by
those in authority on people and property
for the support of a government ; a heavy
demand or requirement; a burden ; a strain.
v.t. To impose a tax or demand
on ; to charge (with) ; to fix
(the costs) in a law-suit. (F.
impot, taxe; imposer, taxer.}

Taxes, that is money raised
by contributions for national
purposes, have existed in some
form or other since the earliest
times. When we speak of taxes,
nowadays, we usually mean
revenue raised for the upkeep
of the central government.

When an unexpected guest
arrives to stay it may mean a
heavy tax, or strain, on the
hospitality of the hostess. Such
a visit may also tax, that is
make demands on, the resource-
fulness of the cook, who may,
in turn, tax, or charge, her
mistress with forgetting to announce the
arrival of the visitor. After a law-case,
an official of the court called the taxing-
master (n.), will, if required, tax, or
decide, the items to be charged for, in the
solicitor's bills.

The taxes are collected by tax-collectors
(n.pl.), or, as they used to be called, tax-
gatherers (n.pl.). Almost everybody is a
tax-payer (n.) for many of the things we need
in daily life are taxable (taks' abl, adj.) or
liable to taxation (tak sa' shim, n.). One
who taxes is a taxer (taks' er, n.), but it is

kind of marble (F if rf h'U \ wiiu Lct-x.es is a. utxei ^Lctts-a ci, ».;, U»UL n

marbles. The one who knocks most marbles
out of the ring is the winner of the game.

Perhaps originally the mark, shaped like a tau.

tawdry (taw' dri), adj. Gaudy and cheap ;
showy but without taste, n. Worthless
finery ; finery without taste. (F. voyant, de
mauvais gout ; parure sans valeur.}

Women who wear cheap but showy
garments are said to dress in tawdry fashion,
or tawdrily (taw' dri li, adv.}. Tawdriness
(taw' dri nes, n.} is also shown by a display
of cheap jewellery.

what shall be tax-free (adj.}. Commodities
like tobacco, tea, coffee and sugar are
taxably (taks' a bli, adv.) profitable, that
is, profitable from the point of view of
taxation.

A tax-cart (n.), or taxed cart (n.), was a
light spring cart on two wheels, formerly
used by farmers, on which a reduced tax was
payable.

N. from v., F. taxer, L. taxdre to value,
appraise. SYN. : n. Demand, impost, levy,
toll. v. Accuse, impose, levy, strain.

4236

TAXIGAB

TEA

taxicab (tak si kab), n. A motor-cab
fitted with an automatic device, indicating
the distance travelled and the fare to be
paid. (F. taxi-auto.)

Both taxicab and the more usual shortened
form, taxi (tak7 si, n.) are abbreviations of
taximeter cab (tak sim7 e ter kab, n.), a term
not now used. The taximeter is the clock
which automatically works out the fare due
from a hirer. While the cab is moving the
taximeter scores up so much a mile, and
while it stands still, the clock adds to the
fare at a certain rate.

From F. taxi short for taximetre, from taxe
tariff (see tax), and -metre = -meter : E. cab.

Taxidermy. — An expert in taxidermy placing the J
skin on the model of a wild boar.

taxidermy (tak' si der mi), n. The art
of preserving and mounting the skins of
animals in a life-like way. (F. taxidermie.}

The taxidermist (tak si der' mist, n.},
not only treats skins to preserve them, but
also stuffs and mounts them to resemble
the living animal. Examples of taxidermal
(tak si der7 mal, adj.) or taxidermie (tak si der7
mik, adj.) art are to be seen in natural
history museums.

From Gr. taxis (tassein to arrange) and derma
skin.

taximeter (tak sim' e ter). For this
word see under taxicab.

taxin (tak7 sin), n. A poisonous, resinous
substance obtained from the leaves of the
yew.

From L. taxus yew and chemical suffix -in.

taxis (tak7 sis), n. An ancient Greek
division of troops ; in surgery, the reduc-
ing of displaced parts of the body by
manipulation ; in grammar and rhetoric,
order or arrangement of words ; in zoology,
classification.

Gr. = order, arrangement from tassein to
array, range.

taxy (tak' si), v.i. To manoeuvre on the
surface of land or water in an aeroplane
moved by its own power, pres. p. taxying
(tak7 si ing).

From taxi.

tea (te), n. The prepared leaves and shoots
of an evergreen shrub called the tea-plant,
which is related to the camellia ; a drink made
by steeping the leaves in boiling water ; an
afternoon meal at which tea is drunk ; an
infusion of senna, dandelion roots, or other
herbs, used as a medicine, v.i. To take the
meal called tea. (F. the, tisane ; prendre le the.}

China, India, and Ceylon are the great tea-
producing countries. China tea is obtained
from Thea sinensis ; in India another variety,
Thea assamica, a native of Assam, is grown,
as well as the crosses of these two original
plants.

A tea-tree (n.) may be either the tea-plant
or one of several unrelated trees, found in
New Zealand and Australia, the leaves of
which are used like tea.

Tea is kept in a box called a tea-caddy (n.),
or in a metal case or tin known as a tea-
canister (n.). It is exported in a tea-chest (n.),
which is a case lined with lead-foil. A
customs duty on imported tea is called a
tea-duty (n.).

We often eat a light toasted cake, called a
tea-cake (n.), with our tea, which is drunk
from a tea-cup (n.), that is, a cup usually
smaller than a breakfast cup. Many people
are not satisfied with one teacupful (n.), that
is, what a tea-cup will hold.

A tea-dealer (n.) is one who sells tea in
large quantities. It takes more than one
tea-drinker (n.), a drinker of tea, to make
a tea-fight (n.), which is a jocular name for a
tea-party (n.), that is, an afternoon party
at which tea is drunk. A tea-meeting (n.) is
a public meeting of a social character at
which tea is served.

In many places
may be found a tea-
garden (n.), a garden
where the public is
served with tea and
light refreshments.
A tea-gown (n.) is a
loose gown some-
times worn b y
women at afternoon
tea, or to wear in
the early evening
before dressing for
dinner. A tea-kettle
(n.) is a kettle used
to boil water for tea-
making. In its natural state a tea-leaf (n.),
that is, a leaf of a tea-plant (n.), is green.
Many people use tea-leaves (n.pl.), after tea
has been brewed from them in a tea-pot (n.),
for brushing over floors to pick up the dust.

The roses belonging to the class called
tea-rose (n.} are supposed to have a faint
scent like that of tea. A tea-cup stands in a
tea-saucer (n.) along with a tea-spoon (n.),
which holds the quantity called a teaspoonful
(n.). A tea-service (n.), or tea-set (n.), may
mean a silver or plated tea-pot, cream jug,
water jug, and sugar-bowl only ; or these in
china with cups, saucers, spoons, and other

Tea-plant.— The tea-plant,

from the leaves of which

tea is made.

4237

TEACH

TEAR

articles which are collectively called tea-
things (n.pl.), as being used at tea-time (n.),
when they are brought in on a tea-tray (n.),
which is placed on a tea-table (n.).

Teas are graded by a tea-taster (n.), an
expert who judges them by tasting small
quantities infused in water. Water for
making tea is sometimes heated in a tea-
urn («.), which is a large metal vessel fitted
with a tap.

Chinese (Amoy dialect) t'e.

teach (tech), v.t. To induce (a person)
to acquire knowledge or skill (in a sub-
ject) ; to impart knowledge or information
about ; to instruct ; to guide the studies
of ; to educate ; to train ; to explain, v.i.
To be a teacher ; to give instruction, p.t.
and p.p. taught (tawt). (F. enseigner,
apprendre a; instruire.}

It is impossible to teach a person, that is,
induce him to acquire knowledge or skill,
if he has made up his mind not to learn.
A child who is anxious to be taught is
teachable (tech' abl, adj.). The quality of
being teachable is teachableness (tech' abl
nes, n.).

Anyone who teaches others is a teacher
(tech' er, n.). The office and state of being
a teacher is teachership (tech' er ship, «.).
The work of a teacher is his teaching (tech'
ing, n.). Religious or philosophical doctrine
is also called teaching.

A.-S. tdec(e)an, akin to token. SYN. : Discipline,
educate, initiate, instruct, show, tell.

teak (tek), n. A large timber tree
growing in India, Burma, and other parts of
the East Indies. (F. tech, tek.)

The brown wood of the teak (Tectona
grandis) is prized because, when properly
seasoned, it neither splits, cracks, nor
warps, is very durable, and does not corrode
iron. It is almost as heavy as oak and is
much used in shipbuilding.

From Port, teca, South Indian tekka.

- Teal. — A species of teal from India. The teal is
the smallest of the duck family.

teal (tel), n. A duck of the genus
Nettium or Querquedela. (F. sarcelle.)

The teals, which are the smallest of the
ducks, "with long necks and narrow bills,

frequent rivers and lakes, feeding chiefly
at night on grain, seeds, worms and slugs.
Our common teal (Nettium crecca) resembles
closely the green- winged teal of North
America.

M.E. tele ; cp. Dutch tating.

team (tern), n. Two or more oxen or
horses harnessed together for work ; a
group of persons associated for work or
joint action ; a number of persons who
form one side in a game. v.t. To join
together in a team ; to convey or haul
with a team ; to sublet (work) to a
contractor. (F. attelage, equipe ; camionner,
soustraiter .)

In cricket, hockey, and Association foot-
ball a team consists of eleven players. In
amateur Rugby football there are fifteen
players in a team, and in the professional
game thirteen. A baseball team is com-
posed of nine players. In team races in
athletics the number of runners in a team
varies, but usually there are five or more.
Good team work means that the team or
side works well together. Many pieces of
work are done by teams or gangs of work-
men.

A teamster (tern' ster, n.) is a man who
looks after a team of horses', or oxen.
To do a thing as a team does it is to do it
teamwise (tern' wlz, adv.).

A.-S. team progeny, family ; cp. Dutch ooni,
G. zaum bridle, O. Norse taum-r rein.

tear [i] (tar), v.t. To pull apart by
force ; to rend ; to remove by force ; to
make a rent in ; figuratively, to wound ;
to rip. v.i. To divide on being pulled ; to
rush violently ; to rave. p.t. tore (tor) ;
p.p. torn (torn), n. A rent ; a hole. (F.
dechirer, arracher ; decoudre, se ruer, rager ;
se dechirure.)

A tiger tears its prey with its teeth.
Briars tear the hands and clothes. Linen
can be torn easily in the direction of the
warp. A person reluctant to leave an
enjoyable party may be said to tear himself
away.

A tearer (tar7 er, n.) is a person who tears
in any sense of the word. A tearing (tar'
ing, adj.) hurry is a violent one.

A.-S. teran ; cp. Goth, gatairan, G. zehren to
consume, destroy ; akin to Gr. derein to flay.
SYN. : v. Harrow, lacerate, rend, separate, sunder,
wrench.

tear [2] (ter), n. A drop of limpid
fluid produced from the eyes as the result
of emotion, etc. ; a transparent drop resem-
bling this. (F. larme.)

The skin of the eyes is very delicate
and has to be kept moist. This is effected
by the lachrymal or tear glands, which
produce a constant flow of saltish water
which bathes the lids and eye. Irritation of
the eye, as well as strong emotion, increases
this flow, and the moisture, which usually
passes by the tear-duct (n.) into the nose
passages," may then overflow as teardrops
(n.pl.).

4238

TEASE

TEGNOLOGY

An explosive shell containing chemicals
which cause the eyes to water copiously is
called a tear-shell (tor' she], n.). Tear-
shells are also known as lachrymatory
shells.

One who often weeps is said to be tearful
(ter' ful, adj.), he or she behaves tearfully
(ter' ful li, adv.) or shows tearfulness (ter'
ful nes, n.). The marks of tears cause a
tear-stained (adj.) or, as we sometimes say
colloquially, a teary (ter' i, adj.) face. Tear-
less (ter' les, adj.) means shedding no tears.

A.-S. tear, teagor ; cp. G. ' zahre, Goth, tagr,
Welsh dagr, O.L. dacrima (L. lacrima) Gr. dakry.

Tease. — A teaser teasing his little brother.
Frederic Shields.

From the painting by

tease (tez), v.t. To separate the fibres
of wool, flax, etc. ; to use a teasel on ; to
annoy by interference, importunity, or
spitefulness. n. One who annoys or vexes.
(F. peigner, carder, taquiner, agacer ; taquin.)

Before wool, flax or cotton can be spun
into threads, it is necessary to tease it so
that the fibres are well arranged for spinning.
Certain kinds of cloth and the fur felts now
used for women's hats are teased or combed
with the bur of the teasel plant to make a
satiny nap.

One who or that which teases is a teaser
(tez' er, n.). This word is also used collo-
quially for a problem or question which is
awkward to answer. To vex or annoy by
constantly repeated requests or jokes is
to act teasingly (tez' ing li, adv.).

A.-S. t ties an to pluck ; cp. M. Dutch
teesen, Dan. taese. SYN. : v. Irritate, nettle,
provoke.

teasel (te' zl), n. One of a number of
plants having large prickly burs, belonging
to the genus Dipsacus ; the bur of this
plant used to raise a nap on felts and cloths ;
a device used for the same purpose, v.t.
To raise a nap on (cloth or felt) . (F. chardon
a foulon ', ratiner.}

The teasel bears egg-shaped heads of
purple florets surrounded by pointed bracts,
which are straight in the wild teasel (Dipsacus
sylvestris), but have curved or hooked tips

in the cultivated or fuller's teasel (D.
fullonum). A teaseler (tez' ler, n.) uses the
heads of the cultivated plant to teasel or
tease cloth or felt.

A.-S. tdes(e)l, instrumental n. from tease.
Tebeth (teb'eth), n. The tenth month
of the Jewish sacred year, beginning with
the December new moon and ending with
that of January.

technic (tek' nik), adj. Technical, n.
Technique ; (pi.} the study of the useful
arts ; technical terms ; technical methods.
(F. technique, pratique.}

This word is rarely used. Technical (tek'
ni kal, adj.} means relating to the
methods employed in an art ;
or relating to any of the mechani-
cal arts, applied sciences, or
trades. Technical education is
training in these arts for prac-
tical purposes.

There is technique (tek nek',
n.}, that is, operative skill or
dexterity, to be acquired in
everything we do. At both a
concert and an art gallery we
may hear criticisms of the per-
formers' and artists' technique,
that is the manner of their exe-
cution as distinct from the general
effect it produces.

A technicality (tek ni kal' i ti,
n.} is a technical term, that is,
some word or process, or way of
acting, peculiar to a trade or pro-
fession. Technicality has also
the same meaning as technicalness (tek' nik
al nes, n.}, that is, the state or quality of being
technical. A description is technically (tek'
ni kal li, adv.} correct if properly expressed
from a technical point of view.

A technicist (tek' ni sist, n.} or technician
(tek nish' an, n.} is one having technical
knowledge of a particular subject, or one
skilled in the mechanical side of an art.
The technicon (tek' ni kon, n.} is a kind of
gymnastic apparatus for exercising the
hands of pianists and organists, and the
techniphone (tek' ni fon, n.} is a dumb
piano for improving the technique of a
performer.

In its more general sense technology (tek
nol' 6 ji, n.} means scientific knowledge of:
the industrial arts. Each of these has its
technology, or technical terms or methods.
A person with special technologic (tek no,
loj' ik, adj.) or technological (tek no loj' ik
al, adj.} knowledge, that is, knowledge of
technology, is called a technologist (tek nol '
6 jist, n.}.

Gr. tekhnikos, from tekhne art, craft. See text,
techy (tech' i). This is another spelling
of tetchy. See tetchy.

tecnology (tek nol' 6 ji), n. The
scientific study of the development of
children ; a book on the subject of child
development.

From Gr. teknon child, and E. suffix -logy.

4239

TECTONIC

TEETOTAL

tectonic (tek ton' ik), adj. Relating
to the art of building ; structural ; in
geology, relating to the earth's structure,
or to changes in it. n.pl. (tectonics). The
constructive arts generally. (F. tectonique.}

From Gr. tektonikos pertaining to a carpenter
(tektori) or his craft, and by extension to any
constructional craft.

ted (ted), v.t. To spread (new-mown grass)
so that it catches the sun. (F. repandre.)

A man or machine that teds and turns
grass is called a tedder (ted' er, n.).

Cp. O. Norse tethja to spread dung.

Teddy bear (ted i bar'), n. A toy
bear made of soft material, named after
" Teddy " (Theodore) Roosevelt (1858-1919)
in allusion to his love of bear-hunting.

Te Deum (te de' um), n. A hymn of
praise, so called from its two first words in
Latin, Te Deum laudamus, " We praise
thee, O God " ; a musical setting of this ;
a choral service of thanksgiving in which
this is sung. (F. Te Deum.}

The Te Deum is also called the Ambrosian
Hymn, from an old tradition that it was
written by St. Ambrose of Milan. It is sung
at the Matins office of the Roman Catholic
Church, and at Morning Prayer in the
Church of England.

tedious (te' di us), adj. Tiresome;
wearisome ; boring ; irksome ; monoton-
ous. (F. ennuyeux, fatigant.}

A book may be tedious, that is, it may
tire or bore us. A speaker who wanders
from the point of his discourse talks tediously
(te' di us li, adv.] and has the quality of
tediousness (te' di us nes, n.} or tedium (te'
di um, n.}.

From L.L. t(a)ediosus, from L. t(a)edium
weariness, irksomeness. SYN. : Dull, fatiguing,
humdrum, prosy. ANT. : Enjoyable, enlivening,
exhilarating, invigorating, lively.

tee [i] (te), n. The letter T; a pipe
or pipe-joint shaped like a T. (F. T, te.}

A tee or T-joint is used for joining a branch-
pipe to a main pipe at right angles.

tee [2] (te), n. In golf, a small elevation
of sand, rubber, or wood from which the ball
is played at the beginning of each hole ; in
quoits, a mark aimed at. v.t. To place (the
ball) on the tee at golf. (F. tee ; faire le tee.}

A golfer has to tee his ball when using
a wooden club. The special piece of ground
in which the ball is teed is called the teeing-
ground (n.}. To tee off is to play from a tee.

Sc., earlier teaz.

tee [3] (te), n. An umbrella-shaped
ornament, generally gilded, and sometimes
hung with bells, crowning a tope or a
pagoda in Burma and neighbouring countries.

Burmese h'ti umbrella.

teem [i] (tern), v.i. To be full to over-
flowing (with) ; to be abundant. (F. four-
miller de, etre plein de.}

A well stocked river or lake is said to
teem with fish. English teems with words
suitable for the expression of abstract ideas.

A.-S. tleman, from team offspring.

teem [2] (tern), v.t. To pour out (molten
metal) ; to drain or empty, v.i. To pour
(down) as rain, etc. (F. couler ; tomber
a verse.}

A metal worker teems his molten metal
into the moulds, and in Lancashire a cook
is said to teem away the water from boiled
potatoes.

From O. Norse toema from tom-r empty.

teens (tenz), n.pl. The years of a
person's life from the age of thirteen to
nineteen. (F. I' age de treize a dix-neuf ans.)

Formed from thirteen, etc

Teepee.— American Indians of the Blackfeet tribe
outside their teepees in Montana, U.S.A.

teepee (te' pe), n. The conical lodge or
tent of the North American Indians of the
plains. Other forms include tepee (te" pi ;
ti pe'). (F. wigwam.}

Native word.

teeth (teth). This is the plural of tooth.
See tooth.

teethe (teth), v.i. To grow or cut the
teeth. (F. faire ses dents.}

Babies are born with teeth, but these are
inside the gums, and it is not till about
their sixth month that they begin to teethe,
that is, cut their teeth, a process known as
teething (telh' ing, n.}.

From teeth pi. of tooth. See tooth.

teetotal (te to' tal), adj. Relating to>
or advocating, total abstinence from intoxi-
cating liquors ; colloquially, total, entire.
(F. de temperance.}

Richard Turner of Preston, Lancashire,
is said to have suggested this word in 1833
by stammering out te-te-total in a speech
on total abstinence. He himself was a
teetotaller (te to' tal er, n.}, an advocate
of teetotalism (te to' ta lizm, n.}, and by
abstaining from all alcoholic liquors he
may be said to have lived teetotally (te to'
tal li, adv.}.

A strengthened form of total at first humorously
employed. ANT. : Bibulous, drunken, in-
temperate, intoxicated, tipsy.

4240

TEETOTUM

TELEGRAPH

teetotum (te to' turn), n. A small top,
usually four-sided, originally used in games
of chance. (F. ioton.}

The first teetotums had four sides, and
on one of these was marked the letter T,
standing for totum (the lot). The person
to whom this side came took all the stakes.

From the letter T, and L. totum neuter of
totus whole. See total.

teg (teg), n. A female fallow-deer ; a
doe of the red deer in its second year ; a
young sheep. (F. bete fauve, daine,
agneau.)

Some farmers speak of their lambs as
tegs after New Year's Day, that is,, when
they are about nine months old.

Perhaps Scand. ; cp. Swed. tacka ewe.

tegular (teg' u lar), adj. Consisting of
tiles ; relating to or resembling tiles. (F.
tegulaire.)

A tegular pavement is one made of tiles.
Parts are said to be arranged tegularly
(teg' u lar li, adv.) when disposed like the
tiles on a roof, as in tegulated (teg" u la ted,
adj.) armour, which had metal plates over-
lapping each other.

From L. tcgula (tegere to cover, shelter) tile
and E. adj. suffix -ar.

tegument (teg' u ment), n. A natural
protective covering in an animal body or
plant. (F. tegument, epiderme.)

This word is seldom used, integument
being the usual term for such protective
coverings as skin and bark. Hair, nails, hoofs,
and feathers are tegumental (teg u men' tal,
adj.) or tegumentary (teg u men' ta ri, adj.)
for they originate in this covering.

From L. tegumentum from tegere to cover.
SYN. : Integument.

tehee (te he"), n. A subdued laugh ; a
snigger, v.i. To laugh in a disdainful
manner ; to snigger. (F. rire etouffe ; rire
sous cape, se moquer, r leaner.)

Imitative.

teil (tel), n. The lime-tree or linden.
(F. tilleul.)

O.F. (also til), from L. tilia linden.

teind (tend), n. A tithe or tax of one
tenth. (F. dime.)

This word is used generally in the plural,
in Scotland, for the tenth part of the produce
of land or cattle which was originally paid
for the support of the church.

Sc. perhaps O. Norse tiunde tenth.

teknology (tek nol' 6 ji). This is
another spelling of tecnology. See
tecnology.

tela (te' la), n. In anatomy a web-
like membrane or tissue of the body.

Such tissues are found chiefly in the
brain in the form of very thin membranes
richly supplied with blood, which form a
covering to the spaces inside the brain.
They are sometimes called the telar
(te' lar, adj.) or telary (te' la ri, adj.)
membranes.

L. tela web, tissue.

telamon (tel' a mon), n. A statue of a
man acting as a column or pilaster in a

building, pi. telamones (tel a mo' nez).
(F. telamon, atlante.)

Gr. Telamon the name of a mythical hero,
perhaps from tlaein to bear ; cp. Atlas

telautograph (tel aw' to graf), n. An
electrical device for transmitting words
and designs to a distance, exactly as written
or drawn. (F. te'lautographe.)

The telautograph enables a person to
send a telautogram (tel aw' to gram, n.),
which may be anything that can be written
or drawn, for any movement of a pencil
at the transmitting station is reproduced
in ink by the telautographic (tel aw to graf
ik, adj.) apparatus at the receiving station.
The use of the telautograph is called telauto-
graphy (tel aw tog' ra n, n.).

From tel(e)-, auto and -graph.

tele-. This is a prefix meaning producing
at a distance or sending to a distance.
(F. tele-.)

A telebarometer (tel e ba rom' e ter, n.)
is a barometer which, by means of an
electric circuit, shows at a distant point
the barometic pressure at the place where
it stands. When provided with recording
apparatus it is called a telebarograph (tel e
bar' 6 graf, n.).

From Gr. tele afar.

teledu (tel" e du), n. The stinking
badger, Mydaus meliceps. (F. blaireau de
Java.)

The teledu is found in Java and Sumatra.
It is a small, nocturnal burrowing animal
with a stout body, a pig-like head, and short
legs, and has the power of emitting an
intensely evil-smelling liquid from glands at
the root of its stumpy tail.

Native term.

telegram (tel" e gram), n. A message
sent by telegraph. (F. telegramme, depeche.)

A telegram sent by cable is a cablegram.

Irregularly formed from telegraph, after Gr.

framma thing written, letter of the alphabet,
rom graphein to write.

^±W*3^J

Telegraph. — A telegraph operator engaged in
sending out a message.

telegraph (tel' e graf; tel' e graf), n.
Any method or apparatus for sending inform-
ation quickly between points far apart,
especially by electricity ; a semaphore or sig-
nalling apparatus ; a telegraph board, v.t. To

4241

TELEMETER

TELEPHONE

send (a message) by telegraph, v.i. To
use the telegraph ; to send signals. (F.
telegraphe ; telegraphier.)

The first organized telegraph was that
invented in France in 1792, when messages
were signalled from station to station by the
movements of shutters and semaphore
arms. During the long war with France
the British government employed tele-
graphs of this kind to convey messages
rapidly between London and places on the
coast, especially Portsmouth and Dover.

These were superseded about 1840 by
the invention of the electric telegraph,
which transmitted signals over wires. About
1900 came the wireless telegraph, signal-
ling messages through the ether by means
of electric waves. A large board used at
sports meetings, etc., on which the scores,
names of horses, and so on are displayed
is called the telegraph or telegraph-board (n.).

A telegraph-cable (n.) is an insulated
cable containing one or more conductors
used in telegraphing. A telegraph-line or
telegraph-wire (n.) through which messages
are sent is a wire supported at intervals
on a telegraph-pole (n.) or telegraph-post (n.).

The telegraph - plant (n.) — Desmodium
gyrans — of the East Indies has leaves which
jerk up and down in a way suggesting the
movements of a semaphore.

A person employed to work a telegraph
is called a telegrapher (te leg' ra fer, n.) or
telegraphist (te leg' ra fist, n.). The kind
of paralysis called telegraphist's cramp (n.)
is caused by long spells of operating the
Morse key used in transmitting messages
by hand.

In telegraphy (te leg' ra fi, n.}, which is
the art or practice of communicating by
telegraph, messages are sent either as signals
each of which stands for a letter or in
facsimile by a special apparatus, the telauto-
graph.

A telegraphic (tel e graf ik, adj.) instru-
ment is one used in telegraphy. A message
sent by telegraph is sent telegraphically (tel e
graf i kal li, adv.). The telegraphophone
(tel e graf 6 fon, n.), invented by Valdemar
Poulsen, a Dane, is an apparatus for record-
ing telephone messages on a wire or disk,
which repeats them when passed through a
kind of phonograph.

From E. tele- and -graph.

telemeter (te lem'e ter), n. An appara-
tus used by artillerymen for finding the
range of a distant object ; a range-finder.
(F. telemetre.)

The telemeter enables a person to view
an object through two telescopes placed
a known distance apart. The angles which
the telescopes make with a line joining
them, when both are trained on the object,
gives him the telemetric (tel e met' rik,
adj.) distance. The art or practice of
using a telemeter is telemetry (te lem' e
tri, n.)

From E. tele- and meter.

teleology (tel e of 6 ji), n. The branch
of philosophy which deals with ends, aims
or purposes in nature. (F. teleologie.}

If we seek to discover the purpose for
which a plant or animal was created we
are pursuing teleology, that is, we are
looking for a teleologie (tel e 6 loj' ik, adj.)
or teleological (tel e 6 loj ' ik al, adj.) explana-
tion of it. One who reasons teleologically
(tel e 6 loj' ik al li, adv.) is a teleologist
(tel e ol' 6 jist, n.).

From Gr. telos end, purpose, aim, and E.
suffix -logy.

teleosaurus (tel e 6 saw' rus), n. An
extinct reptile resembling the crocodile,
common in Great Britain in the Jurassic
period. (F. teUosaure.}

From Gr. teleos complete, sauros lizard.

teleostean (tel e os' te an), adj. Of
or relating to the teleostic or bony fishes.

The teleostean order of fishes includes
those which have a skeleton of true bone.
All common fishes except the sharks, rays,
and dog-fish belong to this order.

Gr. teleos complete, osteon bone, E. suffix -an.

telepathy (te le' pa thi), n. Com-
munication of mind with mind without
the use of senses ; thought transference.
(F. telepathic. )

Although some alleged cases of telepathy
are fraudulent, it is certain that our thoughts
can sometimes be transferred without speech,
and even at a distance. Messages thus
given are telepathic (tel e path' ik, adj.),
those who convey them are telepathists (te
lep' a thists, n.pl.), and they communicate
telepathically (tel e path' ik al li, adv.).
The sender of the message is said to tele-
pathize (te lep' a thlz, v.i.) or to telepathize
(v.t.) the receiver.

From E. tele- and suffix -pathy.

Telephone. — One of the first telephones invented
by Graham Bell (left) and an automatic telephone.

telephone (tel' e fon), n. An instru-
ment, especially an electrical one, which
transmits words and other sounds to a
distance, v.t. To send (a message) by
telephone ; to talk to or summon by tele-
phone ; to furnish with telephones, v.i.
To use a telephone ; to speak over the
telephone. (F. telephone; telephone*.)

4242

TELEPHOTE

TELETHERMO GRAPH

The first practical telephone was produced
by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. A
telephonic (tel e fon' ik, adj.] circuit consists
of transmitting and receiving apparatus,
connected by two wires. The action of
speaking into the transmitter causes a
metal diaphragm to vibrate and shake a
microphone, which changes the vibrations
into pulses of current in the circuit, and
these make a diaphragm in the receiver
vibrate in time with the other diaphragm
and give rise to sounds. The original
sounds are thus reproduced telephonically
(tel e fon' ik al li, adv.}.

A telephonist (te lef ' 6 nist, n.} is a person
engaged in a public telephone service,
usually as an operator at a telephone
exchange. The art of making and working
telephones and telephonic apparatus is
called telephony (te lef 6 ni, n.}.

From Gr. tele afar and E. -phone.

telephote (tel' e fot), n. An electrical
apparatus for reproducing photographs at
a distance. (F. telephote.}

The general principle of the telephote
is as follows. At each station there is a
revolving cylinder, the two being kept in
perfect time with each other. A specially
prepared photograph is wrapped round
one cylinder and a sensitive film round the
other. A beam of light is made to travel
in a spiral path over the photograph
from end to end. Pulses are set up in the
circuit connecting the two stations, and
these control a beam of light directed on
to the film, and also travelling over it,
causing its intensity to vary. When the
film is developed the original ....
image is reproduced on it.

A telephoto (tel e fo' to, adj.}
or telephotographic (tel e fo to
graf ' ik, adj.} lens is one used in
telephotography (tel e fo tog' ra
fi, n.}, which is the art of taking
photographs of distant objects.
A lens of this kind has a very
long focus, so that it casts a
large image. A photograph made
with its aid and called a tele-
photograph (tel e fo' to graf, n.}
shows things much larger than
they would be in a photograph
taken with an ordinary lens.

F., from Gr. tele afar off, phos (ace.
phot-d) light.

telescope (tel'eskop), n. An
optical instrument which mag-
nifies the apparent size of distant
objects, and seems to bring them
nearer, v.t. To drive or force one ±V
into another like the sliding Teles
sections of a telescope, v.i. To move or be
forced together in this way. (F. telescope,
longue-vue ; telescoper.}

The ordinary hand telescope is a refracting
telescope. It has a long-focus lens, named
the objective or object-glass, in front, and
a short-focus combination of lenses, named

Telescope. — The 30-inch reflector, with spectroscope

attached, of the great telescope at the Royal

Observatory, Greenwich.

the eye-piece, at the back. The image
thrown by the objective — itself much larger
than that seen by the naked eye — is caught
and again enlarged by the eye-piece.

A reflecting telescope has an open front,
and a hollow mirror at the back end. The
mirror throws the image forward to an eye-
piece.

A telescopic (tel e skop' ik, adj.} view is
one seen telescopically (tel e .skop' ik al li,
adv.}, that is, through a telescope. The
handles of some toasting-forks are tele-
scopiform (tel e skop' i form, adj.}, that is,
they slide in and out like the sections of a
telescope. Actually this word is used chiefly
in describing parts of insects. A telescopist
(te les' ko pist, n.} is one who makes a study
of telescopy (te les' ko pi, n.}, which is the
art and practice of using a telescope.

From E. tele- and -scope.

telescriptor (tel' e skrip tor), n. A
telegraphic apparatus which dispatches mes-
sages by means of a keyboard like that of
a typewriter and receives them on a type-
printing machine.

From E. tele- and L. scriptor writer, from
s crib ere to write.

teleseme (tel' e sem), n. An electrical
apparatus used in hotels for indicating the
wants of a person in any room.

From E. tele- and Gr. sema signal.

telethermograph (tel e ther' mo
graf), n. An electrical apparatus which
makes a record in one place of the heat
in another ; a record made thus. (F.
telethermographe.}

Like the telethermograph, the telethermo-
meter (tel e ther mom' e ter, n.} is a thermo-
meter which transmits its readings to a

4243

TELEVISION

TELPHER

distant point, but it only shows them on Anything that produces a striking effect
a dial or otherwise, and does not register is telling (tel' ing, adj.), and a person who

them.

From E. tele-, thermo- and -graph.

television (tel e vizh' un), n. The
act or process of seeing by electrical means
objects situated or things happening at
a distance. (F. television.)

Apparatus making television possible was
invented in 1924 by John L. Baird. In 1928

Television. — A picture being received on

the television apparatus (top), and a car*

toon broadcast by television.

images were trans-
mitted with the device
by wireless from Lon-
don to New York. The
apparatus used in
television is known
as a televisor (tel e viz' or, n.).
From E. tele- and vision.
tell (tel), v.t. To narrate ; to give an
account of ; to divulge ; to state ; to explain ;
to assure ; to command ; to ascertain ; to
distinguish ; to decide ; to count, v.i. To
give information ; to produce a marked
effect, p.t. and p.p. told (told). (F. racon-
ter, rdveler, expose?, expliquer, ordonner, se
rendre compte de, distinguer : donner avis,
faire son effet, porter.}

If we are told to do a certain thing we
have received a command. Sometimes it
is difficult to tell the difference between a
command and a request. After listening
to a famous orator, we may realize that
every word he has spoken has told, or made
an impression on his hearers. When a
party of people are in camp, everyone is
told, or detailed, off to do a special job.

A story that is worth telling is tellable
(tel' abl, adj.). Anyone performing the
act of telling is a teller (tel' er, n.). The
members [appointed to count the votes of
the parties in the House of Commons, and
bank officials who receive and pay out
money over the counter are called tellers.
The office of a teller is a tellership (tel' er
ship, n.).

speaks in a telling way speaks tellingly (tel'
ing li, adv.}. A man has a tell-tale (adj.}
expression if his face is a clue to his thoughts.
A child who repeats stories that are likely
to get a companion into trouble is a tell-
tale (n.}. Various mechanical indicators
that register information, especially with
regard to some hidden part or process, are
known as tell-tales. Examples
are, a pressure-gauge ; an index
showing how far the bellows of
an organ are distended ; an
indicator near the steering-wheel
of a ship showing the position
of the rudder ; and the tell-tale
compass (n.} sometimes hung in
a captain's cabin and used to
check the course of the ship.

A.-S. tellan, from talu tale ; cp.
Dutch tellen, G. zahlen. See tale.
SYN. : Count, impart, report, reveal,
state.

tellurian (te lur' i an), adj. Of
or pertaining to the earth, n. An
inhabitant of the earth. (F.
terrestre, tellurien.)

Those who believe that Mars
is inhabited think that the Mar-
tians are more advanced than
the Tellurians or dwellers on the
earth.

Such tellurian, telluric (te lur' ik, adj.),
or terrestrial phenomena as the succession
of the seasons and the alternation of night
and day can be demonstrated by the
apparatus called a tellurion (te lur' i on, n.).
From L. tellus (ace. -ur-em) earth and -al.
tellurium (te lur' i um), n. A rare silver-
white non-metallic element. (F. tellure.)

Tellurium occurs in a free state
associated in small quantities with gold,
silver, and bismuth, and is also found in
combination with lead, mercury, and other
metals. Its chemical symbol is Te.

Two acids containing tellurium are known,
namely, telluric (te lur' ik, adj.) acid and
tellurous (tel' yur us, adj.) acid, salts of
which are known respectively as a tellurate
(tel' yur at, n.) and a tellurite (tel' yur It, n.).
A compound of tellurium with a metal or
with hydrogen is called a telluride (tel' yiir
Id, n.). Hydrogen telluride, is a gas with
properties similar to those of hydrogen
sulphide.

Modern L. from L. tellus (ace. -ur-em) earth.
teletype (tel' 6 tip), n. An electric
telegraph that automatically prints the
messages ; a telegram printed by this.
From E. tel(e)-, and type.
telpher (tel' fer), adj. Serving to
transport goods automatically by electricity.
n. A trolley, or the equipment generally,
used in such a system. (F. telepheragigue,
tel Sphere.)

In the electrical transport system called
telpherage (tel' fer ij, n.) hanging carriers

4244

TELSON

TEMPERAMENT

are made to run along a suspended cable.
Each carrier is driven by its own motor,
which picks current from a wire close to it.
A carrier is stopped whenever desired by
cutting off the current. A route served
by telpherage is called a telpher-line (n.) or
telpher- way (n.).

Contraction of telephone or telepher, from tele-
and Gr. -phoros bearing, pherein to carry.

telson (tel' son), n. The last segment
or somite in the abdomen of crustaceans,
such as in the " tail " of the lobster or the
shrimp.

Gr. = boundary.

Telugu (tel' u goo), n. One of the five
Dravidian languages,
spoken chiefly in the
north-eastern part of
Madras and in Hydera-
bad ; a member of the
Dravidian race who
speaks this language.
adj. Of or relating to
this language, race, or
country. See under
Dravidian.

Native name.

temenos ( t e m " e
nos), n. In Greek
antiquity, the land form-
ing the enclosure of a
temple ; a sacred pre-
cinct. (F. temenos.}

Gr. — thing cut off.

temerarious ( t e m
er ar'i us), adj. Rash ;
reckless. The unusual
word temeritous (temer7
i tus) has the same
meaning.

This word is less often used than temerity
(te mer7 i ti, n.}, which means the quality
of being rash or foolhardy, or an instance
of rash behaviour.

From L. temerdrius, adj. from temer e rashly,
and E. adj. suffix -ous. See temerity. SYN. :
Foolhardy, rash, reckless. ANT. : Cautious,
circumspect.

Tempean (tern pe7 an), adj. Relating
to or resembling the vale of Tempe ; of
places or scenery, beautiful, delightful. (F.
de Temp 6, beau.)

Tempe was a romantic valley in Thessaly,
Greece. So beautiful was it that the word
Tempe came to be used for any specially
lovely valley or pleasant country spot,
and Tempean to describe such a place.

SYN. : Delightful, idyllic, lovely, pleasant.

temper (tern7 per), v.t. To bring to a
proper condition by mixing with something ;
to modify ; to tone down ; to prepare
(clay, mortar, etc.) by moistening and
stirring ; to bring (steel, etc.) to a proper
degree of hardness and elasticity by heating
and chilling ; to tune or modulate, v.i.
To be tempered, n. Consistency or con-
dition (of clay, mortar, etc.) ; the degree
of hardness and elasticity imparted to steel,
etc., by tempering ; habitual condition, or

Telutu.— ATelugu drummer, with native drum,
in a religious procession in India.

tendency of mind ; state of the feelings ;
heat of mind ; irritation ; anger. (F.
modifier, mitiger, gdcher, tysmper, moduler ;
se modifier; consistance, trempe, tempera-
ment, humeur, colere.)

In the process of tempering (tern' per ing,
n.} a steel tool is first heated to a bright red,
then trie tip is dipped in water to chill it,
and, when the heat from the body of the
tool has brought the tip to a certain colour
showing the temper needed, the whole tool
is cooled in water. Tempered (tern7 perd,
adj.] steel is steel thus brought to the
required hardness and elasticity. Any-
thing that can be tempered is temperable
(tern' per abl, adj.], and
anything that has a
tempering effect is tem-
perative (tern' per a tiv,
adj.}. A person or
thing that tempers is a
temperer (tern ' per er, n.} .
In speaking of con-
ditions or attitudes of
mind the words tem-
pered and temperedly
(tern' perd li, adv.) are
used only in combin-
ation with other words.
A good-tempered, person
is one who has an even
temper ; such a one meets
annoyances and troubles
good-temperedly.

A.-S. temprian, L. tem-
per are, from tempus (gen.
tempor-is) time, season.
SYN.: v. Mitigate,
moderate/ modulate, n.
Disposition, temperament.
tempera (tern' per a) n. A method of
painting in colours mixed with a gummy
substance to prevent them from flaking
off : the mixture used in this. (F. detrempe.)
Painting in tempera was practised by
the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians.

Ital., from L. temper are to mix in proportion.
See distemper [2].

temperament (tern7 per a ment), n.
Natural disposition of mind ; the method
of distributing the sounds of an octave
among the twelve notes of the chromatic scale
so that they will sound in tune in all keys.
(F. caractere, temperament.)

In olden days one's temperament was
thought to be largely due to the proportion
of certain so-called humours or fluids in the
body. Thus a person had a sanguine tempera-
ment if he was full-blooded. Temperamental
(tern per a men7 tal, adj.) means of or relating
to temperament. We speak of tempera-
mental gaiety or gloominess, or of a person
being temperamentally (tem per a ment7
al li, adv.} cheerful or dismal. These words
are often used to describe people who are
inclined to be governed by their moods.

L. temper amentum due adjustment, from
temper are (tempus time, season) to qualify.
SYN. : Character, disposition.

4245

TEMPERANCE

TEMPLE

temperance ( tern' per ans), n. Moderation
or self-restraint ; moderation in eating and
drinking, especially in the use of intoxicants.
(F. temperance.}

This word is often used for total abstinence
from alcoholic drinks. Thus a temperance
hotel (n.} is one in which no alcoholic drinks
are supplied.

F. temperance, L. temperantia moderation, from
temperans (ace. -ante em) pres. p. of temperdre
(tempus time) to moderate, control. SYN. :
Abstemiousness, moderation, self-control, self-
restraint, sobriety. ANT. : Excess, intemper-
ance.

temperate (tern' per at), adj. Self-
restrained ; moderate ; abstemious ; mild
in climate. (F. temper e, temper ant.}

A man who is not extreme in his opinions
may be called temperate, and so may a man
who is moderate in the use of alcohol.
The tropical zone of the earth is separated
from the Polar regions by two temperate
zones, in the northern of which lies the
greater part of Europe. The athletes
mentioned in I Corinthians, ix, 25 lived
temperately (tern' per at li, adv.}, that is,
in a manner which showed self-restraint.
The Greeks had a proverb which advised
temperateness (tern' per at nes, n.}, that is,
moderation, in everything.

From L. temperdtus p.p. of temperdre to
modify. SYN. : Abstemious, moderate, sober.
ANT. : Extreme, intemperate, uncontrolled,
violent.

temperative (tern '
per a tiv). For this
word see under temper.

temperature (tern '
per a chur ; tern' per a
tur), n. The degree of
sensible heat of a body,
or of the atmosphere,
especially that shown by
a thermometer. (F. tem-
perature.}

The centigrade system
reckons temperature
upwards and downwards
from the freezing-point
of water.

F., from L. temperdtura
from temperdtus, p.p. of
temperdre to modify.

tempered (tern'
perd). For this word,
tempering, etc., see under
temper.

tempest (tern' pest), n. A violent storm
of wind ; a. tumult ; a commotion; agitation.
(F. tempete, tumulte, explosion.}

Tempests are often accompanied by heavy
rain, snow, or hail. The winter is the most
tempestuous (tern pest' u us, adj.} season,
that in which most tempests occur. Figura-
tively, we can speak of a tempest of anger,
or tears, or eloquence, or of tempestuous
passions. The wind blows tempestuously
(tern pest' u us li, adv.} when cold air rushes

Temple. — The Madeleine, Paris, begun as a
Temple of Glory, and completed as a church.

into a region where there is a strong up-
current in the atmosphere. The tempestuous-
ness (tern pest' u us nes, n.}, that is, the
stormy condition, of the sea is at times a
great danger to shipping.

O.F. tempeste, from L. tempestds storm, from
tempus time. SYN. ; Blast, gale, hurricane,
storm. ANT. : Calm, quiet.

Templar (tern' plar), n. A member of the
order of the Knights Templars ; a lawyer
or law student with chambers in the Inner
or Middle Temple, London ; a member of
the order of Good Templars, a temperance
society. (F. templier.}

The Knights Templars were an order,
partly religious and partly military, founded
early in the twelfth century to protect
pilgrims to the Holy Land. They were so
called because their original headquarters
were near a former mosque called Solomon's
Temple at Jerusalem. In London they had
a church, the Temple Church. The district
around this is still called the Temple,

template (tern' plat). This is another
form of templet. See templet.

temple [i] (tern' pi), n. A building for
worship (usually pagan or ancient Hebrew) ;
in France, a Protestant church ; the name
of two Inns of Court, in London, built on
the land of the Knights Templars ; the
district occupied by these Inns. (F. temple.}
The Jews built three temples at Jerusalem :
that of Solomon, destroyed by Nebuchad-
nezzar ; that of Zerub-
babel ; and that of
Herod. The last was
destroyed in A.D. 70.

The district in London
known as the Temple,
comprises the Inner
Temple and the Middle
Temple. The circular
part of the Temple
Church was built by
the Knights Templars in
the twelfth century.

From L. templum sanc-
tuary, akin to Gr. temenos.
See temenos. SYN. : Fane.

temple [2] (tern7 pi),
n. The flat portion of
either side of the head
between the forehead
and the ear. (F. tempe.}
Parts situated in or
relating to the temples
are called temporal (tern'
por al, adj.} parts. The term temporal
(n.) denotes any one of the temporal bones,
muscles, etc.

O.F. temples pi., from L. tempora the temples,
pi. of tempus which usually means (portion
of) time, occasion, hence perhaps vital spot.

temple [3] (tern' pi), n. An attachment in
a loom which keeps the fabric stretched
to the proper width as it is woven. (F. tempe,
tempia.}

O.F. = stretcher, from L. templum cross-bar.

4246

TEMPLET

TEN

templet (tern' plet), n, A pattern used as
a guide in wood or metal work, in marking
out work or checking its accuracy ; a stout
timber or block of stone placed under the
end of a girder or beam to distribute the
weight over a greater area ; one of the wedges
for a block under a ship's keel. Another
form is template (tern7 plat). (F. gabarit.)

Perhaps O.F. dim. of temple [3].

tempo (tern' po), n. In music, rate of
movement. (F. movement.}

The tempo, or rapidity
with which the natural r
accents of the music
follow each other, is now
always indicated by a
tempo -mark (n.) which
is either an indication
of the number of beats
per minute on a met-
ronome, or a word or
phrase giving the ap-
proximate speed and
style of performance.
These terms are of three
kinds : those indicating
a regular movement,
such as adagio, andante,
and allegro ; a retar-
dation, as rallentando ;
or an acceleration, as
stringendo.

Ital., from 'L. tempus
time.

temporal [i] (tern'
po ral), adj. Pertain-
ing to the affairs of
this life ; secular ; lay ; in
grammar, of or relating to the tenses of a verb ;
of adverbs or clauses, expressing time. n.
That which is temporal or secular ; a material
or worldly possession. (F. temporel.)

The House of Lords is made up of temporal
lords, that is, peers of the re_alm, and spiritual
lords, namely, the archbishops and some
bishops. The temporal power of the Pope
is the authority exercised by him in civil
or political, as opposed to religious, matters.

In one sense temporality (tern .po ral'
i ti, n.}, like the rare word temporalness (tern'
po ral nes, n.}, means the state of being
temporal, that is, material, or temporary, as
opposed to eternal. In another, it signifies a
worldly possession, and is generally used in
the plural to denote various forms of ecclesi-
astical revenue. The Church was formerly
very powerful temporally (tern' po ral li, adv.],
that is, in a temporal or secular manner, and
had great control over the temporalty (tern'
por al ti, n.}, which means the laity.

M.E. and O.F., from L. temporalis, from tempus
gen. tempor-is) time. SYN. : adj. Civil, earthly,
lay, secular, transient. ANT. : adj. Ecclesiastical,
eternal, spiritual.

temporal [2] (tern' por al). For this

word see under temple [2].

temporary (tern' po ra ri), adj. Lasting
for, or intended for, a limited time or a special

Tempt. — A sailor tempting seagulls to take food
out of his hand.

occasion; not permanent. (F. temporaire,
momentand, passager.)

A society when it is without a secretary
will sometimes appoint a man as temporary
secretary. Such a man is engaged temporarily
(tern' po ra ri li, adv.), that is, only for a
time, until a permanent secretary is chosen,
and his appointment has the quality of
temporariness (tern7 po ra ri nes, n.).

To pursue an indecisive policy, or to yield
temporarily to the requirements of the
oc.casion, as politicians
sometimes do, is to
temporize (tern' po riz,
v.i.}. A temporizer (tern '
po riz er, n.) usually
acts in this way in order
to gain time, or to avoid
committing himself, but
his temporization (tern
po ri za' shun, n.) may
do more harm than good.
There are, however,
times when it is right
to act temporizingly
(tern' po riz ing li, adv.)
or in a temporizing way.
From L. temporarius
from tempus (gen. tempor-is)
time. SYN. : Evanescent,
fleeting, transient. ANT. :
Lasting, permanent.

tempt (tempt), v.t.
To entice to evil ; to
attract ; to allure ; to
induce, urge, or per-
suade ; to provoke ; to
defy ; to put (a person)
to the test. (F. tenter, seduire, provoquer.)
Only a very wicked person would tempt a
child to do wrong. Invalids sometimes have
to be tempted to take their food. A fine
morning tempts us out of doors. Temptation
(temp ta' shun, n.) means anything that
tempts, and also the fact of being tempted
and the act of tempting. We pray in the
Lord's Prayer, " Lead us not into tempta-
tion." By the Temptation we mean the
tempting of Christ by Satan, and also the
tempting of Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Anyone who may be tempted, or who is open
to temptation, is temptable (tempt' abl, adj.),
and has the quality of temptability (tempt a
bil' i ti, n.).

A person who tempts is a tempter (tempt'
er, n.), a term often applied to the devil.
A temptress (temp' tres, n.) is a female
tempter. We speak of an offer that is
attractive as a tempting (tempt' ing, adj.)
offer. Nowadays, shopkeepers display their
wares very temptingly (tempt' ing li, adv.) —
it is sometimes difficult to resist buying.

O.F. tempter, L. tentare to try, to test,
frequentative of tenere to hold. SYN. : Allure,
entice, inveigle, invite, lure. ANT. : Deter,
dissuade, repel.

ten (ten), n. The number greater than
nine by one ; twice five ; a playing card with

4247

TENABLE

TEND

ten pips ; a female swan. adj. Consisting
of one more than nine. (F. dix.}

Ten is represented in Arabic numerals
by the symbol 10, and in Roman numerals
by X. Our system of numbering is based on
ten, the number of the fingers. See decimal.
By moving a figure from one position
to the next on the left we give it a tenfold
(ten7 fold, adj.) value, that is, increase its
value tenfold (adv.), or ten times. A ten-
penny (ten' pe ni, adj.) article is one priced
and sold at tenpence (ten7 pens, n.), a sum
equal to the value of ten pennies. A ten-
penny nail, which originally meant a nail
sold at tesnpence a hundred now means a
large-sized nail.

The American game of tenpins (n.) is
the same as our ninepins, but played with
one more pin. In Rugby football, the line
behind which the opposing forwards must
stand at the kick-off is called the ten yards
line (n.). It is drawn ten yards from the
centre line, on either side of and parallel
with it.

The tenth (tenth, adj.] thing of a series
comes next after the ninth. A florin is a
tenth (n.), that is, a tenth part, of a pound.
The word tenthly (tenth' li, adv.) means in
the tenth place.

A.-S. ten, tlen ; cp. Dutch tien, G. zehn ; akin
to L. decent, Gr. deka, Welsh deg, Sansk. daca.

tenable (ten7 abl), adj. Capable of being
held, maintained, or defended against
attack or objection. (F. tenable.)

A military position is tenable if it can be
successfully defended. A theory is tenable
if it can be maintained in the face of argu-
ment. Scholarships are usually tenable for
a definite period. Tenability (ten a bil7 i ti,
n.) or tenableness (ten7 abl nes, n.), is the
quality of being tenable.

From F. tenir to hold (L. tenere) and -able.
SYN. : Defendable, defensible, maintainable.
ANT. : Indefensible, untenable.

tenace (ten7 as), n. In whist, the best and
third best cards of a suit when held in the
same hand. (F. tenace.)

This is sometimes called a major tenace,
the second and fourth best cards being a
minor tenace.

F. = tenacious. See tenacious.

tenacious (te na7 shus), adj. Holding
fast, or inclined to hold fast ; tough ; sticky ;
of the memory, retentive ; resolute ; ob-
stinate. (F. tenace)

Some people are very tenacious of what
they believe to be their rights. A person
who retains vivid impressions of past events
has a tenacious memory. A tenacious metal
is one that is difficult to pull apart or break.
Briers fix their thorns tenaciously (te na7
shus li, adv.) into clothes. The bulldog has
tenaciousness (te na7 shus nes, n.), or tenacity
(te nas7 i ti, n.), that is, the quality of being
tenacious, in the sense of obstinacy.

A hooked instrument used by "surgeons
for seizing tissues, etc., during an operation

is called a tenaculum (te nak7 u lum, n.) —
pi. tenacula (te nak7 u la). This term is also
applied to the process which holds back the
springing apparatus of the active little
insect called the spring-tail.

L. tenax (stem tendci), from tenere to hold, and
E -ous. SYN. : Obstinate, sticky, sturdy, tough,
unyielding. ANT. : Brittle, yielding.

tenail (te nal7), n. In fortification, an
outwork in the principal ditch in front of
the curtain between two bastions. Another
form is tenaille (te nal7). (F. tenaille.)

F. tenaille, L. tenacula pi. holders.

tenant (ten7 ant), n. A person holding
land or houses, especially under a landlord ;
an occupant ; an inhabitant, v.t. To hold
as tenant ; to occupy. (F. locataire ; occuper.)

A person who rents a house or land is a
tenant. A farmer who pays rent for his
farm is a tenant-farmer (».). A man who
occupies a house usually undertakes to keep
it tenantable (ten7 ant abl, adj.), that is,
fit for occupation by another tenant, the
standard of tenantableness (ten7 ant abl nes,
n.), being that which would be required by a
person of ordinary tastes. Tenancy (ten7 an si,
n.) is the state of being a tenant, or the period
during which one is a tenant.

The general body of tenants on an estate
is called the tenantry (ten7 an tri, n.). An
estate or house without a tenant is tenantless
(ten7 ant les, adj.).

What is called tenant-right (n.) is the
right belonging by custom to a tenant to
continue his tenancy without undue increase
of rent, so long as he pays the rent and treats
the property with reasonable care, and to be
compensated if he is deprived of his tenancy.
A tenant-at-will (n.) is one holding a tenancy
which may be ended at any time by either
the landlord or the tenant without notice.

O.F., from L. tenens (ace. -ent-em) pres. p. of
tenere to hold. SYN. : n. Householder, inhabi-
tant, occupant, occupier, v . Hold, occupy.

Tench. — The tench, a freshwater fish which
frequents lakes, ponds, and sluggish streams.

tench (tench), n. A freshwater fish, the
only species of the genus Tinea. (F. tanche.)

The tench (T. vulgaris) is found in slow
streams, lakes, and ponds with a soft muddy
bottom, in which it passes the winter in a
torpid state.

O.F. tenche, from L.L. tinea a kind of fish,
probable, tench.

tend [i] (tend), v.i. To move or lead in
a certain direction ; to be inclined ; to con-
tribute (to a result). (F. tendre a).

4248

TEND

TENEBRAE

Self-indulgence tends to make people
selfish and lazy. We can speak of a path
tending upwards. Plants show a tendency
(ten" den si, n.), that is, an inclination, to
grow in the direction from which the strong-
est light comes.

F. tendre, L. tendere to stretch. See thin.
SYN. : Conduce, contribute, lead.

tend [2] (tend), v.t. To look after ; to
attend to the wants of. v.i. To wait (upon).
(F. soigner ; servir.)

Shepherds tend
their flocks ; nurses
tend the sick. The
anchor- watch on a
vessel at anchor has
to tend the ship, that
is, see that she does
not foul her cable at
the turn of the tide.

Shortened from attend.
See attend. SYN. : Feed,
guard, nurse, protect,
watch.

tender [i] (ten'
der), n. One who tends
or looks after ; a car
attached to a locomo-
tive and carrying water
and fuel ; a small ship
which attends a larger
one, carrying supplies,
dispatches, etc. (F.
gardien, allege, annexe,}

Agent n. from tend

[2]-

tender [2] (ten ' der) ,
v.t. To offer or present
for acceptance, v.i. To make a tender for a
contract or the like. n. An offer, especially
in discharge of a debt or other liability, or to
supply certain goods or carry out certain
work or purchase goods on certain con-
ditions. (F. offrir ; soumissionner pour;
offre, soumission.)

We tender our services where we think they
will be useful. We tender our resignation
when we have secured other employment.
We tender a sum of money in payment when
we offer it to the person in whose debt we are,
but we must make the offer in what is called
legal tender (see under legal). A contractor
tenders or sends in a tender when he offers
to carry out work for a certain sum of money.

From F. tendre, L. tendere to stretch, extend.
SYN. : v. Offer, present, proffer, propose.
n. Bid, offer, proffer.

tender [3] (ten' der), adj. Not hard or
tough ; easily injured ; delicate ; easily
pained or touched ; solicitous ; loving ;
compassionate ; gentle ; of a topic, needing
careful handling ; subdued ; not glaring.
(F. tendre, sensible, aimant, delicat.)

A butcher who is tender of his reputation
will only supply tender steaks. Invalids
have to be watched with tender care.

Pity is easily roused in tender-hearted (adj.)
or tender-minded (adj.) people. We should

Tender. — The tender of the "Flying Scotsman,"

showing corridor 'communication provided for driver

and fireman.

always treat dumb animals tender-heartedly
(adv.), that is, kindly, and show tender-
heartedness (n.), the quality of being tender-
hearted, to people in sorrow or distress.

In Australia and America a novice at
hard, rough, outdoor work is called a
tenderfoot (ten' der fut, n.). Among Boy
Scouts the word means one who has not yet
qualified as a full scout. A tenderloin
(ten' der loin, n.) of beef or pork is the
tenderest part of a
loin, from under the
short ribs.

Ambulance-men and
police handle injured
people tenderly (ten'
der li, adv.), that is,
in a gentle, careful
way. Tenderness (ten'
der nes, n.) means the
quality or state of
being tender in any
sense.

F. tendre, L. tener deli-
cate. See thin. SYN. :
Fragile, gentle, merciful,
soft, weak. ANT. : Hard,
harsh, rough, stern,
tough.

tendon (ten' don),
n. A cord or band
of fibrous tissue con-
necting or attaching
the fleshy part of
muscle. (F. tendon.)

Tendons either con-
nect portions of muscle,
or serve as attachments to the bone operated
by the muscle. An example is the tendon
of Achilles connecting the muscle of the
calf with the heel. A tendinous (ten' di mis,
adj.) tissue is one forming a tendon.

L.L. tendo (ace. -don-em), from tendere to
stretch.

tendril (ten' dril), n. A slender leafless
organ by which a plant attaches itself to
another body. (F. vrille.)

A tendril may be a modified leaf, an
extension of the midrib of a leaf, as in the
pea, or a form of side shoot, as in the vine.
Tendrilled (ten' drild, adj.) plants are ones
having tendrils.

Cp. F. tendrillon bud, shoot, from tendre tender,
or tendre to stretch.

Tenebrae (ten' e bre), n. In the
Roman Catholic Church, the office of Matins
and Lauds of the last three days of Holy
Week. (F. tenebres.)

This office is probably so named from
the custom of extinguishing candles
during the services, to commemorate the
darkness following the Crucifixion. The
word tenebrific (ten i brif ik, adj.) means
bringing darkness, obscuring. The tene-
brific stars were so called because they were
thought to bring night. Tenebrous (ten' e
bri us, adj.) means dark or gloomy.
L. = darkness, dusk.

D28

4249

TENEMENT

TENOTOMY

tenement (ten7 6 ment), n. An abode ;
an apartment or set of apartments used
by one family ; a house, etc., rented from
a landlord by a tenant ; in law, any kind of
permanent property, as lands, houses, etc.
(F. appartement, tenement.)

In large cities, many spacious old houses
have now been converted into tenements.
A house or specially erected building in
which there are many such apartments is
termed a tenement house (n.). People
living in such houses may be termed
tenementary (ten e men7 ta ri, adj.) occupiers.

Land or other property held of a superior
is tenemental (ten e men7 tal, adj.) or tene-
mentary property, having the nature of a
tenement.

From L.L. tenementum from tenere to hold,
occupy. SYN. : Apartment, dwelling-house,
dwelling-place, habitation.

is a cloth-covered rubber sphere, and that in
tennis is made of cloth strips bound together
and covered with a durable white cloth.

An inflammation of the elbow accompanied
by swelling, caused by excessive play and
incorrect use of the racket, is called tennis-
elbow (n.). A similar trouble effecting the
knee is called tennis-knee (n.).

Origin doubtful.

tenon (ten7 on), n. A tongue or pro-
jection at the end of a piece of timber
fitting a cavity, especially a mortise, in
another piece, v.t. To cut a tenon on ; to
join with a tenon. (F. tenon; assembler.}

The mortise-and-tenon joint is common
in woodwork. A tenon is formed by cutting
away part of the material with a tenon-
saw (n.), a fine-toothed saw having a stiffen-
ing bar along the back. A tenon er (ten'
on er, n.) or tenon-machine (n.) is one used

principle, dogma, or doctrine, of a person
or school. (F. principe, doctrine.)

L. = he holds (or believes), from tenere to

F. dim., from tenir to hold.

tenor (ten7 or), n. A prevailing course

hold. SYN. : Belief, doctrine, dogma, opinion, or tendency ; the general run or drift (of

principle.

thought, etc.) ; in law, the true meaning ;

tenfold (ten7 fold). For this word see an exact copy ; in music, the highest natural

under ten.

adult male voice ; the music for this, or for

tennis (ten7 is), n. A ball game for an instrument with a similar compass ;
two or four players, played with, rackets such an instrument, especially the viola,
and balls in an enclosed court. (F. jeu playing a part between bass and alto.
de paume, tennis.) adj. Connected with, or suited for perform-

ing, a tenor part. (F. cours,
teneur, tenor, alto.}

A misfortune is said to dis-
turb the even tenor of one's life.
We cannot mistake the tenor, or
purpose, of an emphatic and
lucid speech.

In music, the tenor was origin-
ally the voice that held or sus-
tained the notes of the plain-
song in old church music, while
the bass sang an independent
melody.

The viola is sometimes called a
tenor violin (n.) and its lowest
note, C in the bass clef, is known
as tenor C. In addition to the
bass and treble clefs, there is a
tenor clef (n.), with middle C on
its fourth line, in which music
of an intermediate pitch is still
sometimes written. A tenor
Tennis, the game from which the more singer may also be called a tenorist (ten7 or
popular lawn-tennis developed, was first ist, n.), which also means a viola player. A
played, so far as is known, in the thirteenth tenorino (ten 6 re7 no, n.) — pi. tenorini (ten 6
century. re7 ne) — is a falsetto tenor voice, or a singer

The dimensions of the tennis-court (n.) having a voice of this kind,
vary, but the court is always oblong in M.E. and O.F. tenour, L. tenor (ace. -or-em)
shape, as in lawn-tennis, enclosed by walls, a holding on, from tenere to hold. SYN. : Drift,
and roofed in. Its length is usually from meaning, purport, tendency.
90 ft. to loo ft., and its breadth about tenotomy (te not7 6 mi), n. The
31 ft. The net is 5 ft. high at each end, surgical operation of dividing a tendon.

c> 1 r\ T-V t -T-II r* 4-r*. * -C4- **-t -4-lx^. n^«<4— >A *-* *.

TennU.— A lawn-tennis court, with a ladies' double* exhibition-

sloping to 3 ft. in the centre.

In both tennis and lawn-tennis a tennis-

(F. tenotomie .}

A small, narrow-bladed knife, called a

racket (n.), or stringed bat, and a tennis- tenotome (ten7 6 torn, w.), is used in tenotomy.
ball (n.) are used. The ball in lawn-tennis Gr. tenon tendon, and -tomia a cutting.

4250

TENPENCE

TENT

tenpence (ten' pens). For this word
and tenpenny see under ten.

tenrec (ten' rek). This is another form
of tanrec. See tanrec.

tense [i] (tens), n. The form assumed
by a verb to show the time of an action
or state, and sometimes also its completeness
or continuance. (F. temps.}

Grammarians cannot agree as to the
names by which certain tenses should be
called. The subject is explained in Volume
I of this dictionary, p. xlii. A verb having
no tense is tenseless (tens7 les, adj.}.

From O.F. tens, L. tempus time.

tense [2] (tens), adj. Stretched tightly ;
strained. (F. tendu, raide.)

A violin string has to be tense or stretched
taut before playing. Our muscles are tense
when making a great physical effort. When
we are tense with anxiety, or tensely (tens'
li, adv.], that is, intensely, anxious our
minds are in a state of tension (ten' shun, n.},
that is, nervous or emotional strain.

Such feelings are generally shown by the
tenseness (tens' nes, n.}, tensity (tens' i ti,
n.}, or tense quality of one's expression.
In an extended sense, we may speak of the
tenseness of a highly dramatic situation.

In mechanics, tension is a stress drawing
or tending to draw apart the particles
forming a body. A tension-rod (n.) is a
steel or iron rod used in a structure to prevent
spreading of the parts which it connects.
When a tensile (ten' sll ; ten' sil, adj.) or
tensional (ten' shun al, adj.) strain, that is,
one of the nature of tension, is put on a
body, that body is said to be in tension.
A tensile surface, or substance, however,
is one that is ductile or tensible (ten' sibl,
adj.), that is, capable of being lengthened
by straining. It has the quality or con-
dition of tensibility (ten si bil' i ti, n.) or
tensility (ten sil' i ti, n.).

The tension of a vapour or gas is its
pressure, or expansive force. The high
tension battery of a wireless receiver is a
group of primary cells connected in series
to give a pressure of fifteen volts or more.
A low-tension battery is one having a low
potential. It is used to keep the filaments
of the valves incandescent.

In anatomy, a muscle that stretches or
tightens a part is called a tensor (ten' sor, n.),
as opposed to a flexor, or muscle causing
a limb or part to bend.

From L. tensus p.p. of tendere to stretch.
SYN. : Excited, rigid, stiff, taut, tight. ANT. :
Flaccid, lax, relaxed, slack.

tenson (tan son ; ten' son), n. A
contest in verse between troubadours ; the
sub-division of a poem by one of those
competing. Another spelling is tenzon (ten'
zon). (F. tenson.)

Troubadors taking part in a tenson sang
stanzas in turn about a chosen subject.
The audience decided who was the victor.

F., cp. Prov. tenso, L. tensio (ace. on-em) a
stretching, verbal n. from tendere ; a doublet
of tension. See tense.

tensor (ten' sor). For this word see
under tense [2].

tent [i] (tent), n. A portable shelter
of canvas, or other material, supported on
a pole or poles, and held taut by pegs
driven in the ground, etc. v.t. To cover
with or as if with a tent. v.i. To encamp
in a tent. (F. tente ; abriter ; camper.}

Nomadic races generally live in tents of
skins, or woven material. The bell tent
has a conical cover of canvas supported
by a central pole, and pegged out at the
bottom in a circle.

Tent-pegging. — A competitor in a tent-pegging
competition picking up the peg with his lance.

More than one tent- rope (n.) or stay,
each held in the ground" some distance
away by a tent-peg, (n.) or small spike,
generally with a notched top, runs from
various parts of the structure and stretches
and strengthens it. Tent-pegging (n.) is a
cavalry exercise in which the horsemen
try to pick tent-pegs out of the ground with
their lances while riding at full gallop.

Light tents, suspended from a ridge rope
running between two trees, etc., are often
used by campers. Some tents have a tent-
fly (n.), a loose piece of canvas, stretched
above the main fabric as an additional
shelter. The verb to tent is not often
used, but a camping party might be said
to be tenting out, or living in the open
air in tents.

F. tente tent, L.L. tenta, from tentus p.p. of
tendere to stretch.

tent [2] (tent), n. In surgery, a small
roll, or bunch, of lint, linen, etc., inserted
in a wound or sore to keep it open. v.t.
To keep (a wound) open with a tent. (F.
tente.}

O.F. tente from tenter to probe, L. tentdre to try,
attempt, frequentative of tendere to stretch.

tent [3] (tent), n. A deep red Spanish
wine, used especially for sacramental
purposes.

Span.(w'wo) tinto dark-coloured (wine). S^tint.

4251

TENTACLE

TEPID

tentacle (ten' takl), n. A feeler ; a
long, slender, flexible organ of touch, or
one used for locomotion or grasping food ; in
botany, a sensitive filament. (F. tentacule.}

Cuttle-fish of the genus Sepia have their
mouth parts surrounded by arms, two of
which are double the length of the others
and are known as tentacles. With these the
cuttle-fish seizes its prey.

Many other invertebrates
have tentacles or tentacular
(ten tak' ii lar, adj.]
organs, or such as resemble
tentacles. They include
sea-anemones, . zoophytes,
and polyzoa. In botany,
the sensitive leaf-hairs of
the sundew are termed
tentacles.

Modern L. tentaculum, from
L. tentdre to try, especially
by feeling.

tentative (ten'ta tiv),
adj. Consisting of, or done
as a test or trial ; experi-
mental, n. An attempt
or essay. (F. experimental,
d'essai ; tentati}.}

When we are in a
difficulty as to the best
course of action to take,
a tentative suggestion from
a friend may help us
towards a right decision.
Something done as a trial
may be termed a tentative. Any effort
that we make experimentally is made
tentatively (ten' ta tiv li, adv.}.

L.L. tentdtlvus, from L. tentdtus p.p. of tentare
to try, attempt. SYN. : adj. Experimental.

tenter (ten' ter), n. A frame or
machine for stretching cloth to dry or make
it set evenly ; a tenter- hook. (F. crochet.}

The machine called a tenter grips the cloth
between rollers. The frame type has square-
cornered hooks round the edges, on which
the cloth is fixed. A hook of this kind is
called a tenter-hook (n.). A person is said to
be on tenter-hooks when he is in a state of
suspense and anxiety, and his feelings are
tense as though stretched on a tenter.

Perhaps ultimately from assumed L.L. tentor
stretcher, agent n. from tender e to stretch.

tenth (tenth). For this word see under
ten.

tennis (ten' u is), n. In Greek grammar,
one of the hard or surd mutes, k, p, t. pi.
tenues (ten' u ez). (F. muette.}

L. = thin.

tenuity (te nu' i ti), n. Thinness ;
slenderness ; rarity ; extreme simplicity ;
lack of substantiality ; meagreness. (F.
tenuite, finesse, r arete, exiguite.}

Gold can be hammered out into sheets
of extreme tenuity, known as gold-leaf.
Their tenuousness (ten' u us nes, n.} or
thinness may be judged by the fact that the
total thickness of a million sheets of the

Tentacle. — The cuttle-fish has tentacles,
or feelers, surrounding its mouth.

kind ordinarily sold is less than four inches.
In a figurative sense, we speak of the tenuity
of evidence when it is very slight.

At great heights the air is too tenuous
(ten' u us, adj.] or rarefied to breathe with
comfort. The web of the spider is con-
structed of tenuous, or extremely thin
filaments. A tenuous story is vague, or
unsubstantial.

F. tenuit^ from L. tenuitds
(ace. -dt-em) thinness. SYN. :
Meagreness, poverty, slender-
ness, slightness, weakness,
ANT. : Abundance, density
richness, thickness.

tenure (ten' ur), n.
The act, right, or mode
of holding property,
especially lands or houses ;
the period of holding. (F.
possession, redevance.}

Feudal tenure was estab-
lished in England by the
Normans. It required that
the tenant or vassal
rendered homage and
military service to his
lord. The period during
which an official holds
office is sometimes termed
his tenure of that office.

F., from L.L. tenura from
L. tenere to hold, own.
SYN. : Enjoyment, holding,
possession, right, title.

tenuto (te noo' to), adj. In music,
having each note sustained for its full
length, adv. In a sustained manner. (F.
tenu.)

This musical direction is usually abbre-
viated to ten.
Ital. = held.

teocalli (te 6 kal' i), n. A flat-topped
pyramid of earth or stone, usually sur-
mounted by a temple, used as a place of
worship by the ancient Mexicans. (F.
teocalli.}

From O. Mexican teotl god, calli abode.

tepee (te' pi ; te pe'). This is another
form of teepee. See teepee.

tepefy (tep' e fi), v.t. To make tepid.
v.i. To become tepid. (F. attiedir ;
s'attiedir.}

This word is seldom used.

From L. tepefacere (tepere to be lukewarm,
facer e to. make).

tephrite (tef rit), n. A volcanic rock
of recent formation allied to basalt.

From Gr. tephros ashy (tephra ashes) and -He.

tepid (tep' id), adj. Slightly or moder-
ately warm ; lukewarm ; half-hearted. (F.
tiede.}

On the shores of the Mediterranean rain
in summer is often tepid. We speak of
the tepidity (te pid' i ti, n.} or tepidness (tep'
id nes, n.}, that is, lukewarmness, of tea

4252

TERAPHIM

TERGIVERSATE

that has been allowed to cool, and also of
the tepidity or lack of warmth of support
given in a half-hearted way, or tepidly
(tep' id li, adv.}.

The tepidarium (tep i dar' i um, n.) —
pi. tepidaria (tep i dar' i a) — of an ancient
Roman bath was a chamber with slightly
heated air, between the cold room and the
hot steaming room. The furnace heating
this intermediate room was also called the
tepidarium.

L. tepidus lukewarm, from tepere to be warm.
SYN. : Cool, indifferent, lukewarm. ANT. :
Boiling, eager, enthusiastic, hot.

teraphim (ter' a fim), n.pl. Household
gods of the ancient Hebrews.

When David escaped through the window
of his house (I Samuel xix, 12-16), Michal,
his wife, put an image in David's bed and
pretended that her husband was ill. This
was one of the teraphim, mentioned also
in Judges (xvii, 5), which the Hebrews
reverenced and used as a means of divination.

Hebrew word.

terbium (ter' bi um), n. A chemical
element of the yttrium group. (F. terbium.}

Terbium is found in association with
yttrium and erbium. Terbia (ter' bia, n.} is
the oxide of terbium.

Modern L., from Ytterby in Sweden. See
erbium.

tercel (ter' sel). This is another form
of tiercel. See tiercel.

Tercentenary. — King Charles I presenting a charter to Walsall
a scene in the town's tercentenary pageant,

tercentenary (ter sen' te na ri ; ter
sen te' na ri), adj. Comprising or relating
to a completed period of 300 years, n. A
30oth anniversary. (F. de trois siecles ;
troisieme centenaire.)

The year 1928 was the tercentenary of
the publication, in 1628, of Harvey's dis-
coveries relating to the circulation of the
blood.

L. ter thrice and E. centenary.

tercet (ter' set), n. A group of three lines
rhyming together ; in music, three notes
performed to the time of two similar ones.

Another spelling (in the first sense) is
tiercet (ter' set; ter' set). (F. tercet.)

F., from Ital. terzetto, dim. of terzo, from L.
tertius third. SYN. : Triplet.

terebinth (ter' e binth) , n. The turpentine
tree (Pistacia terebinthus} ; Chian turpentine,
a resinous fluid obtained from this tree.
(F. terebinthe.)

The terebinth is a small tree of Mediter-
ranean countries, with feathery leaves and
clusters of greenish flowers. Pistachio nuts
are obtained from a terebinthine (ter e bin'
thin, adj.) tree, Pistacia vera, or one allied
to the terebinth. A terebinthine odour, how-
ever, resembles that of turpentine. Terebene
(ter' e ben, n.) is a liquid obtained by the
action of sulphuric acid on oil of turpentine.
It is used as a disinfectant, etc. The same oil
treated with nitric acid becomes terebic (te
reb' ik, adj.) acid, that is, an acid derived
from turpentine.

F. terebinthe, Gr. (through L.) terebinthos
terebinth. See turpentine.

terebra (ter' e bra), n. A modified ovi-
positor of certain insects, adapted for
puncturing leaves, etc. pi. terebrae (ter'
e bre). (F. terebra.)

The female ichneumon-wasp is provided
with a terebra. This it uses to lay its eggs
inside the bodies of caterpillars, which the
grubs devour when they are hatched. Other
insects terebrate (ter' e brat, v.t.) or pierce
leaves and lay their eggs in them.

L. = awl, from terere to grind.

teredo (te re' do), n. A genus
of tube-shaped molluscs that
bore into submerged timber ; a
mollusc of this genus, especially
the ship-worm. (T. navalis). (F.
taret.)

The teredo, or ship-worm, has
a small helmet-shaped shell with
which it bores into wood under
water. The hinder end of its
long body is divided into two
long siphons — one for drawing in
water containing the tiny organ-
isms on which it feeds, the other
for spurting out water and wood
pulp that it has excavated.

L. = boring worm. See terebra.

tergal (ter' gal), adj. In
zoology, of or connected with the
back ; dorsal. (F. dorsal.)

From L. ter gum back and E. -al.
tergiversate (ter' ji ver sat), v.i. To use
evasion, or subterfuge ; to equivocate ; to
abandon one's party or cause. (F. tergiverser.)
When a witness answers questions
evasively, he may be said to tergiversate, or
practise tergiversation (ter ji ver sa' shun, n.),
or equivocation. A turncoat is guilty of
tergiversating and might be called a ter-
giversator (ter ji ver sa/ tor, n.), or
renegade.

From L. ter giver satus p.p. of ter giver sari to turn
one's back. SYN. : Apostatize, equivocate,
prevaricate, shift, shuffle.

4253

TERM

TERMINATE

term (term), n. A limit, especially a
limited period of time ; each of the periods
in the year during which instruction is
regularly given at a school or university ; a
period during which the law courts sit ; in
law, an estate to be enjoyed for a fixed period ;
a word having a definite and special meaning,
especially in a particular branch of know-
ledge ; in mathematics, either of the
quantities forming a ratio or fraction ; any
of the quantities of an algebraical expression
joined to the rest by a plus or minus sign ; in
logic, a word or group of words forming the
subject or predicate of a proposition ; (pi.)
conditions ; stipulations ; price or charge ;
relation or footing ; language or expressions
used. v.t. To give a specific name to ; to
name ; to call. (F. terms, trimestre, session.)

The Psalmist regards three score years aiid
ten as the term of a man's life. Schools and
universities have three terms in the year,
but there are four terms in the legal year,
that is, four periods during which the judges
hear cases. Events that occur term by term,
or periodically, might be said to happen
termly (term' li, adv.), or by the term.
The word termly (adj.), meaning periodical
or by the term, is seldom used.

Most people are now familiar with
many technical terms used in wire-
less and electricity. Such terms
may either be words confined to this
branch of study, as rheostat, or
words used in a special sense, as
valve. In zoology one of the
divisions of a shell is also termed
or named a valve. In the algebraical
expression xy -}- iz — ab there are
three terms.

The keepers of boarding-houses
sometimes advertise that their terms,
or charges, are moderate. A con-
quered country is said to be brought
to terms when it is forced or induced
to accept the conqueror's terms or
conditions. We come to terms or
make terms with a person when we
conclude an agreement with him.
In an extended sense a general
announces that he is prepared to
come to terms when he is ready to
yield.

To be on familiar terms with a person is to
be on an intimate footing with him. We speak
in flattering terms of another, when our mode
of describing him is nattering. In law, a
termer (term7 er, n.) or termor (term' or, n.)
is a person who holds lands or tenements
for a term of years or for life.

F., terme, from L. terminus boundary, limit.

termagant (ter' ma gant), n. An
abusive, scolding, violent woman ; a shrew ; a
virago, adj. Violent ; boisterous ; turbulent ;
shrewish. (F. mdgere.)

The strange and entirely false belief
prevailed among mediaeval Christians
that Mohammedans worshipped an idol or

deity called Termagant. This imaginary
figure was made fun of in the mystery plays,
where he was represented as a violent and
troublesome person attired in the long flowing
robes of the East. Later arose the modern
popular sense of the word, denoting a
turbulent, quarrelsome woman, who is said
to behave termagantly (ter' ma gant li,
adv.), or in a termagant fashion. Termagancy
(ter' ma gan si, n.) is a violence of temper,
or shrewishness of disposition.

M.E. and O.F. Tervagant (Ital. Trivagante), L.
tervagans thrice (in three forms) wandering,
originally the goddess Diana, who was also the
Moon, and Proserpine goddess of hell, in the
Middle Ages goddess of witches. SYN. : n. Scold,
shrew, virago, vixen, Xantippe.

terminable (ter' min abl). For this
word and terminableness see under terminate.

terminal (ter' mi nal), adj. Of, or forming
a boundary, limit, or terminus ; situated at
or forming the end of something ; . in botany,
growing at the end of a stem, etc. ; of, or
done each term. n. An extremity ; a termina-
ting part or structure ; a carving or other
ornamental finish to a piece of furniture,

etc.

Terminal. — The
terminal of a.
radio apparatus.

a finial ; one of the free ends of an
open electrical circuit ; a connecting-
screw, socket, or other part forming
this. (F. terminal ; borne.)

A terminal bud is one at the tip of
a shoot; It is borne terminally (ter'
mi nal li, adv.), that is, at the end.
A terminal subscription is one that is
paid every term, or terminally. A
terminal railway station is a ter-
minus. The aerial is connected to
one of the terminals of a wireless
receiving set, the earth lead to
another, and so on. When the ter-
minals of a battery are connected, a
closed circuit is formed. A sculptured
head and bust ending in a square
pillar is called a terminal figure.
Terminalia (ter mi nal li a, n.pl.), the
festival of the Roman god Terminus,
was celebrated yearly on February
23rd, by decorating terminal figures
placed at the boundaries.

F., from L. terminalis, from terminus
boundary. SYN. : Closing, concluding,
final, ultimate. ANT. : Initial.

terminate (ter' mi nat, v. ; ter' mi nat,
adj.), v.t. To bound or limit ; to form the
end, or extreme point of ; to put an end to.
v.i. To come to an end ; of words, to end in
(a letter or syllable), adj. In mathematics,
finite, not recurring. (F. terminer achever ;
finir, se terminer ; fini.)

The call of urgent business may force us
to terminate our holidays, or bring them to
an end. A finial is an architectural ornament
terminating a canopy or gable. Terminate
decimals are capable of being expressed in a
finite number of terms.

Friendships are terminable (ter 'mi nabl,
adj.) in the sense that they can be terminated,

4254

TERMINISM

TERN

or broken. A terminable annuity, however,
terminates after a definite number of years.
It has the quality of terminableness (ter7
mi nabl nes, n.). The termination (ter mi
na7 shun, n.) of a war is either the end of it,
or the act of bringing it to an end. The
termination of a word is its ending, especially
an inflexional ending or a suffix.

Suffixes are terminational (ter mi na/ shun
al, adj.], that is, they form the terminations
or endings of words. The word picker,
for instance, terminates in -er. A person
speaks in a terminative (ter' mi na tiv ; ter'
mi na tiv, adj.] manner, or terminatively
(ter' mi na tiv li ; ter7 mi na tiv li, adv.],
when he speaks with finality, so as to bring
a matter to an end.

The terminator (ter7
mi na tor, n.) of a
quarrel is one who
puts an end to it.
In astronomy, the
dividing line between
the illuminated part
and the dark part of
a heavenly body is
called the terminator.

From L. termindtus,
p.p. of termindre to set
bounds to, demarcate.
SYN. : v. Bound, end, finish, limit.
Begin, commence, start.

terminism (ter7 mi nizm), n. In theology,
the doctrine that God has fixed a limit in
the life of every man, beyond which he loses
the opportunity of salvation, and the capacity
for grace ; in philosophy, the doctrine that
all universals are merely names or terms.

One who upholds terminism in its religious
or its philosophical sense is a terminist (ter7
min ist, n.). In the latter sense terminism is
also called nominalism and Occamism.

From L. terminus limit and -ism.

terminology (ter mi nol7 6 ji), n. The
science of the correct use of terms ; the
system of terms or specific names used in
any art, science, or subject. (F. terminologie .)

To understand botany it is necessary
to have some knowledge of botanical
terminology. The word terminological (ter
min 6 loj 7 i kal, adj.) means pertaining
to terminology. During a speech made in
the House of Commons in 1906, Mr. Winston
Churchill said that a certain form of inden-
tured labour could not be classified as slavery,
without some risk of "terminological inexacti-
tude." This description has often been used
since as a facetious definition of a lie.

The scientist is able to describe termin-
ologically (ter min 6 loj7 ik al li, adv.), or
with the help of terminology, subtle
differences in animal structures that would
require many additional words to describe
in ordinary language. A terminologist (ter
mi nol7 6 jist, n.) is a person well versed in
terminology.

From L. termino- combining form of terminus
term, and E. -logy.

Termite. — Termites, or white ants, with their queen,
inside their mound or termitarium.

ANT.

terminus (ter7 mi mis), n. The end-
point of a thing ; an extremity ; the station
at the end of a railway, bus route, or tram-
line ; a statue of, or resembling one of,
Terminus, the ancient Roman god of bound-
aries, consisting of a sculptured head
surmounting a plain square pillar, pi. termini
(ter7 mi ni). (F. limite, fete de ligne.)

Terminus, the god imagined as presiding
over boundaries and limits in ancient Rome,
was represented in sculpture as having a
human head, but no arms or feet, thus
resembling a Greek herm. The Latin phrases
terminus a quo (n.) and terminus ad quern (n.)
mean starting-point and conclusion respec-
tively, especially in logic. When the ancient
Romans fixed a bound-
ary they sacrificed an
animal on the spot,
and erected a stone
figure of Terminus as
a boundary mark.

L. = boundary ; cp.
Gr. terma limit.

termite (ter7 mit),
n. A white ant. (F.
termite.)

The termites, con-
stituting the suborder
Isoptera, are not re-
lated to the true ants, but many species live
in similar highly organized groups or societies.
Some of the African termites build large
mounds of earth riddled with galleries, to serve
as nests. Such a mound is a termitarium (ter
mi tar7ium, n.), or termitary (ter7 mi ta ri, n.).
These words also denote a case in which
termites are studied by scientists.

L.L. termes (ace. -it-em) wood-Worm, from terere
to rub.

termly (term7 li). For this word and
termor see under term.

tern [i] (tern), n. A sea-bird of the gull
family, with a slender body, long pointed
wings, short legs and a pointed tail. (F.
hirondelle de mer.)

Most species of tern
have plumage closely
resembling that of the
gulls, an exception
being the noddy
(A nous stolidus) of the
tropics. Terns spend
most of their time on
the wing, and feed
chiefly on fish. Scien-
tists classify them in
several genera, and
regard them as a sub-
family Sterninae.

Of more than fifty
terns, six are British,
including the black,
roseate, Arctic and
Sandwich terns.

Cp. Dan. terne, Swed.
tarn a ; perhaps A.-S.
stearn.

Tern. — The common

tern alighting at its

nest.

4255

TERN

TERRESTRIAL

tern [2] (tern), n. A set of three, especially
three numbers winning a prize in a lottery
if all are drawn together ; the prize so
won. (F. terne.)

To win a tern was the dream of many
when lotteries were allowed in England.
Anything that is composed of threes or
arranged in threes may be said to be ternate
(ter' nat, adj.) or ternary (ter' na ri, adj.).
In botany a compound leaf formed of three
leaflets is ternate, and leaves grouped in
whorls of three are arranged ternately (ter'
nat li, adv.). In mathematics ternary means
having the number three as a base, or having
three variables.

From L. ternl three by three, from ter thrice.

terne (tern), n. Sheet-iron coated with an
alloy of tin and lead.

Terne, or terne-plate («.), is an inferior
tin-plate, the sheet iron being coated with
an alloy of tin and lead instead of pure tin.

F. terne dull, tarnished. See tarnish.

Terpsichorean (terp si ko re' an), adj.
Of or relating to the Muse Terpsichore, or
to dancing. (F. terpsichoreen.)

Terpsichore is represented as a graceful
figure clothed in flowing draperies, generally
seated, and usually holding a lyre. Dancing
is sometimes called the Terpsichorean art.

From Gr. Terpsikhore, from terpein to delight,
khoros dance, and E. suffix -an.

terra (ter' a), n. Earth. (F. terre.)

The material called terra-cotta (n.) is a
fine and very hard pottery, used for statuary,
and as an ornamental building material. It
has a characteristic reddish-brown colour
of various shades — also called terra-cotta —
and is unglazed.

Sea-sick people often wish themselves
back on terra firma (n.), that is, dry land.
Gambier, an astringent obtained from the
leaves of a Malayan tree, was given the name
of terra Japonica (n.), which means " Japanese
earth," because it has an earthy appearance,
and was once thought to come from Japan.

L. = earth.

terrace (ter' as), n. A raised leve1
space or platform, either natural or artificial ;
in geology, a raised beach ; a row of houses
along the side or top of a slope ; a fancy name
for a street, v.t. To form into or provide with
terraces. (F. terras se ; former en terrasse.)

A steep slope — such as a cliff at a seaside
resort — may be terraced by cutting it into
several platforms of level ground, one above
another, with steeply sloping or perpendicular
stretches between them. Hill-sides are some-
times terraced, or formed into a succession
of shallow step-like terraces, to make the
ground more easy for cultivation. Terrace
is often used as a fancy name for a row of
houses, but strictly means one placed along
a terrace.

A terrace-garden (n.) is a garden or piece
of cultivated ground formed in terraces on
the slope of a hill.

F., from Ital. terraccia, properly bad or useless

earth (pejorative suffix -accia), from L. terra. See
terra.

terrain (ter an'), n. A stretch of country ;
a tract or region. (F. terrain.)

Geologists use this word in expressions
such as a basaltic terrain, which means a
district containing many basaltic rocks. It is
also employed in considering the fitness of a
site for a particular purpose. An army
commander might survey a possible terrain
for a camp.

F. = stretch of land, ground.

terramara (ter a ma' ra), n. A kind of
earthy deposit in northern Italy, used as a
fertilizer ; a prehistoric site or mound con-
sisting of this ; in archaeology, the type of
primitive culture represented by the articles
found in these mounds, pi. terremare (ter
a ma' ra). (F. terramare.)

Terramara contains phosphates and
ammonia salts which make it a valuable
fertilizer. These chemicals originate from
bones and other animal remains. Certain
mounds in northern Italy in which terramara
occurs are the rubbish heaps left by settle-
ments of prehistoric people belonging to the
later Stone Age and early Bronze Age.

Ital., from terra earth, mar a = mama marl.

terrapin (ter' a pin), n. One of various
kinds of tortoise. (F. emyde.)

Terrapin. — Geoffrey'* terrapin, a species of terrapin
found in Brazil.

This name is applied to many tortoises
found in the warmer temperate zones and
in the tropics. Terrapins are chiefly found in
fresh and tidal waters. In America some
kinds are highly esteemed as food, especially
the North American salt-marsh terrapin
(Malacoclemmys terrapin).

Of North American Indian origin.

terrene (te ren'), adj. Belonging to the
earth ; terrestrial. (F. terrestre.)

L. terrenus from terra earth. See tureen.

terrestrial (te res' tri al), adj. Of,
relating to, or existing on, the earth ; worldly ;
of land as opposed to water; living on the
ground. (F. terrestre.)

A terrestrial globe represents the earth
with its lands and oceans ; a celestial one
shows the heavenly bodies. Terrestrial mag-
netism is the magnetic force inherent in
the earth. Terrestrial aims and interests
are mundane and worldly, not spiritual.

Land or terrestrial animals are contrasted
with aquatic, aerial, and arboreal creatures.

4256

TERRET

TERRITORY

Terrestrially (te res" tri al li, adv.) means
after an earthly or terrestrial manner.

From L. terrestris (terra earth) earthly, and
E. -al. SYN. : Earthly, mundane, worldly
ANT. : Celestial, spiritual.

terret (ter' et), n. Each of several
loops or rings attached to the pad and
hames of harness, through which the driving-
reins pass. (F. anneau d'attelle.)

M.E. teret, toret, O.F. toret, properly a turret.

terrible (ter' ibl), adj. Causing or
of a nature to cause terror, fear, or dread ;
awful ; dreadful ; formidable ; excessive.
(F. terrible, epouvantable, formidable.}

The plagues which formerly ravaged
Europe were terrible afflictions, rendered
more awful by the terrible ignorance of
those who practised medicine. So terribly
(ter' ib li, adv.] did people fear pestilence
that the gates of a city free from the scourge
were closed against all wayfarers.

The terribleness (ter' ibl nes, n.} of a
calamity is sometimes accentuated by its
sudden or unexpected nature.

F., from L. terribilis from terrere to scare.
SYN. : Awful, dreadful, fearful, frightful, hor-
rible.

terrier [i] (ter' i er), n. Any one of
several kinds of dog
given to digging or
burrowing after its
quarry. (F. terrier.}

This name from the
French refers to the
instinct shewn by most
terriers for pursuing
burrowing animals,
such as rabbits and
rats. Popular and well
known varieties are
the Irish terrier and
the Airedale, and
among smaller kinds,
the Skye, Scotch, and
fox terriers. Terrier is
also a colloquial name
for a Territorial.

F., from terre earth.

terrier [2] (ter' i
er), n. A book in
which are recorded the site and boundaries
of the lands of private persons or corpora-
tions. (F. cadastre, terrier.}

F., L.L. terrdrius (book) pertaining to land.

terrific (te rif ik), adj. Causing
terror ; terrible ; dreadful ; frightful. (F.
epouvantable, effroyable, formidable.)

Fortresses of to-day must be constructed
to withstand a terrific bombardment. So
terrible are modern engines of war, and so
terrifically (te rif ik al li, adv.) deadly, that
in one day alone the casualties may amount
to many thousands. The roar of a lion will
terrify (ter' i fl, v.t.) or strike terror into the
smaller beasts of the forest.

From L. terrificus, from terrere to affright and
-fic-are ( = facer e) to make. SYN.: Alarming,
appalling, dreadful, fearful, terrible.

Terrier. — A thoroughbred Irish terrier, one of the
largest of the terriers.

terrigenous (te rij' e mis), adj. Pro-
duced by or derived from the earth. (F.
terrigineux .)

From L. terrigena earth-born, from terra
earth, gen- stem of gignere to bring forth.

terrine (te ren'), n. An earthenware
vessel or jar containing and sold with some
table delicacy. (F. terrine.)

F., earthen pan, from terre earth. See tureen.

territorial {ter i tor' i al), adj. Of
or relating to territory ; limited to a given
district or territory ; in the United States,
Canada, etc., of or relating to a Territory.
n. A member of the Territorial Army. (F.
territorial, regional; reserviste.)

A landed proprietor is sometimes called
a territorial magnate, because of his terri-
torial possessions.

In the United States the. Territorial
system, according to which certain domains,
known as Territories, enjoy lesser status
than those admitted to the Union as
states, is called territorialism (ter i tor'
i al izm, n.). The system of ecclesiastical
government by which a Church is subor-
dinated to the civil power is also known
as territorialism. To extend a region by
the addition of territory is to territorialize
(ter i tor' i al Iz, v.t.)
I it, and to territorialize
a state is to reduce
it to the status of a
territory.

In Great Britain
the Territorial Army
was established in
1908. Its members
w
for

Territorial regiments
went abroad in the
World War (1914-18).
The Territorial Army
was so called because
its units were raised
territorially (ter i tor'
i al li, adv.), or by
districts. A man who
belongs to it is called
a Territorial.
What are called the territorial waters
(n.pl.) of a state are a belt of sea within
a distance of three miles from its coasts,
and sometimes including large gulfs, bays,
estuaries, etc. The state has certain rights,
such as fishing rights, within its own
territorial waters.

L.L. territoridlis, from L. territorium domain,
district, from terra land.

territory (ter' i to ri), n. The extent
of land governed by a particular ruler,
state, city, etc. ; a large tract of land ; in
the U.S.A., an organized division of the
country not yet enjoying full state rights.
(F. territoire, etat.)

The territory ruled by the King of England
once comprised extensive territories or
regions in France. British territory includes

ere originally enlisted
r home defence, but

4257

TERROR

TERTIARY

not only Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, but all those lands which we call
dominions and colonies, and which are
under the jurisdiction of the mother country
to a greater or less degree.

In the U.S.A. a division of territory
organized under a separate government,
not yet admitted to the Union, but expected
ultimately to be so admitted, is known
as a Territory. Such a division is under
the authority of the federal government
in political matters. In Australia and
Canada a somewhat similar division and
system exist.

F. territoire, L. territorium from terra land.
SYN. : Domain, region, tract.

terror (ter' or), n. Extreme fear ; a
person or thing that causes this ; an exas-
perating person ; a troublesome child, etc.
(F. terreur, dpouvante, epouvantail, importun.}

terry (ter' i), n. A pile fabric of wool
or silk, in which the loops are not cut. (F.
velours d cotes.)

A silk plush, or ribbed velvet is termed
terry-velvet (n.).

Possibly a corruption of F. tir6, p.p. of tirer
to draw, drag.

terse (ters), adj. Of speed, writing, etc.,
free from superfluity ; compact ; pithy ;
concise. (F. concis, net, bien iournd.)

Telegraphic messages are usually terse,
and contain few superfluous words. A
terse writer is one who expresses himself
clearly and briefly. His compositions read
tersely (ters' li, adv.) and concisely, for they
are free from unnecessary expressions.
Terseness (ters' nes, n.) is a charac-
teristic of military commands, which are
expressed in few words.

From L. tersus, p.p. of tergere to wipe. SYN. :
Brief, condensed, short, succinct.
ANT. : Diffuse, lengthy, prolix,
verbose, wordy.

tertian (ter' shan), adj.
Occurring or recurring every
third day. n. A fever, etc., in
which the paroxysms recur
every other day. (F. tiers;
fievre tierce.)

Malaria is due to parasites in
the blood, which multiply with
great rapidity, causing fever.
The paroxysms coincide with
the time when the organisms
mature. When the cycle of
their life history occupies a
period of two days the patient
is said to have a tertian fever,
and feels the effects most on
every other day.

From L. tertidnus, from terlius
third.

tertiary (ter' sha .ri), adj.
Belonging to the third order,
rank or formation, n. A wing-
In the Scriptures (Job xviii, 14) death is feather of the third row ; a person belonging
termed the king of terrors. The Reign of to the third or secular grade of a religious
Terror (May 1793 to July 1794) in France order. (F. tertiaire.)

was so called from the deeds of terror The Tertiary is a division in geology con-
committed by the revolutionaries. Not taining the Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, and
only in Paris were the people subjected Pliocene periods. Its strata include all the f or-

Terror. — "The last victims of the Reign of Terror," a scene in the
French Revolution. From the painting by Muller.

to this terrorization (ter 6 ri za' shun, n.},
but in many provincial towns great numbers

mations lying above the chalk, or Cretaceous
system, except the most recent ones. Above

of people were done to death during this, the Tertiary rocks are the Quaternary

the most dreadful period of the Revolution.
At Nantes, for example, terror-stricken
(adj.) or terror-struck (adj.) prisoners were
drowned in batches in the river.

A terrorist (ter' or ist, n.) is one who
rules, or advocates rule, by intimidation,
that is, by terroristic (ter 6 ris' tik, adj.)
methods. The word is used especially 01
a Jacobin under the Reign of Terror, and of a
Russian nihilist. A policy of this kind, by
which it is sought to terrorize (ter' 6 riz, v.t.)
people, is known as terrorism (ter' 6 rizm,w.).

L. = dread, from terrere to cause to tremble ;
cp. Gr. treein to tremble. SYN. : Apprehension,
dread, fright, panic.

deposits.

Tertiary feathers are those which originate
from the humerus of a bird's wing. Some
writers use the word tertial (ter' shal, adj.
and n.) in this sense.

In the Roman Catholic Church the name
of tertiary is given to one who belongs to
the third grade of a religious order such as
the Dominicans, the other two grades being
those which have taken full vows. Ter-
tiaries, while living in the world, bind them-
selves to observe certain of the rules of
the order, and to lead a devout life.

From L. tertidrius, from tertius third.

4258

TERTIUS

TESTAMENT

tertius (ter' shus), adj. Third. (F.
troisieme.)

In many schools boys with the same
surname are distinguished as primus, sec-
undus, tertius, etc. Thus Smith tertius is
the third bearing the name Smith.

L. = third, from ter thrice, from tres three.

terza rima (tart' sa re' ma), n. In
poetry, an arrangement of triplets used by
Dante in the " Divine Comedy." pi. terze
rime (tart7 sa re' ma). (F. tierce rime.}

The triplets used are in iambic deca-
syllables, or hendecasyllables. The rhyme
scheme of successive triplets runs aba, bcb,
cdc, etc. Shelley used terze rime in his
" Triumph of Life."

Ital. = third rhyme.

terzetto (tart set' 6), n. In music, a
trio, especially one for voices. (F, terzetto.}

Ital., dim. of terzo, L. tertius third.

tessellated (tes e la' ted), adj. Com-
posed of tesserae ; in zoology, chequered.
(F. en mosaique, tesselle.}

A tessellated pavement is one made up
of a kind of mosaic consisting of little cubes
'of hard material, each called a tessera (tes'
er a, n.}. The tesserae (tes' er e, n.pl.}

ordeal. In 1673 Parliament passed a Test
Act (repealed in 1828) which required any-
body elected to Parliament or appointed
to a public office to declare, as a test of his
fitness, his disbelief in transubstantiation,
and to take the Sacrament according to the
rites of the Church of England. One who
did this was said to take the test.

A test case (n.} is a case taken into court
to find out how the law stands in conditions
of common occurrence. The decision, if
not upset by a higher court, serves as a
precedent in similar cases.

In cricket, a match played between
representative elevens of two countries is
called a test match (n.}. Series of test
matches are played periodically between
England and Australia, England and South
Africa, England and the West Indies, and
Australia and South Africa. In other
sports such a game is usually called an
international match. A test-paper (n.) is
a paper soaked in a chemical solution that
makes it change colour in the presence of
certain other chemicals.

A test-tube (n.) is a small glass tube
with one end rounded and closed, used

were niade of glass, pottery, marble or bv chemists when substances are tested. A

stone of different colours. Specimens of
Roman tessellation (tes e la' shun, n.) have
been found in various parts of England.

person who makes tests, or a thing used
for testing, is a tester (test' er, ».). At
factories and engineering works people are

dim. of tessera small square or cube of wood,
stone, etc.

From L. tessellatus chequered, from tessella employed in the testing (test' ing, n.) of

parts for machinery, etc., these being care-
fully tested in various ways. A testing
machine (n.) is a machine used
for proving the strength, hard-
ness, elasticity, toughness, or
other quality of metals or other
materials. A testable (test' abl,
adj.) substance is one able to be
tested. This word is now rare.

M.E. and O.F. from L. testum
earthen crucible. SYN. : n. Cri-
terion, experiment, ordeal, proof,
standard, trial, v. Examine, prove,
refine, try.

test [2] (test), n. In zoology,
a shell ; a hard case or covering.
(F. coquille, carapace.)

The bodies of some animals are
protected by a test.

From O.F. teste shell (F. tete head),
L. testa tile, shard, shell.

testacy (tes' ta si), n. The state of
being testate.

From E. testate and suffix -cy. See testate.
ANT. : Intestacy.

testament (tes' ta ment), n. A docu-
ment in which a person sets out how his

Test. — A railway bridge built of concrete undergoing the test of
bearing the weight of two heavy locomotives.

test [i] (test), n. A close or critical
examination* or trial ; a means of trial ; a
standard by which things are judged or
compared ; a criterion ; hi chemistry, a
reagent or substance used to determine the
constituents of a compound, v.t. To put
to the test ; to make trial of ; to examine

chemically ; to refine in a cupel ; to tax. property is to be disposed of after his

/ T? ft Ai _ 7 ft- A. 1 j 1 _ "If r i 1 _ • 1 ' •

(F. epreuve,
I'dpreuve.}

etalon ; cprouver, mettre

Tanks are tested by filling with compressed (F. testament.}

death ; a will ; one of the two main divi-
sions of the canonical books of the Bible.

air at a given pressure. Examination
papers are tests of a person's knowledge.
A race is a test of endurance. In old times
people suspected of witchcraft were put to
the test in various ways, especially by

A will is usually referred to in the docu-
ment itself as the " last will and testament "
of the person executing it.

The testamentary (tes ta men' ta ri, adj.}
wishes of a person are those set out in his

4259

TESTATE

TESTUDO

will, in which he disposes of his property
testamentarily (tes ta men" ta ri li, adv.).

The word testament, as applied to the
Bible, means covenant, and is due to a
mistaken translation of the Greek word,
which had both meanings. The Old Testa-
ment contains the history of the old covenant
between God and man, and leads up to
the new covenant as revealed in Christ.

testimonial (tes ti mo' ni al), n. A certi-
ficate of character, conduct, or qualification ;
a gift formally presented to someone as
a token of esteem or an acknowledgment
of services, etc. (F. certificat, attestation,
temoignage.}

Applicants for business or professional
positions are usually asked for testimonials
as to their character, past services, etc.

The New Testament, which is the later One who has filled an official or public

section of the Bible, narrates the life of
Christ and contains other books on which
Christian teaching is founded.

Oaths in a court of law are sworn on a
copy of the New Testament, sometimes
referred to as the Testament.

At the universities a testamur (tes ta/
mur, n.) is a certificate stating that a student
has satisfied the examiners in an examination.
The word means " we bear witness."

F. from testdmentum will, from testarl to
attest, from testis a witness. SYN. : Will.

testate (tes7 tat), adj. Having made and
left a will. n. One who has left a will -in
force. (F. teste, testateur.}

A person who dies leaving a valid will
disposing of his property is a testate, and
in consequence of his testation (tes ta/ shun,
n.}, or having made a will, he dies testate
or in a state of testacy. A man who makes
a will is called a testator (tes ta/ tor, n.}
and a woman a testatrix (tes ta/ triks, n.).

L. lestdtus p.p. of testarl to attest. See
testament. ANT. : adj. and n. Intestate.

tester [i] (test7 er), n. One who makes
a test ; anything used for testing. See
under test [ij.

tester [2] (tes'ter), n. A canopy, especially
that over a four-post bedstead ; the sound-
board of a pulpit. (F. del de lit.}

O.F. testier e a head-piece. See test [2].

testify (tes' ti fi), v.i. To bear witness ;
to give evidence, v.t. To bear witness to ;
to attest; to declare; of things,
to be evidence of ; to serve as
proof of. (F. porter temoinage
temoigner ; attester, deposer.}

We testify the truth of a
statement, or testify that it is
true, when we affirm it to be
true. .A witness in a court of
law testifies to facts within his
knowledge and testifies against
a prisoner when he gives evidence
against him. The testifier (tes'
ti f I er, n.), before he is allowed
to testify, must take the
customary oath.

A well-written essay testifies,
or gives evidence of care taken
in its preparation. The act of
testifying is called testification
(tes ti fi ka' shun, n.).

O.F. testifier, L. testificdrl to give evidence,
from testis witness, facere to render. .SYN. :
Attest, certify, depose, vouch, witness.

testily (tes' ti li), adj. In an irritable
manner. See under testy.

position is sometimes presented on his
retirement with an illuminated testimonial.

To testimonialize (tes ti mo' ni al Iz, v.t.)
is to furnish or present with a testimonial.

L.L. testimonialis, from L. testimonium evi-
dence. SYN. : Certificate, memorial, record.

testimony (tes' ti mo ni), n. A solemn
statement or declaration ; evidence ; con-
firmation ; in law, a written or spoken
statement made on oath or affirmation ; in
the Bible, the decalogue ; the Scriptures.
(F. temoignage.)

When a person is too ill to attend a court
of law to give evidence, his testimony is
taken down on oath and signed by himself.
A person is sometimes asked to bear testimony
to another's ability or character. A neat and
tidy appearance in a boy bears testimony
to orderly habits.

For the story of the lives of people of
other days we have the testimony of his-
torians. For still remoter ages we must rely
upon the testimony of the rocks, fossils, etc.

This word is used in the Bible for
the Word of God, as in the phrase, " the
testimony of the Lord is sure " (Psalm xix, 7).

L. testimonium, from testis a witness. SYN. :
Affirmation, profession, proof, witness.

testiness (tes' ti nes), n. Irritability; the
state of being testy. See under testy.

testing (test' ing), n. The act or process of
making a trial or test. See under test [i].

testudo (tes tu' do), n. In ancient Rome,

Testudo. — The artist has imagined an ancient
undergoing military trials.

testudo

a screen of overlapping shields held above
the heads of closely massed troops ; a similar
screen used by miners, where earth is likely
to fall in ; a genus including the land-
tortoises. (F. tortue.)

4260

TESTY

TETRAGON

On Trajan's column at Rome is a repre-
sentation of soldiers attacking a city, the
soldiers' shields being arranged like the
scales on a tortoise, from the Latin name of
which animal testudo is derived. Missiles
glanced off or rolled down the sloping roof-
like screen.

L. = tortoise, from testa shell.

testy (tes' ti), adj. Irritable or peevish.
(F. irritable, bourru.)

" Punch " used to be fond of picturing the
anger of testy old gentlemen when irritated
by small boys. People who are worried
or overworked sometimes unintentionally
show testiness (tes' ti nes, n.), and answer
testily (tes'ti li, adv.], or irritably, to questions.

Anglo-F. testif ; cp. O.F. testu (F. tetu] head-
strong, from teste (tete) head. SYN. : Irascible,
petulant, touchy. ANT. : Complacent.

tetanus (tef a mis), n. A painful and often
fatal disease marked by continuous muscular
spasms; lockjaw. (F. te'tanos.)

In tetanus the voluntary muscles are out
of control. The name is loosely applied
to lockjaw, or trismus, a form of tetanus in
which the muscles of the jaws become
rigid. Tetanus is caused by a microbe, the
Bacillus tetani. A similar or tenanoid (tef
a noid, adj.] condition is also produced by
strychnine and other drugs. Tetanus must
not be confused with tetany (tef a ni, n.}, a
nervous affection with tetanoid symptoms.

L., from Gr. tetanos tension, from teinein to
stretch.

tetchy (tech' i), adj. Fretful ; peevish ;
irritable ; petulant ; touchy. Another
spelling is techy (tech' i). (F. de mauvaise
humeur, petulant, susceptible.}

People afflicted with poor health are some-
times tetchy or fretful ; there is less excuse
for others to behave tetchily (tech' i li, adv.).
or give way to tetchiness (tech' i nes, «.).

Perhaps from M.E. tache, tecche blemish. See
tache. SYN. : Fretful, irritable, petulant. ANT. :
Amiable, complacent, good-tempered.

tete-a-tete (tat' a tat'), adj. Private ;
confidential ; with none present but the
parties concerned, adv. Together in private.
n. A private interview ; close, or confidential
conversation, usually between two persons ;
a settee with two seats facing in opposite
directions. (F. particulier,entretien particulier,
tete a tete.)

When two persons are talking quietly to
one another, with their heads close together,
we say that they are tete-a-tete, or are
enjoying a tete-a-tete.

F., literally head to head.

tether (teth' er), n. A rope, chain, or
halter used to prevent an animal from
moving too far ; scope ; authority, v.t. To
fasten or confine with or as with a tether.
(F. longe; mettre a I' attache.)

Goats are often tethered by a long rope to
a stake in the ground. They are free to graze
as far as the tether, or rope, will allow them.

The scope, freedom, or authority, allowed
to people is sometimes spoken of as their

tether. A thief who escapes detection for a
while is said to come to the end of his tether
when finally apprehended. A person who
exhausts his knowledge of a subject in
conversation is then at the end of his tether.
One who exceeds his authority is said to go
beyond his tether.

M.E. tedir ; cp. M. Dutch tuder, Dutch tuier,
O. Norse tjdthr.

Tether. — A tethered donkey in the snow,
painting by E. Douglas.

From the

tetra-. A prefix derived from the Greek
meaning four. (F. tetra-.)

tetrachord (tef ra kord), n. A scale series
of four notes, within the interval of a perfect
fourth, especially in ancient music ; half the
modern octave scale. (F. tetracorde.)

The three modes, or scales, of the earliest
Greek music were all tetrachordal (tet ra
kof dal, adj.), that is, based on a tetrachord,
made up of three tones and a semitone. The
position of the semitone varied hi the different
modes.

In the scale of C major the intervals from
C to F and from G to C are tetrachords,
and contain identical intervals.

Gr. tetrakhordos, from tetra- (= tessara) four,
and -khordos (khorde chord) chorded.

tetrad (tef rad), n. The number four ;
a collection or group of four. (F.
tetrade.)

In the gas methane, carbon behaves as a
tetradic (te trad' ik, adj.) element, each
atom of carbon being united with four atoms
of hydrogen.

From Gr. tetras (ace. -ad-os) group of four.

tetragon (tef ra gon), n. Any flat figure
having four angles and four sides. (F.
tetragone.)

The square, parallelogram, and rhombus
are common tetragonal (te trag' 6 nal, adj.),
that is, four-angled or four-sided, figures.
The base of the great pyramid of Cheops is
tetragonal.

Gr.tetragonon.neut. of tetragonos quadrangular.

4261

TETRAGRAM

TETRASTOON

tetragram (tet7 ra gram), n. A word of
four letters. (F. tetragramme .}

A tetragram, or as it is more often called,
a tetragrammaton (tet ra gram' a ton, n.},
is a group of four letters signifying the deity.
Among the Jews JHVH, the consonants of
Jahveh (Jehovah), a name too sacred to be
spoken or written, was such a group.

From E. tetra- and -gram.

tetrahedron (tet ra he' dron), n. A solid
figure bounded by four flat triangular faces.
(F. tetraedre.}

A tetrahedron is " regular " if the faces are
all equilateral triangles, as in a triangular
pyramid. A tetrahedral (tet ra he dral, adj.]
figure is one with four
surfaces.

E. tetra- and Gr. -he dron,
from hedra base.

tetralogy (te tral7 6
ji), n. A group of four
ancient Greek plays
made up of three trage-
dies followed by a comic
play. (F. tetralogie.)

The term is applied
to-day to any series of
four connected literary
or dramatic works.

From E. tetra- and -logy.

tetrameral (te tram7
er al), adj. Made up of
four parts, having the
parts arranged in sets of
four. Another form is
tetramerous (te tram7 er
us). (F. tetramere.}

A flower is said to be
tetramerous if it has
four petals and four
sepals.

From Gr. tetrameres
(meros part).

tetrameter (te tram7 e ter), n. A verse of
classical poetry in four measures ; a verse
of four feet. (F. tetrametre.)

In Greek and Latin poetry the tetrameter
might consist of either four or eight feet,
according to the measure employed. In
English verse it is common in iambic,
trochaic, and anapaestic metres. The follow-
ing lines rie written in unrhymed trochaic
tetrameters : —

And he | took the | tears of | balsam,

Took the | resin | of the | fir tree,

Smeared there with each | seam and | fissure,

Made each | crevice | safe from | water.

Longfellow, " Song of Hiawatha."

From E. tetra- and meter.

tetramorph. (tet7 ra morf), n. In art, the
union of the attributes of the four evangelists
in one composite figure or symbol. (F.
tetramorphe.)

The tetramorph is based on the vision of
Ezekiel (Ezekiel i, 5-10) and that in Revela-
tion iv, 6-8. The four symbols are the faces
of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle.

From Gr. tetramorphos (morphe form, shape).

im (Natural History).

Tetrapod. — A restoration of the long-chinned
mastodon, an extinct tetrapod.

tetrapetalous (tet ra pet7 a his), adj.
In botany, having four petals. (F. tetrapetale.)

From Modern L. tetrapetalus ; from Gr. tetra-
and petalon with E. suffix -ous (-osus}.

tetrapod (tet7 ra pod), adj. Having four
feet or limbs ; of butterflies, belonging to the
Tetrapoda. n. A four-footed or four-limbed
animal or insect. (F. tetrapode.}

All four-footed or four-limbed creatures are
strictly tetrapods, whether quadrupeds or
birds ; butterflies of the division Tetrapoda
have only four perfect legs, and it is in this
entomological sense that the word is chiefly
used.

The imperfect front legs of tetrapodous
(te trap7 6 dus, adj.]
butterflies are unfitted
for walking.

From E. tetra- and Gr.
pous (ace. pod-a) foot.

tetrapody (te trap7
6 di), n. A group of
four metrical feet ; a
verse of four feet. (F.

teirapodie.}

From E. tetra- and Gr.
pous (ace. pod-a}.

tetrarch (tet7 rark ;
te7 trark), n. A governor
of the fourth part of a
Roman province ; a
subordinate prince or
governor ; the com-
mander of a subdivision
of an ancient Greek
phalanx. (F. tetrarque.}
In the New Testa-
ment we read of tetr-
archs, who were not
governors appointed by
Rome to administer a
district for a term of

years, but princes of ruling families, reigning
under the suzerainty of the Roman Empire.
The district governed by a tetrarch, as well
as his office or distinction, was termed a
tetrarchate (tet7 rar kat, n.}, and his power or
government a tetrarchy (tet7 rar ki, n.).
A form of government in which the power is
held jointly by four persons is also described
as a tetrarchy. Four such rulers together
constitute a tetrarchy. Anything relating to
a tetrarchy or to four rulers may be said to
be tetrarchic (te trar7 kik, adj.).

From Gr. tetrarches, from tetra- four, and
arkhein to govern.

tetrastich (tet7 ra stik), n. A stanza or
complete poem of four lines. (F. tdtrastiche.)

The tetrastich has been widely used in
hymns. Many epigrams are tetrastichs.

From L. tetrastichon quatrain, from Gr. tetra-
four, stikhos line, verse.

tetrastoon (tet ra sto' on), n. In
architecture, a courtyard surrounded by
open colonnades on all four sides.

Gr., from tetra- four, stoa porch.

4262

TETRASTYLE

TEXTURE

tetrastyle (tet' ra stll), adj. Having or
consisting of four pillars, n. A building or
portico with four pillars or columns. (F.
tetrastvle.)

An example of a tetrastyle is the temple of
Fortuna Virilis, at Rome.

Gr. tetrastylos (stylos pillar) four-columned.

tetrasyllable (tet
ra si!' abl), n. A word
of four syllables. (F.
tetrasyllabe.)

Malignity, nomina-
tion, orthography, par-
ticular and preposition,
are examples of
tetrasyllable (tet ra si
lab' ik, adj.), that is,
four syllable words.

From E. tetra-, syllable.

Teucrian (tu' kri
an), n. An ancient
Trojan, adj. Relating
to ancient Troy or the
Troad. (F. Troy en.)

The poems of Homer
contain many referen-
ces to the Teucrians, or
inhabitants of Troy.

From L. Teucrl, Gr.
Teukroi pi., and E. -ian.

Teuton (tu' ton), n. A member of any of
the Germanic peoples of Europe ; originally,
a member of an ancient nation first heard
of in northern Europe in the fourth century
B.C., loosely, a German. (F. Teuton.)

The Teutons, in the narrower sense,
lived on the western coast of the Baltic.
Their name has acquired a wider meaning,
and is now applied to the Germanic peoples
that spread over northern and central
Europe and were the ancestors of the Goths,
Scandinavians, Germans, Dutch, and the
Anglo-Saxon branch of the English-speaking
peoples. The primitive language of the
Teutons is known as Teutonic (tu ton7 ik, n.),
or Germanic. It gave rise to the Teutonic (adj.)
languages which form a great branch of the
Indo-European family (see under German [2]).

To give a race Teutonic, especially German,
characteristics is to Teutonize (tu' ton Izj, v.t.
it. A good deal of Teutonization (tu' ton I
za' shun, n.) has been done in the past. Teu-
tonism (tu' ton izm, n.) means the culture,
ideas, and beliefs of the Teutons or Germans.

L. Teutones, pi. the nation encountered by
the Romans in 113 B.C., later regarded as = O.
Saxon thiudisc, literally national, from thiud
nation ; cp. G. deutsch German.

text (tekst), n. The original words of an
author, as distinct from any explanation,
paraphrase, or translation of them ; a verse
or short passage from scripture ; a topic for
discussion ; a large, bold form of hand-
writing. (F. texte.)

The text of many old manuscripts has been
corrupted by notes and explanations
added between the lines by commentators.
A clergyman uses a text from scripture as

Tetrastyle. — The temple of Fortuna Virilis, Rome.
The portico is a tetraslyle.

the subject of his sermon ; in a debate
speakers should keep to the text and not
wander from the point.

A text-book (n.) is one which gives in-
structions in a particular subject. The large
handwriting called text-hand (n.) was used
hi old days for writing the text of an author,
while a smaller hand
was used for notes and
comments on the text.
From O.F. texte, from
L. textus, p.p. of texere
to weave.

textile (tek' stll ;
tek' stil), adj. Woven;
relating to weaving ;
adapted for weaving.
n. A woven fabric. (F.
textile ; tissu.)

All kinds of textiles
are woven with the aid
of textile machinery.
Textorial (teks tot ' i al,
adj.) is a word also
applied to anything
connected with
weaving.

L. textilis from texere
to weave.

textual (teks' tu al), adj. Relating to or
contained in the text, especially the text of
the Scriptures. (F. textuel.)

By means of textual criticism scholars
have discarded many of the scribal errors
in the old manuscript copies of the New
Testament books, and have endeavoured to
restore the text of the missing original MSS.

A person who has a thorough knowledge
of the Scriptures or one who adheres
strictly to the text may be called a textualist
(teks' tu al ist, «.). Textualism (teks' tu
al izm, n.) may mean this strict adherence
to the text or textual criticism. A passage
quoted textually (teks' tu al li, adv.) is
quoted in the actual words of the text. If
when discussing the Scriptures, we say that
a certain passage or phrase is textuary (teks'
tu a ri, adj.), we may mean that it is contained
in the text of the Bible or that it is authori-
tative. Textuary (n.) is a term sometimes
used instead of textualist.

M.E. and O.F. textuel, from L. textus p.p. of
texere to weave.

texture (teks' chiir), n. The character
and substance of a woven fabric, as resulting
from the arrangement and disposition of
the threads ; the character and substance of
anything as resulting from the disposition
of its component parts; the structure of
animal and vegetable tissues ; in art, the
representation of the form of a surface as
distinct from the colour. (F. texture,
contexture.)

The texture of a twilled sheet is different
from that of a linen one ; the threads are
crossed in a different manner. The texture
of a child's skin is usually finer than that of

4263

THALAMUS

THANK

a grown-up person. The tissues of our body
show great textural (teks' chur al, adj.)
variety. Liquids are textureless (teks' chiir
les, adj.), that is, devoid of texture.

F., fromL. textura from textus p.p. of texeve to
weave. SYN. : Constitution, mould, tissue.

thalamus (thai' a mus), n. An inner or
private room, especially a women's apart-
ment in an ancient Greek house ; in botany,
the receptacle of a flower ; in anatomy, the
place at which a nerve is believed to originate.
(F. receptacle, couche.)

Plants such as the wallflower, mallow, and
buttercup, in which the petals and stamens
spring from the thalamus or receptacle at the
top of the peduncle, are said to be thalami-
floral (thai a mi flor' al, adj.), since the parts
hi question have a thalamic (tha lam' ik, adj.)
origin. The optic thalamus is that part of
the brain from which the optic nerve or eye
nerve springs, or appears to spring.

L., from Gr. thalamos inner chamber, women's
quarters.

thaler (ta' ler), n. A former German
silver coin, current from 1518 to 1873, and
worth at the latter date about three shillings
in English money. (F. thaler.)

G., short for Joachimsthale.r, so called because
it was first coined from silver mined in Joachims-
t(h)al, St. Joachim's dale, in Bohemia. See dale,
dollar.

Thalia (tha H' a), n. In Greek mythology,
the Muse of comedy and
pastoral poetry. (F. Thalie.)

Thalia is often represented
as carrying a mask in her right
hand and in her left a shep-
herd's crook. In addition to
being one of the Muses, she
was reverenced by the
ancient Greeks as one of the
three Graces, who were sup-
posed to bestow beauty and
charm on mortals. Poetry
written in a light, idyllic or
comic vein is sometimes said
to be Thalian (tha II' an
adj.).

Gr. thaleia blooming, from
thallein to bloom, abound.

thallium (thai7 i um), n.
A rare, soft, crystalline
metallic element, producing
a green flame, discovered by
Sir William Crookes in 1861.
(F. thallium.)

A little thallium is used
in alloys, and to make a glass
which, like lead glass, refracts
light strongly. Two series of
salts are known which are called thallic (thai7
ik, adj.) and thallpus (thai' us, adj.) respec-
tively, the thallic compounds containing
thallium in a smaller proportion to oxygen
than the thallous. Many kinds of mineral
ore are thalliferous (tha lif er us, adj.),
that is, contain thallium.

From Gr. thallos shoot, twig, and -ium.

Thalia.— A statue of Thalia, the
Muse of comedy and pastoral poetry.

thallus (thai' us), n. A plant devoid
of a true root, stem, or leaves, pi. thalli
(thai' i). (F. thalle.)

Such plants as mushrooms and other
fungi, and seaweed and other algae are
thalli. Liverworts, such as Marchantia,
which resemble a thallus in having no leafy
axis, are said to be thalloid (thai' oid, adj.).

L., from Gr. thallos twig, shoot.

than (than ; than), conj. Used after
the comparative of an adjective or adverb
to introduce the second member of the
comparison. (F. que, plutot que.)

In using this little word we have to
remember that the two things compared
must be in the same case. In the sentence
" I like you better than he," "I" and
" he " are compared and the sentence is
elliptical for " I like you better than he
likes you." In the sentence " I like you
better than him," " you " and " him " are
compared, and the sentence is elliptical
f or " I like you better than I like him."

A doublet of then ; A.-S. thanne then.

thane (than), n. Before the Norman
Conquest, a freeman holding lands by
military service. An older form is thegn
(than). (F. thane.)

In the earliest Saxon times, the chief
or king was surrounded by a band of free
companions, some of whom were rewarded
for their services by grants
of land. These were the
thanes, who, although not yet
considered noble, were dis-
tinguished from the mass of
freemen and formed a lesser
territorial aristocracy, rank-
ing below earls or aldermen.

By the time of King Alfred
(871-900) the term thane was
applied loosely to all land-
owners owing military service
to a lord, and included most
of the earls or nobles.

After the Norman Con-
quest those thanes who swore
fealty to the new king be-
came the nucleus of the
lesser baronage and of the
knightage.

In Scotland, the chief of
a clan was called a thane,
and his land and jurisdiction
was called his thanedom
(than' dom, n.). The con-
dition or rank of a thane
was thanehood (than' hud, n.),
the office or position being
spoken of as thaneship (than7 ship, n.).

A.-S. thegn boy, servant, soldier ; cp. O.H.G.
degan, G. degen, O. Norse thegn ; akin to Gr.
teknon child, from tek- to beget.

thank (thangk), v.t. To express gratitude
to, for kindness or favours received ; ironic-
ally, to blame, n.pl. (thanks). An expres-
sion of gratitude ; a formal acknowledgment

4264

THAT

THAW

of a kindness, service, etc. (F. vemercier,
rendre gvdce ; remerciement, action de grace.}

When we say grace at meals we are giving
thanks, or gratitude, to God for the blessing
of our food. Most people have to thank
their parents for their education and start
in life.

A well-mannered person, when given
anything or when done any service, says
" thank you " to show his appreciation,
whether or not he accepts the favour. A
thank-offering (n.) is an offering made to
God by a person or persons thankful (thangk'
ful, adj.), that is, grateful, for mercies
received.

Charitable appeals often state that the
smallest contributions will be received
thankfully ( thangk ' ful li, adv.), which
means with thankfulness (thangk ' ful nes,
n.) or gratitude. A thankless (thangk' les,
adj.) person neither feels gratitude nor
expresses it. A thankless task is one which
brings the doer of it no thanks, whether
he deserves them or not. People are apt
to receive thanklessly ( thangk ' les li, adv.),
that is, without thanks, benefits to which
they have always been accustomed. The
state or quality of being thankless is thank-
lessness (thangk7 les nes, n.).

By thanksgiver (thangks ' giv er, n.) we
mean one who engages in thanksgiving
(thangks ' giv ing, n.}, that is, the act of
giving thanks, especially to God for his
mercies. At a public thanksgiving a special
form of worship, called a thanksgiving
service (n.) is used. In the United States the
last Thursday in November is kept as
Thanksgiving Day, and set apart for national
thanksgiving.

A.-S. thancian, from thane thought, good-will,
thanks ; cp. Dutch and G. danken ; akin to
think. SYN. : n. Acknowledgment, gratitude,
recognition. ANT. : n. Ingratitude.

that (that ; as relative pron., adj. and conj.
often that), adj. One (person or thing) dis-
tinguished or implied ; used in opposition to
this, the less obvious or farther (of two
persons or things) ; such. pron. The person
or thing specifically distinguished or implied ;
who, which ; that which, adv. In such a way ;
to such a degree, conj. Introducing a sub-
ordinate clause implying cause or reason,
stating a fact or supposition, implying
purpose or result, pi. those (thoz). (F. ce — la,
celuild ; qui; tellement que ; paree que, que.)

In pointing out to a friend at a dog show
a dog we admire, we may speak of liking
that dog better than all the others. In
comparing the points of two spaniels we
may, if we like the one farther away, say
we prefer that to the nearer one. Later, in
talking of our experience, we may speak
of the people that were present and the
dogs that were exhibited. We may then
answer in reply to a question that a parti-
cular dog was that high, indicating the
exact height by a gesture.

A.-S. thaet nom. and ace. sing, neuter of
demonstrative pronoun se, used as definite article.
T is the same as d in L. id, illud (neuter of is,
ille) ; cp. Dutch de, dot ', G. der, die, das, dass
(conjunction), O. Norse sd, su, that, Gr. ho,
he, to, L. is-te, is-ta, is-tud, Sansk. tat (neuter).

thatch (thach), n. A roof-covering
of straw, rushes, reeds, etc. ; in the tropics,
such a covering of coco-nut-leaves or
other long and thick-growing palm-leaves.
v.t. To cover with or as with thatch. (F.
chaume ; couvrir de chaume.)

Thatch. — Thatchers re-thatching the roof of a
cottage at Dorchester, the county town of Dorsetshire.

In England to-day roofs of thatch are
seen chiefly in villages and remote country
places. Slates and tiles are now so com-
monly used for roofs that a thatcher ( thach '
er, n.), that is, one whose business it is to
thatch the roofs of houses and also corn
and hay ricks, is not so often seen at his
work of thatching (thach ' ing, n.) as in days
gone by.

M.E. thak (later thacche from v., A.-S. theccean],
A.-S. thaec ; cp. Dutch dak, G. dach, O.Norse thak,
GT. (s)tegos roof ; also v. (». decken, O. Norse
thekja, L. tegere, Gr. stegein, Sansk. sthag to cover.

* thaumaturge (thaw' ma terj), n. One
who works miracles or wonders ; a magician.
Thaumaturgist (thaw' ma ter jist) has the
same meaning. (F. thaumaturge.)

These terms might be applied to a conjurer
to-day. The science of magic is some-
times called thaumaturgy (thaw' ma ter ji,
n.). A good deal of thaumaturgic (thaw
ma ter' jik, adj.) or thaumaturgical (thaw
ma ter' jik al, adj.) literature is still in
existence.

Gr. thaumatourgos wonder-working, from
thauma (gen. thaumat-os wonder), -ergos working,
from ergein to work, ergon work. SYN. : Con-
jurer, sorcerer, warlock, wizard.

thaw (thaw), v.i. Of a frozen liquid,
to melt ; of a frozen substance, to dissolve
or become liquid by warmth ; to become

D28

4265

THE

THEATRE

unfrozen ; figuratively, to become genial.
v.t. To make (a frozen liquid) melt ; to
make (a frozen substance) dissolve by
warmth ; to make (a person) genial, n.
The act of thawing ; a spell of mild weather
after a frost. (F. ddgeler, s'amollir, se divider ;
degeler, derider ; ddgel.)

The snow on the top of some mountains
never thaws, but on others, after a thaw,
torrents rush down to the valley, making
the mountain paths unsafe for travellers.
It is always necessary to thaw frozen meat
gradually before cooking it. Reserved
people often thaw, that is, throw off their
reserve, in gay surroundings.

In the Arctic regions the frozen ground
a few feet below the surface is thawless
(thaw7 les, adj), that is, never thaws. Clay
becomes soft and sticky in thawy (thaw7 i,
adj.) weather.

M.E. thdwen, A.-S. thdwian ; cp. Dutch
dooien, G. tauen, O. Norse theyja, perhaps Gr.
tekein to melt ; (n.) Dutch dooi, G. tau, O. Norse
they-r. SYN. : v. Relax, unbend. ANT. : v
Congeal, freeze. «. Frost.

the (the ; the), adj.
Used for a person or
thing, or persons and
things, already men-
tioned or understood;
used before a singular
noun to denote a
species or class ; used
before an adjective to
give it the force of a
noun ; used for dis-
tinction before a proper
noun ; used before a
noun to give it dis-
tributive force, adv.
Used before adjectives
and adverbs in the
comparative degree to
denote extent or
amount. (F. le, la.}

Formerly grammar-
ians classed this word
as an article, and to-day we often refer
to it as the definite article, in opposition
to the indefinite article a or an. It defines
a person or a thing. There is a great
difference between " a man stole my coat "
and " the man stole my coat." If we say

Theatre. — A modern presentation of a Greek play
in the ancient Greek theatre at Syracuse, Sicily.

Christianity is a religion embodying the
theanthropic idea. This conception is known
as theanthropism (the an' thro pizm, n.},
which is the doctrine of the union of the
divine and human natures.
From Gr. theos God, anthropos man, E. suffix -ic.

thearchy (the' ar ki), n. Government
by God ; an order or hierarchy of gods.
(F. th£ocratie.}

The old Jewish prophecies led the Jews
to accept the establishment of a thearchy
with the coming of the Messiah. The
Olympian thearchy of the ancient Greeks
consisted of the gods who were supposed to
rule the world from Mount Olympus.

Gr. thearkhia, from theos God, -arkhia from
arkhein to rule. SYN. : Theocracy.

theatre (the' a ter), n. A building used
for dramatic performances ; a playhouse ;
figuratively, dramatic art ; a chamber with
seats raised in tiers used for lectures and
demonstrations ; a room in a hospital
where operations are performed ; the place
or scene of an action or event. (F. thJdtre.
amphitheatre.}

Ancient Greek the-
atres were open to the
air and generally built
on the slope of a hill,
partly hollowed out.
The Roman theatres
were also open, but
constructed of solid
masonry. There were
no permanent theatres
in England before the
sixteenth century.

We sometimes hear
it said that the
theatre, meaning the
drama, is a great
popular educator.
When we speak of the
theatre of a war we
mean the district in
which it is fought.
Things and matters are theatrical (the
at' ri kal, adj.} if they relate to the theatre.
A theatrical manner is one displaying
theatricalism (the at" ri kal izm, n.} or
theatricality (the at ri kal' i ti, n.}, which is
pompousness or showiness more common

that the lion is a fierce beast we mean that on the stage than to ordinary life. To

lions are fierce considered as a class.

If we make a statement that butter is
two shillings the pound, we are using " the "
before the noun pound to give distributive
force. If a person says he is none the worse
for an accident he is using " the " as adverb,
to denote degree.

Form derived from th- of the inflected cases
of A.-S. se (masc.), seo (fern.), thaet (neuter),
originally demonstrative. The adv. is the A.-S.
instrumental case thy, the.

theanthropic (the an throp' ik), adj.
Partaking of the nature of both God and
man ; being, at once, both human and
divine. (F. theanthropique.}

theatricalize (the at' ri kal Iz, v.L) a subject
is to present it theatrically (the at7 ri kal li,
adv.), that is, in a dramatic, or more commonly
in an excessively dramatic, or stagy, manner.
Private theatricals (n.pl.) is a term for a
dramatic performance given in private,
especially by amateurs.

The prefix theatre- means having to
do with the theatre, as in the word theatro-
phone (the at' ro fon, n.), which is a tele-
phone enabling one to listen from a distance
to a dramatic performance.

Gr. thedtron a place for seeing, from thedsthai
to see.

4266

THEBAN

THEME

Theban (the' ban), adj. Relating or
belonging to either of the ancient cities
called Thebes in Greece and Egypt, n. A
native of Thebes. (F. thebain.)

The Egyptian Thebes stood on the banks

stealing or pilfering. One who stole the
property of another might be said to have
acquired it theftuously (theft' u us li, adv.).
For thefth. A.-S. thief th ; cp. O. Norse
thyfth theft, stolen goods. SYN. : Burglary,

of the Nile opposite the present ruins of larceny, peculation, robbery.

Karnak and Luxor. Under many ancient
dynasties it was the chief city of Egypt.
The Theban year (n.), or Egyptian year,
was one of 365 days 6
hours.

The Greek Thebes
was the capital of
Boeotia, a state on j
the north-east of the i
Gulf of Corinth. It I ' -*•

was destroyed by
Alexander the Great in
335 B.C. The territory
round the Egyptian
Thebes was called the
Thebaid (the ba' id ;
the' ba id, n.) ; a
name also given
especially to a Latin
heroic poem by Statius
(A.D. 45-96) dealing
with the destruction of
the Boeotian Thebes.

The substance called
thebaine (the' ba In, n.)
is an alkaloid present in opium,
poisonous.

The alkaloid is so called from being produced
near Thebes in Egypt.

theca (the' ka), n. A part of an animal
body or plant serving as a sheath or case.
pi. thecae (the' se). (F. theca.)

Among the thecae known to botanists are
anther-cells and the spore-cases of ferns

thegn (than). This
of thane. See thane.
theic (the' ik), n.

is another form

Theban. — Examples of Theban statuary. Figures
of Osiris in the Ramesseum, Thebes, Egypt.

It is very

One who drinks
tea in excessive
quantities.

One who relies on
tea to stimulate his
or her energy for work
may become a theic
and suffer from theism
(the' izm, n.}, which is
a nervous condition
characterized by head-
aches, sleeplessness,
and palpitation of the
heart. The stimula-
ting power of tea is
due to theine (the' in,
n.} or caffeine.

A theiform (the' i
form, adj.) shrub is one
like the tea-plant in
shape and foliage.

From Modern L. thea
tea, *and E. suffix -ic.
their (ih'ar). This word and theirs are
the possessive case of they. See under they.
theism [i] (the' izm). For this word
see under theic.

theism [2] (the' izm), n. Belief in
the existence of a god or gods ; belief in the
existence of the Supreme God Who has
revealed Himself to man, with whom He

CbJUL C.LJLVS.L — WWAAkJ C*AJ.VJ. feU<V O L/V^i W V^C4»O*_/O V^A JL\^X J.J..J . , - - .» . -_-^ - ,.

and mosses. Zoologists and anatomists use maintains a personal relation (F. theisme.

.-, f i ° !• • hft tftrm Tnp.ism has Tirmfvrprmfi man

the term for such protective coverings as
the sheath of the proboscis in such insects
as the mosquito, and the outer casing of
the spinal cord. Proboscis and spinal cord
are therefore thecate (the' kat, adj.), and
any part of a plant bearing thecae is
theciferous (the sif ' er us, adj.).

The term theism has undergone many
changes of meaning, for the old pagan
religions may be considered as theism as
opposed to atheism. In a special sense
a theist (the' ist, n.) is one who believes
in the existence of a Supreme Being to
whom worship is due. Such a one will

A stalk or stipe like that supporting the support his belief by theistic (the is' tik
ovary of a passion-flower is called a theca- aA* V nr *««*«•" 1
phore (the' ka for, n.), as is also any plant
receptacle bearing thecae.

A certain extinct species of reptile was
known as the thecodont (the' ko dont, n.), a
thecodont (adj.) lizard, for example, being
one whose teeth were set in distinct sockets
or sheaths.

L. from Gr. theke case in which to put any-
thing, from ti-the-nai to put, place.

thee (the). This is the objective of
thou. See under thou.

theft (theft), n. The act of stealing;
that which is stolen. (F. vol, larcin.)

Lawyers distinguish between the different
forms of theft, calling them embezzlement,
burglary, and larceny. Theftuous (theft' ii
us, adj.) is a Scots word sometimes applied
to a thievish act or to a person given to

theistical (the is' ti kal, adj.)
arguments.

From Gr. theos God or a god, and suffix -ism.
SYN. : Deism. ANT. : Atheism.

them (them. ; them). This is the objective
case of they. See they.

theme (them), n. The subject of a
speech, poem, or other writing ; an essay
written by a student on a given subject ;
the stem of a noun or verb ; the melodious
group of notes from which a musical com-
position is developed with variations ; each
of the provinces into which the Byzantine
Empire was divided for administrative
purposes. (F. texte, sujet, theme.)

The compositions and essays that are
written by school children were once com-
monly spoken of as themes because the
subject was set or proposed.

4267

THEMIS

THEOGRASY

The inflexions or endings of verbs and
nouns are added to the thematic (the mat7
ik, adj.) or unchanged root parts. A volume
containing the works of a musical composer
generally contains a thematic catalogue,
which is a list of the opening bars or themes
of the various compositions. It enables
any composition to be recognized thematic-
ally (the mat" ik al li, adv.), that is, by its
theme.

O.F. feme (F. theme), from L. thema, Gr.
thema something placed or laid down, from
ti-the-nai to place. SYN. : Essay, subject, text,
thesis, topic.

Themis (them' is ; the' mis), n. The
Greek goddess of justice or
law ; the twenty-fourth plane-
toid, discovered by de Gasparis
at Naples in 1853. (F. Themis.)

Themis is usually repre-
sented as carrying a horn of
plenty in one hand and a pair
of scales in the other.

Gr. == that which is laid down
or established, from ti-the-nai to
place, set.

themselves (them, selvz'),
pron. pi. A reflexive and em-
phatic form of they. (F.
eux-memes, se.)

If we say " they were them-
selves responsible for the
accident," we are using this
word emphatically to give
additional force to the state-
ment. If we say " they amused
themselves," we are using the
word reflexively, the subject
and object of the sentence referring to the
same persons.

PI. of him-, her-, it-self. See them ; self.

then (^en), adv. At that time ; after-
wards ; soon after ; next ; at another time.
conj. Therefore ; in that case ; accordingly ;
consequently, adj. Colloquially, existing at
that time. n. That time ; the time stated
or understood. (F. alors, ensuite, une autre
fois ; done; actuel.)

If a friend explains that he did not write
immediately on receiving our letter because
he was then ill, he means he was ill at the
time the letter arrived,
and then I went to bed
bed soon after I reached home. " The

adv. From there ;
for that reason. (F.

The fleshy part of the thenar popularly
called the ball of the thumb is otherwise
known as the thenar eminence ; consists
of four thenar muscles.

Gr. generally connected with Gr. theinein to
strike.

thence (thens),
from that source ;
de Id, d&s lors.}

A speaker, after enumerating a number
of arguments, may use such a phrase as
" it would thence follow," to emphasize the
source of his conclusion. " He went
thence " means he went from the place
where he was. Thenceforth (thens for th',
adv.), or thenceforward (thens
for' ward, adv.), he did not
touch intoxicating drink means
from that time onwards he did
not touch it.

M.E. thenne(s), thanne(s), A.-S.
than-an, -on ; cp. O.H.G. dannana
thence, G. (von) dannen. M.E.
thennes with the gen. ending
s became thens, afterwards thence.

Themis. — Themis, the Greek
goddess of justice or law.

theo-. A prefix meaning
relating to God or gods.

Combining form of Gr. theos
God, a god.

Theobroma (the 6 bro'
ma), n. A genus of tropical
trees including the cocoa-tree,
Theobroma cacao. (F. thto-
brome.)

A white substance called
theobromic (the 6 bro' mik,
adj.) acid is obtained from
the seeds of the Theobroma. These contain
also theobromine (the 6 bro' mm, n.), a
bitter alkaloid very similar chemically and
in its effects to caffeine.
Gr. theos a god, broma food.
theocracy (the ok' ra si), n. Govern-
ment of a state in accordance with the
expressed will of God ; government by a
priestly class ; a state so governed. (F.
theocratie.)

Moses established a theocracy over the
Hebrews, and each of the rulers of Israel until
Saul was a theocrat (the' 6 krat, n.).

" I reached home The government ceased to be theocratic
means I went to (the 6 krat' ik, adj.) or theocratical (the 6
krat' ik al, adj.), that is, of the nature of a

Normans then ruled England " means at theocracy, when Saul was chosen to be
a time already mentioned. " The then king. A theocratist (the ok' ra tist, n.) is

state of affairs " is a conversational way of
saying the state of affairs existing at a
time stated.

We are using the word as a noun in such
phrases as "by then," "since then," "till
then." Another noun use is in the phrase
" every now and then."

Akin to the, that, a doublet of than (cp. G.
denn for, then, 'than). See than.

thenar (the' nar), n. The palm of the
hand ; the sole of the foot. adj. Of or
relating to the palm or the sole. (F. paume,
thenar; palmaire.)

one who believes in the government of
society by the revealed will of God.

Gr. theokrat^a, from theos God, -kratia rule,
from kratein to rule, from kratos strength.

theocrasy (the' 6 kra si ; the ok' ra si),
n. The identification of two or more gods ;
close union of the soul with God during
contemplation of Him. (F. polytheisme,
mysticisme.)

The pagan peoples readily adopted the
gods of other nations, and in time these
different deities became confused in a theo-
crasy. The school of philosophers called

4268

THEOGRITEAN

THEOPHANY

the Neoplatonists, which arose in the
third century A.D., held that man could
free his soul entirely from earthly ties and
attain to theocrasy, a state of ecstasy in
which it became one with God.

Gr. theokrdsia,f.Tom theosa god, krdsis mingling;
from kerannynai to mingle, mix.

Theocritean (the ok ri te' an), adj.
Relating to Theocritus ; in the style of
Theocritus ; idyllic or pastoral. (F. de
Theocrite.)

The Greek poet Theocritus (third century
B.C.), wrote about pastoral and rural scenes
in an idyllic way, and so poems and other
writings of that kind are sometimes called
Theocritean.

SYN. : Arcadian.

theodicy (the od' i si), n. A vindication
of God's justice and holiness in view of the
evil existing in the world. (F. thdodicee.}

Theodicy requires us to believe that good
can in the end result from evil. A theodicean
(the od i se' an, n.} explains that God is not
the author of evil, but allows it to go on
because it is better that man should have
free-will to choose between good and evil
than that he should be a mere machine.

F. theodicee, Gr. theos God, dike right, justice.

theodolite (the od' 6 lit), n. An instrument
used by surveyors for measuring horizontal
and vertical angles. (F.
theodolite.}

This instrument has a tele-
scope so pivoted that it can
be turned upside down. The
supports carrying it are
mounted on a plate, which
revolves on the top of a tripod
stand, allowing the telescope
to be directed to any point of
the compass. The instru-
ment is carefully levelled
before use. Movements of
the telescope to right or left
or up or down are measured
by graduated scales. Ordnance
surveys are based on theod-
olitic (the od 6 lit' ik, adj.)
observations.

Earlier theodelitus, a word
apparently invented about 1571
by an English astronomer
named Digges, possibly in-
correctly formed from Gr.
thedsthai to see, and delos clear.

Theodosian (the 6 do7 shan), adj. Re-
lating to the Roman emperors named
Theodosius. (F. theodosien.)

In 438 the Emperor Theodosius II issued
a code of Roman law which is called the
Theodosian code.

theogony (the og' 6 ni), n. The genealogy
of the gods ; a poem on that subject. (F.
theogonie.)

The Greeks, the Norsemen, and other
peoples who had a great array of gods,
believed that there were certain relationships
between them. For instance, the Greeks

Theodolite. — A surveyor at work
with a theodolite.

held that Uranus was the ancestor of all the
Olympic gods and that the hero Heracles
was the son of the god Zeus and the mortal
Alcmene.

The Greek poet Hesiod (about 700 B.C.), in
his theogony, claimed to have been taught by
the daughters of Zeus, as he tended his sheep
on the hillsides of Helicon.

A theogonist (the og' 6 nist, n.) is one who
studies theogonie (the 6 gon' ik, adj.) works.

L., Gr. theogonia.irom theos god, -gonia origin,
from root gen- to beget.

theology (the ol7 6 ji), n. The science or
systematic study of religion, especially of
Christianity. (F. theologie.)

Natural theology deals with the knowledge
of God obtained from His works and by the
aid of human reason. Positive or revealed
theology is based on revelations made by
God through the Bible, through the Church,
and through Jesus Christ. Dogmatic the-
ology deals with the doctrinal teaching of a
Church. Speculative theology examines
theological (the 6 loj7 ik al, adj.) questions,
that is, those connected with theology,
which have not yet been decided or of which
the truth is uncertain.

A theologian (the 6 16' ji an, n.) is one who
studies theology and considers questions
theologically (the 6 loj ' ik al
li, adv.), or from a theological
point of view. Such a one
is apt to theologize (the ol ' 6
jiz, v.t.), that is, give a
theological character to, sec-
ular questions. Politicians
often theologize (v.i.) when
dealing with Church affairs.

O.F. theologie, from L., Gr.
theologia, from theos god, -logia
speaking, discussing, from logos
discourse, science. SYN. :
Divinity.

theomachy (the om' a
ki), n. Battle with or among
gods. (F. theomachie.)

In Homer's " Iliad " we
read of theomachy on Olym-
pus, when Cronus, the old
ruler, was overthrown. *

Gr. theomakhia, from theos
god, -makhia fighting, from
makhe battle.

theomania (the 6 ma' ni
a), n. Religious mania ; an insane belief that
one is God. (F. thdomanie.)

Theomania is often the result of remorse
for wrongdoing. A person affected by this
form of madness is a theomaniac (the 6 man '
i ak, n.).

Gr. theomama, from theos a god, mania madness.
theophany (the of a ni), n. An appearing
of God to man. (F. theophanie.)

The Old Testament contains accounts
of many theophanies.

Gr. theophaneia, from theos a god, -phaneia
appearing, from phainesthai to appear.

4269

THEOPHILANTHROPY

THEOSOPHY

the ©philanthropy (the 6 fi Ian' thro pi),
n. A system of religion introduced by a
society in France in 1796 to take the place
of Christianity. (F. thtophilanthropie.}

Theophilanthropy claimed to combine
the worship of God with the principles
of the Revolution. A member of the society
was a theophilanthropist (the 6 fi Ian' thro
pist, n.}, his belief being theophilanthropism
(the 6 fi Ian7 thro pizm, «.).

From theo- (combining form of Gr. theos God),
and philanthropy.

theorbo (the or' bo), n. A large kind of
lute, with extra bass strings at the side of
the finger-board or a double neck, which
was popular in the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries. (F. theorbe.)

The theorbo was mainly used for accom-
panying singers. The bass strings were
attached to the longer of the two necks, and
were plucked by the thumb, thus leaving
the fingers free for the melody.

F. t(h)eorbe, Ital. tiorba, supposed to be named
after the inventor.

theorem (the' 6 rem), n. A proposition
or truth to be proved by successive steps in
reasoning ; a rule or law in mathematics.
(F. thforeme.)

We meet with theorems
chiefly in the study of
mathematics. Thus the
fact that the square on
the base of a right-angled
triangle equals the sum
of the squares on the
other sides is called the
theorem of Pythagoras.

Many of these theorems
are very complicated.
They are generally
known by the name of
their discoverer, who
may be called a theo-
rematist (the 6 rem' a
tist, «.). Propositions or
statements which are of
the nature of a theorem,
or those which are
solved by means of a
theorem, may be called
theorematic (the 6 re
mat' ik; adj.), or theo-
rematical (the 6 re mat'
ik al, adj.).

L., Gr. theorema thing seen, spectacle, specu-
lation, from theorem to look at, consider.

theoretical (the 6 ret' ik al), adj. Concern-
ing theory or speculation, as opposed to facts
or practical knowledge. Theoretic (the 6 ret'
ik) has the same meaning. (F. theorique.)

A person having a good theoretical know-
ledge of gardening often lacks the practical
experience which is needed to grow flowers
successfully. A theoretician (the o re tish'
an, n.) may be in many things a thoroughly
practical man, although he devotes his time
to theoretics (the 6 ret' iks, n.pl.), or the specu-
lative part of science. Many problems are

Theory. — A picture that illustrate* the theory
that the moon was once a part of the earth.

worked out theoretically (the 6 ret' ik al H,
adv.] before they can be put into practice.

L. thedreticus, Gr. theoretikos. See theory.
SYN. : Speculative. ANT. : Practical.

theoric (the or' ik), adj. Of or connected
with the public spectacles of ancient Greece .
This word is used chiefly with reference
to a fund, the theoric fund (n.), kept by the
treasury at Athens for providing poor
citizens with free seats at the theatre.

Gr. theorikos connected with a thedria (public
spectacle). See theory.

theory (the' 6 ri), n. Speculation 01
abstract knowledge ; a supposition that
explains something ; a mere hypothesis ;
a fanciful speculative idea of something ;
an exposition of the general principles of a
science ; that branch of a subject dealing
with its facts, principles, or methods, as
opposed to its practice ; a collection of
theorems or results illustrating a particular
subject. (F. theorie, hypothese.)

According to an old proverb a pound of
practice is worth a ton of theory, and in
everyday life this is partly true. Many
people have a dislike of theory, or speculating
about things, as distinguished from practice,
or actually doing some-
thing. But in science,
theories are of great
importance, for they are
tentative explanations
of phenomena, based
on assumed natural
causes, and often lead to
a discovery of the truth.
A good m'u s i c i a n
generally possesses a
thorough knowledge of
musical theory, that is,
the rules and facts upon
which music is based, as
well as an ability to sing
or to play some in-
struments. Harmony,
counterpoint, and form
are some departments
of the theory of music.
A theorist (the' 6 rist,
n.), or theorizer (the' 6
riz er, n.), is one who
forms, investigates, or
maintains theories. To
theorize (the' 6 riz, v.i.)

is to speculate or assume something as a
theory, a process known as theorization (the
6 ri za' shun, n.}.

L., Gr. thedria looking at, spectacle, specula-
tion, from theorein to look at, contemplate. See
theorem. SYN. : Conjecture, doctrine, explana-
tion, exposition, supposition. ANT. : Actuality,
fact, practice.

theosophy (the os' 6 fi), n. Any one of
several systems of mystical philosophy
claiming a direct knowledge of God by
visions, personal knowledge, and other
special means ; the doctrines of the Theo-
sophical Society. (F. theosophie.)

4270

THEOTEGHNY

THERE

Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, and Cabbalism
were old forms of theosophy. But when we
speak of theosophic (the 6 sof ik, adj.), or
theosophical (the 6 sof ' ik al, adj.), doctrines,
we generally mean one of the systems
developed from the above, especially that
of the German mystic, Jacob Boehme (1575-
1624), or else the modern theosophy of the
Theosophical Society.

Boehme, who was a shoemaker, endeavoured
to explain theosophically (the 6 sof' ik al li,
adv.), or by means of theosophy, the great
problems of philosophy and religion. He is
sometimes called the Teutonic theosopher
(the os7 6 fer, n.), and his followers were also
known more particularly as theosophers.
The word theosoph (the' 6 sof, n.) has the
same meaning, but is often used to denote
one who pursued an early form of theosophy.

A theosophist (the os' 6
fist, n.) may mean a follower
of Boehme, but is to-day
the usual name for a
member of the Theosophical
Society. This organization
was founded in the United
States in 1875. One of its
objects is to form a universal
brotherhood. Any religious
teaching influenced by the
teaching of theosophists is
said to be theosophistic (the
os 6 fis' tik, adj.). A person
who advocates or practises
theosophy might be said to
theosophize (the os' 6 fiz,
v.i.}.

Gr. theosophia knowledge of
God, from theos God, sophia
wisdom, knowledge, from sophos
wise.

theotechny (the' 6 tek
ni), n. The employment
of supernatural or divine
beings in a drama or epic, especially as con-
trolling or influencing the affairs of the
mortal characters ; such beings collectively
in a literary work.

The " Iliad " of Homer is an outstanding
instance of deities influencing human affairs
in an epic. The theotechnic (the 6 tek' nik,
adj.) element in this poem is very prominent
and sometimes rather confusing.

From theos a god, tekhne art.

therapeutic (therapu' tik), adj. Curative ;
relating to the healing art. (therapeutics)
n.pl. The branch of medicine dealing with
the science and application of remedies for
disease. (F. therapeutique.)

Therapeutics is distinguished from diag-
nosis. The treatment of disease by means
of hypnotic suggestion is called suggestive
therapeutics. A chemical may be described
as a therapeutic, or therapeutical (ther a pu'
tik al, adj.), agent, if it is used as a remedy
for disease. Medicines or other remedies are
therapeutically (ther a pu' tik al li, adv.)
equivalent if they have the same curative

Theosophy.— Jacob Boehme (1575-
1624), the author of works on theo-
sophy and other mystical subjects.

effect. A therapeutist (ther a pu' tist, n.) is
a physician. These words are often used
in connexion with special departments of
medical science, such as the electrical treat-
ment of disease, called electrotherapeutics.

Gr. therapeutikos taking care of, waiting upon,
from therapeuein to tend, treat, from theraps
(ace. therap-a) = therapon attendant, servant.

there (thar ; ther), adv. In or at that
place ; at that stage or point ; to that
place ; thither, n. That place, inter. An
exclamation expressing excitement, dismay,
confirmation, consolation, or direction. (F.
Id, la-bas.)

Uses of this word as an adverb are shown
in the following sentences : " I was not there
yesterday " ; " you had better stop there,
or at that stage, and say no more " ; "we
are going there to-morrow." It is employed
as a noun in " he travelled
HH on from there by motor,"
and " we went by there
yesterday." The word is
also used to give emphasis
or prepare the hearer for a
statement, and is generally
placed before the verb, the
subject usually coming after
the verb. For example,
" there was a man of
Thessaly " ; " there comes
a time when we tire of
excitements." In questions
and many negative sentences,
" there " follows the verb,
but generally comes before
the subject, as " What is
there to do ? " ; " Never was
there such a man."

The interjection " there "
is often used as an affec-
tionate word of consolation,
as when a mother says,
" There, there, don't cry ! "
of triumph when a person
exclaims, "There, didn't I tell you?"
To sow seeds here and there is to scatter
them in an irregular manner, or hither and
thither. We use the words thereabout (adv.)
and thereabouts (adv.) to mean near that
place, near that number, nearly.

The archaic word thereafter (adv.) means
after that in time or order, or sometimes
accordingly.

The Scottish and north country word
thereanent (adv.) signifies as regards that
matter, relating thereto.

A number of other words beginning with
" there " are sometimes found. Thereat
(adv.) means at that place; thereby (adv.),
by that means ; as a result of that ;
therefrom (adv.), from this or that time,
place, etc. ; therein (adv.), in that or this
place, time, respect, etc. ; thereof (adv.),
of that, or of it ; thereon (adv.), on that or
on it ; thereto (adv.), to that or to this, in
addition, besides ; thereupon (adv.), on
account of that, immediately after or

It savours

4271

THERIAG

THERMITE

following that ; therewith (adv.], with that
or this, thereupon ; therewithal (adv.), with
all this, in addition, besides.

The word therefore (adv.) is in very common
use, and means for that reason, accordingly,
or consequently. This is a precise word
often used, especially in logic, to introduce
a direct conclusion drawn from a chain of
reasoning. The symbol . • . expresses it in
mathematics. In legal documents frequent
use is made of the words thereinafter
(adv.) and thereinbefore (adv.), which mean
respectively later on or earlier in the same
document.

A.-S. ihaer, ther ; cp. Dutch daar, G. da, dar,
O. Norse thar ; from the demonstrative tha.

theriac (ther7 i ak), n. An antidote
against the bite of poisonous animals ; in
pharmacy, molasses. (F. theriaque.)

In the Middle Ages, the antidote to poison
called theriac contained many strange
ingredients. The word is not employed
now in this sense, except as a historical
reference, or figuratively.

L. theriaca, Gr. theriake antidote. See treacle.

therianthropic (ther i an throp' ik), adj.
Pertaining to gods represented as part human
being and part beast, or to their worship.
(F. thJrianthropique.)

The religion of the ancient Egyptians was
to a large extent therianthropic, and is an
important example of therianthropism (ther
i an' thro pizm, n.), that is, the worship of
therianthropic gods. Among such gods was
Ra, the sun-god, with the body of a man
and the head of a hawk.

From theri- combining form of therion wild
beast, and anthropikos human, from anthropos
human being.

therm (therm), n. In physics, the British
thermal unit, or the amount of heat required
to raise the temperature of one pound of
water at its maximum density through one
degree Fahrenheit ; one hundred thousand
British thermal units, adopted as a unit
for determining the price of coal-gas in
Great Britain. (F. unite thermique.)

Since the passing of the Gas Regulation
Act of 1920, the price charged for gas is
based on its calorific or heating value, the
unit of heat adopted as the standard being
the gas therm. The usual calorific value of
a cubic foot of gas is about five hundred
British thermal units, usually abbreviated
B.T.U.'s, so that a gas therm represents about
two hundred cubic feet of gas. The actual
calorific value varies with different companies.

Gr. therme heat, from thermos hot.

thermae (ther' me), n.pl. In ancient
Rome and Greece, a public bathing establish-
ment containing hot baths. (F. thertnes.}

The thermae of the Romans were magni-
ficent establishments. They were erected in
all parts of the empire, and many remains
of them have been discovered, as, for instance,
at the English city of Bath. The word
thermal (ther' mal, adj.] means relating to
thermae, or to heat. A thermal bath is a

hot or warm one. A thermal spring (n.) is a
spring of naturally hot water. A thermal
unit is a unit of heat. The British thermal
unit is the therm, usually designated by the
abbreviation B.T.U.

Some ailments can be cured thermally
(ther' mal li, adv.), that is, by means of heat.
In India, a ventilating apparatus consisting
of a rotating fan fixed in a window opening,
and driving in air through wet cloths, so as
to cool it, is called a thermantidote (ther man'
ti dot, n.).

The word thermic (ther' mik, adj.), like
thermal, means pertaining to heat, or due to
heat.

L. thermae hot springs, from Gr. thermal (pi.
of therme heat), from thermos hot, akin to L.
formus warm, E. warm, Sansk. gharma. heat.

Thermidor (ther mi dor'; tar mi dor'), n.
The eleventh month in the French Repub-
lican calendar (July igth or 2Oth — August
1 8th or i gth). (F. thermidor.)

One of the milder French revolutionists
who helped to overthrow or favoured the
overthrowing of Robespierre is sometimes
termed a Thermidorian (ther mi dor' i an,
n.), because the downfall of that great
revolutionary dictator occurred on 9 Thermi-
dor of the second Republican year, or July
27th, 1794. This marked the end of the
Reign of Terror.

Gr. therme heat, doron gift.

thermionic valve (ther mi on' ik valv), n.
A form of vacuum tube used in wireless
telegraphy and telephony for creating, or
detecting and magnifying, electric oscillations.
(F. soupape thermionique.}

The thermionic valve is a development of
the Fleming valve, which was invented by
Sir J. A. Fleming in 1904. It is used to
generate high-frequency currents, to convert
them into telephonic currents, to modulate
the first kind of current by the second, and
to amplify both kinds. Thermionic valves
are also used as sensitive relays in ordinary
telephony and telegraphy.

From E. therm- = thermo-, ion, adj. suffix -ic,
and valve.

Thermite. — Engineers carrying thermite with which
to break up ice in a Canadian river.

thermite (ther' mlt), n. A mixture of
finely divided aluminium and a metallic

4272

THERMO-

THERMOMETER

oxide, especially iron oxide, producing in-
tense heat when ignited. (F. thermite.)

Thermite generates a heat of about
three thousand degrees Centigrade and has
many industrial uses. It is employed for
welding the ends of adjacent tram-lines
together, for repairing defective steel cast-
ings, for making alloys, and for hardening
purposes.

Gr. therme heat, suffix -ite.

thermo-. This is a prefix meaning having
to do with or caused by heat. (F. thermo-.}

A thermo-barometer (n.) is an instrument
which shows the pressure of the air and the
corresponding height of a place above sea-
level, by the heat at which water boils. The
branch of chemistry named thermo-chemistry
(n.) deals with the connexion between
chemical reactions and heat liberated or
absorbed. All chemical changes are, of
course, accompanied by changes of tempera-
ture ; violent reactions generally evolve heat,
and compounds formed thus are more stable.

The relationship between heat and mechan-
ical work is studied in the branch of science
called thermodynamics (n.). The conversion
of the heat of burning fuel into work done
by an engine is an important field explored
by this science.

A thermo-electric (adj.) current is an electric
current induced by a difference of tempera-
ture between two objects. This kind of
electricity is known as thermo-electricity (n.).

The heating power of an electric current
is measured in a device called a thermo-
electrometer (n.), which also determines
the strength of a current by the heat it
generates. The word thermogenesis (n.)
means the production of heat, especially in
the animal body. Starch and sugar are foods
giving rise to thermogenetic (ther mo je net'
ik, adj.), or thermogenic (ther mo jen' ik, adj.),
that is, heat-producing, chemical processes.

A thermograph (ther' mo graf, n.) is a
thermometer which automatically makes
records of changes of heat. A record made by
it is called a thermogram (ther' mo gram, n.).

Thermo-magnetism (n.) is magnetism pro-
duced or modified by the action of heat.
Many boys know the thermo-magnetic (adj.)
experiment of heating a magnet in order to
demagnetize it.

An engine converting heat into mechanical
energy is a thermo-motor (n.), especially one
operated by the expansive power of heated
air. It is driven by thermo-motive (adj.)
force.

The thermopile (ther' mo pll, n.) is a
thermo-electric battery made by connecting
together a number of plates of different metals
in pairs, arranged alternately. It is used with
a galvanometer for measuring small quantities
of radiant heat, and is one form of thermo-
scope (ther' mo skop, n.), a device that shows
changes of temperature without measuring
them. Any increase or decrease of heat
is, however, indicated by a thermoscopic

(ther mo skop' ik, adj.) instrument, or one
having the nature of a thermoscope.

A thermostat (ther' mo stat, n.) is an
apparatus which regulates the heat of a
body of air or liquid automatically, or gives
warning of an abnormal rise of temperature.
Automatic fire-alarms are thermostatic (ther
mo stat' ik, adj.) alarms, consisting of
thermostats.

A thermotic (ther mot' ik, adj.) demonstra-
tion is one showing some property of heat,
especially one connected with thermotics
(ther mot' iks, n.), the science of heat in its
different aspects.

Thermograph. — The thermograph, an instrument
which makes records of changes or heat.

A thermotype (ther' mo tip, n.) is an
impression made of an object with a rough
surface by wetting the surface with weak
acid, pressing a paper hard against it, and
developing the paper by heating it.

Thermo- combining form of Gr. thermos hot,
from therein to heat, akin to L. fervere to be
hot, and E. warm. See therm.

thermometer (ther mom' e ter), n. An
instrument for measuring temperature,
usually by the expansion of a column of
mercury or alcohol in a glass tube of small
bore, having a graduated scale. (F. thermo-
metre.)

Any substance that expands when heated
might be used to make a thermometer, but
the most convenient for general use are
mercury and alcohol. The substance is placed
in a glass bulb attached to a narrow-bore
tube. If the bulb is slowly heated, the column
of mercury or alcohol will gradually rise up the
tube, owing to the fact that its rate of
expansion is higher than that of the glass.
The tube is calibrated, graduated by noting
the level of the mercury at certain fixed
points, such as the boiling and freezing points
of water — 100° Centigrade or 212° Fahren-
heit, and o° Centigrade or 32° Fahrenheit
respectively.

There are a number of different ther-
mometric (ther mo met' rik, adj.), or
thermometrical (ther mo met' rik al, adj.)
scales, those in general use being Centigrade
for scientific work, Fahrenheit, and, on the
Continent, Reaumur. The temperature of
the body is generally taken thermo metrically
(ther mo met' rik al li, adv.) by means of
a clinical thermometer.

4273

THERMO-MOTIVE

THEY

The scientific use of the thermometer is
termed thermometry (ther mom' e tri, n.)t
which also means the facts and theories con-
nected with its construction and use. We
might say that an exceptionally warm day
in winter was thermometrically a summer's
day.

In order to guard a registering thermo-
meter in the open air from unfavourable
influences it is sometimes placed in a
thermometer-screen (n.).

From Gr. thermos hot, warm, E.
meter (Gr. metron measure).

thermo-motive (ther mo mo'
tiv). For this word, thermopile, etc.,
see under thermo-.

thermos (ther' mos), n. The
registered trade name of a type of
vacuum flask used for keeping
liquids hot or very cold. (F.
thermos.')

Gr. thermos hot. See thermo-.

thermoscope (ther' mo skop).
For this word, thermostat, etc., see
under thermo-.

ther old (ther' oid), adj. Re- JjLgM
sembling a beast ; brutish ; bestial. |

(F. thtrOlde.) Thermom

This word is used chiefly in
connexion with idiots having certain physical
peculiarities, as well as minds of a bestial

Gr. ther wild animal, and suffix -oid (eidos
shape, form.)

therology (ther ol' 6 ji), n. The science
dealing with mammals. (F. mammalogie.)

A scientist who is versed in therology may
be called a therologist (ther ol' 6 jist, n.).

From thero- combining form of Gr. ther wild
animal, and -logia science, from logos discussion,
science, legein to speak.

thesaurus (the saw' rus), n. A treasury of
knowledge, such as a dictionary, encyclo-
paedia, etc. pi. thesauri (the saw' ri). (F.
dictionnaire, encyclopedia.)

The writer's handbook known as Roget's
Thesaurus is a collection of groups of words
of related and opposite meanings.

L. thesaurus, from Gr. thesauros treasure, from
tithenai to place. See Treasure.

these (thez). This is the plural form of
this. See this.

thesis (the' sis), n. A subject for discussion
or literary treatment ; a proposition ad-
vanced or maintained ; an essay written
or submitted by a candidate for a university
degree, etc. ; a school or college exercise ;
in logic, an affirmation ; (thes' is) in prosody,
the unaccented part of a metrical foot. pi.
theses (the' sez). (F. these.}

This word is applied especially to an
essay written by a candidate for a degree.
In logic, a theme stated is a thesis, as con-
trasted with a thing supposed, or an hypo-
thesis. In prosody, thesis is opposed to arsis.

L., Gr. thesis from ti-the-nai to set, place, lay
down.

Thespian (thes' pi an), adj. Of or relating
to Thespis, the traditional founder of
Greek drama ; tragic ; dramatic, n. An
actor or actress. (F. thespien, thedtral ;
acteur, comedien.)

The drama is sometimes called the Thespian
art, in allusion to Thespis, who lived in the
sixth century B.C.

theurgy (the' ur ji), n. Supernatural
agency, especially in human affairs ; produc-
_______ tion of effects by direct supernatural

influence. (F. the'urgie.)

In the Middle Ages, the form of
magic supposed to be effected by
the aid of good spirits was termed
theurgy, as opposed to black magic.
This theurgic (the er' jik, adj.) or
theurgical (the er' jik al, adj.) art
originated in the practices of the
Egyptian Platonists. A magician
who practised this system was
called a theurgist (the' ur' jist, n.).
Theurgy, in the sense of divine or
supernatural influence on human
affairs, plays a prominent part in
Homer's " Odyssey."

L. theurgia, Gr. theourgia, from theos
a god, -ergos working, from ergein to
work, ergon work.

thews (thuz), n.pl. Muscles ; sinews ;
moral or mental strength or vigour. (F.
force musculaire.)

This word occurs chiefly in the phrase
" thews and sinews," which means bodily
strength. The term thewed (thud, adj.) is
used mainly in poetry, and means having
thews, generally with a qualifying adverb.
A thewless (thu' les, adj.) person is one
lacking energy or moral stamina.

M.E. thewes, A.-S. theawas manners, habits,
from which probably came the sense of strength
as shown by personal appearance. Cp. Sansk.
tavas strong. There may have been some con-
fusion with thigh.

they (tha), pron. The plural of the
personal pronoun he, she, or it. (F. Us,
elles.)

The objective case of this pronoun is
them (them ; ^em), also used as an indirect
object, with the sense " to them." The latter
half of the sentence " I have not got
John's and Mary's books ; I gave them
them yesterday," would be better written
" I gave the books to them yesterday."

The possessive case of the pronoun is
their (thar). When the noun to which the
pronoun refers is left out, we use the form
theirs (tharz), as in the sentence " we
have got our hats, but they have not got
theirs."

They is employed indefinitely in the
expression " they say," which means, men
say, people say, or it is said.

M.E. thei (thai), gen. thair, dative thaim, from
O. Norse thei-r, properly pi. of sa that, demon-
strative pronoun. Them (objective) is O. Norse
theim, dative, and their is the gen. theirra.

4274

THIBET

THIMBLE

thibet (ti bet'). This is another spelling
of tibet. See tibet.

thick (thik), adj. Having great or
specified depth between one main surface
and the other ; arranged, set, or planted
closely together ; abounding or packed closely
(with) ; numerous ; following in quick suc-
cession ; dense ; turbid ; cloudy ; not
transparent ; impure ; foggy ; of speech,
indistinct ; stupid ; friendly, adv. Thickly ;
in close succession. n. Thickest part of
anything. (F. epais, gros, serve, obscur,
vague, bete, lid; en foule, rapidement; gros.)

In winter we wear clothes
made of thick materials,
because they retain the
heat. A thick board is
one appreciably thicker
than an ordinary board, but
one half an inch thick
measures half an inch be-
tween its main opposite
surfaces. The parks are
thick or crowded with
people on Sundays in the
summer. The leaves are
then thick, or dense, on the
trees. The water of a
usually clear stream be-
comes thick when swollen
by floods. A thick paste
is one of firm consistency.
During fogs the atmo-
sphere is said to be thick.
One's voice becomes
muffled, or thick, when
one has a cold.

People who, to use a colloquialism, are
very thick, that is, intimate with each other,
will stick together through thick and thin,
that is, under all conditions.

A thickhead (n.), or a thick-headed (adj.)
person is one who is very dull or stupid.
Most negroes are thick-lipped (adj.), that is,
they have thick, protruding lips. A thick-set
(n.), or thick-set (adj.) hedge, is composed
of plants, shrubs etc., growing close together.
A thick-set man is solidly built, and usually
short for his breadth.

A thick-skinned (adj.) person is one not
sensitive to snubs or rebuffs. It is difficult
to get learning into the head of a thick-skulled
(adj.), thick-witted (adj.), or stupid individual.

Cooks thicken (thik' en, v.t.) soups, that is,
make them less fluid, by adding a thickening
(thik 'en ing, n.), which is a substance that
makes a liquid thicker. Troubles are said to
thicken (v.i.) when they become numerous
or frequent.

A thicket (thik' et, n.) is a dense growth
of bushes or small trees. A thickish (thik'
ish, adj.) stick is somewhat thick. Snow
falls thickly (thik' li, adv.) when it comes
down in large quantities. A solid body has
length, breadth, and thickness (thik' nes,
n.), the state or condition of being thick.
Thickness is usually the smallest dimension
of the three. In some old castles there are

Thick-knee.- The Australian thick-knee,

a bird related to the European thick-knee

or stone-curlew.

passages and stairways made in the thickness
of the walls, that is, in the space between
their outer and inner faces.

A.-S. thicce ; cp. Dutch dik, G. dick, O. Norse
thykk-r. SYN. : adj. Close, compact, dense,
muddy, numerous. ANT. : adj. Clear, fluid,
scanty, slim, thin.

thick-knee (thik' ne), n. One of a
group of birds akin to the bustards. Another
form is thicknee (thik' ne.)

Species of the thick-knee are to be found
in Europe, Africa, Asia, South America,
and Australia. The European thick-knee
(Oedicnemus scolopax) is a
summer visitor to England.
thief (thef), n. A person
who acquires property dis-
honestly, especially in secret
and without violence ; a
projecting piece of wick
that makes a candle gutter.
pi. thieves (thevz). (F.
voleur, champignon.)

Oliver Twist, inDickens's
novel of that name, was
taught to thieve thev, (v.i.),
or be a thief, and was sent
out by Fagin to thieve (v.t.) ,
or steal, articles. He, how-
ever, lacked the thievish
(thev' ish, adj.) instincts of
the Artful Dodger, and his
natural honesty prevented
him from falling to the level
of his thievishly (thev' ish
li, adv.) inclined associates.
The Jackdaw of Rheims, celebrated in
" The Ingoldsby Legends," was a thievish
bird, or one given to thievery (thev'er i, n.),
or stealing. Its thievishness (thev' ish nes,
n.), or thievish character, led the jawdaw
into great trouble when it took the Car-
dinal's ring in a thievish or stealthy way.

A.-S. theof ; 'cp. Dutch dief, G. dieb, O. Norse
thjof-r.

thigh (thi), n. The thick, fleshy part
of the human leg between the hip and the
knee ; the corresponding part in other
animals. (F. cuisse, jambe.)

The principal bone in the thigh, the
thigh-bone (n.), or femur, is the largest
bone in the human body.

A.-S. thwh, thioh ; cp. Dutch dij, O.H.G.
dioh,thioh,G.dick(bein),O. Norse thyoihigh,rump.
thill (thil), n. One of the shafts of a
vehicle.

In a team the thill-horse (n.), or thiller
(thil' er, n.)> is the horse between the
shafts.

A.-S. thille slip of wood, plank, cp. G. diele,
Icel. thilja plank. See deal [2].

thimble (thim' bl), n. A cap of metal,
ivory, etc., worn on the finger-tip to protect
it and push the needle when sewing ; a
short tube for joining two pipes end-to-end ;
a metal eye or ring having a groove on the
outside and fitting into a loop of rope, etc. ;
a ferrule. (F. dd a coudre, virole, cosse.)

4275

THIN

THINK

A sewing thimble has the outside pitted
with small hollows to prevent the needle-
head from slipping. A valuable thimble
is usually kept in a thimble-case (n.) when
not in use. A thimbleful (thim' bl ful, n.}
of liquid is a very
small q u a n t i t y —
more or less the
amount that a
thimble will hold.
The thimbles put in
loops of rope and in
holes on the edges of
sails protect the rope
or canvas from being
chafed.

An old sleight-of-
hand trick, resembling the three card trick,
but played with three thimbles and a pea,
was called thimblerig (thim' bl rig, ».), and
a trickster who tried to obtain money from
people by performing it was said to thimble-
rig (v.i.), and was called a thimblerigger
(thim' bl rig er, n.). Nowadays, any person
who tries to get money by dishonest or
tricky methods, or who juggles with words
in a deceptive way may be called a thimble-
rigger.

A.-S. thymel thumb-stall, from thuma thumb,
and suffix -el denoting tool or appliance. The
b in thimble is excrescent, as in nimble, humble,
fumble.

Thimble.— The thimble
of a ship'* rope.

Thimbles. — Various styles of thimbles used in sewing.

From left to right, part of a sailmaker's thimble, a

tailor's thimble, and a domestic thimble.

thin (thin), adj. Having the opposite
surfaces close together ; of little thick-
ness ; slender ; not crowded or dense ;
not full ; very fluid ; lean ; flimsy ; easily
seen through, v.t. To make thin ; to make
less crowded ; to remove fruit, flowers,
etc. from (a plant) to improve the rest.
v.i. To become thin or thinner. (F. mince,
maigre, grele, rare, peu fourni, faible ,
amaigrir, rtduire, amoindrir ; s'amaigrir.)

A tiny portion of gold, one grain in weight,
can be drawn out into a wire five hundred
feet long, and can also be hammered out
so as to cover a surface of fifty-six square
inches. Both the wire and the sheet are
extremely thin, the first as regards its
diameter, the second as regards the small-
ness of its dimension between opposite
sides. A person's hair often thins or
becomes less luxuriant with age. He is
then said to have a thin head of hair, or
one that is scantily covered with hair.
Gardeners often plant seeds thickly and

later thin, or thin out, the seedlings, by
removing the weakest. A thin disguise
is one that does not conceal the wearer
very thoroughly. Thin glue is very watery.

A thin-skinned (adj.) person is sensitive
and easily offended. It is inadvisable to
be thinly (thin' U, adv.) clad, or dressed
in thin clothes, in very cold weather. Paint
is applied thinly to a surface, when the
coating of it has little depth. This adverb
if often hyphenated when used with another
qualifying word. For instance, a thinly-
veiled insult is one that is only slightly
disguised. A country having few trees is said
to be thinly-timbered. The state or condition
of being thin or thinly arranged is termed
thinness (thin' nes, n.). A thing or person
is thinnish (thin' ish, adj.) if rather thin.

A.-S. thynne ; cp. Dutch dun, G. dunn, O.
Norse thunn-r, L. tennis, Gr. tanaos stretched,
long, Sansk. tanu thin, slender, from root ten- to
stretch (seen in L. tendere, Gr. teinein). SYN. :
adj. Diluted, fine, flimsy, slender, slim. ANT. :
adj. Coarse, crowded, plump, stout, thick.

thine (thin). For this word see under thy

thing (thing), n. A distinct object
of thought ; anything that exists, or is
believed to exist as a separate entity,
especially an inanimate object as distinct
from a living being ; an act ; an idea ; a
fact or circumstance ; an affair ; a task ;
a person or other animate object regarded
with pity, contempt, etc. ; a Scandinavian
assembly; (pi.) personal belongings, clothes,
luggage, etc. (F. chose, objet, fait, individu,
effets.)

This word denotes whatever is or
may be an object of thought. Stocks and
stones are things, as distinguished from
persons, animals, and plants, but an un-
fortunate person or an injured animal may
be described as a poor thing. We are all
anxious to do the right thing, or do what
is considered correct, but we should not
take things, that is, affairs, events, or
circumstances, too much to heart. An
action is said to be not the thing when it
does not follow conventional lines.

After being out in the rain it is best to
change one's wet things, or clothing. When
moving from a house we pack our things
or possessions carefully to avoid damage.
In law, things personal are personal pro-
perty, or chattels, and things real are real
or immovable, property, such as houses,
lands, etc. The words thingumajig (thing'
u ma jig, n.}, thingumabob (thing' u ma
bob, n.), thingummy (thing' u mi, n.} are
used colloquially to denote some thing or
person whose name one forgets or inten-
tionally refrains from mentioning.

A.-S. = thing, cause, discussion, assembly,
council ; cp. Dutch, G. ding thing, O. Norse thing
assembly, court, Dan., Swed. ting, meeting to
discuss public matters and its results.

think (thingk), v.t. To form (a thought)
in the mind ; to picture in one's mind ; to
reflect upon ; to consider or believe ; to

4276

THINLY

THIRD

expect ; to remember ; to effect by thinking.
v.i. To reason or exercise the mind actively ;
to meditate ; to entertain the idea (of) ;
to bethink oneself (of) ; to regard in a favour-
able or other specified way. p.t. and p.p.
thought (thawt) . (F. penser, imaginer, croire ;
raisonner, reflechir.)

When we form a connected train of ideas

A.-S. thencan (past tense thohte) ; cp. Dutch,
G. denken, O. Norse thekkja, Goth, thangkjan,
O.L. tongere to think, know ; akin to E. thank
and to methinks. SYN. : Cogitate, consider,
imagine, suppose, suspect.

thinly (thin' li). For this word, thinness,
etc., see under thin.

thio-. A prefix meaning containing or
connected with sulphur. Another form,

active mental process not to be confused &*£(. ^ ™m * V°We1' iS *""
with the mere perception of outside objects, This ^fix is used especiall in chemistry

or the mere absorption of other people's and phaVmac In ch^mistr^ it occurs in

ideas. Thinking (thingk ing, «.) is a names of compounds that contain sulphur,

creative mental activity. Some idea or and particularly in compounds in which

combination of ideas is formed in the mind one or more atOms of oxygen are replaced

that was not there before, and some result by one or more of sulphur in the substance

is achieved. Thus we say that to our designated by the second part of the word

thinking, or in our opinion, a certain act A thioacid (thi' 6 as id, n.) or thiacid (thi'

is foolish. We could not hold that opinion as id, n.) is an acid in which sulphur has
unless we had previously thought about
the facts connected with the action in

question.

A thinking (adj.] man
is one who is thoughtful
or reflective. In a
general sense he is a
thinker (thingk' er, n.),
that is, one who exer-
cises the power of
thought. In a more
special sense, a thinker
is a philosopher, or a
person of exceptional or
well-trained mentality.
An abstract thinker
is one given to abstract
thought.

A person says that he
thinks he will go for a
walk when he means
that he has a mind to
go. When a stranger
asks us the time, we
think or suspect no
harm, and take out our
watch; but if we
thought, or believed it
likely that he was a
thief, our action would
be foolish.

It is sometimes difficult to think of, or
remember, the name of a person. We

Thinker. — "The Thinker," — Lorenzo
Medici— by Michelangelo (1475-1564).

replaced oxygen.

Gr . theion sulphur, said to be neuter of the ad j . theios
divine, from theos a god.

third (therd), adj.
Coming next after the
second, n. One of three
equal parts (of anything) ;
the sixtieth part of a
second of time or of
angular measurement ;
in music, the interval
between a tone and the
next tone but one of
the diatonic scale ; the
sound produced by these
tones combined : in golf,
a handicap of one stroke
at every third hole ; (pi.)
the third part of a hus-
band's estate, sometimes
passing to the widow. (F
troisieme, tiers.)

An hour or a degree
of a circle is divided
into sixty minutes, a
minute is divided into
sixty seconds, each of
which contains sixty
thirds. The French
bourgeoisie, before
the Revolution, is

sometimes referred to as the third estate.
A third-class (adj.) thing belongs to the

cannot think of, or imagine, the horror class next to, and usually below, the second.

of warfare, unless we have actual experience A third-class cabin on a ship is less luxurious

than a second- or first-class one, because
the third-class fare is considerably cheaper

of it. When we think well of a person we
have a favourable opinion of him. We

do not think much of, or esteem greatly, than those charged for the other classes.

a dull book. To think out a scheme 'is A thing is third-rate (adj.), or third-class, if

to evolve it as a result of long or intense it is inferior or of poor quality,
thought ; to. think out the answer of a In some countries the police subject

question is to solve it.

suspected criminals to the severe form of

We should take all thinkable (thingk' questioning known as the third degree (n.).

abl, adj.] or conceivable precautions against In cricket, the fieldsman between point

iire. An event is not thinkable if it cannot and the slips, standing deeper than the

be considered real or possible. It is some- former, is called third man (n.). The fieldsman

times difficult to arrange abstract ideas in to the right of second slip is called third

a thinkable or cogitable form.

slip (n.).

4277

THIRST

THISTLE

The legal term third-party (n.) means a
person or party coming into a case in which
two other persons or parties are principally
concerned. Motorists insure themselves
against third-party (adj.) risks, that is,
liability for injuries, etc., done to persons
not specified in the insurance policy.

The word thirdly (therd' li, adv.) means
in the third place. It is chiefly used in
summarizing facts in arguments, etc.

Earlier thrid. A.-S. thridda, from threo
three ; cp. Dutch derde, G. dritte, O. Norse
thrithi, Goth, thridja, Welsh trydydd, L. tertius,
Gr. tritos.

thirst (therst), n. The bodily suffering
or uneasiness due to want of liquid ; the
longing for drink ; any keen desire ; a
craving, v.i. To feel thirst (for). (F. soif,
desir immoderd ; avoir soif.}

Hunger and thirst are two of the main
discomforts suffered by men and women.
Of the two we are told that protracted
thirst is the more dreadful. In a figurative
sense, a person is said to thirst for another's
blood, that is, he longs to shed it, by killing
or injuring the other. A thirst, or longing,
for glory has been the stimulus of many
gallant deeds.

Thirst. — Boys and girls eager to quench their thirst
at a fountain.

We are thirsty (therst ' i, adj.] when we
experience thirst, or suffer from thirstiness
(therst7 i nes, n.}. In an extended sense a
thirsty land is one that is parched. Thirsty
weather causes thirst. Ambitious people
are thirsty or eager for power or riches.

A dog laps up water thirstily (therst ' i li,
adv.] when it drinks in a thirsty manner.
The camel seems thirstless (therst' les, adj.),
or without thirst, for it is able to go for
considerable periods without drinking.
Actually, it has large pouches in its stomach,
in which a supply of water is stored.

A.-S. thurst n., thyrstan v. ; cp. Dutch dorst,
G. durst, O. Norse thorsti. The final / is an
abstract n. suffix ; the literal meaning is dryness ;
cp. L. torrere to parch, Gr. tersesthai to get dry,
Sansk. tarsha (n.), trish (v.) to thirst. SYN. :
n. Craving, desire longing.

thirteen (ther ten'), adj. Consisting
of, or -numbering one more than twelve.
n. The sum of three and ten, represented by
13 or xiii. (F. treize.)

Thirteen has the reputation of being an
unlucky number. This superstition is said
to have originated in Norse mythology,
the death of Balder having occurred at a
banquet in Valhalla, at which there were
thirteen guests. Some people dislike to
be the thirteenth (ther tenth', adj.) guest
at a dinner, that is, the one next after the
twelfth. A thirteenth (n.) is one of thirteen
equal parts of a thing ; the thirteenth is
that which follows the twelfth of a series
of things or days.

M.E. threttene, A.-S. threotlene, -tine = threo
three, tene ten.

thirty (ther' ti), adj. Three times ten-
n. The sum of three tens, represented by
30, xxx. (F. trente.)

The thirtieth (ther' ti eth, n.) of June is
the thirtieth (adj.) day of that month, that
is, the tenth after the twentieth. A thir-
tieth of anything is one of thirty equal parts
of it.

M.E. thritty, A.-S. thrlt(t)ig, from threo three,
-tig decade ; cp. Dutch dertig, G. dreissig, O.
Norse thlrrtigir, Goth, threis tig jus three tens.

this (this), adj. The (person or thing)
present, near in place or time, or already
mentioned, implied, or familiar. pron.
A person or thing actually present, or near,
in place, time, or thought ; the present
time, or a time just mentioned, pi. these
(thez). (F. ce, cet ; ceci, celui-ci, celle-ci.)

The word " this " is frequently used in
opposition to " that." When indicating
two objects, we may describe the nearer
as this, the more remote one as that. This
month is the present month, that month
is any other month already mentioned, or
else one understood by the reader. When
referring to some statement, fact, act or
occurrence, etc., we may speak of it as
" this " to avoid a lengthy repetition of
details already familiar. For instance, we
may say at the end of a story of the past :
" all this occurred years ago." The word
thisness (this' nes, n.) is a term sometimes used
by philosophers to indicate individuality :
in other words, the quality which makes a
thing " this " as distinct from " that " or
anything else. Haecceity has the same
meaning.

A.-S. thes (m.,), theos (i), this (neuter) ; cp.
Dutch deze, G. dieser, diese, dieses, O. Norse thessi.
From the demonstrative tha- and -se, probably
see, behold.

thistle (this' 1), n. A prickly plant of
the genus Carduus, or allied genera, having
globular or cylindrical composite flower-
heads, usually purple, but sometimes
yellowish or white ; this plant as the heraldic
emblem of Scotland ; the Order of the
Thistle, or membership of it. (F. chardon.)

The particular species of thistle forming
the national emblem of Scotland *is not

4278

THITHER

THORIUM

Thistle.

definitely known, although the common
cotton thistle (Onopordon acanthium) is
often called the Scotch Thistle. The field
thistle (Cirsium arvense) has dark purple
flowers and creeping roots. It is a weed
that gives a great deal of trouble to farmers.

Thistles are not easily picked with the
bare hand, for their spines are numerous
and extremely sharp. Hence the motto
Nemo me impune lacessit, " No one pro-
vokes me with impunity," of the Order of the
Thistle (also called the Order of St. Andrew) .
This Scottish Order of Knighthood was
instituted by James II in 1687.

A thistly (this' li,
adj.) field is one that j
is overgrown with
thistles. The Russian
thistle (Salsela tragus)
is so called from its
thistly stem, which is
prickly, like that of a
thistle. This plant,
however, is a species
of saltwort. The seeds
of the thistle are car-
ried in the wind by
means of the down,
called thistle-down
(n.), that is attached
to them. A thing is
said to be as light as
thistledown when it is very light, or lacks
stability.

A.-S. thistel ; cp. G. and Dutch distel,
O. Norse thistil-L

thither (thith' er), adv. To that place ;
there. (F. Id, y.}

This word is now more or less archaic,
and its place is taken by " there."

A.-S. thider, from the stem of the and the
suffix denoting motion toward found in L.
ul-tro beyond ; cp. O. Norse thathra there,
Sansk. tatra thither.

tho' (tho). This is an abbreviated form of
though. See though.

thole [i] (thol), n.
A vertical peg in the
gunwale of a boat
serving as a fulcrum
for an oar ; a row-
lock ; a pin for
attaching the shafts
of a cart to the axle,
etc. (F. tolet.)

The oar is some-
times held to a single
thole or thole-pin (n.)
by a loop of rope.
Thole-pins are also
used in pairs to serve
as rowlocks — the oar being worked between.

A.-S. thol ; cp. Dutch dol, Low G. dulle, O.
Norse tholl-r fir-tree, tree in general, peg.

thole [2] (thol), v.t. To suffer or endure ;
to undergo ; to tolerate. (F. souffrir, subir.)

This word is now chiefly Scottish.

A.-S?tholian ; cp. L. tolerdre to endure.

Thomism (to7 mizm), n. The religious
doctrines of St. Thomas Aquinas or his
followers. (F. thomisme.)

St. Thomas Aquinas (1226-1274) was one
of the greatest of scholastic theologians.
His followers called him the " Angelic
Doctor." A supporter of Aquinas and a be-
liever in, or teacher of Thomism, or the
Thomistic (to mis' tik, adj.] or Thomistical
(to mis' tik al, adj.) philosophy, was called
a Thomist (to7 mist, ».). Thomism is, with
few exceptions, now absorbed in the general
teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.

thong (thong), n

of the creeping thistle,
troublesome weed in the fields.

A narrow strip of
leather used as a whip-
lash, halter, etc., or
for fastening anything.
v.t. To provide or
fasten with a thong ;
to strike with a thong.
(F. laniere, courroie,
sangle ; garnir de
sangles, sangler.)

A shoe-latchet, or
lace was formerly
called a thong. A
cat-o'-nine-tails is a
whip with nine
thongs.

A.-S. thwang band,
strap ; cp. O. Norse

G. zwang constraint.
Thor (thor), n.

Thole. — Tholes, or thole-
pins. They act as row-
locks.

thveng-r thong, latchet,
See twinge.

In Norse mythology,

the god of thunder, war and agriculture,
whose weapon was a hammer. (F. Thor.)

According to legend, Thor was the son of
Odin, and a great fighter of giants. The wor-
ship of Thor was brought to -England by the
Norsemen. Before this the Anglo-Saxons had
worshipped him as Thunor. A type of flint
axe or hammer used in the Stone Age is
sometimes called Thor's hammer (n.).

O. Norse Thor-r, properly thunder. See
Thursday.

thorax (thor7 aks), n. In anatomy
and zoology, the part of the trunk between
the neck and the abdomen or tail ; in insects,
the middle division of the body. pi. thoraces
(tho ra7 sez). (F. thorax.)

The breast-plate or cuirass worn by
soldiers of ancient Greece was known as a
thorax. The word now denotes the part
of the body that was protected by this
piece of armour. The heart, lungs, etc., are
situated in the thoracic (tho ras7 ik, .adj.)
cavity, that is, the cavity of the thorax,
bounded by the ribs, backbone and dia-
phragm. The word thorax has the combining
forms thoraci-, thoracico-, and thoraco-,
which are used to indicate a connexion with
or a relation to the thorax.

L., Gr. = originally defender, from root dhar
to keep, protect ; thence breastplate, breast.

thorium (thor7 i um), n. A rare,
metallic, radio-active element, chemical
symbol Th, found in the cerium group of
minerals. (F. thorium.)

4279

THORN

THORP

Many incandescent gas mantles are im-
pregnated with a mixture of cerium oxide
and thoria (thor' i a, n.), the oxide of
thorium. Thorite (thor' ft, n.) is a dark
vitreous silicate of thorium, from which
the element was formerly obtained. Mona-
zite, a thoric (thor' ik, adj.) substance, or
one containing thorium, is now the chief
source.

So called from the god Thor.

thorn (thorn), n. A hard pointed
process growing from the wood of a
plant ; a spine ; a prickle ; a thorny shrub
or tree ; the Anglo-Saxon letter for the
sound th. (F. £pine, aiguillon, dard.)

A thorn is really a modified branch,
and as such it may bear leaves and even
flowers, as in the case of the sloe. Its
purpose is to protect the plant from being
eaten. The hawthorn and blackthorn have
thorns of this kind, and are sometimes given
the name of thorn or thorn-bush (n.). The
prickles of the rose are popularly known as
thorns, but this is an inaccurate use of the
word.

The thorn-apple (n.) — Datura stramonium
— is named from its prickly seed capsules.
The stem of this plant is, however, smooth.
Its leaves are dried and smoked to relieve
asthma.

Thorn-apple. — The thorn-apple is so named because
of its thorny seed vessels or capsules.

The common ray or skate (Raja clavata)
has sharp spines on its back and tail : hence
its popular name of thorn-back (n.). A
humming-bird of the genus Rhamp homier on,
having a short, sharp beak, is called a
thorn-bill (».). The thorn-tail (n.), another
humming-bird, of the genus Gouldia, has
long pointed tail-feathers.

An actual thorn in the flesh is very pain-
ful, and a path through thorny (thorn7 i,
adj.) or prickly bushes, is at least uninviting.
So in a figurative sense something that
causes us continual annoyance is termed a
thorn in the flesh, and a difficult or un-
attractive problem is called a thorny one.

A.-S. thorn ; cp. Dutch doom, G. dorn, O. Norse
thorn ; perhaps connected with root ter- to rub
hard, bore, L. terere, Gr. teirein.

thorough (thur' 6), adj. Complete ;
perfect ; not superficial, n. In history, the
policy of Strafford and Laud in the interests

of Charles I. (F. entier, complet, par fait,
achevt.)

It is impossible to obtain a thorough
knowledge of a subject without intensive
study. When a doctor says that we need a
thorough change, he means a change in the
full sense of the word. We say that a man
is a thorough scoundrel when he is an out-
and-out scoundrel, with no redeeming
features.

We should do pur work thoroughly (thur'
6 li, adv.), that is, in a thorough manner,
so that nothing is left undone, or incomplete.
It will then have thoroughness (thur' 6 nes,
n.), the condition of being done thoroughly.
A person may possess thoroughness, or
the quality of doing things in a thorough
way. The policy of Strafford and Laud to
make Charles I " the most absolute prince
in Christendom " is known as the policy of
Thorough, because of the thoroughness or
completeness with which they attempted to
carry it out, especially in Ireland.

In music, a thorough-bass (n.) is a bass
part with figures accompanying the notes,
to indicate the chords to be played with
them. This is still used as a harmony
exercise, and the science of harmony is
sometimes called thorough-bass.

The body of an old-fashioned coach was
supported on a pair of strong braces or
leather straps, each called a thorough-brace
(n.), connecting the front and back C-springs.
A thoroughbred (adj.) animal, or thorough-
bred (».), is one purely bred and usually very
high-spirited.

A road or street for public traffic, especially
one through which much traffic passes, is
called a thoroughfare (n.). A signboard bear-
ing the words " No thoroughfare " means
" No public way here."

An action that is carried out completely
is said to be thorough-going (adj.) ; a
thorough-going measure is an uncompro-
mising one ; a thorough-going tyrant is one
whose tyranny goes the full length, or to
extremes.

The word thoroughpaced (adj.) was
formerly used of a horse that was thoroughly
trained and knew all the paces. We still
speak of a thoroughpaced rascal, when we
mean a person completely equipped as a
rascal.

In farriery, a round swelling in the tendon
of a horse's hock is called thorough-pin (n.)
because it appears on both sides as if a pin
had been passed through the tendon.

A variant of through. See through. SYN. :
adj. Complete, downright, entire, out-and-out,
perfect. ANT. : adj. Imperfect, incomplete,
perfunctory, superficial.

thorp (thorp), n. A hamlet or village.
Another spelling is thorpe (thorp). (F.
hameau.) ^^ —

" The J0rook," described in Tennyson's
poem of that title, hurries down " by twenty
thorps, a little town, and half a hundred
bridges." The word is also used as^L place-

4280

THOSE

THOUSAND

name, alone or in combination as Mable-
thorpe, Gtmthorpe, etc.

A.-S. and O. Norse thorp ; cp. Dutch dorp,
G. dorf\ also Irish treabh village, Welsh treftown,
perhaps L. turba crowd, tribus tribe.

those (thoz), This is the plural form of
that. See that.

thou (thou), pron. The nominative of the
word denoting the person spoken to. v.t. To
address as " thou." v.i. To use " thou " and
not " you." (F. tu ; tutoyer.)

The objective of thou is thee (the). Both
words are archaic, although they survive
in the Bible, in poetry, and as a form of
addressing God in prayer. Some members
of the Society of Friends thou each other,
but even among Quakers thouing is dying
out. " You,"' in the singular, has taken
the place of " thou."

A.-S. thu ; cp. G. du, O. Norse thu, Irish tu,
Welsh ti, L tu, Gr. sy, ty, Sansk. tva-m.

though (tho), conj. Notwithstanding
that ; granting, admitting, allowing, or
assuming that ; even if ; and yet. adj. How-
ever. (F. quoique, bien que, en admettant que,
meme si, toutefois, cependant.)

This word is sometimes abbreviated to
tho'. The expression " as though " is
often used in the sense of "as if." For
example, " John shivered as though he were
cold." Though is an adverb in " I saw him
though."

Of Scand. origin. O. Norse tho ; cp. A.-S. theah,
theh, Dutch and G. dock, O.H.G. doh.

thought [i] (thawt). This is the past tense
and past participle of think. See think.

thought [2] (thawt), n. The act, faculty
or process of thinking or reasoning ; serious
consideration ; reflection ; deep concern ;
a thing evolved in the mind ; an idea, opinion,
or conception ; (pi.} one's views, opinions, or
ideas. (F. pensee, reflexion, idee, avis.}

The actions of most people are inspired
and guided by thought. Noble thoughts
lead to the performance of noble deeds.

A timely suggestion is called a happy
thought. We often say about a careless
person that he did not give a thought to
something he did. According to an old
proverb, " Second thoughts are best," that is,
matured judgment is more reliable than a
hasty conclusion.

A thoughtful (thawt' ful, adj.} person is
one given to exercising the power of thought.
When thinking, we often wear a thoughtful or
preoccupied expression. Thoughtful acts
are considerate ones. We speak thoughtfully
(thawt' ful li, adv.} when we do so in a
musing or reflective manner. We inquire
thoughtfully after the health of a friend
when we ask in a manner that shows
thought or consideration for him. Thought-
fulness (thawt' ful nes, n.} is the quality or
state of being thoughtful, either in the sense
of meditativeness, or of considerateness.

The thoughtless (thawt' les, adj.} person
is one who is rash or imprudent, or else is
wanting in consideration for others. In
either case he acts thoughtlessly (thawt'

026 4281

les li, adv.}, and his conduct has the quality
of thoughtlessness (thawt' les nes, n.}.

A thought-reader (n.) is a person who is
able to read the thoughts of others. When a
friend anticipates our wishes we say that he
is a thought-reader, but thought-reading
(n.) generally means the reading of a person's
mind by thought-transference (n.) or tele-
pathy. A thought-wave (n.) is the name
given to a hypothetical telepathic vibration.
The word thoughted (thawt' ed, adj.),
meaning having thoughts, is used only in
combination with some other word showing
the kind of thoughts, as high-thoughted.
solemn-thoughted.

A.-S. (ge)thoht, from thencan to think ; cp.
O. Norse thotti, thott-r, Goth, thuhi-us, also G.
gedacht, p.p. of denken to think. See think.
SYN. : Conception, concern, meditation, reason-
ing, solicitude.

Thought.— Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727), the
famous scientist, deep in thought.

thousand (thou' zand), n. Ten times a
hundred, represented by 1000, M ; a collection
of ten hundred persons or things ; a great
number. adj. Consisting of ten hundred ;
very many. (F. mitte.}

A thousand is the cube of ten. A cubical
block of concrete measuring ten feet every
way contains one thousand cubic feet of the
material. The weight, measure, quantity,
or other detail qualified by this word is
often omitted. When we say that a man
possesses thousands, it is, of course, under-
stood that we mean thousands of pounds,
unless something else has been implied.
A man in a thousand is one of exceptional
merits, who would stand out among a very
great number of ordinary men.

A thousandfold (thou' zand fold, adj.)
increase is one in which the original quantity
is multiplied a thousandfold (adv.), that is,
oiie thousand times. A millimetre is a
thousandth (thou' zandth, n.), that is, one of

u 7

THRALL

THREAD

a thousand equal parts, of a metre. The last
man of a procession of one thousand men
is the thousandth (adj.] man.

A.-S. thusend ; cp. Dutch duizend, G. tausend,
O. Norse thus(h)und, Goth, thiisundi ; perhaps
originally "a great multitude": cp. Sansk.
tavas strong. See thews.

thrall (thrawl), n. A slave ; a serf ;
bondage; captivity, adj. Enslaved, v.t. To
enslave. (F. esclave, serf ; esclavage, captivite :
asservi ; asservir.)

In early England the thrall, or slave, was
either a captive taken in war, who accepted
slavery as preferable to death, or a freeman
who, guilty of a certain crime, had been
degraded to the state of slavery or thraldom
(thrawl' dom, n.}, by sentence of law. In
both cases the servile condition of a parent
was inherited by his children. In "La Belle
Dame sans Merci," by Keats, the knight has
a vision in which a host of warriors cry out
that he is " in thrall," which means in
thraldom or captivity.

The verb and adjective are seldom used.

Of Scand. origin. O. Norse thraell, whence
A.-S.'thrael ; cp. O.H.G. dregil, drigil serf, thrall ;
perhaps literally one who runs errands ; cp.
A.-S. thrdegan to run, Gr. trekhein SYN. : n.
Bondman, captive, serf, slave. ANT. : n. Freed-
man.

thrap (thrap) . This is a nautical form of
frap. See frap.

thrash (thrash), v.t. To beat soundly,
especially with a whip or stick ; to lash
wildly ; to overcome ; to defeat ; to thresh.
v.i. To make wild lashing movements! n.
The act of thrashing. (F. battre, rosser ;
rossde.}

Thrash. — The thrasher is a shark not uncommon
around the coasts of the British Isles.

Russian peasants were formerly thrashed
by their masters with the knout for mis-
demeanours. A thrashing (thrash' ing, n.},
or beating, from such a formidable implement
might end fatally. We sometimes say that
one football team thrashes another when it
wins a decisive victory. A harpooned whale
thrashes the water into foam before it dives.
The branches thrash, or lash, and plunge on
a stormy day when we hear the thrash of the
rain upon the windows. To thrash out a
problem is to discuss or examine it thoroughly.
A thrasher (thrash' er, n.) may denote a
thresher, or else one who administers a thrash-
ing. The fox-shark or thresher-shark is
sometimes called the thrasher.

Variant of thresh. See thresh. SYN. : v. Beat,
lash, plunge, whip.

thrasonical (thra son' ik al), adj. Boast-
ful or bragging. (F. vantard, fan far on.}

A braggart named Thraso is a character
in a Latin comedy by Terence. People,
actions, or words that call Thraso to mind
are sometimes said to be thrasonical. A
boaster holds forth thrasonically (thra son'
ik al li, adv.), or in the style of Thraso.

From L. Thraso (ace. Thrason-em), from Gr.
thrasys bold and E. adj. suffix -ical. SYN.:
Boastful, bragging.

thread (thred), n. A single filament of
twisted cotton, flax, wool, or silk yarn,
a thin cord of two or more yarns doubled
or twisted together ; a fine ligament, hair,
or other object resembling a thread ; a
very thin vein or seam of ore, etc. ; the
spiral part of a screw ; the continuous
course (of life, etc.). v.t. To pass a thread
through the eye or aperture of (a needle, etc.)
to string (beads, etc.) on a thread ; to make
(one's way) through ; to cut a thread on
(a screw, etc.). (F. fil ; enfiler, traverser.)

Glass can be spun into very fine threads
when heated. The warp or woof of a woven
fabric is composed of many threads of
yarn. Hence, a person who is wet through
sometimes declares that he has not a dry
thread on him. The thread of an argument
is the continuous line of thought that
connects it together.

To take things thread and thrum means to
take the whole of anything, or good and bad
alike. This is a reference to the length of
thread on the loom and the tuft of loose
ends to which it is attached. A threadbare
(thred' bar, adj.] garment is one with the
nap worn off so that the fibres of the threads
are bare or visible. A shabbily dressed man
is said to be threadbare ; a threadbare joke
is one that is worn out. Threadbareness
(thred' bar nes, n.) is the quality of being
threadbare in any of these senses^

A thread-mark (n.) is a mark in the paper
on which some bank-notes are printed, due
to the presence of highly coloured silk fibres.
Its object is to prevent counterfeiting.

Thread is wrapped in a soft, thin papei
with creases for each skein, called thread-
paper (n.). A nematode is popularly called
a thread-worm (n. ). This is a very low form
of animal life resembling a tiny thread.
Most thread-worms are parasitic, and some
cause diseases in animals and plants. A
thread-like (adj.) filament is one that is like
a thread. A substance composed of fine
fibres is said to be thready (thred' i, adj.). A
ropy liquid is thready in another sense, but
a thready carpet is one that is worn thread-
bare.

In a figurative sense, a thready voice is one
thin, or wanting in fullness. Threadiness
(thred' i nes, n.) is the quality of being
thready, or stringy, or fibrous. A threader
(thred' er, n.) is one who threads in any
sense, especially a person whose work is to
keep the shuttles threaded in weaving. A
bodkin is also called a threader.

4282

THREAT

THREE

A.-S. thrded, from thr divan to twist, wind,
throw (twist) ; cp. Dutch draad, G. draht wire,
thread, O. Norse thrdth-r. SYN. : n. Filament,
string, yarn.

threat (thret), n. A declaration of an
intention to inflict punishment, loss, pain,
injury, etc. ; a menace ; in law, any menace
that may interfere with freedom, business,
etc., or a menace of injury to life, reputation,
or property. (F. menace.)

Sometimes a threat of retaliation is
sufficient to put an end to some grievance,
because a threat is really an indirect method
of compulsion. If the person whom we
threaten (thret "en, v.t.) or use threats to, does
not change his ways, then it may be necessary
to put our threat into action. It is, of course,
foolish to threaten (v.i.), or use threats, if we
are unable to carry them out. A man who
is threatened by another with bodily harm
may apply to a magistrate and have the
offender bound over to keep the peace. If
the threatener (thret' en er, n.) again acts
threateningly (thret'en ing li, adv.), or so that
the man's life appears to be in danger, he
may be sent to prison. In a figurative sense
we say that a building threatens to fall if
there are signs that its fall is likely.

A.-S. threat crowd, oppression, calamity,
threatening, from threotan to vex ; cp. Dutch
(ver)drieten, G. (ver)driessen to annoy ; akin
to L. trudere to push, drive out. SYN. :
Abuse, defiance, mlmination, intimidation,
menace.

three (thre), n. The number greater than
two by one, represented by 3, III. adj. Con-
sisting of one more than two. (F. trois.)

In arithmetic, simple proportion is some-
times called the rule of three («.). Education
begins with what are called the three R's —
reading, (w)riting, and (a)rithmetic. In the
method of printing in colours, called the
three-colour process (n.), three blocks
produced by photography are used. The
paper is printed in turn from all three,
receiving yellow ink from one, red from
another, and blue from the third. By the
overlapping of these colours, many other
shades are obtained.

A three-cornered (adj.) flower-bed has
three corners or angles ; a three-cornered
fight is one in which three people take part,
each against the others.

The old type of battleship called a three-
decker (n.) carried its guns on three decks.
The old-fashioned pulpit called a three-
decker has three stories ; the top one for
preaching from, the middle one for reading
from, and the lowest for the clerk.

A three-handed (adj.) game of cards is one
in which three players take part. In lawn-
tennis, a game between three players, one
on one side and two on the other, is called
a three-handed game.

Cerberus, the hound that guarded the gate
to Hades, is generally represented as a
three-headed (adj.) dog, or one with three
heads. The triceps of the forearm is a

three-headed muscle, with three heads or
attachments.

A sailing ship with three masts is a three-
master (n.). The name is used especially
of a three-masted (adj.) schooner. In music,
a three-part (adj.) song is one having inde-
pendent parts for three voices, heard in
combination. J. Sebastian Bach's Three-part
Inventions are keyboard compositions, in
which three lines of melody are interwoven.
Three pennies put together make the sum of
threepence (thrip' ens ; threp' ens ; thre'
pens, n.), represented by the coin known as a
threepenny (thrip' e ni ; threp' e ni, adj.)
piece, or bit, or a threepenny (•«.). Govern-
ment bonds and other securities which pay
interest at the rate of three per cent are
called three-per-cents (n.pl.).

Three. — Three little French maids, the successful
competitors in a baby show.

Much use is made of three-ply (adj.) wood,
which is composed of three thicknesses of
thin wood glued together with their grains
running in two different directions, to
prevent splitting and warping.

The width and breadth of a three-quarter
(adj.) billiard table are a quarter short of the
standard width and breadth. In golf, a
stroke between a full and a half stroke is
called a three-quarter stroke («.)- Each of the
four players in Rugby football who occupy
positions between the half-backs and the
full-back is called a three-quarter back (n.). A
three-quarters portrait shows the face in
a position between full-face and profile ; or
the head, body, and part of the legs.

A farmer with sixty pigs has three-score
(adj.) pigs. Many people nowadays reach
threescore (n.), that is, the age of sixty years.
In lawn-tennis a handicap of three points
in every six games of a set is called three-
sixths of sixteen (n.).

A jacket, shirt, and vest give the body a
threefold (adj.) covering, that is, they cover
it threefold (adv.), which means three times.

4283

THREMMATOLOGY

THRIFT

Golfers sometimes make up a threesome
(thre7 sum, n.), a game in which one player
opposes two others who use one ball.

A.-S. thri, threo, thrio ; cp. Dutch drie, G.
drei, O. Norse thrlr, L. tres (neuter trio), Gr.
treis, tria, Sansk. tray as.

thremmatology (thrematoro ji), n. The
branch of biology dealing with the breeding
of animals and plants.

Thremmatology is concerned with the
selection and rearing of animals and plants
so as to perpetuate certain desirable qualities.

From Gr. thremma, (gen. -matos) something
reared or bred, from thremmenos, p.p. of trephein
to nourish, and K. suffix -ology.

threnody (thren7 6 di), n. A song of
lamentation ; a poem on the death of a
person. Another form is threnode (thre7
nod). (F. threnodie.)

Greek literature abounds in threnodies,
or poetical laments for the dead. Tennyson's
" In Memoriam " is perhaps one of the best-
known of English threnodies. Literature of
this type is said to be threnetic (thre net7 ik,
adj.), threnetical (thre net7 ik al, adj.),
threnodial (thre no' di al, adj.), or threnodie
(thre nod' ik, adj.). A threnodist (thren7
6 dist, n.) is one who writes or utters a
threnody.

Gr. threnodia, from threnos dirge (threesthai
to wail), ode song. SYN. : Dirge, elegy, lament.

threpsology (threp sol' 6 ji), n. The
branch of physiology dealing with nutrition.
(F. threpsologie.)

Gr. threpsis nourishment, from trephein (future
threpso) to nourish, and E. suffix -ology.

Thresh. — Threshing corn in Egypt with an ox-drawn threshing-
machine, a primitive method compared with the more advanced
methods employed in some other countries.

thresh (thresh), v.t. To beat out or
separate grain from (corn, etc.) ; to thrash.
n. The act of threshing or thrashing. (F.
battre ; battage.)

The variant spelling, thrash (thrash), is
now commonly employed in all senses,
except in relation to threshing (thresh7 ing,
n.), or separating grain from straw, by
beating. In former times corn was threshed
chiefly with a flail on a hard level surface,

called a threshing-floor (n.), specially pre-
pared for the purpose.

Nowadays, a threshing-machine (n.) or a
threshing-mill (n ) is used for doing this
work mechanically. The first is usually
a steam- or petrol-driven machine ; the
second word generally denotes one driven
either by water or by wind power. A
machine of either kind is a thresher (thresh7
er, n.), a term also denoting a person who
operates it, or else one of the beaters in such
a machine.

The thresher, or thresher-shark :(n.)—
Alopecias vulpes — is a species of shark with
a very long upper lobe to its tail fin. With
this it beats the water and drives the shoals
of fish on which it preys into close formation.
It is also called the fox-shark. The thresher-
whale (n.) is a grampus, or killer-whale,
especially Orca gladiator.

A.-S. t her scan, threscan ; cp. Dutch dorschen,

.G. dreschen,,O. Norse threskja.; The original

meaning is said to be to make a rattling noise,

like that of a clap of thunder ; cp. Rus. tresk-ati

to crackle. '-, •'..

threshold (thresh7. old), n. The stone, or
plank that lies across the bottom of a
doorway;., an entrance; a beginning. (F.
seuil, entree, debut.)

When entering a house in the normal
way, we must first cross the threshold. So,
in a figurative sense, a boy entering a pro-
fession or business is said to be on the
threshold of his career.

A.-S. therscold, therscwold, from therscan to
thresh ; cp. O. Norse threskold-r. The
first part is from thresh in the sense
of to step, trample on ; the second
has not been satisfactorily explained.
According to some, it is wald wood.
threw (throo). This is the
past tense of throw. See throw.
thrice (thris), adv. Three
times ; very much. (F. frois
fois, tres.)

This literary word is often used
figuratively, especially in poetical
writing, as in the compound
word thrice-favoured (adj.), which
means highly favoured.

For thrls (s being the sign of the
gen. case used adverbially), from
A.-S. thrlga, thrlwa, thrice.

thrift (thrift), n. Frugality ;
economical management ; the
sea-pink. (F. economie, epargne,
gazon d'Olympe.)

Thrift, or the use of care and
prudence in the management of
one's means, is a very desirable quality, and
a thrifty (thrift' i, adj.) or frugal person —
one given to habits of thrift — rarely comes
to want through his own fault. Thriftless-
ness (thrift7 les nes, n.), or lack of thrift, is
not uncommon, and there are no doubt
many who live thriftlessly (thrift7 les li,
adv.), and whose thriftless (thrift7 les, adj.)
ways bring poverty and misfortune upon
themselves and others.

4284

THRILL

THROAT

On the other hand, thriftiness (thrift7 i nes,
n.) is shown by many, and a great deal of
money is saved and invested by persons who
live thriftily (thrift' i li, adv.}. Thrift is a
popular name for the sea-pink (Armeria
maritima.)

From E. thrive with suffix -t. See thrive. SYN. :
Carefulness, economy, frugality. ANT. : Extra-
vagance, thriftlessness, wastefulness.

Thrill. — A thrill provided for the kinema. An acrobat about to
drop from an aeroplane into a motor-car travelling at high speed.

thrill (thril), v.t. To penetrate or
affect with a wave of emotion so as to
impart a sensation as of tingling ; of emotion,
etc., to pass or go through, over, etc.
v i. To have or feel a tingling, shivering,
or throbbing sense of emotion ; to be pene-
trated or agitated thus ; to quiver or
throb with or as with emotion, n. An
intense sensation or wave of emotion ; a
quiver ; a tremor observed in listening to
the heart or lung^. (F. penetrer, faire
tressaillir , tressaillir ; tressaillement.}

Martial music thrills many people, and
a thrill goes through them when they hear
it. Ghost stories thrill us. We are thrilled
with horror on receiving news of a great
calamity.

A boy or girl is thrilled at the idea ol
meeting some hero, hitherto admired from
a distance. A good mystery story or play
is thrilling (thrir ing, adj.], and its thrilling-
ness (thrir ing nes, n.) holds the listeners
or readers spell-bound, so that they thrill as
the plot unfolds itself. Often the story ends
thrillingly (thril ' ing li, adv.), culminating
in some final thrilling episode shortly before
its close.

Older spelling thirl. A.-S. thyvlian to perfor-
ate, from thy r el a perforation, hole, from thurh
. through ; cp. M.H. G. durchel pierced. See
drill. SYN. : v. Agitate, quiver, throb, tingle,
vibrate, n. Quiver, throb, tingling, tremor
vibration.

thrips (thrips), n. Any one of various
minute insects belonging to the order
Thysanoptera, injurious to plants. (F.

thrips.)

The thrips is a tiny fringe-winged insect
with a mouth fitted for piercing plants
and sucking the juices therefrom. The
corn thrips (Thrips cerealium) damages the
tender shoots and ears of corn.

L., Gr. thrips woodworm, from tmbein to rub,
wear away.

thrive (thriv), v.i. To prosper; to

flourish, to be fortunate or successful ; to

grow vigorously or luxuriantly.

p.t. throve (throv), thrived

(thrive!) ; p.p. thriven (thriv'

n), thrived. (F.prosperer, veiissir,

i croitre.)

A business is said to thrive

when it prospers, and its owner,

too, should thrive, or grow rich,

if he invests his profits in other

\ thriving or flourishing concerns.

Some plants will thrive, or
..*$ grow luxuriantly, where others
I would do badly. Certain kinds
of wheat, lor instance, grow
thrivingly (thriv' ing li, adv.) in
somewhat arid regions. The
form thriven is not uncommon.

Of Scand. origin, O. Norse thrif
thriving condition, prosperity, thrif a
to grasp, seize, thrif ask, sk. re-
flexion = to seize for oneself. SYN. :
Prosper.

thro' (throo). This is an abbreviated
form of through. See through.

throat (throt), n. The front part of
the neck ; the gullet ; the wind-pipe ; the
pharynx ; the larynx ; any throat -shaped
entrance, inlet or opening ; a strait ; a
narrow passage ; the crotch of a gaff where
it rests against the mast or the upper fore-
corner of a boom-and-gaff sail ; the part of
a lawn-tennis racket where the frame joins
the handle ; in buildings, a groove or
channel under a projection such as a coping-
stone, to prevent rain from running back
on the walls, v.t. To form a groove or
channel in. (F. gorge, goster, embouchure,
goulfiere ; canneler.)

Strictly the throat means the cavity
between the arch of the palate, the glottis,
and the opening of the gullet ; loosely the
word has a wider application. A foreign
body which lodges in the gullet is said to
stick in the throat, and when a person is
overcome with emotion words seem to stick
in his throat, and he utters them with
difficulty.

The common affection known as a sore
throat is often the result of a cold, when
the lining of the gullet may grow much
swollen and inflamed. At the same time
the voice may become very husky or
throaty (throt' i, adj.), and the throatiness
(throt' i nes, n.) may be so pronounced
as to make it difficult to understand what
the affected person is saying.

The common name for the nettle-leaved
bell-flower (Campanula trac helium), which

4285

THROB

THROTTLE

was formerly used to cure sore throats, is throne (thron), n. The state chair

throatwort (throf wert, n.}. Throated of a sovereign or bishop; sovereign power;

(throf ed, adj.) is used generally in com-
bination, as white-throated, etc., applied
to a bird. The under side of window-sills
is throated or grooved, so that water drops
off at the groove.

Two shopkeepers who reduce their prices
to below cost in an attempt to capture each
other's trade are said to cut one another's

(pi.) the third order of angels, v.t. To
enthrone, v.i. To sit in state. (F. trone ;
mettre sur le trone, introniser.}

In the House of Lords is the royal throne
used by the King when he opens or pro-
rogues Parliament. Owing to the wisdom
of King Edward VII, and his .successor to
the throne, King George V. the throne in

throats, or to pursue a cut-throat policy. A this country, considered as typifying the
person who tells lies outrageously is said to monarchy, is more firmly established to-
lie in his throat. Anyone who adopts a day, perhaps, than it has ever been. Throne-
policy, whether from spite or other reason, less (thron' les, adj.] means lacking a throne,
which in the end will not be of advantage A cathedral has a throne for the bishop.

to him, is said to cut his own throat.
A.-S. throte ; cp. Dutch strot, G. drossel.

throb (throb), v.i.
To palpitate ; to pulsate,
especially with abnor-
mal force or rapidity ; to
quiver ; to vibrate, n.
A pulsation ; a palpita-
tion. (F. palpiter, vibrer ;
pulsation.)

We can feel the throb
of our pulse at wrist or
temples. Emotion or
exertion accentuates this
throb, and we speak of
a throb or quiver of
emotion. A person's
heart beats throbbingly
(throb' ing li, adv.) for a
while after he has taken
part in a strenuous race.
Most people know the
unpleasant sensation
of a throbbing (throb'
ing, adj.) headache.

The measured beat or
throb of a great machine
may send a rhythmical
quiver or throb right through a building.

Cp. L. trepidus trembling, Swed. drabba to
throb, Rus. trepete to palpitate, throb. Perhaps
imitative. SYN. : v. Palpitate, pulsate, vibrate.
n. Pulsation, vibration.

throe (thro), n. An extreme or violent

Throne.

The throne in the magnific
room of Windsor Castle.

O.F. trone, L. thronus, Gr. thronos seat, chair,
from root dher- to support.

throng (throng), «.
A great number of
people or things crowded
closely together ; a
crowd ; a crowded con-
dition ; press of work.
v.i. To gather together
in large numbers ; to
go in a crowd, v.t. To
fill with or as with a
crowd ; to crowd into
and occupy completely ;
to cram ; to crowd
round and press upon.
(F. foule, multitude ;
accourir en foule, s'attrou-
per , encombrcr.)

We read in Mark v, 24
that, when Christ was
going to the house of
J air us, much people
followed Him and
thronged Him.

A.-S. gethrang, verbal n«
from thringan to crowd,
press ; cp. G. dringen,
whence drang a throng, Goth, threihan to throng.
SYN. : n. Crowd, multitude y.Cram, crowd, jostle.

throstle (thros'l), n. The song-thrush,
Turdus musicus ; a machine for spinning
wool and cotton. (F. grive, metier continu.)

The drawing frame called the throstle

pain ; a pang ; (pi.) anguish. (F. angoisse, spinning machine has now been largely

replaced by the ring-spinner, which, like
the throstle, spins threads continuously.
A.-S. thros(t)le ; cp. G. drossel, O. Norse

tourment, spasme.)

This word is nearly always used in the
plural.

Perhaps A.-S. thrown affliction, plague, pang, throst-r, L. turdus. See thrush [i].

influenced by thrawan (E. throw] to twist, torture ;
cp. O. Norse thrd hard struggle.

thrombosis (throm bo' sis), n. The

throttle (throf 1), n. The throat ;
the wind-pipe ; the gullet ; a throttle-
valve, v.t. To strangle : to choke ; to

clogging of a blood-vessel by the formation control with a throttle-valve. (F. easier.

n( O ^1^-*- y-vf Kl/^^^l /T7 41. 1 \ , , . /TV

soupape a gorge, registre; etrangler.)

The starting-handle or regulator of a
locomotive opens and closes the throttle-
valve (n.), a valve through which steam
passes to the cylinders. Many stationary
steam-engines have their speed controlled
by a second throttle, placed between the
main throttle and the cylinders, and opened
and shut by a governor, which automatically

of a clot of blood. (F. thrombus. r

Thrombosis is caused by the coagulation
of the blood at a point within one of the
vessels. The clot itself is called a thrombus
(throm' bus, «.). Such a thrombotic (throm
bof ik, 'adj.) condition may come about
through an injury or from " various other
causes.

Gr. thrombos clot of blood, E. suflix -osis.

4286

THROUGH

THROW

throttles the engine, if the speed should
become too great.

The throttle of a motor-car is situated
between the carburettor and the engine,
and is worked by a pedal called the accelera-
tor, or by a lever on the steering-wheel. A
driver throttles down his engine when he
wishes to reduce speed.

Perhaps dim. of throat. SYN. : v. Choke,
strangle.

through (throo), prep. From one
side to the other of ; from end to end of ;
between the sides, walls, or parts of ; during ;
throughout ; in the midst of ; by reason of ;
by means or agency of; by fault of. adv.
From side to side or end to end ; from
beginning to end ; to the end ; to a final
issue, adj. Going or intended to go through ;
of travelling, going all the way without
change of vehicle, or with the same ticket.
(F. a travers, par, pendant, parmi, an may en
de . de part en part, d'un bout a I'autre ;
direct.}

Perforated zinc has holes punched through
it. We pass through a door to enter a
room, and go through a corridor when we
traverse it. We travel through a country
when touring. Water circulates through
pipes ; electricity circulates through a
circuit. A boat moves through water, and
a bird flies through the air. Many mistakes
are made through, or on account of, ignor-
ance. An accident on a railway may occur
through, or by reason of, a mechanical
breakdown; less often, perhaps, does a
mishap come about through, or by the
fault of, the driver or signalman.

When a person does a thing by proxy
he does it through, or by means of,
another person. A through train takes a
passenger to his destination without change
of compartment. A through ticket enables
him to travel over several companies' lines,
or by both rail and steamboat, without
having to take separate tickets lor any
stages of the journey. He is able to book
through to his destination, and this method
is called through booking.

A cloth is of wool all through if made
entirely oi wool. When we say that rain
continued ail through the day we mean
that it lasted from morning till night —
one end of the day to tlie other. Rain is
said to wet us through and through if it
wets us thoroughly. Colloquially we may
say we are through with a task when we
have finished it. To go through with a task
is to carry it to completion ; to go through
trouble signifies to experience trouble.

A house is well built throughout (throo'
out, adv.] if well constructed in every part,
or right through. A calendar gives the
days of the week and their dates throughout
(prep.}, that is, from the beginning to end
of, a year.

A.-S. thurh ; cp. Dutch door, G. durch, an
enlargement of root ter-, occurring in L. terere
to bore, pierce.

throve (throv). This is a form of the
past tense of thrive. See thrive.

throw (thro), v.t. To fling, hurl, or
cast, especially with force or to a distance ;
to cast "down ; to bring to the ground ; to
prostrate ; to put (clothes) hastily (on or
oft') ; of snakes, to cast (the skin) ; +-Q move,
turn, or direct suddenly (the eyes, etc.) ;
to cast (dice) or make a specified cast ; to
twist (raw silk) into threads, v.i. To fling
or hurl a missile (at, etc.) ; to cast dice.
p.t. threw (throo) ; p.p. thrown (thron).
n. The act of throwing ; a cast ; a cast of
dice ; the distance to which a thing is or
may be thrown ; the length of a crank
between the centres of the crank-pin and
the crank-shaft ; the length of travel of
a valve ; a device for giving rapid rotary
motion, as in a lathe ; a potter's wheel ; in
geology, a fault in strata. (F. jeter, lancer,
ftanquer, renverser, lancer, jeter; jet, coup,

Throw. — A lady rider experiencing a bad throw
when her horse strikes an obstacle.

Bombs or grenades are thrown or flung
with the hand at distances within easy
throw, and some are thrown farther by a
kind of mortar called a Stokes-gun, or by a
rifle. Should the thrower (thro' er, n.) of
a grenade time his throw inaccurately, the
missile may explode prematurely ; on the
other hand, if its explosion is delayed, the
enemy may throw it back. A military
commander throws forces into a place
when he moves them thither quickly, to
effect which he may require his engineers
to throw or build a bridge across a river.

We throw away as worthless objects of
no use or value. Spendthrifts throw away
their money by using it wastefully, and
careless people often throw away good
chances by neglecting to make use of them.
Gamblers stake money upon a throw of
the dice, the player who throws the highest
number winning the threw.

Polished metal surfaces are used to
throw back, that is, reflect, light. Domesti-
cated animals are said to throw back when

4287

THRUM

THRUSH

they show characteristics of the wild stock
from which they were derived.

In wrestling each contestant tries to throw,
or throw down, the other, that is, to get him
prostrate on the ground and so score a throw.
A horse sometimes throws its rider. In olden
times a knight made a challenge by throwing
down a gauntlet before his enemy or rival.

To throw in a remark is to bring it sud-
denly into a conversation. Pastry cooks and
fruiterers often throw in, or add without
charge, a seventh article when six are paid
for. Snakes throw off, or cast, their old
skins periodically. A roof is constructed
at such a slope that it throws off, sheds,
or gets rid of water. Some nimble-witted
writers can throw off epigrams or poems,
by producing them quickly or with little
effort. Drops of water falling on a grindstone
are thrown off by the latter as it revolves.
To throw oneself on the mercy of another is
to commit oneself to his mercy.

Parliament is said to throw out a bill
when it rejects any proposed measure.
Some owners of fine gardens and grounds
throw them open to the public, so that all
who wish may go into them. Volcanoes
throw out, eject, or emit great quantities
of smoke, lava, and ashes. To throw out
a suggestion is to give voice to it. Trees
throw out shoots in the spring. To throw
out a wing from a house, or a spur from a
pier or groyne, is to build it on to the existing
structure.

To throw over a cause is to desert or
abandon it ; to throw up a post is to resign
it ; to throw up an earthwork is to con-
struct it. The earth thrown up from a
trench forms the parapet that is usually
thrown up in front. The waves throw up
many strange things on to the shore.

In Association football, __
the act of putting the ball
into play after it has been
played over a touch-line is
called a throw-in (n.). The
player who performs the
duty, generally a wing
half - back, stands with
both feet behind the line
and throws the ball with
both hands from above
his head.

In Rugby football, a pass
or throw made in the
direction of the opponents'
in-goal, contrary to the
laws, is called a throw
forward («.). When a ball
has been played over a
touch-line it is returned to
play by a throw-out (n,), a player of the side
to which the ball belongs throwing it from
the spot at which it left the field of play.
The ball must alight at least five yards from,
and at right angles to, the touch-line.

In fox-hunting, the throw-off («.) is the
start of the hunt. This word has come

Thrum. — A thrum-mat of

yarn and canvas, and a

single thrum (left).

Thrush. — The song-thrush, one of the
most delightful of British song-birds.

to mean a start of any kind. Australian
natives are very expert with the boomerang,
one kind of throw-stick («.), used for flinging
at animals. A throwster (thro' ster, n.) is
one engaged in the throwing of silk, the
process of twisting threads of raw silk
together.

A.-S. thrdwan to turn, twist, hurl ; cp.
Dutch draaijen to twist, G. drehen to turn,
L. terere to bore. See thrill, through.

thrum [ij (thrum), v.i. To play care-
lessly, monotonously, or unskilfully (on a
stringed instrument) ; to tap ; to drum.
v.t. To play (an instrument) thus : to drum
idly (on) . n. The act or sound of thrumming.
(F. jouer mal, racier,
tapoter.}

Of Scand. origin. Cp.
Icel. thruma to rattle,
Swed. trumma to beat
the drum, G. trommel.
Perhaps imitative. See
drum. SYN. : v. Drum,
strum.

thrum [2] (thrum),
n. The fringe of
threads left on a
loom when the web
is cut off ; one of
these threads ; a loose
thread ; a tuft ; a
tassel ; each of many
short lengths of yarn threaded through a
piece of canvas, their ends hanging loose at
the same side, to form a thrum-mat ; (pi.}
coarse or waste yarn. v.t. To make of,
adorn, or cover with, thrums. (F. bout de fil,
gros fil.}

The short-styled flowers of the primrose and
other plants are sometimes called thrum-eyed
(adj.} because the anthers projecting from
^_^ the corolla resemble
thrums. A thrum -mat (n.}
I is a strong shaggy mat
used on warships to fill a
shell-hole, etc., in the hull.
A.-S. thrum ligament ; cp.
Dutch dreum, G. trumm,
stump, end, O. Norse throm-r
brim, edge, L. terminus, Gr.
terma limit, term.

thrush [i] (thrush), n.
A bird of the genus Turdus
or of the family Turdidae,
especially the song -thrush
or throstle. (F. grive.}

The most familiar of the
thrushes is the song-thrush
(Turdus musicus}, called
also the mavis, or throstle.
The male has dark brown
plumage above, tawny beneath, the breast
being speckled with darker colour. The
song of the thrush is very sweet and musical.
The bird feeds on earthworms, snails and
insects, and is also partial to fruit.

A.-S. thrysce ; cp. O.H.G. drosca, M.H.G.
drostel, G. drossel. See throstle.

4288

THRUSH

THUMB

thrush [2] (thrush), n. A disease
marked by ulceration of the mouth and
throat, which usually affects infants and
children ; an inflammatory disease which
affects the frog in the feet of horses. (F.
ap hikes, teigne.}

Cp. Dan. troske, Swed. dialect trosk ; perhaps
connected with Dan. tor, Swed. torr, O. Norse
thurr, A.-S. thyrre, G. durr, all meaning dry, or
with Norw. trausk, another form of frosk
frog. It is curious that the L. and Gr. words
rana, batrakhos, both meaning frog, are also used
for a swelling on the tongue.

thrust (thrust), v.t. To push suddenly
or forcibly ; to stab. v.i. To make a sudden
push (at) ; to stab (at) ; to push hard ;
to force or squeeze oneself (forward or
through) ; to make a way thus. n. A
sudden or forcible push ; an attack with
the point of a weapon ; a stab ; the force
or pressure exerted by one body on another ;
the stress between two parts of a structure.
(F. pousser, enf oncer ; tirer ; coup.}

The rapier is a thrusting
sword, the point only being
used, and the duellist
attempts by a deft and
well-timed thrust to get
past his opponent's guard.
A bayonet, after being
unfixed, is thrust into its
scabbard . A smoker
thrusts his hand into his
pocket to withdraw his
pouch, and thrusts the
latter back again.

A rider to hounds is
said to thrust when he
goes boldly at the fences.
The piston of a. steam-
engine thrusts and pulls
in alternate strokes. Tie-
rods are often needed in
buildings to counteract
outward the thrust or
outward pressure of the parts of a roof ori
the walls.

It is unwise and ill-mannered to thrust
oneself in — that is, intrude oneself or inter-
fere— where not wanted. To thrust through
a hedge is to burst a way through it.
To thrust an object through is to transfix it.
A pin or fastener is thrust through papers
to secure them.

The thrust-hoe (n.}, also named Dutch
hoe and push-hoe, has a blade in the same
plane with the handle, and is pushed by
the user.

Of Scand. origin. O. Norse thrysta to thrust,
press, force ; cp. E. threat, L. trudere to thrust.
SYN. : v. Push, stab. ANT. : v. Drag, draw, pull.

thud (thud), n. A dull sound as of a
blow upon a soft or hollow object, v.i.
To give forth or make a thud ; to fall with
a thud. (F. bruit sourd.)

This word is used especially of a dull,
low hollow sound, as of, say, a sack of flour
falling on the ground.

Thumb. — The thumb of a chimpanzee is
short compared with that of a human being.

Perhaps imitative. A.-S. thyddan to strike,
thrust ; cp. L. tundere to beat, E. thump. SYN. :
n. Thump.

Thug (thug), n. A member of an
organization of religious assassins in India ;
a ruffian or murderer. (F. thug.}

In parts of India the doings of Thugs
were a terrible evil until Thuggery (thug'
er i, n.} or Thuggism (thug' izm, n.} was
put down about 1828-35 by the British.
The Thugs worshipped the goddess Kali and
did murder in her honour. Another name
for this practice is Thuggee (thug' e, n.}.

Hindi thag cheat, robber.

thuja (thu' ja), n. An arbor vitae, one
of several evergreen coniferous trees of the
genus Thuya ; the wood of one of these.
(F. thuia.)

Incorrect spelling of Gr. thyia. See thyine.

Thule (thu'le), n. The name given by
the Greek voyager, Pytheas of Massilia, to
the northernmost land he reached. (F. Thule.}
Pytheas described Thule
as being a six days' sail
from the Orcades, or
Orkneys. It has variously
been assumed to be the
Shetlands, Iceland, or a
part of Norway. The
Romans frequently added
to the name Thule the
designation of " ultima,"
meaning farthest, and it
was supposed to be the
most remote northern point
of the world. The name
Thule has been used by
poets and others to mean
the furthest attainable
region, or the limit.

Thulite (thu' lit, n.) is
a rare variety of zoisite of
a rose-red colour, found in
Norway.

thumb (thum), n. The short, thick
inner digit of the human hand ; a correspond-
ing digit in some animals, v.t. To soil,
mark or wear with the thumb ; to handle
or perform awkwardly. (F. ponce ; marquer
au pouce, manier gauchenient.}

The thumb differs from the fingers in
having only two joints, as against their
three. Moreover, it is opposable, or so
placed that it can be brought opposite the
other digits as in grasping objects. Some
animals in which all the four limbs have
such a thumb-like digit are described as
quadrumanous or four-handed. It is ar-
boreal animals generally that have thumbs ;
others usually are thumbless (thum' les,
adj.) — they lack an opposable digit.

A person clumsy with his hands is said
to be " all thumbs." To have a person
under one's thumb is to have him com-
pletely in one's power or ready to give
obedience. Many doors are fitted with a
thumb-latch (n.), operated by pressing

4289

THUMMIM

THUNDER

down with the thumb the flattened end of
a pivoted lever passing through the door.

Books often used get soiled by the thumb
and fingers, and a well-thumbed Bible is
proof of frequent reference to and study of
Holy Writ.

Nevertheless, when handling a book or
print one must be careful not to leave a
thumb-mark (n.) on it — that is, -one made
by a dirty thumb.

A thumb-print (n.) is an impression taken
by the police from the thumb of a suspected
person. A thumb-nut (n.), also called a
butterfly-nut and wing-nut, has two flat
wing-like projections, so that it can readily
be turned by the thumb and fingers. In
one sense thumb-screw (n.) means the same
as thumb-nut. But the thumb-screw which
had the other name of thumbkins (thum'
kinz, n.pl.) was an instrument of torture
used for crushing the
thumbs.

A cut or sore thumb
is protected with a
thumb-stall (n.), which
is a covering made
specially, or the thumb
cut from an old glove.

A.-S. thuma = the thick
finger ; cp. Dutch duim,
G. daumen, O. Norse
thuml-, L. tumere to swell.
The b is excrescent, as in
thimble.

thummim (thum'
im). For this word see
urim.

thump (thump), v.t.
To strike or beat heavily,
especially with the fist,
so as to produce a dull
sound ; to hammer ; to
pound, v.i. To beeit or
hammer (on) ; to deliver
a heavy blow (at) ; to
throb, n. A heavy blow or knock giving
out a dull sound ; this sound. (F. frapper
au poing, frapper fort; coup de poing.)

A child not tall enough to reach the
knocker sometimes thumps on a door. An
enthusiastic speaker often thumps the table
in front of him.

A thumper (thump' er, n.) means one who
thumps, but, colloquially, the word is
applied to anything large, extraordinary, or
impressive.

Imitative ; cp. dump. SYN. : v. Beat, strike.
n. Bang, thud.

thunder (thun' der), n. The loud noise
following a flash of lightning, due to dis-
turbance of the air by the electrical discharge ;
a very loud noise ; loud and vigorous
denunciation, v.i. To make the noise of
thunder ; to give out a loud noise ; to utter
loud denunciations or threats, v.t. To emit
with a noise as of thunder ; to utter loudly
and impressively. (F. tonnerre, denonciation ;
tonner, fulminer.)

Thunder. — Jupiter, the Roman god of the sky,
of thunder, and of lightning.

Thunder is caused by the sudden ex-
pansion of air by the lightning, and a rush
of air along the path of the flash. The word
thunderbolt (thun' der bolt, n.) means a
flash of lightning with a crash of thunder ;
the name was also applied to a supposed bolt
or missile formerly regarded as the substance
of a lightning flash, and to a kind of rock
identified with this. This idea arose through
confusion with a meteorite. Figuratively, a
thunderbolt is a sudden force which cannot
be resisted, a sudden and violent threat or
denunciation launched by some powerful
person or party, or a startling event.

Thunderstone (n.) is a name given to
ancient stone tools, arrowheads, etc., found
in the ground, and to the fossil belemnite,
all of which were once believed to have fallen
from the sky as thunderbolts.

A sudden outburst of thunder is called a
thunder-clap (n.),
thunder-crack (n.), or
thunder - peal (n.). A
cloud heavily charged
with electricity is a
thunder-cloud (n.).
Clouds of this kind dis-
charge themselves before
and during a thunder-
shower (n.), or thunder-
storm (n.). which is a
rain-storm accompanied
by thunder.

The word thunder-
struck (adj.] is used to
mean struck by lightning,
but is more often em-
ployed in a figurative
sense. People are said to
be thunderstruck when
astounded by some unex-
pected news or event.

The Romans called
Jupiter the thunderer
(thun' der er, n.), one who thunders. The
Times newspaper was once nicknamed
the " Thunderer " on account of its out-
spoken leading articles. Cannon give out a
thundering (thun' der ing, adj.) noise, that is,
one like thunder.

An orator sometimes thunders out
denunciations of a party from which he
differs, storming and thundering vehemently.
Trains thunder along, and pass thunderingly
(thun ' der ing li, adv.), or thunderously (thun'
der us li, adv.) — with a noise like thunder.

Many flashes of lightning are thunderless
(thun' der les, adj.), that is, not followed by
thunder which is audible to us. Noisy
applause is said to be thunderous (thun' der
us, adj.) ; the hot, close weather in which
thunderstorms occur is thundery (thim'der i,
adj.).

A.-S. thitnor (n.), thunnan (v.) ; cp. Dutch
donder, G. donner, O. Norse thorr Thor, the god
of thunder, thunder, L. tonare to thunder. The
d is intrusive, as b in thimble.

4290

THURIBLE

THYME

thurible (thur' ibl), n. A censer used for
burning incense. (F. encensoir.)

The acolyte who carries a thurible is called
a thurifer (thur' i fer, n.).

L t(h)unbulum, from t(h}us (gen. t(h)ur-is)
incense, and suffix -buhtm ; thus is from Gr.
thuos sacrifice, later incense ; cp. L. filmus,
Sansk. dhuma smoke.

Thursday (therz' da ; therz' di), n. The
fifth day of the week. (F. jeudi.)

Thursday is named after Thor, the god
of thunder in Scandinavian mythology, and
the son of Odin and Freya.

A.-S. Thunresdaeg day of Thunder, translating
L. Jovis dies day of Jupiter ; cp. O. Norse
Thovsdag-r, Dutch donderdag, G. Donnerstag.

thus [i] (thus), adv. In this way ; in the
way indicated or to be indicated ; to this
extent ; accordingly ; so. (F. ainsi, en
consequence.}

On a railway signals are given to the drivers
thus : the semaphore arm is lowered to a
slanting position when a train may proceed,
and is raised to the horizontal as a signal to
stop. Coloured lights too, are brought into
use, thus producing signals which are visible
at night. Thus when a driver sees a signal,
thus denoting that he may proceed, he knows
that the line is clear. If he fails thus to obey
the signal he may jeopardize the train and its
passengers.

M.E., A.-S., thus ; cp. O. Saxon, O. Frisian
thus, Dutch dus. See this.

thus [2] (thus ; thoos), n. Frankincense ;
resin, especially of the spruce-fir. (F. encens.}
See thurible.

thwack (thwak). This is another form of
whack. See whack.

thwaite (thwat), n. A piece of ground
reclaimed and converted to tillage. (F.
defrichement.}

This word is now used only in placernames
such as Seathwaite, Apple thwaite.

Of Scand. origin. O. Norse thveit a (cut off)
piece, parcel, of land ; cp. A.-S. thwltan to cut.

thwart (thwort), adj. Transverse ;
adverse ; cross-
grained. adv. and prep.
Across, n. A trans-
verse plank in a
boat, used as a seat
for an oarsman, v.t.
To frustrate ; to foil.
(F. transverse, en
tr avers ; bane de nage ;
contrecarrer , dejouer.)

The ad j ective,
adverb and preposi-
tion are more or less
archaic. The plank or
bench in a boat on
which the rowers sit is

athwart. The thwartship (thwort' ship, adj.)
timbers of a vessel are those placed thwart-
ship (adv.), or across the hull, from side to
side. A person thwarts the intentions of
another when he frustrates them. One who
conceals a crime is a thwarter (thwort 'er, n.}
of the law.

zwerch athwart, awry,
v. Cross, frustrate.

Of Scand. origin. O. Norse thvert, neuter of
thver-r, athwart, transverse, adverse, obstinate ;
cp. A.-S. thwerh cross, transverse, adverse,
angry, Dutch dwars, G
Swed. tvdr across. Svx

thy (tin], pr on. Of
or relating to thee.
adj. Concerning thee.
(F. ton, to..)

This is the pos-
sessive case of, and
the possessive adjec-
tive corresponding to,
the archaic pronoun
thou . Before a vowel,
or when the word is
employed absolutely,
the form thine (thin.)
is used. Instances of
the use of both
forms are seen in

Thwart.— Thwarts placed
athwart a boat.

Thyme. — Wild thyme in bloom. It grows on chalk
hills and in sandy dry places.

Christ's prayer (John xvii, 5-6) : —

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with
.thine own self. . . I have manifested thy
name unto the men which thou gavest me
out of the world : thine they were. . . and
they have kept thy word.
Shortened form of thine, from A.-S. thin ; cp.
G. dein. 6. Norse thin-n.

thyine (thl' in), adj. An epithet used in
the Bible .(Revelation xviii, 12) of a tree
and its wood.

Thyine wood has been assumed to be that
from an African conifer which yields gum
sandarac.

Gr. thyinos (adj.) pertaining to the thuja
thy(i)a, so called from its sweet-smelling wood
from thyein to sacrifice, smell. See thus [2].

thylacine (thl' la sin), n. A carnivorous
marsupial, .the Tasmanian zebra-wolf. (F.
thylacine.}

The thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus} is
a little smaller than a wolf, and is the largest
predatory marsupial. It is very destructive
to sheep. The animal is called the zebra-
wolf because its greyish-brown coat is
striped with black.

Gr. thy lax (gen. thy-
lakos) pouch, kyon dog.
thyme (tlm), n.
Any plant of the genus
Thymus, especially the
garden thyme. (F.
thym.)

Wild thyme (Thymus
serpyllum) is common
on chalk 'hills and in
sandy dry places.
Lemon thyme is a
cultivated variety

this. The garden
thyme (T. vidgaris} is

a native of Mediterranean countries. Be-
cause of its aromatic properties it is used
for flavouring. An extract, oil of thyme, is
employed in perfumes. From this oil may
be obtained thymol (thl' mol, n.}, used
as a-n antiseptic, and in dentifrices. For
commercial purposes thymol is prepared

4291

THYROID

TICK

synthetically. Thymy (tim' i, adj.] means
perfumed with or abounding in thyme.

F. thym, from L. thymus (ace. thym-um). Gr.
thy-mos -mon, from thyein to sacrifice, from
thvos sacrifice, incense, so-called from its sweet
smell.

thyroid (thlr' oid), adj. Shield-shaped ;
of or relating to the thyroid cartilage or
gland, n. The thyroid cartilage -or gland.
(F. thyro'ide.}

Because of its shield-shaped markings
one of the woodpeckers is called the thyroid
wood-pecker. The thyroid cartilage is the
large shield -shaped cartilage which forms
part of the larynx, and is popularly called
Adam's apple. Close to this, on the larynx
and trachea, lies the thyroid gland («.)
or thyroid body (n.}, one of the ductless
glands.

Gr. thyreoeides shield-shaped, from thyreos
large oblong shield (from thyra door), eidos
shape, form.

thyrsus (ther' sus), n. A staff or shaft
wrapped with vine-leaves and tipped with a
pine cone, anciently used as an emblem of
Bacchus, pi. thyrsi (ther' si). (F. thyrse.)

L., from Gr. thyrsos staff, stalk.

thyself (thl self'), pron. The reflexive and
emphatic form corresponding to thec and
thou. (F. toi-meme, toi, te.)

Like thee and thou, thyself is rarely used
to-day, except in poetical language.

From thy (adj.) and self (n.).

tiara (ti a' ra), n. An ornamental head-
dress, resembling a turban, worn by ancient
Persian kings ; a dome-shaped diadem,
adorned with three crowns, worn by the
Pope as a symbol of his claim to threefold
sovereignty ; the papal office or dignity ; a
jewelled coronet or headband worii by
women. (F. Hare.}

Tiara. — A Persian king's tiara (left), the Pope's
triple tiara, and a woman's tiara.

be described
word is also

The wearer of a tiara may 1
as tiara'd (ti a' rad, adj.}. This
written tiaraed (ti a' rad).

L., Gr. (adj.) probably of Persian origin.

tibet (ti bet'), n. Wool from Tibet, in
centra] Asia ; cloth made from this or in
imitation of this ; cloth made or partly made
of goats' hair, or in imitation of this : a
shawl or other garment made of such
material. Another form is thibet (ti bet').

One of the chief industries of Tibet is the

manufacture of woollen cloth. Tibetan (ti
bet' an, n.) is the language of the Tibetan
(adj.) race, a member of which is a Tibetan.

tibia (tib' i a), n. The shin-bone ; the
fourth joint of the leg in an insect ; in
ancient Greece and Rome, a kind of pipe or
flute, pi. tibiae (tibx i e) or tibias 'tib' i az).
(F. tibia.)

The tibia is the larger and inner of the two
bones of the lower leg. Parts or organs
situated near the tibia are described as
tibial (tib' i al, adj.). The prefix tibio- is
used to form words denoting connexion
with the tibia. An example is tibio-femoral
(tib id fern' 6 ral, adj.}, which means per-
taining to both shin-bone and thigh-bone.
The tibia of a bird merges with some of the
tarsal bones, and is hence called the tibio-
tarsus (tib i 6 tar' sus, n.}.

L. == shin-bone, flute.

tic (tik), n. A convulsive twitching of
muscles, especially in the face. (F. tic.}

This word . is g'enerally used to mean tic
douloureux (tik doo
loo re, n.) or facial
neuralgia with mus-
cular twitching.
- F. earlier ticq, tiquet ;
cp. Dutch tik a pat,
knock', Low G. tukken,
G. zucken to give a
start, twitch. Perhaps
imitative.

tick [i] (tik), n.
One of various kinds
of parasitic blood-
sucking arachnids
and insects infesting
animals. (F. tique.}

Ticks are properly Tick.— A tick which attacks
arachnids belonging "heep and 8imilar anima1'-
to the family Ixodidae, allied to to the
mites. The name i-s given loosely to cer-
tain parasitic insects. Ticks bury the head
in the skin of the host and suck blood until
they are full and greatly distended, when
they generally drop off. Some diseases are
spread by ticks, which carry the parasites
causing them.

A.-S. ticia ; cp. Dutch teek, L.G. teke, G. zecke.

tick [2] (tik), n. A case or cover for hold-
ing the filling of mattresses and beds ; the
material for this. (F. toile a matelas.)

Strong striped cotton or stout linen cloth
is used in making a tick, the material also
being called ticking (tik' ing, «.). It is
usually twilled, and is woven in such a
manner that the filling of the mattress does
not readily penetrate it.

L.L. t(h)eca case, L. theca, Gr. theke, iron
tithenai to put, place.

tick [3] (tik), n. The beat of a watch or
clock ; a regular recurrent noise resembling
this ; a small mark placed against items in a
list, etc., or used in checking accounts, v.i.
To make a small regularly recurring sound,
as a watch or clock, v.t. To mark with a tick.
(F. tic-tac, point: faire tic-tac; pointer.}

4292

TICKET

TIDE

A seconds pendulum ticks, or beats once
a second. A book-keeper ticks entries in a
journal as he posts them to the ledger,
marking each with a tick. The sound that a
clock makes is imitated, as well as named,
by the word tick-tack (•».). A ticker (tik'
er, n.) is something that ticks, especially
a tape-machine, and in colloquial use a
watch.

Imitative ; cp. Dutch tikken (v.) tik (n.)
light, touch, pat, G. ticken, ticktack (adv. and n.).

ticket (tik'et), n. A written or printed piece
of paper or card which
entitles its holder to
certain privileges ; a
label or other attach-
ment stating the price
or other particulars
of an article ; in
American politics, a
list of candidates for
election, v.t. To put a
ticket on; to label.
(F. billet, etiquette ;
etiqueter.)

Regular travellers
by train usually buy
a season ticket. Others
take a ticket each time
they travel. 'Bus or
tramcar tickets" are
punched, or marked
with a ticket-punch (n.)
to denote the stage to
which the ticket-holder (n.) may travel.

In most shops goods are ticketed to show
the price. On the Stock Exchange, ticket-
day (n.) is the day before settling day,
when the accounts are passed between
brokers and jobbers. A man serving a
sentence of imprisonment is sometimes
released before his sentence has been fully
served, on a licence called a ticket- of -leave
(n.). The ticket-of-leave man (n.} is required
to report regularly at a police station, and to
fulfil other obligations.

M.F. estiquet(te), etiquet a little bill, label,
literally something stuck on ; cp. G. sleeken to
stick. See stick, etiquette

ticking (tik' ing), n. A strong woven
material used to make ticks. See under
tick [2].

tickle (tik' 1), v.t. To touch lightly so as to
cause a thrilling sensation, usually pro-
ducing laughter ; to divert ; to amuse ; to
please, v.i. To feel the thrill or sensation of
tickling, n. The act or sensation of tickling.
(F. chatouiller, divider ; tressaillir, demanger ;
chatouillement.}

Some parts of the body are so sensitive
that if one is touched lightly on such a spot,
the nerves are excited ; usually one just
laughs when this is done, but a very ticklish
(tik' lish, adj.) person can hardly bear to be
tickled and may go into convulsions in an
extreme case. Ticklishness (tik' lish nes, n.)
means the state of being ticklish or suscepti-
ble to tickling.

Ticket. — An ingenious machine for issuing tickets,
in use at some railway stations.

The word ticklish also means delicate,
difficult, or precarious. For example, we
speak of a ticklish matter, that is, one
requiring to be handled with tact, delicacy,
or great care. Similarly a person is said to
be ticklishly (tik' lish li, adv.), placed when he
is in precarious or hazardous circumstances.
Savoury dishes tickle the palate ; we are
tickled by a joke ; flattery may tickle our
vanity. A tickler (tik' ler, n.), is one who
tickles in any sense of the word, or else some-
thing used for tickling, such as a feather or
paper brush used at
carnivals.

Frequentative of tick
(in the sense of tapping,
patting) . Some take the
word to be a transposi-
tion of kittle to tickle,
puzzle ; cp. Dutch
kittelen, G. kitzdn, and
O. Norse kitla. SYN. : v.
Amuse, divert, please.

tidal (tid' al), adj.
Of or relating to the
tides. See under tide.

tidbit (tid' bit), n.
This is another form of
titbit. See under tit.

tiddlywinks(tid'li
winks), n. A game in
which players snap or
flick bone or ivory
disks into a tray.
Another form is
tiddledy winks (tid' 1 di winks).

Perhaps from E. dialect tiddler to trifle,
potter, fuss, which may be a frequentative from
dialect tid careful.

tide (tid), n. Time ; season ; a period of
time ; the periodic rise and fall of the sea
caused by the attraction of the moon and
sun ; the current or tendency of events.
v.i. To drift, especially in or out of harbour
with the help of the tide. (F. saison, epoque,
maree, courant.)

We sometimes talk of working double
tides, or double shifts. -Poets use the word
tide for season, and we speak of Yule-tide
or Easter-tide, but in these senses the word is
rare.

The rising of the sea is the flood tide ; its
falling is called the ebb tide. This sequence
occurs usually twice every day, the time being
usually later by about twenty-five minutes
every tide. The water of the oceans is
attracted towards the moon so that it forms
a peak, or outward bulge, on a line passing
from the moon through the centre of the
earth. As the earth rotates, its surface
passes beneath this outward bulging mass —
which is held on the central line, by the
moon's attraction, so that the peak line
itself seems to move — producing thereby the
rise and fall of tides. It is high tide on
opposite sides of the earth at the same
time, for there is a similar peak time at the
Antipodes.

4293

TIDINGS

TIE

The sun also exercises attraction .on the
mass of water, but to less than half the
extent. When the sun is in line with the
moon and earth — at new and full moon — the
combined solar and lunar tides give rise to
the spring tides which are higher than normal.
The low or neap tides occur when the sun is
pulling at right angles to the moon and thus
reducing its effect.

A vessel when stranded may get off again
with the help of a favourable tide. To tide
over difficulties is to manage to get over
them, and to tide a friend over a trouble is
to help him through it. A tide-gate (n.)
gives access to a dock or harbour at flood -
tide, but is closed as the tide falls, to retain
the water. The height to which a tide rises
is shown by an instrument called a tide-
gauge (n.}. A mark left on a beach by a tide
is a tide-mark (n,). It generally is a line of
rubbish, foam, etc., deposited by the water
at the turn of the tide, as it begins to ebb,
in which case it is called high water mark.

n.pl. A piece of
message or report.

Tide. — People walki

flooded towing-path caused by an

exceptionally high tide on the Thames.

A tide-waiter (n.} or tidesman (tidz' man,
n.) was a custom-house officer who boarded
ships coming into harbour to collect the
customs dues.

A channel through which a tide runs is
a tideway (n.). A tide-lock (».) is a lock
between tidal (tid' al, adj.) water and a
harbour, to allow ships to pass in and out at
all states of the tide. Water is tidal if
its tevel rises and falls with the tides, as
in a tidal basin («.), a tidal dock (n.), or a
tidal harbour (n.). The Thames is a tidal river
(n.) that is, one affected by the tides, as far
up as Teddington Lock. A tidal wave (n.) is
one of the great peak lines or waves of water
following the moon and sun, from east to
west, and thus causing the tides, as described
above. Tideless (tid' les, adj.) means without
tides.

A.-S. tld time, season (the original meaning) ;
cp. Dutch tijd, G. zeit, O. Norse tlth. SYN. : n.
Season, time.

tidings (tl' dingz),
news ; intelligence ; a
(F. nouvelles.)

This word is treated as a plural or a singular.
The proverb says that evil tidings fly apace.
Good tidings sometimes come too late.

Of Scand. origin. M.E. tithing, Late A.-S.
tiding, altered from O. Norse tithindi things that
happen ; cp. Dutch tijding, G zeitung. See tide,
betide.

tidy (tr di), adj. Orderly ; neat ;
trim ; neatly arranged ; pretty large or
considerable ; fairly well in health, n. A
covering for the back of a chair, the arms
of a couch, etc. v.t. To make tidy ; to
put in good order. (F. net, propre, ordonne,
considerable ; couverture ; nettoyer, ranger.}

One who is neat and tidy in dress is

¥3nerally tidy and orderly in his habits,
o tidy up a room is to make it orderly
and trim.

Among great cities, London is noted for
its tidy streets and parks. An army of
cleaners is at work to preserve this tidiness
(tr di nes, n.}. Much of the
attractiveness of large formal
gardens arises from the fact that
they are tidily (ti' di li, adv.]
kept.

From tide with suffix -y ;
timely, hence in good order ; cp.
Dutch tijdig, G. zeitig, timely, ripe.
See tide. SYN. : adj. Dapper, neat,
orderly, trim. ANT. : Disorderly,
slovenly untidy.

tie (ti), v.t.' To fasten, attach
or secure with a cord, etc. ;
to bind; to secure or join together
with a knot ; to arrange (ribbons,
etc.) in the form of a knot ; to
form (a knot or bow) by knotting
and drawing tight ; to constrain ;
to confine ; to restrict ; in music,
to join (notes of the same
pitch) with a tie. v.i. To make the
same score as (another), pres. p.
tying (ti' ing), n. Something used
to tie things together ; a neek-tie ; a bond ; an
obligation ; a restriction ; a rod or beam
holding parts of a structure together ; a tie-
beam ; a railway sleeper ; an equality of score
between competing parties ; a round or
match in which the competitors finish
equal ; a match between any pair of players
or teams chosen out of a number ; in music,
a curved line connecting two notes of the
same pitch, indicating that the sound is to
be sustained, and not repeated. (F. Her,
attachsr, obliger ; attache, nceud, barre
d' extension, liaison.)

One may tie a ribbon in a bow, or tie a
knot in it. A shopkeeper who has no one
to relieve him may be said to be tied to
his shop during business hours. Friendship
is often a strong and lasting tie or bond.

In cricket a match is said to end in a
tie when both sides score the same number
of runs. In lawn-tennis a tie is a round,
that is, one of the sections into which a

4294

TIER

TIFF

tournament is divided. In football, especi-
ally the Association game, a tie is a match
in any round or section of a knock-out
competition.

To tie up a dog is to fasten the animal
by its chain ; to tie up a parcel is to secure

the third canonical hour in the Roman
Catholic Church, or the office for this hour ;
in heraldry, a field divided into three parts
of different tinctures ; an organ stop, two
octaves and a third above unison. (F. tierce.)
The tierce cask holds one third of a pipe

it with string or tape, which is tied with of wine. In cards the sequence of king,

one or more knots. To tie up money is to queen and jack of a suit is an example of

arrange for its being spent or used only a tierce. Fencers speak of a thrust in

in the manner desired, conditions being tierce, or its corresponding parry.

attached to its acceptance. A person is
said to be tied up by restrictions if they
take away his liberty of action. When
two players tie in a contest, both having
an equal score, they play another round,
called a tie, to decide
the winner.

A tie-beam (n.) is
a horizontal beam
joining two parts, such
as two rafters of a
pair. The thrust of
the roof of a structure
is counteracted by ties
or tie- rods holding to-
gether or tying the
walls.

In the U.S.A. the
stoppage of an indus-
try through a strike
is called a tie-up («.).
The old-fashioned tie-wig (n.) was a wig tied
behind with a ribbon.

F. fern, of tiers third, from L. tertia (fern, of
tertius} third (pars part).

tiercel (ter' sel), n. A term used in
falconry for the male of various species of
falcon, especially the peregrine, and also for
the male goshawk.
Another form is tercel
(ter' sel). Tiercelet
(ters' let) and tercelet
(ters' let) have the
same meaning. (F.
tiercelet.}

O.F. tercel, L.L. terti-
olus, dim. of L. tertius
third, perhaps because
the third egg was sup-
posed to produce a
male.

Tie. — A captured wild elephant with its baby tied
to trees in an Indian jungle.

estate of the realm

tiercet (ter7 set).
This is another form
of tercet. See tercet.

tiers etat (tyarz e ta), n. The third
the commons. (F.

A public house is called a tied house (n.) tiers etat.)
if it may sell only the liquor supplied by In pre-revolutionary France there were

one particular brewer, to whom the estab- three estates of the realm — the nobles, the
lishment is then said to be tied. A tier clergy, and the people, or tiers etat. Repre-

sentatives of these three orders formed the
States-General, which met when convoked
by the sovereign to discuss matters of
national importance. When, at the begin-
ning of the disturbance of public opinion
which led to the Revolution, the States-
General were convoked by Louis XVI — the
first assembly since 1614 — the tiers etat
numbered nearly as many as the other two
bodies together.

The tiers etat asked for the abolition of
privilege, and requested that the other

(ti'-er, n.) is one who ties in any sense.

M.E. tighen, teghen, A.-S. tl(e)gan, from
teag, a cord, band, rope, from teon to pull, drag ;
cp. O. Norse taug, string, rope, G. ziehen to
draw, tow. See tow [i], tug. SYN. : v Connect,
join, link, restrain, unite, n. Bond, connexion,
link, obligation, restriction. ANT. : r. Dis-
connect, unfasten, untie.

tier (ter), n. A row or rank, especially
one of several, placed
i one above another.

v.t. To pile, build, or
arrange in tiers. (F.

ranger.}

Seats in the upper
part of a theatre are
usually arranged in
tiers, raised in ranks
one above the other,
so that those in each
tier have an unim-
peded view of the
stage. A tier is also
a line of vessels in a
dock or harbour, each behind another.

O.F. tire literally a pull, hence a long line,

degre, gradin, 'rang'; two estates should sit with them, the voting

° • v T/~\ r\o r\Tr noo H ov»H n/~\4- no /-*-no-f-/-\rYi ot-i ITT V\TT

Tier. — A tier of ships
moored in harbour.

to be by head, and not, as customarily, by
order. The representatives of the privileged
classes refused to sit with the tiers etat as
one assembly, and the latter therefore
declared that they alone represented the
nation, and would themselves form a
National Assembly. The meeting of this
body, on June 17, 1789, may be called the
first act of the French Revolution.

F. = third estate.

tiff (tif), n. A petty quarrel ; a fit of
ill-temper ; a small draught of liquor.
v.t. To sip ; to drink, v.i. To be pettish ;

from tirer to draw, pull, stretch, of Teut. origin, to take tiffin. (F. pique, brouille, gorgee ;

akin to E. tear [i], G. zehren.

tierce (ters), n. A cask holding 42
gallons ; a sequence of three cards of the

siroter ; bonder, gouter.)

Of Scand. origin. The original meaning is
to sniff (i) as a sign of contempt, (2) to sip, taste ;

same suit ; the third position in fencing ; cp. O. Norse thef-r smell, the/a to smell, sniff.

4295

TIFFANY

TIGHT

Another interpretation makes both senses
imitative, (i) from the sound of a slight puff of
air, (2) from that of sipping. SYN. : n. Pet,
quarrel, temper.

tiffany (tif a ni), n. A kind of thin silk
gauze, or gauze muslin. (F. gaze de soie.)

Earlier tiffanie, tiffenay, said to mean a dress
worn on Twelfth Night. It is a corruption of
L.L. theophanicr(Epiphaxiy) manifestation of God
See Theophan.

tiffin (tif in), n. A light repast 01
snack taken between breakfast and dinner ;
lunch, v.i. To take tiffin. (F. second
ddjeuner ; gofiter.)

This term is chiefly used by Anglo
Indians.

From E. tiff (to take a small drink) and verbal
n. suffix -in(g).

tig (tig), v.t. To touch in a game. n.
A children's game. (F. quatre coins.)

In tig one player runs after the others
until he or she touches one of them. The
one touched then becomes the pursuer,
and so on.

Perhaps a variant oi tick [4] (to touch lightly).
SYN. : n. Tag, touch.

tiger (ti7 ger), n. A large Asiatic feline
mammal, Felis tigris ; (loosely) one or
other of the other large cats ; a bully ; a
swaggering ruffian. (F. tigre, felide, mala-
more, sacripant.) . ,".

Tiger.— The tiger is a flesh-eating animal found in
central and southern Asia.

The tiger is found in central and southern
Asia, and attains its greatest size and richest
colouring— tawny, striped with black — in
the hot jungles of India. The male measures
about six feet in length, not including the
tail, which is about three feet long. The
tigress (ti7 gres, n.), as the female is called,
is somewhat smaller.

The jaguar is sometimes called the
American tiger, and the cougar or puma
is known as the red tiger. To some of the
smaller wild cats, especially those with
tigrine (tr grin, adj.) or tiger-like colours,
is applied the name of tiger-cat («.).

A tigerish (ti' ger ish, adj.) nature is one
fierce and cruel. Nana Sahib, leader of
the mutineers at Cawnpore, who caused
captive women and children to be mur-
dered, was called the Tiger of Cawnpore.
Tiger-footed (adj.) creatures are those which
move swiftly, like a tiger.

The tiger beetle («.), belonging to the
family Cicindelidae is so called because of
its spotted and striped wing covers, and
its predatory habits. One of the British
species (Cicindela campestris) is called the
green tiger. The tiger-moth (n.), Arctiacaja,
owes its name to the orange and black
markings of its wings ; the, same tigrine
colours are found in the Mexican tiger-
flower (n.), Tigridia pavonia, related to the
iris, and in the familiar tiger-lily (n.), Lilium
tigrinum.

The twining tiger's-foot (n.) — Ipomaea
pestigridis — of India is so called because
of its hairy stem and leaves. Tiger-wood
(n.) is a timber imported from British
Guiana, and used in cabinet making. It
is the heart- wood of Machaerium Schom-
burgkii. The yellowish gem called tiger's-
eye (n.) was so named because of its change-
able gleam, thought to resemble that of a
tiger's eye in the dark.

F. ligre, from L. tigris (ace. tigrem), Gr. tigris ;
said to mean the swift, of Persian origin ; cp.
Zend tighri arrow, Pers tlr. This may be the
meaning of the name Tigris, given to the
river

tight (tit), adj. Closely put together ;
compactly built ; closely held, drawn or
fastened ; fitting closely ; stretched to the
full ; tense ; impervious ; free from leakiness ;
neat ; trim ; compact ; of a situation,
awkward or difficult ; of money, not easy
to obtain ; of language, terse ; of a picture,
handled without freedom. adv. In a tight
manner, n. In Rugby football, a scrum;
(pi.) close-fitting garments. (F. serrS, collant,
raide, tendu, etanche, impermeable, net,
difficile.}

In the sense of not allowing fluid, etc.,
to enter or escape, the word is gene-rally
used in combination. We speak of a ship
being water-tight, and of fruit and other
foodstuffs being kept in air-tight tins or
jars.

In Rugby football play in the tight
means in the scrum, as opposed to play in
the open, or away from the scrum.

Tights are often worn by acrobats, actors,
etc., either over the whole body or to
cover the legs.

If a garment is tight or is fastened too
tightly (tit7 li, adv.], it is very uncomfort-
able. On the other hand, garments may
be so loose that the wearer has to tighten
(tit' en, v.t.) them. They then tighten (v.i.),
or become tight. A tightener (tit' en er, n.)
is a person who tightens or a device used
for tightening. When bankers and others
have to pay a high rate of interest for money,
they complain of the tightness (tit7 nes, n.)
of the money market.

Of Scand. origin M.E. tight, thiht ; cp. Icel.
thett-r- tight, -water-tight, Swed. tat, Dutch and
G. dicht. The O. Norse original was probably
thlht-r. SYN. : adj. Close, compact, rigid, taut,*
tense ANT. : adj. Loose, slack

4296

TIGRESS

TILT

tigress (ti' gres). For this word and
tigrine see under tiger.

tike (tik), n. A dog, especially a low-
bred one ; a cur ; a low, boorish fellow.
Another form is tyke (tik). (F. tique, chien.)

A Yorkshireman is sometimes called a
Yorkshire tike.

Of Scand. origin. Cp. Icel. and Swed.
1lk bitch, Dan. dialect tiig dog.

tilde {til' de), n. A mark (~) placed
above n in Spanish to show that the letter
should be pronounced as if followed by y.
(F. tilde.)

Span. fromL. titulus superscription, title, sign.

tile (til), n. A thin slab of baked clay,
porcelain, glass, or other material used for
covering roofs, floors, walls, etc. v.t. To
cover with or as with tiles ; in freemasonry,
to guard (a meeting or lodge) from intrusion ;
to bind to secrecy ; to keep secret, v.i. To
use tiles. Another form, used in free-
masonry, is tyle (til). (F. tuile, carreau,
moulure ; couvrir de tuile s.)

Clay tiles, whether glazed or unglazed,
plain or ornamental, are baked in a tile-
kiln (72.), and the place where they are made
is called a tilery (til' er i, n.).

Certain rocks are called tile-stones (n.pl.)
because they split into slabs thin enough
to be used instead of tiles. Among these
are the Ledbury shales.

The fish called the tile-fish (n.)-Lopho-
latilus chamaeleonticeps — has brilliant colour-
ing which suggests that of an ornamental tile.

A different kind of tiler (til' er, n.) from
the one who tiles roofs is the man who
guards the door of a freemasons' lodge. In
this latter sense the word is often spelt
tyler (til' er).

A.-S tigele, L. tegula, from tegere to cover.

till [i] (til), v.t. To cultivate. (F.
cultiver, labourer.)

A man who tills or cultivates land is a

till [4] (til), n. Another name for
boulder-clay (which see}.

Soil that abounds in till or that is of
the nature of till is tilly (til' i, adj.).

M.E. and Modern E. dialect thill.

tiller [i] (til' er), n. One who tills. See
under till [i].

tiller [2] (til' er), n. A bar fixed to
the head of a rudder to turn it with. (F.
barre du gouvernail.)

Tn large vessels the tiller of the rudder
is moved by a tiller-chain (n.) or tiller-rope
(n.), which connects it with the steering gear.

See till [3].

Tiller. — The tiller, a lever by means of which the
helmsman steers a boat.

tiller [3] (til' er), n. A shoot of a plant
or tree springing from the base of the
original stalk, stem, or trunk ; a sucker ;
a sapling, v.i. To put forth tillers. (F,
bourgeon, rejeton ; bourge onner.)

When the main shoot of an oak is cu1
down, a dense growth of branches is formed
from the base of the shoot ; this is called
tillering (til7 er ing, n.). .

A.-S. telgor twig, branch, shoot ; cp. Dutch
telg.

tilt [i] (tilt), n.
for a wagon or cart ;
an awning over

A cover or awning

tiller (til' er, n.) of the ground. Land which

can be tilled, especially land which can be part of a boat • in

ploughed, is said to be tillable (til' abl, Newfoundland 'and

adj.). The word tillage (til' ij, n.) means

the act of tilling or the state of being tilled ;

tiHed land, especially land under crops as

distinguished from pasture land ; or the

crops on such land.

A.-S. tilian to try, work, cultivate, from til
good, profitable (cp. til end, aim) ; cp. Dutch
telen to breed, cultivate, till, G. zielen to aim at.
SYN. : Cultivate.

till [2] (til), prep. Up to the time of ;
until, conj. Up to the time when. (F.

jusque, jusqu'd; jusqu'd ce que.)

When a man says " Till now I have been
very busy," he means he has been busy
up to that very moment.

Of Scand. origin. O. Norse til; cp. till,
purpose, G. ziel end, limit. See till [i].

till [3] (til), n. A drawer or other
receptacle behind the counter in a shop,
bank, etc., for the cash used in daily business
transactions. (F. caisse.)

From M.E. tillen to draw, pull, A.-S. -tyllan.
See toll [2].

D86

Tilt. — A boat with a tilt,
or awning.

Labrador, a wood-
cutter's qr fisher-
man's huf. v.t. To
cover with an awning
or tilt. (F. bache ;
couvrir d'une tente.)

A.-S. teld covering,
tent, betelden, to cover ;
cp. G. zelt tent. Icel.
tjald, Dan. telt. SYN. :
n. Awning, canopy,
tent.

tilt [2] (tilt), v.i. To tip ; to heel over:
to slope ; to move up and down unsteadily ;
to make a thrust with or as with a lance ;
to take part in a joust ; to charge or rush
(in, against, through) ; to contend (with).
v.t. To cause to heel over, or slope ;
to tip to incline ; to charge, thrust, 01
drive at ; to work with a tilt-hammer ;
n. The act of tilting ; the state of being
tilted ; a slant ; a sloping position ; an
4297 x 7

TILTH

TIME

encounter with or as with lances ; a charge
at a mark with a lance ; a thrust as with
a lance ; a device which shows when a
fish bites, by tipping up. (F. s'incliner,
pcncher, j outer; faire pencher, charger,
marteler ; inclinaison, biais, pente, joute,
tournoi, coup de lance.)

To tilt a chair is to tip it up so that
two or more of the legs are in the air. We
tilt an ink-pot when the ink runs low.

A favourite exercise of olden days was
tilting, in which two armour-clad men on
horseback tried to unhorse one another by
thrusts with a blunt lance or similar weapon.
Nowadays the word is often used figura-
tively. A person who prides himself on
his bohemian ways may be said to tilt
against the conventions. To run full tilt
at anything is to run with great speed or
force at it.

A tilt-yard (n.) was a place in which
tilting took place; a tilter (tilt' er, n.) is a
person or thing that tilts in any sense of
the word.

An early form of mechanical hammer is
the tilt-hammer (n.), a heavy hammer used
in forging, fixed on the end of a pivoted arm,
the tail-end of which is pressed down and
released by cams on a revolving wheel.

M.E. tilten to totter, be overthrown, from A.-S.
tealt unstable, precarious ; cp. A.-S. tealt(r}ian
to totter, Swed. tulta to waddle, G. zelt and
Icel. toll an ambling pace. See totter
v. Incline, slope, thrust, tip.

tilth (tilth), n. Tillage ; the
condition of being tilled ; tilled
land ; the depth of soil affected
by tilling. (F. labourage.)

From till [i] and suffix -th.

timbal (tim ' bal), n. A name
for the kettledrum. Another
form is tymbal (tim7 bal). (F.
timbale.)

F. timbale, Ital. timballo, earlier
taballo, Arabic labl drum. See
atabal.

timbale (taw bal), n. A dish
of fowl or fish pounded fine and
mixed with white of eggs, cream,
etc., and served in a mould or
with a crust of paste. (F.
timbale.)

So called from its shape like
that of a kettledrum, F. timbale.

SYN. :

Oak and Scotch pine are among the
most valuable of British timber trees.
Certain trees, particularly oak, ash, and
elm twenty years old or more, are regarded
specially as timber, and must not be cut
down by the life tenant of an estate. Trunks
of trees are transported over roads on a
timber-cart (n.), which is a framework
mounted on very large wheels, connected
by a pole to which the timber is slung
lengthwise.

A timber-head (n.) is a ship's timber
rising above the deck and used for fastening
ropes to. The word timber-toe (n.) is
sometimes used jocularly for a wooden leg,
and timber-toes (n.) for a person with a
wooden leg. A timber-yard (n.) is a place
for stacking and storing timber.

The word timbered (tim' berd, adj.) is
generally used in combination. Some
countries are timbered, that is, covered
with timber trees, much more extensively
than others. Norway and Sweden, foi
instance, are heavily timbered. The timber-
ing (tim7 ber ing, n.) of a house means the
timbers used in building it. The timbering
of a mine is the timber supporting the roof
of a working or the sides of a shaft.

A.-S. = building material, structure built ;
cp. Dutch timmer, G. zimmer room, timber,
O. Norse timbr timber, L. domus, Gr. domos,
from demein to build. SYN. : Beam, trees,
wood.

Timber. — An American timber-yard adjoining a railway station in
the district where the timber was felled.

timber (tim' ber), n. Wood suitable
for building, carpentry, and the like ;
standing trees from which such wood can
be obtained ; trees ; woods ; in law, trees
forming part of a freehold inheritance ; a
large piece of wood prepared for use in
building, etc. ; a beam ; one of the curved
pieces forming the ribs of a ship ; fences,
gates, and other wooden obstacles met
with in hunting, adj. Made of timber.
v.t. To furnish, cover, or support with
timber. (F. bois de construction, futaie,
poutre; charpenler, boiser.)

timbre (tawbr; tim' ber), n. The
quality of tone distinguishing different
instruments and voices. (F. timbre.)

F. = bell, drum, from L. tympanum drum.

timbrel (tim' brel), n. An ancient
instrument of the tambourine type. (F.
tambourin.)

Dim. of M.E. timbre, O.F. timbre, timbrel,
L. tympanum, Gr. tympanon drum. See timbre,
tympanum.

time (tim), n. The idea created in
the mind by the fact of things happen-
ing one after another ; duration or

4298

TIMID

TIMII

continued existence ; a definite portion
of this ; a portion allotted or available ;
often (pi.) a period in history ; an era ; a
moment or season ; an opportunity ; tense
in grammar ; in music, the duration of
a note or rest ; in music, rate or style of
movement, v.t. To choose the time for ; to
do at the proper time ; to regulate or calculate
the time of. v.i. To keep time (with). (F.
temps, duree, epoque, occasion; regler.)

Time as reckoned by
the seeming daily move-
ment of the sun round
the earth is called solar
time (n.}, or apparent
time (n.). The sun
crosses the meridian of a
place once every day,
but since the periods
between two successive
crossings vary slightly in
length, an average of
these periods is taken as
a solar day.

Time thus reckoned,
and generally used, is
named mean time (n.),
which gives all days the
same length. In Britain
we base our time on
noon at Greenwich Ob-
servatory, and set our
clocks by Greenwich time
(n.), or more correctly, by Greenwich mean
time (n.). Astronomers use sidereal time (n.),
reckoned from the movements of the stars.

In cricket, to time the ball is to play it at
the correct moment. Proper timing reduces
the effort required to score and the liability
to get out.

At certain moments every day some
observatories send out an electric signal
called a time-signal (n.) to show the correct
time. At Greenwich and other places a
globe called a time-ball (n.) is released exactly
at a certain hour and runs down a mast.

A time-bargain (n.) is an agreement to
sell something at an agreed price- at a fixed
time in the future. A record of the time spent
by workmen on a job is kept in a time-book
(n.), or on a time-card (n.), or time-sheet (n.).
Soldiers become time-expired (adj.) when
they complete their term of service. A
shrapnel shell is fitted with a time-fuse (n.),
a fuse which explodes a certain number of
seconds after it leaves the gun. In mining,
a time-fuse is a slow-burning fuse.

It is a time-honoured (adj.) custom — that
is, one made venerable by long use, to sing
" Auld Lang Syne " at the close of a festive
gathering. A clock, watch, or chronometer
is a time-keeper (n.). The first two are
used by a time-keeper, in the sense of a
person employed to record the time of work-
men ; another time-keeper is one who times
races. A person is said to be given a time-
limit (n.) when a time is fixed for him to do

Time. — The galvano-ma&netic clock at Green-
wich Observatory, which shows the time on a
twenty-four hour dial.

something or make a decision. A time-piec<
(n.) is a clock or watch.

A time-server (n.) is one who acts, anc
pretends to think, in a way agreeable t(
people whom it pays him to please. Sucl
conduct is time-serving (n.), and he himself i:
a time-serving (adj.) man. A printed o;
written list giving times at which things wil
happen is called a time-table (n.).

Work is called time-work (n.) if paid fo
according to the time i
takes, and not, as ii
piece-work, by the job
Things become time
worn (adj.), that is, won
out or dilapidated b]
weather, use, or decay. "
The rare word timefu
(tim' ful, adj.) and th<
common word timel]
(tim' li, adj.) both meai
seasonable, opportune
happening or done at <
suitable time. The word
timeous (tim' us; ti' mi
us; tim' yus, adj.) am
timous (tim' us, adj.)
used in Scotland, hav«
a like meaning. Hel]
is made more valuabL
by timeliness (tlni' li nes
n.), that is, by comin;
at the right moment—
timeously (tim' us li, ; ti' me us li ; tim
yus li, adv.), or timously (tim' us li, adv.)
A timer (tlm' er, n.) is one who or that whicl
keeps time, especially one who takes the tim<
of athletic events.

A.-S. 1 1 m a ; cp.
Swed. timme an hour,
O. Norse tlmi, akin
to E. tide. SYN. :
n. Moment, occasion,
opportunity, period,
season.

timid (tim ' id) , adj.
Easily frightened ;
fearful; indicating
or characterized by
fear ; shy. (F. timide^
peureux.)

Some people are
timid in the sense
that they are
frightened at the
slightest thing.
Others are timid in
the sense of not lik-
ing to make them-
selves prominent. The hare is an exampl*
of timidity (ti mid' i ti, n.), or timidnes:
(tim' id nes, n.) in the first sense, as it run;
quickly away at the slightest soun'd. W<
should approach our tasks boldly, no'
timidly (tim' id li, adv.).

F. timide, from L. timidus, from timer e to fear
SYN. : Fearful, pusillanimous, retiring, shy
timorous. ANT. : Aggressive, bold, daring.

Time-ball. — The time-ball

on the old Observatory at

Greenwich.

4299

TIMOROUS

TINDER

timorous (tim' 6 rus), adj. Timid ; shy ;
lacking in courage ; produced by or be-
tokening fear. (F. peureux, craintif, timore.)

This word, and its derivatives, timorous-
ness (tim' or us nes, n.) and timorously (tim'
or us li, adv.), are used in the same way as
the words timid, timidity, and timidly. In
music, timoroso (tim 6 ro' so, adv.) means
with hesitation.

From L. timor fear, and E. suffix -ous ', cp.
L.L. timorosus. SYN. : Fearful, shrinking, shy,
timid. ANT. : Aggressive, bold, daring.

Timothy grass (tim' 6 thi gras), n.
Another name for cat's-tail grass (Phleum
pratense), a valuable fodder grass.

Said to be named from Timothy Hanson, who
carried the seed from New England to Maryland
about 1720, and introduced it into England.

timous (tim' us). For this word and
timously see under time.

timpano (tim' pa no), n. An orchestral
kettle-drum. pi. timpani (tim' pa ne).
(F. timbale.)

Ital. from L. tympanum drum. See tympanum.

tin (tin), n. A white metal much used,
especially in the form of thin iron plates
coated with tin, for making cooking and
preserving utensils ; a box, canister, or other
receptacle made of tin. adj. Made of tin or
of sheet iron coated with tin. v.t. To coat
with tin ; to coat (a joint) with solder ; to
enclose (meat, fruit, etc.) in air-tight tins for
preserving. (F. dtain, boile enfer blanc, bidon ;
etamer, mettre en boite.}

Tin. — Tipping out ingots of tin, made from waste
in support of hospitals.

Tin is one of the metallic elements. Its
chemical symbol is Sn, and its specific weight
is 7' 3 times that of water. Tin is mixed with
lead to make pewter and solder, and with
copper to make bronze and gunmetal.

Most tin is obtained from dioxide of tin,
called fin-stone (n.), and cassiterite. It is a
very malleable metal and is beaten out into
the form of very thin sheets, named tinfoil
(n.), which is used to tinfoil (v.t.) sweets and
tobacco, that is, to wrap them.

As tin is little affected by air, it is used to

protect sheet iron from rusting. Iron sheets
coated with tin are called tin-plate (n.).
It is usual to tin-plate (v.t.), that is, line with
tin, copper cooking utensils.

A tinman (tin' man, n.), or tin-smith (tin'
smith, n.), makes all kinds of articles, collect-
ively called tinware (n.), out of sheets of
tin-plate. In Cornwall a man who dresses
tin ore is called a tinman. The japanned
sheet iron usually known as ferrotype is also
called tintype (n.).

A tinner (tin' er, n.) is a person who works
in tin, who digs tin ore, or who tins meat
or other food. The pied wagtail often builds
in disused mine-shafts, and is called tinner
in Cornwall. Things made of thin metal
give out a tinny (tin' i, adj.) sound when
struck, that is, a sound like that from a
tin box or canister.

A.-S., akin to Dutch, Dan., Icel. tin, G. zinn,
but not to L. stannum.

tinamou (tin' a moo), n. A group of
South American birds resembling quail
in appearance and habits. Another form is
tinamu (tin' a moo). (F. tinamou.)

Tinamous are shot in the same way as
partridges are in Britain. Their flesh is
excellent eating. The scientific name of the
family is Tinamidae.

F., from native name in Guiana.

tincal (ting' kal), n. Crude native borax.
Another form is tinkal (ting' kal). (F. tincal.}

Malay tingkal, Sansk tancana borax ; cp.
Hindustani, Pers. tinkar.

tinctorial (tingk tor' i al).
For this word see under tincture.

tincture (tingk' chur), n. A
solution, usually in alcohol, of
some vegetable or other principle,
used in medicine ; a tinge, shade,
or flavour ; any one of the
metals, colours, and furs in
heraldry, v.t. To tint ; to impart
a tinge or flavour to ; to affect
slightly (with). (F. essence, teint,
gout; teindre, assaisonner,
nuancer.)

The substances used in making
tinctures are chiefly vegetable.
Figuratively, we might say that
an unprincipled scoundrel has
no tincture of honour in him.
The word tinctorial (tingk tor'
i al, adj.) means relating to or
used in dyeing.

L. tinctura dyeing, from tinct-us, p.p. of tingere
to dye, tinge. See tinge. SYN. : n. Flavour,
shade, tinge, trace.

tindal (tin' dal), n. A petty officer of
lascars who assists the serang ; an Indian
foreman on public works ; an Indian personal
attendant.

Malayalam (South Indian) tandal.

tinder (tin' der), n. Any dry substance
that readily takes light from a spark, used
to kindle fire. (F. amadou.)

tinfoil collected

4300

TINE

TINMA:

Before matches were invented people
used to obtain a light by using tinder.
This, usually a piece of charred linen, was
kept in a tinder-box (n.), together with
a flint and a steel. By striking the
flint and steel together a spark could be
produced which ignited the linen. Among
other tinder materials are touch-paper,
decaying wood, and amadou, which is made
from fungi. Anything resembling tinder
is tindery (tin' der i, adj.), or tinder- like (adj.).

M.E. .tinder, tunder, A.-S. tynder, tyndre,
-tendan to kindle ; cp
zunder, O. Norse tundr.

tine (tin), n. A
prong, point, or spike.
(F. dent, pointe, fer.)

This word is chiefly

Dutch tondet

Tinder.— A tinder-boK, together with (front) its
steel and Hint.

used of such things as
forks and harrows, and
especially to denote
the branches of a stag's
antlers. The word
tined (tind, adj.) is
often used in combina-
tion with a number,
such as three-lined,
and so on, of forks.

Earlier form tind

(M.E. and A.-S.). Cp. Dutch tinne, G. zinne
pinnacle, O. Norse tindr, spike, tooth (of a comb),
L. dens (gen. dent-is), E. tooth.

tinfoil (tin' foil). For this word see
under tin.

ting (ting), n. A high, metallic sound,
such as that made by striking a small bell.
v.i. To give out such a sound. v.t. To
announce by such a sound, adv. With such
a sound. (F. tintement; tinter.}

The word ting is used of a single sound,
and ting-a-ling (ting' a ling, n. and adv.) of a
series of such sounds.

Imitative ; cp. tingle, tinkle.

tinge (tinj), v.t. To give a slight shade of
colour to ; to tint ; to modify the colour of ;
to give a slight flavour to ; to modify by
mixing with something else ; to imbuo with
some foreign quality ; to alter slightly, v.i.
To become tinged, n. A faint shade of colour,
especially one that modifies another colour ;
a slight admixture of some property ; a
flavour ; a touch ; & suggestion. (F. teindre,
assaisonner, accommoder ; teinte, ombre,
soup $ on.)

The colour of a dress may be blue with a
tinge of red. Much trouble may add a tinge
of melancholy to a nature that was originally
sunny.

L. iingere to dye, stain, akin to Gr. tenggein to
wet, stain, G. tunken to dip. SYN. : v. Colour,
imbue, modify, tint n. Flavour, hue, sug-
gestion, tint.

tingle (ting' gl), v.i. To be affected with
a stinging, prickling, or thrilling sensation ;
to cause such a sensation ; to tinkle, v.t.
To cause to tingle, n. An act, condition, or
instance of tingling ; a tinkling sound. (F.
vibrer, picoter, cuire ; tintement.}

4301

tinkler ( ting 'kler, w.)

Our hands begin to tingle after we ha\
made the first few snowballs, and we fe
a tingle if we plunge very cold hands into IK
water. Our cheeks tingle with indignatic
at an act of injustice.

Imitative. M.E. tinglen, frequentative
tinken or ting to make a bell ring, then to ha1
a thrilling or vibrating feeling, which may 1
compared with the sharp, quick sound mac
by striking metal. SYN. : v. Prick, smai
sting, thrill.

tininess (ti' ni nes). For the meanir
of this word see under tiny.

tinker (ting' kei
n. A mender, especial]
a travelling mende
of pots, kettles, ar
other household utei
si Is ; in Scotlan
Ireland, and northei
England, a gipsy ;
rough - and - ready i
unskilful worker <
mender ; a bunglir
attempt at mendir
or altering ; a loc
name for various bird
fishes, etc. Anotb
form, used of a gipsy,
v.t. To mend as a tink

does ; to mend or alter in a clumsy or ii
effective way. v.i. To work as a tinker ; •
work or make repairs or alterations clumsi
or unskilfully ; to potter or trifle. (F. cha\
dronnier ambulant, raccommodeur, bousillagt
rapiecer, bousiller.)

From early times the trade of tinker h;
been held in low repute. In northern Brita
tinker became the regular term for a gips;
or for any wandering trader or begga
Nowadays, apart from its literal meanin
the word is often used of amateurish <
unskilful handling of any work. Some me:
we might say, love to tinker with the
motor-cars. Things worth repairing are worl
repairing well, and not in a tinkerly (tinj
ker li, adj.) or clumsy fashion. One who worl
clumsily is a tinkerer (ting' ker er, n.).

Imitative = one who makes a tinging
tinkling noise when- mending pots ; cp.
tinnlre to ring, clink, tintinnabulum bell. 5
tingle, tinkle. SYN. : v. Botch, bungle, pate
tinkle (ting' kl), v.i. To give out a serii
of quick, sharp, metallic sounds, as of a lit!
bell ; to talk idly. v.t. To cause to make sue
sounds ; to express or announce by sue
sounds, n. A series of sounds of this kin
(F. tinter, sonner ; tintement.)

A small bell or anything else that tinkL
can be called a tinkler (ting' kler, n.}. Tl
tinkling (ting' kling, n.) of an invalid
hand-bell denotes that attention is needed.
Imitative ; M.E. tinklen, from tinken and suff
,le. SYN. : v. and n. Clink, jingle.

tinkler (ting' kler), n. A gipsy ; that whic
tinkles. See under tinker and tinkle.

tinman (tin' man).
tinner see under tin.

For this word ar

TINNITUS

TIP

tinnitus (ti ni' tus), n. A sensation of
ringing in the ears. (F. tintouin.}
Imitative. L. tinnitus, p.p. of tinnlre. See ting.

tinny (tin' i). For this word, tin-plate, etc.,
see under tin.

tinsel (tin' sel), n. A lustrous, metallic
substance, such as brass or copper, made
into thin sheets and used in strips, disks,
spangles, or threads to give a sparkling effect
to dresses, hangings, etc. ;. a dress material
ornamented with this ; a fabric interwoven
with gold or silver threads ; very fine wire
thread used in making flexible electrical
conductors ; superficial brilliancy, show, or
pretence. adj. Gaudy ; showy ; super-
ficially fine. v.t. To adorn with tinsel. (F.
clinquant, faux brillant ; voyant, tapageur ;
orner de clinquant.}

Originally tinsel was made of gold or
silver. Later cheap imitations were used,
as for stage purposes, angler's flies, etc., and
so the word came to be used figuratively
for anything that is sparkling and showy,
but of little real value. The skirts of ballet-
dancers are sometimes made of tinselly (tin'
sel li, adj.] material.

O.F. estincelle, L. scintilla spark. See scintilla.
SYN. : n. Pinchbeck, pretence, show, spangles.
adj. Flashy, garish, gaudy, glittering, showy.

tin -stone (tin' ston). For this word and
tinware see under tin.

tint (tint), n. A slight or delicate tinge
of any colour ; a shade or variety of a colour,
especially one produced by mixing with
white ; in engraving, an effect of shade,
texture, etc., obtained by a series of fine
parallel lines set close together, v.t. To apply
a tint to ; to tinge, v.i. To become tinted.
(F. teinte, nuance; teinter, colorer.}

Among the chief natural beauties of the
declining year are the autumn tints of the
leaves.

The fine parallel lines with which a printing
block is shaded are made by an instrument
called a tint-tool (n.). A tint-block (n.) is a
block with a design used for printing a
faintly-coloured background. The man who
uses a tint-tool may be described as a tinter
(tint' er, n.), a term also applied to any
engraving tool or machine used for tinting.
A lantern-slide of plain, coloured glass, such
as is used in a theatre for throwing a green,
red, or other light on to the stage is also
called a tinter.

A piece of ordinary window-glass is tintless
(tint' les, adj.) — it has no colour. A tinty
(tint' i, adj.) picture is one that is full of tints
or that has the tints too prominent or not
harmoniously combined. A tintometer (tin
torn' e ter, n.) is an instrument for deter-
mining tints by comparison with a series of
standards.

Earlier tinct, from L. tinctus, p.p. of tingere to
dye, tinge. SYN. : «. Colour, hue, shade,
tinge, v. Colour, tinge.

tintinnabulum (tin ti nab' yu him), n.
A bell, especially a little tinkling one ; a
musical instrument or toy consisting of

a number of bells or metal plates, pi.
tintinnabula (tin ti nab' yii la). (F. clochette,
grelot, sonnerie.)

The words tintinnabular (tin tinab'yular,
adj.), tintinnabulary (tin ti nab' yu la ri, adj.),
tintmnabulatory (tin ti nab' yu la to ri, adj.),
and tintinnabulous (tin ti nab' yii his, adj.),
all mean relating to bells or characterized
by ringing ; to tintinnabulate (tin ti nab' yu
lat, v.i.) is to ring, and a tintinnabulation (tin
ti nab yu la' shun, n.) means a ringing of a
bell, or bells, or the sound so made.

L = little bell, from tintinndre to ring, clink,
jingle, (reduplicated from tinnlre). See tinker,
tinkle.

tintless (tint' les). For this word, tinto-
meter, etc., see undertint.

tiny (ti' ni), adj. Very small, n. A very-
small child ; an infant. (F. menu, tout petit,
minuscule.}

The adjective is often used with the word
little ; for example, we can speak of a tiny
little man. Tininess (ti' ni nes, n.} is the
quality of being tiny.

Earlier forms tine, tyne. The most probable
derivation seems to be that it is an abbreviation
of O.F. tantinet a little bit ; cp. L. tantillus so
little. M.E. tyne was also a noun, meaning a
little time, space or amount. SYN. : adj.
Diminutive, small, wee. ANT. : adj. Big,
gigantic, huge, large.

Tiny. — The natural foot of a Chinese woman

worker (left), and the tiny, cramped foot of a

Chinese lady.

tip [ij (tip), n. The end or extremity,
especially of anything small or tapering ; a
small piece or part attached to the end of a
thing to form a point, etc. ; a brush used to
lay on gold-leaf, v.t. To put a tip on ; to
form the tip of. (F. bout, pointe, pinceau de
doreur ; ferrer, pointer.}

A billiard-cue is tipped with a roughened
pad cemented to its tip or extremity.
Fountain pens have usually a gold nib with
a tip of iridium. We feel cold more intensely
at the finger tips and at other extremities.

Children stand tiptoe (adv.}, or on the tips
of the toes, when they want to reach some-
thing that is high up, and they tiptoe (v.i.)

4302

TIP

TTRASSI

along when they want to walk silently. To be
at the tip-top (n.) is to be at the very top, and
one who is there may be called a tip-topper
(n.). A thing is done in tip-top (adj.) fashion
when it is done as well as possible, as when a
boy in the sports jumps tip-top (adv.), or
very well indeed.

A tipstaff (n.) was a staff with a metal tip
carried as a badge of office by a sheriff's
officer, who is still called a tipstaff.

M.E. ; cp. Dutch, Dan., Swed. tip, Low G.
tipp, G. zipfel, E. tap (plug). SYN. : n. End,
extremity, point.

tip [2] (tip), v.t. To cause to lean ; to
tilt ; to overturn ; to
upset ; to discharge
(the contents of) by
tilting; to strike
lightly; to give a
gratuity to ; to toss.
v.i. To lean over; to
tilt ; to upset ; to
topple ; to supply with
secret or useful inform-
ation, n. A present
in money ; a place
where rubbish is
discharged ; a light
blow or push ; a piece
of secret or useful in-
formation. (F. faire
pencher, gratifies,
tuyauter, donner lemot ;
pourboire, tuyau, tas
d' ordures, tape, mot.)

A tip-cart (n.) is a vehicle with a body
so pivoted that it can be tipped or tilted
sideways or endways to discharge its load
when it reaches the refuse-tip, or dump,
ready for the destructor. A tip-wagon (n.),
used on railways, discharges its contents in
a similar fashion.

Boys play tip-cat (n.) with a short piece of
wood called a cat, pointed at each end. This
is placed on the ground and struck on one
end with a stick, so that it flies up into the
air, and the game is to hit the cat again before
it falls and strike it to a distance.

It is the custom to tip servants who do one
a service. Uncles and aunts not infrequently
tip their younger nephews and nieces at the
end of a visit.

The game of tip-and-run (n.) is a kind of
cricket, in which the batsman must run
whenever he hits the ball. The German naval
raids on our coastal towns during the World
War (1914-18) were called tip-and-run (adj.)
raids, because the enemy ships hurried back
as soon as they had fired a few shots.

A tipper (tip' er, n.) is a person who gives
tips, or a thing which tilts itself on another
object.

Variant of tap (to touch lightly) . M.E . tappen,
cp. Swed. tippa to touch lightly. The sense
of making a present is said to come'from the same
= to throw gently to, pass quickly or secretly to ;
cp. the slang phrase " to tip a wink." SYN. : v.
Overturn, tilt, topple, n. Dump, gratuity, tap.

Tip. — A hygienic du?t-cart, which is tipped mechanic-
ally, discharging its load.

tippet (tip' et), n. A covering fo:
the neck and shoulders, usually of fur 01
cloth. (F. pelerine, palatine.)

A fur tippet is part of the official dres:
of a judge, and a liveried footman or coach
man often wears a tippet in cold weather
A.-S. taeppct, taepped, from L. tapete carpet
tapestry, Gr. tapes (gen. tapet-os ; cp. F. tapis)
SYN. : Cape.

tipple (tip' 1), v.i. To drink intoxi
eating liquors habitually, v.t. To drinl
(liquors) frequently or in small sips. n. Stronj
drink. (F. ivrogner, gobelotter ; boisson.)
One who is continually tippling is des
cribed as a tippler (tip
ler, n.). Another kim
of tippler is a devic<
for emptying truck
of coal, ore, etc., b]
tilting them over side
ways until they an
upside down.

Of Scand. origin. Cp
Norw. tipla, frequenta
tive of tippa to dri]
from a tip, G. zip f eh
to sip, drink in smal
amounts ; cp. provincia
E. tip a drink.

tipstaff (tip' staf)
n. A sheriff's officer
See under tip [i].

tipster (tip' ster), •«
One who gives inform
ation about horse
races, etc. (F. placier.
From tip [2] and suffix -ster.

tipsy (tip' si), adj. Partly intoxicated
fuddled ; caused by or showing intoxica
tion. (F. ivre.)

The sight of a tipsy man in the street
is happily less frequent than it was som
years ago. Tipsiness (tip' si nes, n.) o
slight intoxication is the condition of
person who behaves tipsily (tip' si 1
adv.).

Sponge-cake soaked in wine and serve
with custard is called tipsy-cake (n.).

From tip [2] and suffix -sy, perhaps dim.

tiptoe (tip' to). For this word and tif

top see under tip [i],

tirade (ti rad'), n. A long vehemen
speech or declamation, especially one c
reproof ; in music a run filling an interv;
between two notes. (F. tirade.)

F., from Ital. tirata drawing, a speech long
drawn out, from L.L. tirdre to draw See tier.

tirailleur (te ra yer ; tir a ler'), n. ,
sharp-shooter or skirmisher, originally i
the French Revolutionary wars. (I
tirailleur.)

F., from tirailler frequentative of tir BY t
draw, fire, shoot. See tier.

tirasse (te ras'), n. A coupler causin
the pedals of a small organ to operate th
notes of the manual keyboard. (F. tirasse,

F., from tirer to draw.

4303

TIRE

TIT

toil ; to wear out the patience or interest
of. v.i. To become weary or fatigued.
(F. fatiguer, lasser, importuner, epuiser,
raser ; se lasser.}

Strenuous or continued labour tires one.
Muscles become tired or fatigued with

tire [i] (tir), v.t. To weary ; to fatigue ; A tedious uninteresting railway journey

to exhaust or diminish the strength of by is often described as tiresome, because it

makes us feel weary. It is very tiresome
or annoying to miss one's train. Children
kept indoors by bad weather sometimes
grow tiresome, and are inclined, perhaps,
to behave tiresomely (tir' sum li, adv.) or
annoyingly. Tiresomeness (tir' sum nes,

effort. We grow tired or weary of assisting n.) is the state or quality of being tedious
a person who makes no effort to help himself. and wearisome, or of being vexatious and

To read small print is tiring (tir' ing, annoying.

adj ) to the eyes, which usually function From tire [i] and suffix -some. SYN. : Annoy-
so well that one is apt to regard them as ing, irksome tedious wearisome,
tireless (tir' les, adj.). If, however, they tiro (tir' 6). This is another spelling
are rested the feeling of tiredness (tlrd' of tyro. See tyro

nes n ) usually disappears. Tireless exer- tirwit (ter' wit), n. A name given to
tions are those persisted in. The spider in the lapwing in imitation of its call,
the old story of Robert Bruce worked 'tis (tiz). This is an abbreviation of it is.

tirelessly (tir' les li, adv.) and at last reached now only poetical or archaic.

its goal.

A.-S. teorian (v.t. and i.) to (become) weary.
The word has been connected with A.-S. tergan,
tiergan to worry, or with ter an to tear. SYN. :
Exhaust, fatigue, weary. ANT
refresh, rest, restore.

tire [2] (tir), n. A
hoop of iron, steel, or
rubber placed round the
rim of a wheel to
strengthen it, to receive
the wear, or to reduce
vibration, v.t. To furnish
with a tire ; to place a tire
on. Another form is tyre
(tir). (F. bandage, pneu-
matique ; embattre, bander.)

Primitive vehicles had
wheels which were tireless
(tir' les, adj.), or without
tires, but most modern
ones are tired (tlrd, adj.),
or furnished with some
sort of tire. A rubber-
tired (adj.) wheel, that is,
one furnished with a solid
or pneumatic rubber tire,
moves over a rough sur-
face with much less
vibration than a wheel that has an iron tire,
owing to the elasticity of the rubber in
the one case, and of the air inside the tire
in the other.

An iron tire is fitted to a wooden cart-
wheel by a tire-smith (n.), a smith specially
skilled in the work. He makes a tire just
too small to go on the wheel when cold ; this
is heated till it expands to a sufficient size
to slip over the felloes when it is hammered
into place. As the metal cools the tire
grips the wooden felloes with immense
force. The tires of vehicles which run on
rails are flanged.

Probably from attire in the sense of a covering,
head-dress. Others explain as tie-er something
that ties or binds.

tisane (ti zan'). This is another spelling
of ptisan. See ptisan.

Tishri (tish' ri), n. The first month of
the Jewish civil year and the seventh of the
Invigorate, ecclesiastical year, falling in parts of

September and October.
Another form is Tisri
(tiz' ri).
Heb. = beginning.

tissue (tish ' u ; tis ' shoo ;
tis' u), n. Any fine woven
material ; in biology, a
fabric composed of cells
and cell-products ; the
substance of a part or
organ ; a fabrication ; a
connected series ; a set.
(F. tissu, toile.)

Tissue originally meant
anything woven, but later
the term was confined to
the finer and more costly
forms of weaving, such
as delicate transparent
muslins, and tissue of
gold, or of cloth inter-
woven with golden threads.

Tired.— A tired orange-seller asleep on a A series of falsehoods
door-step. From a painting by A. Hill.

woven into a concocted
story is called a tissue of lies.

The fibres of muscle, nerve and connective
substance which go to form the body of
animals, are called tissue. Thus we speak
of muscular, nervous, osseous, and cellular
tissues, according to their nature and
purpose. In plants there are less complex
tissues.

The unsized soft paper called tissue-paper
(n.) is used for wrapping or protecting
delicate articles, or to prevent a set-off
between the printed page and a plate in
books.

F. tissu, p.p. of O.F. tistre to weave, L. texere
to weave.

tit (tit), n. A name given to several
kinds of small bird, including the titmouse

tiresome (tir' sum), adj. Tending to tire ; and titlark. (F. mesange, farlouse.)

*_*___• 3* _ • /T> T~> AJ_"L J-lA. J J-*J-1 ! /J-IJ- / "!.;»-»,-,

fatiguing ; tedious ; annoying. (F. ennuyeux,
assommart, fastidieux.)

Both tit and titling (tit' ling, n.) may
mean either the titmouse (n.) or the titlark (n.).

4304

TITAN

TITLE

The latter is a name given both to
the tree pipit and the meadow pipit. Tit-
mice (n.pl.) belong to the sub-family
Paridae. British species of titmouse include
the great tit, blue tit, and long-tailed tit,

derived from the produce of ]and ; personal,
or the profits from industry or occupation ;
and mixed tithes, comprising things like
wool, eggs, milk, butter, etc., the produce
of animals fed on the land. Originally

small insectivorous birds fond of nesting the tithe was a tenth of what was grown or

in holes in tree-trunks and similar situations.
A titbit (tit' bit, n.) is a dainty or delicate
morsel.

Of Scand. origin. Cp. Icel. titt-r pin, small
bird, Htling-r tit, sparrow, perhaps originally
meaning anything small.

Titan (ti' tan), n.
In Greek mythology,
each of the twelve
children of Uranus
and Ge ; the sun-god,
as the offspring of
Hyperion, one of the
Titans ; a person
having superhuman
strength or genius. (F.
Titan, hercule, geant.)

The Titans were
said to be gigantic and
immensely strong, for
which reason they
were feared and hated
by their father, who
thrust them into a cavern in the earth called
Tartarus. The Titans personify lawlessness,
gigantic size, and enormous strength.

It is sometimes said of a colossal statue

produced, and this was paid in kind, but
in 1836 tithes were commuted into an
annual payment of money called a tithe
rent charge.

Land subject to tithe is tithable (tlthf
abl, adj.}. The taking
or levying of tithes
is tithing (tlth' ing, n.}.
Tithing also meant,
in Anglo-Saxon times,
a group of ten house-
holders who were
responsible for each
other's good beha-
viour. In many parts
of England tithe barns
(n.pl.) can still be seen.
These were used for
storing the corn re-
ceived as tithes.

A.-S. ieotha tenth ; cp.
Dutch tiend, G. zehnte,
O. Norse tiunde.

To excite
(F.

Tit. — The blue tit, a species of British titmouse.
It feeds chiefly on insects.

titillate (tit' i lat),

or stimulate pleasurably ; to tickle.
chatouiller.)

One's palate may be titillated by

an

that it has Titanic (tl tan' ik, adj.) or agreeable odour of cooking ; the fancy
Titanesque (ti ta nesk', adj.) proportions. may be titillated by an episode in a story.

A Titaness (tl' tan es, n.) means a female
Titan, or a giantess.

Perhaps connected with Gr. tlto day, with
reference to the sun-god, from root ti- to lighten.
Others explain as avengers (from tineiri).

titanium (ti ta' ni um), n. A dark-
grey metallic element found in small quanti-
ties in a number of other minerals. (F.
titane.)

Titanium is employed in the manufacture
of a number of useful alloys. Like many
other elements, this substance may form two
series of compounds, one known as titanic
(ti tan' ik, adj.) and the other as titanous

Titillation (tit i la' shim, n.) means the act
of stimulating or the resultant state. In
another sense an act of tickling is a titillation.

L. titillatus, p.p. of titillare to tickle.

titivate (tit' i vat), v.t. To adorn
or smarten (oneself), v.i. To dress up.
(F. attifer; s'attifer.)

This is a colloquial word.

Formerly also tidivate ; perhaps from tidy, a
L. p.p. formation, as if from a verb titivare.

titlark (tit' lark), n. This is another
name for the tree pipit and the meadow
pipit. See under tit.

title (ti' tl), n. An inscription serving

ti' tan us, adj.). Titanic acid is an oxide as .a distinguishing name placed at the

of titanium, a salt of the acid being de-
scribed as a titanate (tl' tan at, n.).

From Titan (as an earth-god) and -ium suffix
in names of metals.

titbit (tit' bit), n. A small bit; a
choice or dainty morsel. See under tit.

tit for tat (tit for tat), n. Blow for blow ;
an adequate retaliation ; requital in full.
(F. manche a manche.)

Probably mere popular coinage.

tithe (tlth), n. The tenth part of any-
thing ; a tax of one-tenth of the yearly
revenue from land or personal industry
paid to support the clergy and the Church.
v.t. To lay tithes upon. (F. dime; dimer
sur.}

beginning of a book, chapter, etc. ; the
page of a book on which this is set forth ;
the whole contents of this page, or a short-
ened form of it, containing the essentials ;
the heading of a legal document or statute ;
a division of a document, statute, etc. ;
an appellation denoting a dignity or office
held by a person ; in law, the right to
ownership of property ; the legal evidence
of this, or documents establishing it ; a title-
deed ; a just or acknowledged claim, or
its grounds. (F. litre, qualification, acte,
droit.)

The title of a book, as usually impressed
on its cover, is an abstract of the name,
etc., which is printed on the title-page (n.).
This page bears the word or words chosen

Tithes were of three kinds, predial, or as the title of the work, the names of author

4305

TITLING

TO

and publisher, date and place of publication, The titterer (tit' er er, n.) usually laughs

etc. The heading of a treatise or legal
document is called its title, and the term
is also applied to the captions at the head

in this way because he does not wish his
titters to be observed.

M.E. titeren. Probably imitative, perhaps

of a statute which briefly describe its scope akin to tittle to speak low, in a subdued tone

and purpose.

See tattle. SYN. : v. and n. Giggle.

The King honours a person by conferring tittle (tit' 1), n. A small particle ; a
a title of honour upon him ; a titled (tr tld, minute part ; an iota. (F. ombre, iota.)

adj.) person means one in possession of
a title of nobility. A person or a book
lacking a title is titleless (tl' tl les, adj.).

Before a man can be ordained a clergy-
man in the Church of England he must
fjenerally have a title, that is, a certificate
of presentment showing that he has a

O.F. title, from L. titulus mark, stroke over
a letter or word ; cp. Span, tilde. See title.
SYN. : Iota, jot, particle.

tittlebat (tit' 1 bat). This is a childish
form of the word stickleback. See stickle-
back.

tittle-tattle (tit' 1 tat' 1), n. Gossip ; idle

source of income and sphere of duty. The or trifling talk. v.i. To gossip. (F. caquet,
degree of fineness of gold, as expressed in commerage, cancan; bavarder, cancaner.)

Reduplication of tattle.

tittup (tit' up), v.i. To move in a lively

carats, is called its title.

The dependants of a soldier killed

war have a just title, or claim, to be assisted way ; to prance or frisk, n. An action of
by the State. A soldier's title to a pension this kind. (F. gambader ; gambade.)

A horse prances or tittups along. A
rickety unsteady piece of furniture is said

n

consists in a specified number of years'
service.

A man's title to land, or the right by to be tittupy (tit' up i, adj.).

which he owns or claims the land, is estab

Imitative of the noise made by the horse,

lished by evidence (also called a title), such or : perhaps from a variant of tip (to lean over) and

as that set forth in a title-deed (n.). The
part or character in a play from whose name

up. SYN. : v. and n. Caper, frisk, prance.
titular (tit' u lar), adj. Existing in

the title of the piece is taken is called the title or name only ; nominal ; holding a

titie-role (n.).

A kind of printer's type
used for titles or headings
of pages in a book is called a
titling (tit' ling, adj.) letter
or title letter (n.). Titling (n.)
also means the act of im-
pressing the name of a book
on its cover.

O.F., from L. titulus inscrip-
tion, label, title, sign. SYN. :
Appellation, claim, designation,
honour, prerogative.

titling [i] (tit' ling), n.
The titmouse or the titlark.
See under tit.

titling [2] (tit' ling), n.
The act of impressing a book
cover with a title, adj. Of
printing types, used for
titles. See under title.

titmouse (tit' mous), n.
A name given to several
small birds, especially the
tits. See under tit.

L I F E

AND

STR&NGE SURF SIZING

ADVENTURES

ROBINSON CRUSOE,

Of

Who lived Eight and Twenty fears,
all a'one in an on-intufe&ed I&>no' on the!

M

W IT H
An Account how be w«i& at !aft a> itratv civ <k1r

very b> PY RATES. .

I , — -- ,-, ,

HMari; //.*;,//.

Title. — The original title-page of

Daniel ^Defoe's immortal story.

" Robinson Crusoe."

dignity or position without discharging its
duties ; of, relating to, or
held in virtue of a title ;
conferring the, title only.
n. One who nolds the title
of an office or benefice with-
out its authority or obliga-
tions. (F. titulaire, honor aire.)

Some bishops in the
Roman Catholic Church are
the titular holders of bene-
fices, in a country formerly
Christian but at present, say,
Mohammedan. Such bene-
fices are titular, existing in
name only. A church is
usually named after a saint,
who thus becomes its patron
or titular saint. Titularly (tit'
u lar li, adv.] means in name
or title, or nominally.

F. titulaire, from L. titulus
title, office, suffix -aire (E. -ar)
from L. -drius. SYN. : adj.
Nominal.

tmesis (me' sis), n. In
grammar, the separation of
the parts of a compound

the Mourh of

h«e-

titrate (tl' trat ; tit'
rat), v.t. To determine the
amount of some component of a substance

by finding out the quantity of a standard them. " (F. tmese.
reagent needed to produce a given reaction. L.. Gr. from temnein to cut.
(F. titrer.)

word by placing one or more words between

to (to ; tu ; too), prep. In a direction
The process of titrating is titration towards ; as far as ; no less than ; not

(tl tra' shun ; ti tra' shun, n.}.

F. titrer, from litre standard, fineness, formed
as if from a L. p.p.

short of ; compared with ; in respect of ;
in correspondence with ; concerning ; intro-
ducing the indirect object of a verb, or

titter (tit' er), v.i. To laugh in a sub- the person or thing affected by its action ;
dued way ; to giggle, n. A subdued laugh. the sign of the infinitive mood ; expressing
(F. fire sous cape, ricaner ; ricanement.} purpose and futurity; denoting relation of

4306

TOAD

TOBACCO

the dative in other languages, adv. To
the usual, normal or required position,
especially to a standstill. (F. a, vers,
jusque, a I'egard de, selon, avec.)

We go to school in order to fit ourselves
for our life work. We owe respect and
obedience to those whose duty it is to teach
us. If we attend to our lessons we shall
the more easily attain to proficiency. From
the beginning to the end of school life the
process of learning goes on, until we are
ready to take up our selected tasks.

With such words as please, dare, need,
go, we often omit "to," the infinitive of
the following verb being understood. It
is not used with the auxiliaries can, may,
shall, etc. A ratio of 3 to i means one of 3
compared with i. An account is headed
" Dr. to," q"|fl an item is written " To 5
yards of silk,^tc.," expressing an obligation
incurred for the supply of the articles
mentioned. " To " often implies opposition,
as in " face to face," or " hand to hand " ;
in other uses connexion is denoted, as when
we speak of the key to a door, or the door
to a room.

A.-S. to ; cp. Dutch toe, G. zu, Rus. do (up to).

toad (tod), n. A tailless amphibian
of the family Bufonidae ; a very objection-
able or repulsive person. (F. crapaud.)

Toads differ from frogs in many respects ;
they are less shapely and agile, the skin is
dry and warty, and they visit the water
only during the spawning season. The
common British toad is Bufo
vulgar is.

A toady (to' di, n.} or a
toadyish (to' di ish, adj.}
person is a servile person,
who fawns obsequiously upon
others. Toadyism (to ' di izm,
n.}, or servile conduct, used to
be called toad-eating (n.), and
one who behaved thus was
termed a toad-eater (n.), these
words being derived from the
name given to the man who
assisted a mountebank by
pretending to eat toads and poisonous
animals, so that his master might show his
skill by " curing " the " toad-eater."

The name of toad-fish (n.) is given to
various kinds of fish with a wide gaping
mouth and an ugly appearance, especially
to the angler-fish (Lophius), and to various
species of Batrachus, found in the warmer
waters of the U.S.A. coast. The snap-
dragon or antirrhinum is sometimes called
toad's-mouth (n.}, and different species of
Linaria are called toadflax (n.), the most
familiar being the yellow toadflax (L.
vulgaris). Different species of umbrella-
shaped fungi are known as toadstool (n.).
A dish made of sausages or pieces of beef
baked in batter is called toad-in-the-hole (n.).

The name of toadstone (n.) was formerly
used to describe a hard substance that was
believed to come from a toad's head and

to possess magic properties, and was worn
as an amulet. Another kind of toadstone —
here meaning dead-stone, from a corruption
of its German name — is a volcanic rock,
so called because it contains no metal -
bearing ores.

A.-S. tad(ig}e. The word is of unknown origin
and has no cognates in other languages. Tadpole
is a derivative, from toad and poll (head).

Toad. — The common toad. It has
a dry, grey-brown, warty skin.

Toadstool. — A little group of toadstools. Almost

any umbrella-shaped fungus, not a mushroom, can

be called a toadstool.

toast (tost), n. A slice of bread browned
in front of the fire ; a person whose health
is drunk ; a wish, sentiment, or other
thing, named in drinking ; the drinking
of a health or the honouring of a sentiment
thus. v.t. To brown or cook before a fire ; to
warm (the feet, etc.) at a fire ; to drink to the
health of or in honour of. v.i. To be toasted.
(F. pain grille, rotie, toast,
sante ; griller, toaster.}

At a banquet or public
dinner the names of people
to be toasted,- or in whose
honour toasts are to be
drunk, are announced by an
official called a toast-master
(n.}.

Slices of toast are stood
upright in a toast- rack (n.) for
serving at table. The drink
called toast -and-water (n.)
and toast-water (n.) is made
by steeping toast-crusts in water. A
toaster (tost' er, n.) is one who toasts in any
sense, or an apparatus used for making toast,
such as a toasting-fork (n.}, which has prongs
on the end of a long handle.

O.F. tostee, from L. tosta, fern. p.p. of torre/e
to parch, roast. The connexion with health -
drinking is explained by the old custom of put-
ting toast in the liquor.

tobacco (to bak' 6), n. A plant of the
genus Nicotiana ; the leaves of this, dried
and prepared for smoking, etc. (F. tabac.}
Many of the species of tobacco-plant (n.)
are found in America, others being natives
of East Asia. The custom of smoking the
dried leaves in rolls, in hollow canes, or in
pipes, existed long before it was introduced
into Europe in the sixteenth century.

From the tobacconist (to bak' 6 nist, n.)
may be obtained tobacco of many kinds, the

4307

TOBINE

TOE

tobacco-pipe (n.) in which to smoke it, and
the tobacco-pouch («.) in which to carry it.
A tobacco-stopper (n.) is a plug for pressing
down the burning tobacco in a pipe ; and a
tobacco-cutter (n.) is used for shredding
plug-tobacco.

Span, tabaco, from the Haytian name for the
tube or pipe in which the Indians smoked the
leaves of the plant.

tobine (to' bin), n.
A stout' twilled 'silk,
used for making
dresses. (F. tabis.)

Ital. Idbino, from
Arabic 'altabi, from
'attablya a watered silk,
so called because first
manufactured in a
quarter of Bagdad of
the same name ; cp.
Dutch tabijn, G. tobin.
See tabby.

toboggan (to bog'
an), n. A long, low
sled or sledge, used for
sliding down slopes
covered with ice or
snow. v.i. To slide on
a toboggan. (F. toboggan ; alter en toboggan.}
Boys and girls like a good sharp frost
because it means that they can get some
tobogganing (to bog' an ing, n.}. In countries
where wintry weather lasts longer, a
tobogganer (to bog' an er, n.) is able to take
his toboggan to a prepared course, called a
toboggan-shoot (n.), a toboggan-slide (n.), or
a toboggan-run (n.), where he may toboggan
to his heart's con-
tent.

From American In-
dian odabagan sledge.
SYN. : Sled.

Toby (to' bi), «.
A mug or jug shaped
usually like a man
wearing a three-
cornered hat.

The Toby or Toby
jug was used to hold
beer. Early examples
are much prized.

From proper name
Toby, short for Tobias,
Hcb. Tobijah.

toccata (to ka'
ta), n. A musical
composition of a
brilliant or showy
nature.

Toccatas were
originally intended
to exhibit the player's touch and power of
execution. A toccatella (tok a tel' a, «.), or
toccatina (tok a te' na, n.) is a short toccata.
Ital., verbal n. from toccare to touch, of Teut.
origin. See touch.

tocsin (tok' sin), n. A bell rung as an alarm
signal ; the ringing of such a bell. (F. tocsin.)

Tobacco. — A fine specimen of the tobacco plant
growing: in Hampshire.

Toby.— A typical Toby jug.

O.F. toquesing alarm-bell, from toquer ( =
F. toucher) to touch, strike, sing, sein bell, from
L.L. signum signal-bell, from L. signum sign,
signal.

to-day (to da'), n. This present day, age,
or time. adv. On or during the present day ;
nowadays. (F. ce jour meme, aujourdhui,
de nos jours, a I'heure.)

A.-S. to-daege, from
BBM| to to, for, daege, dative of
MI • daeg day = to, for, on

the day ; cp. to-morrow,
to-night.

toddle (tod' 1), v.i.
To walk with short,
unsteady steps as a
young child does ; to
walk in a leisurely
way. v.t. To walk (a
certain jJJ^di stance) in
this way. n. A saun-
ter ; a leisurely walk.
(F. trottiner.)

It is quite an event
in a household when
baby begins to toddle
a few steps. The tiny
toddler (tod' ler, n'.)
soon gains confidence.
Sometimes we ourselves speak of going for
a toddle.

A dim. or frequentative form.
toddy (tod' i), n. A beverage made of
spirit diluted with hot water and sweetened ;
the sap obtained by tapping certain palms,
fermented to make an intoxicating drink.
(F. grog, toddi.)

Hindi tadi ( — tdri) juice of the palm-tree
(Hindi tar).

to-do (to doo'), n. A noise or Commotion.
(F. potin, histoire, f opens.)

From to and do. See ado. SYN. : Ado, bustle,
stir.

tody (to' di), n. A small West Indian
insectivorous bird of the genus Todus.
(F. todier.)

The todies, of which there are four species,
are allied to the kingfishers. Like them they
have brilliantly coloured plumage and nes*
in holes in river banks.

F., todier, from L. todus some small bird.
toe (to), n. One of the five digits of the
foot ; the part of a boot, sock, or stocking
which covers the toes ; the front part of a
horse's foot, or of a horse-shoe ; a pro-
jection from the foot of a buttress, dam, etc.,
to afford stability ; the outer end of the
head of a golf-club ; the lower end or a
projecting part of an upright shaft, spindle,
organ-pipe, etc. v.t. To touch (a line, mark,
etc.) with the toes ; to furnish with toes ;
to mend a toe of (a sock or stocking) ; to
strike (a ball) with the toe or a part too near
the toe, of a golf-club. (F. doigt du pied,
orteil, pince, devant, bout.)

The toes on our feet are covered by the toe
of the stocking and the toe of our shoe.
Another name for the toe of a golf-club is
nose. Runners toe the starting line, touching

4308

TOFFEE

TOIL

it with the toe of the shoe, before starting
in the race. Toed (tod, adj.) means furnished
with toes, and is used chiefly in combination,
as in, five-toed, black-toed, broad-toed.
Toeless (to' les, adj.) means lacking toes.

A.-S. td ; cp. Dutch teen, G. zehe, O. Norse
id,

toffee (tof i), n. A sweetmeat made of
boiled sugar or treacle and butter. Another
form is toffy (tof i). (F. caramel.)

Earlier form and Sc. taffy, possibly from F.
tafia, from Malay tdfl a spirit distilled from
molasses, inferior rum ; cp. ratafia.

toft (toft), n. A homestead ; a hillock ;
land suitable for a house. (F. plantation,
monticule.)

Of Scand. origin. Late A.-S. = knoll, home-
stead, O. Norse topt, toft green hill, grassy place
intended for a house.

toga (to' ga), n. A loose robe, the princi-
pal outer garment of an ancient Roman
citizen. (F. toge.)

The Roman toga was a cloak, usually
white, made of wool, or (under the emperors)
silk, and the right to wear it was an exclusive
privilege of the citizen. It was illegal for a
slave or foreigner to be togaed (to' gad, adj.).
The toga praetexta had a deep, purple border
and was worn by magistrates, and by the
children of nobles, by girls until they were
married, and by boys until they put on the
toga virilis, or toga of manhood. Emperors
wore purple togas.

L. = covering, from tegere to cover.

together (toge^'er),
adv. In company, con-
cert, or union ; in the
same place, or at the
same time ; into a state
of union ; into conjunc-
tion ; without cessation
or intermission ; uninter-
ruptedly. (F. ensemble,
incessamment, de suite.)

Friends who go to
school together some-
times plan holidays
together. Often rain
continues for hours to-
gether, that is, without
ceasing.

A.-S. togaedere, from to
to, geador together. See
gather.

toggle (tog' 1), n. A
short cross-bar at the
end of a rope, by which
to secure it in a loop ; the
cross-bar on a watch-
chain ; the pivoted barb
of a toggle-iron ; a toggle-
joint. (F. cabillot.)

The form of harpoon called a toggle-
harpoon (n.), or toggle-iron (n.), has a toggle
or movable barb pivoted to the shaft near
the point. The barb lies flat against the shaft
as it enters the whale, but a pull at the

Toggle. — A toggle is used

for attaching flags to

halyards.

Toga. — Edmund Kean, in the character of
Brutus, wearing a toga, or ancient Roman cloak.

harpoon makes the toggle turn at right angles

and become lodged in the animal's flesh.

This type is used in harpoon-guns in place

of the old-fashioned harpoon.

The hoods of motor-cars are stretched out

tightly by means of a toggle-joint (n.), which

is also called an elbow-joint, or knee-joint.

It consists of two

bars or plates hinged

together and con- ^ I 1

nected at their outer

ends to objects which

have to be forced

apart. When the

bars are almost in

line a force applied

to straighten them

exercises great end-
ways pressure. In

the type of press

called a toggle-press

(n.), the pressure is

applied by means of

toggle-joints.

Probably from tug and instrumental suffix -le .
togue (tog), n. The great lake-trout

(Salvelinus namaycush) of North America.

(F. truite.)

American-Indian.

toil [i] (toil), v.i. To work long, especially

with fatigue of body or mind ; to move or

progress painfully or laboriously, n. Hard

and continuous work ; drudgery. (F. peiner,

s'echiner; peine, labeur.)

We toil up a long,
steep hill and describe
our laborious climb as
toilful (toil' ful, adj.) or
toilsome (toil' sum, adj.),
or say that we proceeded
toilfully (toil' ful li, adv.),
or toilsomely (toil 'sum li,
adv.). It is useless to
complain of the toilsome-
ness (toil' sum nes, n.},
that is, the laboriousness,
of an arduous duty, for
complaints do not make
our toil lighter. For
many people Sunday is
a toilless (toil' les, adj.]
day, that is, one without
toil.

The toiler (toil' er, n.),
or one who labours, in
the fields was a favourite
subject of the great
French painter, J. F.
Millet (1814-75). Old
people who have been
forced by poverty to toil
continuously for a living
are said to be toilworn

(toil' worn, adj.) or marked with the signs of

long and fatiguing labour.

M.E. toilen to pull about, probably from

O.F. toillier, touiller to mix, make dirty, trouble,

rub, from L. tudiculdre to stir up, from tudicula,

4309

TOIL

TOLERATE

dim. of tudes mallet, from root tud-, appearing in
p.t. of tundere to beat. The oldest sense of E.
toil was to contend, especially in a lawsuit, the
O.F. sense strive being derived from that of
stirring up or agitating. SYN. : v. Labour, work.
«. Drudgery, exertion, labour. ANT. : v. Rest.
n. Ease, leisure, relaxation.

toil [2] (toil), n. A snare or net. (F.
piege, filet.}

This word is now used only in the plural.
In a figurative sense, a conspirator may be
said to be taken in the toils of the law, when
he falls into the hands of detectives.

F. toiles toils, pi. of toile cloth, canvas, web,
from L. tela (for tex-ld) anything woven, from
texere to weave.

toilet (toi' let), n. The act or process of
dressing, arranging the hair, etc. ; attire,
dress, especially as regards style ; a dressing-
table fitted with a looking-glass and other
appointments ; in medicine, the cleansing
and dressing of a wound, etc., after an
operation. (F. toilette,
pansement.) r

The word toilet is used
as a prefix with a large
number of compound
words. Thus a set of
utensils consisting of soap-
dish, ewer, basin, etc., for
a washstand, or the powder-
bo w 1 s , perfume - bottles,
etc., for a dressing-table,
may be called a toilet-
service (n.), or toilet-set
(n.). Soap used specially
for washing the hands and
face, etc., and generally
perfumed, is toilet - soap
(«.). A dressing-table fitted
with a mirror, etc., is a
toilet, or toilet- table (n.) ; a
cloth for covering this is a
toilet-cover (n.).

F. toilette, dim. of toile
cloth, dressing-bag.

toilful (toil7 ful). For
this word, toilless, etc., see
under toil [ij.

toise (toiz), n. An old
French measure of length,
equal to 6^ feet. (F. toise.}

Toilet. — Greek and Roman toilet imple-
ments : combs, brush, mirror, and a vase
containing rouge.

F., from L.L. tesa, from L. tensa neuter pi. of
tcnsus, p.p. of tendere to stretch = stretched
out (arms).

toison d'or (twa zon dor), n. The Golden
Fleece, . a Spanish and, formerly, Austrian
order of knighthood. (F. toison d'or.)

The toison d'or, is one of the most
famous of knightly orders. It was founded
by Philip the Good, of Burgundy, in 1429.

F. = fleece of gold.

Tokay (to ka'), n. A sweet, aromatic
Hungarian wine, made in the neighbourhood
of the town of Tokay ; the grape from which
the wine is made. (F. tokai.)

Tokay is highly prized as a liqueur wine,
and is of a delicate greenish colour.

token (to' kn), n. Something representing
or recalling a thing or event ; a sign or
symbol ; a keepsake or memorial of friend-
ship, etc. ; a sign or object showing
authenticity; a piece of metal formerly
issued by tradesmen, banks, etc., and repre-
senting money of greater intrinsic value. (F.
enseigne, signe, marque, jeton.}

Before the passing of the Token Acts of
1817-18, tradesmen and others circulated
tokens, or coins representing a higher value
than the metal they contained. This was
done originally to remedy the shortage of
small change. The illegal tokens could be
exchanged, when required, for real money.
The Mace of the Speaker of the House of
Commons is a token, or symbol, of his
authority. The word is used colloquially
in the phrases, " by this token," " by the
same token," which mean " by this, or the
same, proof, reason, or indication."

Sometimes a messenger is given a token
which he has to show to
the person to whom he is
sent, as a proof that he is
not an impostor. If he
arrived tokenless (to7 ken
les, adj.}, or without a
token, his authenticity
might be doubted.

A.-S. tdcen ; cp. Dutch
teeken, G. zeichen, O. Norse
teikn, generally connected
with L. dicer e to say, Gr.
deik-nynai to show. See
teach. SYN : Evidence, in-
dication, memento, sign,
souvenir.

tola (to' la), n. A unit
of weight in the Indian
Empire, representing about
one hundred and eighty
grains troy.

The tola is used chiefly
for weighing gold and
silver.

Hindi from Sansk. tula
balance.

tolbooth. (tol' buth).
This is another spelling
of tollbooth. See under
toll [i].

told (told). This is the past tense and
past participle of tell. See tell.

Toledo (to le' do), n. A sword or sword-
blade made at Toledo, Spain. (F. epee de
Tolede.}

tolerate (tol' er at), v.t. To endure ; to
permit by not forbidding or preventing ; to
abstain from condemning or judging harshly ;
to put up with ; in medicine, to endure the
action of (a drug, etc.) without harm. (F.
tolerer, supporter.}

Dogmatic people seldom tolerate opinions
that run counter to their own. Such people
usually lack tolerance (tol' er ans, n.}, that is,
forbearance towards those who hold different
opinions.

4310

TOLL

TOM

The tolerant (tol'er ant, adj.) person recog-
nizes that other people are entitled to their
own views. He accepts them tolerantly
(to!' er ant Ji, adv.), or with forbearance.

When a ruling power recognizes the rights
of its subjects to exercise their private
judgment and choice, especially in matters of
religion, such recognition is termed toleration
(tol er a/ shun, n.). A tolerationist (tol
er a7 shim ist, n.) is one who supports or
advocates toleration. He is of necessity a
tolerator (tol' er a tor, n.) of, or one who
tolerates, the opinions of others.

Anything that can be tolerated is tolerable
(to!' er abl, adj.) and has the quality of
tolerableness (tol'er abl nes, n.). We say that
we are in tolerable health when our health
is fairly good. Many people can play the
piano tolerably (tol' er ab li, adv.) 'well,
that is, passably well.

L. tolerdtus, p.p. of tolerdre, to endure, put up
with, from the root of toller e to lift, bear, Gr.
llenai to suffer, Sansk. tul to lift. SYN. : Allow,
endure, permit, suffer. ANT. : Forbid, prohibit.

toll [I] (tol), n. A
tax or duty charged
for the use of a road,
bridge, market, etc. ;
a portion of grain
kept by a miller as
payment for grinding.
v.i. To pay or take
toll. (F. taxe, droit ;
prttever.)

Tolls were once an
important source of
revenue for the up-
keep or improvement
of roads. In the seven-
teenth century the toll-
bar (n.), toll-gate (*.),
or turnpike became a
common feature of main-roads. It consisted
of a movable barrier, usually a gate, pre-
venting the passage of vehicles until the
toll had been paid. Attached to it by the
roadside was a toll-house (n.) occupied by the
collector of tolls. These toll-gates were
practically abolished in the nineteenth
century. The toll-bridge (n.), at which a
toll is collected from those who cross,
lingers in some parts of England. Tolls
on London bridges survived until 1878-79.

The vendors in some public markets still
have to pay a charge called a toll. The toll-
clerk (n.) is a person who keeps a record of
such payments.

The archaic Scottish word, tolbooth (tol'
buth, n.), or tollbooth (tol' buth, n.), denotes
a town jail.' It formerly consisted of a
number of cells under the town hall, also
called a toll-booth, because tolls were paid
there. In England a toll-call (n.) is a tele-
phone call to a place within a moderate
distance of an exchange area, but in America
it signifies what we term a trunk-call.

The toll or portion of corn which a miller
once took as compensation for grinding corn

Toll. — Paying toll at one of the few toll-gates now
remaining in Britain.

for the farmer, was measured in a vessel
called a toll-dish («.). In a figurative
sense, we say that an epidemic, for instance,
takes its toll of deaths.

A.-S. toll, toln tribute ; cp. Dutch tol, G. zoll,
O. Norse toll-r, perhaps from the root of tale, that
which is told (counted) or paid, but more prob-
ably from L. telonium, Gr. telonion toll-house,
custom-house, from telos tax, duty.

toll [2] (tol), v.t. To cause (a deep-toned
bell) to strike or sound with slow and
regular strokes : to give out (a knell, etc.)
with slow measured sound ; to ring on
account of. v.i. To ring or sound slowly and
regularly, n. A tolling or stroke of a bell.
(F. sonner; sonner le glas ; glas.)

When a bell is tolled, it is swung through
a short arc, instead of describing a full
swing as when it is rung. A passing bell is
tolled at funerals, hence the line in Cowper's
poem, " The Loss of the Royal George " :
Toll for the Brave !
The brave that are no more !
Perhaps imitative, or from M.E. tollen to pull,
draw, with the idea of
pulling the bell-rope.
See till [3], tiller [2].

Toltec (to!' tek),
n. A member of a
race said by tradition
to have ruled in
Mexico before the
Aztecs. , adj. Of or re-
lating to this race. (F.
Tolteque.)

Nahuatl (American-
Indian) toltecatl, pi.
tolteca, artisan.

tolu (to loo'), n.
An aromatic balsam
obtained from- a
South American tree,
Myroxylon toluiferum, used in perfumery
and medicine. (F. tolu.}

When tolu or tolu balsam (n.) is distilled
an aromatic liquid hydrocarbon resembling
benzene is obtained. It is known as toluene
(to]' u en, n.), and is now usually derived
from coal-tar. This compound is used in the
manufacture of aniline dyes and explosives.
A toluate (tol' u at, n.) is a salt of toluic (to
lu' ik, adj.) acid — that is, an acid obtained
from toluene.

Introduced from Santiago de Tolu, in Colombia,
South America.

torn (torn), n. A male animal, especially
a tom-cat ; a trough used in gold-washing.
(F. chat, matou, creuset.)

The word Tom is a shortened form of
Thomas. The phrase "Tom, Dick and Harry "
means any ordinary men taken at random,
or nobodies, people unworthy of notice.

A torn-fool (n.) is a very foolish person.
Originally the buffoon in a party of morris
dancers was called the torn-fool. To tom-
fool (v.i.) is to play the fool, or indulge
in torn-foolery (torn fool' er i, n.), that is,
nonsensical behaviour. Foolish or trifling

4311

TOMAHAWK

TOME

things as well as actions are described as
tomfooleries. Tom-noddy (n.) is another
name for a blockhead, especially a stupid,
self-important person : this name is also
given to the puffin, a foolish-looking little
sea-bird.

A girl who behaves in a boisterous or
spirited way, very much like a boy, is called
a tomboy (torn7 boi, «.). She has a torn-
boyish (torn' boi ish, adj.) nature, and
possesses the quality of tomboyishness (torn '
boi ish nes, n.). A strong variety of gin
is called Old Tom. Tom and Jerry is a
hot drink of rum and water into which
eggs have been beaten.

Bells are sometimes called Toms. At
both Lincoln and Oxford there is a Great
Tom of this kind.

The expression Tom Tiddler's ground (n.)
has been borrowed from the children's
game of that name to signify, a- country
in which wealth can be acquired very
easily, or one of doubtful ownership, a no-
man's land. : .. . -'

A very, long gun is sometimes called a
Long Tom (n.), especially a naval gun on a
swivel-carriage. Atom-cat (n.) is a male cat.

The torn-tit (torn tit7, n.), or tit, is a
small bird, especially the blue titmouse
(Parus caeruleus).

Abbreviation of Thomas, from Heb. tomlm
twins.

tomahawk (torn' a hawk), n. A North
American Indian hatchet or battle-axe
with a stone, horn, or steel head. v.t.
To kill, cut or strike with a tomahawk ;
to criticize savagely. (F. tomahawk ;
assommer a coups de tomahawk.)

The tomahawks originally
used by the Red Indians
resembled the axes used by
men of the Stone Age in
Europe. Traders introduced
the iron tomahawk, which
soon displaced the more
primitive weapons.

American - Indian (Algonkin)
tomehagen, explained as from
a verb meaning to cut.

tomalley (to mal' i), n.
The yellow fatty digestive
gland of the lobster which
becomes greenish when
boiled. Another spelling is tomally (to mal7 i).
(F. glande.)

Tomalley is used in making a sauce. It
s wrongly ^called the liver of the lobster.

Cp. F. taumaiin ; a Carib word.

toman (to man7), n. A Persian gold
coin, nominally worth ten thousand dinars,
and now having an exchange value of about
ys. 2d. (F. torqan.)

Pers tumdn, said to be of Tatar origin

tomato (to ma7 to), n. A trailing plant
Lycopersicum esculentum, belonging to the
nightshade family ; the pulpy, edible fruit
of this plant. pL tomatoes (to ma-7 toz).
(F. tomate.)

Tomahawk.

The tomato plant is a native of South
America, and when introduced into Britain
in the sixteenth century, was grown as an
ornamental greenhouse plant for the sake
of its brightly-coloured fruit.

Span, tomate, from Mexican tomatl.

tomb (toom), n. A grave ; a vault or
chamber for the dead ; a monument erected
in memory of the dead. v.t. To bury ; to
entomb. (F. tombe, tombeau; enterver, en-
sevelir, enfouir.}

Tomb. — The tomb of Grace Darling, who, with her
father, rescued the survivor* of the " Forfarsh-re."

The tumulus, or burial mound, was an
early form of tomb. In a figurative sense
the tomb means death. A tombstone (n.)
is a stone erected as a memorial over a grave.
A person buried at sea is tombless (toom'
les, adj.) or without a tomb.

O.F. tumbe, from L.L. tumba, Gr. lymba
(late form of tymbos), perhaps akin to L.
tumulus mound. SYN. : n. Grave, sarcophagus,
sepulchre.

tombac (torn7 bak), n. Any of various
alloys of copper and zinc. Another spelling
is tomback (torn7 bak). (F. tombac.)

Tombac, which is a kind of brass, contains
a high percentage of copper and has a full
yellow colour. In the East it is used for
making bells and gongs.

F., trom Port, tambaca, from Malay tambdga
copper.

tombola (torn7 bo la), n. A kind of
lottery. (F. tombola.)

In the tombola, the entrants have to
purchase a card bearing several numbers,
all of which must be drawn to win a prize.
This game of chance is popular in France,
Italy, and some parts of the United States.

Ital. probably from tombolare to tumble.

tomboy (torn7 boi). For this word,
tom-cat, etc., see under torn.

tome (torn), n. A book,, especially a
heavy or big one. (F. tome.)

Originally each of the separate volumes
forming part of a large work was called a
tome. Nowadays we use the word of a
book that suggests the ponderous quartos
of the past.

F., from L. tomus Gr. tomos piece cut off,
section, from Gr. torn- temnein to cut.

4312

TOMENTUM

TO-NAME

Tpmpion. — The lom-
pion of a naval gun.

tomentum (to men' turn), n. In
botany, a covering of matted woolly hairs
on leaves, stems, seeds, etc. (F. duvet
cotonneux.)

A part of a plant coated with a tomentum
is said to be tomentose (to men tos', adj.)
or tomentous (to men' tus, adj.).

L. = stuffing or padding of wool, hair, feathers.

torn-fool (torn' fool). For this word
and tomfoolery see under torn.

tommy (torn' i), n. A British private
soldier.

During the nineteenth century soldiers
were shown how to fill up certain official
forms, by means of a specimen form duly
filled in with imaginary names and details.
One of the names most commonly used in
this was that of Thomas Atkins. This,
name, often familiarly
abbreviated to Tommy
Atkins, and Tommy,
became a nickname
for any soldier in the
later years of the nine-
teenth century.

to-morrow (to mor'
6), n. The next day
after to-day; the mor-
row, adv. On or during
the day after the
present. (F. lendemain ;
demain.)

See to-day.

tompion (torn' pi on), n. A pad for
inking lithographic stones ; a plug to fit
into the muzzle of a gun when not in use.
(F. tape.)

See tampion.

torn-tit (torn tit'). For this word see
under torn.

tom-tom (torn' torn), n. A Hindu
drum ; a drum used by any barbarous
peoples ; the beating of this, or a similar
sound, v.i. To beat on a tom-tom. (F.
tam-tam.)

Hindustani tamtam (imitative).

ton [i] (tun), n. A measure
of weight, equal to 20 cwt.
or 2,240 Ib. avoirdupois ; in
America, 2,000 Ib. avoirdupois ;
a measure of capacity or ship-
board ; a heavy weight ; a
great quantity. (F. tonne.)

In America the short ton (n.)
of 2,000 Ib. is largely used as
opposed to our long ton (n.)
or gross ton (n.) of 2,240 Ib.
These distinguishing terms are
used only in localities where both
tons are employed. The metric
ton (n.) is 1,000 kilograms, or 2,204-6 Ib.
As a measure of capacity the ton varies
for different solid commodities; a ton of
timber is forty cubic feet ; stone, sixteen
cubic feet ; salt, forty-two bushels ; lime,
forty bushels ; coke, twenty-eight bushels ;
wheat, twenty bushels.
D86

In an extended and colloquial sense,
we say, for instance, that a millionaire
has tons of money, that is, a very large
amount.

A warship is a 3,ooo-tonner (tun' er, n.)t
that is, has a tonnage of 3,000, if she dis-
places 3,000 tons of water. Of course any
floating body weighs the same as the water
it displaces, so, if the warship were placed
in a gigantic pair of scales, 3,000 tons
would be needed to balance her. Merchant
ships are rated by the register ton (n.),
which is 100 cubic feet of space. A merchant
ship of 3,000 gross register tons has enclosed
spaces of all kinds measuring 300,000 cubic
feet. Part of this space is occupied by
the engines, coal or oil, stores, and quarters
for the crew. This non-earning capacity
is deducted from the gross tonnage to obtain
the net register tonnage of the ship, which
in this case would amount to about 2,000
tons.

A mercantile freight-ton (n.) is forty cubic
feet, so the above vessel would carry
5,000 mercantile freight-tons, which are
reckoned by weight for heavy articles like
iron, and by space for light, bulky goods.
It is upon the tonnage of a vessel that dues
and charges are calculated.

Variant of tun.

ton [2] (ton), n. The fashion and style
of the moment. (F. ton, genre, mode.)

People whose dress and bearing are in
every way correct possess what we call
bon ton, or the right tone.
F. See tone.

tonal (to' nal), adj. In music, of or
relating to tones, especially as regards
keys or modes ; of language, employing
variations of tone to express differences
of meaning. (F. tonique.)

When a musical phrase is imitated at
different pitches without a change of key,
the process is called tonal imitation, because
the tonality (to nal' i ti, n.}, or
key structure of the music, is
preserved. The development
of harmony, at the expense of

Eolyphony, had the effect of
xing tonality.

In early modal music, the
tonality, that is, the scheme of
scales and chord progressions,
is vague, but in the works of
Mozart and his successors, the
music passes by definite steps
to related keys and works back
again to the key in which it
started. Such music is tonally
(to' nal H, adv.) coherent.

L.L. tondlis, from tonus tone.
to-name (too'nam), n. A name added,
especially to a person's Christian name and
surname, to distinguish him from others
with the same family and baptismal names ;
a nickname. (F. surnom, sobriquet.)
This word is used chiefly in Scotland.
From E. to and -name.
4313 Y 7

Tom-tom. — A tom-tom, the

drum used by many primitive

peoples.

TONDO

TONGUE

tondo (ton' do), n. A plate of majolica
ware with a wide, flat, decorated brim ; a
circular easel painting ; a relief carving
filling a circular space, pi. tondi (ton' de).
(F. tondo.)

A majolica tondo with a bowl -like centre
and a very broad rim is called a tondino
(ton de' no. n.). In architecture, an
astragal or beading round the top or bottom
of a column is a tondino.

Ital. = round, from L. rotundus. See round.

tone (ton), n. A definite sound, especi-
ally as regards its quality, pitch, and volume ;
a musical or vocal sound ; a modulation or
inflexion of the voice expressing emotion,
etc. ; general disposition, or prevailing
spirit, etc. ; in medicine, the normal con-
dition of the bodily organs ; in music, an
interval of a major second ; a Gregorian
chant ; in grammar, a stress on a syllable ;
in art, the general effect of light and shade,
or of the colours in a picture ; a quality of
colour, especially the degree of luminosity ;
the shade or colour of a photographic print.
v.i. To give tone or colour to ;
to modify or alter the colour of
(a photographic print) by means
of chemicals ; in music, to tune |
(an instrument) ; to soften. v.i.
To harmonize in colour, etc. ; to
receive a modified or altered
colour. (F. Ion, humeur, etat ;
colorer, nuancer ; s' harmoniser , se
teindre.}

When we speak of the deep |
tone of a bell or the sweetness of
the tones of a person's voice, we
are referring to the quality of
those sounds, as they affect the
ear. In music, a tone is primarily
a musical sound of definite pitch
and quality, such as a harmonic
tone, and a fundamental tone,
which are respectively produced
the vibration of parts and

we speak of a clear-toned bell, or one sounding
with clear tones.

An orchestral composition in the style
of a symphonic poem is sometimes called
by its composer a tone-poem (n.). Richard
Strauss (born 1864) wrote a notable series,
including " Don Juan " and " Don Quixote."
The orchestral " Forest Murmurs " and the
" Magic Fire Music " in Wagner's trilogy
of operas, " The Ring," are outstanding
examples of tone-painting (n.) or descriptive
music.

The word toneless (ton' les, adj.) strictly
means lacking tone. It is often used in
a modified sense, as when a painter speaks
of a toneless, or dull sky.

A tonometer (to nom' e ter, n.) is a tuning-
fork, or an instrument in which a number
of tuning-forks are used, for determining
the pitch of tones.

F. ton, from L. tonus (ace. tonum) sound, tone,
from Gr. tonos anything stretched, stretching,
pitch, note, tone, from stem ton- ; cp. teinein to
stretch. SYN. : n Character, sentiment, sound,
spirit, timbre.

by

of the whole of a sonorous
body.

The larger intervals between the notes
oi a diatonic scale are called tones — some-
times, whole tones — to distinguish them
from the semitones or lesser intervals in
such a scale.

In a figurative sense we say that we do
not like the tone of a speech when we object
to the general spirit in which it is uttered.
The tone of a school is said to be high when
the prevailing character of the life there is
good.

To tone down a picture is to reduce the
brilliancy of the contrasts in it ; to tone
down a demand is to make it less exacting ;
to tone down one's voice is to lower it.
Photographic prints are said to be toned
(tond, adj.} when their original colour has
been altered to the desired shade by chemical
baths. The word is often used in combina-
tion with other qualifying words, as when

Tonga.— A typical tonga, a two-wheeled cart designed, generally, to

carry four people. Tongas are used chiefly in the country districts

of India.

tonga (tong' ga), n. A small light
two-wheeled vehicle, holding four persons,
used in India. (F. tonga.}

Hindi tdngd.

tongs (tongz), n.pl. An instrument
made of two limbs, connected near one end,
used for grasping and holding articles. (F.
pince, pincettes.}

This implement is often called a pair of
tongs. It has many uses, besides those
familiar ones to which fire-tongs, sugar-
tongs, the blacksmith's tongs, and hair-
curling tongs are put.

A.-S. tange ; cp. Dutch tang, G. zange pincer,
O. Norse, tong, Gr. daknein to bite.

tongue (tung), n. The muscular organ
attached to the floor of the mouth, used
in tasting, swallowing and mastication
and (in man) the utterance of sounds
the power or manner of speech ; the voice
a language ; a nation : the tongue of an ox,

4314

TONIC

TONIC

sheep, etc., as food ; any thing or part
resembling a tongue ; a jet of flame ; the
leather flap inside the front of a boot ;
the clapper of a bell ; the pin in a buckle ;
the vibrating part of a musical reed ; a
pointed rail in a railway switch ; the narrow
projecting edge of a match-board ; the
index of a scale or balance ; a long, narrow
promontory, v.t. To furnish (matchboard)
with a tongue ; to join (boards, etc.) by a
tongue and groove, etc. ; to make (the
sounds of a wind instrument) distinct by
using the tongue, v.i. To use the tongue
in playing wind instruments. (F. langue,
languette ; munir d'une languette.)

The nerve-endings of the organs of taste
are situated in the mucous membrane
covering the upper surface of the tongue.
We produce the sounds called dentals by
placing the end of the tongue against the
upper front teeth, but the tongue, although
not always used so obviously, is essential
to the utterance. of articulate sounds. The
mutes at old Eastern courts were
usually people whose tongues had been
removed. They were tongueless (tung' les,
adj.], and so could not speak.

On the day of Pente-
cost the Apostles -saw
" cloven tongues like as
of fire " (Acts ii, 3), and
received the gift of
tongues, which was the
power of speaking in
unknown tongues or
languages.

A hound is said to
give tongue when it
utters its hunting cry on
picking up a scent. To
fiold one's tongue is to
keep silence or stop
talking.

The player on a musi-
cal instrument produces
a rapid iteration of notes
by tonguing, or using
the tongue to make
such sounds as tootle-
tootle while blowing into
the mouthpiece.

A bit is called a tongue-bit (n.) if it has
a plate on it which prevents the horse
getting its tongue above the mouthpiece.

The tongue is attached at the back to
the skull by a number of bony parts, forming
the hyoid arch. In the middle of this is
the tongue-bone (n.) or hyoid bone. The
impediment in speech called tongue-tie (».)
is caused by shortness of the fleshy link
between the tongue and the bottom of the
mouth. A person suffering from it is said
to be tongue-tied (adj.) ; but shyness or
fear may make a person tongue-tied in
the sense of unable to speak.

The boards used for match-boarding are
tongued (tungd, adj.), that is, have a tongue

Tongue. — The tongue of the house-fly, as seen
through a powerful microscope.

on one edge, and a groove in the other. A
loud-tongued person is one with a loud voice.
A tonguelet (tung' let, n.) is a very small
tongue, or a tiny process formed like a
tongue. A sentence that is difficult to
utter clearly, especially when spoken rapidly,
is called a tongue-twister (n.).

A.-S. tunge ; cp. Dutch long, G. zunge,
O. Norse, lunga, O.L. dingua, L lingua.

tonic (ton' ik), adj. Giving vigour or
strength ; bracing ; in music, of or founded
on the keynote ; stressed ; in pathology, etc.,
of or producing tension ; characterized by
continuous muscular contraction. n. A
medicine or other agent that gives vigour to
the system, etc. ; an invigorating influence ;
in music, the key-note. (F. tensif, incitant,
tonique ; fortifiant, tonique.}

Criticism has a tonic effect if it braces
us up and makes us determined to improve
the standard of our work. After an illness a
tonic is usually prescribed by the doctor.
This may be said to act tonically (ton' ik
al li, adv.], or in a tonic manner.

Muscles are tonically contracted when
their tension is increased, as in a tonic
spasm, which denotes, in pathology, an
unrel axing muscular
contraction. In physio-
logy and pathology the
normal tension of the
arteries and muscles is
termed tonicity (to nis'
i ti, «.).

In music, the tonic is
the note with which a
diatonic scale begins and
ends. Most tunes also
begin and end on the
tonic of the key in which
they are written. This
is accompanied by a
tonic chord, or tonic
triad (n.), that is, a
chord consisting of the
first, third, and fifth
notes of the scale.

The system of
musical notation called
Tonic Sol-fa (n.) is
used chiefly for teaching
vocal music. Seven syllables — doh, ray, me,
fah, soh, lah, and te — are used as names for
the seven notes of the major scale, with a
vowel change — de, ra, re, etc. — for the inter-
vening semitones. These note-names, or
Tonic Sol-fa (adj.) syllables, are the English
spellings of the syllables used by the Italians
in solmization. .Sometimes, the initial
letters only of the chief syllables are used.
Vertical lines and colons divide the letters
into bars and beats.

According to the Tonic Sol-fa system,
whatever key the music may be in, the first
note of the major scale is always caned
do-h, the second ray, and so on, the pitch
being set beforehand. One who is expert in

4315

TO-NIGHT

TOO

is

the system, or who advocates its use
a Tonic Sol-faist (ton' ik sol fa' ist, «.).

Gr. tonikos, adj. from tonos thing stretched,
from teinein to stretch, brace. SYN. : adj.
Bracing, invigorating, strengthening. ANT. :
adj. Enervating, relaxing, weakening.

to-night (to nit'), n. The present night ;
the night after the present day. adv. On or
during this. (F. cette nuit ; ce soir.}
See to-day.

tonite (to' nit), n. A blasting explosive
prepared from gun-cotton. (F. tonite.)

Tonite consists of approximately equal
parts of barium nitrate and pulverized gun-
cotton. A variety of tonite, exploding with
a loud noise, is used in making rockets for
sound-signals.

From L. tonare to thunder, chemical suffix -ite.
tonka bean (tong' ka ben), n. The
fragrant seed of a South American tree,
Dipteryx odorata, used for scenting snuff,
and in perfumes, etc. ; the tree bearing this.
(F.feve tonca.}

The tonka bean is a native of Guiana, and
grows to a height of
about sixty feet. The
short pods each hold
a single shining black
seed, or tonka bean, con-
taining a fragrant sub-
stance called coumarin.
Negro word = the bean.
tonnage (tun' ij), n.
The displacement of a
warship expressed in
tons ; the internal cubic
capacity of a ship
expressed in register
tons ; the total carrying
capacity of a number of
ships, especially a
country's mercantile
marine ; a charge or
payment per ton on
cargo or freight ; a cus-
toms duty once levied on
every tun or cask of wine
imported. (F. tonnage,
droit de tonnage.}

Tonnage is a technical term used to
describe the size of a ship. For the different
methods of calculating it, see under ton.
The net tonnage of a merchant ship is the
cubic capacity actually available for carrying
cargo. Tonnage dues (n.pl.) are charges paid
by vessels when leaving port or passing
through certain canals and calculated on the
registered net tonnage. The proceeds are
devoted to the upkeep of the harbour, of
buoys, lights, etc. A tug, curiously enough,
has a net tonnage of nil, for she has no more
capacity than is required for working her,
but her usefulness makes up for her immunity
from the charges of harbour authorities.
F. tonne ton and suffix -age.

tonometer (to nom' e ter). For this word
see under tone.

tonneau (ton7 6 ; to no'), n. The rounded
rear part of the body of certain motor-cars.
(F. tonneau.}

F. = cask.

tonsil (ton' sil), n. Either of two small
rounded gland-like organs situated at the
back of the mouth, one on each side of the
entry to the throat. (F. amygdale.}

The tonsils are subject to inflammation,
producing the condition called tonsillitis (ton
si II' tis, n.}. This causes them to become
enlarged and to obstruct the breathing. A
person so affected has what is called a
tonsillar (ton' si lar, adj.} voice. When the
tonsillar swelling, or that of the tonsils, is
large, they are often removed by a surgical
operation called tonsillotomy (ton si lot' 6
mi, n.}. Acute tonsillitis is known as quinsy.
F. tonsille, from L. tonsilla tonsil, stake for
mooring vessels, perhaps dim. of tonsa oar,
or akin to tender e (p.p. tensus) to stretch.

tonsorial (ton sor' i al), adj. Relating
to a barber or his trade. (F. de coiffeur.)
L. tonsorius adj., from tonsor clipper, barber,
from tonsus, p.p. of tondere to shear, shave, E.
suffix -al ( = L. -dlis).

tonsure (ton' shur).
n. The shaving of the
crown or of the whole
head on admission to the
priesthood or a monastic
order ; the shaven part
of a priest's or monk's
head ; admission to Holy
Orders, v.t. To shave the
head of ; to give a ton-
sure to. (F. tonsure ;
tonsurer.)

The tonsure of ordinary
parish clergy in the
Roman Catholic Church
is only a small circle on
the crown of the head,
but in the Greek Church
the shaving of the whole
head was once common.
This was termed the
Eastern or St. Paul's
tonsure. The monks of
Britain in St. Patrick's

time cut off all their hair in front of a line
drawn from ear to ear over the head ; this
was called the Celtic or St. John's tonsure.

F., from L. tonsura, from tonsus, p.p. of
tondere to clip, shave.

tontine (ton ten'), n. A form of annuity by
which the shares of those subscribers who
die are added to the profits shared by the
survivors, until the whole income is enjoyed
by the last survivor. (F. tontine.}

Lorenzo Tonti, an Italian banker, who lived
in Paris in the seventeenth century, origi-
nated this form of annuity, or life insurance,
which was named after him.

too (too), adv. More than enough; in
excessive quantity, degree, etc. ; in addition ;
as well ; at the same time ; moreover ;
extremely. (F. trop, aussi, de plus, a I'exces.)

This adverb is commonly employed to

4316

Tonsorial. — An Arab barber engaged in an
odd tonsorial operation.

TOOK

TOOTH

qualify an adjective or adverb which it
precedes. To have too much to do or to eat,
is to have more than one can do or eat.

We say colloquially that a thing is too
delightful when it is extremely so, and
describe an affected or sentimental person
as being too-too (too' too, adj.).

Emphatic form of E. to = in addition to.

took (tuk). This is the past tense of take.
See take.

tool (tool), n. Any implement used when
doing work with the
hands ; a machine for
shaping material ; a
thing used in one's
occupation or pro-
fession ; a person used
as an instrument by
another; a design
tool eel on a book-cover.
v.t. To ornament (a
book cover) with
designs impressed by
heated tools, v.i. To
work with such tools.
(F. out'il, instrument,
dme damnee.)

The tools which a
joiner carries in his
bag are all hand-tools.
The work done in
engineering shops is
performed by machine-
tools, which are power-
driven machines

Tool. — A collection of useful tools and the chest in
which they are kept.

either moving a tool over material, or making
the material pass under a fixed tool. In a
figurative sense we say that a person becomes
the tool of another when he comes under the
influence of the other to such an extent that
he is a mere cat's paw in the other's schemes.

Many early books have elaborately tooled
covers usually inset with gold leaf. In the
late fifteenth century, binding and tooling
(tool7 ing, n.), that is, the decoration of a
book-cover with tooled impressions, came to
be regarded as a distinct art.

Stone-dressing in parallel lines done by
the mason with a broad chisel called a
tooler (tool' er, n.), is also termed tooling.

The tooling of metal is the shaping of it
with cutting-tools, as opposed to grinding.
A craftsman who ornaments books with
tooling is also called a tooler.

A tool-holder (n.) is either a holder for
various kinds of tools, or else a bar of steel
or iron, in a machine-tool, for holding a
much smaller piece of steel which does the
actual cutting of metal. The tool-post (n.)
of a lathe is a part on the top of the slide-
rest, in which tools are clamped. A tool used
for lathe- work is supported on a tool-rest (n.),
which for wood-turning is usually a simple
T-piece, but, for metal-turning, is a device
called a slide-rest which holds the tool
rigidly in position.

4317

A.-S. tol ; cp. O. Norse tol (pi.). From A.-S.
tawian to get ready, prepare, Goth, taujan to do,
make, with instrumental suffix -/. SYN. : n.
Agent, cat's paw, implement, instrument.

toon (toon), n. A large East Indian tree
(Toona ciliata], with a firm, close-grained,
red wood used in furniture-making.
Hindi tun, Sansk. tunna.
toot (toot), v.i. To blow or sound a horn,
whistle, etc. ; to make a sound like that of a
short blast on a cornet, etc. ; to give out
such a sound, v.t. To sound (a horn, whistle,
etc.), especially with
short blasts ; to sound
(a blast, tune, etc.) on
a wind instrument.
n. A tooting sound ;
a short blast on a
horn, cornet, etc. (F.
corner; sonnerie de
corned]

A locomotive-driver
signals by toots
on his whistle ; a
steamer toots her fog-
horn in thick weather
to give warning to
approaching craft.
We speak of the toot-
toot (n.) of a motor-car
horn, meaning the
sound it makes when
blown. The word
tooter (toot' er, n.) is
used generally in a
humorous way , to

denote one who plays a wind instrument,
or sounds a horn, or else an instrument that
produces a toot. —,

Imitative ; cp. M. Dutch tuyten, G. tuten,
O. Norse thjota to blow a horn.

tooth (tooth), n. One of the hard bone-
like parts embedded in the1 jaws of verte-
brates and used for biting and chewing ; an
artificial substitute for this made by a den-
tist ; a tooth-like projection on the edge of
a leaf, etc. ; a projecting pin, point, cog, etc.,
of a tool or wheel ; a spike on a comb, rake,
etc. ; a particular taste ; a palate, v.t. To
furnish with teeth ; to cut teeth in. v.i.
To interlock ; to engage, pi. teeth (tSth).
(F. dent, engrenage, gout: endenter ; s'en-

grener.)

Teeth are not bones, but are related to the
hair and nails. An adult human being has
thirty- two teeth. The different types of
teeth in the mouth, each performing a
special function in eating, are the canines
incisors, premolars and molars.

In a figurative sense, a person is said to
have a sweet tooth if he has a liking for
sweet things. We act in the teeth of oppo-
sition when we disregard it. A power-driven
boat can progress in the teeth of the wind,
that is, directly against it. In the Middle
Ages a knight went into battle armed to the
teeth, that is, completely or very elaborately
armed.

TOOTLE

TOP

Spanish Armada vessel, and a modern battleship.

A cat with kittens will attack tooth and
nail, or furiously, a dog that comes near them.
A shrill screeching noise, or a very sharp
taste, can set the teeth on edge, that is,
cause a very unpleasant tingling sensation
in them.

An ache in the teeth is called toothache (n.),
and may be due to the nerve of a tooth be-
coming'inflamed by the poisons of decay.
A curious pigeon of Samoa, the tooth-bill
(n.) — Didunculus strigirostris — is so named
because it is tooth-billed (adj.], or has saw-
like cutting edges to its bill.

The teeth can be protected from decay
by cleaning them night and morning with a
tooth-brush (n.}, a small brush with a long
handle, and a tooth-paste (n.) or tooth-
powder (n.}, that is, a preparation for clean-
ing the teeth.

Some primitive
races practise tooth-
mutilation (n.), a cus-
tom of displacing the
teeth, either for relig-
ious reasons, or as a
personal adornment.

The form of archi-
tectural decoration
called tooth-ornament
(n.) is the same as the
dog's - tooth. It is
common in early

English mouldings. A Top.— The lops of a ship of Nelson's time (left),
tOOth-pkk (n.) is a Spanish Armada vessel, a

pointed quill or slip of wood used for getting
particles of food from between the teeth.
The toothwort (tooth' wert, n.) — Lathraea
squamaria — is a leafless herb growing on the
roots of the hazel or other trees. It bears
purple flowers and its white fleshy rootstock
is covered with tooth-like scales.

A 'toothful (tooth' ful, n.} of spirits is a
very small quantity. The toothing (tooth'
ing, n.} of a saw is the furnishing of it with
teeth. The bricks left projecting from the
end wall of a row of houses, so that it may
be bonded on to another house to be attached
later to the row, are known as a toothing.

To give glue a better hold on it, a veneer
h scored on the underside with a toothing-
plane (n.), which cuts a number of very
small parallel grooves. Old age tends to
make people toothless (tooth' les, adj.], that
is, devoid of teeth. A toothlet (tooth' let, n.)
is a very small tooth or tooth-like pro-
jection. Items of food are said to be tooth-
some (tooth' sum, adj.) when they please the
taste. Sweets prepared toothsomely (tooth'
sum li, adv.), that is, in a tasty manner,
have toothsomeness (tooth' sum nes, n.).
A toothy (tooth' i, adj.) person has somewhat
prominent teeth.

A.-S. tdth (for tanth) ; cp. Dutch, Swed., tand,
G. zahn, O. Norse town, L. dens (ace. dent-em),
Gr. odons (ace. odont-a) ; probably pres. p. of
Indo-European ed- to eat.

tootle (too' tl), v.i. To toot gently or
repeatedly, especially on a flute, etc. n. The

sound produced in this manner. (F. sonner
le cor.}

Frequentative of toot.

top [i] (top), n. The upper surface or
highest point or part of a thing ; the summit ;
the surface (of the ground) ; the upper part
of a shoe, etc. ; the cover of a carriage, etc. ;
the head of a page in a book ; the upper
edges of the pages of a book ; the crown of
the head ; the highest position in a pro-
fession, etc. ; a person occupying this ; the
highest degree ; the culmination, zenith, or
height ; a platform round the head of a
lower mast for extending the topmast
shrouds of a ship ; a raised armoured
platform on a warship for signalling, ob-
servation purposes, etc. (pi.) metal buttons
plated or enamelled, etc., on the face only.
v .t. To cut off or remove
the top of ; to cover
the top of ; to put a
top or cap on ; to rise
to the top of ; to hit
(a golf-ball) above the
centre ; to come up to
or exceed in height,
weight, etc. ; to head
(a list); to surpass; to
surmount ; to raise
one end of (a yard or
boom) higher than the
other, adj. At the top ;
highest in place or
degree. (F. sommet,
haut; eteter, couronner,

fait, comble, dessus,
surpasser ; premier principal.)

The best batsman of the year tops, that is,
heads, the list of averages. A gardener tops,
or takes the tops off, shrubs and plants to
make them thicken lower down. Farmers
top off or top up their stacks when they
put the last loads on the tops of them before
thatching. The mili-
tary expression to go
over the top means
to clamber out of a
trench at the begin-
ning of an advance.
A top-boot (n.) is a
boot having high
tops, usually made of
a distinctive material
or colour. A top-
coat (n.) is an over-
coat. Agriculturalists
top-dress (v.t.) land
when they spread
manure over it with-
out ploughing or digging it in. A top-
dressing (n.) is a coat of manure applied in
this way.

On a square-rigged sailing-ship a top-
gallant (top gal' ant ; to gal' ant, adj.) mast,
yard, or sail comes next above a topmast,
or topsail. A ship's topgallants (n.pl.) are
her topgallant sails, and her top-hamper (n.)
consists of all weights, etc., carried aloft, such
as the upper masts, yards, sails, and rigging.

Topmast. — Two differ-
ently rigged topmasts.

4318

TOP

TOPE

The word is also used of anchors and other
weighty things on the deck of a steamer, etc.

A top-hat (n.) is a tall, flat-topped hat,
covered with silk, also called a silk hat. A
cart on which a load is piled too high, is top-
heavy (adj.], that is, it has an undue part of the
load near the top, and so is likely to upset.
Many birds have a crest of feathers, called a
top-knot («.)• Hair gathered in a bunch at
the top of the head is a top-knot.

A top-lantern (n.) or top-light (n.}, is a
signal light shown at the mizen-top of a
flagship ; and a top-man (top' man, n.) or
topsman (tops' man, «.) is a man stationed
in the top of a ship for any purpose. A top-
mast (n.) is a mast attached to the upper end
of a ship's lower mast. It is the second of the
sections forming the mast of a ship. In a
square-rigged ship a topsail (top' si, n.) is
the sail next above the lowest sail, called
the course. In large ships the topsail is

Topsail. — A topsail schooner with two square
topsails set on the foremast.

divided horizontally into two sections called
the upper and lower topsails. These are
easier to handle than a single large square-
sail. In a fore-and-aft rigged ship the
topsail is a square or triangular sail set above
the gaff of the mainsail.

The upper of the two men working a pit-
saw in a saw pit is the top-sawyer (n.), or
topman. In a figurative sense, a top-sawyer
is a person in high position, or one who is
very good at his work. The top-sides (n.pl.)
of a ship are the above-water parts of her
sides, her freeboard. The top-soil (n.} of a
field is its surface layer. To top-soil (v.t.)
ground is to remove the top-soil from it.
Mountains appear topless (top' les, adj.),
that is, without tops, when their topmost
(adj.), or uppermost, parts are hidden by
clouds.

A thing or person that tops something is a
topper (top' er, n.). A top-hat is known
colloquially as a topper. The topping (top'
ing, n.) of a yard is the act of tilting it. This
is done by means of a lift or tackle called a

Topping-lift. — Mainsail,
showing topping-lift run-
ning from after end of
boom.

topping-lift (n.). The topping of plants is the
cutting off of their tops. In colloquial
language we say that anything very fine of its
kind is topping (adj.), or is done toppingly
(top' ing li, adv.), that is, excellently, because
it tops or surpasses other things or
actions.

A.-S.top: cp. Dutch
top, G. zopf plait of
hair, tuft, tree top, O.
Norse topp-r tuft, crest,
top. SYN. : n. Acme,
apex, crest, crown,
summit. ANT. : n.
Base, bottom.

top [2] (top), n.
A toy of metal or
wood, usually conical
or pear-shaped, made
to revolve on a pro-
jecting peg at the
bottom at a speed
which keeps it up-
right. (F. toupie.)

The wooden peg-top, the humming-top,
the whipping-top and the teetotum are
well-known kinds of top. Another very
interesting top is the gyroscopic top, which
seems able to defy the pull of gravity.

Perhaps A.-S. top, cp. M.H.G. topf pot, top,
with reference to the shape of the humming-top,
M. Dutch dop(pe) top, pot, G. zopf (formerly
topf pot), perhaps akin to dip.

topaz (to' paz),
n. A transparent or , ^

translucent precious

stone, composed of /J llfeA

oxides of aluminium,
silicon and fluorine,
usually white or
yellow, but some-
times green, blue or
red, or colourless ; a
brilliantly coloured
South American
humming-bird of the
genus Topaza. (F.
topaze.)

Topaz is found in
gneiss and granite.
Only the finer varie-
ties are valued as
gems. Some Brazilian topazes become pink
after heating and are used in cheap jewellery.
Topazolite (to paz' 6 lit, n.) is a yellow or
green variety of garnet resembling the topaz.

O.F. topaze, L., Gr. topazos, topazion.

top-boot (top' boot). For this word,
top-coat, etc., see under top [i].

tope [i] (top), n. In India, a grove of
trees, especially of mangoes. (F. bosquet.)

Tamil toppu.

tope [2] (top), n. A Buddhist monu-
ment consisting of a dome, a tower, or a
mound, generally used for the preservation
of sacred relics, or as a memorial. (F.
edifice religieux.)

Hindi top, Sansk. slupa heap, mound.

Top. — A wooden peg-
top, made to spin by
means of a string.

43.19

TOPE

TOPSY-TURVY

tope [3] (top), v.i. To drink alcoholic
liquors to excess or habitually. (F. pinter,
gobelotter.)

A toper (top' er, n.) is a person given, to
toping or tippling.

F. toper to cover an adversary's stake, to agree
(tope-la agreed ! done !). Used as a drinking
term in acceptance of a toast, originally meaning
to strike hands or put the tops of the thumbs
together. Another explanation of tope is to
top off •= drink off at a draught. SYN. : Tipple.

topgallant (top gal' ant ; to gal' ant).
For this word see under top [i].

toph (tof), n. A gouty deposit of
chalky matter in the knuckles and cartilages
of the ear, etc. Another form is tophus
(to' fus). pi. tophi (to' fi.) (F. tophus.}

A deposit consisting of or resembling
tophi, is said by doctors to be tophaceous
(to fa' shus, adj.}.

L. tophus tufa, tuff, sandstone.

Tophet (to' fet), n. A place in the
Valley of Hinnon, near Jerusalem, where
in ancient times fires were kept alight to
burn the rubbish of the city ; hell. See
Gehenna. (F. Tophet.}

Heb. topheth, perhaps a place to be spat upon,
from tuph to spit.

Topiary. — A topiary garden showing variously shaped
bushes, specimens of topiary.

topia (to' pi a), n. A fanciful kind of
interior wall decoration of ancient Rome.
(F. topia).

The ancient Romans, especially in
Pompeii, were fond of decorating the walls
of their rooms with fanciful but not very
natural landscapes. Hence, in after years,
the practice of shaping trees and bushes
by clipping into fantastic £>r ornamental
shapes was called the topiary (to' pi a ri, adj.}
art or topiary (n.). Topiarian (to pi ar' i a'n,
adj.) work of this kind is found in a topiary
garden.

L. = fancy gardening or painting, from Gr.
topos, place.

topic (top' ik), n. The subject of a
conversation, argument, or literary com-
position ; a theme ; a subject of admiration,
wonder, scandal, etc. (F. sujet, theme,
topique.}

In most debating societies religious topics

are barred for discussion. We may read
very different books on the same topic.

All our daily newspapers may be said to
be topical (top' ik al, adj.}, that is, concerned
with topics of current or local interest.
Christmas pantomimes and variety shows
usually contain at least one topical song
(n.) in which topics of the day are dealt
with humorously. Every week short films
which deal topically (top' ik al li, adv.) with
a few news items are shown in many kinemas.

L. topica (neuter pi.), Gr. topika, the name of a
treatise by Aristotle, from topikos local, relating
to topoi commonplaces, pi. of topos place. SYN. :
Matter, proposition, subject, theme.

topless (top' les). For this word,
top-man, etc., see under top [i].

topography (to pog' ra fi), n. The
detailed description or mapping of the
natural and artificial surface features of
any region, district, or place ; the features
themselves. (F. topographie.}

When we visit a new district we like to
meet someone skilled in the topography
of the place. Such a one is called a topo-
grapher (to pog' ra fer, n.}, and the topo-
graphic (top 6 graf ik, adj.} or topographical
(top 6 graf ik al, adj.} account which he
can give is far more detailed than a geo-
graphical description, though it may other-
wise resemble it. The body also can be
described topographically (top 6 graf ik
al li, adv.}, the surface or the inner structure
of the various regions of the body being
carefully mapped out and described. The
scientific study of a locality, especially in its
relation to history, is called topology (to
pof 6 ji, n.}.

F. topographie, from L., Gr. topographia, from
topos place, -graphia description, from graphein
to describe.

toponymy (to pon'i mi), n. The study
of the place-names of a country or district ;
a list of such names. (F. toponymie.)

From Gr. topos place, onyma name.

topophone (top' 6 fon), n. An appara-
tus for finding the direction from which a
sound comes. (F. topophone-.)

This is used on ships during fogs. When
the topophone points directly towards the
source of the sound, the sound is clearest.

Gr. topos place, phone sound, tone.

topper (top'er). For this word, topping,
etc., see under top [i].

topple (top' 1), v.i. To fall over ; to
fall forward ; to tumble down. v.t. To
cause to fall over or down ; to overturn.
(F. tomber, degringoler ; faire tomber.)

A building of bricks put up by a child
will topple very easily ; still more easily
can we topple over a house of cards.

From obsolete E. top = to fall top first, from
top and suffix -le. SYN. : Fall, pitch, tumble.

topsail (top' si). For this word, top-
sawyer, etc., see under top [i].

topsy-turvy (top si ter' vi), adv. and
adj. Upside down ; with the bottom

4320

TOQUE

TORMENT

upwards and top downwards ; in a dis-
ordered or upset condition, n. A topsy-
turvy condition, v.t. To turn upside down ;
to upset ; to bewilder. (F. sens dessus
dessous ; bouleverser.)

Burglars, after ransacking premises, often
leave things in a topsy-turvy or disordered
condition. " After the World War (1914-18)
there were people who declared that
the world was in a state of topsy-turviness
(top si ter' vi nes, n.), topsy-turvydom (top
si ter' vi dom, n.) or topsy-turvyism (top
si ter' vi izm, n.).

Explained as = top so turvey (overturned), like
up so down a variant of upside down ; cp. M.E.
terven to roll, A.-S. torfian, tearflian to upset, turn
over. Others explain top so as topside. There are
a large number of variant spellings, the oldest
apparently being topsy tervy. SYN. : adj. Inverse,
inverted, reverse, adv. Inversely.

toque (tok), n. A small hat, having
a round, close-fitting crown, with little or
no projecting brim, worn by women ; a
similar head-covering worn in earlier times
by both men and women ; a monkey of
the genus Macacus. (F. toque, barette.)

The monkey called a toque is found in
Bengal and Ceylon. It has a cap-like bunch
of hair.

F., apparently of Celtic origin ; cp. Breton tok,
i toe hat, boi

Welsh

mnet.

lighted, a torch -bearer (n.}, also called a
link-man, was hired to carry a torch and
light the way for a traveller.

Torches are carried by the performers in
a torch-dance (n.), and they are used in
torch-fishing (n.) or torching (torch' ing, n.),
which means attracting fish to the surface
by torches and then spearing them. A
torch-light (adj.) procession is one made
by torch-light (n.), the light from torches
carried by people taking part in it. The
torch-race (n.) of the ancient Greeks was
a kind of relay race in which each runner
bore a torch, handing it on to his successoi
at the end of his own lap.

F. torche, Ital. torcia, L.L. torti(c)a, from tortus,
p.p. of torquere to twist, because it was twisted
like a rope. SYN. : Brand, flambeau, link.

torchon (tor show), n. A coarse bobbin
lace. (F. torchon.)

Torchon lace is worked on a pillow ;
an imitation is made by machinery. For
water-colour painting one may use a torchon-
board (n.) which is a board faced with a
piece of rough-surfaced paper, named
torchon-paper (n.).

F. = dishcloth, from torcher to wipe.

tore [i] (tor). This is the past tense

This is another krm o;

tor (tor), n. A rocky hill or prominence,
especially on moorland. (F. puy.)

Probably of Celtic origin. A.-S. torr, Welsh
twr, heap, pile, cp. Gaelic torr conical hill or
mountain, L. turris tower. See tower.

Torah (tor' a), n. The revealed will of God,
as laid down in the law of Moses ; the
Pentateuch. (F. Torah.)

Heb. — doctrine, law.

tore (tork). This is another form of
torque. See torque.

A bull-

Torch.— Cingalese dancers, by the light of torches, attempting to
drive an evil spirit from the man in the shelter.

tore [2] (tor).
torus. See torus.

toreador (tor e a dor'), n.
fighter. See under torero.

torero (tor a' ro), n. One who taken
part in a bull-fight, other than a picador
a bullfighter. A word with a similar mean
ing, more usual in England, is toreador
(tor e a dor'). (F. torero, toreador.)

The terms torero and toreador may b(
applied to either a bandillero or a matador
the picador is not spoken of in this way as
he does not actually fight witl
the bull.

Span, from torear to fight bulls
from toro bull, L. taunts.

toreutic (to roo'tik), adj. Re
lating to sculpture in bas-relie
and to embossing, and chasing
especially in metal. (toreutics)
n.pl. The art of ornamentim
surfaces, especially metal surfaces
in bas-relief. (F. toreutique.)

Gr. toreutikos connected with relie
work, from toreuein to bore, chase
emboss.

torgoch (tor' gokh), n. A red
bellied char found in the river:
and lakes of North Wales.

Welsh, from tor belly, coch red

torment (tor' ment, n. ; to:
ment', v.), n. Great anguish
either of mind or body ; that whicl
gives or causes this ; torture
To inflict great mental or physica

torch (torch), n. A flaring light carried i

in the hand ; a portable hand-lamp. (F. anguish on ; to torture ; to vex greatly

torche, flambeau.) to harass. (F. tourment, angoisse ; tour

In days when the streets were very badly menter, torturer, irriter.)

4321

TORMENTIL

TORPID

The suspense of waiting torments us when
we are expecting important news. Animals
are tormented or harassed by flies in hot
weather, and a child may torment or tease
its elders and so be a tormentor (tor ment'
or, n.) or, if a girl, a tormentress (tor ment'
res, n.), although the feminine form is rarely
used to-day. There are many other ways
of behaving tormentingly (tor ment' ing li,
adv.). Another kind of tormentor is a
heavy harrow on wheels, and sailors use
the word for a long fork with which they
lift meat from the coppers. A war-engine,
something like a catapult, used by the
ancients, was called a tormentum (tor men'
turn, n.) — pi. tormenta (tor men' ta).

O.F., from L. tormentum engine to hurl
missiles, worked by twisting, hence rack, torture,
from torquere to twist. See torture. SYN. : v.
Afflict, distress, pain. n. Agony, anguish.

tormentil (tor' men til), n. A low
growing herb of the genus Potentilla, having
yellow four-petalled flowers. (F. tormentille .)

The tormentils belong to the same order
as the roses and are found chiefly on dry
commons and heaths in summer. The red
creeping rootstock of the common tormentil
(Potentilla tormentilla) contains a bitter,
astringent substance useful in medicine,
as well as in tanning.

F. tormentille, L.L. tormentilla, from L.
tormentum pain. A supposed cure for toothache.

torn (torn). This is the past participle
of tear. See tear [i].

• tornado (tor na' dd), n. A whirlwind
over a limited area. pi. tornadoes (tor na'
doz). (F. tornade, tourbillon.)

These very violent storms are, fortunately,
not known in England, but they occur at
certain seasons in the United States and
parts of Africa. The tornado moves with
great rapidity and in a roundabout way,
generally within a thunderstorm, and sends
out discharges of electricity.

Formerly ternado tropical thunderstorm, Span.
tronada, from tronar to thunder, ~L.tondre. Altered,
as if from Span, tornado, p.p. of tonar to turn.

Torpedo.— Badges of a seaman torpedoman and
of a torpedo gunner's mate.

torpedo (tor pe' do), n. A self-moving
projectile launched at a hostile ship to make
a hole in it below water ; a moving submarine
mine, a land-mine ; a fog-signal exploded by
a train ; a flat fish having an electric appar-
atus for stunning or killing its prey. pi.
torpedoes (tor pe' doz). v.t. To blow up
or sink with a torpedo. (F. torpille ; tor-
piller.)

The naval torpedo now used was invented
by Robert Whitehead, an English engineer,

about 1866. It is a small cigar-shaped body
about 21 inches in diameter at its widest
part, and about 18 feet long. Besides a
large explosive charge at the nose, which is
ignited on impact, it contains a set of
engines worked by compressed air, an
automatic steering apparatus which compels
it to travel in a straight line, and a device
for keeping it at any desired distance below
the surface.

Torpedo. — Hoisting a torpedo on to the deck of a
British cruiser.

Inventors have now produced torpedoes
which can be steered by wireless waves
from the shore or from a ship. A torpedo
travels so fast that few vessels can outstrip
it, and a steerable one is therefore very
deadly. During the World War (1914-18)
special motor boats were equipped for
dropping torpedoes over the stern, a turn
being made after a torpedo had been dis-
charged, to get out of its way. A kind of
torpedo can be discharged from aeroplanes.

The torpedo-boat (n.), a small very fast
warship designed for carrying and firing
torpedoes, has now been replaced for
offensive purposes in the open seas by the
still faster torpedo-boat destroyer (n.), usually
called a destroyer. A torpedo-net (n.) is a
steel net hung in the water to stop a torpedo.
Such nets are no longer hung out on booms
round battleships as formerly, but they
are still used for harbour-defence.

A torpedo is fired by a gunner, or torpedo-
man (n.), in a kind of gun, called a torpedo-
tube (n.), which maybe either above or below
water. Highly compressed air is let into
the back end of the tube to shoot out the
torpedo.

L. = stiffness, numbness, the electric ray,
from torpere to be stiff, numb.

torpid (tor' pid), adj. Having lost the
power of action or feeling ; dormant ; dull ;
benumbed ; sluggish, n. The second boat
of an Oxford College rowing club ; (pi.)
the races in the Lent term in which these
boats compete. (F. engourdi, inerte.)

. Many people find that their brains become
torpid or dull if they eat a heavy meal in

4322

TORQUE

TORSO

the middle of the day. The dormouse,
which spends the winter in sleep is, then
said to be torpid; its condition during the
winter is one of torpor (tor' por, n.}, torpid-
ness (tor' pid nes, n.}, or torpidity (tor pid'
i ti, n.}. Extreme cold which will torpify
(tor' pi fi, v.t.) or render inactive most
animals, especially reptiles, may be called
torporific (tor po rif ik, adj.).

L. torpidus, from torpere to be numb, torpid.
SYN. : adj. Apathetic, inactive, inert, slow,
sluggish. ANT. : adj. Active, energetic, forcible,
spirited.

torque (tork), n. A twisted necklace,
bracelet or similar ornament of gold or
other metal worn by the ancient Gauls
and other races of northern Europe ; in
machinery, a twisting motion to a shaft
or axle. Another form is tore (tork).
(F. torque.}

The ring-dove, which has a collar of
distinctive plumage, is said to be torquate
(tor' kwat, adj.) or torquated (tor' kwat ed,
adj.). In heraldry the term torqued (torkt,
adj.) is applied to a serpent or dolphin on a
bearing if twisted into a double curve like
the letter " S."

F., from L. torques (ace.
tor quern) necklace, collar,
from torquere to twist.

torrefy (tor' e fi), v.t.
To parch or dry with
heat; to roast" (ores).
(F. torrefier.)

F. torrefier, from L. tor-
refacere, from torrere to |f
parch, and facer e to make. H
See torrid. SYN. : Parch,
roast, scorch.

torrent (tor' ent), n. |
A rushing stream of
water, lava or the like ;
figuratively, a violent or
overwhelming flood or
stream ; a flow of words,
abuse, etc. adj. Rushing ;
rolling ; impetuous. (F.
torrent ; torrentueux .)

The ancient city of
Herculaneum was buried,
in A.D. 79, in a torrent of sand and ashes
which swept down the slope of Mt. Vesuvius.

Torrent. — The torrents of the Gersoppa falls on
the Shara vati River, Bombay Presidency, India.

with mercury and turning it over with itj
open end submerged in a cup of mercury
The mercury sank in the tube until it*
weight balanced the pressure of the air upor
the surface of the mercury in the cup. The
Torricellian tube (n.) as it used to be called
is the mercury barometer, the Torricelliar
vacuum (n.) being the airless space above th<
mercury in the tube.

torrid (tor' id), adj. Dried up wit?
heat ; very hot ; scorched. (F. brulant
tor ride.)

The broad belt round the earth betweer
the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn is the
torrid zone (n.), and white people living
there often find it difficult to bear its
torridity (to rid' i ti, n.) or torridness (tor
id nes, n.), that is, its scorching heat.

F. torride, L. torridus scorched, parched, fron
torrere to burn, parch. See thirst. SYN. : Burn
ing, dry, hot, scorched, tropical. ANT. : Coo]
frigid, moist, temperate.

torsion (tor' shim), n. The act o
twisting ; the state of being twisted ; thi
force with which a twisted wire or ba
tends to return to its untwisted state
in surgery, the twistin;
of the cut end of an arter
to check bleeding. (F
torsion.)

The action of a washer
woman wringing out we
clothes is torsion, i
If torsion-balance (n.) is ;
very delicate instrumen
which shows electrica
attraction and repulsioi
1 by the extent to which
IS wire or filament i
twisted. Rubber ha
great torsibility (tor s
bil' i ti, n.), that ie
capacity for bein
twisted.

The propeller-shaft of
steamship is subjecte<
to torsional (tor7 shun a
adj.) — that is, twisting-
strains. Wires are mor
easily broken torsionall
(tor' shun al li, adv.), or by twisting, thoug
able to stand a great strain when torsionles

In a cloud-burst the rain falls not in drops (tor' shun les, adj.) — that is, free from

V......4. 4.^ ^ ,.M4.I _ 1 1_. /^.A — -.« / ~"U JL 1 " 1 ' 7-. \ * L •j_*_ - - J

but torrentially (to ren' shal li, adv.) or in
heavy sheets.

twisting strain.

F., from L. iorsio (ace. -on-em), from torsi*
If we refuse to give to a beggar we may = tortus), p.p. of torquere to twist,
be subjected to torrential (to ren' shal, torsk (torsk), n. A valuable food-fish c

the cod family found in the northern parts c
the Atlantic ocean. (F. dorsch.)

The torsk has a long, tapering body. It i
abundant off the Shetlands and Orkneys.
Of Scand. origin. Cp. Swed., Dan., Norv

adj.), that is, violent abuse.

F., from L. torrens (ace. -ent-em) burning,
boiling, raging, pres. p. of torrere to parch, burn,
used as n. SYN. : n. Downpour, flood, rush.

Torricellian (tor i chel' i an; tor i
sel' i an), adj. Relating to or discovered
by the Italian natural philosopher and
mathematician, Evangelista Torricelli
(1608-47). (F. de Torricelli.)

Torricelli discovered that air has weight
by filling a glass tube, sealed at one end,

torsk, O. Norse thorsk-r, G. dorsch cod, haddoci
torsk.

torso (tor' so), n. The trunk of a statue
especially one lacking head and limbs. (I
torse.)

4323

TORT

TORULA

Excavators of ancient cities find from time
to time broken pieces of statuary. The
famous torso of Hercules, in the Vatican, is
just the trunk of the original statue, but
so beautiful are its lines that copies of it are
found in most art collections.

Ital., literally stalk, stump, L. thyrsus. See
thyrsus.

tort (tort), n. A private wrong. (F.
prejudice, injure.)

A man may inflict injury on another by
some wrongful act which is a breach of the
peace. Such an act is a crime and is punished
by the State. It is possible, however, to
inflict an injury on another which the State
will not punish. Examples of such torts or
civil wrongs are the negligent driving of a
motor-car, and the inflicting of damage on a
man's property. These are tortious (tor7 shus,
adj.) acts, and the man who has acted
tortiously (tor' shus li, adv.) must be sued
in a civil court by the person who has
sustained the damage.

F. p.p. of tordre, from L. tortus, p.p. of torquere
to twist.

tortilla (tor te' lya), n. A thin, flat cake
made of maize and baked on hot iron plates,
eaten by the Mexicans instead of bread.
(F. tourteau.)

Span. dim. of torta cake, from L. torta a
twisted roll, p.p. of torquere to twist.

tortious (tor7 shus). For this word and
tortiously see under tort.

Tortoise.— A tortoise from one of the islands of the
West Indies.

tortoise (tor' tus ; tor' toiz), n. A reptile
belonging to the family Testudinae ; a land
or freshwater turtle ; in Roman antiquity,
a testudo. (F. tortue.}

The tortoise is a sluggish, slow-moving
creature which has survived from prehistoric
days, without changing its form. It is well
protected by its bony shell or carapace,
into which it can withdraw its head, tail,
and limbs on threat of danger.

The most familiar of the true tortoises is
the Grecian tortoise (Testudo Graeca), with
its olive-coloured black-ringed shell ; it is
this kind which is brought to England and
kept as a pet in our gardens. In the deserts
of Africa and America lives the gopher
tortoise, the male of which makes a burrow
for itself and its mate in the sand.

It is not from the tortoises that the

mottled yellow and brown tortoise-shell (n.)
is obtained, but from certain of their relatives,
the sea-turtles, and especially from the
tropical hawksbill turtle. This outer covering
of the bony carapace takes a fine polish and
is used for various purposes, such as photo
frames, toilet brushes, and hand mirrors.

From the resemblance of their coloration
and markings to tortoise-shell, tortoise-shell
(adj.) cats and tortoise-shell butterflies get
their name. The small tortoise-shell butterfly
( Vanessa urticae) is a plentiful British species.

M.E. torluce, L.L. tortuca, tortu(g)a, .from L.
tortus twisted, crooked, p.p. of torquere, in
allusion to the reptile's crooked feet. Another
form was tortu (F. tortue) whence perhaps tortoise
= tirtu's (shell).

tortuous (tor' tu us), adj. Crooked ;
twisted ; winding ; devious ; circuitous ;
roundabout ; not straightforward. (F.
tortueux, sinueux, cache, equivoque.)

A tortuous path is one full of twists and
turns. A person who uses underhand
methods in his business may be said to pursue
a tortuous policy.

A root makes its way tortuously (tor' tu
us li, adv.) through the soil for various
reasons, one cause of the tortuosity (tor tu
os' it i, n.), or tortuousness (tor' tu us nes, n.),
of its course being the stones and other
obstacles in its path.

F. tortueux, from L. tortuosus twisted, crooked,
from tortus, p.p. of torquere to twist. SYN. :
Curving, disingenuous, involved, intricate, mazy.
ANT. : Candid, ingenuous, straight, straight-
forward.

torture (tor' chur), n. Excessive mental
or physical pain ; agony ; the infliction of
severe physical pain on a person to secure
information, or as a punishment. v.t. To
subject to excessive physical or mental
pain ; to distort or pervert the meaning of
(a word, etc.) ; to wrest from a natural
position. (F. torture, supplice ; torturer,
denaturer, estropier.)

Guy Fawkes, the Gunpowder Plot con-
spirator, was put to the torture before his
execution, to make him disclose the names
of his accomplices. A person or thing that
tortures may be described as torturous (tor'
chur us, adj.), or a torturer (tor' chur er, n.).
A jailer who behaved torturingly (tor' chur
ing li, adv.) to the prisoners in his charge
would be severely punished.

F. torture, from L. tortus, p.p. of torquere to
twist, torture. SYN. : n. Agony, anguish,
torment, v. Torment.

torula (tor' u la), n. A chain of rounded
bacteria ; a genus of tiny fungi. pi.
torulae (tor' u le). (F. torula.)

The torulae of bacteria resemble chains
of tiny beads. The yeast plant multiplies
by torulose (tor' u loz, adj.) budding ;
another torulous (tor' u lus, adj.) fungus is
the cheese-mould. The long pods of some
plants and the antennae of some insects are
also said to be torulose or torulous because
they are knotted or knobbed like a chain

4324

TORUS

TOTHER

of beads. Anything resembling a torula
is toruliform (tor" yii li form, adj.}.

Dim. of torus. See torus.

torus (tor7 us), n. In architecture, a large
rounded, projecting moulding ; in botany,
a flower receptacle ; in anatomy, a rounded
ridge, pi. tori (tor' I). (F. tore, receptacle
de la fleur.}

L. = anything round, bulging, protuberance,
cushion, bed.

Tory (tor' i),n. A member of the political
party which in 1688 supported the Stuarts,
now succeeded by the Conservative party.
adj. Of or relating to this party. (F. Tory,
•conservateur.)

Those who did not want James II and
his family excluded from the throne, because
they were Roman Catholics, were called in
derision Tories, after the bands .
of Irish robbers, who lived by
plundering the English settlers.
Their opponents were called
Whigs. These names were used
for the two great political parties
in the state until the middle of
the nineteenth century. Conserv-
atives, especially those who profess
a rigid Toryism (tor' i izm, n.},
that is, adherence to long-estab-
lished institutions, are still known ;
as Tories. A Tory democrat is
a Tory who combines his loyalty
to the Crown and the existing
constitution with a desire for
social and economic reforms.

Irish toraighe, toraidhe pursuer,
from toir to pursue.

toss (tos), v.t. To throw up
with the hand, especially palm up-
wards ; to throw ; to pitch ; to
throw back (the head) ; to throw
away or about carelessly; to
throw (a coin) into the air to
decide a choice, v.i. To roll
about ; to be tossed ; to be
agitated, p.t. and p.p. tossed
(tost) ; in poetry, tost (tost), n.
The act of tossing ; the state of
being tossed. (F. lancer en I'air,
flanquer, ballotter ; rouler ; jet,
secousse.)

In order to settle a dispute
quickly people sometimes toss up,
that is, toss a coin, one tossing
and the other calling " heads " or
" tails." As the chances are equally for and
against the caller, a toss-up (n.) means an
even chance, as well as the act of tossing a
coin. In sport, the opposing captains usually
toss a coin for choice of innings, goal, court,
etc. In Association football, the winner of the
toss may either choose which goal his side
shall defend, or leave the choice to the
opponents' captain.

Cp. Norw. and Swed. dialect tossa to strew,
scatter, Dutch tassen to heap up, Low G. teusen to
.toss hay. Welsh tosio to jerk, toss, is from E.
SYN. : v. Agitate, fling, hurl, pitch.

Totem. — A curious North
American Indian totem.

tot [i] (tot), n. Anything very small,

especially a little child ; a small drink.

(F. gosse, gontte.)

Cp. Icel, tott-r dwarf, Dan. tommel-tot Tom

Thumb.

tot [2] (tot), n. A sum in addition, v.t.

To add (up), v.i. To mount (up). (F. addition ;

additionner.)

Before paying a bill of many items it is

advisable to tot it up and see that the total

is right.

An abbreviation of total or of L. totum the

whole, neuter of totus whole ; cp. totalize (to

make up into a total)

total (to' tal), adj. Whole or entire ;

comprising everything ; absolute; thorough.

n. The total amount, v.t. To find out the

total of ; to amount in numbers to. v.i. To
count up to a total. (F. total,
entier ; total ; totaliser.}

A total eclipse of the sun is
very rare in England ; one
occurred in 1927, but the totality
(to tal' i ti, n.), that is, the state
of being total, lasted but a few
seconds. In all large business
houses it is necessary to totalize
(to' ta Hz, v.t.), or complete, the
accounts daily ; this totalization
(to ta II za' shun, n.) is now
usually done by machinery. The
totalizator (to' ta Hz a tor, n.), or
totalizer (to' ta Hz er, n.), is a
betting machine with dials and
indicator that show the odds
against any horse at any moment,
so that the better can see what
his winnings will be if the horse
he has backed wins the race. A
person who is wholly blind is
totally (to' tal li, adv.) blind. .

F., from L.L. totdlis, from L. totus
all, whole. SYN. : adj. Absolute,
complete, thorough, unqualified, n.
Aggregate, sum, whole ANT. : adj.
Fractional, partial, sectional, n.
Division, item, part, portion,
section.

totem (to' tern), n. An animal
or other natural object, adopted
by primitive people as a tribal
badge, by reason of a mythical
relationship to it ; an image of
this. (F. totem.)

Totems are common among the
North American Indians, where such names
as Bear, Wolf, and Deer serve to distinguish
the various clans. A totem-post (n.) is a
post on which the figure of the particular
totem is carved or hung. Totemism (to' tern
izm, n.) is a widespread belief. A man
who studies totemic (to tern' ik, adj.) or
totemistic (to te mis' tik, adj.) ideas is called
a totemist (to' tern ist, n.).

Algonkin (Ojibwa) = tribal mark.
tother (tuth' er), adj. The other, pron.
The other. Another - spelling is t'other
(tuth'er). (F. autre ; I'autre.)

4325

TOTTER

Not contracted from " the other," but due to
a wrong division of that other M.E. thet other
(the tother) ; cp. the tone for that one.

totter (tot' er), v.i. To shake and threaten
collapse ; to stand or walk unsteadily ; to be
unsteady and on the point of falling. (F.
tituber, chanceler.)

Children when quite young totter, and
are totterers (tot' er erz, n.pl.), or toddlers,
before they learn to walk. An invalid on
rising from his sick-bed may be tottery (tot'
er i, adj.], and walk totteringly (tot' er ing li,
adv.], until he recovers his strength.

M.E. toteren, probably a frequentative from
stem tot- unsteady ; cp. Norw. dialect totra to
quiver. Some connect with E. dialect tolter,
A.-S. tealtrian to totter ; cp. Dutch touteren to
shake, Swed. tulta to waddle. SYN. : Reel,
stagger.

toucan (tu kan' ; too7 kan), n. A tropical
American bird noted for its enormous beak
and brilliant plumage. (F. toucan.)

Toucans are mostly black with markings
of red, yellow, and white. They are fruit
eaters, and are peculiar for their habit of
swallowing their food and afterwards bringing
it up for mastication in a manner very like
that of the ruminants among mammals.

Port, tucano, from the Brazilian name.

Toucan. — The quaint toucan, whose huge and
brilliantly coloured beak looks like a mask.

touch (tuch), v.t. To be in contact with ;
to put the fingers or hands on ; to cause
objects to come into contact ; to reach ;
to compare with ; to strike lightly against ;
to meddle with ; to treat of ; to concern ;
to affect the mind and feelings ; to handle
skilfully ; to play lightly on (a musical
instrument) ; to put light marks on ; to
injure or affect adversely, v.i. To be in con-
tact ; to call (at a port) to mention briefly.
n. The act of touching ; contact ; the sense
which tells us of pressure on any part of the
body ; a light stroke with a brush or pencil ;
a very small quantity ; a suggestion ; a
characteristic ; manner of playing on a
musical instrument ; personal intercourse ;
emotion ; the part of a football-field outside
the touch-lines ; a children's chasing game.
(F. toucher, rapprocher, se meler de, tr alter de,

' TOUCH

regarder, toucher de; se toucher, mouiller ;
attouchement, contact, le toucher, touche,
soupcon.)

Matters touch our interests if they concern
us. The sight of a little child or animal in
trouble touches our hearts. A touch, or
spice, of humour is usually welcome in a
speech or writing. We say that a pianist
has a light touch if he plays delicately, and
that the touch of a piano is light if very
little pressure is needed to sound the notes.

In Rugby and Association football and in
hockey, the lines extending along the length
of the playing pitch and connecting the goal
lines and the centre line, are called the touch-
lines (n.pl.). That part of the ground on the
non-playing sides of the touch-lines is called
touch. The parts of a Rugby football ground
immediately at the four corners of the field
of play and between the goal and the touch-
lines, if respectively produced, are called
touch-in-goal (n.). The corner posts and
flags are touch-in-goal. A player who first
puts his hand on the ball in his own in-goal
while it is touching the ground is said to
touch-down (v.i.), and the action is called a
touch-down (n.).

In Rugby football, the official on each
touch-line who decides when and where the
ball enters touch, or touch-in-goal, and also
assists the referee in certain other ways, is
called a touch- judge (n.). In Association
football, such an official is called a linesman.

When things are in such a condition that
the merest trifle may have a great effect,
the state is one of touch-and-go (n.), and
they may be described as in a touch-and-go
(adj.) condition.

A muzzle-loading cannon had a small hole,
called a touch-hole (n.) on the top near the
back end. This was filled with the priming
powder which fired the charge inside.

A certain British plant of the balsam
species is called touch-me-not (n.), because
its ripe seed-pods explode at the slightest
touch.

A small pointed bar of gold or silver of
known purity called a touch-needle (n.), is
used in a primitive method of assaying to
make marks on a touchstone (n.), which is a
piece of dark, hard stone. By comparing the
colour of the marks with those made by an
article being tested, the purity of the metal
in the articles can be gauged.

Paper soaked in nitrate of potassium and
dried becomes the touch-paper (n.), used for
fuses in fireworks. The interior of many old
trees is filled with touchwood (n.), which is
wood rotted by fungus. If lighted, it
smoulders or bursts into flames.

Anything that can or may be touched is
touchable (tuch' abl, adj.), and anyone who
touches it is a toucher (tuch' er, n.) of it.

Most people are sensitive touching (tuch'
ing, prep.), that is, concerning, their
reputations. A sight is touching (adj.) if it
arouses feelings of pity or sympathy. Dogs

432o

TOUCHY

TOURNEY

are often touchingly (tuch' ing li, adv.] de-
voted to their masters.

M.E. touchen, tochen, O.F. tochier, tuchier (F.
toucher), in O. Northern F. toquer, probably from
Flem. tokken to touch. The original sense, as in
Span, tocar, Ital. toccare was to strike, and the
word was probably imitative. SYN. : n. Contact,
flavour, spice, v. Feel, handle, impress, move.

touchy (tuch' i), adj. Apt to take offence
on slight provocation ; irritable ; peevish ;
testy ; irascible. (F. chatouilleux , susceptible,
irascible.}

People who are very touchy only succeed
in making themselves and others miserable.
A fancied slight may call forth their touchi-
ness (tuch' i nes, n.}, making them speak or
act touchily (tuch' i li, adv.}.

From E. touch and suffix -y ; associated with
tetchy. SYN. : Angry, choleric, fretful, im-
patient, peppery. ANT. : Calm, cool, gentle,
kind, pleasant.

tough (tuf), adj. Pliable, without being
brittle ; not easily broken, firm ; capable
of enduring hardship or great _

strain ; difficult ; hard ; unyield-
ing; tenacious, n. In U.S.A., a
rough. (F. souple, flexible, raide,
fort, vigoreux ; bravache.}

A Polar explorer needs to have
a tough constitution or he could
not endure the intense cold. A
boy may describe a difficult task
as a toughish (tuf ish, adj.}
problem. To resist toughly (tuf
li, adv.} is to put up a vigorous
resistance.

Holly leaves toughen (tuf
en, v.i.} as they grow older.
Iron workers toughen (v.t.) steel
by the addition of more carbon ;
the additional toughness (tuf
nes, n.) being necessary for high
speed machinery.

A.-S. toh ; cp. Dutch taai, G.
zdh(e), A.-S. ge-tenge close to,
oppressive, burdensome. The original idea is
that of closeness and tenacity. See tongs.
SYN. : adj. Arduous, leathery, malleable, strong,
stubborn. ANT. : adj. Brittle, easy, fragile, frail.

toupee (tu pe'), n. A lock or curl of false
hair ; a small wig. (F. toupet.}

F. toupet, dim. of O.F. to(u)p tuft of hair.

tour (toor), n. A journey with stops at
various places ; a lengthy excursion ; a
circuit, v.i. To make a tour. v.t. To make a
tour through. (F. tour, voyage; voyager.)

Both a walking tour and a motor tour are
pleasant ways of spending a holiday. A
person who tours a country or district is a
tourist (toor' ist, n.). A tourist ticket (n.)
is a ticket issued, chiefly to pleasure seekers,
by a railway company at a cheaper rate than
an ordinary ticket, and generally allowing
them to break their journey at various
stations on the line of route.

F. tour, O.F. tor-s (ace. torn), L. tornus turner's
wheel, circle. See turn. SYN. : n. Circuit,
itinerary, journey, trip. v. Journey, travel.

tourmaline (toor' ma len), n. A glossy
compound of silicon and several other
mineral elements, having powerful electric
properties and used for ornaments.
Another form is turmaline (ter' ma len).
(F. tourmaline.}

Common tourmaline is black, brown, red,
green, yellow, but colourless kinds also are
found. Yellow tourmaline is also called
peridot, and green tourmaline is the stone
known as the Brazilian emerald.

F., from Cingalese (Ceylon) toramalli a
cornelian

tournament (toor' na ment ; ter' na
ment), n. In the Middle Ages a pageant
in which mounted knights and their followers,
usually armed with blunt weapons, fought
against one another ; any contest of skill in
which many people compete. (F. tournoi.}

In 1839 a number of gentlemen got up
a tournament at Eglinton Castle in which
the old mediaeval customs were observed.

Tournament. — A realistic scene enacted at the Royal Tournament,

a naval and military display, held in London. A pack battery

crossing mountainous country.

The Naval and Military Tournament, held
in London each year, is a display of feats
of arms, riding, etc., by picked bodies oi
sailors, soldiers, and airmen.

In lawn-tennis and other sports a com-
petition for a championship title or prizes
is called a tournament. The winner is
called a tournament winner (n.}, as distind
from a challenge match winner, and the
committee, referee, umpires, etc., are callec
tournament officials (n.pl.).

O.F. tornoiement, to(u)rnoier, from tournoier tc
tilt, joust (F. tournoyer to turn round about
wheel round). See turn. SYN. : Competition
display, joust.

tournay (toor' na), n. A printed
worsted material used for upholstering
(F. tournai.}

So called from Tournai (Tournay), town it
Belgium. See dornik.

tourney (toor' ni), n. A tournament,
v.t. To take part in a tournament. (F,
tournoi; j outer.}

O.F. tornoi. See tournament, turn.

4327

TOURNIQUET

TOWARD

,bFy

tourniquet (toor' ni ket), n. A device
for checking bleeding. (F. tourniquet.)

In one form a pad is fastened over an
artery by means of a bandage, and then
tightened down on the artery by turning
a screw. A tourniquet may be improvised
from a handkerchief and a stick.

F. = turnstile, roundabout, tourniquet, from
tourner to turn. See turn.

tournure (toor noor'), n. The contour
or curved outline of a figure ; in a drawing,
outline or contour ; the drapery at the
back of a dress ; a pad formerly worn b
women to give contour to the figure.
contour, tournure.}

F. from tourner to turn, with n. suffix -ure.
See turn.

tousle (tou' zl), v.t. To pull about ;
to disarrange ; to rumple ; to dishevel. (F.
dcranger, houspiller.}

Hair becomes tousled and rumpled when
young people romp together. Tously (tou'
zli, adj.} means ruffled or unkempt.

Like tussle, a frequentative of E. dialect touse,
M.E. -tusen, tp. O.H.G. er-zusen, G. zausen to
pull to and fro, tug, tear. Towser,
the name for a dog, is akin to this.
SYN. : Ruffle, rumple.

tous-les-mois (too la mwa),
n. A starchy food prepared from
the tubers of several species of
Canna plant, especially C. edulis.

It is also called Tulema (too
la ma', adj.} arrowroot.

F. = all the months, perhaps
corruption of West Indian name.

tout (tout), v.i. To solicit
custom, especially in an obtrusive
way ; to canvass persistently
(for orders) ; to spy upon race-
horses in training. n. One
employed to tout ; one who spies
upon horses in training. (F. courir

vehicle which breaks down may be towed
to its destination, and is then said to be
on tow. A trailer is a car or wagon towed
behind another, and having no motive
power of its own.

A tow-boat (n.} may be either a tug, built
specially for towing other vessels, or a ship
that is being towed behind another. A
tow-rope (n.) or towing-rope (n.) is a very
strong hawser, used for towing. For small,
light boats a tow-line (n.) or towing-line (n.}
is used.

Barges are towed along a canal by horses
on a tow-path (n.) or towing-path (n.)
constructed specially on one side of the
canal. A tow-net (n.) or towing-net (n.)
is one towed along the surface behind a
boat to gather specimens of marine creatures.
The towage (to' ij, n.) of ships is both the
act of towing them and the charge made
for towing.

M.E. towen, toghen, A.-S. togian to draw ; cp.
M.H.G. zogen, O. Norse toga to draw (tog rope,
line) ; akin to G. ziehen, L. ducere to lead, draw.
See tug. SYN. : v. Drag, draw, pull, trail.

Tow. — A giant barge being towed along a waterway in Germany by
means of a petrol-driven tractor.

apres les pratiques; coureur de pratiques.}
A man who asks for custom in a persistent
or annoying manner is said to tout, and is

called a tout. Perhaps he touts for orders the longer and finer material in the process
on behalf of his employer. A racehorse of heckling. It is used for spinning, as a
tout or touter (tout' er, n.} is a man who

tow [2] (to), n. The coarse and broken
fibres of hemp and flax. (F. etoupe, filasse.}
Tow consists of the fibres separated from

secretly watches racehorses while they are
draining, in order to get information about
their condition and performance, usually for
betting purposes.

M.E. tuten, toten to peep, A.-S. totian to
peep out, stick out ; cp. O. Norse tuta peak,
Swed. tut point, E. dialect toot to peep, spy.
SYN. : v. Canvass, importune.

tow [i] (to), v.t. To pull (a vessel)
through the water by a rope, etc. ; to drag
(a net) over the surface of water ; to pull ;
to drag behind one. n. The act of towing ;
the state of being towed. (F. remorquer,
holer; remorque.}

A large steamship is usually towed from
her berth by tugs, which take her in tow
until she has room to use her own engines.
In a figurative sense a guide has in tow
the party he is conducting. A motor

ling, it is used lor spinning, as a
cleaning material, and for making into
theatrical wigs. Hair is described as towy
(to' i, adj.} if it is light-coloured and coarse,
like tow.

A.-S. tow- (in compounds) spinning or weaving ;
cp. M. Dutch touwen to knit, weave, O. Norse
to spinning-wool.

toward (to word ; tword), prep. In the
direction of ; with respect to ; as regards ;
for ; for the purpose of ; near. Another
form is towards (to wordz ; twordz). (F.
vers, pour, a I'egard de, pres.}

Our attitude toward a person may be
friendly or the reverse, perhaps reflecting
his own feelings towards ourselves.

M.E. toward, towardes (gen.), A.-S. toweard
(adj.) approaching, imminent, (prep.) towards,
(adv.) forwards, from to to, and -weard in the
direction of, tending to (cp. G. werden, L. versus,
E. worth [2]). See afterward.

4328

TOWEL

TOWI

towel (tou' el), n. A cloth used for
drying oneself after washing or bathing.
v.t. To wipe (oneself) with a towel, v.i. To
wipe oneself with a towel. (F. essuie-
mains, serviette, serviette de bain ; torcher ;
se torcher.}

Towels are made of different materials,
face towels being fine and bath towels
coarse in texture. A round towel or roller
towel is an endless one fastened to a revolving
bar. Towelling (tou' el ing, n.} is the name
given to specially woven, absorbent materials
used to make towels. A vigorous towelling
after a cold plunge encourages a healthy
reaction in the skin. A towel-horse (n.) is a
wooden frame upon which towels are hung.

O.F. toaille (F. touaille), from a Teut. source ',
cp. O.H.G. twahila, G. zwehle, Dutch dwaal,
A.-S. thwdele ; O. Saxon, Goth, thwahan to
wash.

tower (tou' er), n.
A tall structure poly-
gonal or circular in
plan, standing by
itself or forming part
of a church, castle
or other large build-
ing ; a place of refuge
or defence. v.i. To
reach or rise to a great
height ; to soar ; to be
relatively high or tall.
(F. tour; se dresser,
planer.}

The Bible preserves
for us the old idea
of a tower as a refuge
and protection, as in
Psalms xviii, 2 and
Ixi, 3, where God is
called a fortress and
a high tower, and a
strong tower from the
enemy. The Tower
of London, built as
a fortress, became
successively a palace
and a prison. - Its

keep is known as the White Tower, and at
the angles of its outer walls are other towers.

Water tanks are often placed at the top
of high towers in order to secure a sufficient
head of water. Shot was formerly made by
pouring molten lead from the top of a tower
so that it fell into water in a receptacle
beneath.

A very tall person towers above others
in his company. An eminent man also is
said to tower above his fellows. A person
in a great temper is said to be in a towering
(tou' er ing, adj.} rage. A building with
many towers may be described as towery
(tou' er i, adj.}. Towered (tou' erd, adj.}
means furnished with a tower or towers.

A.-S. torr and O.F. to(u}r, lur, L. turris (ace.
turr-em), Gr. tyrsis, tyrrhis ; cp. Gaelic torr
conical, hill, castle. See tor. SYN. : v. Overtop,
rise, soar.

D86 4329

Tower. — The wes* lower of Ely Cathedral,
mainly represents Transitional Norman architecture.

town (toun), n. A group c; dwelling
larger than a village, especially one nc
constituted a city ; such places generall
as opposed to the country ; the people t
a town ; the principal town of a distric
(F. ville.}

Originally a town meant a strong hole
or a collection of dwellings protected b
an enclosure. In its modern meaning
town differs from a city only in havin
no charter of incorporation. In universit
cities, town and gown means the city fol
contrasted with the undergraduates an
others connected with the university. T
go up to town is to visit London.

A town-clerk (n.) is the officer who keej
the town records, or the clerk to a municip;
corporation. A town-council (72.) is th
governing body that deals with the publ
. affairs of a towi
) Each of its membei
| is a town-councillc
; (n.) elected to his offic
j by those of his fellov
i townsmen who ai
j ratepayers. The coui
cil holds its meeting
; and transacts its bus
ness usually in a lar£
; building called tt
town hall (n.),- whic
may also be used f(
public meetings an
^ j M ; entertainments.

In some towns thei
is still a town-cri<
(n.), an official wt
goes round ringing
bell and making ai
nouncements of publ
interest. A town nous
(n.) is a private res
dence in a town, i
opposed to a counti
house. A town-maj<
(n.) was a militai
officer- in a town who:
duty was to mainta
discipline and administer military law.

Much thought is given nowadays to towi
planning (n.), which is the laying out of
new town or the extension of an old 01
in a way which will be most advantageoi
to the health and welfare of people wl:
live in it. A town-planner (n.) is a speciali
in this work. Garden suburbs are one i
the prominent developments in mode]
town-planning.

A subject being discussed all over a tow
is town-talk (n.). Manners are townish (toui
ish, adj.) if typical of town life. A distrii
is townless (toun' les, adj.) if there is r
town in it. A townlet (toun' let, n.) is
small town. The people who live in a tow
or city are collectively its townsfolk (toun
fok, n.pl.) or townspeople (tounz' pe p
n.pl.). Any male person among them
a townsman (tounz7 man, «.}.

TOWY

TRABEATED

In England a township (toun' ship, n.)
is the smallest district which can have any
form of local government. In many cases
it has the same boundaries as a parish,
which is an ecclesiastical district ; but
some large parishes include two or more
townships. In America a township is a
subdivision of a county having powers of
government in local affairs. The name is
used, too, of a block of public land six
miles square.

Every morning millions of people take
a townward (toun' ward, adj.) journey,
one that leads townward (adv.), or towards
the town where they work.

M.E t(o)un enclosure, yard, farm, town,
A.-S. tun (same meanings) ; cp. Dutch tuin
garden, fence, hedge, O.H.G. zun, G. zaun
iiedge, O. Norse tun enclosure, homestead, Gaelic
dun fortress, stronghold, akin to Gr. dyn-amis
strength. See down [i].

towy (to' i). For this word see under
tow [2].

tox-, toxi-, toxico-. Prefixes meaning
of or relating to poison. (F. toxi-.}

A state in which the blood contains
toxic (toks' ik, adj.) substances — those
which are poisonous — is known as toxaemia
(toks e' mi a, n.). Such a substance is
generally one — called a toxin (toks7 in, n.} —
produced by micro-organisms. Vegetable
poisons also, and venoms secreted by ani-
mals, are known as toxins. Toxicology
(toks i kol' 6 ji, n.) is the science of the
nature and action of poisons, and deals, too,
with their detection and the preparation
of antidotes.

A toxicologist (toks i kol' 6 jist, n.) is a
person with an expert knowledge of poisons
and the treatment of poisoning. His toxi-
cological (toks i ko loj' i kal, adj.] skill is
often required in the investigation of obscure
cases of poisoning. Substances which might
have affected a person toxically (toks' i
kal li, adv.) are analysed and examined
toxicologically (toks i ko loj' i kal li, adv.)
to elucidate the cause of his illness.

Many mineral and vegetable substances
are toxicant (toks' i kant, adj.) or poisonous,
and produce a state of toxication (toks' i ka'
shim, n.). Toxicity (toks is' i ti, n.) means
the quality of being poisonous or toxic. The
toxicity or virulence of different poisons
varies, and the fatal dose may differ in
proportion.

Gr. toxikos belonging to the bow, neuter
(oxikon — pharmakon (drug) understood — used as
n., = poison in which arrows were dipped, from
toxon bow, toxa pi. bow and arrows.

toxophilite (toks of i lit), n. One
skilled in archery ; a lover of archery.
adj. Of or relating to archery. (F. toxophile.)

Archery is still a popular pastime, and
toxophilite. meetings are held at which
archers compete for prizes. The Royal Toxo-
philite Society, founded in 1780, still exists.

From Gr. toxon bow, philos loving, fond of,
E. suffix -ite.

toy (toi), n. A plaything, especially
one for a child ; anything amusing or
trifling ; a thing not used or intended to
be used seriously, v.i. To trifle ; to amuse
oneself; to dally. (F. jouet; foldtrer,
badiner.)

In all ages toys have been made for
children. Every child has a collection of
toys — playthings purchased for it, or articles
given to it to be used as toys. Every year
new toys are invented, and a very large
industry is devoted to the making and
selling of toy articles, some being miniature
copies of the larger things used by grown-up
people. These can be bought in a toyshop
(n.) or toy bazaar (n.).

A toy-dog (n.) is a small kind of dog
kept as a pet. A child toys with its food
when it does not feel hungry. A toyer
(toi' er, n.) is one who trifles or dallies with
a subject, treating it toyingly (toi' ing li,
adv.) or triflingly. Toyish (toi' ish, adj.)
means, toy-like, trivial, or foolish.

Perhaps from Dutch tuig tools, apparatus,
trappings, trash, cp. speeltuig playthings ; cp. G.
zeug stuff, trash, spielzeug playthings, Icel.
tygi gear, harness. All ultimately from the root
of E. toiv ; cp. G. zeugen to beget, produce,
ziehen to draw. See tow [i], team. SYN. : n.
Plaything, v. Dally, sport, trifle.

British Museum.

Toy. — Greek and Roman toys : clay dolls, a rag
doll, kindergarten mat. whistle, and doll's tray.

trabeated (tra/ be at ed), adj. Con-
structed with beams or lintels ; furnished
with an entablature. Trabeate (tra/ be at)
has the same meaning. (F. entable'.)

In architecture trabeated construction, or
trabeation (tra be a' shun, n.}, in which the
lintel or entablature is used over an opening,
is contrasted with arcuated — the form in
which arches are employed — or with vaulted
construction.

In anatomy the bands or cross-bars of
connective tissue found in parts and organs
are called trabeculae (tra bek' u le, n.pl.) —
sing, trabecula (tra bek' u la). An organ
having these bands is said to be trabecular
(tra bek' u lar, adj.), or trabeculated (tra
bek' u lat ed, adj.).

L. p.p. formation, as if from irreguJar
trabeare to construct with beams, from trabs beam.

4330

TOYS THAT AMUSED THE CHILDREN OF LONG AGO

«K rC?

Toy. — The ranse of toys pictured above extends over nven»v-four centuries. 1. Egypt A.D. 200.
2. Ancient Greek "Boy on Goose." 3. Roman Egypt, about A.D. 200. 4. Cyprus "duck," 400 B.C.
5. Archaic clay dog. 6. English wooden doll, about 1850. 7. Ancient Greek doll. 8. Egyptian,
18th dynasty. 9. Cyprian clay doll. 500 B.C. 10. Egyptian wooden doll, about thirteenth

century. 11-12. English wooden dolls, sixteenth century. 13. Rocking-horse, seventeenth century.
14-19. English penny toys, late nineteenth century

TRACE

TRACK

trace [i] (tras), n. Each of the two
straps or chains by which a horse draws
a vehicle. (F. trait.)

Before a horse can begin to pull a cart
or carriage the traces, or side straps by which
it is attached to the vehicle, must be made
fast. These run from its collar to the
splinter-bar. To kick over the traces means
to be restive or insubordinate. In the traces
means in harness.

M.E. trays (pi.), O.F. trays trais (F. traits), pi.
of trait in sense act of drawing, strap. See trait.

trace [2] (tras), n. A mark or track
left by a person or animal walk-
ing or running, or by a thing
moving ; (usually pi.) foot-
steps, tracks, or other visible
marks of a course taken ; a
vestige ; a sign of something /
which has existed or taken /
place; a small quantity, v.t.
To follow the track or trace of ;
to observe or note the vestiges
of ; to ascertain or determine
the course, position and dimen-
sions of by remains or traces ;
to delineate ; to sketch out ;
to copy (a drawing) by follow-
ing and repeating its lines on a
transparent paper, etc., laid
over it. (F. trace, vestige;
depister, tracer, calquer.)

Persons, animals or vehicles
leave traces behind as they move over the
ground. A person's resentment may be traced
to some injustice he has suffered. Even the
slightest trace of garlic in a dish is repugnant
to some people who dislike its flavour.

The track of an animal may be traceable
(tras' abl, adj.) by a skilled hunter, though
it might escape an untrained eye. Its
traceability (tras a bu" i ti, n.) or traceable-
ness (tras' abl nes, n.) — its quality of being
traceable — is all the greater when the track
is a fresh one. Events are traceably (tras'
ab li, adv.) connected one with another if
their connexion can be traced.

The head of a Gothic window is often
decorated with tracery (tras' er i, n.), an
ornamental open work pattern produced by
the interlacing of mullions and the addition
of other work. Any similar decorative
patterns or natural markings are described
as tracery. The windows of the
Decorated Gothic period are elaborately
traceried (tras' er id, adj.), or ornamented
with tracery.

Draughtsmen copy plans and drawings
by the process named tracing (tras' ing, n.).
A sheet of tough transparent paper called
tracing-paper (n.), or of transparent cloth,
named tracing-cloth (n.) and tracing-linen
(n.), is pinned over the drawing to be
traced, and with pen or pencil the tracer
(tras' er, n.) goes over the lines of the
original and thus reproduces them upon
the tracing or copy. Anything which

Tracery.— Gothic tracery at
North Petherlon, Somerset.

traces or is used to trace may be called a
tracer.

A tracer shell (n.) is an artillery projectile
which emits smoke as it travels through the
air, so that its course may be traced and
the range or aim corrected if necessary.

F. and O.F. tracer to trace, follow, delineate,
from assumed L.L. tractidre, from L. tractus, p.p.
of trahere to drag, draw. SYN. : n. Impression,
mark, trail, vestige, v. Draw, delineate, follow,
mark, sketch.

trachea (tra ke' a ; tra' ke a), n. The
windpipe ; each of the air tubes of an
insect or an arachnid ; a plant
duct or vessel. pi. tracheae
(tra ke' e ; tra' ke e). (F.
trachee.)

The trachea is the principal
air passage of the body which
leads from the larynx to the
bronchi. Inflammation of the
trachea is called tracheitis (tra
ke I' tis, «.). The trachea is
kept distended by the gristly,
trachea! (tra ke' al ; tra' ke
al, adj.) rings. Since the
breathing-tubes of insects and
spider-like animals are called
tracheae, these creatures are
said to be tracheate (tra' ke
at, adj.). Air enters the
tracheae through stigmata or
breat hi ng holes arranged
generally on the side of the body.

L. trachea, trdchla, Gr. trdkheia literally rough
(fern, of trdkhys rough, agreeing with arteria
artery understood), so called from the gristly
rings.

trachoma (tra ko' ma), n. A disease
of the eye marked by granular excrescences
on the inner surface of the eyelids. (F.
trachome.)

Gr. trdkhoma roughness, granulation, from
trdkhys rough.

trachyte (trak' it), n. A light -coloured
volcanic rock containing glassy feldspar
crystals. (F. trachyte.}

The surface of a piece of broken trachytic
(tra kit' ik, adj.) rock is very rough and
gritty.

F., from Gr. trdkhytes roughness, from trdkhys
rough.

tracing (tras' ing). For this word,
tracing-cloth, etc., see under trace [2].

track (trak), n. A series of footprints or
other marks left by a person or animal when
walking or running ; (usually pi.) such
footprints, marks, etc. ; the mark left by
a vehicle ; a trail ; a rough path, especially
one beaten by use ; a route or course taken ;
a course or path for racing ; a set of railway
lines, v.t. To follow the track or traces of ;
to trace ; to make out (the course of) by
tracks or traces ; to tow (a boat) from the
bank., (F. trace, sentier, cours, piste ;
depister, filer.)

4331

TRACT

TRACTION

Red Indians used to track their enemies
through the forest by marks that an
unskilled person would pass by. From its
trail, a practised tracker (trak' er, n.) can
gather much information about an animal
he is pursuing. Foot, cycle and other races
are held on tracks specially prepared for
the purpose ; at Brooklands in Surrey there
is a famous motor track. To diverge from
the usual route is, figuratively, to leave the
beaten track, whether in walking or riding
or in one's course through life.

The line of a railway is sometimes called
its track and, in America, trackage (trak' ij, «.)
means railway tracks collectively. Trackage
also means towage, especially the towing
or tracking of a canal boat. In some countries
it is necessary to fit a track-clearer (n.) to
the engine in order to clear the track of
snow or some other obstacle.

To make tracks is to run away. A forest
in which there are no paths is trackless
(trak' les, adj.). Its tracklessness (trak' les
nes, n.) makes it a very difficult region for
travellers. Instead of trams which run on
tracks laid in the roadway, trackless vehicles
are sometimes used, which need no track.
The clouds move tracklessly (trak' les li, adv.),
or without leaving a trace, through the sky.

O.F. trac path, track, perhaps from M. Dutch
tveck drawing, procession, sketch, Dutch trek
drawing, expedition, from trekken to draw, travel,
march. See trek. The E. v. track represents
F. traquer (from trac) to draw a net round a
wood to trap game. SYN. : n. Course, spoor,
trace, trail, wake. v. Follow, pursue, trace,
trail.

Track.

-A thousand metres bicycle race in progress on Herne Hill
track, London.

tract [i] (trakt), n. An area or region
usually of indefinite extent ; a period (of
time) ; in anatomy, an area of an organ or
system. (F. contree, periode, trajet.)

Usually this word means a large area or
extent of land or water. The alimentarv
tract includes the mouth, stomach and

intestines ; the optic tract is that part of
the central nervous system concerned with
sight.

L. tractus (p.p. of trahere to draw) drawing,
line, track, course of a river, tract of land,
district.

tract [2] (trakt), n. A short treatise,
pamphlet, or booklet, generally on some
religious or moral subject ; in the Roman
Catholic Church, a form of anthem. (F.
brochure, trait.)

Many religious bodies issue leaflets and
pamphlets for free distribution. These are
generally called tracts.

The Tracts for the Times were a series
of pamphlets, published at Oxford in 1833-41,
which gave rise to the movement called
Tractarianism (trak tar' i an izm, n.), or
the Oxford movement. Newman was an
eminent Tractarian (trak tar' i an, n.), as a
writer of the tracts was named. Others
were Pusey, Keble, Hurrell, and Froude.
A supporter of the movement also was called
a Tractarian.

Abbreviation of tractate treatise, from L.
tractatus, p.p. of tractare to handle, frequentative
of trahere to draw.

tractable (trakt' abl), adj. Manageable or
docile ; easily led or controlled. (F. docile,
maniable.)

Horses are said to be tractable when they
are quiet and easy to drive. Young people
who have to rely a great deal on the advice
and experience of those older, should show
tractability (trakt a bil' i ti, n.), or tractable-
ness (trakt ' abl nes, n.), towards teachers
and superiors, behaving tractably
(trakt' ab li, adv.) or docilely.

L. tractabilis, from tractare to
handle, frequentative of trahere
to draw, suffix -bilis. SYN. : Docile,
manageable. ANT. : Intractable.

Tractarian (trak tar' i an).
n. For this word and Trac-
tarianism see under tract [2].

tractate (trak' tat), n. A
treatise. (F. traitd.)

This word is now seldom used,
except of old writings.
See tract.

traction (trak' shun), n. The
act of drawing something along
a surface, especially vehicles or
loads along a track or road ; the
state of being so drawn; con-
traction of muscles, etc. (F.
traction.]

Horses, oxen, mules, and
other animals draw vehicles, and
man himself plays his part in
traction when he pulls a truck or a
jinricksha. Hauling done by motors, steam-
engines, or electricity is mechanical traction.
On some railways steam traction has been
superseded by electric. Heavy loads are
drawn along roads by a traction-engine (n.),
usually worked by steam. Each of its big
road wheels is a traction-wheel (n.), for

4332

TRADE

TRADE

it takes part in the pulling. On a locomotive
the driving wheels are called traction wheels.

A tractor (trak' tor, n.} is one who or that
which hauls or draws. Motor tractors now
haul farm implements and wagons, and
commercial vehicles are drawn by a tractor
of another type. A traction engine is a
tractor. The tractional (trak' shun al, adj.)
or tractive (trak' tiv, adj.) force of a railway
locomotive or other tractor is its effective
hauling power.

A tractor-plane (n.) is an aeroplane with
its airscrew or airscrews in front, arranged
to pull it through the air. Much use is now
made of the tractor-plough (n.), which is a
plough hauled by, or forming part of, a
tractor.

F. traction, L.L. tractio (ace. -on-em), from L.
tractus, p.p. of trahere to draw. SYN. : Drawing,
haulage, pulling.

Tractor. — A tractor with adjustable wheels.

for work on a hillside.

trade (trad), n. The buying and selling
of goods ; commerce ; a business, handicraft,
or mechanical or mercantile occupation,
distinguished from agriculture, unskilled
labour, or a profession ; the amount of
business done in a period, place, etc. ; all
the persons engaged in a particular trade ;
(pi.) the trade-winds, v.i. To buy and sell ;
to barter ; to deal (in) ; to carry on business
or commerce (with) ; to carry merchandise
(between places) ; to make a trade of one's
political or social influence, etc., especially
for corrupt purposes. v.t. To sell ; to ex-
change ; to barter. (F. commerce, metier ;
traftquer, troquer, ntgocier ; vendre, echanger.)

Trade, in the sense of commerce, is dealing,
either wholesale or retail, in manufactured
goods or natural products. A corn-merchant,
for instance, is engaged in the corn trade.
1 A workman skilled in some form of mechan-
ical work, such as carpentry, metal-working,
or bookbinding, is said to follow, or to have
a trade.

To trade on one's friendship with another
person is to take an unfair advantage of it.
The Board of Trade (n.) is a department

of the British government, controlled by a
permanent committee of the Privy Council,
which attends to commercial and industrial
affairs affecting British trade.

The trade of a country falls into two parts.
One of these is its domestic or home trade,
which is the buying and selling within the
country of things made or produced there.
The other is its foreign trade, composed of
all exports to, and imports from, other
countries.

A trade-hall (n.) is a hall or building in
which meetings of traders and others take
place. There are many such halls in London,
including Goldsmiths' Hall, Fishmongers'
Hall, and Stationers' Hall.

Many manufacturers and others use a
trade-mark (n.), that is, a registered private
mark or name stamped on, or attached to,
the package of their products, to distinguish
, them from similar products by
: other firms. A trade-name (n.)
is a special name given by a
manufacturer to his product,
" Kodak " and " tabloid " are
j trade-names which have passed
I into our language. The name
also by which a thing is known ir
a trade is its trade-name. Shop-
keepers buy their goods at trade-
price (n.), that is, a price charged
by the manufacturer or produce]
for goods that are to be sole
again. A tradesman (tradz' man
n.) is a person engaged in <.
trade, especially a shopkeeper
tradespeople (tradz' pe pi, n.pl.\
are shopkeepers "and theii
families collectively, or the
people engaged in trade. '. /••',
A trade-union (n.) is an associ
ation of workpeople in the sam<
trade or occupation, formed to promote anc
protect their interests, and to improve th<
conditions of .employment. The main prin
ciple of trade-unionism (n.), which is tin
system of combining together in this way
is that union gives strength. A trade
unionist (n.) is a member of a trade-union.
The hot air constantly .rising from th<
earth near the equator is replaced by colde
air rushing in from the colder regions. Thi
gives rise to two - winds, each called ;
trade-wind (n.) because of its constancy an<
its great value to the sailing-ships carrying
merchandise. The northern trade-wind, 01
the northern side of the equator, blow
from the north-east, and the southen
trade- wind from the south-east. Th
slanting of the trades, as the trade-wind
together are called, towards the west is cause*
by the eastward rotation of the earth. Thi
anti-trade-winds, blowing in the opposit
direction, north and south of the trades, ar
caused by the down rush of the heated ai
from the equator after it has been cooled b]
the upper atmosphere. These winds are ofte]
included under the term trade-winds.

•1

It is specially adapted

4333

TRADITION

TRAFFIC

Few, if any, countries are tradeless (trad7
les, adj.), that is, without trade of some kind.
A trader (trad' er, n.) is a merchant, a person
engaged in trade, or a merchant ship.

Originally = path, beaten track, from Low G.
trade ; cp. M.E. trede tread, step, A.-S. trod
track, trace. Trade-wind has nothing to do,
with trade (business), but is so called because it
always follows the same path or course. See
tread. SYN. : n. and v. Barter, exchange,
traffic.

Trade. — A boat trading on the Nile. This type of
craft is very ancient.

tradition (tra dish' un), n. The handing
down of opinions, practices, and customs
from one generation to another ; a belief,
custom, etc., so handed down ; the principles,
maxims, etc., of an art, derived from the
usage and experience of past masters in it ;
in theology, doctrine believed to have
divine authority but not found in the
Scripture ; in law, the formal delivery (of
property). (F. tradition.)

It is a tradition of the sea that when a
vessel is sinking the captain should be the
last to leave. This traditional (tra dish'
un al, adj.) procedure is nearly always faith-
fully observed. The traditional teaching of
Christ is that part of His teaching that was
handed down by word of mouth from
generation to generation, and not recorded
in the New Testament. This teaching as a
whole is spoken of as tradition.

The stories of King Arthur are traditional,
their action taking place in a traditionary (tra
dish' un a ri, adj.) or traditional period in
English history, that is, a period recorded
or described by tradition.

Archbishop Hatto of Mainz (died 970),
was traditionally (tra dish' un al li, adv.), or
according to tradition, eaten by mice as a
punishment for burning a crowd of poor
people to death in his barn.

A traditionalist (tra dish' un al ist, n.), or
traditionist (tra dish' un ist, n.), is one who
has great respect for tradition, especially in
religious matters. Such adherence to tra-
dition is called traditionalism (tra dish' im
al izm, n.). Those who follow this way of
thinking have a traditionalistic .(tra. dish
im a lis' tik, adj.) outlook.

L. traditio (ace. -on-em) from traditus, p.p.
of tradere to hand over, transmit, from tra- =
trans across, dare to give. SYN. : Belief, custom,
usage.

traditor (trad' i tor), n. One of those
early Christians who delivered sacred books or
church property to the officers of Diocletian,
or betrayed fellow Christians in order to save
their own skins, pi. traditors (trad7 i torz)
and traditores (tra di tor' ez). (F. traditeur.)

L., agent n. from tradere to hand over, betray.
See traitor.

traduce (tra das'), v.t. To defame falsely
or maliciously ; to misrepresent. (F. diffamer,
calomnier, medire de.)

When a man speaks evil of another,
without justification, he is said to traduce
him. A traducer (tra dus' er, n.), that is, a
slanderer or calumniator, can be punished
by law if his words cause loss or damage to
the person traduced. The word traducement
(tra dus' ment, n.), meaning the act or an act
of traducing, or else slander, is seldom used.

L. trdducere to lead across, lead along in dis-
grace, expose to ridicule, defame, from tra- =
trans across, over, ducere to lead. SYN. : Asperse,
calumniate, misrepresent, slander, vilify. ANT. :
Honour, praise.

traffic (traf' ik), n. The exchange of
goods by way of trade ; trade or commerce ;
the trade (in a particular commodity, etc.) ;
the carrying of persons and goods by rail,
road, sea, or air, etc. ; the coming and going
of vehicles and persons on a road ; the
quantity or number of goods and persons
conveyed, or vehicles passing to and fro.
v.i. To trade (in some commodity) ; to do
business (with) ; to carry on commerce.
v.t. To barter, p.t. and p.p. trafficked (traf
ikt). (F. trafic, commerce, transport, cir-
culation; trafiquer.}

Nowadays much attention is paid to the
traffic problem, that is, the problem of regu-
lating to the best advantage the great
number of vehicles on the roads, and also the
construction of new roads and the widening
of old ones to cope with the increase in
traffic. The traffic returns (n.pl.) of a rail-
way are statements issued at regular intervals
showing the number of passengers and weight
of goods carried during a specified period, and
the money received for their carriage.

Thoroughfares in towns are seldom
trafficless (traf ik les, adj.), or without
traffic. The word traffic is used less often
in its strictly literal sense, that of commerce
or exchange, though we speak of a trade in
illicit goods, such as drugs, as a traffic in
them. The sale of state appointments, once
common in many countries, could be termed
a corrupt traffic, or trade, in government
offices, and the officials responsible might be
said to have trafficked, or bartered, their
honour for bribes. When used in this sense
the verb is generally disparaging, and implies
an improper kind of dealing.

The word trafficker (traf iker, n.), meaning
a trader, or one who traffics in a literal or
figurative sense of the word, is more or less
archaic.

F. trafiquer, from Ital. trafficare = Span, traficar,
Port, tras/egar, trafeguear, L.L. traficar e. It was

4334

TRAGAGANTH

TRAII>

a word used in Mediterranean commerce, and is
possibly derived from Arabic taraffaqa to seek
profit, or from L. tra- = trans across, and facere
to make. SYN. : n. and v. Barter, exchange,
trade.

tragacanth. (trag' a kanth), n. A white or
reddish gum-like substance obtained from
various Asiatic shrubs of the genus Astra-
galus ; a shrub of this genus. (F. tragacanthe.)

Tragacanth, or gum tragacanth, exudes
from incisions made in the stem of the shrub
called tragacanth. It is used in medicine as
a demulcent, and in calico-printing.

L. Iragacanthum, Gr. tragakantha, from tragos
he-goat (from trogein to gnaw), akantha thorn.
See acanthus.

tragedy (traj' e di), n. A drama, in verse
or prose, dealing in an elevated manner
with a pathetic or terrible subject, usually
having a sad ending ; the personification of
this kind of drama, the Muse of Tragedy ;
a fatal or calamitous happening or event.
(F. tragedie.)

Aristotle conceived ancient Greek tragedy
as purifying the minds of the spectators by
the terror or pity that it aroused. This
observation is equally true of the great
tragedies of more modern literature, such as
Shakespeare's " Macbeth," " Othello," and
" King Lear."

A subject is tragic (traj ' ik, adj.) or tragical
(traj' ik al, adj.), if it has the qualities of
tragedy. Rescued passengers have re-
created for us the tragic or sad scenes that
accompanied the sinking of the White Star
liner, " Titanic," in 1912. The tragicalness
(traj7 ik al nes, n.), or tragic quality, of that
ocean calamity was intensified by the fact
that the vessel was making her first voyage
across the Atlantic, and was reputed to be
unsinkable.

Tragedies must necessarily be performed
tragically (traj' ik al li, adv.), that is, in a
tragical manner. We speak tragically, or in
a tragic voice, when we modulate our voice
in the style of an actor in tragedy, who, if a
man, is called a tragedian (tra je' di an, n.),
and, sometimes, if a woman, a tragedienne'
(tra zha di en', n.). A tragedian may also
denote a writer of tragedies.

A drama in which tragedy and comedy are
blended is called a tragi-comedy (traj i
kom' e di, n.), or a tragi-comic (traj i kom'
ik, adj.) or tragi- comical (traj i kom' ik al,
adj.) play, especially if it is mainly of a
tragic character, but ends happily.

It is very difficult to act tragicomically
(traj i kom' ik al li, adv.), that is, in a manner
combining tragedy and comedy, without
falling into a farcical or burlesque style.

O.F. tragedie, from L. tragoedia, Gr. trago(i}dia
— goat-song (in reference to the dress of the
actors, or because a goat was sacrificed, or was
given as a prize to the best performer), from
trago(i)dos tragic, singer, from tragos he-goat,
o(i)dos = aoidos singer. SYN. : Calamity, disas-
ter. ANT. : Comedy.

tragopan (trag' o pan), n. A Chinese am
Indian game bird (Ceriornis) with brillian
plumage and fleshy horns. (F. tragopan.}

Gr. = a fabulous Ethiopian bird, from trago
he-goat, Pan the Greek deity.

Tragcpan. — The tragopan, a handsome game bird,

which is found in India and China-
trail (tral), v.t. To drag along behind
especially along the ground ; to follow th<
track of ; to carry (a rifle) in one hand at th<
side, so that its muzzle points forwards ; t<
tread down (grass) so as to make a path
v.i. To be dragged along behind; to nan;
down loosely ; to grow ramblingly along thi
ground, or over a wall, etc. n. Anything tha
is drawn behind a moving thing ; a Ion;
appendage ; a train ; the rear end of a gun
carriage, resting on the ground when the guj
is fired ; a track left by an animal ; the seen
of an animal followed in hunting ; a beatei
track or rough road, especially througl
forest or wild country. (F. trainer, suivre <
la piste; trainer; trainee, piste, sentier.}

Small children like to trail wheeled toy
behind them when they go out walking. 1
water-cart leaves a trail of wet roadwa;
behind it, by which we could easily trail o
track down the vehicle. When soldiers ar
ordered to trail arms they carry their rifle
balanced in the right hand, so that the barre
is parallel with the groun.l.

The ground-ivy is a well-known trailer (tral
er, n.}, or trailing plant. In another sens
a hunter following the track of game is ;
trailer. So also is a tramcar or other vehicl
drawn behind another. The kind of fishin:
net called a drag-net is also known as ;
trail-net (n.). The trail-rope (n.) of a balloo]
drags along the ground and so keeps tbj
craft at a steady height, or checks its speed
M.E. trailen, from O.F. trailler to trail a deer
tow a boat, F. to pull the rope of a fishing-net
from L. tragula a kind of drag-net, a small sledge
cp. Dutch treilen to tow, treil tow-line, F. traille i
ferry-boat, trawl-net. All from L. trahere to draw
SYN. : v. Drag, draw. n. Scent, train, track.

train (trail), n. Anything that is drawi
or dragged along behind a thing ; the par
of a dress which trails behind the wearer

4335

TRAIN-OIL

TRAJECTORY

the tail of a comet ; the trailing tail or tail-
feathers of a bird ; the trail of a gun-
carriage ; a retinue ; a procession ; a sequence ;
a series of railway trucks or carriages coupled
together and hauled by an engine ; a line
of combustible material along which fire
travels to explode a charge or mine ; a set
of connected cogwheels ; orderly succession.
v.t. To bring to a desired state by prolonged
instruction,practice, etc. ; to drill or accustom
(to perform some action, etc.) ; to prepare (a
person) by dieting and exercise for a race,
athletics, etc. ; to make (a plant) grow as
desired ; to aim (a cannon), v.i. To get into
good condition (for a race, etc.) ; to travel
by train. (F. queue, traine, suite, cortege;
dresser, entrainer, pointer; s' entrainer .}

Train. — A replica of a train worn by Catherine II,
Empress of Russia.

A scout has a trained eye, that is, one that
observes things that an ordinary person would
not notice. Properly trained children are
obedient, self-reliant, truth'ful, and unselfish.
A train of events is a series of events. A
retinue is a train or succession of attendants.

A boxer has to train fine, that is, get him-
self into very good physical condition, before
an important match. The guns and all the
other equipment of a siege-train make up a
train of artillery («.). When a gun is trained
upon a target it is brought to bear on it.

A train-band (n.) was a body of citizen
soldiers founded in England by James I.
The train-bands supported the Parliamentary
side during the Civil War, and were con-
sequently abolished after the Restoration.
A train-bearer (n.) is a page, official, or other
person who holds the train of a robe off the
ground, A train-ferry (n.) is a ship built
for transporting railway trains across water.
A service of such vessels is also called a
train-ferry. The train-mile (n.) is a unit
used in railway statistics for showing the
amount of traffic or working expenses on a

railway. It represents each of the miles in the
total mileage of all trains during a given
period.

Many kinds of animals are trainable (tran '
abl, adj.), that is, able to be trained to obey
orders. A person responsible for the physical
fitness of athletes, footballers, racehorses
etc., is called a trainer (tran' er, n.). The
form of education or discipline which they
go through is training (tran7 ing, n.). A
training-college (n.) or training-school (n.),
is one in which people are given training,
especially for teaching in schools. On a
training-ship (n.) lads are taught seamanship
and navigation.

O.F. train, trahin also frame, both from tra'iner,
trahiner, L.L. traginare extended from L. trahere
to draw, drag. SYN. : n. Course, series, suite,
trail, v. Aim, drill, educate, instruct.

train-oil (tran' oil), n. Oil obtained from
the blubber or fat of whales, especially of
the whalebone whale. (F. huile de baleine.)

Train-oil is used chiefly for lubricating
purposes, but it has been found possible to
employ it also in making margarine.

Formerly train, M. Low G. tran or M. Dutch
traen train-oil, drop separated by boiling blubber,
tear ; cp. G. thran train-oil, thrane tear, drop
oozing from a cut vine.

traipse (traps). This is another form of
trapes. See trapes.

trait (tra; U.S.A., trat), n. A distinguish-
ing feature ; a characteristic. (F. trait.}

F. = p.p. of traire to draw, from L trahere to
draw (p.p. tract-us). See trace [i]. SYN. : Charac-
teristic, feature, peculiarity, quality.

traitor (tra/ tor), n. A person who violates
his allegiance (to his country, cause, etc.) ;
one who acts disloyally ; one who is untrue
(to his own principles, etc.). (F. traitre.}

A politician who betrays his country, by
giving secrets that endanger its safety to
an enemy state, is a traitor. His action is
traitorous (tra7 tor us, adj.], or disloyal, and
he behaves traitorously (tra/ tor us li, adv.}.
The time-serving friends of Timon of Athens
deserted him traitorously, or perfidiously,
when he met with misfortune.

A woman who is guilty of traitorousness
(tra7 tor us nes, n.}, or traitorous conduct, is
a traitress (tra7 tres, n.}. We say that a man
is a traitor to himself when he betrays his
own beliefs or principles.

O.F. traitor, from L. traditor (ace. -or-em),
from trader e to hand over, betray. See tradition.
SYN.: Betrayer, renegade.

trajectory (tra jek7 to ri), n. A curved
path taken in the air by a bullet, shell, or
other projectile, or by a comet through
space ; in geometry, a curve or surface
cutting a system of curves or surfaces at a
given angle. (F. traiectoire.)

The trajectory of a bullet fired from a gun
is the result of two forces — the propelling
force and the force of gravity. In theory
this curve should be a parabola, but in
practice its form is affected by a number
of subsidiary forces, such as the density of
the atmosphere and the strength and

4336

TRAM

TRAMPLE

direction of the wind. A flat trajectory is
one with only a slight curve in it.

O.F. trajectoire, L L. or Modern L. trajectorius
pertaining' to projection, from L. trajectus, p.p.
of trajicere to throw across, from tra- = trans
over, across, jacere to throw, cast.

tram [i] (tram), n. A four-wheeled
mining truck running on rails, etc. ; a
line of beams or rails upon which this runs ;
a tram-car ; a tramway, v.t. To carry
in a tram ; to perform (a journey) by
tram-car, v.i. To travel in a tram-car.
(F. berline, tramway.}

A tram-car (n.) is a passenger car running
on a tram-line (n.) or tramway (n.), that is
a street railway with the rails level with the
surface of the road. Most tram-cars are
driven by electricity, but a few cable-
trams, steam-trams, and horse-trams are
still in use.

The tramway is a development of the
old tram-road (n.) used many years ago for
mine trucks. This had rails consisting of
wooden bars faced with iron, or of iron bars
or plates resting on stones.

Provincial E. and Sc. = coal-wagon, car on
rails, originally shaft of a car or barrow, beam ;
cp. Low G. traam beam, handle of barrow,
O.H.G. tram, O. Norse thram. The modern tram
(vehicle on rails) is short tram-car, earlier tram-
carriage.

tram [2] (tram), n. Silk thread com-
posed of two or more strands loosely twisted
together. (F. fil de sole.}

Tram or tram silk (n.) is used for the weft,
or cross threads, of the finer kinds of silk
goods.

F. trame, Ital. trama, from L. trdma weft.

trammel (tram' 1), n. A net of various
kinds for catching
fish, especially a F
trammel-net; ai
shackle or fetter,
especially one used
in teaching a horse
to amble ; an in-
strument for draw-
ing ellipses ; a beam-
compass; a hook for
suspending a pot over
a fire ; (pi.) impedi-
ments ; things that
hamper action, v.t.
To confine; to
hamper as if with
trammels. (F. tram-
ail, entrave, compas a ellipe, compas a verge,
crochet; restreindre, empecher.}

A trammel or trammel-net (n.) consists of
a set of three nets fixed upright on the sea-
bottom parallel to each other. The red
mullet and bass are often caught off rocky
coasts in trammels, which are set in the
evening and taken up the following morning.

In a figurative sense we speak of the
trammels of red tape or government formali-
ties which sometimes impede urgent business.
An official is trammelled, that is, hampered,

Trammel. — The trammel,
a stationary net for catch-
ing fish.

Tramp. — A cargo-carrying
tramp steamer.

in his actions if he has to refer everything
of importance to a superior for decision.
A horse is said to be trammelled if it has
white marks on the fore and hind feet on
the same side. It is cross-trammelled (adj.)
if the marks are on feet on different sides.
The actual trammels used in teaching
ambling were, of course, fixed to the legs
near the feet.

O.F. tramail a net for birds or fish, probably
from L.L. tremaculum, from tri- threefold .(or
tres, tria three) macula mesh. SYN. : n. Bond,
clog, fetter, impediment, shackle, v. Fetter,
hinder, impede, obstruct.

tramontane (tra mon7 tan ; tram on
tan'), adj. Coming from, situated or living
on the other side of the Alps, from the
Italian point of view ; foreign ; non-Italian.

n. A tramontane ^. ,

person ; a northerly \

wind blowing over |

the Alps to Italy. ) I

Another name for the | t| ^ipjr ' • '

wind is tramontana

(tra mon ta' na) . (F.

tramontane.)

From Ital. tramon-
tane, L. transmontdnus, 1
from trans across, I
beyond, mons (ace. I
mont-em) mountain.

tramp (tramp), v.i.
To walk or tread
heavily ; to travel on foot ; to walk. v.t.
To trample or tread heavily on ; to traverse
(the country, etc.) on foot ; to perform or
make (a journey, etc.) on foot. n. An act
of tramping ; the tread of persons, etc.,
walking or marching ; the sound of this ;
a walk or journey on foot ; -a vagabond ; a
freight-vessel that does not serve a regular
route ; an iron plate worn to protect the
sole of the boot when digging. (F. errer,
roder, aller a pied; pietinement, promenade ,
vagabond.}

A long tramp into the country is a pleasant
way of passing a fine day. A person taking
such a walk would be offended if called a
tramp, or beggar, but we may safely call
him a tramper (tramp' er, n.). Much cargo
is carried on tramp steamers, which do not
run on a regular line but go to any port
required.

M.E. trampen ; cp. Low G. trampen to stamp,
Dutch trap-pen to tread, Swed. and Norv.-.
trampa, Dutch trap step, G. treppe flight of
stairs. SYN. : n. Ramble, v. Trample.

trample (tram' pi), v.t. To tread
down or under foot ; to crush in this way ;
to treat with disdain, contempt, or in a
domineering way. v.i. To tread heavily
(on), especially so as to injure or crush";
(figuratively) to tread (on) contemptuously
or in a domineering way. n. The act or
sound of trampling. (F. fouler aux pieds,
pietiner; trepigner; trepignement.)

4337

TRAM-ROAD

TRANSCEND

a process termed tranquillization (tran
kwil I za' shun, n.). Music is a great tran-

To trample on a person's feelings is to
treat him with scorn or contempt. A person

who does this is a trampler (tram' pier, n.) quillizer (tran' kwil Iz er, n.}, for in many
nn thA Elinor* r,f n+hm-c cases it acts tranquilljzingly (tran' kwil iz

ing li, adv.), that is, in a soothing manner,
upon the mind of the listener.

F. tranquille, from L. tranquillus, from trans
across, and the root of quies, quietus quiet.
SYN. : Calm, composed, placid, quiet, serene.
ANT. : Agitated, noisy, riotous, ruffled, unquiet.
trans-. This is a prefix from L. trans-
meaning across, beyond, over, on the other
side, through ; into another state or place.
(F. trans.)

Before s the form tran- is sometimes
used, as transcribe. The form tra- is some-
times found before consonants other than s,
as tradition, traverse, travesty. Trans- is freely
used in geographical terms, like trans-Caspian.
transact (tranz akt'), v.t. To perform ;
to carry throngh (business), v.i. To do
business (with) ; to compromise (with).
(F. faire, executer.)

We transact business when we perform
it. The business itself may be called a
transaction (tranz ak' shun, n.). Its trans-
action is the management or performance
of it, and the person who actually carries
it out is the transactor (tranz ak' tor, n.).
In law the settling of a legal dispute by the
making of concessions on either side is
termed a transaction, which is also the
legal term for an act affecting a person's
legal rights.

The reports of the proceedings
of learned societies, or of the
papers read at their meetings,
are also called transactions. The
intransitive verb to transact is
seldom used.

L. transactus, p.p. of transigere
carry through, accomplish, from
trans- thoroughly, agere to drive, do.
SYN. : Discharge, dispatch, effect,
execute, perform.

transalpine (tranz al' pin),
adj. Situated, or living the other
side of the Alps, especially from
the Italian point of view. (F.
transalpin^

L. transalplnus, from trans across,
beyond, Alplnus Alpine, iromAlpes
the Alps.

transatlantic (tranz at Ian'
tik), adj. Living, situated, or

Tranquil.— A beautiful and tranquil scene. From the painting, coming from, beyond the Atlan-
Late Autumn . Gold." by E. W. Wa.te. ^ . cr8ossing'theyAtlantic Ocean.

tranquil (tran' kwil), adj. _ Quiet ; (F. transatlantique.)

on the feelings of others.

Frequentative of tramp. M.E. trampelen ;
cp. G. trampeln. SYN. : v. Stamp, tramp.
«. Stamp, tread.

tram-road (tram7 rod). For this
word and tramway see under tram [i].

trance (trans), n. A state in which
the soul seems to have left the body ;
rapture ; ecstasy ; in pathology, catalepsy ;
the hypnotic state, v.t. To entrance ; to
throw into a trance. (F. extase, catalepsie ;
ravir, charmer.}

Persons in a hypnotic state are said to
be in a trance. They may be caused to
act as if quite conscious. In the patholo-
gical state called a trance, or catalepsy,
the patient is sometimes insensible and his
muscles rigid. The Sleeping Beauty of
the fairy tale was obviously in some kind
of trance — one unknown to doctors.

O.F. transe trance, swoon, from transir to
shiver, feel chilled, die, from L. trans Ire to pass
over or away, in L.L. die, from trans across,
Ire to go. SYN. : n. Ecstasy, rapture.

trank (trangk), n. An oblong piece of
hid, etc., from which the parts of a glove
are cut ; a piece of kid cut out in the shape
of a glove before sewing. (F. tranche de
chevreau.}

Perhaps from F. tranche cutting, from trancher
to cut.

peaceful ; calm ; undisturbed. (F. tran-
quille, calme, paisible.)

The great desire of many persons is for
a tranquil or serene and untroubled life.
Others take life tranquilly (tran' kwil li,
adv.) or in a tranquil manner, and maintain
their tranquillity (tran kwil' i ti, n.), or
tranquil state or character, in trying circum-
stances. To tranquillize (tran' kwil iz, v.t.)
a country is to make it calm and peaceful.

From E. trans- and Atlantic.

transcend (tran send'), v.t. To sur-
pass ; to rise above ; to exceed ; to pass
or be beyond the range or grasp of (human
understanding, or experience) ; in theology,
to be higher than and independent of
(the world). (F. surpasser, I'emporter sur.)

It would be difficult to transcend or outdo
the French in formal politeness. The mean-
ing of the mathematical formulas by which

4338

TRANSCONTINENTAL

TRANSFER

Einstein expressed his special theory of
relativity are so abstruse that they may be
said to transcend the ordinary human
understanding.

A transcendent (tran sen7 dent, adj.)
genius is one that surpasses others of its
kind. We use this word loosely in the sense
of extremely great or good, as when a
schoolboy is said to write an essay of trans-
cendent merit. The German philosopher
Kant used the word of ideas and things
which pass above human understanding
and are entirely beyond one's range of
experience. Such an idea or thing may be
described as a transcendent (n.). The state
or quality of being transcendent in any
sense is transcendence (tran sen' dens, n.),
or transcendency (tran sen' den si, «.).

In Kant's philosophy, those things are
transcendental (tran sen den' tal, adj.),
which we cannot explain, but which are
necessary as a basis of reasoning. The
ideas of greater and less are transcendental.
Although we have knowledge of them, we
cannot be said to derive a transcendental
(n.), that is, an idea of this kind, from
experience. Others besides Kant have
taught transcendentalism (tran sen den'
tal izm, n.), that is, a transcendental philo-
sophy. The word also denotes a more or
less vague or visionary system of philosophy,
indulged in by a transcendentalist (tran
sen den' tal ist, «.), one who would trans-
cendentalize (tran sen den' tal Iz, v.t.)
certain ideas, that is, treat them trans-
cendentally (tran sen den' tal li, adv.),
or as being transcendental. Certain of
Beethoven's works are transcendently
(tran sen' dent li, adv.), that is, surpassingly,
fine music.

L. transcendere, from trans over, beyond,
scandere to climb. SYN. : v. Eclipse, exceed,
excel, outdo, surpass.

transcontinental (tranz kon ti nen' tal),
adj. Extending or travelling across a con-
tinent. (F. transcontinental^

From E. trans- across, and continental. See
continent.

transcribe (tran skrib), v.t. To copy
out in writing ; to write out (shorthand
notes, etc.) in full ; in music, to arrange (a
work) for a voice or instrument other than
that for which it was originally written.
(F. transcrire.)

The ability to write down words in short-
hand is of little use unless one can also
transcribe them, or write out the notes in
longhand. A good transcriber (tran skrib'
er, n.) can transcribe the untidiest report,
but it is far better to form a habit of writing
shorthand characters clearly so that their
transcription (tran skrip' shim, n.) or trans-
scribing is not difficult. A good transcrip-
tion or transcript (tran' skript, n.) is an
accurate copy, free from transcriptional
(tran skrip' shun al, adj.) errors, or ones
made by the transcriber.

Liszt's transcriptions of Schubert's songs

are examples of the work of the musical
transcriber.

L. transcrlbere (p.p. transcriptus) to- rewrite,
copy, from trans over, fully, scrlbere to write.

transection (tran sek' shun), n. A
cross or transverse section ; dissection
crosswise. (F. dissection en travers.)

The transection of an object, such as
a plant stem, is distinguished from a length-
wise section of it.

From E. Iran- (=trans-) and section.

transenna (tran sen' a), n. A stone
or metal lattice-work surrounding a shrine.
(F. treillage en pierre.)

L. = originally plaited work, net, noose,
lattice.

Transept. — The noble transept of Exeter Cathedral,
showing the organ and the clock.

transept (tran' sept), n. Either of the
side projections or arms, running north
or south, from between the nave and choii
of a cruciform church. (F. transept.)

The transepts of a church are distinguished
from each other by being termed the north
and south transepts, according to the
direction in which they point. A transeptal
(tran sept' al, adj.) tower is one erected
over a transept.

From L. trans across, septum fence, enclosure,
neuter of septus, p.p. of seplre to surround with a
hedge or fence (sepes.)

transfer (trans fer', v. ; trans' fer, n.)t
v.t. To convey or remove from one person
or place to another ; to make over the
possession of ; to convey (a design) from
one surface to another, n. The remova]
or conveyance of a person or thing from
one place or owner to another ; in law, the
conveyance of a right or property ; the
document by which this is done ; a design
conveyed from one surface to another ;
that which is transferred ; a soldier, etc.,

4339

TRANSFIGURATION

TRANSFORM

exchanged from one regiment, etc., to
another ; a design conveyed or able to be
conveyed from paper, etc., to some other
surface. (F. transferer ; translation.}

A transferrer (trans fer' er, n.) or transferor
(trans' fer or; trans' fer or, n.) is one who
transfers to another, the transferee (trans
fer e', n.). The transference (trans' fer ens,
n.), or transferring, of a design to stone for
printing purposes is accomplished by means
of transfer-paper (n.}, on which the design is
drawn in transfer-ink («.). Property which
can be transferred from one person to another
is transferable (trans' fer abl, adj.}. Proof
of its transferability (trans fer a bil' i ti, n.}
is usually given in the transfer or document
by which the conveyance is effected.

A transfer-book (n.) is a register of trans-
fers of property or of stocks and shares. A
transfer-day (n.) is any day appointed for
the transfer, free of charge, of consols at
the Bank of England. , All week-days except
Saturday and bank holidays, etc., are
transfer - days. The word transferential
(trans fer en shal, adj.) means of or relating
to transference.

F. transferer, from L. transferre, from trans
across, over, ferre to bear, carry See translate.
SYN. : v. Convey, remove, transmit, transplant,
transport. n. Conveyance, transference, trans-
portation.

Transfer.— The American mail in process of transfer from the
Mauretania " to a railway tender at Plymouth.

transfiguration (trans fig u ra'
shim), n. A change of form or appearance,
especially that of Christ on the Mount ;
a church festival commemorating this.
(F. transfiguration.}

The Transfiguration was the manifestation
of Christ as a supernatural being as wit-
nessed on the Mount by the apostles,
Peter, James, and John (Matthew xvii,
1-2). The Feast of the Transfiguration is
held on August 6th. Great spiritual happi-
ness is said to transfigure (trans fig' er,
i/./.) a person's face, or to elevate and

glorify its outward appearance. A common-
place building is sometimes transfigured or
idealized by the reflected light of the sun.

F., from L. transfiguratio (ace. -on-em), from
transfigurdre to change in shape, from trans
(of change), figura form, shape.

transfix (trans fiks'), v.t. To impale ;
to pierce through. (F. transpercer, percer
de part en part.)

The hands and feet of Christ were trans-
fixed with nails on the Cross. The nest
of a butcher-bird can be located by its
larder, which it prepares by the transfixion
(trans fik' shun,.w.), or impaling, of its victims
on the spikes of a thorny bush.

L. transfixus, p.p. of transfigere, from trans
across, through, figere to fix. SYN. : Impale,
pierce.

transform (trans form'), v.t. To
change considerably in form, shape, or
appearance ; to change in character, dis-
position, etc. (F. changer, mttamorphoser .)
A man may be transformed, both in
disposition and physique by a long stay
in the tropics. Solid iron is transformable
(trans form' abl, adj.), that is, can be changed
into a liquid by heat. Any change of this
kind from solid to liquid, liquid to gas, or
vice versa, is a transformation (trans for
ma' shim, n.). The transformation of
leather into boots is the act of making the
change. A caterpillar undergoes
transformation into a pupa, and
^^ the pupa is transformed into

a moth or butterfly.

The trc.risformation-scene (n.)
at the end of an old pantomime
was an elaborate scene in which
the chief characters were trans-
formed into the actors in the
harlequinade that followed.
Nowadays any spectacular scene
that changes into another
before the eyes of the audience
is called a transformation-scene.
The word transformative (trans
form' a tiv, adj.) means tending
to transform or having the
power to transform.

A transformer (trans form ' er,
n.) is a thing, influence, or
person that transforms some-
thing, especially an apparatus
used in electricity and wireless,
for transforming continuous
currents from one voltage to
another, or else into alternating currents,
and vice versa.

The biological hypothesis known as
transformism (trans form' izm, n.) is that
all existing species of animals and plants
are produced by the gradual transformation
of other living species. It is opposed to
the once widely-held theory of abiogenesis.
A believer in this theory is a transformist
(trans form' ist, n.) ; he holds transformistic
(trans for mis' tik, adj.} views.

F. transformer, L. transformdre, from trans
(denoting change) , formdre to form, from forma

4340

TRANS-FRONTIER

TRANSIT

form, shape. SYN. : Alter, change, metamor-
phose, transfigure, transmute.

trans-frontier (tranz frun' ter I
tranz fron' ter), adj. Situated, living, or
done beyond a frontier. (F. hors de la
frontiere.)

From E. trans- across, beyond, and frontier.
See frontier.

transfuse (tranz fuz'), v.t. To cause
to pass from one vessel to another ; in
surgery, to transfer (blood) from the veins
of one person or animal to those of another ;
to inject (a fluid) into a blood-vessel or body
cavity to replace loss or waste. (F. trans-
vaser, trans/user.)

Sometimes, when a person loses blood as
the result of an accident, a quantity of blood
is transfused into his veins from another
person. The transfusion (tranz fu' zhun, n.)
of blood may be the means of saving a
patient's life.

L. transfusus, p.p. of transf under e to pour over
from one vessel into another, from trans over,
across, fundere to pour.

transgress (tranz gres' ; trans gres'),
v.t. To break; to violate ; to infringe, v.i.
To offend by violating a rule or
law ; to sin. (F. violer, contrevenir
a, transgresser ; pecker.}

Saul (i Samuel xv, 24) trans-
gressed Samuel's commandment
because he feared the people.
The sin of the transgressor
(tranz gres' or; trans gres7 or,
n.} was that he spared Agag and
the best part of the spoil taken
from the Amalekites. Because
of Saul's transgression (tranz
gresh' un ; trans gresh' un, n.}
David was anointed king in his
stead.

L. transgressus, p.p. of transgredl
to go across, overstep, from trans
across, over, gradl to step, walk.
SYN. : Break, infringe, sin, violate.

tranship (trail ship'). This
is another form of trans-ship.
See trans-ship.

transient (tran' zi ent ; tran' si ent),
adj. Not lasting ; of short duration ;
momentary; fleeting; hasty. (F. passager,
momentane, ephemere.)

The life of a May-fly is transient, as the
perfect insect lives usually a few hours only.
Many items in a newspaper are only of
transient interest.

In music a transient chord or note is one
which merely connects two others and is not
essential to the harmony, modulation, etc.

Perhaps we should not appreciate our
holidays so much but for their transience
(tran' zi ens ; tran' si ens, n.), or transient-
ness (tran' zi ent nes ; tran' si- ent lies, n.),
the quality of being transient. Anger may
make a weak person transiently (tran' zi
ent li ; tran' si ent li, adv.), that is, tem-
porarily strong.

From L. transiens (ace. -ient-em for the
regular -cunt-em/, pres. p. of translre, from trans
across, over, away, Ire to go. SYN. : Brief,
fugitive, momentary, temporary. ANT. : Dur-
able, enduring, lasting, permanent.

transilient (tran sir i ent), adj.
Extending or springing across ; spanning.
(F. traversant.)

L. transiliens (ace. -ent-em), pres. p. of
transilire, from trans across, over, sallre to leap.

transilluminate (tranz i lu' mi nat),
v.t. In medicine, to send a strong light
through (a part).

The body may be transilluminated by
the X-rays, as an aid to diagnosis, or the
transillumination (tranz i lu mi na' shim, n.)
may be effected by using a powerful lamp.

From E. trans- across; and illuminate.

transire (tran zir' e), n. A custom-
house warrant permitting the passage of
goods subject to duty. (F. acquit a caution.']

L. = to go across (infinitive), from trans across,
Ire to go.

trans-isthmian (tranz is' mi an ;
tranz ist' mi an), adj. Extending across
an isthmus, especially that of Panama.

From E. trans across, and isthmian.

Transit. — A trainload of logs in British Columbia, in transit from
the forest to the timber-mills.

transit (tran' zit), n. The act of
passing, conveying, or being conveyed
across, over, or through ; conveyance ; a
route ; a line of passage ; in astronomy, the
apparent passage of a heavenly body across
a meridian ; the passage of such a body
across the disk of the sun ; an instrument
for observing the transit of a heavenly body.
v.t. To pass across (the disk of the sun. etc.).
(F. transition, transport, passage ; traverser.)

Goods lost while being carried from one
place to another are said to be lost in transit.
Transit-duty (n.) is duty paid upon goods
passing through a country — for example,
upon German goods passing through
Holland on the way to England.

Venus and Mercury are said to transit
the sun's disk, when they pass across the
face of the latter planet. Transits of Venus

4341

TRANSITIVE

TRANSLUCENT

occur in pairs, one transit following another
after eight years, the next pair being separ-
ated from these by a period of over a century.
Another transit is that of a star across
the meridian, that is, when it reaches its
highest point in the heavens. Such transits
are observed and the time of transit deter-
mined by means of a transit-instrument (n.}
or a transit-circle (n). A transit-compass
(n.) is a surveyor's instrument resembling
a theodolite, used to measure horizontal
angles.

The passing from one state, place, or
set of circumstances to another, or from
one period to another, is called a transition
(tran zizh' un, n.). We speak of a sudden
transition from anger to good temper, of
the transitional (tran zizh' un al, adj.) or
transitionary (tran zizh7
un a ri, adj.) stages in the jf
development of a tadpole
into a frog, or of transit-
ional rocks, such as clay-
slate, which link one
geological period t o
another.

There are transitional
periods in history and in
art. Architecture, for ex-
ample, passes transition-
ally (tran zizh' im al li,
adv.) from one period or
style to another, as from
Norman to Early English.
Transition in music may
be a brief modulation, or
a sudden change from one
tonality to another ; in
rhetoric it is the passing
from one subject to
another.

F., from L. transitus, from
transire (supine transitum).
See transire. SYN.: n. Conveying, passage, passing.

Translator. — Miles Coverdale (about

1488-1568), translator of the first

complete printed English Bible.

F. transitoire, from L. transitorius having a
way or passage through, in Church L. = transient.
See transit, transire. SYN. : Evanescent,
fleeting, passing. ANT. : Enduring, lasting,
permanent.

translate (tranz lat' ; trans laf), v.t.
To render or express the sense of (a word,
phrase, or passage) in or into another
language ; to interpret ; to express more
clearly ; to express or convey (an idea, etc.)
from one style or art into another ; of a
bishop, etc., to remove from one see to
another ; to convey to heaven without
death; in mechanics, to move (a body) so
that all parts follow the same direction ; to
give motion to, without rotation ; in
telegraphy, to re-transmit a message. (F.
traduire, interpreter, expliquer, transferee,
elever an del.

Dante, whose own pdems
have been translated into
so many other languages,
said that no poetical work
can be translated without
losing all its sweetness and
harmony. The task of the
translator (tranz la/ tor ;
trans la/ tor, n.), or trans-
latress (tranz la/ tres ; trans
la' tres, n.), is a difficult
one, and it is not always
easy to make a good trans-
lation (tranz la7 shun ;
trans la' shim, n.). Some
words and phrases are not
translatable (tran z' lat abl ;
trans laf abl, adj.). They
defy expression in any
language but their own.
Translational (tranz la'
shun al ; trans la' shim al,
adj.) means relating to or
consisting of translation.
Enoch was translated to heaven (Hebrews
xi, 5). In; 1928, when the Archbishop of

Canterbury resigned his office, the Arch-
York was translated to Canterbury.

transitive (tran' si tiv), adj. Of a verb,

expressing an action that passes over to an

object ; relating to a verb that requires a direct Bishop of

^wL^ ^+v^ ~^r^~A ^ ;™^i;<^ +« O.F. translater, from L.L. translatare, from L.

transldtus used as p.p. of transferre to transfer,
from trans across, over jerre to bear. See trans-
fer, collate. SYN. : Interpret, paraphrase.

transliterate (tranz lit' er at), v.t. To
represent (words, letters, or sounds) in the
more or less corresponding characters oi
another language.

It is not easy to transliterate certain
Russian and Chinese sounds, for example,
into English. Our alphabet has no letters
that exactly correspond to them, and they
are rendered by those nearest in value. The
work of transliteration (tranz lit er a' shim,
n.) needs a sound scholar as transliterator

object, either expressed or implied, to
complete the sense. (F. transitif, actif.)

Many verbs are used both transitively
(tran' si tiv li, adv.) and intransitively.
Others again express transitiveness (tran' si
tiv nes, n.) only, as in the sentence " the
boy shielded his face." See page xli, vol. i.

F. transitif, L.L. transit Ivus, from L. transire
to go over or across. See transit.

transitory (tran' si to ri), adj. Temporary ;
transient ; lasting but a short time ; not
durable. (F. transitoire, momentane, ephe-
mere.}

One who practises deceit may enjoy a
brief and transitory profit from his ways,
but is sooner or later known for what he is.
The transitoriness (tran' si to ri nes, n.) of
life is a popular subject with preachers and
moralists. Transitorily (tran7 si to ri li, adv.)
means briefly or transiently.

(tranz lit' er a tor, n.).

From L. tyans across, lit(t)era letter, and E.
suffix -ate.

translucent (tranz lu' sent), adj. Trans-
mitting light, but n<?t transparent. (F.
diaphane, translucide.)

4342

TRANSMARINE

TRANSMUTE

Ordinary window-glass is transparent — we
can see objects clearly through it. Frosted
glass is translucent, or has translucence
(tranz KV sens, n.) or translucency (tranz
lu' sen si, n.}, but is not transparent. Trans-
lucent is used loosely as meaning transparent.

L. translucens (ace. -ent-em), pres. p. of trans-
lucere, from trans across, through, lucere to shine.

transmarine (tranz ma ren'), adj.
Situated beyond the sea. (F. transmarin.)

L. transmarlnus, from trans across, beyond,
marlmis marine, of the sea, from mare the sea.

transmigrate (tranz 'mi grat ; tranz ' mi
grat), v.i. Of the soul, to pass from one body
into another ; to migrate. (F. passer d'un
corps dans un autre^)

In Eastern lands, especially in India,
it is believed that at death the soul trans-
migrates, or passes from the dead body to
inhabit one that is newly born. This
doctrine is called transmigrationism (tranz
mi gra' shim izm ; tranz mi gra' shun izm,
n.}, since it deals with transmigration (tranz
mi gra/ shun ; tranz mi gra' shun, n.}.

This latter word is used, too, of one who
passes through a country on his way to settle
in another. Birds make transmigrant (tranz '
mi grant; tranz' mi grant, adj.] or trans-
migratory (tranz mi gra' to ri; tranz mi gra'
to ri, adj.] flights.

L. transmigrdre (supine -dt-um), from trans
across (of change of place), migrdre to migrate, go.

Transmit. — The powerful transmitting apparatus of the Zeesen
broadcasting station, near Berlin, Germany.

transmit (tranz mit' ), v.t. To pass on ;
to transfer ; to communicate or serve to
communicate ; to allow to pass ; to be a
medium for ; to conduct. (F. transmettre.)

The Post Office transmits letters and par-
cels handed to it for the purpose. Telegrams
are now transmissible (tranz mis' ibl, adj.),
that is, capable of being transmitted, through
space, without the medium of wires or cables.
Telephone messages, too, are transmitted
through the ether. Sound has greater
transmissibility (tranz mis i bil' i ti, n.), or
capacity for being transmitted, through water
than through air,

The transmission (tranz mish' un, n.), that
is, the sending from one point to another,
of power can be effected by means of
electricity, compressed air, or water under
pressure ; rods, ropes, or bands, together
with pulleys, serve to transmit motion in
machinery. Transmissive (tranz mis' iv,
adj.) means serving to transmit or capable
of being transmitted.

The transmitter (tranz mit' er, n.) of a
telegram is the operator who dispatches it ;
the transmitter of a telephone is the part
which is spoken into and which contains
the microphone.

L. transmitter e, from trans across, over, mittere
to send. SYN. : Carry, conduct, convey, trans-
port.

transmogrify (tranz mog' ri fi), v.t. To
transform or change, as if by magic. (F.
travestir, metamorphoser.)

This is a colloquial word. A conjurer,
for instance, when he appears to change
a pocket-handkerchief into a rabbit is
jocularly said to transmogrify the former,
and this, or any such surprising act, is
called a transmogrification (tranz mog ri fi
ka' shun, n.).

Invented word. The first element is E. trans-
in the sense of change, the second perhaps from
migrate ; -fy = make.

transmontane (tranz mon' tan ; tranz

mon tan'), adj. Situated or living
beyond the mountains ; coming
from across the mountains ;
•' tramontane. (F. transmontagne.)

O.F., from L. transmontdnus, from
trans beyond, montdnus of a moun-
tain (adj.), from mons (ace. mont-em)
mountain.

transmute (tranz mut'), v.t.
To change the form, nature, or
substance of ; to transform (into).
(F. transmuer.)

Alchemists of old tried to
transmute the baser metals into
gold, for they believed that
metals were transmutable (tranz
mut' abl, adj.), if only the would-
be transmuter (tranz mut' er, n.)
could find the right method.
Later this belief in the trans-
mutability (tranz mu ta bil' i
ti, n.) of metals, or in the pos-
sibility of changing one into another, was
abandoned.

Strange to say, in recent years it has been
discovered that the metal uranium passes
through a series of changes to become
radium, which in turn is degraded into
other elements, the end-product being a
substance similar in composition and proper-
ties to lead. This might be called a process
of transmutation (tranz mu ta' shun, ».),
but whereas the alchemist hoped to trans-
mute lead into gold by a brief operation in
his laboratory, the natural process just
described takes millions of years.

4343

TRANSOCEANIC

TRANSPLANT

Tiansom. — The transom
at the stern of a boat.

The name of transmutation is also applied
to the theory that one species of animal may
be developed from another by the trans-
mutative (tranz mu7 ta tiv, adj.) effect of
natural causes. A believer in this theory
is called a transmutationist (tranz mu ta/
slum ist, 11.) .

L. transmiltdre, from trans across, mutdre to
change. SYN. : Change, transform.

transoceanic (tranz 6 she an' ik), adj.
Situated or coming from beyond the ocean ;
crossing or relating to the crossing of the
ocean. (F. transoceanique.)

From E. trans- and oceanic

transom (tran' som), n. A horizontal
bar across a window
or the top of a door ;
each of the beams
bolted across the
stern part of a ship
to carry the deck ; a
partformingthestern
of a square-ended
boat ; a strengthen-
ing cross-bar ; the
vane of a surveyor's
cross-staff. (F.
traverse, arcasse.)

A transom-window
(n.} is either a window
placed over a door,
from which it is separated -by a transom,
or one divided by a transom, or cross-
bar, into upper and lower parts. Saw-pits
are usually transomed (tran7 somd, adj.),
that is, furnished with transoms.

Probably a corruption of L. transtrum cross-
beam, transom, from trans across, and agent
suffix -trum.

transparent (transparent), adj. Allowing
rays of light to pass without diffusion, so
that objects behind can
be clearly seen ; easily !
seen through; evident;
clear; undisguised;
not able to deceive ;
sincere ; frank. ( F .
transparent, diaphane,
clair, sincere.}

For his show-cases
and shop windows a
shopkeeper uses the
most transparent glass
he can procure. A person
is said to be trans-
parently (trans par' ent
li, adv.) honest if clearly
or obviously honest. The
motives of a selfish
person are sometimes
transparently obvious in
spite of his attempt to
conceal them.

The transparence (trans
par' ens, n.), or trans-
parentness (trans par'
eut nes, «.), of a thing

Transparent. — A transparent sunshade trimmed
with a large artificial flower.

4344

is its quality or state of being trans-
parent, both words being used literally and
figuratively Transparency (trans par' en si,
n.) has the same meaning, but in a special
sense a transparency is a design or photo-
graph mounted on some translucent or
transparent material. Such a transparency
is intended to be looked at by transmitted
light. Many advertisements in trains and
trams are placed against the windows to be
viewed in this way.

F., from L.L. transparens (ace. -ent-em), from
trans across, through, parere to appear. SYN. :
Clear, frank, guileless, sincere. ANT. : Clouded,
opaque, turbid.

transpierce (trans pers7), v.t. To pierce
through. (F. transpercer, percer de part er>
outre.)

From trans- and pierce. SYN. : Penetratei
transfix.

transpire (tran spir7), v.t. To exhale ; to
emit through the excretory organs of the
lungs or skin. v.i. To be exhaled in this
manner ; to pass off as vapour (of perspiration,
etc.) ; to effect transpiration ; to become
known ; to leak out. (F. exhaler, iranspirer ;
s'exhaler, s'evaporer, s'eventer.)

The exhalation of watery vapour in
breathing is described as pulmonary tran-
spiration (tran spi ra7 shim, n.). The leaves of
plants have a transpiratory (tran spir' a
to ri, adj.) function ; the excess moisture of
a plant is got rid of by being exhaled or
transpired into the air. The submerged
leaves of plants which live in water do not
transpire. Unless the surface of the skin
is kept clean the waste products of the
body are not readily transpirable (tran spir'
abl, adj.), or able to be transpired.

When news which has been kept secret
leaks out we sometimes say that the facts
have transpired.

F. transpirer, from L.
trans across, through,
spir are to breathe.

transplant (trans
plant7), v.t. To remove
and plant in another
place ; to remove from
one place and settle or
establish in another ; in
surgery, to transfer
(living tissue) from one
part or person to another.
(F. transplanter.)

Seedling plants are
transplanted into pots
or transplanted into a
garden bed. Transplant-
ation (trans plan ta/
shim, n.) is done usually
in damp weather. Not
all kinds of plants are
successfully transplant-
able (trans plant7 abl,
adj.}. A tool used for
transplanting is known

TRANSPONTINE

TRANSUDE

as a transplanter (trans plant' er, n.}, a
name given also to the person carrying
out the operation, and to a transplanting
machine, which lifts and removes a tree
together with a ball of earth adhering to the
roots.

O.F. transplanter, from L. transplantdre, from
trans across (denoting change), plantar e to plant,
from planta plant.

transpontine (trans pon' tin), adj. Being
or lying across the bridge ; belonging to the
part of London on the Surrey side of the
Thames ; melodramatic ; sensational. (F.
Iranspontin.)

Formerly certain transpontine theatres
— situated on the south side of the Thames —
were noted for sensational melodrama. Thus
critics came to apply the epithet generally
to other plays thought to resemble those
produced in the transpontine theatres.

F. transpontin, from L. trans across, pans (ace.
poni-cm] bridge, adj .
suffix -Inus.

transport (trans
port', v. ; trans' port,
n.}, v.t. To convey from
one place to another ;
to send (a criminal) to
a penal colony ; to
carry away by strong
emotion ; to entrance.
n. Conveyance • from
one place to another ;
a ship used to trans-
port soldiers, stores,
etc. ; strong emotion ;
rapture ; ecstasy. (F.
Ira nsporter, deporter ;
transport.)

A person engaged
in the transportation
(trans por ta' shim, n.}
of goods is a transport
worker (n.). Some-
times this name is
restricted to those who
work on road vehicles,,
canal boats, etc., in
contradistinction to

railway workers. Anything that can be
transported is transportable (trans port' abl,
adj.), and has the quality of transportability
(trans port a bil' i ti, n.). In former days a
transportable offence was one which rendered
the doer liable to be transported to a penal
colony. The transportation of felons was
abolished in 1853.

A transporter (trans port' er, n.) is a person
who makes a business of carrying goods, or
an apparatus for moving material from one
place to another ; one such transporter does
this by means of skips running along over-
head rails or cables. The type of bridge
called a transporter bridge (n.) is used for
carrying passengers and vehicles across a
waterway in a car suspended from a trolley
running on an overhead girder.

F. transporter, from L. transportdre to carry
over, from trans across, portdre to carry.

SYN. : v. Carry, convey, n. Carriage, convey-
ance, rapture, troop-ship.

transpose (tranz poz'), v.t. To cause to
change places ; to alter the order or
position of ; to write or play (music) in a
key different from that in which it is scored.
(F. transposer.)

In algebra, to transpose a term is to move
it to the other side of an equation, its sign
being changed also. In some cases the sense
of a sentence may be altered completely by
the transposition (tranz po zish' im, n.) of
the words in it, that is, by placing them in
different order.

F. transposer, from L. trans across, F '.poser to
put ; cp. L. transponere(pp.-positus). See compose.
trans-ship (tranz ship'), v.t. To transfer
from one ship or vehicle to another. Another
form is tranship (tran ship'). (F. trans-
border.)

It is often necessary to transfer goods
from a larger vessel
i to a smaller one,
or vice versa. Wheat
on its way from
Canada to Britain is
sometimes trans-
shipped ; this trans-
shipment (tranz ship'
ment, n.), or tranship-
ment (tran ship 'ment,
n.), may take place at
Port Arthur, the ter-
minus of the eastern
section of the Canadian
Pacific Railway, the
grain there being
transferred from the
raihvay train to the
steamer.

From E. trans across,
(of change) and skip (v.).
transubstantia te
(trail sub stan' shi at),
v.t. To change the sub-
stance of ; to convert
into another subs-
tance. (F. transub-
siantier.)

According to the theological doctrine of
the Roman Catholic Church, transub-
stantiation (tran sub stan shi a' shun, n.)
means that the bread and wine of the
Eucharist, after consecration by the priest,
are transubstantiated, the whole substance
in a philosophical sense of the word being
changed into the body and blood of Christ.
L.L. transubstantidttis, p.p. of transubstan-
tidre, from trans across, over (of change), sub-
stantia substance.

transude (tran sud'), v.i. (Of fluids, to
pass through the pores or interstices of a
membrane, etc. (F. transsuder.)

The process of transuding is called tran-
sudation (tran su da' shun, n.). A transudate
(trans' u dat, n.) is a fluid which has passed
through the wall of a vessel, or through a
serous membrane.

From L. trans through, suddre to sweat.

4345 i A 7

Transport. — The Rendsburg high bridge, which

facilitates transport over the Kiel Canal by means

of a railway above and a transporter below.

TRANSVERSE

TRAP

transverse (tranz vers'; tranz' vers),
adj. Situated, placed, or acting across or
in a crosswise direction. n. A transverse
muscle, or transversalis ; the sprocket axle
of a chain-driven motor vehicle, v .t. To lie
or pass across. Another form of the adjec-
tive is transversal (tranz ver' sal). (F.
transverse, de tr avers.}

The weft of a textile fabric is composed of
transverse threads, which cross the warp,
being woven into the latter transversely
(tranz vers' li, adv.], or transversally (tranz
ver' sal li, adv.}. The verb to transverse
is now. seldom used.

In geometry a line cutting a series of lines
is called a transversal (n.}. Transversalis
(tranz ver sa' lis, n.} is a name given to
several muscles which lie transversely over a
part, such as those keeping the head erect.

L. transversus, p.p. of transvertere to turn
across, from trans across, verier e to turn. SYN. :
adj. Crosswise. ANT. : adj. Longitudinal.

tranter (tranf er), n. A carrier ; a
hawker ; a huckster. (F. colporteur.)

Anglo-F. traventer, L.L. trdvetdrius , perhaps
for trd(ns)vectdrius, from L. transvehere to carry
across, transport.

Trap. — American trappers with a valuable collection of skins of
trapped animals — racoons, musk-rats, otters, etc.

trap [i] (trap), n. An apparatus for
catching animals ; a trick or scheme to
mislead or betray a person ; a device for
releasing a bird, or for throwing disks, etc.,
into the air to be shot at ; a trap-door ;
a bent portion of a soil-pipe in which liquid
is retained so as to seal the aperture and
prevent the return flow of gas ; a small
carriage on springs. v.t. To catch with a
trap ; to provide (a drain, etc.) with a trap ; to
impede or retain (gas) by a trap ; to make
trap-doors in. v.i. To catch animals and
birds in traps ; to set traps ; of steam, etc.,
to be impeded in a pipe. (F. piege, trappe,
carriole ; prendre au piege.)

In some countries animals are caught
in traps consisting of concealed pits.
Hence a person who falls a victim to a
stratagem is sometimes said to walk into,

or fall into, the trap. The game of
trap-ball (n.) is played with a wooden
device, called a trap. This is shaped like a
shoe, and contains a pivoted lever, on one
end of which — in the heel — a ball is placed ;
when the other end of the lever is struck the
ball is flung into the air. The player, after
striking the trap, hits at the ball as it flies up.
It is a simple form of knur and spell.

A kind of trap which was made to release
live birds in front of people armed with shot-
guns is now superseded in this country by a
catapult, which throws into the air a clay
disk as a mark or target. This sport is called
trap-shooting (n.).

Drains and waste-pipes are trapped to
prevent foul odours rising. Although water,
etc., can flow through the trap — generally a
U-shaped piece of pipe — a quantity of fluid
is retained as a seal, until replaced by a
portion of the next down-flow. To bring a
football to a sudden standstill with the foot
is to trap it.

A trap-cellar (n.) is a space under the stage
of a theatre. A trap-door (n.) is a horizontal
door or flap on hinges, used in floors and
ceilings. Both trap-cellar and
trap-door are known shortly as
traps. The trap-door spider (n.),
some species of which live in
south Europe and others in South
and Central America and South
Africa, closes the entrance to its
nest with a close-fitting circular
trap-door.

Most of the furs used for
clothing come from animals
caught by a trapper (trap' er,
n.), a person who traps for a
living, making a business of trap-
ping wild animals in gins, or traps,
of various kinds. Trappy (trap'
i, adj.) is a colloquial word which
means trap-like, or containing
traps. Trappiness (trap7 i nes,
n.) is the state or quality of
being trappy or tricky.

Late A.-S. treppe ; cp. M. Dutch
trappe, O.H.G., L.L., Ital. trappa trap ; perhaps
akin to G. treppe stairs, Low G. trappen to
tread upon, Dutch trap staircase. The original
meaning is possibly what is stepped on, that
on which an animal or person steps or trips.
See tramp. SYN. : n. Ambush, gin, pitfall,
snare v. Catch, ensnare, entrap.

trap [2] (trap), n. Any dark-coloured
rock of volcanic or igneous origin, especially
with a stair-like structure. .(F. trapp.}

Swed. trappa staircase. See trap [i].

trap [3] (trap), v.t. To furnish with
trappings. (traps), n.pl. Personal belong-
ings. (F. capara$onner.)

Horses used in state carriages are richly
trapped or caparisoned. The term trappings
(trap' ingz, n.pl.) is used of harness, especially
when elaborate. Ornaments and finery, or
the ceremonial dress belonging to a particular

4346

TRAPES

TRAVEL

office, are figuratively called trappings.
Hamlet (i, 2) speaks of the trappings
of woe, meaning funeral garments. We
sometimes speak of packing up our
traps, meaning our luggage, etc.

M.E. trappe, from assumed O.F. trap = F.
drap, Ital. drappo, L.L. drappus, Irappus
(horse-) cloth, trapping, perhaps from Low
G. trappen to trample upon, full cloth. See
drape, drab.

trapes (traps\ v.i. To gad about.
n. A slattern. Another spelling is traipse
(traps). (F.courir; femme malpropre.)

Perhaps a longer form of trape to walk care-
lessly ; cp. G. trappen to walk clumsily.

Trash or cane- trash is the name given to
the loppings from sugar canes, and also to
the bruised canes. Sugar canes are trashed
to encourage the plants to ripen.

Of Scand. origin. Cp. Icel. tros leaves and
small twigs (gathered for fuel), Swed. trasa
rags, tatters. The original sense seems to have
been broken sticks under trees. SYN. : «.
Loppings, nonsense, refuse, waste.

trauma (traw' ma), n. A wound or
injury ; external violence producing this.
(F. blessure, plaie.)

A state which is caused by trauma, or
mechanical injury, is said to be traumatic
(traw mat' ik, adj.}. The morbid condition

_ /• j i i _ i _ i j • f • i

trapeze (tra pez'), n. A cross-bar of the body resulting from a serious wound

suspended by rope at each end, used by
gymnasts and acrobats. (F. trapeze.)

In geometry a trapezium (tra pez' i um,
n.) — pi. trapezia (tra pe' zi a)
and trapeziums (tra pe' zi
umz) — is strictly a plane
figure bounded by four
straight lines, no two of
which are parallel to each
other; a trapezoid
(trap' e zoid, n.) is a four-
sided figure with two only
of its sides parallel. These
definitions are, however,
sometimes interchanged .
A figure is said to be
trapezoid (adj.) or trape-
zoidal (trap e zoid' al, adj.)
if it has the shape of a
trapezium or a trapezoid.

F. trapeze, from L. trapezium,
Gr. trapezion small table, dim.
of trapeza table (== tetrapeza,
from tetra- four, peza foot,
akin to pous, gen. podos foot).

trapper (trap' er). For this
trappy, etc., see under trap [i].

trappings (trap' ingz). For this
word and traps see under trap [3].

Trappist (trap' ist), n. A member of
an order of Cistercian recluses established
at La Trappe, in France, in the twelfth
century. (F. trappiste.)

Armand de Ranee, who became abbot
of the order in 1664, instituted the rule of

Traveller. — This traveller is a ring
used in out-hauling (top) or hoist-
ing a sail.

word,

is known as traumatism (traw' ma tizm, n.).
Gr. trauma (gen. traumatos] wound.
travel (trav' el), v.i. To make a
journey ; of a machine or
part, to move (along, in,
etc.) ; to pass ; to move ;
to proceed ; to move through
space ; to go from place to
place as a commercial
traveller seeking orders, v.t.
To journey over or through
(a country) ; to cause to
travel, n. The act of travel-
ling, especially in foreign
countries ; in machinery, the
extent, rate, or mode of
motion of a part ; (pi-} a-
book written about travel-
ling, especially in distant
countries. (F. voyager;
parcourir, traverser ; voyage.)
It is pleasant to travel
either abroad or in one's own
country. Though at times we

may find ourselves travel-soiled (adj.) or
travel-stained (adj.), that is, dirtied by
travel, and at others we may feel travel-
worn (adj.) or tired out by travel, it is
worth while to be a travelled (trav' eld, adj.)
person — one experienced in travel.

Though anyone who travels is a traveller
(trav' el er, n.), we use the word specially
of an explorer or other widely travelled
person. A commercial traveller is a person
who travels to obtain orders for the firm

perpetual silence, and enforced the most which he represents. Different kinds of
rigid austerities. There are Trappist com-
munities in England and Ireland. A Trap-
pistine (trap' is tin ; trap' is tin, n.) is a
nun of an order allied to the Trappists.

machine, pieces of mechanism, fittings or
parts which move along or have a degree
of travel are called travellers.

The wild clematis of our hedgerows

trash (trash), n. Worthless or waste gOes by the popular name of traveller's

'

matter ; rubbish ; loppings of trees ; an
inferior or rubbishy production ; nonsense.
v.t. To strip the outer leaves from (sugar-
canes). (F. camelote, rebut; emonder.)

A great many cheap articles may look plant of Madagascar.

'

joy («.). The name traveller's tree (n.) is
given to various trees that collect water
and so are valued by travellers, especially
Ravenala madagascariensis, a palm-like

good to the eye and yet be trashy (trash ,^ o.F. travailler to torment, weary, labour,
adj.) or have the quality of trashiness (trash' probably from L.L. trepdlium an instrument of
i nes, n.). A trashily (trash' i li, adv.) written torture made with three stakes (L. tres pati). For
book is one written badly or one dealing
with a trashy subject.

the change of sense cp. fear, peril. SYN.: v. Jour-
ney, wander, n. Journey, movement, motion.

4347

TRAVERSE

TRAWL

traverse (trav' ers), n. A thing,
especially a part of a structure, which crosses
another ; in fortification, an earthwork to
protect a covered way against enfilading
fire ; a cross gallery or loft in a church, etc. ;
in geometry, a transversal line ; in moun-
taineering, a sideways movement taken on
a precipice to avoid an obstacle ; a place
where this movement is necessary ; in
navigation, a zigzag course taken owing
to contrary winds or currents ; the side-
ways movement of a tool or part of a
machine ; the horizontal movement of a
gun in aiming it ; in law, a denial of an
allegation made formally by fhe opposite
party, v.t. To travel or lie across ; to make
a traverse along (a cliff, etc.) ; in law, to
deny (a charge) ; to consider or discuss
thoroughly ; to thwart ; to plane (wood)
across the grain ; to turn (a gun) in aiming.
v.i. Of a horse, to walk crosswise ; to turn
on or as on a pivot. (F. terrassement,
traverse, route oblique, bordee, chariotage ;
traverser, nier, pointer ; tourney, pivoter.)

England is traversed by roads, canals
and railways. Telegraph and telephone
lines traverse the country in all directions.
The captain of a sailing-ship who has to
work out a traverse is helped by consulting
a traverse-table (n.), which is a table or
statement enabling him to reckon the
direction and distance between the two
points at which a traverse begins and ends.
A travelling platform used to move railway
wagons sideways from one track to another
is also called a traverse-table.

Roads are traversable (trav' ers abl, adj.)
if they can be traversed. A traverser
(trav' ers er, n.) is a thing or person that
traverses in any sense. The name is also

given specially to a railway traverse -table.
O.F. travers, fern, traverse, from L. trans-
versus, p.p. of L. transvertere, from trans across,
vertere to turn. SYN. : v. Cross, deny, oppose,
thwart.

travertine (trav' er tin), n. A chalky
rock formed by deposit from springs in
many parts of Italy. (F. travertin.)

Travertine is a soft, porous, yellow rock,
used in Italy for building. It is easily worked,
but hardens with exposure to the air.

F. travertin, from Ital. travertine (earlier
tivertine), from L. Tiburttnus (lapis stone) from
Tibur an old town in Latium (modern Tivoli).

travesty (trav' es ti), n. Ridiculous
imitation or misrepresentation ; an instance
of this. v.t. To make or be a travesty of ;
to make ridiculous. (F. travestissement,
burlesque; travestir, parodier, denaturer.)

F. travesti disguised, p.p. of travestir, from
tra* (= L. trans- denoting change) vestir (= L.
vestlre to dress, clothe). SYN. : n. and v . Parody.

trawl (trawl), n. A large bag-shaped
fishing-net, tapering to a point at the back,
dragged along the sea-bottom ; a trawl-
line, v.i. To fish with a trawl-net, v.t.
To drag (a trawl-net) ; to catch by trawling.
(F. chalut ; pecker au chalut.)

The mouth of the trawl, or trawl-net (n.),
is kept open by a wooden beam or by other
means. A trawl-boat (n.), or trawler (trawl'
er, n.), is a vessel used for fishing with a
trawl-net. Anyone engaged in trawling
may be called a trawler. Trawling (trawl'
ing, n.) is the method employed to catch
flat-fish, cod, and other fish which feed on
the bottom. Vessels trawl for these in
deep water. When a catch has been made,
the net is hauled aboard and emptied by
opening the small end.

Trawl and trawler. — A steam trawler, a Brixham sailing trawler, a beam trawl, a shrimp trawler, an otter
trawl, and the method of carrying a beam trawl when not in use.

4348

TRAY

TREASON

A trawl-line (n.) is a long buoyed line
with baited hooks attached to it at intervals,
used to catch cod, ling, etc.

Cp. M. Dutch traghelen, from traghel, L. tragula
drag-net, from trahere to drag.

tray (tra), n. A flat, shallow vessel
used for holding or carrying small articles ;
an inner, shallow lidless box forming a
compartment in a box or trunk, etc. (F.
plateau.}

Care is needed in carrying a trayful (tra'
ful, «.) of glass or china from room to room.

A.-S. trig wooden board, tray, from the root
of tree, hence wooden vessel. See trough, trug.

treacherous (trech'er us), adj. Violating
allegiance ; disloyal ; traitorous ; deceptive ;
untrustworthy. (F. traitre, perfide, deloyal,
peu sur.)

A treacherous man is one who betrays
his trust, or deals faithlessly with his friends
or his country. His treachery (trech/ er i,
n.}, which may not be suspected, is a source
of danger to those with whom he is associated.
Tee which looks thick, solid and safe may be
treacherously (trech' er us li, adv.) thin in
parts. Its treacherousness (trech' er us nes,
n.} is not realized, perhaps, until the surface
cracks and breaks in some weak spot.

O.F. trechereus, from trecheur, agent n. from
trechier, tricher to cheat, perhaps from assumed
L.L. triccare = L. trlcdrl to trifle, from trlcae
trifles, difficulties, tricks. See trick. SYN. :
Deceptive, disloyal, faithless, traitorous, un-
reliable. ANT. : Faithful, loyal, reliable, staunch,

treacle (tre' kl), n. A syrup drained
from sugar ; molasses ; the saccharine fluid
exuding or prepared by decoction from
various plants. (F. melasse, sirop.}

Molasses, which is loosely called treacle,
is the syrup drained from raw sugar in the
course of manufacture, whereas treacle
proper is obtained from crude sugar during
refining. The sugary sap of some species
of birch and maple is also called treacle.
A treacly (tre' kli, adj.] substance is one
made of or resembling treacle.

O.F. triacle, from L. theriaca antidote against
snake-bites or poisons, Gr. theriake, from
theriakos connected with wild beasts, from Gr.
therion, dim. of ther beast.

tread (tred), v.i. To set down the
foot ; to step ; to walk ; to go ; to deal
(cautiously, etc.) ; to follow (in a person's
footsteps)', v.t. To walk or step on ; to
press or crush with the feet ; to trample ; to
walk (a distance) ; to dance (a measure), p.t.
trod (trod) — archaic, trode (trod) ; p.p. trodden
(trod' en), n. The act, manner or sound
of walking ; a footstep ; the flat part of
a stair or step ; a piece of some material
placed on this to protect it, or to reduce
wear or noise ; the part of a wheel or tire
which bears on a rail or the road ; the upper
surface of a rail on which the wheels bear ;
the part of a sole which rests on the ground ;
the length between pedals of the crank-
axle of a bicycle ; any one of various parts

in machines or appliances on which the
foot rests or is supported. (F. marcher;
fouler, danser ; demarche, pas, giron, surface
de roulement, semelle.}

Some people tread heavily, others lightly.
To tread lightly means, figuratively, to go
cautiously or carefully about any business.

In old days prisoners were punished by
being made to work a treadmill (n.), that is,
a cylinder with steps projecting from it
like the blades of a paddle-wheel. As they
placed their feet on one step after anotheV
the treadmill was caused to turn on its axis
and so drive machinery. To be on the
treadmill means figuratively to have to follow
the same wearisome or monotonous routine
day after day.

A.-S. tredan ; cp. Dutch treden, G. tret en,
O. Norse trotha. SYN. : v. Go, step, trample,
walk. n. Step.

Treadmill. — A sixteenth century treadmill. The
wheel was turned by a donkey treading inside it.

treadle (tred' 1), n. A lever moved up
and down by the foot to make a wheel turn.
v.i. To work a treadle, v.t. To cause to work
or rotate by treadling. (F. pedale ; pedaler.)

Many grindstones, lathes, sewing-machines
and printing presses are driven by treadling.

A.-S. tedel, from tredan to tread and instru-
mental suffix -el, E. -le.

treason (tre' zon), n. The violation by
a subject of the allegiance he owes to his
sovereign or government ; disloyalty ; a
breach of faith. (F. Use majeste, trahison.)

To plot against the king's life, to make
war against him, to help his enemies, are all
forms of treason. This crime is sometimes
called high treason, to distinguish it from
petty treason, a now obsolete legal term
denoting the violation of allegiance towards
any superior authority, as, for example,
when a servant killed his master.

The crime of treason-felony (n.) is the act
of attempting to depose the sovereign,
levying war to compel a change in the laws,
intimidating Parliament, or stirring . up
foreign invasion. Any act that is regarded
in law as being equivalent to treason,
although not intended or realized as such,
is termed constructive treason (n.).

A traitor is one who is guilty of a treason-
able (tre' zon abl, adj.) act, that is, one of the'

4349

TREASURE

TREAT

nature of treason, and may be said to act
treasonably (tre' zon ab li, adv.], or in a
manner involving the crime of treason.
His conduct has the quality of treason-
ableness (tre" zon abl nes, n.).

O.F. tra'ison, from L. traditio (ace. -on-em)
from trddere to hand over, betray, give up.
SYN. : Disloyalty.

treasure (trezh' ur), n. Precious metals
in any form, or gems ; a hoard or quantity
of these stored away ; a precious or highly-
prized object ; a greatly loved person,
especially a child, v.t. To hoard or store
(up) as valuable ; to prize ; to lay (up)
in the memory as valuable. (F. tresor ;
conserver precieusement.}

A story of hidden treasure, or treasure
trove (n.}, has an unfailing glamour, especially
when it is related in such a book as R. L.
Stevenson's " Treasure Island." In law,
treasure trove denotes only coins or other
valuables of gold or silver found hidden in
the earth or elsewhere, and of unknown
ownership. It belongs legally to the Crown,
and its discovery must be reported.

In an extended sense we speak of valuable
antiques found unexpectedly in curiosity
shops as treasure trove, and describe rare
objects of art as art treasures. We treasure

former office is held by the Prime Minister,
if a commoner, or by the leader of the House
of Commons ; despite his title the holder has
nothing to do with financial matters.

A Treasury bill (n.) is a form of security
on which the British Government borrows
money temporarily. Such bills are
promissory notes usually repayable at the
end of three, six, nine, or twelve months.
For longer periods a Treasury bond (n.)
may be issued, which carries a certain rate
of interest and has to be repaid in full at
the end of a definite period of years.

Between 1914 and 1928, the British
Treasury issued currency notes for £i and
los. A note of this kind was loosely called
a Treasury note (n.). The later currency
notes were issued through the Bank of
England.

The Treasury Solicitor (n.) is a law officer
appointed by royal warrant to enforce
payment of money due to the Treasury.
Treasury warrant (n.) is a warrant issued
by the Treasury authorizing money to be
paid out by the Exchequer.

In a figurative sense, a book containing
valuable information, or specimens of great
literature, is called a treasury. The book
entitled " The Grolden Treasury " is an

up the words of a speaker only if they are anthology containing " the best songs and

Avn-H-Vi -ri^m^m Verifier i • i / . •_ j_i T? i:_t» i »

worth remembering.

In the Bible, a treasure-city (n.) denotes
a city serving as a store-place and granary,
such as Pithom and Raamses, which Pharaoh
forced the Israelites to build (Exodus i, n).
Many a museum may be fitly named a
treasure-house (n,), since it houses articles
of great value.

The treasurer (trezh' ur er, n.) of a society
or club is the person appointed to receive sub-
scriptions and keep account of
them ; that of a company has
charge of the funds. Either post
is a treasurership (trezh' ur er
ship, n.}. The original meaning of
treasury (trezh' ur i, n.) is a
chamber or building in which
treasures or else public revenues
are kept, the person in charge
of it being a treasurer. The
Treasury of a country is a
Government department which
has charge of public revenues,
or else the officers of this
department. The British
Treasury is controlled by the
Treasury Board (n.), consisting
of the Lords of the Treasury
or Lords Commissioners of the
Treasury, all members of the
Government, having at their
head the Chancellor of the
Exchequer.

The front bench on the right hand of the
Speaker in the House of Commons is called
the Treasury Bench (n.) because it is
occupied by the First Lord of the Treasury
and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The

lyrical poems in the English language,
compiled by Francis Turner Palgrave
(1824-97).

O.F. tresor, Ital. tesoro, from L. thesaurus
(ace. -um), Gr. thesauros, from the root of ti-
the-nai to store up, place, hence properly the
place where treasure is stored. SYN. : n.
Bullion, money, wealth, v. Esteem, store.
ANT. : n. Refuse, trash, v. Despise, squander,
waste.

Treat. — Visitors interested in seeing a child treated by means of
artificial sun-rays, a modern form of remedial treatment.

treat (tret), v.t. To act or behave to
or towards ; to deal with in order to produce
a particular result ; to apply a process to ;
to present or express (a subject, etc.) in a
particular way ; to supply (another, etc.)

4350

HOW TO KNOW TREES BY THE LEAVES THEY BEAR

TttvLi£ r

Tree. — In the summer trees are readily recognized by their leaves. Those shown are as follows: 1. Oak.

2. Mountain Ash. 3. Ash. 4. Elm. 5. Birch. 6. Yew. 7. Larch. 8. Spruce. 9. Plane.

10. Sycamore. 11. Horse-chestnut. 12. Maple. 13. Sweet Chestnut.

•Facing Page 4351.

TREBLE

TREE

with food, drink, or entertainment at one's
own expense. v.i. To discourse (of) ; to
arrange terms (with), n. An entertainment
or outing given to school children, etc ;
an unusual pleasure. (F. traiter, vegaler ;
regal, fete.}

We treat a person well when we show
kindness to him. Theatrical scenery is
treated with certain chemicals to make it
fireproof. We treat or stand treat to a
friend when we buy food or drink for him.
A person who does "this is a treater (tret' er,
n.), which also means one who treats in
other senses of the verb.

'A literary composition in which a
particular subject is treated more or less
systematically is called a treatise (tre'
t'iz, n.).

A doctor treats a patient when he attends
to him and gives him treatment (tret' ment,
n.), that is, medical or surgical service.
Treatment means also the act or mode of
treating. The open-air treatment of tuber-
culosis is very common. Insanity is now
considered treatable (tret' abl, adj.), that is,
either capable of being treated curatively,
or fit to be treated thus.

Before two or more countries can make a
treaty (tre' ti, n.) — that is, a contract relating
to peace, an alliance, or some other inter-
national matter — their representatives must
treat together or discuss the terms of settle-
ment, each country being said to treat, or
negotiate, with the other.

A treaty port (n.) is one of the Chinese
ports that were ceded to Britain for trading
purposes in accordance with the peace treaty
following the Opium War of 1840-42.

O.F. traitier, from L. tractdre to handle,
manage, treat, frequentative of trahere (p.p.
tract-us}. SYN. : v. Conduct, discuss, express,
negotiate.

treble (treb' 1), adj. Threefold ; triple ;
soprano, 'n. A soprano voice or singer ; the
highest or soprano part in a musical com-
position, v.t. To multiply by three ; to
make three times as great, v.i. To become
increased threefold. (F. triple, de dessus ;
soprano; tripler ; se tripler.)

The ordinary compass of the treble voice,
or treble, is from about middle C to A
thirteen notes above. Music for this voice,
for the higher pitched instruments, and the
part usually played by the right hand on the
pianoforte is written in the treble clef (n.),
or G clef (see under G).

We should consider an article unduly ex-
pensive if it cost treble or three times as
much as other similar articles, unless, indeed,
its price was trebled, or multiplied by three,
because it was of vastly superior quality..
Three locks make a door trebly (treb' li,
adv.) secure, that is, in a threefold manner
or degree.

O.F., from L. triplus triple. See triple. SYN. :
adj. Threefold, triple.

trebuchet (treb' u shet ; tra bu sha), n.
A mediaeval military engine for hurling

stones, etc. ; a delicately constructed tilting
scale or balance for weighing small objects ;
a kind of trap for small birds ; a ducking-
stool. Another form is trebucket (treb' u
ket). (F. trebuchet.}

O.F. from trebucher, trebuquier to stumble,
fall. It is suggested that the word may be a
compound of O.F. tra- (= L. trans} and buc
trunk of the body (cp. G. bauch belly).

trecento (tra chen' to), n. The fourteenth
century as characterized by Italian literature
and art of that period. (F. trecento.)

The trecento is the Golden Age of Italian
literature. Dante (1265-1321), Petrarch
(1304-74), and Boccaccio (1313-75) were its
leading writers.

Ital. = 300 (for 1300).

trechometer (tre kom' e ter), «. A device
which records the distance run by a vehicle ;
a hodometer. (F. odometre.)

The cyclometer of a bicycle might be
called a trechometer.

From Gr. trekhein to run, and -meter (Gr.
metron measure).

Tree. — A tree-dweller of the Philippine Islands
climbing to her hut at the tree-top.

tree (tre), n. A large, long-lived plant,
the single stem of which hardens into wood ;
something resembling a tree, especially in
having a stem and branches ; in mathe-
matics, a diagram with branching lines ; a
genealogical chart ; a bar or framework of
timber for various purposes ; an axle-tree ;
a saddle-tree ; a boot-tree, or mould
for keeping a boot in shape ; a gibbet ;
a cross used in crucifixion, v.t. To force (an
animal, etc.) to take refuge in a tree ; to
stretch (boots) on boot-trees. (F. arbre,
genealogie, potence, croix ; Jaire brancher.)

A tree is distinguished from a shrub by
its greater size and by the fact that its stem
is usually bare of branches for some distance
from the ground. The tallest tree is probably
the eucalyptus of Australia, which often
reaches a height of nearly five hundred
feet. Most trees are deciduous, that is, they

4351

TREFLE

TRELLIS

shed their leaves annually. A few, such as
most conifers, are evergreens, their leaves
remaining fresh and green through the
winter.

The tree of life and the tree of knowledge
of good and evil were trees described in the
Bible (Genesis ii, 9) as being planted in the
Garden of Eden.

In the variety of agate called
tree-agate (n.}, there are tree-
like markings. Similar patterns
are produced by staining on
tree-calf (n.), which is a brown
calf-binding once widely used
for books. The little bird
Certhia familiaris is named the
tree-creeper (n,} from its habit
of creeping about the trunks of
trees in search of insects in the
bark. Its back and wings are a
dark brown, its under parts
white.

The tree-fern (n.} grows in
tropical and temperate regions.
It is a large fern with a trunk-
like stem crowned by a spread-
ing tuft of fronds. The largest
species, sometimes attaining a
height of eighty feet, belong
to the genera Alsophila and Cyaihea.

The tree-frog (n.} is a frog having sucking
disks on its toes, by means of which it clings
to the branches and leaves of trees. The
species known to scientists as Hyla arborea
is common in Europe, and has been natur-
alized in the Isle of Wight, hunting among
the foliage of trees for the grubs and insects
on which it feeds.

The tree-kangaroo (n.) — Dendrolagus — is a
small kangaroo living in trees, and differing
from the ground kangaroos in having limbs
of nearly equal length. It feeds on fruit and
ferns, and is found in Queensland and in
New Guinea.

The t,ree-mallow(w.)
— Lavatera arborea —
is a shrub with purple
flowers resembling
those of the holly-
hock. It has large
ornamental leaves.

A pin of hard wood,
called a treenail (n.}
or trenail (tren' 1, n.)
is used for holding
timbers together
when metal nails are
unsuitable, as in
shipbuilding.
The tree-shrew (n.} of India and Malaya
is a small shrew living in trees. It has a long,
bushy tail, like that of a squirrel, which it
also resembles in build. Scientists assign it
to the family Tupaiidae.

The form of religion called tree-worship
(«.} is the worship of trees, due to a belief
that trees are inhabited by spirits or possess

tish Museum (Natural History)

Tree-frog. — The giant tree-
frog of New Guinea.

il. — ~ A treenail
timber of an old
wooden ship.

mysterious powers. In Druidism, the re-
ligion of the ancient Britons, oaks were
regarded as sacred trees. The use of
mistletoe at Christmas and dancing round
the Maypole are survivals of tree-worship.
Owing partly to the extensive use of wood
for charcoal before coal came into general
use, many parts of Britain that
were once covered by forest
are now treeless (tre" les, adj.),
that is, destitute of trees.

A.-S. treo(w) tree, wood, timber ;
cp. O. Norse tre, Swed. tra, trad
(where d is the article), Rus. drevo.
Gr. drys tree, oak, dory shaft of a
spear, spear, Welsh derw oak,
Sansk. dru tree, wood.

trefle (tref 1), n. A military
mine with three chambers for
explosives at the inner end; a
figure resembling a triple leaf,
a trefoil. (F. mine, trifle.}

O.F., so called from its resem-
blance to a trefoil. See trefoil.

trefoil (tre' foil), n. A plant
with leaves composed of three
leaflets ; a three-lobed orna-
mental opening or tracery ; any
object of this shape. adj.
Arranged in three lobes. (F. trefle.}

Plants of the genus Trifolium, such as
clover, are trefoils. In Gothic architecture
the trefoil is a common ornament, especially
in the heads of window-lights. The arches
of Early English doorways are often trefoiled
(tre' foild, adj.] or ornamented with trefoils.
O.F. trifoil, trefoil, trefeul, from L. trifolium,
from tri- (tres, tria three), folium leaf.

trehala (tre ha' la), n. A kind of manna,
containing starch, sugar, and gum, exuded
in cocoon form by a beetle (Larinus macu-
latus], found in Asia minor.

Turkish tigala.

trek (trek), v.i. To travel by ox- wagon ;
to migrate thus ; of an ox, to pull a load.
n. A journey made with an ox- wagon ; a
stage in such a journey ; a migration by
trekking. (F. emigrer ; etape.)

In 1836-40 large numbers of Boers from
Cape Colony trekked into country north
of the Vaal River, afterwards named the
Transvaal. Their migration is remembered
as the Great Trek.

Dutch trekken to draw a vehicle, (n.) trek.

trellis (trel' is), n. An open-work of
light strips of wood crossing and nailed to-
gether, in lozenge or square pattern ; a
similar structure of metal or wire ; a lattice,
grating, etc. ; a summer-house, or other
structure made of trellis, v.t. To interlace
into a trellis ; to furnish with trellis ; to
support or train on a trellis. (F. treillis ;
treillisser.}

Trellis or trellis-work (n.) is often used as
a support for creepers, vines, and other
ornamental climbing plants.

4352

TREMBLE

TRENCH

O.F. tveillis, from treille a vine-arbour, L.
trichila, tricla arbour, summer-house. The suffix
-is is accounted for by the influence of O.F.
treilis (F. treillis trellis-work, sackcloth), a
name given to armour covered with a kind of
lattice-worked sackcloth, L.L. trislicium, from
tres three, licium thread ; cp. L. trilix.

tremble (trem' bl), v.i. To shake in-
voluntarily, as with fear, cold, etc. ; to be in
a state of great alarm, suspense, agitation,
etc. ; to quiver. n. The act or state of
trembling. (F. trembler, grelotter, frissonner ;
frisson, tremblement.}

In a figurative sense, we tremble for a
iperson's safety when we are alarmed at
some risk he undergoes. In music both a
trill and a tremolo or vibrato may be called
a tremblement (trem' bl ment, n.} which also
means trembling in a general sense.

The word trembler (trem' bier, n.}, denotes
either a person who trembles, or a vibrating
device for making and breaking an electric
circuit automatically. A trembler forms part
of an electric bell, which also is sometimes
called a trembler. Fear makes us speak
tremblingly (trem' bling li, adv.], or, to use
a colloquialism, in a trembly (trem'bli, adj.],
or trembling, manner.

F. trembler, L.L. tremuldre, from L. tremulus,
dim. adj. from tremere to tremble t
akin to Gr. tremein. SYN. : v. Oscill
late, quake, quiver, shake, shiver.

tremella (tre mel' a), n, A
genus of shapeless jelly-like fungi,
found on rotten wood or on the
ground, resembling nostoc. (F.
tremelle.}

Modern L. dim from L. tremulus
= shaking like jelly, from tremere to
shake.

tremendous (tre men' dus),
adj. Awe-inspiring ; terrible ;
overpowering ; immense ; ex-
traordinary. (F. epouvantable,
effrayant, immense, extraordin-
aire.}

Like the words awful, fearful,
prodigious, etc., tremendous is
often used merely to express
emphasis. When we say we
enjoyed our holiday tremendously
(tre men' dus li, adv.], all that
we mean is that we enjoyed it very much
indeed. Tremendousness (tre men' dus nes,
n.} is the fact or quality of being tremendous.

From L. tremendus meet to be feared, gerun-
dive of tremere to fear ; E. adj. suffix -ous.
SYN. : Awful, formidable, immense, over-
powering.

tremolant (trem' 6 lant). This is another
spelling of tremulant. See under tremulous.

tremolo (trem' 6 16), n. In music, a
tremulous, undulating effect intentionally
produced by a singer or instrumentalist ;
the rapid repetition of a note ; the rapid
alternation of the notes of a chord. (F.
tremblement.}

The musical direction tremolando (trem

6 Ian' do, adv.} means tremblingly, or with
a tremolo.

Ital., from L. tremulus. See tremulous.

tremor (trem' or), n. A trembling,
shaking, or quivering ; a thrill. (F. trembls-
ment, tressaillement.}

A person who has strong nerves will bear
pain or shock without a tremor, his bearing
may then be described as tremorless (trem'
or les, adj.}. Very slight earthquakes are
sometimes called earth tremors.

L. = trembling, from tremere to tremble.

tremulous (trem' u liis), adj. Trembling ;
quivering ; timid ; wavering. (F. trem-
blant, chevrotant.}

Nervous children sometimes speak in a
tremulous voice, or tremulously (trem' u lus
li, adv.}. A wavy, timidly drawn line is also
tremulous and has the quality of tremulous-
ness (trem' u lus nes, n.}. On a hot summer
day the air can be seen moving tremulously
or quiveringly. A mechanical device used to
produce a tremulous, fluttering effect, or
tremolo, on the organ is called a tremulant
(trem' u lant, n.}.

L. tremulus trembling, from tremere to tremble,
and suffix -ous. SYN. : Irresolute, shaking,
shivering, timid, vacillating. ANT. : Firm,
resolute, steady, tremorless.

mperial War

Trench. — Men of [the King's Liverpool Regiment in a front-line
trench during the World War.

trench (trench), n. A long deep furrow or
ditch ; an excavation to protect soldiers,
etc., from enemy fire. v.t. To dig or cut a
trench or trenches in ; to fortify with
trenches ; to turn over the earth of (a field,
etc.), by digging parallel trenches and filling
each with soil excavated from the next.
v.i. To dig trenches ; to encroach (upon).
(F. tranchee ; retrancher, def oncer.}

A military trench is usually protected by
a parapet made of the excavated earth.
In a I. Curative sense a person is said to
trench on or upon the rights of another, when
he infringes upon them, however slightly.

Ammunition is carried through trenches on
a low hand-cart, called a trench-cart (n.),

4353

TRENCHANT

TREPHINE

A trench-coat (n.) is a short waterproof coat
worn by a soldier while in the trenches. To
save time military trenches are sometimes
cut with an excavating machine working a
chain of buckets like a dredger, and called
a trench-cutter (n.).

During the World War trench -warfare (n.),
that is, fighting in which both sides occupy
trenches close together, was practised on a
large scale for the first time in history.
Among the complaints suffered by soldiers
in the trenches were trench-feet («.), a state
of the feet resembling frost-bite and caused
by long exposure of the feet to wet and cold,
and trench-fever («.), an infectious disease
caused by an unknown organism.

A trench-mortar (n.) is a kind of small can-
non used in trenches for throwing bombs
into the enemy's lines.

A farmer's trench-plough (n.), or trenching-
plough («.), is a plough which cuts deeper into
the ground than an ordinary plough. A
trencher (trench' er, n.) is a man who digs
trenches or a machine used for such work.

O.F. trenche, from trenchier to cut; cp. Ital.
trincea, (v.) trinciare, Span, trinchar Probably
from assumed L.L. trincare, variant of L.
tr.uncdre to lop, truncate, from truncus trunk of
a tree. SYN. : v Encroach, intrude.

iseum.

Trench-mortar. — A French trench-mortar used for
throwing bombs in the World War.

trenchant (tren' chant), adj. Sharp ;
cutting ; incisive ; vigorous. (F. tranchant,
acere, vif, mordant.)

The literal meaning, as in the expression
a trenchant sword, is archaic, but in a
figurative sense we speak of trenchant, or
keen and penetrating, criticism, expressed in
trenchant or vigorous language. Jonathan
Swift (1667-1745) is famous for the trenchancy
(tren' chan si, n.), or trenchant quality,
of his satire. He wrote trenchantly (tren'
chant li, adv.), or in an incisive, penetrating
manner.

Pres. p. of O.F. trencher to cut. SYN. :
Biting, incisive, keen, penetrating, sharp.
ANT. : Blunt, dull, obtuse, stupid, undiscerning.

trencher [i] (trench' er), n. One who or
that which digs trenches. See under trench.

trencher [2] (trench' er), n. A wooden
plate, platter, or dish on which meat was
formerly carved ; a trencher-cap. (F.
tranchoir.}

Trenchers are now used chiefly as plates
on which to cut bread. A mortar-board, or
college cap with a flat, square top, is some-
times called a trencher-cap (n.), or trencher.
A person who eats heartily and fully is termed
a good trencherman (trench' er man, n.) ; a
small or finicky eater is a poor trencherman.
O:F. trencheoir, from trencher to cut, carve
trend (trend), v.i. To have or take a
particular direction ; to have a general
tendency, n. General tendency, direction,
or bent. (F. tendre ; tendance.)

We say that a coast-line trends towards a
certain point of the compass, or that a
newspaper enables us to follow the trend of
events. A desultory conversation trends
away from one subject to another.

A.-S. trendan to roll or turn about ; cp. A.-S.
trinde a round lump, trendel circle, ring. Dan.,
Swed. trind round (adj.), E trundle. SYN. : v.
Bend, incline, tend. turn. n. Course, direction,
tendency.

trental (tren' tal), n. A succession of
thirty daily masses for the dead. (F. iven-
taine.)

O.F., from L.L. trentale, from L. tvlginta thirty.
trepan [i] (tre pan'), n. A small,
cylindrical saw used in surgery for making a
circular opening in the skull, etc. v.t. To
perforate with a trepan. (F. trepan ; trepaner.)
The trepan, in an improved form often
called a trephine, is used in the operation of
trepanation (trep a na' shim, n.) or trepanning
(tre pan' ing, «.), that is, the removing of a
piece of bone from the skull. It is possible
that this operation was known in the Stone
Age, for ' skulls that appear to have been
trepanned have been found among prehistoric
remains.

O.F. from L.L. trepanum, from Gr trypanon
borer, auger, from trypdn to bore, make a hole
(try pa), akin to teirein to rub.

trepan [2] (tre pan'), v.t. To ensnare ;
to trap ; to inveigle (into). (F. enjoler.)

Earlier form trapan, from O.F. trappan snare,
trap, plank, L.L. trapcntum plank for trap-door,
from O.H.G. trappa trap.

trepang (tre pang'), n. The edible sea-
cucumber or beche-de-mer (H olothuria) , a
marine animal esteemed in China as a food.
(F. trepang.)

Many varieties of trepang are caught in
tropical seas, especially H. edulis and H. ingra.
They are smoked and dried for sale to the
Chinese who make them into soup.
Malay trlpang.

trephine (tre fen' ; tre fin'), n. An im-
proved form of trepan, v.t. To operate on
with this. (F. trepan; trepaner.)

The word trephining (tre fen ' ing ; tre fin '
ing, n.} is now frequently used to denote
the operation of trepanning.

Altered by inventor from trepan [i], because
of its three ends (L. Ires fines).

4354

TREPIDATION

TRIAD

•^m

Trestle-bridge
and a half

extended

trepidation (trep i da' shun), n. Alarm ;
flurry ; agitation ; perturbation ; an in-
voluntary trembling of the limbs, due to fear,
excitement, paralysis, etc. (F. transe, alarme,
tremblement.}

Unless we are very self-possessed we
experience some trepidation when introduced
to an eminent and very imposing personage.

O.F., from L,. trepiddtio (ace. c;..r,
-on-em), from trepiddtus, p.p. of
trepiddre to tremble, from trepidus
agitated, flurried. SYN. : Alarm,
dismay, perturbation.

trespass (tres 'pas), n. Any
offence against the law, other
than treason, felony, or con-
cealment of either ; a sin ; an
intrusion or encroachment
(upon), v.i. To commit a tres-
pass, especially to enter
another's land, etc., unlawfully ;
to intrude or make undue
claims (upon) ; to sin. (F.
injure, violation; abuser de, en-
frcindre une loi, empieter, violer
la propriete, pecker.)

In law, a man who touches
another in a rough or hostile
fashion is guilty of trespass to
the person, and one who, with-
out legal right, intrudes on
another's land is guilty of
trespass to property. In an
sense we apologize for trespassing on a
person's time if we detain him more or less
unwarrantably. Among the Hebrews, a
trespass-offering (n.), or sin-offering, was a
sacrifice offered in atonement for a trespass
against the law of Moses. The word tres-
passer (tres' pas er, n.) usually denotes a
person who trespasses on property.

O.F. trespas, from trespasser to pass over or
too far, from tres (= L,. trans- over, across),
.passer to pass (cp. L,. passus step). See pass.

tress (tres), n. A lock, plait, or piece of
hair, especially from the head of a girl or
woman ; (pi.) hair, especially a woman's or
girl's, v.t. To arrange (hair) in plaits, etc.
(F. tresse, boucle ; tresser.)

This word is used chiefly in poetry and
poetical prose. The word tressed (trest, adj.),
meaning furnished with tresses, is generally
used in combination with qualifying words,
as, a golden-tressed head.

M.E. tresse, O.F. trece, from L.L. tricia a

Elait, perhaps from Gr. trikha in three parts,
:om the usual way of plaiting or interlacing the
hair. SYN. : n. Curl, lock, plait, ringlet.

trestle (tres' 1), n. A structure consisting
of two diverging frames or pairs of legs
fixed or hinged together at the top, for a
platform, etc. ; an open braced framework
of timber or steel, supporting a bridge ; a
trestle-tree. (F. treteau, barres de hune.)

Where a wide valley has to be crossed by a
railway at a considerable height, a trestle-
bridge (n.) is often constructed. The trestle-

tree (n.) in a square-rigged sailing ship is
either of a horizontal pair of timbers fixed
near the top of a lower mast to carry the
topmast and cross-trees. A trestle-work (n.)
is a framework formed of a series of trestles.
O.F. trestel, from L. transtillum little cross-
beam, dim. of transtrum cross-beam. See
transom.

- '

. — A trestle-bridge in British Columbia Canada. One
million feet of timber were used in its construction.

tret (tret), n. An allowance of weight
formerly made to the purchaser of certain
goods to cover damage or deterioration
during transit (usually four pounds in every
one hundred and four pounds).

O.F. tret drawing, Norman F. trett deduction,
or O.F. traite tax on wares ; cp: O. Ital. tratta
leave to transport goods, Ital. draft, bill, from
L. tractus, fern, tracta, p.p. of trahere to draw.

trews (trooz), n.pl. The close-fitting
tartan trousers worn in Scottish regiments.
(F. braies.)

Gaelic tnubhas, obsolete E. trouse(s) trousers.

trey (tra), n. A three at cards or dice ;
a card or die with three spots. (F. trois.)

O.F. treis three, from L. tres.

tri-. This is a prefix meaning three, three-
fold, thrice, or in three, and is used with
words of Greek and Latin origin. (F. tri-.)

L., Gr., sometimes through F.

triable (tri' abl), adj. Capable of being
tried or tested ; liable to trial in a court of
law. (F. essayable, du ressort de.)

From E. try and suffix -able.

triacontaliedral (tri a kon ta he' dral),
adj. Having thirty sides or faces.

Gr. tridkonta thirty, hedra seat, base, and -al.

triad (tri' ad), n. A set or group of three ;
in music, a chord of three notes consisting
of a note and the third and fifth notes above
it ; a Welsh form of literary composition
in which statements are grouped in threes ;
in chemistry, an element or radical with a
combining power of three. (F. triade.)

A Welsh historical poem in which the
recorded events are grouped by threes, is

4355

TRIAGE

TRIBE

called a triad or a triadic (tri ad' ik, adj.)
poem. In chemistry, gold is termed a triad
or trivalent element.

F. iriade, from L. trias (gen. triad-is), Gr. trias
(gen. triad-os), from tri- and suffix -as = -ad.

triage (tri' ij), n. Coffee-beans of the
lowest grade.

F.' sorting, selecting, from trier to sort out;
rp E. try and -age.

trial (tri ' al) , n. The act or process of trying,
testing or being tested ; an experiment ;
that which tries one's strength, endurance,
courage, faith, etc. ; the examination and
deciding of a case by legal process. (F. essai,
epreuve, proces, cause.}

We say that a person has undergone a
severe trial when his strength of mind or
body has been tested by some experience.
A wilfully naughty child is a trial to his
parents. A criminal stands his trial when
he is brought into a court of law to answer
charges which have been made against him.

The Normans introduced into England the
form of trial called trial by battle (n.), or
trial by combat (n.). This allowed a person
accused of a crime to challenge and fight his
accuser in single combat.

A trial balance (n.) is a comparison be-
tween the debit and credit totals made to
check the accuracy of the posting in doubte-
entry book-keeping. Before a newly built
ship" is commissioned she has to undergo her
trials, and, on the trial-trip (n.) which she
makes for this purpose, experts watch her
performance very carefully to see that she
fulfils all requirements.

O.F. from trier to sort out. See try. SYN. :
Experiment, hardship, suffering.

triangle (tri' ang gl), n. A figure bounded
by three lines and containing three angles ;
a draughtsman's implement or other object
of this shape ; a group or set of three ; a
musical instrument made of a steel rod bent
into the form of a triangle with one open
angle, and struck with a metal bar ; a frame
to which soldiers or sailors were tied to be
flogged. (F. triangle, equerre.}

A

Triangle. — Various kinds of triangles— Scalene (1),

isoscelss (2), equilateral (3), right-angled (4),

obtuse-angled (5).

A plane triangle is one contained by three
straight lines, all in the same plane. Lines
joining three points on the surface of a
sphere enclose a spherical triangle.

A triangular (tri ang' gu lar, adj.) frame-
work, or one shaped like a triangle, cannot
have its shape altered except by breaking
it, or bending the sides. Its triangularity
(tri ang gu lar' i ti, n.), or state or
quality of being triangular, gives it great
stiffness. Compasses with three legs, called
triangular compasses (n.pl.}, are used for

measuring the distances between three points
at the same time. A treaty concluded
between three parties is a triangular treaty,
and such a treaty has been negotiated
triangularly (tri ang' gu lar li, adv.).

When surveying country, surveyors
triangulate (tri ang' gu lat, v.t.) it, that is,
divide it into a number of triangles, the area
of each of which is then reckoned. The
process is called triangulation (tri ang gu
la' shim, n.), which also means the state
of being made tri-
angular.

The skin of an
animal is said to be
triangulate (tri ang7
gu lat, adj.), or
marked triangulately
(tri ang' gu lat li,
adv.), if it has tri-
angular markings.

F., from L. triangu-
lum, neuter of triangu-
lus three-angled.

triapsidal (tri ap'
si dal), adj. Having
three apses. Triapsal

Triangle. — The triangle
of the orchestra.

(tri ap' sal) has the same meaning. (F. a trois
ab sides.)

From E. tri- and apsidal.

Trias (tri' as), n. Geological name for the
layers of rocks above the Carboniferous
and beneath the Jurassic. (F. trias.)

The Trias, or as it is also called, the Triassic
(tri as' ik, adj.) 'system, or the Triassic (n.),
comprises the lowest of the Secondary or
Mesozoic rocks, and is divided into three
series, the Keuper, Muschelkalk, and Bunter,
hence the name. Examples occur throughout
the north and west of Great Britain. Triassic
rocks are chiefly limestones, red or mottled
sandstones, and marks.

L. = triad. See triad.

tribal (tri' bal). For this word, tribalism,
etc., see under tribe.

From tribe and suffix -al.

tribble (tri-b' 1), n. A drying frame with
cross wires or threads, used in paper manu-
facture.

Possibly a corruption of cribble (sieve).

tribe (trib), n. A group, class, or division
of people, especially one forming a more or
less distinct community and claiming a
common ancestry ; a group of barbarous or
primitive clans under a chief ; a group of
plants or animals, especially one below an
order and above a genus. (F. tribu.)

This term was first used for the three
divisions of the early people of Rome. The
people of Israel were divided into twelve
tribes, claiming descent from the twelve
sons of Jacob. The word is sometimes used
contemptuously of a set of persons, par-
ticularly of the same profession, such as the
tribe of scribblers or writers. A tribesman (n.)
is a member of a tribe.

Anything relating to or like a tribe or
tribes is tribal (trl' bal, adj.). We speak of

4356

TRIBLET

TRIBUTE

tribal customs and tribal wars. Tribalism
(tri7 bal izm, n.) means tribal organization,
or tribal spirit, and tribally (tri7 bal li, adv.)
in a tribal way or as a tribe.

O.F. tribu, L. tribus, perhaps from tri- = ires
three, one of the three divisions of the Roman
people ; but cp. Welsh tref town.

Tribe. — A tribal reunion of Navajos, members
powerful North American Indian tribe.

triblet (trib7 let), n. A tapered steel rod
used in forging nuts, rings, etc. ; a smooth
steel bar on which a tube is drawn through a
die. Another form is tribolet (trib' 6 let).
(F. triboulet.}

F. triboulet, probably from L. tribulus, Gr.
tribolos a three-spiked instrument = tribeles
(adj.), from treis three, belos dart, from ballein
to hurl.

tribometer (tri bom' e ter), n. A sled-
like apparatus used for measuring the fric-
tion between two sliding surfaces. (F.
tribometre.)

Gr. tribein to rub, E. -meter (= Gr. melron
measure).

tribrach [ij (trib7 rak), n. A metrical foot
of three short or unaccented syllables. (F.
tribraque.)

The tribrach or tribrachic (tri brak7 ik,
adj.) foot is seldom found in English verse.

L., Gr. tribrachys, tribrakhys, from tri- three,
brakhys short.

tribrach [2] (trib7 rak), n. An object
or figure with three arms or branches.

This term is applied especially to pre-
historic flint implements having a three-
branched form.

Gr. tri- three; brakhion arm.

tribulation (trib u la,7 shun), n. Suffering ;
distress ; severe affliction. (F. tribulation,
adversite.)

F., from L. trlbuldtio (ace. -on-em), from trl-
buldtus, p.p. of trlbulare to press, from trlbulum
threshing-sledge ; akin to trltus, p.p. of terere
to rub, cp. Gr. tribein. SYN. : Affliction, suf-
fering.

tribunal (tri bu7 nal ; tri bu7 nal), n. A
court of justice ; a board of arbitration ; a
judgment seat. (F. tribunal.}

L. = a raised platform on which magistrates
sat, from tribunus tribune, magistrate. SYN. :
Bench, board, court.

tribune [i] (trib7 un ; tri7 bun), n. In
ancient Rome, each of the representatives
chosen by the people to protect their rights
against the patricians ; one of different civil
or military officers ; in modern
use, a champion of popular
rights. (F. tribun.}

In ancient Rome the plebeians
although taking part in the
national assembly were excluded
from the higher offices of the
state, these being filled by
patricians. In the year 494 B.C.
the plebeians revolted and, as
a result, obtained the right to
appoint two tribunes, who were
to protect the plebs from op-
pression or injustice on the part
of the patrician magistrates.
The persons of those who were
appointed to the tribunate (trib7
u nat, n.), or tribuneship (trib7
un ship ; tri7 bun ship, n.) were
sacred.

F. tribun, from L. tribunus (ace.
-um) , literally head of a tribe (tribus) .
tribune [2] (trib7 un), n. A raised floor
for the chair of a magistrate in the apse
of a Roman basilica ; a platform ; a pulpit ;
a rostrum ; a bishop's throne in the apse
of a basilican church, or the apse containing
this. (F. tribune, galerie.)

F. = Ital. tribuna, from L.L. tribuna =
tribunal.

tributary (trib7 u ta ri), adj. Paying or
subject to tribute ; contributory ; auxiliary ;
of a stream, etc., emptying into and serving
to swell a larger stream, n. A state or person
that pays tribute ; a tributary stream. (F.
tributaire, affluent.}

F. tributaire, from L. tributarius connected
with tribute, paying tribute, from tributum and
suffix -drius.

tribute (trib7 ut), n. A sum of money
or an equivalent paid by one ruler or state
to another in token of submission, as a
price of peace or protection, or in pur-
suance of a treaty ; the state of being
obliged to pay this ; a contribution ; an
offering ; an action done to show respect ;
a gift ; a proportion of ore or its value paid
to a miner for his work. (F. tribut.}

The Canaanites were compelled to pay
tribute to King Solomon (2 Chronicles viii,
8) . An explorer, statesman, or military com-
mander receives tributes of praise on the
accomplishment of some great work. A
tributor (trib7 u tor, n.) or tributer (trib 7u
ter, n) is a miner engaged on tribute- work (n.),
that is, work for which he is paid by a share
in the ore which he raises, or by a percentage
of its value.

O.F. tribut, from L. tributum, neuter of tri-
butus, p.p. of tribuere to assign, bestow, pay
(perhaps originally to a tribe).

4357

TRICALA

TRICK

tricala (tri ca7 la). This is another form
of trehala. See trehala.

tricar (tri' kar), n. A small motor-car
with two wheels in front and a single
driving-wheel behind. (F. tri-car.)

From E. prefix tri- and car.

trice [ij (tris), v.t. To haul up, shorten,
or tighten (a rope or sail). (F. hisser.}

M.E. trisen, M. Dutch trlsen to hoist up ; cp.
Swed. trissa pulley, triss sprit-sail brace, Low G.
trisse pulley.

trice [2] (tris), n. A very short time ;
a moment ; an instant. (F. din d'ceil.)

This word is used in the phrase " in a
trice."

Originally in phrase at a trice, perhaps = at
one pull (see trice [ij) ; or perhaps imitative ;
cp. Span, tris the clatter made in breaking glass,
en un tris in an instant, Sc. in a crack.

tricentenary (tri sen' te na ri ; tri sen
te7 na ri). This is another form of tercenten-
ary. See tercentenary.

triceps (tri7 seps), adj. Of a muscle,
three-headed. n. A muscle having three
heads or points of attachment, especially
the large muscle at the back of the upper
arm. (F. triceps.)

L., from tri- (= tres) three, caput head.

triceratops (tri ser7 a tops), n. A giant
vegetarian three-horned dinosaur.

The triceratops lived in the times when few
mammals had yet appeared on the earth.
It was almost as large as an elephant. In
addition to two bovine horns the animal had
a horn-like process on its nose.

Modern L., from Gr. tri- three, her as (gen.
kerat-os) horn, dps face.

tricerion (tri ser7 i on), n. A three-
branched candlestick, symbolizing the
Trinity, used by an Orthodox bishop in
giving benediction. (F. tricerion.}

Gr., from tri- (= treis) three, kerion wax-light,
from keros wax.

trichord (tri7 kord), adj. Of pianos,
having three strings to a note. (F. a trois
conies.)

Gr. trikhordos, from tri- ( = treis) three,
khorde cord, string.

trichotomy (tri kot7 6 mi ; tri kot7 6 mi),
n. Division into three. (F. trichotomie.)

This word is used especially in theology
of the division of human nature into body,
soul, and spirit. A plant stem which grows
out into three branches is trichotomous
(tri kot7 6 rmis ; tri kot7 6 mus, adj.).

Gr. trikha into three parts, -tomia cutting,
dividing, from temnein to cut.

trichromatic (tri kro mat7 ik), adj.
Relating to three colours ; three-coloured.
(F. trichromatique.)

The eyes of those of us who are not colour-
blind are trichromatic, that is, capable of
three distinct colour-sensations, namely, red,
green, and purple. Trichromatic printing
is three-colour printing. Trichromatism
(tri kro7 ma tizm, n.) is the quality of being
trichromatic.

From E. tri- three, and chromatic (Gr. khroma
colour).

trick (trik), n. A cunning device for
gaining an advantage ; a piece of mischief ;
a clever or speciar\vay of doing a thing ;
a knack ; a feat of skill ; a particular habit
or trait ; the cards played, won, or taken
in a round ; a spell or turn, especially of
a sailor at the helm. v.t. To cheat ; to
deceive by a trick ; to dress up or adorn.
v.i. To play tricks. (F. tour, artifice, habitude,
levee; ruse; trichey, duper, attifer, affubler :
faire des escroquerics.)

Boys are fond of playing tricks on each
other, and of watching the tricks of a
conjurer. Some mechanical puzzles give
much trouble to anyone who does not know
the trick of solving them. Napoleon had a
trick of thrusting his hand inside his
waistcoat. A footballer is said to trick an
opponent when he cleverly avoids or runs
round him. The hair of an actor's trick-
wig (n) can be made to stand on end by
pulling a cord.

Trick. — A horse which has been taught the trick of
standing on three legs.

A tricker (trik'er, n.) or trickster (trik'ster,
n.) is one who indulges in trickery (trik' er i,
«.), that is, the practice of tricks. A person
given to tricks is trickish (trik7 ish, adj.],
tricky (trik7 i, adj.) or tricksome (trik sum,
adj.). We also speak of anything difficult
to handle as tricky or trickish. A football
player whose game is full of clever tricks
may be called tricky. Tricksome also
means playful or mischievous. Trickishness
(trik7 ish nes, n.) is the quality of being
trickish, and trickiness (trik7 i nes, n.) the
quality of being tricky.

To act trickishly (trik7 ish li, adv.) or
trickily (trik7 i li, adv.) is to behave in a
trickish or tricky manner. A tricksy (trik7
si, adj.) child is a playful child, one full of
mischief. Tricksy also means crafty or
needing cautious handling.

4358

TRICKLE

TRIDENT

M.E. trik,, Old Picard — or Norman — F. trique
(O.F. triche)$trickery ; for the v. cp. O.F. tricher
to trick, Ital. triccare, from assumed L.L. triccare,
L. tricar 1, to act deceitfully, from tricae, trifles,
wiles, tricks. See treacherous. SYN. : n. Antic,
artifice, knack, stratagem wile. v. Cheat, deceive,
delude, swindle.

trickle (trik' 1), v.i. To flow in drops,
or in a very small stream ; to drip. v.i.
To give forth by trickling ; to cause to
trickle. n. A trickling ; a small quantity
of liquid ; a very small flow. (F. couler,
degoutter ; verser par petites gouttes ; ecoule-
ment.)

Water trickles from a leaky tap. News
trickles out, if it becomes known a little at
a time. A tricklet (trik7 let, n.} is a small
trickle. Trickly (trik' li, adj.) means
characterized by trickling.

M.E. triklen, possibly = striklen, frequent-
ative of striken, A.-S. strlcan to strike, move
along, flow. The loss of s may be compared with
that of n in apron and umpire 'from wrong
division : teres striklen tears trickle, becoming
teres triklen. SYN. : v. Dribble, drip, leak.

triclinic (trl klin' ik), adj. Of crystals,
having three unequal ,axes, inclined at an
angle to each other. (F. triclinique.}

From Gr. tri-( = treis three), klinein to incline,
E. suffix -ic (Gr. -ikos).

triclinium (tri klin7 i urn ; tri kli7 ni
um), n. In Roman antiquity, a set of three
couches arranged round a four-sided table,
leaving one side open ; a dining-room
furnished thus. pi. triclinia (trl klin7 i a ;
tri kli7 ni a). (F. triclinium.)

L., from Gr. trikllnion dining-room with three
couches, from trikllnos having three couches,
from tri- (= treis three), kllne couch.

tricolour (trr kul er), n. A flag, banner,
cockade, etc., having three colours, especially
when arranged in equal stripes, adj. Three-
coloured. Another form, used in natural
history for the adjective, is tricolor (trl7
kul er). tricoloured (trl7 kul erd, adj.] has
the same meaning. (F. tricolore.)

The national flag of France, adopted at
the Revolution, is a tricolour, and consists of
vertical bands of blue, white, and red.

F. tricolore, from L. tri- three, color colour.

tricorn (trl7 korn), adj. Having three
horns or horn-like projections, n. A three-
cornered hat. (F. tricorne.)

This word and tricornered (tri7 korn erd,
adj.) are sometimes used instead of three-
cornered.

F. tricorne, from L. tricornis three-horned,
from tri- ( = tres three), cornu horn.

tricot (tre ko), n. Knitting or knitted
work ; a hand -knitted woollen fabric ;
a similar material made in imitation by
machines ; a soft, slightly ribbed cloth.
(F. tricot.)

F. = knitting, from tricoter to knit ; cp. G.
stricken.

tric-trac (trik7 trak), n. An early and
complicated form of backgammon.

F. trictrac, perhaps from Dutch tiktak, from
tikken to tick.

tricuspid (tri kus7 pid), adj. Of valves,
teeth, leaves, etc. having three cusps or
points ; relating to the tricuspid valve of
the heart, n. A tricuspid valve or tooth,
tricuspidate (tri kus7 pid at, adj.) also
means having three cusps. (F. a trois
pointes, tridente ; valvule tricuspide.)

F. tricuspide, from L. tricuspis (gen. -id-is),
from tri (= tres three), cuspis point, spear.

Tricycle. — A tricyclist speeding along on his racing
tricycle.

tricycle (trl' sikl), n. A three-wheeled
cycle propelled by the feet, arms, or a motor.
v.i. 'to ride a tricycle. (F. tricycle, tri-
porteur.)

The bicycle has almost ousted the tricycle,
and, apart from hand-propelled machines for
people who cannot use their legs and trades-
men's carrier-tricycles, one does not often
see tricycles nowadays. A tricyclist (trl7 si
klist, n.) is a rider of a tricycle.

F., from Gr. tri- (= treis three), kyklos circle,
wheel.

Tridacna (tri dak' na), n. A genus of
very large bivalve molluscs, including the
giant clam. See under clam. (F. tridacne.)

Gr. tridaknos eaten in three bites, from tri-
( = treis three), daknein to bite.

tridactyl (tri dak7 til), adj. Three-
fingered, or three-toed. tridactylous (tri
dak7 til us) has the same meaning. (F.
tridactyle.)

F. tridactyle, from Gr. tridaktylos, from tri-
( — treis three), daktylos finger, toe.

trident (tri7 dent), n. An implement
or weapon with three teeth or prongs ;
anything resembling this ; the three-

Eronged sceptre of Neptune, god of the sea ;.
guratively, sea-power, adj. Having three
forks or prongs. (F. trident.)

As mistress of the seas, Britannia is
represented holding the trident. The
retiarius of the gladiatorial combats in
ancient Rome was armed with a net and a
trident. Anything relating to or shaped like
a trident is said to be tridental (tri den7
tal, adj.).

F., from L. tridens (ace. -ent-em), from tri-
( = Ires three), dens (ace. dent-em) tooth,

4359

TRIDENTINE

TRIGGER

Tridentine (tri den7 tin), adj. Relating
to the city of Trent in Tyrol ; " relating to
the famous Church council held at Trent
from 1545 to 1563, especially considered
as a basis of Roman Catholic doctrine and
practice, n. One who accepts the decrees
of this council. (F. tridenlin, de Trente.)

From L. Tridentum Trent, suffix -inus.

tridigitate (tri dij' i tat), adj. Having
three toes or fingers on a limb ; tridactylous.
(F. a trois doigts, tridactyle.)

From L. tri- (= tres three), digitdtus fingered,
as if p.p. of a verb digitdre to furnish with fingers
(digitus).

tried (trld). This is the past tense and
past participle of try. See try.

triennial (tri en' i al), adj. Lasting three
years; done or occurring every third year.
«. Anything done or occurring every three
years, or lasting for this period. (F. triennal ;
triennat, triennium.)

A triennial parliament is one which lasts
three years, the members, therefore, being
elected triennially (tri en' i al li, adv.}.

As if from a L. triennidlis, from triennium a
period of three years, from tri- ( = tres three),
annus year.

trier (tri 'er), n. One who tries, examines,
or tests ; one who decides if a challenge to
jurors is well founded. (F. expcrimentateur,
ajusteur.)

From E. trv and suffix -er.

»•••••»•••••

Trierarch. — A trireme of ancient Greece, the com-
mander of which was called a trierarch.

trierarch (tri' er ark), n. In ancient
Greece, the commander of a trireme ; one
whose duty it was to assist in the fitting out
and maintenance of a trireme. (F. irie'rarque.)

In ancient Athens the ships of the fleet
— chiefly triremes — were furnished by the
state, and the expense of maintaining and
equipping them was borne by the trierarchy
(tri' er ar ki, n.) or trierarchs, wealthy
people compelled to perform this duty.
The trierarchal (tri' er ar kal, adj.) system,
too, was called the trierarchy, a name
applied also to the office or duty of a trier-
arch. Not only those who fitted out and
maintained triremes, but those who did a
like office for other vessels, .were called
trierarchs.

Gr. trierarkhos, from trier es trireme, arkhos
leader, commander, from arkhein to command.

trifid (tri' fid), adj. Having three clefts
or notches, (F. trifide.)

Leaves sepcirated into three by deeply
notched divisions are s?.id to be trifid. If
cleft nearly to the base they are termed
tripartite.

L. trifidus, from tri- (= tres three), and fid-
root oi finder e to split.

trifle (tri' fl), n. A fact, circumstance,
or thing of little value or importance ; an
insignificant amount ; a light confection of
whipped cream or white of eggs, with cake,
etc., soaked in wine ; a variety of pewter.
v.i. To act or talk with levity ; to jest ; to
fool ; to toy or sport (with), v.t. To waste ;
to fritter or fool away (time, etc.) ; to treal
flippantly. (F. bagatelle, veiille ; bague-
nander, blaguer ; gaspiller, perdre.)

One who trifles away the hours that
should be spent in study or self-improve-
ment will have many regrets later. A
trifler (tri' fler, n.) is one who wastes time,
or spends his energies on trifling (tri' fling,
adj.) matters — those of little moment.
Anyone, too, who deals triflingly (tri' fling
li, adv.) or flippantly with questions worthy
of serious consideration is a trifler.

M.E. trufle, O.F. trufle, from truffe mockery ;
cp. Ital. truffa a cheating, Prov., obsolete, Span,
and Port, trufa a jest. SYN.": v. Fool, jest.

trifoliolate (tri fo' li 6 lat), adj. Of a
leaf, having three leaflets. (F. a trois feuilles.)

The clover and strawberry are trifoliolate,
bearing three leaflets. When there are
three leaves, or leaf-like processes, the word
trifoliate (tri fo' li at, adj.) is sometimes
used. Trifolium (tri fo' li um, n.) is the
name given to a genus of low leguminous
herbs — including the clovers and trefoils —
which have trifoliolate leaves.

From L. tri- (= tres three), flos (gen. flor-is)
flower.

triforium (tri for' i um), n. A gallery
or arcade] formed in the walls of a church
above the arches of the nave, choir, or
transepts and below the clerestory, pi.
triforia (tri for' t a). (F. travee.)

L.L., perhaps from L. tri- three, foris door.

trig (trig), v.t. To stop or check (a
wheel) with a skid, etc. n. A wedge, block
or shoe used for this. (F. enrayer ; enrayure,
sabot.)

Perhaps from O. Norse tryggja to make firm,
steady, (trygg-r (adj.), but the E. word does not
belong to the districts ssttled by Scandinavians.

trigeminal (tri jem' i nal), adj. Three-
fold ; in anatomy, of or relating to the
trigeminus. (F. trigemine.)

This word is used chiefly of the trigeminal
nerve, or trigeminus (tri jem' i mis, n.), a
paired nerve of the head with three main
branches, two passing to the upper and lower
jaws and teeth, and the third to the eye.

L. trigeminus three born together, from tri-
(= tres three), geminus twin, and suffix -al.

trigger (trig' er), n. The part of a
gun-lock pulled by the finger to release
the hammer or striker ; a catch to release
a part of a mechanism. (F. detente,
dcdenche.)

4360

TRIGLOT

TRILLION

On some railways a trigger projecting
from the track is automatically lifted into
position when the signal is at danger.
Should a train overrun the signal, the trigger
comes in contact with a projection on the
train and so applies the brakes.

Older form tricker, borrowed about 1620 from
Dutch trekker, from trekken to draw, pull. See
track, trek.

triglot (tri' glot), adj. Containing,
composed in, or relating to three languages.
(F. trilingue.}

Gr. tri-( = treis three), glossa, glotta tongue.

triglyph (tri7 glif), n. A tablet on
the frieze of a Doric building ornamented
with three upright grooves. (F. triglyphe.}

In triglyphal (tri' glif al, adj.] decoration,
the triglyphs stand out from the frieze
at regular intervals, separated by and
alternating with square spaces called
metopes. Each triglyph has two full
grooves in the face, and a half-groove in
each edge, the grooves dividing the surface
into three equal parts.

Gr. trigtyphos three-grooved, irom tri- (from treis
three), glyphein to carve, cut a groove (glyphe).

trigon (tri' gon), n. In mathematics,
a triangle ; in astrology, any of four

By means of trigonometry the area and
angles of a triangle may be calculated.
Trigonometry is used in surveying, astro-
nomy, and navigation.

Astronomers use trigonometric (trig 6 no
met' rik, adj.] or trigonometrical (trig 6 no
met' rik al, adj.] calculations to a great
extent, and positions at sea are worked
out trigonometrically (trig 6 no met' rik al
li, adv.).

The trigonometer (trig 6 no in' e ter, n.)
is an instrument used in solving triangles
mechanically.

From Gr. trigonon triangle, -wietria measure-
ment, from metron measure.

trigonon (tri go' non), n. A triangular
harp or lyre. See under trigon.

trigram (tri' gram), n. A group of
three letters making one sound ; in geo-
metry, a figure consisting of three lines in
the same plane, not all intersecting in the
same point. Another form, used of the
group of three letters, is trigraph (tri' graf).
(F. trigramine.)

Any triangle is trilateral (tri lat' er al,
adj.], which means three-sided, and is
shaped trilaterally (tri lat' er al li, adv.}.

Anything expressed in three languages,

groups of three zodiacal signs, set at the or a person who can speak three languages

angles of a triangle ; an ancient Greek
ball game for three players ; a triangular
instrument used in dialling ; a triangular
lyre or harp. (F. trigone.)

The lyre or harp named the trigon was
called also a trigonon (tri go7 non, - x

Trigonic (tri gon' ik, adj.) and trigonal are added.

/ *- — I «, / Jl ' 1 7 ' \ _ Jl A .«. C* J_ „ -,

is said to be trilingual (tri ling' gwal, adj.).
A word or root consisting of three letters
is said to be triliteral (tri lit' er al, adj.).
The root of a word in Semitic languages is
often a triliteral (n.), consisting of three
consonants, to which vowels and other letters

(trig' on al, adj.) mean three-cornered, or
triangular.

Gr. trigonon, neuter of Ingonos three-cornered,
liom tri- (from treis three), gonia corner an?ie

Trigonometry. -

-A schoolmaster teaching boys trigonometry with the
aid of a mechanical figure.

trigonometry (trig 6 nom' e tri), n.
The branch of mathematics dealing chiefly
with the relations to each other of the
sides and angles of triangles. (F.
trig onome trie.)

- D86 4361

At Stonehenge one may see examples
of the trilith (tri' lith, n.) or trilithon (tri7
lith on, n.), a group of two large upright
stones supporting a horizontal stone.
Dolmens, or cromlechs are often
trilithic (tri lith' ik, adj.) monu-
ments, consisting of two uprights
and a massive capstone lying
across them.

trill (tril), v.i. To sing or
produce sounds with tremulous
vibrations, v.t. To sing or utter
in a tremulous or quavering
voice, n. A warbling, quavering
sound ; in music, the quick alter-
nation of two notes a tone; or
semitone apart ; a consonant pro-
nounced with a trilling sound,
as r. (F. triller ; trille.)

The laugh of a happy person
often trills like the song of a
bird. Italian music, especially
that written for soprano voices
contains many trills or shakes.

ital. trillare, perhaps from Teut. ;
cp. M. Dutch trillen drillen to
vibrate.

trillion (tril7 yon), n. A million
multiplied twice by itself ; in France and
in the United States, a million million.
(F. quiniillion.)

In England we write a trillion in figures

I B?

TRILOBATE

TRINGLE

thus — 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 — but in
France, since the middle of the seventeenth
century, it has been regarded as a thousand
multiplied thrice by itself, and is therefore
written 1,000,000,000,000. The trillionth
(trir yonth, adj.] thing is the last of a series
containing a trillion.

From E. tri- and million, after billion.

trilobate (tri' 16 bat ; tri 16' bat), adj.
Having three lobes. (F. trilobe.)

The common clover is an instance of a
trilobate flower.

From E. tri- and lobate.

trilobite (tri' 16 bit), n.
One of a group of Palaeo-
zoic, fossil marine animals,
having a body divided into
three lobes. (F. trilobite.)

Trilobites are found in
strata of the Cambrian and
Silurian periods and are
among the earliest fossils
known.

From Gr. tri- three, lobos,
lobe, E. suffix -ite.

trilocular (tri lok' u
lar), adj. In natural history,
having three cells or
chambers. (F. triloculaire.)

L. tri (= ires three), loculus
ce'l, suffix -ar.

trilogy (trir 6 ji), n. In
ancient Athens, a set of
three related tragedies,
each complete in itself,
intended to be performed in succession ;
a series of three plays, operas, novels, etc.,
each complete in itself, but similarly con-
nected. (F. trilogie.)

The only complete Greek trilogy which
survives comprises three plays of Aeschylus,
dealing with the murder of Agamemnon
and the tragic consequences of the revenge
taken by his son Orestes.

Gr. trilogia, from tri- ( = treis three), -logia,
from logos, tale, narrative, from legein to say,
tell.

trim (trim), v.t. To set in good order ;
to make neat ; to remove superfluous or
untidy parts from ; to decorate ; to clip ;
to lop ; to distribute weight properly in
(a ship) ; to adjust (sails or yards, etc.) to
suit the wind. v.i. To take a middle course
between two parties or opinions, adj. In
good order ; smart ; neat. n. The state
or condition of readiness or fitness, especially
of a ship ; the manner in which a vessel
floats in the water. (F. arranger, ajustev,
parer, arrimer, orienter ; bien mis, coquet,
bien arrange" ; assieite.}

A gardener is said to trim a hedge when
he cuts it smooth and level, trimming away
the outgrowing shoots. To trim a ship
or boat, the cargo or passengers must be
distributed so that the vessel is on a level
koel fore-and-aft, and both sides are the
same distance out of water. A trimly
(trim7 li, adv.] kept lawn is very attractive.

4362

Trilobite.— A trilobite, a fossil animal with
jointed limbs and a shell-covered back.

One who or that which trims in any
sense of the word is a trimmer (trim' er, ».).
In politics the term is used especially of
a person who tries to keep in with two
opposed parties, appearing to favour each
in turn. Such behaviour is described as
trimming (trim' ing, n.}. The trimming of
a dress is the act of decorating it, or the
material used in the process. The trim-
mings of a dish are the things added to it
to make it more tasty — as, for example, the
apple-sauce served with
roast pork. By trimness
(trim' nes, n.} is meant the
state or quality of being
trim in any sense of the
word.

A.-S trymian to strengthen,
arrange, set in order, from
trum firm, strong, sound.
The v., however, is not record-
ed in M.E. SYN. v. Adjust,
curtail, decorate, dock, tidy.
adj. Neat, orderly, spruce.

trimeter (trim' e ter;
tri' me ter), n. ' A metrical
line of three measures,
each of two or three feet.
Verse consisting of three
measures, adj. Consisting
of three measures.

Gr. trimetros. See tri- and
metre.

trimly (trim' li). For
this word, trimmer, etc.,
see under trim.

trimorphic (tri mor' fik), adj. Exist-
ing in three distinct forms. Trimorphous
(tri mor' fus) has the same meaning. (F.
trimorphe.)

Among the trimorphic mineral substances
is titanium dioxide, which crystallizes in
three distinct forms. Examples of tri-
morphism (tri mor' fizm, n.) are also found
in flowers, which may have pistils and
stamens of three different relative lengths,
and in insects, which may show three varying
types of coloration.

Gr. trimorphos, from tri- (treis three), m&phe
firm, E. suffix -ic.

trine (trin), adj. Threefold ; triple ;
in three parts, n. A triad ; a set of three ;
in astrology, an aspect of three planets
distant a third part of the zodiac from each
other. (F. trin; triade.)

This term is applied in theology to the
three immersions or sprinklings in baptism,
which symbolize the Holy Trinity.

L. trlnus threefold, from tres three.

tringle (tring' gl), n. A rod for sup-
porting the canopy of a bedstead ; in
architecture, a little square moulding or
ornament, especially one over a Doric
triglyph ; the bar on gun platform which
checks the recoil.

Early Modern F. tringle, trangle, curtain-rod,
L.L. taringa an iron pin ; cp. Gaelic tarung pin,
nail.

TRINITROTOLUENE

TRIP

trinitrotoluene (tri ni tro tol' u
en), n. A powerful explosive obtained by
nitrating toluene and first used largely
during the World War. (F. trinitrotoluene.)

Trinitrotoluene, known commercially as
T.N.T., is obtained by the action of a
mixture of sulphuric and nitric acids on
toluene. It can be handled with greater
safety than most high explosives.

From E. tri-, nitro- and toluene. See under
nitre.

Trinity (trin' i ti), n. The union of the
three Persons in one Godhead ; God in three
Persons ; a symbol or pictorial representa-
tion of the Trinity ; a Church festival held a
week after Whitsunday ; (trinity) the state of
being threefold ; a group of three. (F. Trinite.}

The Trinity, or union of the Persons of
the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, is one of
the mysteries of the Christian religion,
rrinitarianism (trin i tar' i an izm, n.) being
accepted as a doctrine by most Christian
bodies. The term Trinitarian (trin i tar' i
an, n.) usually means one who believes in
the Trinitarian (adj.) doctrine, that is, the

joined by + and — , is called a trinomial
or a trinomial expression. Some authorities
on natural history classify birds and beasts
trinomially (tri no' mi al li, adv.), that is,

(tri no' mi al izm, n.), which designates
each individual by the names of the genus,
species and subspecies to which it belongs.

L. tri- ( — tres three), nomen, name, E. suffix -al.

trio (tre' 6), n. A set or group of
three, especially of singers, instrument-
alists, or their instruments ; a musical
composition for three performers ; the
middle contrasting movement of a minuet,
march, etc., in piquet, a combination of three
honours of one denomination in one hand.
(F. trio.)

In music a string trio consists either of
two violins and violoncello, or violin, viola,
and 'cello. Trios, or compositions for three
players, are written in sonata form. The
trio in a minuet and other kinds of dance
is written in a style contrasted with the
opening movement.

Ital., from L. Ires three.

triolet (tri 6 let ; tre' 6 let), n. A poem

doctrine of the Trinity, as opposed to a of eight lines on two rhymes ; in music

Unitarian, who denies it ; but especially it a triplet. (F. triolet.)

is applied to a member of a religious order F. dim. of Ital. trio.

dedicated to the Trinity, founded in 1198,

to rescue the Christian captives taken by

the infidels.

Henry VIII granted
a charter to the
Thames pilots and
thereby established
Trinity House (n.),
an institution which
to-day licenses pilots
and deals with the
building and main-
taining of all light-
houses, lightships,
beacons, and buoys
in British waters.

O.F. trinite, from L.
trinitds (ace. -tdt-em),
abstract n. from trlnus
threefold, trlnl three
each from tres, tria three.

trinket (tring'ket),
n. A small personal
ornament, especially
a jewel or a ring of
little value; any
cherished thing of
slight worth. (F.
breloque, affiquet.)

Perhaps M.E. trenket shoemaker's knife, O.
Northern F. trenquet from trenquer (O.F. trencher)
to cut ; hence, a smaller toy-knife used as an
ornament. SYN. Bauble, gewgaw, gimcrack.

trinomial (tri no' mi al), n. An

Triones (tri 6' nez), n.pl.
chief stars of the Great Bear.

• . The Triones
popularly called

Trinity House.— The North Foreland lighthouse,

which, like other lighthouses, is maintained by

Trinity House.

The seven
(F. triones.)
are
the

Wagon and Horses 01
Charles's Wain.

L. = ploughing oxen.
trionym (tri' c
nim), n. In natural
history, a trinominal
designation. (F. tri-
onyme.)

Gr. tri- (= treis three),
onyma name.

trip (trip), v.i. Tc
take light, quick
steps ; figuratively, tc
progress lightly anc
smoothly ; to catct
the foot on something
to stumble ; to err
v.t. To cause to fal
by catching the feet
to release (part of <
machine) ; to brim
to grief ; to detec"
in error : to loose (ai
anchor) ; to tilt (i
ship ' s yard ) . n . A skip
a short excursion
a journey ; a stumble ; an error ; a catcl
of the foot by which a wrestler throw:
an opponent ; a single tack in sailing t(
windward. (F. trottiner, trebucher, faire w
faux pas ; donner un croc en jambe a, ren

algebraical expression consisting of three verser, declencher, voider, pincer ; bond

terms, adj. Consisting of or characterized by

three terms or three names. (F. trinome.)

In algebra, an expression, such as x2 —

2xy + y2, which consists of three terms

excursion, tour, faux pas, bevue, croc e>
jambe.)

It is very easy to trip in the dark whili
walking over rough ground. To throw <

4363

TRIPARTITE

TRIPLE

player in football by using the feet or legs
contrary to the laws is to trip him. A
trip is penalized by a free kick.

A trip-hammer (n.} is the same thing as
a tilt-hammer. In heraldry an animal is
said to be trippant (trip' ant, adj.) if shown
walking.

Though the word tripper (trip7 er, r..)
means one who trips or a thing that trips,
in any sense, it is most commonly used of
a person who makes an excursion to a place,
especially for the day. Dancers move
trippingly (trip' ing li, adv.), that is, with
light, easy steps.

M.E. trippen, O.F. treper, triper ; cp. Dutch
trippelen to trip, mince one's steps, trippen to
skip, akin to trappen to tread. SYN. : v. Err,
hop, skip, stumble, n. Blunder, excursion, jaunt,
mistake, tour. See trap [i].

tripartite (trl par' tit ; trip' ar tit)
adj. . Divided into three parts or segments
having three corresponding parts or copies .
made or concluded between three parties.
(F. tripartite.)

The leaf of the shamrock is tripartite, as
it is divided into three
parts. An agreement
made between three
persons is tripartite and,
if each party has a copy
of the deed, the same
term is applied to the
contract which has thus
been made tripartitely
(trl par' tit ii ; trip' ar
tit li, adv.). The word
tripartitiori (trl par tish'
un, n.) means division
into three parts or the
taking of a third part.

L. tripartltus, from trl
(from ires three), partlt-us
p.p. of partlrl to divide.
SYN. : Trichotomous, trind,
trisected.

tripe (trip), n. The
principal stomach of a
ruminating animal, when
prepared for food. (F.
tripes.}

The place where tripe
is prepared is a tripery
(trip' er i, n.}, and the
man who prepares or
sells it is a tripeman (trip' man, n.) or tripe-
seller (n.). From certain lichens found
growing on the rocks in the north of
America a poor bitter kind of food called
rock-tripe (n.) or tripe-de-roche (trep de
rosh, n.) is prepared by hunters when
bard pressed for food.

M.E. tripe, O.F. trip(p)e entrails of an animal ;
cp. Span, trip a, Ital. trippa, Irish triopas, Welsh
trip a.

triphone (trl' fon), n. A symbol
used in shorthand to represent a sound
containing a vowel added to a diphthong,
that is, three vowel sounds combined,

From E.

J

Triple. — A triple dive being executed from a
platform twenty feet high.

such as occur in " newer," " annual,"
" riot," etc.

From E. tri- and -phone.
triphthong (trif ' thong), n. A combina-
tion of three vowels making a single syllable.
(F. triphtongue.)

The word " eau," which is pronounced
" o," is not a triphthong, but the name oi
the Chinese river Liao is a triphthongal (trif
thong' gal, adj.] syllable.

From E. tri- and Gr. phthonggos voice, sound.
See diphthong.

tripinnate (trl pin' at), adj. In botany,
of a leaf, having subdivision carried to three
stages. (F. tripenne.)

A tripinnate leaf, that is, one divided
tripinnately (trl pin' at li, adv.), consists of
a number of leaflets broken up into sprays,
each of these again having a number of
smaller leaflets on it.
From E. tri- and pinnate.
triplane (trl' plan), n. An aeroplane
having three supporting surfaces. (F.
trip I an.) _

tri- and plane.

triple (trip' 1), adj.
Consisting of three parts
or thicknesses joined to-
gether ; threefold ; three
times repeated, v.t. To
make treble or threefold ;
to multiply by three ; to
alter (a steam-engine) to
... triple expansion. v.i.
To become triple ; to be
I increased threefold. (F.
I triple ; tripler ; se tripler.)
In the history of
Europe there have been
several triple alliances,
that is, alliances between
three countries, as for
example, the famous
Triple Alliance formed
in 1788, between Great
Britain, Prussia, and
Holland to oppose the
power of France.

The tiara of the
Pope is called the triple
crown (n.). It was
originally a high round
cap, but at three
different periods a crown
was added to it, and it is now encircled by
them at the bottom, in the middle, and
near the top, so that when wearing it the
Pope may be said to be triplecrowned (adj.).
It has no liturgical meaning, but signifies
sovereign power.

In a triple-expansion engine (n.) the
steam is passed successively through three
cylinders of increasing size, and so is ex-
panded in three stages.

In classical mythology Cerberus is the
triple-headed (adj.), that is, three-headed,
hound who guards the gates of Hades.
Music written in triple time (n.) has three

4364

TRIPOD

TRISECT

beats to the bar. Waltzes are always in
triple time.

Three things of a kind make a triplet
(trip' let, n>}. In poetry a triplet is a set
of three lines rhyming together, and in
music the word means a group of three
notes played in the time of two ordinary
notes of the same species. In architecture, a
triplet is a window consisting of three lights.
Where three children are born at one birth
each of them may be spoken of colloquially
as a triplet, the three together being triplets.
The word triplex (trip' leks, adj.] means three-
fold or triple.

A triplicate (trip' li kat, adj.) document is
one of which three copies are made, each
copy being a triplicate (n.). When a typist
has to triplicate (trip' li kat, v.t.) a letter, she
interleaves two carbons with three sheets of
paper, and types on the top sheet, thus
obtaining three copies. At holiday seasons
some important trains are triplicated, thus
providing a triplicate, or threefold, service to
the places at which they call.

In mathematics, what is called the
triplicate ratio (n.) of two quantities is the
ratio of their cubes in relation to the
quantities themselves.

The process or act of triplicating or
trebling, or the result of this, is triplication
(trip li ka' shun, n.). Triplicity (triphV i ti,
n.) is the condition or quality of being
triple. A door with three separate locks is
made triply (trip' li, adv.}, that is, three
times, or trebly, secure.

F., from L. triplus (ace. -um), iromtri- ( = ires
three), -plus, Gr. -pious, perhaps akm to plicdre
to fold (cp. triplex], or to plenus full.

tripod (tri' pod), n. A three-legged
seat or table ; a three-legged support for
a pot, camera, etc. ; in ancient Greece, a
three-legged vessel. (F. trepied.)

The tripods used as stands for cameras
have swivelled tops, so that the camera can
be rotated and kept level on uneven ground.
In ancient Greece tripods were awarded as
prizes in athletic games. In the temple of
Apollo at Delphi, the priestess sat on a
sacrificial tripod to pronounce the oracle.
Any article standing on three legs or three
'feet is tripodal (trip7 6 dal, adj.).

L. tripus (gen. tripod-is), from Gr. tripous
(ace. tripod-a), from tri- three, pous (ace. pod-a)
foot. See trivet.

tripoli (trip' 6 li), n. A soft decomposed
limestone occurring in Tripoli, North Africa.
(F. tripoli.)

Tripoli is known also as rottenstone. It is
used as a polishing powder for steel and
other metals.

tripos (tri' pos), n.' The examination
for an honours degree at Cambridge Univer-
sity ; a printed list of successful candidates.
(F. grand concours.)

The origin of this name is curious. It
was first a three-legged stool or tripod,
from such a stool being used by the tripus, a

graduate who disputed humorously with the
candidates for degrees. Then it meant a
set of humorous verses, on the back of which
the results of the mathematical examination
were printed.

See tripod.

trippant (trip' ant). For this word,
tripper, etc., see tinder trip.

triptych (trip' tik), n. A picture 01
carving on three panels, hinged together
so that the side ones fold over the main
central panel ; a set of three pictures similarly
arranged ; a writing-tablet in three folding
sections. (F. triptyque.)

Gr. triptykhos consisting of three folds 01
leaves, from tri- ( — treis three), ptyx (ace.
ptykh-a] fold, layer, leaf.

Triptych. — A triptych of champleve enamel on
copper gilt dalin? from about 1150.

triquetra (tri kwet' ra ; tri kwet' ra), n
A triangular ornament consisting of three
interlaced arcs, common in early Christiar
architecture, pi. triquetrae (tri kwet' re
tri kwet' re). (F. triquetre.)

Fern, of L. triquetrus three-cornered, from tri
(= tres three), -quetrus of unknown origin, per
haps akin to Gr. konos cone, L. cautes pointet
rock, cuneus wedge, from root ka(n) to sharpen.

triradial (tri ra' di al), adj. Three
rayed, triradiate (tri ra' di at) and tri-
radiated (tri ra' di at ed) have the sam<
meaning. (F. a trois rayons.)

A fissure which branches in three direo
tions from a central point in the surface
of the brain is called the triradial fissure

From E. trt- three, and radial.

trireme (trir' em), n. A war-galley
with three banks of oars on each side
common among the ancient Greeks, Romans
Carthaginians, etc. (F. trireme.)

The trireme usually had two masts anc
was able to sail when there was enough
wind.

L. triremis, from tri- (tres three), remus oa, .

trisagion (tri sag' i on ; tri sa'gi on), n
One of the doxologies of the Greek Crmrcl:
in which the word " Holy " is repeatec
three times. (F. trisagion.)

Gr trisagios thrice holy, from tris thrice
hagios holy.

trisect (tri sekt'), v.t. To divide into
three equal parts. (F. diviser en trois.)

4365

TRISMUS

TRIUMVIR

To trisect a straight line is easy, but the
trisection (tri sek' shun, n.) of an angle,
by rule and compass, a famous problem, is
now known to be impossible.

L. tri- (from tres three), sectus, p.p. of secure
to cut.

trismus (triz' mus), n. Another name
tor lock-jaw. (F. trisme.)

L., from Gr. trismos a creak, from trizein to
squeak, screech.

trisyUable (tri sil' abl ; tri sir abl), n.
A word of three syllables. (F. trisyllabe.)

The word syllable is itself a trisyllable
or a trisyllabic (tri si lab7 ik ; tri si lab' ik,
adj.) word.

From E. tri- and syllable.

trite (trit), adj. Hackneyed ; common-
place ; worn out. (F. banal, use.}

Phrases become trite when they lose
their original force and significance through
too frequent use. We speak tritely (trit' li,
adv.] when we make a statement lacking
freshness or novelty, and so having the
quality of triteness (trit' nes, n.).

From L. tritus p.p. of terere to rub, wear down.
SYN. : Commonplace, hackneyed, stale. ANT. :
Fresh, new, novel, original.

tritheism (tri' the izm)., n. The
heresy that each Person of the Holy Trinity
is a distinct God. (F. iritheisme.)

One who believes in tritheism is called a
tritheist (tri' the ist, ».).

From E. tri- and theism.

Triton (tri' ton), n. In ancient Greek
mythology, a son of Poseidon, or one of a
race of minor sea-gods, half man and half
fish ; a genus of shell -fish with large spiral
shells ; (tri ton) a gasteropod of this genus ; a
newt. (F. Triton.}

The elongated shells of one species of
triton (Triton triionis) are used as war-
trumpets by the South Sea Islanders. The
sea-god, Triton, was imagined as causing
the roar of the sea by blowing through the
shell of a triton. A big person among
smaller or less important ones is sometimes
called a Triton among the minnows.

Gr. Triton, name of a sea-god.

tritone (tri' ton), n. In music, an
interval of three whole tones. (F. triton.)

The tritone occurs between the fourth
and seventh notes of a major scale, and
was formerly a forbidden interval.

From E. tri- and tone.

triturate (trit' u rat), v.t. To rub or
grind down to a fine powder ; to masticate
with the molar teeth. (F. tritiirer, moudre.)

The action of the sea triturates pebbles.
The grinding process by which they are
turned into sand may be described as
trituration (trit u ra' shim, n.). Chemists
speak of the trituration of substances with
a pestle and mortar. Both the person and
the apparatus employed for the purpose
can be called a triturator (trit' u ra tor, n.).
The gizzard of the chicken triturates corn;
our molar teeth triturate solid food.

From L. trlturdtus p.p. of trlturare grind, pul-
verize, from frltus, p.p. of terere to rub.

triumph (tri' umf), n. In ancient
Rome, a ceremony and procession in honour
of a victorious general ; the state of being
victorious; victory; great success; joy at
success, or a display of this ; anything that
constitutes a signal achievement, v.i. To
enjoy a triumph ; to gain a victory or
prevail (over) ; to exult (over). (F.
triomphe, victoire ; triompher, prosperer.)

In ancient Rome a general who was
accorded a triumph wore a triumphal (trl
urn' fal, adj.) wreath, that is, a laurel
wreath connected with the celebration of
a triumph. Sometimes a Roman victory
was commemorated by the erection of a
triumphal arch, a practice copied in later
times by other nations.

A country that has achieved victory in
war is said to be triumphant (tri urn' fant,
adj.). Its armies return home triumphantly
(tri um' fant li, adv.), that is, victoriously
or exultantly. A good sportsman who is
successful in an athletic contest does not
triumph, or exult, over the losers, but he
may justifiably wear a triumphant smile,
that is, one showing triumph.

From L triump(h)us triumphal procession.
SYN. : n. Conquest, elation, jubilation, success,
victory, v. Exult. Rlorv, rejoice

Triumph. — A triumphal arch, one of many com-
memorating the military triumphs of Roman
emperors and generals.

triumvir (tri um' vir), n. In ancient
Rome, any one of three men united in office,
especially a member of the First or Second
Triumvirate, pi. triumvirs (tri um' verz)
and triumviri (tri um' vi rl). (F. triumvir.)

The triumvirs of ancient Rome were
members of a commission of three,
called a triumvirate (tri um' vi rat, n.),
charged with some special duty. The
founding of colonies and the coining of
money are examples of triumviral (tri um'
vi ral, adj.) work." Two triumvirates are
of outstanding importance in Roman history.
The First Triumvirate was an unofficial
combination due to a coalition between
Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Crassus, in the
year 60 B.C. The Second Triumvirate, the
more famous, was that of Mark Antony,

4366

TRIUNE

TROGrON

Octavian, and Lepidus, in 43 B.C. Their
work was to restore the Republic. The
office of a triumvir is also known as his
triumvirate, as is also any set or party of
three important persons or, less often, things.
L., from trium gen. of tres three, and vir man.

Triumvir. — Rom
wards Augustus

n triumvirs : Mark An'.ony, Octavian (after-
Caesar), and Lepidus, who formed the Second
Triumvirate.

triune (tri' un), adj. Three in one. (F.
trois en un.}

The Holy Trinity is sometimes called the
triune Godhead or the Triunity (tri ii' ni
ti, n.), which means trinity in unity.

From E. tri- and L. unus one.

trivalent (tri' va lent ; triv' a lent),
adj. Of elements, capable of combining
with or replacing three atoms of hydrogen,
or an equivalent element. (F. trivalent.)

From E. tri- and L. valens (ace. -ent-em) pres.
p. of valere to be strong, effective, valid.

et), n. A three-legged

Trivet. — A trivet or three-legged
stand.

trivet (triv '
stand used for
supporting cook-
ing utensils by
the fire ; a metal
bracket, hooking
on to the bars of
a grate, used for a
similar purpose.
(F. trepied, tri-
angle.}

A.-S. trefet, L.
tripes (ace. -ped-
em) tripod. See
tripod.

trivial (triv' i al), adj. Of little value
or importance ; trifling ; commonplace
(F. trivial, sans importance.)

The triviality (triv i al' i ti, n.), or trivial
quality, of much light literature makes it
unworthy of our attention. Many people
are too fond of trivialities, or trivial matters.
Anything of trivial character may be called
a triviality or a trivialism (triv' i al izm, n.).
It is distressing when people talk trivially
(triv' i al li, adv.), or in a trifling way, of
serious matters. The word trivialness (triv"
i al nes, n.) has the same meaning as triviality.

From L. trividlis, belonging to the cross-roads,
hence commonplace, ordinary, from trivium cross-
roads, highway, common thoroughfare, from
tres three, via way. SYN. : Commonplace, hum-
drum, inconsiderable, ordinary, trifling. ANT. :
Considerable, important, remarkable, valuable,
weighty.

trivium (triv' i um), n. In mediaeval
schools, the three primary liberal arts,
grammar, rhetoric, and logic, which were
mastered before the quadrivium. (F.
trivium.)

L.L., in classical L. cross-roads. See trivial.

trochaic (tro ka' ik). For
this word see under trochee.

troche (trosh ; trok ; troch ;
tro'ki),^. In medicine, a lozenge.
(F. pastille.}

From Gr. trokhiskos small wheel.
trochee (tro' ke), n. A
metrical foot of two syllables,
the first long or accented, and
the second short or unaccented.
(F. trochee.)

Longfellow's " Hiawatha " is
written in a trochaic (tro ka'
ik, adj.) metre, that is, one in
which the metrical feet are trochees. The
name forming the title of the poem is itself
trochaic or composed of trochees.

F. troches, Gr. trokhaios, from trekhein to run.
trochilus (trok' ilus), n. An Egyptian
bird described by the ancients as entering
the mouths of crocodiles in search of food.
(F. trochile.)

L., from Gr. trokhilos runner (trekhein to run),

trochlea (trok' le a), n. In anatomy,

a ring or hook of ligament, etc., through 01

over which a muscle or tendon slides, pi,

trochleae (trok' le e). (F. trochlee.}

A trochlear (trok' le ar, adj.} nerve 01
muscle is one connected with or working in
a trochlea.

L., from Gr. trokhilia pulley, from trekhein tc
run.

trochoid (trok' oid ; tro' koid), n.
In geometry, a curve traced by a point in
the plane of a curve or circle rolling upon
another curve or circle, adj. Of a curve,
generated thus ; in anatomy, rotating on its
own axis ; of shells, shaped like a top. (F,
trocho'ide, articulation trocho'ide.}

Trochoid or trochoidal (tro koi' dal, adj.]
curves are of great importance in the stud);
of the motions of waves. Cycloids and
epicycloids are forms of trochoids. Ir
anatomy, the joint between the first and
second bones at the top of the spine is
termed a trochoid joint. It is the pivot or
which the head is turned from side to side.
From Gr. trokhoeides wheel-like.
trod (trod). This is the past tense,
trodden the past participle, and trode the
archaic past tense, of tread. See tread.

troglodyte (trog' 16 dit), n. A cave-
dweller ; a cave-man ; a recluse. (F,
troglodyte.)

The prehistoric troglodytes or cave-
dwellers led a troglodytic (trog 16 dit' ik,
adj.} existence.

F., from L. troglodyta, Gr. troglodytes, irom
trogle cave, dyein to creep in.

trogon (tro' gon), n. A family ol
tropical and subtropical birds remarkable

4367

TROIKA

TROMPE

for the gorgeous colouring and the softness
of their plumage. (F. couroucou.)

Trogons are found in Central and South
America, southern Asia, and Africa. One
of the most beautiful is the quetzal, depicted
on the postage-stamps of Guatemala.

Modern L., from Gr. trogon, pres. p. of trogein
to gnaw.

troika (troi' ka), n. A Russian travel-
ling carriage or sledge drawn by three
horses harnessed abreast. (F. troika.}

Russian word.

m

Troika. — A Russian troika ; a vehicle drawn by a team of three
horses harnessed abreast.

Trojan (tro' jan), adj. Of or relating
to ancient Troy or the Trojans, n. An
inhabitant of ancient Troy ; a plucky or
determined worker or fighter. (F. troy en.}

Incidents in the legendary Trojan War,
waged between the Greeks under Agamem-
non against the Trojans for the recovery
of Helen, are described in the Iliad and
Aeneid. In these great epics the Trojans
appear as brave, patriotic and truthful men.
Nowadays a person is said to work like a
Trojan if he works with plenty of energy.

From L. Trojanus pertaining to Troy (Troja).

troll [i] (trol), v.t. To sing (a song)
loudly and carelessly ; to sing (the parts
of a catch or round) in succession ; to fish
(in water) with a spoon-bait, v.i. To fish
in this way ; to sing in a casual fashion.
(F. chanter en canon, Jeter I' amorce, faire
prendre I'amorce a.}

To troll the bowl is to pass a bowl or
drinking-cup from person to person, so
that each may drink from it in turn. A
troller (trol' er, n.} for fish draws the spoon-
bait at the end of his rod and line through
the water in order to make it spin.

M.E. trollen to roll ; cp. M.F. trailer, O.F. trauler
(F. trdler) to run to and fro, G. trollen to roll.

troll [2] (trol), n. In Scandinavian
mythology, a giant or giantess having
supernatural powers ; a dwarf living in
rocks and caverns-. (F. troll.)

O. Norse and Swed. ; cp. Dan. trold, Dutch
drol, G. droll.

troller (trol7 er). For this word see
under troll [ij.

trolley (trol' i), n. A low, four-
wheeled wagon or truck for carrying heavy
weights ; a costermonger's cart ; a hand-
cart ; a grooved wheel attached to an
arm for conveying electric current from
an overhead conductor. Another spelling
is trolly (trol' i). (F. camion, true, brancard,
trolley.}

Electric tram-cars working by the over-
head system have a trolley-pole (n.) on top.
This carries a trolley or trolley-wheel (n.)
at its upper end. The trolley keeps in
contact with the lower side of a
conducting wire running above
the track, and so supplies the
motor of the tram with driving
power. The trolley-system (n.),
as this method of picking up
electric power is called, is also
employed on many electric rail-
ways, where a trolley-bow (n.),
with a wide rubbing surface at
the top, is used in place of a
trolley-pole. In trolley-lace (n.),
or trolly-lace (n.), the pattern of
the lace is outlined with thick
thread, or a number of threads
combined, sewn on to the
foundation material.

Perhaps from troll [i] and -y.
trolly (trol ' i) . This is another
form of trolley. See trolley.
trombone (trom bon'), n. A large,
deep-toned, brass wind instrument with a
cylindrical sliding tube. (F. trombone.}

A player of the trombone is called a
trombonist (trom bon' ist, n.).

Ital., augmentative of tromba trumpet. See
trump [i].

Trombone. — A trombone, the notes of which are
varied in pitch by a sliding tube.

trommel (trom' el), n. In mining, a
revolving cylindrical sieve used for cleaning
ore and separating it into different sizes.
(F. trommel.)

G. = drum.

tromometer (tro mom' e ter), n. An
instrument for detecting and measuring
very slight earthquakes.

From Gr. tromos a quaking (from tremein to
tremble) and E. meter.

trompe (tromp), n. An apparatus
worked by a descending column of water,
for producing a blast in a furnace. (F.
trompe.}

A trompe is a tall upright tube with a
wide mouth, like a gigantic trumpet. Air
carried down by running water is compressed
in a chamber connected with the furnace.

F. = trumpet. See trump [i].

4368

TROOP

TROPIC

troop (troop), n. An assemblage of group of similar objects, or a representation

people or animals ; a crowd ; herd or flock ;
a company ; a band or company of per-

of this ; a shield, cup, or other token of
success, skill, etc., in athletic and other

formers ; a troupe ; in the British army, contests. (F. trophee.
a small cavalry unit forming part of a A tree or pillar hung with captured

squadron ; a drum signal for marching ; weapons was a common form of trophy

pi. soldiers, v.i. To assemble ; to come in ancient Greece. The trophies of a hunter

thronging (up, together, etc.) ; to move of big game would consist of mounted

(along, out, etc.) in a troop ; to hasten
(off, etc.). v.t. To form (cavalry) into
troops ; to receive (the King's colour) in
the military ceremony of mounting the
guard. (F. troupe, foule, troupes ; s'attrouper,
marcher en corps ; ranger par troupes.}

heads, tusks, or dressed skins, etc., of the
animals he had killed. Successful athletes
acquire challenge cups and other trophies.
An annual duty, called trophy money (n.}t
was once levied on each English county,
to supply the militia with drums, banners,

mm

People troop from all parts of London etc. A trophied (tro7 fid, adj.] wall is one

adorned with trophies. Flags are said to
be trophied when grouped together in an
ornamental design.

F. trophee, L. trop(h)aeum, Gr. tropaion, from
trepein to turn (hence, turn to flight, rout).
tropic ( trop ' ik) , n . Each of the parallels of
latitude about 23^ degrees
north and south of the
equator ; each of the cor-
responding parallels on the
celestial sphere at which
the sun appears to turn
at its greatest northing or
southing ; (pi.} the regions
of the torrid zone between
the tropic parallels, adj.
Of, pertaining to, or sug-
gesting the tropics. (F.
tropique.}

The northern tropic is
named the tropic of Cancer,
and the southern the
tropic of Capricorn. Each
year the siin appears to
travel northward from the
equator to the tropic of
Cancer, then southward
to the tropic of Capricorn.
The tropic zones are dis-
tinguished geographically
from the temperate zones
by their climate, vegeta-
tion, and fauna.
The name tropic-bird (n.) is given to anyone

to witness the ceremony called trooping
the colour, in which the colour is carried
between files of troops on the King's
birthday. A cavalry troop now consists
of about forty men, in the charge of a
subaltern. A troop-horse (n.) is a cavalry
horse, and a trooper (troop7
er, n.) a private in the
cavalry. A troop-ship
(n.}, or. ship carrying
troops across the sea, is
also called a trooper.

O.F. trope, of doubtful
origin. SYN. : n. Assem-
blage, company, crowd,
gathering, throng.

Tropaeolum (tro pe7
6 lum), n. A genus of
South American climbing
or trailing plants with
spurred flowers. (F.
tropeolee.}

Among the most popular
of garden tropaeolums
are the nasturtium and
the canary creeper.

Modern L. dim. of tropaeum,
Gr. tropaion trophy ; so
called by Linnaeus, because
the flower is like a helmet
and the leaf like a shield.
See trophy.

trope (trop), n. A
figurative use of a word or phrase. (F. trope.

Trophy. — The stuffed and mounted head
of an antelope, a trophy of the chase.

Examples of metonymy and metaphor of a group (Phaethon) of sea-birds resembling
are tropes in the strict sense, but the word and allied to the tern, common in tropical
now includes all striking figures of speech, (trop7 ik al, adj.} regions, that is, regions

such as antithesis, hyperbole, irony, etc.

F., from Gr. tropos turn, from trepein to turn.

trophic (trof7 ik), adj. In medicine,
of or concerned with nutrition. (F.

alimentaire.}

within the torrid zone. A tropical year is
a solar year. Tropical diseases (n.pl.) are
diseases common in hot countries, and due
to infection by parasites. They include
malaria, yellow fever, and blackwater fever.

From Gr. trophe nourishment (trephein to feed, Tropical language, however, is figurative

rear) and -ic.

trophy (tro7 fi), n. In ancient Greece,

language, consisting of tropes, or wordy
used tropically (trop7 ik al li, adv.}, that is.

a pile of arms, etc., taken from the enemy in the manner of tropes. Some biblical
and set up in a battle-field, etc., to com- scholars interpret the book of Genesis
memorate a victory ; in ancient Rome, a tropically or figuratively. In another sense
more permanent memorial of victory imitat- we may say that the sunshine pours down
ing this, decorated with the spoils of war ;
anything captured from the enemy or
taken in hunting, and preserved as a
memorial of victory, etc. ; an ornamental

tropically, or in a tropical manner, on a
hot summer day.

F. tropique, L.L. tropicum, from Gr. troptkos,
from trope solstice, from trepein to turn.

4369

TROP1NE

TROUGH

tropine (tro7 pin), n. An artificial alka- attached to the households of the great

loid, having the odour of tobacco, obtained
by decomposing atropine. (F. tropine.}

Arbitrarily formed from atropine.

tropology (tro pol7 6 ji), n. The use
of tropes or figures of speech ; the inter-
pretation of the Bible figuratively. (F.
tropologie.}

From trope and -logy.

troppo (trop' 6), adv.
In music, too much. (F.
trop.}

This musical term is
used chiefly in such a
phrase as allegro non
troppo, which means
" not too quick."

Ital.

trot (trot), v.i. Of a
horse, to move at a
steady, brisk pace, lift-
ing each front foot and
the rear foot on the oppo-
site side together ; to run
with short brisk strides.
v.t. To cause to trot ; to
cover (a distance, etc.)
by trotting. n. The
motion or practice of
trotting ; the sound of
a horse, etc., trotting ; a
brisk, steady move-
ment ; a child just able
to toddle. (F. trotter,
trottincr ; mener an trot; trot.}

Troubadour. — A man in fancy dress mas-
querading as a troubadour.

feudal lords. The language in which their

lyrics were written and sung was the langue

d'oc or Proven9al.

F., from Prov. trobador, agent n. from trobar

(F. trouver] to find, invent. SYN. : Minstrel.
trouble (triib' 1), v.t. To disturb or
annoy ; to afflict ; to
distress ; to incon-
venience ; to put to
some exertion, v.i. To
take pains or exert
oneself (to do some-
thing) ; to be agitated
or disturbed, n. Afflic-
tion, worry; distress;
misfortune ; annoyance ;
inconvenience ; labour ;
an ailment. (F. troubler,
ennuyer, deranger;
peiner ; se donner de la
peine ; peine.)

Quite a number of
proverbs and Biblical
passages refer to
troubles and ways of
bearing them. One
proverb says that
troubles never come
singly ; in Job (v, 7)
we are told that "man
is born unto trouble
as the sparks fly up-
ward."
Times of difficulty and disorder are des-

In a fast trot the horse lifts its fore feet cribed as troublous (triib ' lus, adj.) times.
slightly before the diagonal hind legs, and This word is more or less archaic, although

'

during each stride its body is twice un-
supported. In the form of horse-racing

poets sometimes write of troublous, that
is, tempestuous or stormy, seas and clouds.

called trotting (trot' ing, n.), each trotter A troublesome (trub7 1 sum, adj.) person
(trot7 er, n.), or horse that trots, is driven is one who gives us trouble. A cough or

in a light vehicle called a sulky. Two types
of American carriage-horse arc known as
trotters, one a light hunter, the other a
speedier animal with greater pulling power
and resembling a hackney.

Pig's or sheep's trotters are the feet of
these animals, cooked as food.

F. trotter, perhaps Teut. ; cp. tread. SYN. :
v. and n. Jog, run.

troth (troth), n. Faith; truth. (F.
foi, fidelite.)

In former times when people were be-
trothed they were said to plight their troth,
that is, solemnly to swear faith and fidelity
to each other. The word is now archaic.
The phrase " in troth " means " in truth " or
" on my word."

Old variant of E. truth.

troubadour (troo7 ba door), n. One

similar trouble can be troublesome or
bothering. Both have the quality of
troublesomeness (trub7 1 sum nes, n.), that
is, vexatiousness. When children behave
troublesomely (trub7 1 sum li, adv.), or in a
way that causes annoyance, they are
reprimanded.

O.F. trubler, turbler, assumed L.L. turbu-
lare, v. from assumed turbulus = L. turbidus
turbid. See turbid. SYN. : v. Afflict, agitate,
distress, incommode, vex. n. Annoyance, em-
barrassment, perplexity, vexation, worry.

trough (trof ; trawf), n. An oblong
open receptacle for holding water or food
for animals, for kneading dough, or for
washing ore, etc. ; a wooden or other
artificial channel for conveying liquid ; a
long basin-shaped depression or hollow in
the ground, etc. ; a hollow between two

of the class of lyric poets that sprang up waves ; in meteorology, a narrow area of

in Provence in the eleventh century ; a
wandering minstrel ; a jongleur. (F.
troubadour.)

The troubadours flourished between the
eleventh and thirteenth centuries. Many of
them led a wandering life, travelling into
Spain and Italy, and often becoming

low barometric pressure between two regions
of higher pressure. (F. auge, huche, lame.)

A baker kneads dough in a wooden trough.
Drinking-troughs for animals are provided
in the streets of many towns.

A.-S. trog, from tree. See tray, trug. SYN. :
Channel, conduit, depression, gutter, hollow.

4370

TROUNCE

TRUANT

trounce (trouns), v.t. To beat severely;
to censure. (F. rosser, Driller.)

When a person trounces another he gives
him a trouncing (trouns' ing, n.}, that is,
a severe beating or thrashing, or if the word
is used figuratively, a serious scolding.

From O.F Irons truncheon ; akin to trunk
SYN. : Belabour, castigate, cudgel, flog, thrash.

troupe (troop), n. A company of actors,
acrobats, dancers, etc. (F. troupe.}

F. = troop. See troop.

trousers (trou' zerz), n.pl. A two-
legged outer- garment reaching from the
waist to the ankles, worn by men and boys ;
a similar garment worn by both sexes" in
the East. (F. pantalon.)

Trousers are stretched and creased in
a device called a trouser-press (n.). In the
East women are trousered (trou' zerd, adj.),
or dressed in trousers. Cloth used for
making trousers is known as trousering
(trou' zer ing, n.).

The r is a modern intrusion ; the older form
is trouses, from Irish or Gaelic triubhas, sing. ; cp.
trews. F. trousses trunk-hose is later than E.

trousseau (troo' so ; troo so'), n. A
bride's outfit of clothes and sometimes
house-linen, etc. pi. trousseaux (troo' so;
troo so'; troo'soz; troosoz'). (F. trousseau.}

F. dini. of trousse bundle. See truss.

trout (trout), n. A freshwater game-
fish, Salmo fario, allied to, but smaller
than, the salmon, v.i. To fish for trout.
(F. truite ; pecker la truite.)

The trout has a blunt, conical snout and
a rather short body averaging a foot in
length. Its colour is dull white below and
brownish green above, dotted with black
spots. Hence, white horses speckled with
black, bay, or sorrel, are said to be trout-
coloured (adj.}. A tiny trout is called a
troutlet (trout' let, n.) or troutling (trout7
ling, n.}. A trout-stream (n.}, a running,
clear stream frequented by trout, is said to
be trouty (trout' i, adj.} if it abounds with
these fish.

A.-S. truht, L. tructa, Gr. troktes (literally
nibbler, Vom trdgein to gnaw) trout.

Trout. — The trout, a freshwater fish which is allied
to the salmon.

trouvere (troo var'), n. One of the
class of epic poets of northern France at the
time of the troubadours, composing narrative
poems in Old French. (F. trouvere.}

F. form (from trouver to find, invent) of Prov.
troubadour. See troubadour.

trove (trov). For this word see under
treasure.

O.F. trove, p.p. of trover. See trover.

trover (tro' ver), n. In law, an action
for the recovery of personal property, or
its value, wrongly converted by another
to his own use ; the act of finding and
taking possession of any personal property.
(F. restitution de chose frouv^e.)

O.F. (tro(u)ver) to find, perhaps L. turbdre to
disturb, rummage.

trow (tro ; trou), v.t. To think ; to
have confidence in ; to believe. (F. penser,
croire.}

This word is archaic.

A.-S. truwian, akin to treowe true.

Trowel. — A tile-setter's trowel (1), cove trowel (2),

garden trowel (3), bricklayer's trowel (4), plasterer's

trowel (5), and trowel for pointing (6).

trowel (trou' el), n. A tool having a
wide flat steel blade, set in a handle, used
by masons, etc., for spreading and dressing
mortar, etc. ; a scoop-shaped gardening
tool for digging up plants and making
holes in the ground, v.t. To apply or spread
with a trowel. (F. truelle.}

When one person flatters another grossly
he is said, colloquially, to lay it — the flattery
— on with a trowel.

M.E. truel, F. truelle, L.L. truella, dim. of L.
trua skimmer, ladle.

troy (troi), n. A system of weights
used for weighing precious metals and
gems. (F. troy.}

The units in troy or troy weight (n.} are
grains, pennyweights, ounces and pounds ;
24 grains make a pennyweight, 20 penny-
weights an ounce, 12 ounces a pound troy.

Said to be named after Troyes in Champagne,
as having been used at the annual local fair.

truant (troo' ant), adj. Shirking;
idle ; loitering ; wandering, n. One who
shirks or neglects business or duty, especially
a child who stays away from school without
leave, v.i. To stay away from school
without leave. (F. faineant; vagabond;
jaire I'ecole buissonniere.}

When we find ourselves day-dreaming,
we hurriedly collect our truant thoughts
and concentrate on the business we are
neglecting. A truantly (troo' ant li, adv.)
disposed child is one liable to play truant,
or stay away from school as a truant, an
action or practice known as truancy (troo'
an si, n.}. A truant-school (n.} is an

4371

TRUCE

TRUCULENT

Industrial school to which truants and others
may be sent by a magistrate's order.

O.F. truant a sturdy beggar, tramp ; pro-
bably Celtic, cp. We'sh truan wretched. SYN. :
adj. Idle, lazy, shirking, straying, wandering.

truce (troos), n. A temporary stoppage
of warfare by agreement between the com-
batants, usually for a definite period. (F.
trSve.)

A white flag, called a flag of truce, is
carried by a party of soldiers sent to parley
with an enemy. In the Middle Ages hostili-
ties were prohibited by the Church during
certain days and seasons, as from Thursday
to Sunday evening, and during Advent
and Lent. This suspension of warfare,
known as the truce of God (n.), was widely
observed in Europe during the eleventh
century. A truceless (troos' les, adj.) war
is one without truce or respite.

M.E. triwes, pi., from A.-S. treow pact ; akin
to true. SYN. : Armistice, cessation, inter-
m.ss on, respite.

truck [i] (truk), v.t. To exchange (an
article for another, etc.) ; to barter ; to hawk
(goods) about, v.i. To make an exchange ;
to barter ; to trade ; to bargain (with or
for), n. Barter ; exchange of goods ; small
wares, regarded as suitable for barter ;
traffic ; dealings ; the truck system. (F.
troquer ; troc, echange.)

When we exchange goods for goods or
goods for service we truck, and the exchange
itself is known as truck. In England many
employers formerly paid their workmen in
goods instead of in money. The goods were
distributed at a truck shop (n.) owned by
the employers, and were usually of very
poor quality. The many evils of this system,
which is called the truck system (n.), led
to its abolition in
England by the Truck
Acts (n.pl.), passed by
Parliament in 1831,
1887, and 1896. The
workers in some other
countries still surfer
from the evils of truck.

From O.F. troquer to
barter SYN.: v. Barter,
exchange, trade.

truck [2] (truk), *?.
A strong four- or six-
wheeled vehicle for
carrying heavy goods ;
an open railway-
wagon ; a porter's
luggage barrow ; a
small handcart ; a
bogie on a locomo-
tive or railway vehicle ;

-A email wnnHpn rlidk
a Small WOC

on the top of a mast

with holes for the halyards, v.t. To carry
on a truck. (F. wagon a marchandises,
camion, diable, bogie; voider.}

In Britain railway trucks are usually
four-wheeled, but trucks intended to carry
very heavy loads must have a four-wheeled

truck or bogie at each end, to distribute
the weight over more axles. Most pas-
senger coaches have two trucks, each with
four wheels. The cross-beam of a bogie
truck which carries the weight of the car-
riage is called a truck -bolster (n.). Con-
veyance by a truck
or trucks, and also a '
charge made for this,
are termed truckage
(truk' ij, n.).

Originally a small
solid wheel, as of a
gun-carriage, either L.
trochus, Gr. trokhos
wheel, from trekhein to
run, or shortened from
truckle in the old sense

of roller or caster,
truckle.

See

Truck. — The truck or cap

•at a mast-head.

BHB

truckle (truk' 1),
v.i. To cringe or

act servilely (to) ; to submit timidly or
from unworthy motives ; to yield obse-
quiously to the will of another, n. A
truckle-bed. (F. s'abaisser, se soumettre ;
roulette.}

In olden times a servant often slept in
his master's bedroom on a truckle-bed
(n.), or trundle-bed. This was a low bed
which could be pushed under a larger one
when not in use. Formerly a person
sleeping in such a bed was said to truckle
under someone sleeping in a high bed in
the same room. So when a man yielded
obsequiously to a more important person
he was said to truckle to him. The word
is now used only in this figurative sense.
Pecksniff in Dickens's " Martin Chuzzlewit,"
is a typical truckler
(truk' ler, n.), or a
person who truckles
for his own ends.

V. from n., Origin-
ally a pulley, roller, or
castor, then a small
bed fitted with castors ;
from L. trochlea, Gr.
trokhilia a pulley, from
trokhos wheel. See truck
[2]. SYN. : v. Cringe,
fawn.

truculent (truk' u
lent ; troo' ku lent),
adj. Fierce ; ferocious ;
savage. (F. feroce,
barbare.)

We say that a per-
son who is violent and
overbearing in manner
behaves in a truculent
way, or truculently

(truk' u lent li ; troo' ku lent li, adv.).
Another may adopt a truculent attitude
when being rebuked, or found fault with
for some error. Fierceness or savageness
in speech, conduct or character, is described
as truculence (truk'u lens ; troo' ku lens, n.)
4372

Truck.— Miners pushing cut a loaded truck from
the gaHery of an underground quarry.

TRUDGE

TRUMP

or truculency (truk' u len si ; troo' ku len si,

"1

savage,
violent.

truculentus harsh, grim ; from trux fierce,
SYN. : Bellicose, ferocious, pugnacious,
ANT. : Complaisant, inoffensive, mild,
peaceable, suave.

trudge (truj), v.i. To travel on foot,
usually with the suggestion of reluctance,
weariness, etc. v.t. To travel over (a
stated distance) thus ; to perform (a journey)
thus. n. A slow, heavy, fatigued walk
or tread. (F. marcher peniblement ; ptttine-
ment.)

Possibly obsolete F. trucker to beg idly ; cp.
M. Dutch truggelen to go begging, West
Flem. troggelen to walk with diffi-
culty. SYN. : v. Plod, tramp, n.
Tramp.

true (troo), adj. In accord-
ance with fact, reason, or
reality ; conforming to right
principles or to an accepted
standard ; correct ; accurate ;
genuine ; faithful ; straight ;
level ; of the voice, in perfect
tune. v.t. To make straight,
level, or of the required shape ;
to adjust, adv. Truly. (F. vrai,
veridique, exacte, authentique,
loyal, droit, uni ; ajuster, niveler ;
vraiment.)

A true statement sets out
the truth, as opposed to a false
one, which perverts it. A wall
is not true unless it is square
and upright ; a wheel runs
true on its shaft if it does not wabble. A
joiner trues wood with a plane, which is
trued, or correctly adjusted before being
used.

When a person is charged with a crime
he cannot be tried till a grand jury has
considered the evidence and endorsed the
bill of indictment, or found a true bill (n.).
In an extended sense, any true charge
may be called a true bill. A person is said
to be true blue (adj.) or is described as a
true blue (n.) if he is thoroughly constant
or loyal to some cause (see under blue) .

A true-born (adj.) Briton is one who is
entirely British by descent ; a true-bred
(adj.) animal is one of good or genuine
breed. The true-hearted (adj.) or loyal
person is to be trusted, and should be
respected for his true-heartedness («.),
which means his loyalty or sincerity.

A person greatly loved and loving is the
true-love (n.) of the person giving and
receiving the affection. The word generally
denotes a sweetheart. A certain complicated
form of knot, strictly a double knot with
two interlacing bows on each side and two
ends, is called a true-love knot (n.) or true-
lover's knot (n.) because it is difficult to
untie, and so is a symbol of lasting affection.
We mean by trueness (troo' nes, n.) the
state or quality of being true in any sense
of that word.

A.-S. treowe ; cp. Dutch trouw, G. treu,
O. Norse tryggi. See trow, truce, SYN. : adj.
Accurate, correct, loyal, real, sincere. ANT. :
adj. Disloyal, false, incorrect, spurious, untrue.

truffle (truf 1), n. An edible fleshy
fungus, growing underground. (F. truffe.)

The common English truffle (Tuber
aestivum) is used for seasoning dishes.
Truffles grow in woody places, just beneath
the surface of the soil and, as no trace of
them shows above ground, pigs and dogs
are trained to find them by scent. A dog
employed thus is called a truffle-dog (n.).

O.F. trufle, probably L. tubera (pi.) knobs,
rounded roots, truffles. See tuber.

Truffle.— A pig trained to hunt for truffles in the woods of

Perigord, France, where these subterranean fungi are very plentiful.

Inset is a truffle.

trug (trug), n. A shallow basket, made
of strips of wood, used for carrying vege-
tables, etc. (F. panier.)

Probably a variant of trough.

truism (troo' izm), n. A self-evident
truth ; a statement that is obviously true ;
a platitude. (F. verite evidente, verite banale.)

The statement that man cannot live
without air, is a truism, or truistic (troo is'
tik, adj.) statement.

From E. true and -ism. SYN. : Platitude.

truly (troo' li), adv. Genuinely ; in
accordance with truth ; accurately ; in
reality ; faithfully or honestly ; sincerely.
(F. vraiment, actuellement, loyalement.)

A loyal and honest employee serves his
master truly. The formulas " yours truly "
and " yours very truly " are often used at
the end of business letters, where the words
are employed only in a polite manner, and
are not meant to be taken literally.

A.-S. treowllce ; true and -ly. SYN. : Accur-
ately, honestly, loyally, sincerely, truthfully.
ANT. : Dishonestly, disloyally, falsely, in-
accurately, untruthfully.

trump [i] (trump), n. A trumpet.
(F. trompette.)

This old word is used in poetry and
poetical prose. The trumpet to be sounded
on the Day of Judgment is sometimes called
the last trump, or the trump of doom.

To trump up (v.t.) a story or a charge
against a person is to fabricate it, or concoct

4373

TRUMP

TRUNCATE

it falsely. Shallow, worthless argument is
sometimes described as mere trumpery
(trump' er i, n.), a word also denoting
worthless finery. A trumpery (adj.) article
is one that is showy but rubbishy.

F. trompe, O.H.G. trumpa, probably of Slav,
o.igin; cp. Rus. truba. Trumpery and perhapi
trump up are from F. tromper deceive, properly
to blow a trumpet, but some derive trump up
from trump [2].

trump [2] (trump), n. Any playing
card in a suit that is temporarily given a
higher value for the purpose of a game ;
a generous or admirable person ; a good
fellow, v.t. To beat (another card) with a
trump, v.i. To play a trump. (F. atout ;
faire atout.}

Trumps or trump-cards (n.pl.), as they
are called, play a dominant part in various
card games. In whist, a card called the
trump-card is turned up to show which
suit shall be trumps. In bridge, the players
decide by bidding which shall be the trump
suit, or if there shall be no trumps. Every
card in the suit that is trumps is considered of
higher value than any card in the other
suits. For instance a two of trumps beats
an ace or king that is not a trump, and so
trumps the latter card. A trump-card is
a good card to have, and so people say,
colloquially, that a person who pleases
them in some way is a trump.

Formerly triumph, which was also the name of a
card1 game. See triumph.

Trumpet. — A modern trumpet, a brass wind-
instrument having a brilliant and penetrating tone.

trumpet (trum' pet), n. A musical
wind instrument, consisting in its modern
form of a long straight or coiled tube of
brass with a bell-shaped mouth and a cup-
shaped mouth-piece ; an ear-trumpet ; any-
thing shaped like a trumpet ; a reed stop
on the organ giving trumpet-like sounds.
v.t. To proclaim by the sound of a trumpet;
to announce loudly, as if by a trumpet.
v.i. To play on a trumpet ; of elephants,
etc., to make a trumpeting sound. (F. trom-
pette, cornet acoustique ; sonner, prodamer ;
sonner de la trompette, bareter.)

The tubing of the trumpet is cylindrical
for the greater part of its length. This gives
it a brilliant and penetrating tone, which
is quite different from the softer and broader
tone of the horn, an instrument having a
conical tube. The modern orchestral trum-
pet is fitted with valves or pistons, which
enable chromatic notes to be played as well
as the natural harmonics of the tube.

The Jews celebrate the beginning of a
New Year with the Feast of Trumpets, as

described in Leviticus (xxiii, 24). The
names trumpet-conch (n.) and trumpet-
shell (n.) are given to the Triton, a large
shell-fish, whose shell was used by the
ancients as a horn or trumpet. The trumpet-
fish (n.) — Centriscus scolopax — is so named
from its long tubular snout.

Trumpeter. — The trumpeter of ths American Legion
sounding the Last Post at the London Cenotaph.

Several plants with flowers shaped like
trumpets are given the popular name of
trumpet- flower (n.}, especially the trumpet-
creeper (n.) — Tecoma radicans — a woody
vine which bears large red flowers and
grows in the southern States of the U.S.A.
The trumpet-tree (n.) — Cecropia peltata — of
Central America has hollow stems which
are used for making musical instruments.

The trumpet-major (n.) of a cavalry
regiment is its senior trumpeter (trum'
pet er, n.), or player of the trumpet.
A call made by sounding a trumpet or
trumpets is a trumpet-call (n.). In a figura-
tive sense this word denotes any stirring
or imperative call to action. The popular
name of trumpeter is given to a kind of
domestic pigeon having a long deep coo ; also
to a North American swan, and a crane-like
South American bird (Psophia), both of
which utter trumpeting calls.

F. trompette, dim. of trompe. See trump [i].

truncal (trungk' al). For this word see
under trunk.

truncate (trung' kat), v.t. To cut the
top or end from. adj. Having the top
or end cut off or apparently cut off. (F.
tronquer ; tronque. )

When we truncate a cone we produce a
truncate cone. Its top surface is generally
parallel with its base. Some leaves are
truncately (triing' kat li, adv.] formed ; their
tips appear to have been cut off trans-
versely. A quotation not given in full is
truncated. In crystallography truncation
(trung ka' shim, n.} is the replacing of an
edge by a plane surface.

L. truncdtus, p.p. of truncdre to cut short,
maim, from truncus trunk. See trunk.

4374

TRUNCHEON

TRUSS

truncheon (trim' shun ; trim' chun),
n. A short club or cudgel, especially that
of a policeman ; a staff of authority, especi-
ally an heraldic baton, v.t. To beat with a
truncheon. (F. massue, masse, baton;
bdtonner.)

In heraldry, the staff of authority of an
Earl Marshal is termed a truncheon.

O. Northern F. tronchon (F. trongori) stump,
dim. of tronc trunk.

trundle (trim' dl), n. A small broad
wheel, such as a castor ; a trundle-wheel ;
a truck ; a truckle-bed, v.t. To roll (a
hoop, etc.). v.i. Of a hoop, etc., to roll
(along). (F. roulette, tabouret, camion; rouler.)

The old-fashioned truckle-bed, also called
a trundle or trundle-bed (n.), was trundled
under an ordinary bed when not in use.
It ran on trundles or castors. A porter
may be said to trundle his luggage truck
along, and the truck itself to trundle along.

Some capstans on sailing ships had double
drums, into which the levers for turning
were fixed, and could be worked from both
an upper and a lower deck. The lower of
the drum-heads was called the trundle-
head (n.). A small trundle- wheel (n.) or
lantern- wheel is used in some clocks by clock-
makers. It consists of two circular plates
joined by equally spaced bars or spindles,
which engage the teeth of an ordinary cog-
wheel.

O.F. trondeler, from Low G. trondeln, akin to
E. trend.

trunk (trungk), n. The main stem of
a tree, opposed to the branches and roots ;
the body of an animal, apart from the
head, limbs, and tail ; the main part of any
structure ; a trunk-line ; the shaft of a
column ; a box with a hinged lid for contain-
ing clothes when travelling ; a ventilating
shaft ; a conduit or trough for separating
ores, etc. ; the proboscis of an elephant
or insect ; a hollow piston inside which a
connecting-rod works ; (pi.} trunk-hose. (F.
tronc, torse, malle, trompe.)

Men's outfitters sometimes describe short
pants or drawers covering the lower part
of the trunk and reaching to the knees as
trunk-drawers (n.pl.). In the sixteenth
and seventeenth centuries trunks or trunk-
hose (n.pl.) were worn by men. These
were breeches reaching from the waist to
the middle of the thighs. They were some-
times extremely baggy and were adorned
with slashes at the sides.

A trunk-line (n.) of a railway or canal
is a main line, as opposed to its branch lines.
A telephone subscriber makes a trunk-call
(n.) when he has to be connected through
to another district on a trunk-line or main
telephone line. A trunk-call is distinguished
from a local call, which is one to a place
situated within a certain restricted radius of
the local telephone exchange.

Some people will not travel without
taking with them a trunkful (trungk' nil, n.)
of clothes, that is, as many as a trunk will

hold. Others are content to travel trunk-
less (trungk ' les adj.), or without trunks,
carrying necessities in a suit-case. The
trunkless heads of criminals, that is, heads
without bodies, were once exhibited on
London Bridge as a warning to travellers
entering the city. The word truncal (trungk '
al, adj.) means affecting or situated in the
trunk, or relating to the trunk of a body
or tree.

O.F. tronc, L. truncus truncated, lopped.

1

Trunk. — The head of a Ceylon elephant with the
mouth open and the trunk 'raised.

trunnion (trim' yon), n. One of the
two cylindrical projections on each side of a
cannon, etc.; a hollow gudgeon on the cylinder
of some oscillating steam-engines through
which steam passes. (F. tourUlon.)

A gun is secured to its carriage by its
trunnions, which allow it to be pointed up
or down. Large telescopes, Bessemer con-
verters, and many other heavy objects which
have to be tilted are trunnioned (trim' yond,
adj.), that is, provided with trunnions.

F. trognon, dim. of tronc stump. See trunk.

truss (trus), v.t.
To support or brace
with a truss ; to
fasten ; to fasten
the legs and wings of
(a fowl) for cooking.
n. A wood or metal
structure supporting
or strengthening a
roof, bridge, etc. ; a
large corbel ; a loop
or ring far securing a
yard to its mast ; a
surgical appliance to
give support to a
ruptured part; a com-
pact terminal flower-
cluster ; a bundle of old hay (56 Ib), or new
hay (60 Ib.) ; a bundle of straw weighing 36
Ib. (F. Her, serrer, trousser ; nceud, drosse,
bandage, botte.)

Trunnion. — A gun resting
on the trunnions of a gun-
carriage.

4375

TRUST

TRY

Fowls are trussed for cooking by tying
and skewering the legs and wings. To

adj.) or trustworthy (trust' wer th\, adj.)
person is one of known integrity, whose

truss up a man is to tie him up so that he trustiness (trust' i nes, n.) has been proved
cannot move, or to bind him. A kind of and who will act trustily (trust' i li, adv.).
roof-truss in common use consists of a With such people we are trustful (trust' ful,
pair of rafters with a tie-beam, king-post, adj } and we show our trustfulness (trflst/
and struts. A truss-beam (n.) is a beam ful n6s M>) by acti and placing confidence
stiffened or ^strengthened^ by^tie-jods^or m them an(f dealing trustfully (trust' ful li,

adv.) with them. One who trusts is a
truster (trust' er, n.). A person who cannot
be trusted is trustless (trust' les, adj.), and
his trustlessness (trust' les nes, n.) prevents
others from confiding in him. Trustable
(trust' abl, adj.) means fit or able to be
trusted. Property may be handed over to
(trus te', n.) to hold in trust for

(n.) is one sup-
ported by or formed of trusses.

O.F trosser, trusser, perhaps from L. thyrsus
stalk. See thyrsus. SYN : v. Brace, fasten,
support, tie.

trust (trust), n. Firm reliance on or
belief in the honesty, integrity, veracity,
strength or justice of a person or thing ;
expectation (that) ; confidence ; a person or
thing in whom confidence is reposed ; reliance
on the veracity of a statement, etc., without
verification ; commercial credit ; in law, con
fidence placed in one who holds property as
nominal owner for the benefit of another ;
the former's right or title to such property ;
the property thus held ; the legal relation

the benefit of another. Such a trust is
created by a trust deed (n.), in which the
terms of the trusteeship (trus te' ship, n.)
are set out.

A trustee-stock (n.) is any one of certain
specified securities in which a trustee may
invest funds entrusted to him without being

of the holder to such property ; something responsible for losses due to a fall in the
placed in one's care or charge ; the obligation price of the stocks,
involved ; a body of trustees ; a combination
of several companies or businesses under
central control for the purpose of defeating
competition, etc. v.t. To place confidence in ;
to rely on ; to believe in ; to expect confi-
dently ; to leave in the charge (of a person) ;
to give credit to. v.i. To have confidence ;
to hope. (F. confiance, credit, fideicommis,
syndicat; se fier d. s'attendre. a confier ;
aj outer foi a.)

Trust.— A deerhound discharging its trust by tending the cradle.
Stalker's Cottage," by Scott Rankin.

From the painting, "The

Commercial credit is founded upon trust,
or the expectation that the persons trusted
with goods or credit will meet their obliga-
tions at the due time. We trust people of
whose honesty and trustworthiness (trust'
wer th\ nes, n.) we are convinced, expecting
confidently — or trusting — that our trust will
not be abused, and believing that we may

M.E. trust, O. Norse >raust ; cp. G. trost,
Dan. and Swed. trost comfort. SYN. : n. Con-
fidence, credit, faith, reliance, v. Believe,
confide, entrust. ANT. : n. Distrust, suspicion.
v.t. Distrust.

truth (trooth), n. The state or quality
of being true, or accurate, or honest ; the
state or quality of being accurately or
correctly shaped or adjusted ; that which
•;s true : a fact ; loyalty ; honesty ; con-
stancy. (F. vtrite, fait, loyaute,
droiture.)

A boy who tells the truth
is truthful (trooth' ful, adj.}.
He is a truth-teller (n.) because
he speaks honestly and truth-
fully (trooth' ful li, adv.). A
reputation for truthfulness
(trooth' ful nes, n.) is one to
be prized. A truthless (trooth'
les, adj.) person ultimately finds
that few will trust or believe
him. One result of habitual
truthlessness (trooth' les nes,
n.) is that even when a liar
speaks with truth- he is liable
to be disbelieved. •

A.-S. trlowth, from true. SYN. :
Candour, frankness, probity,
sincerity, veracity. ANT. : Decep-
tion, falsehood, guile, mendacity,
untruth.

try (tri), v.t. To test; to test or deter-
mine the quality of by experiment, examina-
tion, or comparison ; to give a trial to ;
to find out by experiment ; to attempt ;
to subject to hardship or suffering for or as
if for a test ; to strain ; to examine before
a judge or magistrate ; to subject to such
an examination or trial ; to settle by a

deal trustingly (trust' ing li, adv.) with them trial, experiment, or examination ; to smooth
without suffering harm. A trusty (trust' i, or dress (a board) with a trying-plane ; to

4376

TRYMA

TUB

purify ; to refine (metals), v.i. To en-
deavour, p.t. and p.p. tried (trid). n. An
attempt ; a test ; in Rugby football, the
act of touching down the ball behind the
opponent's in-goal, which gives the right
to try for a goal. (F. essayer, mettre a
I'epreuve, tdcher, eprouver, juger.faire I'essai
de ; essai, tentative.}

Misfortune and failure try those who

made is the trysting-day (n.) and the place
agreed on is the trysting-place (w.).

From O.F. trist(r)e watching post for hunts-
men, possibly of Scand. origin ; akin to E. trust.
SYN. : n. Appointment, assignation, rendezvous.

tsar (tsar), n. The title of the former
Emperors of Russia. Another spelling is
czar (zar). (F. tsar, czar.}

In March 1917 the last of the Tsars,

meet with them, but if one tries hard, and Nicholas II, was forced to abdicate by the

perseveres, most difficulties can be over
come. A prisoner is tried when he comes

revolutionaries, and was kept captive for
many months, at Tsarskoye Selo, at Tobolsk,

up for trial, and his case is investigated or and at Ekaterinburg. On July i6th, 1918, the
tried. We try on clothes and shoes, that Tsar and his wife, the Tsarina (tsar e" na, n.}
is, test their fit, before buying them. A or Tsaritza (tsar it' sa, n.}, together with
player in Rugby football who first places members of their family, were put to death
his hand on the ball, while on the ground,
in the opponent's in-goal gains a try. He
scores three points, and may ,
carry the ball in front of the
goal and try to kick a goal.

A trysail (trr sal ; tri' si,
n.) is a small fore-and-aft sail
set 011 a gaff attached to the
rear of the fore- or mainmast
of a square-rigged ship, or
having a small separate mast.
A person or thing that may be
tried is triable (tri7 abl, adj.).

The square with a wooden
stock and steel blade at right
angles to it used by car-
penters is called a try-square
(n.). Its purpose is to test
whether lines or edges are
square. The plane called a
trying-plane (n.) is used by
carpenters to plane a surface
level.

From F. trier, L.L. trltdre to
wear down, from trltus p.p. of
terere to rub. SYN. : v. At-
tempt, decide, examine, purify,
test.

tryma (tri' ma), n. A
drupe, usually two-celled,
with an outer covering which
separates and falls away.
(tri7 md ta). (F. drupe a deux cellules.

Gr. tryma hole, from tyyein to wear out.

pi.

by revolutionary soldiers.

The son of a tsar was formerly called the
_.. , tsarevich (tsar7 e vich, n.}
| or tsarevitch (tsar7 e vich,
n.), and the daughter of a
tsar the tsarevna (tsar ev'
na, n.}. In later times the
heir to the throne bore the
title of tsesarevich (tse sar7
e vich, n.}. This word is
often spelt cesarevich. .

Rus. tsari from L. Caesar ;
cp. G. Kaiser.

tsetse (tsef si; set7 si), n. A
blood-sucking South African
fly of the genus Glossina,
which transmits parasites
causing a disease fatal • to
domestic animals. (F.
tse-tse.}

South African word.

tuatara (too a ta7ra), n. A
lizard-like reptile (Sphenodon
punctaium} found in New
Zealand. Another spelling
is tuatera (too a ta7 ra).'

Maori, from tua on the
back, tara spine.

tub (tub), n. An open,
usually round, vessel made

trymata of wooden staves held together by hoops,
used for washing, or to hold liquids, butter,
etc. ; a measure of capacity, the amount

Tsetse. — The head of the blood-
sucking tsetse, highly magnified.

in

trypograph. (tri7 po graf), n. A stencil that a tub contains ; a small cask ; a
made by placing a sheet of prepared paper sponge-bath ; a bath taken in a tub ;

over a roughened steel plate and writing —--•-- - •*—*-* ' *—- -^ +

on it with a hard point. (F. patron.}

A series of small holes is made wherever
the stylus touches the paper. The stencil
is stretched in a frame over a sheet of

mining, a bucket, box or truck to convey
ore, etc. ; a broad boat used for rowing
practice ; a slow clumsy boat. v.i. To
set in a tub ; to bathe in a tub ; to line (a
mine shaft) with tubbing, v.i. To take a

clean paper, and a trypographic (tri po bath in a tub ; to row in a tub. (F. cuve,
graf7 ik, adj.} copy is taken by passing an baquet, baril, tub; prendre un tub.}

inked roller over it.

From Gr. trypdn to bore, and E. -graph.

tryst (trist ; trist), n. An appointed
meeting; an appointment, v.t. To agree to

Clothing is washed and rinsed in a tub.
A tub of butter is a tubful (tub7 ful, n.}, as
much as the tub will hold.

A ranting preacher or a mob-orator is

meet; to appoint (a time or place) for sometimes called contemptuously a tub-

meeting. (F. rendez-vouz ; donner rendez
vous.

This is a word now used chiefly in poetical

thumper (n.). The tub-wheel (n.) is an old-
fashioned form of water-wheel, with spiral
floats, working horizontally. The name is

language. The day for "which a tryst is given also to a drum for washing skins.
_-. P«6 4377 i 07

TUBA

TUBEROSE

The tubbing (tub' ing, n.} of a mine shaft
is a lining of wood or metal to keep out
water or sand. A boat is tubbish (tub' ish,
adj.) or tubby (tub' i, adj.) if broad in the
beam and slow. A corpulent person is
sometimes described as tubby ; a tubby
violin is one that lacks resonance.

Cp. M. Dutch, Flem., Low G. tubbe. SYN. :
«. Bath, bucket, cask.

tuba (tu' ba), n. A deep-toned brass
wind-instrument with a wide bore, belonging
to the saxhorn family ; a powerful reed
organ -stop played with a high wind pressure ;
the straight trumpet of the ancient Romans.
pi. tubas (tu' baz), tubae (tu' be).

Ital. and L. tuba trumpet.

tube (tub), n. A long hollow cylinder,
especially for conveying or holding fluids,
etc. ; a collapsible vessel of thin soft metal
for holding pigments, tooth-paste, cosmetics,
etc. ; the main body of a wind-instrument ;
in anatomy, a hollow tube-shaped vessel
or organ ; a deep-level tubular electric
railway, v.t. To furnish or enclose with
tubes ; to put tubes in. (F. tube, canal, tuber.}

Glass tubes or tubing (tub' ing, n.} connect
the vessels the chemist uses in his laboratory,
and tubes with bulbs, coils, etc., are used
for special purposes. Metal tubes are made
from strips of metal bent into a cylindrical
form and welded along the seam ; or are
drawn seamless through a die, when they
are. called solid-drawn. The tubing of a
boiler is its tubes collectively, or the process
of furnishing it with tubes. The bronchial
tubes by means of their branchings connect
the windpipe with all parts of the lungs.

The London tube railways
(n.pl.), or " tubes," are so
named because they are
circular in section and are
lined with iron segments.
One of the most remarkable
is that forming part of the
London postal service. The
trains are driverless, being
controlled from switch-
cabins, and the average daily
load is 23,000 bags.

The tube-flower (n.) is an
East Indian shrub with long
tubular white flowers. Water
lying near the surface may
be tapped by a tube-well
(n.), which is a tube with
a pointed cap driven into
the ground. Water enters
the well through holes just
above the cap. Tubal (tu'
bal, adj.) means relating to
a tube or tubes.

F., from L. tubus pipe, tube.

tuber (tu' ber), n. A short thickened
part of an underground stem set with
modified buds ; a genus of underground
fungi, including the truffles ; in anatomy,

(F. tubercule,

by the

Tuber.— A tuber on
potato plant.

Tube. — The Crookes tube, a vacuum

tube invented by Sir William

Crookes (1832-1919).

SYN. : «. Pipe.

a swelling or prominence.
tuber o site.}

Tubers, such as those of the potato and
Jerusalem artichoke, are shortened shoots
with a thickened stem, developed below
the ground. The tuber generally has eyes
or buds from which
new individuals grow.
It must not be con-
fused with swollen
tuber-like or tuber-
ous (tii' ber us, adj.}
roots, such as those
of the dahlia, which,
like the tuber, con-
t ain a reser ve
supply of substances
needed
plant.

L. tuber swelling,
lump, truffle ; tu- as in
turner e to swell.

tubercle (tu' berkl), n. In anatomy,
a small rounded prominence ; a nodule ;
in pathology, a small granular nodule
formed in the substance of an organ ; a
small tuber; a warty excrescence. (F.
tubercule.}

The blunt rounded end of a bone, or the
projection to which a tendon or muscle is
attached is called a tubercle, a name applied
also to the small tubers on the underground
stems of some plants, and the little knots
or swellings on the roots of clover, peas,
beans, and other plants of the same family.
Tuberculate (tu ber' ku lat, adj.} means
characterized by or affected with tubercles.
A tuberculous (tu ber' ku lus, adj.} person
or animal is one affected
with the disease called tuber-
culosis (tu ber ku 16' sis,
n.), caused by the presence
of myriads of bacilli, which
cause little granular nodules,
or tubercles, to form in the
tissues. A preparation made
from the tubercle bacilli and
used to combat this disease
is called tuberculin (tu ber'
ku lin, n.}. Tubercular (tu
ber' ku lar, adj.) means
resembling a tubercle or
relating to tuberculosis.

F., from L. tuberculum dim. of
tuber.

tuberose (tu' ber 6s), adj.
Like or bearing tubers ; in
pathology, etc., affected
with or characterized by
tubers. n. A bulbous plant
with fragrant white flowers
(Polianthes tuberosa}. (F.
tubereux ; tuber euse.}
The tuberose is a native of the East
Indies, and is a favourite hot-house plant.
Its flowers are funnel-shaped.

A tuberosity (tu ber os' i ti, n.) is a swelling
or prominence ; the word is used in anatomy

4378

TUBEROUS

TUFT

for a protuberance on a bone which serves
as the point of attachment for a muscle.
From tuber and -ose.

tucket (tuk' et), n. A fanfare ; a
trumpet flourish. (F. fanfare.)

North F. touquet (O.F. touchef) dim. from
toukey to touch ; cp. Ital. toccata prelude. See
toccata, touch.

tucum (too' kum), n. A Brazilian palm,
Astrocaryum vulgate ; the fibre obtained

tuberous (tu' ber us), adj. Tuber-like;
having tuber-like roots. See under tuber.

tubular (tu' bu lar), adj. Like a tube

in shape ; having tubes ; made of tubes ; of from thjg used fa cordage, nets, etc.
breathing, sounding like air passing through Native Brazilian word

tubes. (F. tubulaire, tubule, en tubes.} Tudor (tu' dor), adj. Of or belonging

A tubular holier (n.) is one containing a to the English royal line descended from
large number of tubes in which water Owen Tudor, or to their period, n. One of
circulates, or through which the hot gases this line. (F. tudor.}
from the fire are made to pass.
In either system the water is
heated by contact with the hot
surface.

The Britannia railway bridge
across the Menai Straits, built by
Robert Stephenson and opened
in 1850, is a tubular bridge («).,
made of two huge rectangular
tubes of wrought iron, through
which trains pass. Each of the
tubes is 1,510 feet long, and
weighs about 4,700 tons.

A tubule (tu' bul, n.} is a small
tube, or one of the many minute
tubular passages in plants and ;
animals.

From L. tubu'US dim. of tubus Tudor. — An extremely fine specimen of the Tudor style or
pipe, and -ay . architecture, in the Market Square, Warwick.

tuck (tuk), v.t. To press, draw or roll Owen Tudor was a Welsh nobleman who
the ends or parts of (a thing) together ; fought under Henry V at the battle oi
to cover or wrap (up) closely or snugly ; Agincourt, and married his widow, Catherine
to stow away ; to push or stuff (away) ; of France. Henry VII, the first of the
to draw or gather together or into small Tudors, adopted as his badge the five-
compass ; to fold under; to gather into or lobed flower known as the. Tudor rose (n.).

SSSfl's«^i»«»tSS5 •*».» mm* .mm

stitch (a garment) in folds, v.i. To make
tucks ; of loose cloth, etc., to be disposed
of by tucking away. n. A small fold in a
dress, usually one of several, made for
ornament or to dispose of extra material ;

It was in the reign of Henry VIII that the
Reformation started. It 'was continued
under the next Tudor, Edward VI. Eliza-
beth was the last and greatest of the Tudors,
The late Perpendicular style in Gothic

a tuck-net ; the part of a ship's stern under architecture is known as the Tudor style

the counter. (F. relever, retrousser ; plisser ;
pli, f esses.)

The edges ot blankets and sheets are
tucked under the mattress of a bed to

(n.). The Tudor flower (n.) was a trefoiJ
used as an ornament in the Tudor style.

Welsh form of the name Theodore.

Tuesday (tuV da; tuz' di), n. The

secure them. Untidy people tuck things third day of the week. (F. niardi.

away or tuck them into a corner to get rid
of them.

Extremely hungry people tuck in at

A.-S. Tlwes daeg day of Tiw, the war-god
after L. Martis dies day of Mars (F. mardi).
tufa (tu' fa), n. A soft cellular chalk\

their food, or eat greedily. Children like rock deposited usuallv by springs ana
a^good tuck-m (n.), thatjs, a^ feast of good streams; tuff. . (F. tuf.)

Ital tufa, tufo from L. tophus, to/us tufa.

(tuf), n. A fragmental rock consist-
volcanic ashes, lava, «tr. /F. tuf\

Variant of tufa. See tufa.

tuft (tuft), n. A bunch of hair, threads

things, such as are found at a tuck-shop

(M.) — a pastrycook's, or a shop attached to

a school for the selling of confectionery.

Fish caught in a seine-net are scooped out m§ of volcanic ashes, lava, etc.

of it with a smaller net called a tuck-net

(n.) or tuck-seine (n.).

M.E. tukken, A.-S. tucian, to ill-treat, later feathers or grass, held attached, or grow-

affected by Low G. tukken to pull up ; cp.
G. zucken. See tug, touch.

tucker (tuk' er), n. A frilling of lace
or muslin worn round the top of a dress ; a
person or thing that tucks. (F. to-uv de gorge.)

From E. tuck and -er.

ing together, at the base ; in anatomy
a bunch of small blood-vessels, v.t. Tc
form into tufts ; to furnish or adorn with
tufts ; to make depressions in (a mattress:
etc.) at intervals, passing a thread through
and securing by a tuft or button, v.i. Tc

4379

TUG

TUMBLE

grow in tufts. (F. touffe, huppe ; former
en touffes, orner de touffes ; pousser par
touffes.)

At one time it was fashionable to wear
the beard as a tuft of hair beneath the lower
lip ; this was called an imperial because
worn by Napoleon III. From the tuft or
gold tassel formerly worn on the cap at
universities, young noblemen were called
tufts ; hence one who seeks titled society
is called a tuft-hunter (n.), and courting
such society is described as tuft-hunting (n.).
Because of" its tufted (tuff ed, adj.) head a
duck of the genus Fuligula is called the
tufted duck.

Plants are tufty (tuf ti, adj.) ii their
leaves or flowers grow in tufts.

Perhaps F; touffe (cp. clift lor cliff), perhaps
of G. origin. SYN. : n. Bunch, tassel.

tug (tug), v.t. To pull or draw violently
or with great effort ; to haul ; to tow.
v.i. To pull violently (on or at), n. An act
of tugging ; a strong pull ; a violent
struggle ; a painful effort ; a small powerful
steamship used for towing ; a loop on a
saddle in driving harness supporting a
shaft or trace. (F. hisser, haler, remorquer ;
tiraillement, lutte, vemorqueur, porte-
brancard.)

In ancient times war galleys were pro-
pelled by rowers who tugged at long oars
ranged in banks along the sides of the vessel.

When a horse is harnessed to a vehicle
the traces or shafts are passed through the
tugs. Each trace is attached to the vehicle
by means of a tug-hook (n.). The tugs
may be adjusted by the tug-slide (n.) with
which each is furnished. The jerk at start-
ing is diminished by a tug-spring («.)• OT
spring frame.

receives

used of instruction

tuition (tu ish' «un), n. Instruction
or teaching; a fee for this. (F. enseigne-
ment, instruction, prix de V instruction.)

Every pupil in a school or college
tuition, but the word is generally
in a particular subject,
or group of subjects, rather than of education
generally. Tuitional (tu ish' un al, adj.)
means relating to tuition.

O.F., from L. tuitid (ace. on-em) guardianship,
wardenship, from tuerl to watch, look after.

Tula-metal (tu' la met' al), n. An
alloy of silver, copper and lead used in
niello work.

Tula is a city in Russia.

tulip (tu' lip), n. A bulbous plant with
bell -shaped, often
brilliantly coloured
flowers, belonging to
the genus Tulip a.
(F. tulipe.)

Tulips were brought
to the Low Countries
from the Mediter-
ranean in the six-
teenth century. In
the seventeenth cen-
tury a tulipomania
(tu lip 6 ma' ni a,
n.), or tulip craze,
broke out in Holland,
and fabulous sums
were paid by the
tulipomaniac (tu lip 6 ma' ni

Tulip. — The tulip, a

graceful flower that

blooms in spring.

Tug.— Tugs helping

gigantic liner 'o enter
at Southampton.

In a tug-of-war (n.) two teams haul
against each other on opposite ends of a
stout rope. In a figurative sense, a tug-of-
war is a severe struggle of any kind.

M.E. toggen ; akin to tow [i] and tuck. SYN. :
v. Drag, haul, pull.

tui (too7 i). This is another name oi
the poe-bird. See poe-bird.

ak, n.) for
specimens of the rarer and newer bulbs.

From the resemblance of its large greenish-
yellow flowers to tulips, a North American
tree, Liriodendron tulipifera, related to the
magnolia, is popularly called the tulip-tree (n.).
M.F. tulipe, tulipan (Ital. tulipano), Turkish
lulband, corruption of Pers. dulband
turban. See turban.

tulle (tool ; ml), n. A fine
silk net, used for dresses, mil-
linery, etc. (F. tulle.)

F., name of a town on the River
Correze in south France.

tulwar (tul ' war), n. A curved
sabre used by the Sikhs and
other Indians.

Hindi talwdr.

turn (turn), n. The twanging
sound of a banjo or similar
instrument.

Imitative.

tumble (turn' bl), v.t. To fall
(down, over, etc.) suddenly or
a floating dock violently ; to roll or toss up
and down, etc. ; to move, walk
or run blunderingly or in headlong fashion ;
to perform acrobatic tricks, v.t. To dis-
order ; to rumple ; to pull about ; to throw
down ; to overturn ; to push, throw or
fling (down, out, etc.). n. A fall ; a state of
confusion or disorder ; a somersault. (F.
tomber, rouler, degringoler, faire des culbutes ;
culbuter, chiffonner ; chute, culbute.}

4380

TUMBREL

TUN

Tumble-home. — The in-
wards-sloping top part
of the sides of a boat
is the tumble-home.

Young people in a hurry sometimes
tumble downstairs. The sides of old wooden
battleships were so constructed as to tumble
home, or tumble in, that is, slope inwards
in the upper part. This was called a tumble-
home (n.). In carpentry, to tumble in
pieces of timber is to fit them together. A
building is said to
be tumble-down (adj.)
when in a very rickety
state. The .word
tumbler (turn7 bier,
n.) means a person
who falls. It denotes,
too, an acrobat, who
tumbles and somer-
saults as part of his
performance, and the
name is also applied
to a pigeon of a breed
which somersaults in
the air as it flies. A
tumbler in a door-
lock is one of the
levers, which have to
be raised by the key before the bolt can
be moved ; the tumbler of a gun-lock is a
notched piece attached to the hammer,
which is released when the trigger is pulled,
and so allows the hammer to fall. The
glass tumbler used for drinking now has a
flat bottom, but was originally made with
a rounded one, so that it would not stand
upright ; it holds a tumblerful (turn' bier ful,
n.) of liquid.

Castings are cleaned and polished by the
process called tumbling (turn7 bling, «.). In
this method the pieces are placed in a re-
volving barrel or box, called a tumbling-
barrel (n.} or tumbling-box («.), containing
emery -powder or some such substance.

A weighted lever or arm in a machine,
which falls when raised to a certain point,
is a tumbling bob (n.).

Frequentative of A.-S. tumbian
to dance or posture as an acrobat ;
cp. Dutch tuimelen, G. tummeln to
tumble, taumeln to stagger, Swed.
tumla fall over and over. SYN. : v .
Collapse, derange, disturb, fall,
upset, n. Fall, upset.

tumbrel (turn' brel), n. A
two-wheeled cart with a tip-up
end. Another spelling is tumbril
(turn' bril). (F. tombereau.)

This word is applied to the
carts in which the aristocrats
were conveyed to the guillotine during the
French Revolution.

O.F. tumberel from tumber (F. tomber) to fall ;
of Teut. origin and akin to E. tumble.

tumid (tu7 mid), adj. Swollen ; figura-
tively, pompous. (F. enfle, dilate,
ampoule.}

If a child falls or bumps its head against
anything, a swollen or tumescent (tu mes7
ent, adj.) bruise may appear, the degree of
tumescence (tu mes7 ens, n.), or tumidity

tu mid7 i ti, n.) depending on the severity
of the fall. Many diseases act tumidly (tfi'
mid Ji, adv.) and tumefy- (tu7 me fl, v.i.)
some pait or organ of the body, that is,
cause it to distend. The legs often tumefy
(v.i.) in dropsy, which is an example of a
tumefacient (tu me fa7 shent, adj.) disease.
The tumefaction (tu me fak7 shun, n.) in
this case is caused by an accumulation
of fluid.

From L. tumidus from turner e to swell. SYN. :
Bloated, enlarged, expanded, turgid. ANT. :
Contracted, shrunk.

tumour (tu7 mor), n. A swelling on
some part of the body, due to a growth oi
tissue different from that in which it appears.
It may be benign or malignant. (F. tumeut.}

From F. tumeur, L. tumor, from turner e tc
swell up.

tumular (tu7 mu lar). For this word
see under tumulus.

tumult (tu7 mult), n. A riot or uproar
a disturbance caused by a multitude ; a
noisy outbreak or rising. (F. tumulte
trouble.)

In" Recessional," Rudyard Kipling make*
use of the word in the sense of noise
or uproar in the line " the tumult and the
shouting dies." Sometimes, at electior
times, a crowd will get tumultuous (tu mul
tu us, adj.) or tumultuary (tu mul7 tu a ri
adj.), and such tumultuousness (tu mul7 ti
us nes, n.) may lead to trouble. Poet;
sometimes speak of the waves as moving
tumultuously (tu mul7 tu us li, adv.).

From F. tumulte, L. tumultus, from turners t<
swell. SYN. : Agitation, commotion, excitement
stir.

tumulus (tu7 mu lus), n. A mound o
earth raised over a burying-place, or as <
memorial.
tumulus.)

pi. tumuli (tu7 mu 11). (F

TutnbreL — A lady being
driven in a tumbrel.

Tumuli or tumular (tu7 mi
lar, adj ) mounds are founc
among relics of ancient people
all over the world. - Some con tail
burial - chambers and are raisec
over a simple vault or chest. Th<
largest in 'England is Silbun
Hill in Wiltshire.

L. = mound, from turner e to swell
tun (tun), n. A wine-cask o
the largest size, formerly ;
measure of capacity ; a brewing
vat. v.t. To put- (wine, etc.
irito tuns. (F. lonneau, cuve
entonner.)

The old English tun of wine is 252 gallons
Tunnage (tun7 ij, n.) is the original form o
tonnage in the meaning of duty on even
tun of wine imported into or exported fron
the country, tunnage and poundage beinj
one of the most important sources of revenu<
from the fourteenth to the seventeenti
century.

A.-S. tunne ; cp. Dutch ton, G. tonne, O. Xcrs
tunna. See ton, tunnel.

4381

TUNABLE

TUNNEL

For this word see

A marshy,
Siberia. (F.

tunable (tun7 abl).
under tune.

tundra (toon' dra), n.
treeless plain of Russia or
toundra.)

The tundras are frozen hard during the
greater part of the year, and bear only
stunted shrubs, lichens, and mosses.

Lappish.

tune (tun), n. A rhythmical and melodi-
ous succession of musical notes forming a
coherent whole ; a melody ; proper intona-
tion in singing or playing ; correctness of
musical pitch ; concord ; a sympathetic
mood. v .t. To put into tune ; to sing
or play (a song, etc.) harmoniously ; to
adjust or attune, v.i. To be in harmony ;
to utter musical sounds. (F. air, melodie,
accord; accorder ;
s'accorder.}

A person may be
said to be out of tune
with his surroundings if
these are uncongenial.

To lose money to
the tune of several
hundred pounds means
to lose that amount.
In wireless telegraphy
and telephony,, to
tune in is to adjust
apparatus so that it
responds to or gives
out vibrations of a cer-
tain frequency. Organ
pipes are tunable (tun'
abl, adj.), that is, can
be tuned, by altering
their lengths. In
another sense tunable
means sweet-sounding.
Tunableness (tun' abl
nes, n.) means the
state or quality of being tunable.

A tuneful (tun' ful, adj.) sound is a sound
pleasing to the ear. We like to listen to
a person singing tunefully (tun' ful li, adv.),
that is, melodiously, or, to use a word rarely
heard to-day, tunably (tun7 ab li, adv.).
The popularity of songs that endure comes
largely from their tunefulness (tun' ful nes,
n.), or tuneful character. The music of
savages seems tuneless (tun' les, adj.), that
is, without tune, to our ears.

An apparatus for adjusting a wireless
receiving set to the wave-lengths of trans-
mitting stations is called a tuner (tun'er, n.).
It may take the form of a variometer, or
else of an inductance coil whose capacity is
varied by means of a condenser or other
device.

Tuner also means one whose trade it
is to put instruments into tune. A piano-
tuner uses a wrench with a cross-handle,
called a tuning-hammer (n.), for tightening
the strings. A tuning-crook (n.) of a horn
or a trumpet is a removable part which

Tungsten. — A machine by which heated rods of
tungsten are hammered in readiness for manu-
facture into electric lamp filaments.

determines the pitch. A tuning-fork (n.) is
a steel prong which gives out a certain note
when struck.

Anglo-F. tun (F. ton), L. tonus tone. A variant
of tone. SYN. : n. Agreement, air, concord, har-
mony, strain, v. Attune, adapt, harmonize,
modulate.

tungsten (tung' sten), n. A heavy
steel-grey metallic element. (F. tungstene.)
Tungsten, which is used in the manu-
facture of electric light filaments and hard
steels, is found in the ore wolfram, the
metal being prepared from the tungstous
(tung' stiis, adj.) ore by treating it with a
mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids.
This forms tungstic (tung7 stik, adj.) acid,
a salt of which is known as a tungstate
(tung7 stat, n.). The tungsten lamp (n.), an
incandescent electric lamp with a filament
made of or coated with
tungsten, has many
advantages over the
carbon filament lamp.
Swed., from tung heavy,
sten stone.

Tungus (tun guz'),
n. One of a Mongol-
Tatar people living in
parts of Siberia and
China. (F. Toungous.)
Native name.
tunic (tu7 nik), n.
A loose short-sleeved
body garment ; a
natural covering or
integument ; colloqui-
ally, the undress coat
worn by the non-
commissioned ranks of
the Army and the
Royal Air Force. (F.
tunique.)

Among the ancient
Romans the tunic was
the chief undergarment of both sexes.
The woman's tunic was a long garment,
which reached to the feet.

Any delicate natural covering such as
that of the eye is called a tunicle (tu7 nikl,
n.), and a close-fitting tunic worn under the
dalmatic by Roman Catholic bishops and
by subdeacons is also so named.

Bulbs, such as the onion, which consist of
a number of scales or coats, are said to be
tunicate (tu' ni kat, adj.). A tunicate (n.) is
any one of a class of lowly marine animals,
comprising ascidians, having a sac-like
body within a membranous tunic.
From L. tunica.

tuning -crook (tun' ing krook). For
this word, tuning-fork, etc., see under tune.

Tunker (tung' ker). This is another
name for Dunker. See Dunker.

tunnage (tun7 ij). For this word see
under tun.

tunnel (tun' 1), n. A passage made
underground, especially through a mountain

4382

TUNNY

TURBINE

Tunny. — The tunny.

or under a river ; the passage dug by a
burrowing animal ; an adit v.i. To drive
a tunnel through or under ; to make (a way)
thus. v.i. To make tunnels ; to make one's
way (through, etc.) thus. (F. funnel, te^ier ;
fouir ; se terrer.)

The Simplon tunnel, I2| miles long, bores
through the Alps between Switzerland and
Italy. The tunnel beneath the Severn is
42 miles long ; it enables the railway to
take a direct line from London to South
Wales.

A tunnel-net (n.) is a fishing-net wide at the
mouth and narrowing towards the other end.

From O.F. lonnel dim.
ot tonne tun.

tunny (tun' i), n,
A large fish of the
genus Orcynus, espec-
ially Orcvnus thynnus.
(F. thon^)

The tunny is a
giant relative of the
mackerel. It is abund-
ant in the Mediter-
ranean Sea, where it

is caught in a funnel-shaped line ot nets and
killed with iances or harpoons. Its flesh is
excellent eating.

From F. thon, through L. thunnus trom Gr.
thynnos tunny.

tuque (tuk), n. A cap worn in Canada.
(F. toque.)

The tuque is made by taking a knitted
bag with both tapered ends closed and
then tucking one end into the other to form
the cap.

F. Canadian variant of toque.

Turanian (tu ra' ni an), adj. Relating
to certain Asiatic languages that are neither
Aryan nor Semitic, espec- r
ially the Ural-Altaic
group. (F. touranien.)

From Pers. Turan, the
region beyond the Oxus,
and E. adj. suffix -tan. Jjj^

turban (ter' ban), n.
An Oriental man's head-
dress consisting of a long
piece of material wound
round a cap ; a Euro-
pean head-dress resem-
bling this worn by
women and children ;
the set of whorls of a
univalve shell. (F.
turban, spirale.)

An Arab or a Sikh
wearing his turban in
the streets of London,
may arouse the interest
of the crowd, who seldom
see a turbaned (ter'
band, adj.) individual.
A gasteropod belonging
to the genus Turbo is
called a turban-shell

>f the

mackerel, is abundant in the Mediterranean.

Turban.— A Sikh wearing a turban,
tinctive Oriental head-dress.

(n.) because it somewhat resembles a
turban.

M.F. tulban, turban, turbant (Itat., Span., Port.,
turbante), through Turkish tulbant from Pers.
dulband. See tulip.

turbary (ter' ba ri), n. The right of
digging turf on the land of another ; a
place "where turf or peat is dug. (F.
toitrberie, toiirbiere.)

Under the feudal system the villeins
enjoyed turbary.

O.F. tourbene (L.L turbana], tiom tourbe
turf

turbid (ter' bid), adj. Muddy ; dis-
coloured : thick ; of
the mind, disturbed ;
unquiet ; disordered.
(F. trouble, bourbeux.)

If a stick is scraped
along the bottom of
a stream, the fine mud
lying there will be
stirred up and the
water will become
turbid and How tur-
bidly (ter' bid li, adv.)
for a while. As a result of this turbidity
(ter bid' i ti, n.) or turbidness (ter' bid nes,
n.) it will no longer be possible to see objects
in the water clearly.

From L. turbidus from turba uproar, tumult,
confusion, mob. SYN. : Confused, muddy, thick.
ANT. : Clear, limpid.

turbinate (ter' bi nat), adj. Shaped

like a whipping-top, or an inverted cone ;

having a pointed spiral orm ; spinning like

a top. (F. turbint,)

A cockle has a turbinate shell, one of

a twisted form which comes to a point.

Certain scroll-like bones of" the nose are

called turbinate bones.

From L. turbmatus top-
shaped, conical, from turbo
(ace. -in em) a whirl. See
turbine.

turbine (ter' bin ;
ter' bin), n. A wheel
or drum enclosed in a
casing and made to re-
volve by the impact o*
reaction of a flow of
water, air, or steam
directed on to its vanes
or buckets. (F. turbine.)
The casing of a tur-
bine usually has guide-
vanes or blades attached
to it, to direct the jet
against the vanes of the
motor, that is, the re-
volving part, of the
turbine. But in some
cases the fixed vanes
are replaced by nozzles,
which direct a jet on
to the moving vanes.
Steam-turbines are
now used on almost all

4383

TURBIT

TURGID

warships, on many merchant ships, and in
power-stations. Water- turbines are em-
ployed for generating electricity.

F., from. L. turbo (ace. -in-em) whirl, whorl,
eddy, reel, etc.

turbit (ter' bit), n. A variety of
domestic pigeon having a short beak and
a flat head.

Perhaps from L. turbo a top, from its shape.

turbot (ter' bot), n. A large flat food-
fish (Rhombus maximus) found in European
waters. (F. turbot.}

Turbots are white on the underside, the
dark grey or brown upper surface being
spotted, even on the fins. They are migra-
tory and travel in shoals.

F., said to be from L. turbo, spindle, top. See
turbine, turbit.

Turbot. — The turbot is the largest of the flatfishes,
and is a valuable food-fish.

turbulent (ter' bu lent), adj. Riotous;
disorderly ; tumultuous ; rough. (F. tur-
bulent, insoumis, desordonne".)

Candidates at a parliamentary election
often have to address a turbulent meeting.
When a strong wind is making the sea
rough, people sometimes speak of the tur-
bulence (ter' bu lens, n.), or turbulency (ter'
bu len si, n.), of the waves. A crowd may
behave turbulently (ter' bu lent li, adv.).

F., from L. turbulentus, from turba uproar,
confusion, mob. SYN. : Insubordinate, noisy,
restless, wild. ANT. : Orderly, peaceable, quiet,
tractable.

Turcopbil (ter' ko fil), adj. Tending to
favour the Turks or their policy. n. One
who favours the Turks. (F. turcophile.)

Towards the close of the nineteenth
century great interest was taken in Turkish
affairs because the English political parties
could not agree as to whether Britain should
support the Turkish Empire against her
Christian subjects. Turcophilisrn (ter kof ' il
izm, n.) was the policy of those who favoured
the Turks, and such a person was a Turco-
phil. A hater of Turkey and the Turkish
policy was a Turcophobe (ter' ko fob, n.).

An Algerian sharp-shooter in the French
army is called a Turco (ter' ko, n.).

From L.L. Turcus Turk, Gr. philein to love.

Turdus (ter' dus), «. A genus of
thrushes, of the family Turdidae. (F.
turdus.)

The genus Turdus contains such familiar
species as the song and mistle-thrushes and
the blackbird, and the less familiar ring-
ouzel, redwing, and fieldfare. Some people
prefer to separate the blackbird and its
near relatives, the ouzel, or mountain black-
bird, from the others ; but in any case they
are all turdine (ter'
dm ; ter' din, adj.]
birds, of the sub-
family Turdinae. The
words turdiform (ter'
di form, adj.) and
turdoid (ter' doid,
adj.) are used of
thrush-like birds.

tureen (te Ten' ; Tureen.— A beautifully
tu ren'), n. A deep decorated Staffordshire

covered metal or 8auce tureen'

earthenware dish for holding soup, gravy,
etc. (F. soupi&re.)

Corrupted from earlier terreen, F. terrine
earthenware dish or pot. See terrine.

turf (terf), n. The surface or sward
of grassland consisting of earth filled with
the roots of grass and other plants ; a piece
of this torn or cut from the ground ; a
sod ; in Ireland, peat ; the race-course ; the
occupation or profession of horse- racing.
pi. turfs (terfs) and turves (tervz). v.t. To
cover or line with turf. (F. gazon, motte
de gazon; gazonner.)

Golfers are asked to replace the turf
ripped from the ground by their clubs.
Some parts of a golf-course suffer so much
from the trampling of feet that it is necessary
to turf them afresh each year.

If we say of someone that he is a great
man on the turf or that he is a great turfite
(terf It, n.) we mean he is well known on
the race-course and versed in all matters
connected with horse-racing. Turf less (terf
les, adj.) means destitute of turf .

Our English downlands are turf-clad
(adj.) or turfy (terf i, adj.). This quality
of turfiness (terf i nes, n.) adds to their
attraction for walkers.

A.-S. turf; cp. Dutch turf, Swed. torf, Dan
lorv.

turgid (ter' jid), adj. Swollen ;
bloated ; tumid ; figuratively, inflated or
bombastic. (F. enfle, boursouffle. bouffi,
ampoule,- ronflant.)

Plants with soft juicy tissues can only
stand erect as long as their cells are turgid,
or swollen, with, moisture. When they lose
this turgidity (ter jid' i ti, n.) the plants
become limp and droop ; they may again
become turgescent (ter jes' ent, adj.) by a
fresh intake of moisture. Such a swollen
state is turgescence (ter jes' ens, n.).

A stream flows turgidly (ter' jid li, adv.)
when it is swollen. Figuratively, we speak
of the turgidness (ter' jid nes, n.), or
turgidity, of authors whose style is pompous
or not easy to understand.

4384

TURION

TURMOIL

From L. turgidus from turgere to swell up.
SYN. : Distended, expanded, pompous, tumid.
ANT. : Contracted, shrunk, wi/: .iod.

turion (tur' i on), n. A young shoot
covered with scales produced from an under-
ground bud. (F. turion.}

F., from L. turio (ace. -on-em) shoot.

Turk (terk), n. A Mohammedan in-
habitant of Turkey ; a member of the
dominant race in the Turkish republic,
or of the original Central Asiatic race,
speaking Turkic languages, from which it
comes ; a Turkish horse ; a troublesome
boy. (F. Turc, Ottoman, gamin.}

The Turks are a people sprung from the
great Tatar race which is distributed fairly
widely over Asia and eastern Europe. They
were allied with Austria and Germany
during the World War (1914-18).

A horse bred in Turkey is often spoken
of briefly as a Turk, and a mother some-
times calls her son a little Turk when he
is a nuisance, because for many centuries
the Turks in Europe were a
constant menace to their
Christian neighbours. The
name Turk's-cap (n.) is given
both to the martagon lily
and the melon-cactus ; the
term Turk's-head (n.) is
applied to a long-handled
brush, to a circular cake-tin,
and to an ornamental knot
which is tied in the form of
a turban.

One of the main branches
of the Ural-Altaic family of
languages is known as
Turkic (terk' ik, n.). It
includes Osmanli Turkish.
The adjective Turkic means
pertaining to or speaking
languages, or a language, of
this group.

F. Turc from L.L. Turcus,
Pers. Turk, a word of obscure origin.

Turkey [i] (ter' ki), «. The territory
in Europe and Asia Minor belonging to the
Turks. (F. Turquie.}

A genuine Turkey carpet (n.) comes from
Asia Minor. It is a long-piled woollen
carpet worked in rich colours cleverly
blended together in soft patterns. The
dye Turkey red (n.) is a brilliant red dye
originally got from madder, but now pre-
pared artificially from coal-tar. Cotton
cloth dyed with it is also described as
Turkey red.

What was known as Turkey-rhubarb (n.)
is the root of an Asiatic plant (Rheum
palmatum} of the rhubarb genus. It was
used in medicine. The very fine-grained
oil-stone found in Asia Minor, and known as
Turkey-stone (n.), is used for sharpening
tools.

From F. Turquie, from L.L. Turchia, Turquia
Turkey. See Turk.

Turkey. — A turkey proudly showing
off its tail feathers.

turkey [2] (ter' ki), n. A large bird
of the genus Meleagris, introduced into
England from America in the sixteenth
century. (F. dindon, dinde.}

All species of turkey have almost feather-
less heads covered with fleshy folds of bluish
skin. Because of the curious strutting
and other methods of showing off adopted
by the turkey-cock (n.}, a foolish pompous

?erson is sometimes called a turkey-cock,
ust before the World War a dance of negro
origin, called the turkey-trot (n.), was
popular in Europe. A young turkey is
called a turkey-poult (n.} ; turkey-corn (n.}
is maize, of which the bird is very fond.

The South American turkey-buzzard (n.)
or turkey-vulture (n.) — Cathartes aura — a
vulture feeding on carrion, is so called from
its resemblance to the turkey.

So called because wrongly supposed to be
imported from Turkey ; similarly the F. dindon,
dinde from coq d'Inde supposes it to come from
India. Actually it is a native of North America.

Turkish (ter' kish), adj.
Of or relating to Turkey or
the Turks, n. The language
spoken by Turks. (F. turc.}

A Turkish bath (n.) is a
hot-air bath in which the
skin is cleansed by violent
perspiration, followed by
lathering, rubbing, massag-
ing, and a cold plunge. The
popular jelly-like sweetmeat
called Turkish delight (n.) is
made of gelatine, sugar, and
flavouring material.

From Turk and -is h.

Turkoman (ter' ko man),
n. A member, of any of the
nomadic Turkish or Tatar
hordes found in Turkistan,
Afghanistan, Persia, and
Russia ; a horse of a valuable
breed produced in Turkistan. (F. Turcoman.}
Pers. turkumdn one like a Turk. -
turmaline (ter' ma len). This is another
spelling of tourmaline. See tourmaline.

turmeric (ter' me rik), n. An Indian
plant (Curcuma longa} allied to ginger ;
the powdered underground root-stock ol
this. (F. curcuma.}

The turmeric has long leaves, and a
yellow underground root-stock, yielding the
turmeric used as a condiment and a dye.
Turmeric-paper (n.), or curcuma-paper, is
absorbent paper coloured with tincture oi
turmeric and used as a test-paper for alkalis.
Modern L. turmericus, F. terre-merite, appar-
ently corrupted from Arabic kurkum saffron ; cp.
Span, and Port, (also F.) curcuma turmeric.

turmoil (ter' moil), n. Disturbance ;
tumult ; unrest. (F. desordre, tumulle,
tracas.)

In olden days election times were often
marked by scenes of turmoil. We speak

4385

TURN

TURNIP

of turmoil of the mind, meaning a state of
worry or unrest.

Perhaps M.F. tremouille mill-hopper, associated
with E. moil. SYN. : Agitation, disorder,
trouble, worry. ANT. : Peace, quiet, serenity.

turn (tern), v.t. To cause to revolve;
to give a new direction to ; to deflect ; to
invert ; to reverse ; to perform (a somer-
sault) ; to revolve mentally ; to alter in
condition, nature, or opinion ; to nauseate,
unsettle, or make giddy ; to transform ; to
shape (an object) on a lathe ; to give form
to, or round off (a phrase, etc.) ; to adapt
or apply ; to translate ; to make (milk,
etc.) sour ; to bend back (a knife-edge) ;
to hand (over), v.i. To move round ; to
revolve ; to take a specified direction ; to
change in position, attitude, or posture ;
to depend ; to be changed ; to become
unsettled, nauseated, or giddy ; to become
sour ; to take form on a lathe, n. The act
of turning or revolving; a revolution;
alteration of course or direction ; a change ;
a bend ; a coil (of a rope) ; a short walk
or promenade ; a short spell ; an obligation
or opportunity in a series, coming by rota-
tion, selection, or chance ; an item in an
entertainment ; inclination ; an act of ser-
vice or disservice ; an attack of illness ;

Turn-table. — A locomotive approaching a turn-'abie,
on which an engine can be turned about.

in music, an embellishment consisting of the
alternation of a written note with those
next above and below. (F. tourner, detour-
tier, purer, renverser, jaire saut perilleux,
mediter, changer, soulever, meta-morphoser ,
traduire, aigrir, retourner ; tourner, fair'e
volte-face, dependre, se transformer, s'aigrir;
tour, detour, acces, gruppetto.}

The engines of a ship turn her propeller
shafts. A general tries to turn the enemy's
flank, that is, to work round it, so as to
attack them in the rear. Affairs are said
to take a turn for the better if they begin

to improve. It is useful to be able to turn
our hand or apply ourselves to many useful
occupations. Things turn out well when
they are successful ; factories turn out, or
produce, goods ; we turn out of bed when
we get up.

Watchmakers use a small portable lathe
called a turn-bench (•».). A turn-buckle (n.)
is a coupling between the ends of two rods
which allows the length to be adjusted.
A turn-buckle is used for regulating the
weight of a lawn-tennis net. A turn-coat
(n.) is a person who deserts his party ; a
turncock (».) is an official employed by a
water company to turn off water from "the
main. A turn-down (adj.) collar is one
which is folded down on itself. A turnkey
(n.) is a prison jailer or warder.

The turning out of soldiers for duty is
one kind of turn-out (n.). The turn-out
of a factory is its production in a certain
time. A turn-over (n.) may be an upset ;
a semicircular pie made by folding over
a circle of pastry on itself ; the amount of
money taken in a business in a given time ;
or an article in a newspaper running on to
a second page.

On a few private roads in England we
still find a turnpike (n.), which is a barrier
at which a man in charge, called a turnpike-
man (n.), stops vehicles and collects a toll
from them for the upkeep of the road.
Formerly most roads were turnpike roads
(n.pl.), but this system of maintaining
public roads has long been abolished.

A turnspit (n.) was a variety of terrier
formerly used to turn spits in a kitchen
by working a wheel. To enter an exhibi-
tion we may have to pass through a revolv-
ing gate with several arms, called a turn-
stile (n.), which passes only one person at a
time. The turnstone (n.) is a shore bird,
allied to the plover, which turns pebbles
over in search of food. Locomotives are
reversed or moved from one track to another
on a revolving circular platform, called a
turn-table (n.).

A turner (tern' er, n.) is a man who turns
articles on a lathe. The things which he
makes, taken collectively, and his craft
are both known as turnery (tern' er i, n.).
The proverb says that it is a long road that
has no turning (tern' ing, n.), that is, a
place where another road enters it. The
turning of bank-notes into cash is the act
of changing them into cash. The mechani-
cal process called turning is the shaping
of metal or wood on a lathe. The turning-
point (n.) of a battle is the decisive point
at which victory declares itself.

A.-S. turnian and O.F. torner, L. torndrc to
turn in a lathe (tornus, Gr. tornos). SYN. : v.
Adapt, bend, change, deviate, form. n. Altera-
tion, bend, curve, rotation.

turnip (ter' nip), n. A plant of the
«enus Brassica with a fleshy tuberous root

4386

TURPENTINE

TURTLE

used for a table vegetable and as cattle
food. (F. navet.)

The early green shoots of the turnip,
known as turnip-tops (n.pL), form an excellent
substitute for cabbage. Among the insect
pests which attack the turnip crop are two
distinct kinds of turnip- fly (n.). One is a
two-winged fly (Anthomyia radicum), the
grubs of which destroy the roots. The
other is the turnip saw-fly r
(n.) — Athalia centifoliae —
whose grubs feed upon the
leaves.

Perhaps from E. turn or F.
tour, because of its rounded \
shape, A.-S. ndep, L. ndpus \
turnip.

turpentine (ter' pen
tin), n. A soft resin that .
oozes from several trees of '
the pine and fir kind ; a
spirit or oil distilled from
this. v.t.To add turpentine
to; to soak or dress with tur-
pentine. (F. terebenthine.}

The turpentine of com-
merce, called turps (terps,
n.} for short, is used for
mixing with paints and
varnishes. Highly purified
turpentine is an ingredient
of the embrocations used
for rubbing stiff joints,

1

and is sometimes employed
as a medicine. The

turpentine- tree (n.) is the

terebinth, which grows

round the Mediterranean ;

it is called by scientists Pistacia terebinthus.

A substance or thing may be said to have a

turpentinic (ter pen tin' ik, adj.] smell if it

smells like or of turpentine.

From O.F. tourbentine, corrupted from tere-
binthine. See terebinth.

turpeth (ter' peth), n. The root of
a plant (Ipomoea Turpethum) found, wild
in India and Ceylon, which is used medicin-
ally. (F. turbith.)

O.F. turbith through Arabic from Pers. turbid
purge.

turpitude (ter' pi tud), n. Baseness ;
depravity ; vicious behaviour. (F. turpi-
tude, bassesse, vilenie, infamie.)

From L. turpitudo (turpis vile, base), shame,
infamy. SYN. : Infamy, vileness, wickedness.
ANT. : Goodness, integrity, probity, virtue,
worthiness.

turps (terps). This is a popular abbrevi-
ation of turpentine. See turpentine.

turquoise (ter7 kwoiz ; ter' koiz), n.
A gem stone sky-blue or bluish-green in
colour. (F. turquoise.}

A pale colour between green and blue is
called turquoise-green (n.}.

O.F. fern, of turquois Turkish.

turret (tiir' et), n. A small tower
projecting from a larger one or from the

Turret. — One of the turrets of a building
at Carcassonne, a mediaeval walled

town in France.

top or side of a main building ; a revolving
steel tower enclosing one or more guns on a
ship or in a fort ; a many-storied square
tower on wheels once used in besieging towns
and castles. (F. tourelle.)

On most battleships the old-fashioned
turret has been replaced *by the barbette
shield which moves with the gun and the
circular platform on which it is mounted.
Although, strictly speak-
ing, a turret-gun (n.) is a
heavy gun in a turret,
and a turret-ship (n.) a
warship carrying a turret
or turrets, these terms are
often used when guns are
protected by barbettes.

A turreted (tur' et ed,
adj.) building or ship is one
furnished with turrets.

O.F. tourette, dim. of tour
tower. See tower.

turtle [i] (ter' tl), n.
A wild dove belonging to
the genus Turtur. (F.
tourterelle.)

The turtle, now usually
called turtle-dove (n.)—T.
communis — belongs to the
warmer parts of the Old
World, but is a summer
visitor to the south of
England. The plumage is
reddish and brownish, there
being a patch of white-
tipped black feathers at
each side of the neck.
The turtle-dove is a shy
bird, frequenting woods and thickets. Its
call is a soft cooing. Both parents take
part in the incubation of the eggs.

A.-S. turtla, from 'L. tur tur by change of r to / ;
cp. Ital. tor tor a, tor tola. Imitative.

turtle [2] (ter' tl), n. A marine reptile
with a bony carapace and flippers used in
swimming, v. i. To hunt for turtles. (F. tortue.)

Turtle. — The leather-backed or leathsry turtle, the
largest of the turtles.

Turtles are tortoises, belonging to the
family Chelonidae, which are fitted for a
marine life. The shell is lighter and more
flattened than in the land animal, and the
limbs are shaped into broad flippers for
swimming. The large green-backed turtle
(Chelone midas) of the West Indies is used
to make turtle soup. The turtle lives
usually in deep water, also frequenting

4387

TURVES

TUT

estuaries, and goes ashore in May to lay
its eggs. The turtler (terf ler, n.), who
goes turtling or hunting for turtles at this
season, turns the turtle on its back, thus
rendering the animal helpless. A ship is
said to turn turtle when it capsizes, or
turns upside down.

It is from the hawksbill turtle (C. imbri-
cata) that the so-called tortoise-shell, or
turtle-shell (•«.) is obtained, this being the
mottled yellow and brown outer covering
of the carapace. This
is also the name of a
large cowry, Cypraea
testudinari a — also
called the turtle-cowry
(n.) — because of its
dappled appearance.
An arched covering
over the fore part of a
ship's deck — and some-
times also at the stern
— to protect it from
heavy seas, is called a
turtle-back (n.). This
name is also given to a
kind of crude stone
implement, so called on
account of its shape.
Turtle-stones (n.pl.) are
nodular stony masses
found in some strata,
with many intersecting
cracks which have
become filled up with
foreign matter.

Corrupted from F. tortue, Port, iartaruga,
or Span, tortuga, from L.L. tortuca tortoise.

turves (tervz). This is a plural form
of turf. See turf.

Tuscan (tus' kan), n. A native of
Tuscany or of Etruria ; the Italian there
spoken ; the Tuscan order of architecture.
adj. Of or belonging to Tuscany or Etruria.
(F. toscan )

Tuscany, a former grand duchy, is now
a territorial division of the kingdom of Italy.
Tuscan, or the Tuscan order (n.), is the
simplest of the classic orders of architecture.
It wr,s a modified kind of Doric, lacking
the flu tings and the triglyphs that are so
characteristic of the latter order of archi-
tecture.

From L. Tuscdnus from Tuscus Etruscan.

tush [i] (tush), n. A long pointed tooth,
especially the canine of a horse. (F. dent,

CYOC.}

Variant of tusk.

tush [2] (tush), inter. An exclamation
of impatience or contempt, now archaic.

Cp. Low G. tuss be silent.

tusk (tusk), n. A long pointed tooth,
especially one protruding from the mouth ;
a tooth-like part or projection, v.t. To
thrust, gore, or root up with tusks. (F.
defense ; decoudre.)

Animals belonging to widely different

families are tusked (tuskt, adj.], or armed
with tusks — for instance, the elephant, boar,
walrus, and hippopotamus. The most valu-
able tusks are those of elephants, long
rounded ivory incisors projecting from the
upper jaw ; the longest tusk is the narwhal's,
usually a single twisted spike some six
to seven feet in length. A wild boar or
an elephant with well-grown tusks is called
a tusker (tusk' er, n.). The word tusky
(tusk' i, adj.) means furnished with tusks.
A.-S. tusc ; cp. O.
Frisian tusk.

tusser (tiis' er).
This is another form
of tussore. See tussore.
tussle (tus' 1), v.i.
To engage in a scuffle ;
to struggle. n. A
scuffle. (F. lutter, httte.)
Variant of tousle.
SYN. : n. Conflict, en-
counter, struggle.

tussock (tiis' 6k), n.
A clump, tuft, or hillock
of grass ; a tuft of
hair ; a tussock-moth.
(F. touffe, meche.)

Perhaps the most
tussocky (tus' 6k i,
adj.] of British grasses
is the tufted aira
(Deschampsia caespi-
tosa), which grows in
dense tufts in moist,
shady places. The
true tussock-grass (n.) — Poa flabellata — is a
native of Patagonia and the Falkland Islands,
where it grows in tufts five to six feet in height.
Because their caterpillars are adorned
with tufts or tussocks of hair the name of
tussock-moth (n.) is given to certain moths,
a common species being the pale tussock
(Dasychira pudibunda).

Apparently a dim. form ; cp. Swed. dialect
iuss wisp of hay. SYN. : Clump, tuft.

tussore (tus' or), n. One of several
species 'of Asiatic silk-producing moth ; the
silk obtained from the moth. Other forms
are tussur (tus' ur), tusser (tus' er). (F.
tusseth.)

Tussore or tussore silk (n.) is a strong,
coarse fawn-coloured silk. Tussore is the
name given to oak-feeding silkworms of the
genus Antheraea, and the silk they spin.

From Hindi tasar, from Sansk. tassara shuttle.

tussur (tus' ur). This is another spelling
of tussore. See tussore.

tut [i] (tut), inter. An exclamation of
impatience, contempt, or rebuke. v.i. To
make this exclamation. (F. fi done.)

It represents a click with the tongue.

tut [2] (tut), v.i. In mining, to work
by the piece or job. n. Work done in this way.

In Cornwall and Derbyshire miners de-
scribe piece-work as tut-work.

Possibly Cornish.

a large extinct species of
elephant, that had gigantic tusks.

4388

TUTELAGE

TWEAK

tutelage (tu7 te lij), n. Guardianship ;
patronage ; instruction ; the state or period
of being subject to this. (F. tutelle.)

Young people remain in a state of tutelage
until old enough to act for themselves.
The guardians appointed to look after their
v-elfare perform tutelar (tu7 te lar, adj.)
or tutelary (tu7 te la ri, adj.) duties, and
have tutelar authority over their wards.
A church is named after a saint chosen as
its tutelary or patron saint.

From L. tutela wardship, and -age (L. -dgium).
See tutor. SYN. : Care, guardianship, guidance,
instruction, pupilage.

tutenag (tu7 te nag), n. A whitish
ajiloy of zinc, copper, nickel, etc. ; crude
zinc or spelter from China or the East
Indies. (F. toutenague.)

Marathi tuttindg, from Sansk. tuttha blue
vitriol, ndga tin, lead. See tutty.

tutor (tu7 tor), n, A private teacher ;
one charged with the instruction of
undergraduates at a university ; in law,
the guardian of a minor, v.t. To act as
tutor ; to instruct. (F. precepleur, tuteur ;
instruire.)

Students who wish to prepare for a special
examination usually
study under a tutor.
Such tutorial (tu7 tor i
al, adj.) preparation is
customary for law
students, and those who
desire to enter other
professions. An army
tutor, for instance, acts
tutorially (tu tor7 i al li,
adv.) in fitting his pupils
to sit for the entrance
examinations to the
military colleges. Tutor-
ship (tu7 tor ship, n.)
is the office or position
of a tutor or teacher.

L. = guardian, from tuerl
to watch. SYN. : n. In-
structor, mentor, teacher.

tutti [i] (toot' i), adv.
In music, with all the
instruments or voices
sounding together, n.
A passage played or
sung thus. (F. tutti.)

Ital. = all, L. totl, pi. of totus whole.

tutti [2] (tut7 i), n. An old name for
a nosegay. Another form is tutty (tut7 i).

The market-town of Hungerford, Berks,
is famous for its yearly festival observed
on Hock Tuesday, the second Tuesday after
Easter, in honour of John of Gaunt, who
presented the townspeople with their
manorial rights. On this day the tithing-
meii, called tutti-men (n.pl.} or tutty-men
(n.pl.}, go round collecting money, carrying
tutti-poles (n.pl.} decked with flowers and
ribbons.

Perhaps a nursery word ; other forms are
ttissy, tuzzy-nmzzy, M.E. iussemose.

Tutti-man. — A tulti-man, with flower-decked
tutti-pole, claiming tribute from a nurse.

tutti-frutti (too7 ti froo7 ti), n. A
confection, such as ice cream, made of or
flavoured with mixed fruits. (F. tutti-frutti.}

Ital. = all fruits.

tutty [i] (tut7i), n. An impure zinc oxide
used for polishing powder. (F. tutie.)

O.F.tutie, Pers.tutiyd oxide of zinc. See tutenag.

tutty [2] (tut7 i). This is another form
of tutti. See tutti [2].

tuwhit (too hwit7), n. An owl's cry.
v.i. To utter this. Another form is tuwhoo
(too hwoo7).

Imitative.

tuyere (too yar7 ; twe yar7 ; twer), n.
A nozzle through which air is blown into a
forge hearth or blast-furnace. (F. tuyere.)

F., cp. tuyau pipe, tube ; of Teut. origin.

twaddell (twod7 1), n. A form of hydro-
meter, so named after its inventor. * An-
other form is twaddle (twod7 1).

twaddle (twod' 1), n. Silly, feeble, un-
meaning talk ; nonsense, v.i. To engage in
such talk. (F. bavardage, caquetage ; bavarder,
caqueter.) -w.':< ,

A speaker may characterize his opponent
as a twaddler (twod7 ler, n.) or his remarks
as twaddly (twod7 li, adj.).

Variant of tattle. SYN. :
«. Nonsense, piffle.

twain (twan), adj.
Two. n. A couple or
pair. (F. deux; paire.)

A.-S. twegen. See two.

twang (twang), v.i.
To give out a ringing
sound as of a tightly
stretched string when
plucked.; to speak with
a nasal sound, v.t. To
cause to twang ; to play
or play on (a stringed
instrument) thus ; to
utter with a nasal sound.
n. The sound given out
by a tightly stretched
string when plucked ; a
nasal tone in speaking.
(F. retentir, nasiller ;
faire retentir; son aigu,
nasillement.)

Imitative word.

'twas (twoz). This
is a contracted form of "it was."

twayblade (twa7 blad), n. An orchid
with two broad egg-shaped radical leaves and
green or brownish flowers. (F. double-feuiile . )

The twayblade (Listera ovaia) has small
greenish flowers. It grows in moist ground.
The lesser twayblade (L. cordata) has olive-
brown petals.

From obsolete E. tway (— twain) and blade.

tweak (twe'k), v.t. To give a sudden
pinch or twist to ; to twitch, n. A sharp
pull or pinch ; a twitch. (F. pincer, tirer ;
tiraillement.}

A.-S. twiccian ; cp. E. twitch, G. zwicken.

4389

TWEED

TWIDDLE

tweed (twed), n. A twilled fabric of
wool, or wool and cotton, used chiefly for
outer clothes. (F. tweed, drap croise.)

Cloth of this kind is largely made in
Scotland. There are many varieties of
tweed, used for men's and boys' suits and
overcoats, and for the heavier clothing of
women.

From the Tweed, river in Scotland.

tweedle (twe' dl), n. The sound of a
fiddle or fife. (F. raclage.}

Lovers of " Alice in Wonderland " remem-
ber the twins, Tweedledum and Tweedledee.
These names were used by John Byrom
(1692-1763) in a poem on the merits of two
composers of opposite schools. The words
arc used to denote any two things that
are almost exactly alike; or that differ in
name only.

Imitative.

'tween (twen), adv. and prep. Between.
(F. entre.)

This is short for between. The 'tween-
decks (adj.) cabins of a ship are those with
decks above and below them. A 'tween-
decks (n.) is a space between decks used
for holding cargo or for other purposes.
A maid-servant who helps the cook and
the housemaid, or any two other servants
is known colloquially as a tweeny (n.).

Aphetic for between.

tweezer (twe' zer), n. (usually in pi.).
Small pincers for grasping and picking up
minute objects, etc. v.t. To pick up, pluck
or draw out with tweezers. (F. petites
pinces, brucelles ; epiler.)

Tweezer. — Reading from top, naturalist's twi^zers
printer's tweezers, and dentist's tweezers.

A doctor uses a p.iir of tweezers to remove
small splinters, or to pluck out small hairs,
and a stamp-collector lifts and moves his
specimens with tweezers.

From obsolete E. tweeze small instrument-
case, from F. etuis, pi. of 6tui. See etui.

twelfth (twelfth), adj. Coming next
after the eleventh, n. One of twelve equal
parts ; a musical interval of an octave
and a fifth. (F. douzieme.)

In old times a large cake, called a Twelfth
cake (n.), was made for distribution among
guests on Twelfth Night (n.), which is the
eve (January 5) of Twelfth Day (n.), the
feast of Epiphany. The day is so named
as being the twelfth day after Christmas
Day, that is, January 6th.

Among sportsmen the " twelfth " means
August 1 2th, on which day grouse-shooting
begins. The word twelfthly (twelfth' li,
adv.) means in the twelfth place.

A.-S. twelfta ; irom E. twelve and -th.

twelve (twelv), adj. Consisting of
ten and two ; one more than eleven, n.
The sum of two and ten ; the number next
after eleven; 12, xii. (F. douze.}

A twelvemo (twelv' mo, adj.), or duodecimo,
book is one printed on sheets folded to
produce twelve leaves. Tt is abbreviated
i2mo in catalogues, and is called a twelvemo
(n.), this name standing also for the size
of leaf or book so produced. Since there
are twelve months in a year, a twelvemonth
(M.) means a year. A pound is twelve-
score (adj.), or twelve times twenty pence.
In old times a twelve-score (n.) often meant
240 yards, a common distance for a shot
in archery.

A.-S. twelj, literally = two over, trom twa
two, -lif, cp. leave [2].

twenty (twen' ti), adj. Twice ten.
n. The sum of twice ten ; the number
next after nineteen ; a score ; 20, xx. (F.
vingt, vingiaine.)

The twentieth (twen' ti eth, adj.) day of
a month comes between the igth and 2ist.
A shilling is a twentieth (n.), that is, one
of twenty equal parts, of a pound. A
twentyfold (adj.) crop yields twenty times
the seed that was sown ; so the seed may be
said to increase twentyfold (adv.).

In Rugby football, the line drawn twenty -
five yards from the goal-line at right angles
to and connecting the touch-lines is called
the twenty- five yards line (n.). The playing
area between this line and the goal-line is
called the twenty-five (n.).

A twenty fourmo (twen ti for' mo, adj.),
book is one printed on pages of the size
and shape given by folding a sheet into
twenty-four leaves. Such a book is called a
twenty fourmo (M.), this name being used
also to denote the size, often written 241110.
In a tv/entymo (twen' ti mo, adj.) book the
sheet is folded to make twenty leaves. Its
size is twentymo (n.), often written as 2omo.

A.-S. twenttg, from twcgen two and -tig decade.

'twere (twer). This is a contracted
form of " it were."

twice (tvvis), adv. On two occasions ;
two times ; doubly. (F. deux fois, par
deux fois.)

A twice-told (adj.) tale is a tale that is
told twice, but it is also used for a tale
that is old and well-known.

Late A.-S. twiges gen. (adv.) from twi- double.

twiddle (twid' 1), v.t. To twirl ; to fiddle
with. v.i. To fiddle or trifle (with an object).
n. A slight or idle twirl. (F. tournoyer,
tripoier.)

A twiddling-iine (n.) is a string on the
gimbals of a compass, to shake the card
free if it should stick.

Formed afcer twirl. SYN. : v. Fiddle, fidget,
twirl n. Twirl.

4390

TWIG

TWINE

twig (twig), n. A small shoot or branch ;
a divining-rod ; in electricity, a small dis-
tributing conductor. (F. ramille, baguette
divinatoire .}

Some trees are very twiggy (twig' i, adj.],
while others are comparatively twigless
(twig' les, adj.] for a great part of their
height from the base. The elm is profusely
twigged (twigd, adj.] at the lower part of
the trunk. A forked hazel twig is used
as a divining-rod, and to work the twig
means to make use of such a rod.

A.-S. twigge ; cp. Dutch twijg, G. zweig ; akin
to two. SYN. : Branchlet, shoot.

twilight (twl' lit), n. The light
reflected from the sky before sunrise and
after sunset ; a dim, uncertain light ; a
state of imperfect knowledge or perception.
adj. Belonging to the twilight ; done or
happening in the twilight ; dim ; shady.
v.t. To light dimly, p.p. and p.t. twilit
(twl' lit) and twilighted (twl' lit ed). (F.
crepuscule ; ombreux.)

We use this word specially of the after-
sunset light, or gloaming. Figuratively, the
state of pagan unbelief may be called one
of twilight, as yet unilluminated by Christ-
ianity. In Norse mythology the earth
ends with a general catastrophe called the
Twilight of the Gods, in which the gods
and giants destroy each other.

From M.E. twi- double, perhaps doubtful, or
between, and light [i].

twill (twil), n. A fabric having a
surface marked with parallel diagonal ribs
or lines of thread, v.t. To weave into twill.
(F. crois6; croiser, plisser.)

Twill is made by passing the weft threads
alternately over one warp thread and then
under two or more others. In fancy twills
the occurrence of the diagonals is varied.
The verb is seldom used except as a past
participle. For instance, we speak of twilled
materials.

A.-S. twili ; cp. G. zwillich, formed from L.
bilix double-threaded, with twi- for bi-.

twin (twin), adj. Being one of two
separate but closely related or similar
things, especially of two children born at a
birth ; forming such a pair ; consisting of
two similar and closely connected parts ;
in botany, growing in pairs, n. Each of
two young produced at a birth ; an exact
counterpart of a person or thing ; a com-
pound crystal having symmetrical halves
joined in a reverse position to each other ;
(pi.} the constellation Gemini, v.t. To couple
or pair (with) ; to pair. v.i. To bring
forth twins ; to be born at the same birth ;
to be paired (with). (F. jumeau, double,
appareille ; jumeau, Gemeaux ; faire la paire ;
naitre jumeaux, partager egalement.}

Sebastian and Viola, in Shakespeare's
" Twelfth Night," were so much alike that
Antonio exclaimed (v, i) i : " An apple, cleft in
two, is not more twin than these two
creatures." Each of twin brothers or sisters

is twin to the other. Their relationship is
sometimes described as twinship (n.).

Fruits that grow in pairs, such as those
of cleavers or goose-grass, are called twin
fruits. A twin-screw (n.) is a steamer with
two propellers on separate shafts twisting
in opposite directions. The constellation
called the Twins, or Gemini, contains two
almost equally bright stars, named after
Castor and Pollux, the twin brethren or
brothers of classical mythology. The little
evergreen creeping plant, Linnaea borealis of
cool northern woods, is called in America
the twinflower (n.) because its flowers are
produced in pairs. Combs are cut in
pairs from a single piece of material on a
machine called a twinning-machine (n.} or
twinning-saw (n.).

A.-S. getwinn ; cp. O. Norse tvinn-r ; akin
to two.

Twin. — Sturdy two-year-old boy and girl twins, who
strongly resemble one another.

twine (twin), v.t. To twist ; to form
(thread) by twisting the strands together ;
to form (a garland, etc.) by interweaving ; to
interweave ; to wind or coil (round or
about), v.i. To be interwoven ; to entwine ;
of a plant, etc., to coil itself (round or about).
n. A twist ; a coil ; the act of twining ; an
interlacing ; a tangle ; strong string made
of two o.r, more strands of Manila, etc.,
twisted together. (F. entrelacer, entortiller ;
s'enrouler, se tordre ; tortillon, tortillemeni,
ficelle.}

A boa-constrictor twines itself about
its prey and crushes it to death. In
Argentina men hunt animals with a weighted
thong, called a bolas, which twines round
the animal's legs when it strikes them. A
person called a twiner (twin' er, n.} is em-
ployed to twine thread. The convolvulus

4391

TWINGE

TWIST

ma^ be said to grow twiningly (twin' ing li,
adv.), since it twines round plants, etc.

A.-S. twin twisted threads ; cp. Dutch
twijn, G. zwivn, O. Norse tvinni ; akin to twin,
two. SYN. : v. Coil, entwine, interweave, wind.

twinge (twinj), v.t. To affect with a

twirl (twerl), v.t. To cause to rotate
rapidly ; to spin, especially with the fingers ;
to whirl (round) ; to turn (the thumbs)
round and round without purpose ; to
twist or curl (the moustache, etc.). v.i.
To revolve or rotate rapidly ; to whirl (round).

sharp, sudden pain. n. A sudden, sharp M. A rapid circular motion ; a twist ; a

darting pain ; a pang, as of sorrow or regret.
(F. lanciner ; doideur lancinante, acces.)

A person feels a twinge of conscience
when he experiences a momentary shame

flourish made with a pen, etc. (F. faire
tourner, tordre ; tournoyer, se tordre; tour-
noiement, torsion, trail.)

Perhaps frequentative of A.-S. thweran to turn ;

or doubt in regard to some action. The cp. Norw. tvirla to spin round, whirl. SYN. : v.

verb is now seldom used.

A.-S. twengan to pinch ; cp. Dutch dwingen,
G. zwingen, O. Norse Ihvinga to coerce, press.
SYN. : n. Pang.

twink (twingk),

v..

Curl, rotate, spin, whirl, n. Flourish, twist.

twist (twist), v.t. To wind (a thread,
strand, etc.) round another ; to form
(strands, etc.) into a thread, cord, or rope

wink ; a twinkling. (F. Stinceler ; din d'ceil.
M.E. twinkem ; cp. G. zwinken.

To twinkle, n. A thus, by twisting ; to form (a rope, etc.)

thus ; to interweave (with, or in with) ; to
give a spiral form to by or as by turning the

twinkle (twing' kl), v.i. To shine ends in opposite directions ; to distort ;

with quick broken gleams ; to spaikle ; to wrench ; to misrepresent ; to cause (a

to appear and disappear quickly and re- ball) to rotate while travelling in a curved

peatedly ; to move to and fro quickly ; path ; to make (one's way) in a winding

to blink or wink. v.t. To flash or emit manner ; to entwine or wreathe (flowers,

(light) in rapid gleams, n. A tremulous etc.). v.i. To be turned or bent, or to

gleam ; a sparkle ; a glimmer ; a short, rapid grow in a corkscrew form ; to move in a

movement ; a blink or wink. (F. scmiiller, curving, winding, or irregular path ; to

petiller, etinceler, clignoter ; faire btiller ;
lueur, etincelle, scintillation, clignotement.)

writhe ; to squirm, n. The act or manner
of twisting ; the state of being twisted ;
a sharp or vigorous turn ; a
spinning motion given to a ball
or bullet ; a spiral path ; a
sharp bend ; in physics, a twist-
ing strain; the amount of torsion
of a rod, etc. ; the angle showing
this ; forward motion combined
with rotation ; thread, rope, etc.,
made by twisting strands to-
gether ; strong silk thread or cotton
yarn ; a twisted roll of bread ;
twisted tobacco ; an idiosyn-
cracy ; a peculiar tendency ; a
bent. (F. tordre, tourner, eniie-
meler, falsifier; se tordre, se tire-
b'ouchonner, devier; torsion,
revolution, spirale, rouleau.)

The grooves in the barrel of
a rifle are twisted or are given a
twist in order to put a twist,
that is, a spin, on the bullet- as
it passes up the barrel. To twist
Stars near the horizon seem to twinkle a person's words is to impart to them
most, owing to their, remoteness. Their a meaning not intended by him. A twisted
apparent sparkle is due to the effect of column has a spiral form, as if it had been
our atmosphere on their light. The planets twisted at each end in opposite directions,
do not twinkle. Eyes are said to twinkle In spite of their great strength, steel
when they gleam, and also when the eyelids shafts are twistable (twist' abl, adj.),
twitch. A person making fun of someone that is, capable of being twisted, by heavy
else speaks with a twinkle in his eye. strains.

The twinkling (twing' kling, n.) of sun- Spin imparted to a lawn-tennis ball is

light on ripples of water is its scintillation. called twist. A service made by drawing
A gun discharges in a twinkling, that is, the racket from left to right to cause the
in a moment, after the trigger is pulled. ball to swerve in the air and break or turn

Twist. — The winding road which, after many twists, on Lookout
Mountain, Colorado, U.S.A.. reaches the tomb of Buffalo Bill.

A very prompt action is said to be done in
the twinkling of an eye.

A.-S. twinclian frequentative of assumed
twincan, E. twink. SYN. : v. Blink, glimmer,
scintillate, sparkle, wink.

on touching the ground, is called the twist
service («.).

A twister (twist' er, n.) is a thing or person
that twists, especially a cricket-ball bowled
with a spin, or a billiard-ball propelled thus.

4392

TWIT

TWO

The inner part of the thigh, upon which a
good horseman sits when riding, is also
known as the twister. In a colloquial
sense we describe a poser or difficult problem
as a twister.

From A.-S. twist rope ; akin to two. SYN. :
v. Distort, interweave, pervert, twine, wrench.
ANT. : v. Straighten, untwine, untwist.

twit (twit), v.t. To taunt or upbraid ; to
reproach. (F. injurier, censurer, reprocher.)

To remind a person in an annoying way
of a fault is to twit him with it. Some
people think it humorous to speak twittingly
(twit' ing li, adv.), or in a taunting, light-
hearted manner, of some failing in the
person they are addressing.

A.-S. aetwitan, from aet at, witan blame. SYN. :
Reproach, taunt.

twitch (twich), v.t. To pull with a
sharp or sudden jerk ; to snatch ; to move
spasmodically. v.i. To jerk or pull (at) ;
to make a sudden, involuntary movement.
n. A sudden jerk or pull ; a sudden in-
voluntary contraction of a muscle, or
movement of a limb, etc. (F. tirer, armcher ;
saccader, sursauter, tressaillir ; saccade, tic.}

M.E. twicchen, related to twikken to tweak.
SYN.: v Jerk, pluck, n. Contraction, jerk, pull.

twite (twit), n. The mountain linnet
(Linota flavirostris).

Imitative of cry.

twitter (twit' er), v.i. To utter a
series of light tremulous notes ; to chirp.
v.t. To utter or express thus. n. A succession
of short tremulous notes or sounds ; a
chirping ; an excited or nervous state. (F.
gazouiller, pepie* : gazouillement, piaillerie,
transe.)

In summer we are awakened by the
twittering of birds outside the bedroom
window. In "Waring" (i, 6) Robert
Browning described the twittering of star-
lings as a ' barbarous twitter." In a
colloquial sense, a woman declares that she
is all of a twitter when she is highly
excited. The word twitteration (twit er a/
shun, n.} — a popular coinage — has the same
meaning.

Imitative and frequentative ; cp. titter,
twaddle, also Dutch kwetteren, G. zwitschern
to twitter.

twittingly (twit' ing li). For this word
see under twit.

'twixt (twikst). This is a shortened form
of betwixt. See under between.

two (too), adj. One more than one.
n. The sum of one and one ; a hit or score
of two ; a pair. (F. deux.}

Two is the Arabic numeral 2 and the
Roman ii. A two-edged (adj.] knife is one
with a blade sharpened on both edges. An
ambiguous compliment is said to be two-edged
if it cuts both ways, and is found to contain
a deprecatory meaning on closer examination.

Janus, the ancient Roman god of doors
and gates, is often represented as a two-
faced (adj.} god, or one with two faces.
One face looks forward, the other backward.
In a figurative sense, a treacherous or
027 4393

deceitful person, especially one given to
double dealing, is said to be two-faced. A
twofold (adj.} mistake is a double mistake.
Help is increased twofold (adv.}, that is.
doubly, in value if rendered promptly.

A two-foot (adj.) rule is two feet long.
In the Middle Ages two-handed (adj.)
swords, wielded with both hands, were
often used in battle. The blade of such a
sword was longer than usual, and the
weapon was sometimes carried slung on
the owner's back. A two-handed game of
cards is one played by two people. A person
who is ambidextrous, or able to use both
hands with equal skill, is said to be two-
handed. Two-headed (adj.) means furnished
with two heads. The muscle which bends the
arm is called the biceps, or two-headed muscle,
because it has two attachments at one end.

Two. — A two-seater motor-car, a car for two
persons, including the driver.

A two-line (adj.) type is one of double the
depth of ordinary type of the same name.
For example, two-line piea fills a line
twice as deep as ordinary pica. Twopence
(tup' ens, n.) is the sum of two-pence. The
silver coin called a twopence or twopenny
(tup7 en i, adj.) bit is now issued only as
Maundy money. A twopenny-halfpenny
(tup' en i ha' pen i, adj.) stamp is one costing
or worth twopence and a halfpenny. In a
colloquial sense, worthless or paltry things
are described contemptuously as twopenny
or twopenny-halfpenny articles.

A two-ply (adj.} carpet is one made of
two layers or thicknesses. Two-ply rope
is twisted from a pair of separate strands.
A two-sided (adj.) question is one about
which two opposite opinions may reasonably
be held, one which has 'two aspects.

Before the World War the British Admir-
alty favoured the two-power standard («.),
which means the principle of keeping the
British navy at a strength equal to that
of the navies of any other two powers
combined.

A two-seater (n.) is a motor-car designed
especially to carry two people. It may
have folding seats at the back behind the
hood, to be used for extra passengers. In
lawn -tennis a handicap of two points in
every six games of a set is called two-sixths
of fifteen (n.).

i 07

T" WOULD

TYPE

Most ballroom dances are twosome (too'
sum, adj.) dances, that is, they are danced
by couples. A twosome game of golf, or two-
some (n.), is a game in which only two
people take part. A two-speed (adj.) gear
on a bicycle gives two alternative ratios
of gearing between the pedals and driving
wheel. A bicycle thus adapted for riding
at two rates of speed is called a two-speed
bicycle. The kind of dance called a two-
step (n.) was originally a quick waltz. Music
is in two-time (n.), or duple time, when it
is written with two beats to the bar.

People who say one thing and mean
another are two-tongued (adj.), that is,
double-tongued, or deceitful.. By means of
a two-way (adj.) cock fluid can be turned
from one pipe into either of two other pipes.
Two-way traffic, in which vehicles passing
in opposite directions use opposite sides
of the same road, is distinguished from one-
way traffic. Most roads are two-way roads.

A.-S. twa, fern, tu, neuter ; cp. Dutch twee,
G. zwei, O. Norse tvei-r ; akin to L. duo, Gr. dyo,
Sansk. dvdu. See twain.

t 'would (twud). This is a contraction
of "it would."

Tyburn (ti' burn), adj. Of or connected
with Tyburn, an historic place of execution
in London.

From the * twelfth to the eighteenth
century the Middlesex gallows stood by the
Tyburn, a small stream now running under-
ground, near the Marble Arch, London.
Many malefactors met their death at
Tyburn, or Tyburn tree (n.).

In former times anybody who successfully
prosecuted an evil-doer for felony was
granted a Tyburn ticket (n.), exempting him
from certain duties in the parish where the
crime was committed.

In the criminal jargon of those times a
halter was called a Tyburn tippet (n.).

tycoon (ti koon'), n. A title of the
shogun of Japan, 1854-67, used especially
by foreigners. (F. ta'ikoun.}

Japanese taikun great prince.

tying (t!' ing). This is the present
participle of tie. See tie.

tyke (tik). This is another form of
tike. See tike.

tyler (til' er). This is another form
of tiler. See under tile.

tylosis (ti 16' sis), n. In botany, a
growth from a plant cell into a neighbouring
duct ; in pathology, an inflammation of the
eyelids, pi. tyloses (ti 16' sez).

Eyelids affected by tylosis are said to
be tyjotic (ti lot' ik, adj.}. The inflamed
margins of the eyelids become thickened
and hardened.

From Gr. tyloein to grow callous, E. -osis.

tymbal (tim' bal). This is another form
of timbal. See timbal.

tymp (timp), n. A hollow water-
cooled casting or block of refractory material
filling the upper part of the opening in front

of the hearth of an old-fashioned blast-
furnace ; in coal mining, a short, horizontal
roof timber. (F. tympe.)

Short for tympan.

tympan (tim' pan), n. A hinged
frame covered with cloth or parchment
which serves to equalize the pressure in
a printing press ; any tightly stretched
sheet of membrane or thin material ; in
anatomy and architecture, a tympanum. (F.
tympanum.)

From L. tympanum, Gr. tympar.on timbrel,
tabor.

tympanum (tim' pa num) n. In
anatomy, the ear-drum ; the middle ear ; in
ducks, the modified lower end of the trachea,
forming a resonance cavity; in architec-
ture, the triangular area forming the field
of a pediment ; the space between the
lintel and the arch over a door or window ;
a door-panel ; a kind of treadmill ; a drum-
wheel used for raising water from a stream.
pi. tympana (tim' pa na). (F. tympan.)

The tympanum, or tympanic (tim pan' ik,
adj.) membrane, of the ear receives sound
vibrations and conveys them to the brain.
Inflammation of the ear-drum, as this part
of the ear is popularly named, is called
tympanitis (tim pa ni' tis, «.).

See tympan.

Tympanum. — The tympanum of an ancient window
at El Barah, Syria.

Tynwald (tin' wawld), n. The law-
making body of the Isle of Man. Another
spelling is Tynewald (tin 'wawld).

The Tynwald, or Court of Tynwald,
consists of a council, including the deem-
sters, and the House of Keys. Bills have
to be passed by both bodies, as in the British
Parliament, and then receive royal assent.
They do not become law, however, until
they have been publicly announced in
English and Manx on Tynwald Hill.

O. Norse thingvoll-r, from thing assembly,
voll-r field. See thing.

type (tip), n. A distinguishing mark ;
an emblem ; an image ; a person, thing,
or event serving as a symbol, an example, or
representative specimen of another thing or
class of things ; a class of things, people,
etc., possessing characteristics in common ;
in biology, a quality or feature common to

4394

TYPE

TYPE

individuals of a group ; an organism possess-
ing the characteristic features of its group ;
a chemical compound which illustrates the
grouping of atoms in other compounds ; a
work of art, etc., serving as guide for later
artists ; a block of wood, metal, rubber,
etc., with a letter, etc., cast or cut, usually
in relief, for printing with ; a set of such
blocks ; the device on a medal, coin, etc.
v.t. To typewrite (correspondence, etc.). v.i. To
use a typewriter. (F. type, devise, cavacteve ;
ecvire a la machine.)

In theology, the lamb offered at the
Passover is regarded as a type of Christ, that
is, a symbol that prefigured Him. A person
with fine features is said to be of a hand-
some type, and we describe a very honest
person as the type of honesty.

All living creatures with backbones belong
to the vertebrate type. A vertebrate is an
individual animal belonging to this main
division, or type, of the animal kingdom.
Some plants and animals deviate from the
type, or differ somewhat in structure from
that which is characteristic of their type.
What is called a type genus in botany and
zoology is a genus of plants or animals
exhibiting the essential characteristics of a
family or other higher group which is named
from it.

The word typal (tip' al, adj.] means
typical, emblematic, or typographical.

A type-bar (n.) is a line of printing type
cast in one piece by a linotype machine, or
in a typewriter, one of the bars bearing
type at the end.

The casting of printing-type, called type-
casting (n.) or type-founding (n.), is done
by a type-founder (n.) in a place called a
type-foundry (n.). The metal used for
founding type is known as type-metal (n.).
It is usually an alloy of lead and antimony,
the latter metal giving hardness to the
letters.

A woodcut or other block used in a
printing-press must be type-high (adj.),
that is, as deep as the standard length or
height of type. Its printing surface will
then be at the same level as that of the
type used with it.

Type is arranged in proper order for
printing by a type-setter (n.), or compositor,
whose work is called type-setting (n.).

The typewriter (n.) is a machine which
imprints a letter, number, or symbol on a
sheet of paper when one of a set of keys is
depressed. Its use in the business world
has largely superseded writing by hand.
Many people even typewrite (v.t.) their
private letters, that is, print them with a
typewriter, since it is very simple and
expeditious to typewrite (v.i.), or operate a
typewriter.

The word typewriter is sometimes used
incorrectly to denote a typist (tip' ist, «.),
that is, a person employed in typewriting (n.)
or in operating a typewriter. A type-
written (adj.) letter or document, that is,

4395

Typewriter. — Reading from top, a typewriter of 1829 ;
one of Sir Charles Wheatstone's typewriters, (1855-
60) ; a dial typewriter with the characters on the
edge of a vertical disk; and a modern typewriter.

TYPHLITIS

TYPICAL

one produced by the use of a typewriter, is
said to be in typescript (tip' skript, n.), and
is described as a typescript.

F., through L. from Gr. typos (typtein to
strike) blow, impress, model. SYN. : n. Character,
emblem, example, model, symbol.

typhlitis (tif II' tis), n. In pathology,
inflammation of the caecum, as distinguished
from appendicitis. (F. typhlite.)

From Gr. typhlos blind and E. suffix -itis.

typhoid (tr foid), adj. Of the nature
of or resembling typhus ; of, related to,
or infected with, enteric or typhoid fever.
n. Typhoid or enteric fever. (F. typho'ide ;
fievre typho'ide.}

Typhoid fever is caused by a microbe,
the typhoid bacillus, which enters the body
with contaminated food or drinking water.
It was formerly thought to be a variety
of typhus. A typhomalarial (tl fo ma lar'
i al, adj.] fever is one having the nature
of both typhoid and malaria. Its symp-
toms are both typhoidal (ti foi' dal, adj.),
that is, characteristic of typhoid, and
malarial. The low muttering delirium which
occurs in typhus and other fevers is called
typhomania (tl fo ma/ ni a, n.).

From E. typhus and -old.

typhoon (ti foon') n. A violent
revolving cyclone occurring in the China
seas. (F. typhon.)

Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) wrote a magni-
ficent description of a ship battling with a
typhoon in his short story called " Typhoon."
Typhonic (ti fon' ik adj.) hurricanes originate
in the intense heat and calm prevailing over
the China seas, and produce huge and violent
waves. They occur mainly between August
and October.

Partly Arabic tufdn, either from tafa to turn
round, or from Gr. typhon a mythical giant,
hence a hurricane ; partly Chinese tai fung great
wind.

typhus (tl' fus), n. A contagious
disease, accompanied by dark purple
spots, severe fever, and prostration. (F.
typhus.)

The danger of contracting typhus has
been greatly reduced in recent years by
improved methods of sanitation. It has
been called ship-fever, jail-fever, and camp-
fever because the dirt and overcrowding
formerly prevalent in such places led to
outbreaks of typhous (tr fus, adj.) fevers,
that is, fevers having the nature of, or
resembling, typhus. Typhoid is an entirely
different disease.

L. typhus, Gr. typhos smoke, stupor.

. typical (tip' i kal), adj. Of the nature
of a type ; serving as a type ; emblematic,
representative, or characteristic of ; exhibit-
ing or embodying the essential characters
of a class, group, etc. Another form, rarely
used, is typic (tip' ik). (F. typique.)

Sam Weller, of •' The. Pickwick Papers,"
is a typical cockney. He is typically (tip'
i kal li, adv.),, or characteristically, shrewd,
archly witty, and faithful to his master,
Mr. Pickwick. A typical genus of plants or
animals is a type genus. In theology, the
sacrificial lamb is -held to be typical, or
prophetically symbolical, of Christ. Many
other things in;. the Bible are interpreted
typically, or figuratively. Typicality (tip i
kal' i ti, n.) or typicalness (tip' i kal nes, n.)
means symbolic character. The transeptal
towers' of Exeter Cathedral are typically
Norman — they possess the chief charac-
teristics of Norman architecture. The rest of
the building is typical of the best Decorated
Gothic style.

Writers usually typify (tip' i fi, v.t.)
abstract qualities, that is represent them
by types which give them concreteness. The
dinosaur typifies, or serves as a characteristic

Typhoon. — A vessel wrecked by a typhoon, one of the violent revolving cyclones occurring in the China
seas. In some typhoons the wind reaches a velocity of over one hundred miles an hour.

4396

TYPIST

TYRANT

example of, the gigantic animals that
inhabited the world in the Mesozoic Age.
Some scientists think that the microscopic
animals now found in ditch-water typify,
or show the essential characteristics of,
larger animals of the early Palaeozoic
Age. The action of typifying is typifica-

tyrannicide (ti ran' i sid ; ti ran'i sid),
n. The act of killing a tyrant ; one who
kills a tyrant. (F. tyrannicide.}

Brutus and Cassius, the chief conspirators
against Julius Caesar, are sometimes called
tyrannicides. Their tyrannicidal (ti ran i
si' dal ; ti ran i si7 dal, adj.) plot was carried

tion (tip i fi ka7 shun, n.). The Circum- out in the senate-house.

locution Office in " Little Dorrit," by
Charles Dickens, is a typification, or exem-
plification, of a government department
dominated by red tape. Fortunately it is
not typical of an ordinary government office.

From L. typicus, Gr.
typikos, from typos any-
thing struck, a die,
model, etc. SYN. :
Characteristic, distinc-
tive, emblematic, rep-
resentative, symbolical.

typist (tip' 1st), n.
One who operates a
typewriter. See under

From Gr. typos, im-
pression, die. See type.

typo-. This is a
prefix meaning type,
o r connected with
type. The form typ-
is used before vowels.
(F. typo-.)

Combining form from
Gr. typos type. See type.

typograph (ti' po
graf), n. A machine
formerly used for
making and setting
type; a typographer.
(F. typographe.)

From E. typo- and
suffix -graph.

typography (ti pog' ra fi), n. The
art of printing from movable type ; the

Tyrant. — A statue of the Roman Emperor Tiberius,
who became a tyrant.

L. tyrannicidium (act), and tyranmclda (agent),

from tyrannus tyrant, and caedere to kill.

tyrannize (tir7 a niz), v.i. To act the

tyrant ; to rule despotically or cruelly (over) .

v.t. To rule despotically. (F. faire le tyran ;
tyranniser.)

A tyrant, in the
bad sense of the word,
is said to tyrannize
over his people. He
exercises a tyrannous
(tir7 a mis, adj.), or
tyrannical, form o i
government, which we
describe as tyranny
(tir7 a ni, n.), and he
may be said to rule
tyrannously (tir' a niis
li, adv.),or despotically.
The city-states, over
which the ancient
Greek autocrats ruled,
are called tyrannies.
The absolute govern-
ment exercised by such
a ruler is also known
as tyranny. A harsh
and exacting or
tyrannous employer
may be said to tyran-
nize over his work-
people.

From Gr. tyiiawno*, and
E. -ize.
tyrant (tlr' ant), n. An oppressive

or cruel ruler or master ; in ancient Greece,

appearance, arrangement, or character of an absolute ruler who has usurped office,
printed matter. (F. typographic.) (F. tyran.)

Books produced by the Kelmscott Press The historians, Tacitus and Suetonius,
in the nineteenth century are magnificent represent the Roman Emperor Tiberius
examples of typography. William Morris, as a tyrant. His administration (A. D. 14-37),
the founder of this printing press, achieved
great typographic (ti po graf ik, adj.) or
typographical (ti po graf '. ik al adj.) beauty,
that is, beauty of printing, by using type
based on early models. Many books, how-

however, was in the main conscientious and
good. He did not begin to abuse his power,
or act tyrannically (ti ran7 ik al li ; tl ran'
ik al li, adv.), until his life and office had
been threatened by the conspiracy of

ever, are typographically (ti po graf7 ik al li, Sejanus. Only in the last years of his
adv.) poor, that is, as regards typography,
although the matter they contain may be
of high value. Printers' errors, or literals,
are sometimes called typographical errors.

rule did Tiberius display the tyrannical (ti
ran7 ik al ; ti ran7 ik al, adj.) qualities that
have caused him to go down in history as
a tyrant. Even then his tyrannicalness

A typographer (ti pog7 ra fer, n.) is a printer (ti ran7 i kal nes ; ti ran7 ik al nes, n.), or
or a person skilled in typography. tyrannical character, showed itself largely

From E. typo- and -graphy.

in the rigorous enforcement of the law of

typology (ti pol< 6 ji), n. The study treason, and the execution, of suspected

and interpretation of types in the Scriptures ;
symbolism.

persons, due to his fear of treachery.

The tyrants of ancient Greece were not

From E. typo- (combining form of type) and necessarily oppressors. They were often

suffix -logy.

men of ability who seized power, generally
4397

TYRE

TZIGAN

by irregular means, and claimed the authority
of a monarch. Many of the Greek city-states
flourished under the rule of their tyrants.
In an extended sense of the word, a very
strict father is sometimes described as a
tyrant in his own household.

From L. tyrannus, Gr. lyrannos originally a
usurper. The final* is intrusive. SYN. : Autocrat,
oligarch, oppressor.

tyre (tir). This is another form of tire.
See tire [2].

tyro (tlr' 6), n. A beginner ; a novice.
Another spelling is tiro (tir7 6). (F. corn-
men f ant, novice.}

In ancient Rome a newly enlisted soldier
or recruit was known as a. tiro. The words
tyro and tiro now denote either a beginner
in any study or activity, or else a person
who has acquired only a rudimentary
knowledge of its principles.

A misspelling of L. tiro raw recruit. SYN. :
Amateur, beginner, ignoramus, learner, novice.
ANT. : Adept, connoisseur, expert, master,
veteran.

Tyrolese (tir 6 lez'), adj. Belonging
to Tyrol, n. A native of Tyrol. (F.
tyrolien ; Tyrolien . )

Tyrol is a little country lying to the north
of Lombardy, in the mountainous region
of the Alps. It is now divided between
Italy and the Austrian Republic. The
Tyrolese are mostly farmers. A Tyrolienne
(ti rol i en', n.) is a Tyrolese peasant dance,
its tune, or a traditional song of the country
in which the yodel occurs.

From G. Tyrol (now Tirol) and E. adj. suffix
-ese.

tyrotoxicon (tir 6 tok' si kon), n. A
poisonous ptomaine produced by a microbe
in stale cheese, milk, ice-cream, etc.

Gr. tyros cheese, toxikon poison.

Tyrrhenian (ti re' ni an), n. An
Etruscan, Tuscan, adj. Of ancient or modern
Tuscany ; Etruscan or Tuscan. Tyrrhene
(tir' en ; ti ren') has the same meaning.
(F. Tyrrhenian ; tyrrhenien.}

The Tyrrhenian Sea is an old name for
a part of the Mediterranean between Sicily,
Corsica, and Tuscany. The latter country
was formerly called Tyrrhenia.

From Gr. Tyrrhenes and E. suffix -ian.

Tyrtaean (tir te' an), adj. Of or in
the style of Tyrtaeus, an ancient Greek
writer of martial songs. (F. tyrteen.)

tzar (zar). This is another form of
tsar. See tsar.

tzetze (tzef ze ; set' se). This is another
spelling of tsetse. See tsetse.

Tzigany (tsig' a m),adj. Of or relating
to the Hungarian gipsies or their music.
n. An Hungarian gipsy. Other forms in-
clude Tzigane (tsi gan') and Tsigane (tsi
gan'). (F. tzigane; Tzigane.)

Tzigany bands play a stirring emotional
kind of music with exciting rhythms.

Hungarian czigdny.

439H

Tyrolese. — Some types of the inhabitants of
Tyrol,' a mountainous little country north of
Lombardy : a middle-aged peasant (top), an old
peasant with his granddaughter, and a young
peasant girl.

u

U, u (u). The twenty-first letter and
the fifth vowel of the English, alphabet.
In the Latin and earlier English alphabets
u was merely a form of v, both being used
as vowel and consonant, but in the seven-
teenth century the form u came to be
reserved for the vowel.

The sound of u, both long and short,
has greatly changed in modern English,
but its original sound is preserved in many
words. In this old pure u, which has the
lowest pitch of all the English vowels, the
lips are rounded and protruded, leaving a
small aperture, the tongue being flattened,
raised and drawn back, much as with the
consonants k and g, so that u is called a
guttural vowel. The pure long vowel,
represented phonetically in this .book by
oo, is retained after r, j, ch and y, and after
/ preceded by a consonant, as in rule,
June, chute, Yule, blue (rool, joori, shoot,
yool, bloo). With some speakers long u
after simple / or s has this sound, as in lute,
supreme, assume (loot, soo prem', a soom',
for lut, su prem', a sum'). In other words
a short i, or the semi-vowel y, has been
developed before long u, the sound being
here phonetically represented by u (= yoo),
as in unite, cue, tune (u nit', ku, tun).

The pure short -u, here written phonet-
ically u, only occurs now after a labial

consonant in a few English words, as bull
bush, full, pudding, pull, pulpit, push, puss
put. In most words it has changed to ;
peculiar sound (u) something like the a ii
father, but shorter and with the tongu
narrowed and the lips unrounded, as in but
lung (but, lung). Before r, short u has th
same sound (e) as e and i in this position
as in turn (tern).

In French, u has the same sound as ii
ancient Greek (in this book written y}
namely, a much thinner sound than the pur
u, intermediate between u and i, producec
by extending the tongue forward am
narrowing it, while keeping the lips rounded
as in buffet (F.). In German a very simila
sound is written u or ue, as in Bliicher, o
Bluecher.

The digraph ui generally = oo or u, a
in fruit (froot), suit (sut). U has the soun<
of the consonant w after q, and often afte
g or s, as in anguish, suave (ang' gwish
swav). In words ending with -que, a
masque, unique, ue is silent. In words o
French origin, a silent u is often inserte<
between g and e, i, or y, indicating that t
has the guttural sound, as in guest, fatigue
guide, guy. U is also silent in build, buy
guard, languor.

U is an abbreviation for Unionist ; Univer
sity ; United, as in U.K. United Kingdom

"

rawing made in 1915 giving a sectional view of one of the German submarine craft called
U-boats. The side has been removed to show the interior.

4399

UBIQUITY

ULCER

U.S.A. United States of America ; under,
in u.p. under proof ; Upper, in U.C. Upper
Canada ; Urban in U.D.C. Urban District
Council ; ugly (nautical). U is the chemical
symbol of uranium, and the motor-car index
letter for Leeds.

A U-bolt (n.) and a U-tube (n.) are made
in the shape of a capital U. A U-boat (n.)
was a German submarine (German untersee-
boot) of the kind used in the World War.
The origin of the letter u is described on
page xviii.

ubiquity (u bik' wi ti), n. The quality,
capacity, or state of being everywhere at
the same time ; omnipresence. (F.
ubiquite1, omnipresence.)

In law the King is regarded as being
officially present in all law courts through
the medium of the judges. This is termed
the legal ubiquity of the King. Ubiquity
is an attribute of God alone. One of
the early Lutherans who believed that
Christ's body was everywhere at all times,
and so could be actually present in the
elements at Communion, was called a
Ubiquitarian (u bik wi tar' i an, n.). A
Ubiquitarian (adj.) controversy raged be-
tween the believers in Ubiquitarianism (u
bik wi tar' i an izm, n.), as this theory was
called, and the stricter Lutherans.

The word ubiquitous (u bik' wi tus, adj.)
means present, or appearing, everywhere.
In summer, American tourists r
are ubiquitous in Europe. We
sometimes say, with jocular
exaggeration, that an ex-
tremely active person is ubi-
quitous, or turns up every-
where. Opinions, also, may
be ubiquitous, and have the
quality of ubiquitousness (u
bik' wi tus nes, n.) if they are
wide-spread, and so occur
ubiquitously (u bik' wi tus li,
adv.).

O.F. ubiquite, ix-om L. ublque
everywhere, with suffix -ity.

udometer (u dom' e ter),
n. A rain-gauge. (F. udometre,
pluviometre.}

From L. udus wet, moist, and
E. meter.

ugh (u), inter. An exclam-
ation of disgust or horror, n.
A sound or utterance of this
kind. (F. pouah ! brrr !}

ugly (ug ' li) , adj. Repulsive
or offensive to the sight ;
unsightly ; not beautiful or
comely ; morally offensive ;
objectionable; causing disquiet;
suggesting evil ; threatening ;
formidable ; of weather, etc., stormy, n. A
kind of hood or eye-shade attached to the
front of women's bonnets in the middle of
the nineteenth century. (F. laid, disgracieux,
repoussant, menacant, redoutable, rude.}

We all recognize that there is a difference

British Museum.

Ugly. — A repulsively ugly mask

representing the Hawaiian god

of war.

between ugly and beautiful things without
always being able to say exactly what
distinguishes them. Ugliness (fig7 li nes, n.).
the abstract quality of being ugly, is the
converse of beauty, and as such is a problem
for philosophers. An ugly noise is a harsh,
grating one. The rare word ugsome (ug' sum,
adj.) means horrible or loathsome.

An ugly rumour is either disquieting or
discreditable. A rough, dangerous-looking
man may be described as an ugly customer.
Clouds have an ugly look when they gather
uglily (ug' li li, adv.) in the sky, and threaten
rain. A hideous monument might be said to
uglify (ug' li fi, v.t.), its surroundings. A
frown uglifies a face, or makes it ugly.

One of Hans Andersen's most popular
tales is that of " The Ugly Duckling,"
which tells how a cygnet was despised
by the brood of ducks among which it
was reared, but eventually developed the
splendid plumage of a swan and flew happily
away. Nowadays an apparently common-
place member of a family who develops
some surprising ability, or even genius, is
sometimes described as an ugly duckling.

O. Norse ugglig-r dreadful, from ugg-r fear and
lig-r like. SYN. : adj. Hideous, loathsome,
repulsive, unpleasant, unsightly. ANT. : adj.
Attractive, beautiful, comely, handsome, lovely*
Ugrian (oo' gri an ; u' gri an), adj.
Of or relating to a group of Ural-Altaic
peoples, including the Finns and
Magyars, or their languages.
Another form is Ugric (oo'
grik ; u' grik). (F. ougrien.)
From L.L. Ugrl.
Uhlan (oo' Ian ; u'lan), n.
A cavalryman armed with a
lance, in the German and other
Continental armies. (F. uhlan.)
G., from Turkish oghldn youth.

Uintatherium (ii in ta
ther' i um), n. A genus of
huge rhinoceros-like extinct
mammals of North America;
a member of this genus.

Modern L., from Uinta, moun-
tains in Utah, U.S.A., and Gr.
therion, dim. of ther beast.

uitlander (oif land er ; et '
land er). This is the Dutch
form of outlander. See under
outland.

ukase (u kas'), n. An order
or decree of the former
Imperial Russian government,
issued by the Tsar, or the
senate ; any edict or official
order of aii arbitrary nature.
(F. ukase.}

From Rus. ukazu edict.
ukelele (u' ke le le), n. A small four-
stringed instrument of the guitar type.
Hawaiian.

ulcer (ul' ser), n. An open sore, other
than a wound, secreting pus or other
morbid matter ; a grave blemish in a

4400

OLEMA

ULTIMATE

rerson's character ; a source of corruption.
(F. ulcer e, vice.}

An ulcer may occur either externally or
internally. An affection is ulcerative (fil'
se ra tiv adj.] if accompanied by the forma-
tion of ulcers. The skin is said to ulcerate
(fil' se rat, v.i.) when it forms an ulcer or
ulcers, or becomes ulcered (ul' serd, adj.),
ulcerated (ul' se ra ted, adj.) or ulcerous
(ul' se rus, adj.). To ulcerate (v.t.) means
cause ulcers in ; the process of
becoming, or state of being,
ulcerated is termed ulceration (ul
se ra/ shun, n.). An ulcerous
formation, or one having the
nature of an ulcer, is sometimes
called an ulceration.

From L. ulcus (gen. ulcer-is sore,
ulcer, akin to Gr. helkos.

Ulema (oo' le ma), n. The
body of Moslem doctors of the-
ology and sacred law, especially
in Turkey. (F. ulema.}

The Ulema interprets the Koran
and gives decisions based on its
law.

Arabic, pi. of dlim learned.

Ulex (u' leks), n. A genus
of thorny shrubs of the bean
family, comprising the furze,
whin, or gorse. (F. ulex, ajonc.)

Modern sense of L. ulex, a shrub
akin to rosemary.

ullage (fil7 ij), n. The quan-
tity of liquid by which a cask,
etc., falls short of being full.
(F. vidange.)

This term is used by brewers.
If the capacity of a cask
is thirty-six gallons and it
actually contains only thirty
gallons, the ullage is six gallons.

Prov. ulhage (ulha to fill), from
L. oculus an eye, hence opening.

ulmin (fil' min), n. In chemistry, a
black, gummy, alkaline substance that oozes
from the inner bark of the elm and
other trees ; a dark brown or black product

Ulster. — An ulster is a long,
loose overcoat, usually pro-
vided with a belt.

ulotrichous (u lot'ri kus), adj. Having
crisp or woolly hair ; belonging to the
woolly-haired races of mankind.

Some anthropologists classify the races
of mankind according to their straight,
wavy, or woolly varieties of hair. The
last variety, distinguishes the ulotrichous
division, which includes negroes.

From Gr. oulothrix (ace. oulotrikh-a) having
curly hair, from oulos, Ionic form of holos whole,
complete, thick, also twined, and
thrix hair ; E. adj. suffix -ous.

ulster (fil' ster), n. A long,
loose overcoat for men or women,
usually provided with a belt.
(F. ulster.)

A person wearing an ulster is
sometimes said to be ulstered
(fil' sterd, adj.). The coat is so
named from the fact that it was
originally made of frieze manu-
factured in Ulster, Ireland.

ulterior (ul ter' i or), adj.
Lying beyond or on the other
side of a point or boundary ;
further ; future ; not at present
in view or under consideration ;
not yet disclosed or avowed.
(F. ulterieur, subsequent, cache",
secret.}

An ulterior action is one that
is to be performed at a later
stage. People are said to do
something with ulterior motives
when they have other, and more
selfish, reasons for their actions
besides those which appear on the
surface. We might say that a
proposed statue is to be erected
ulteriorly (ul ter' i or li, adv.},
or subsequently.

L. comparative of assumed ulter
See ultra. SYN. : Further, future,,
subsequent, undisclosed.

ultimate (fil' ti mat), adj. Last ;
final ; beyond which there is nothing
existing or possible ; out of reach of analysis ;
primary ; fundamental. . (F. dernier, ex-

of rotting wood and vegetable matter. treme, supreme, final, primitif, fondamental.

Another spelling is ulmine (fil' min).
(F. ulmine.}

Ulmin is described by some chemists as
ulmic (fil' mik, adj.} acid. It is found in
the excrescences of elms that are in an un-
healthy condition, and dries in brittle, shiny
lumps. An ulmous (fil' mus, adj.} substance
is one having the character of ulmin.

From L. ulmus elm and E. suffix -in.

ulna (fil' na), n. The inner of the two
long bones in the forearm, pi. ulnae (fil' ne).
(F. cubitus.)

The upper part of the ulna forms the
point of the elbow. A nerve passing down
the inner side of the arm is known as the
ulnar (fil' nar, adj.) nerve. It is this nerve
which is affected when we hurt our funny-
bone.

L. = elbow, span. See elbow.

4401

The ultimate aim of the science of medi-
cine is the total abolition of disease, whether
this can be attained or not. The ultimate
truths of a philosophy are its fundamental
truths, beyond which no advance can be
made and no further truths discovered.
Such truths may be visualized as forming
the boundaries of knowledge, since they
have the quality of ultimateness (fil' ti
mat nes, n.), or finality.

A word has an ultimate accent when its
last syllable is stressed. A penultimate
accent is one falling on the syllable next
before this. When people become engaged
they are expected ultimately (ul' ti mat li,
adv.), or eventually, to marry.

We may say that peace ultimately, or
in the last resort, depends upon the deter-
mination of civilized peoples to avoid war

ULTRA

ULULATE

as a means of settling misunderstandings
and quarrels.

An ultimatum (ul ti ma/ turn, n.) is a final
statement or proposal of terms or conditions,
especially as sent by one nation to another
preparatory to a breach of relations or a
declaration of war if the terms are not
accepted. Ultimo (ul' ti mo, adv.], which
means last month, is a term sometimes
added to dates in business letters. It is
usually abbreviated to"ult." The 5th ult.
is the fifth day of last month. The system
by which the youngest son of a family
inherits his father's property, as in borough-
English, is termed ultimogeniture (ul ti mo
jen' i chur, n.). This system is opposed
to primogeniture, and is now abolished in
England.

From L.L. ultimdtus, p.p. of ultimdre to be at
the end, from L.ultimus superlative from stem ul-.
See ulterior, ultra. SYN. : Elemental, final,
fundamental, last, primary.

ultra (ul' tra), adj. Extreme ; favour-
ing or advocating extreme views or measures.
n. One who favours extreme views or
measures. (F. ultra, intransigeant.)

A person who holds ultra or extreme
views, especially in religion or
politics, is called an ultra or an
ultraist (ul' tra ist, n.}.

L. ultra beyond, an ablative com-
parative form. SYN. : adj. Ex-
treme, n. Extremist.

ultra-. This is a prefix
meaning on the other side of ;
beyond ; beyond what is natural,
normal, or reasonable. (F. ultra-.}

See ultra.

ultra-basic (ul tra bas' ik),
adj. In geology, containing an
unusually small proportion of
silica. (F. ultm-basique.)

Ultra-basic rocks contain even
less silica than the basic rocks.

From E. ultra- and basic.

ultra-fashionable (ul tra

fash' un abl), adj. Excessively
fashionable. (F. ultra-fashionable.)

An ultra-fashionable woman is one who
always dresses in the height of fashion,
and carries her observance of current modes
to a ridiculous extreme.

From E. ultra- and fashionable.

ultramarine (ul tra ma ren'), adj.
Lying beyond the sea ; of a deep blue colour.
n. A deep blue pigment ; the colour of this.
(F. d'outre-mer ; italic ; outremer.)

The exceedingly costly pigment called
ultramarine was formerly obtained from
lapis lazuli, which was brought to Europe
from countries beyond the sea. The term is
now often applied to a substitute prepared
by mixing clay with sulphur, soda, and
resin.

From E. ultra- andmarine ; L.L. ultramarinus.

ultramontane (ul tra mon' tan), adj.
Situated beyond the Alps, especially from
the northern point of view ; Italian ; sup-
porting the absolute supremacy of the Pope
in matters of faith and Church discipline.
n. A Roman Catholic who supports this view.
(F. ultramontain.)

This word is now commonly used in its
religious sense. The ultramontane view
of the Papacy is termed ultramontanism (ul
tra mon' ta nizm, n.), and a person who
holds it is called an ultramontane or ultra-
montanist (ul tra mon' tan ist, n.). The
ultramontanes believe that the Pope should
be all-powerful in the Church, and are
opposed to tendencies towards self-govern-
ment in the national Churches which exist
within the Catholic Church.

From L. ultra beyond, and montanus, from mons
(ace. mont-em) mountain.

ultramundane (ul tra mun' dan),
adj. Beyond the world or the solar system ;
supernatural ; pertaining to another life.
(F. ultra-mondain, surnaturel.)

From E. ultra- and mundane.

ultra-violet (ul tra vi' 6 let), adj.
Of light rays, beyond the violet rays of the
spectrum. (F. ultra-violet.)

Ultra-violet. — An apparatus for subjecting garments to the health-
promoting action of the ultra-violet rays.

Light passed through a prism becomes
broken up into a series of bands of different
colours. At one end are the violet rays,
and beyond these are still other rays
that we cannot see. These latter have
been called the ultra-violet rays. They
include actinic rays, which affect photo-
graphic plates, and X-rays. Certain of the
ultra-violet rays are known to be of great
importance to health. Unfortunately they
are intercepted by the smoke haze prevailing
over large towns, and also by the kind of
glass ordinarily used in windows.

From E. ultra- and violet.

ululate (u' lu lat ; ul' u lat), v.i. To
howl or hoot ; to lament or wail loudly.
(F. hurler, ululer.)

A wolf when it howls may be said to ululate,

4402

UMBEL

UMBRELLA

or give vent to a ululation (u lu la' shun ;
ul u la' shun, n.) ; in an extended sense a
ululation means a cry of lamentation.

From L. ululdtus, p.p. of ululdre to howl,
shriek. Imitative.

umbel (urn' bel), n. A flower-cluster
formed by flower-stalks of nearly equal
length springing from one point and spread
out so as to form a flattish head of flower-
lets. (F. ombelle.)

Plants having umbellate (urn' bel at, adj.)
flowers, that is, flowers arranged in umbels,
are said by botanists to be umbelliferous
(urn be lif er us, adj.). Parsley is an ex-
ample of an umbellifer (urn bel' i fer, n.), or
plant having such flowers. If the flower-
stalks of an umbel again divide into smaller
stalks, each bearing a little flower, the head
is described as a compound umbel, each
small or secondary umbel being called an
umbellule (um bel' ul, n.).

L. umbella sunshade, dim. of
umbra shadow.

umber (urn' ber), n. A dark
brownish-yellow earthy pigment
containing oxide of iron and
manganese ; the umbrette ; the
grayling (fish). adj. Of the
colour of umber ; dark ; dusky.
v.t. To colour with or as with
umber. (F. terre d'ombre,
ombrette, ombre; brun d'ombre;
ombrer.)

Umber used in its natural
state is called raw umber (n.).
It is also burnt or calcined to
produce burnt umber (n.), which
is of a reddish-brown colour.

The names umber-bird (n.),
umber, and umbre (um' ber, n.) are
given to the umbrette (which see).
It has umbery (urn' ber i, adj.),
or dark brown, plumage.

O.F. umbre (F. ombre), L. umbra
shade, or in first sense perhaps Umbra, fern,
adj., belonging to Umbria a district of Italy.

umbles (urn' biz), n.pl. The entrails
of a deer. See under humble.

umbo (um' bo), n. The boss or pro-
jecting knob at the centre of a shield ; in
natural history, a knob or prominence.
pi. urnbos (um' boz) and umbones (um bo'
nez). (F. umbon.)

The boss or projecting part near the
hinge of the shell of a bivalve mollusc is
called the umbo or umbonal (um' bo nal,
adj.) area. Certain mushrooms are um-
bonate (um' bo nat, adj.), each cap having
an umbo on top.

L. umbo (ace. -on-em) a boss, knob.

umbra (um' bra), n. The darkest
part of the shadow cast by the earth or
moon ; the dark central portion of a sun-
spot, pi. umbrae (um' bre). (F. ombre.)

The shadow cast by the earth consists of
two parts — an umbra, in which the shadow
is complete, the sun's light being cut off,
and a penumbra, or partly shaded zone.

The urnbral (um' bral, adj.) part, or umbra,
of a sunspot is the darker central part.

L. = shade, shadow.

umbrage (um' brij), n. A sense of
injury or slight; offence; shade; that which
gives shade. (F. ombrage.)

A thoughtless remark may give umbrage to,
or hurt the feelings of, the person it concerns.
We should, of course, avoid saying anything
at which a person can take umbrage, or
be offended. In the sense of shade, or
something that gives shade, the word is
now only in poetical use. An umbrageous
(um bra' jus, adj.) tree is a shady one.

O.F., from L. umbrdticum, adj. from umbra
shade.

umbral (urn' bral). For this word see
under umbra.

umbre (urn' ber). This is another name
for the umbrette. See umbrette.

Umbrella.— A scene at Onitsha, Southern Nigeria, showing the
ceremonial use of an umbrella.

umbrella (urn brel' a), n. A light
circular screen of silk, cotton, or other fabric
stretched on a folding framework of radiat-
ing ribs supported on a rod, and held above
the head as a protection against rain or
sun ; the disk of a jelly-fish, etc., used as a
swimming organ ; an umbrella-shell. (F.
parapluie, ombrette.)

The umbrella did not come into ordinary
use in England until after the middle of
the eighteenth century. It is, however, a
very old invention, and was used thousands
of years ago in China, and also by the
ancient Greeks and Romans. Throughout
Asia the umbrella has from very early
times been a symbol of power and royalty.

The medusa, or jelly-fish, swims by con-
tracting and expanding its jelly-like um-
brella or bell. The umbrella-bird (n.) —
Cephalopterus ornatus — is so named from
possessing a remarkable dome-like crest
of shining blue feathers on the top of its
head, somewhat like an umbrella. It re-
sembles the crow in size and plumage.

4403

UMBRETTE

UN-

V

A shell-fish with a flattish round shell,
suggesting by its shape an open umbrella,
is given the name of umbrella-shell («.).
Many houses have an umbrella-stand (n.)
in the entrance hall, for holding umbrellas.
An umbrella-tree (n.) is a small magnolia
with the leaves arranged in umbrella-like
whorls at the ends of the branches. Any
tree with branches grafted on or trained
so that they curve outwards and down-
wards from the top of the trunk might be
called an umbrella-tree. In rainy weather
it is best to be umbrellaed (urn brel' ad,
adj.) orumbrella'd (um brer ad, adj.), that is,
provided with or protected by an umbrella,
when out of doors.

From Ital. ombrella dim. of ombra shade.

umbrette (um bret'), n. A small
African bird, Scopus umbtetia, allied to the
stork and heron. (F.
ombrette.)

The umbrette is also
called the umber-bird,
or shadow-bird, from
its sombre brown
plumage. It builds
a huge domed nest,
with three chambers
inside. The birds
sleep in the upper
one. The middle one
acts as a nursery, being
used by the young,
and the third is a look-
out station.

From F. ombrette dim.
of ombre shade.

Umbrian (um' bri
an), adj. Of or re-
lating to Umbria, in
Italy. n. A native
of ancient Umbria ;
its language. (F.
ombrien.)

Modern Umbria is
a department of
central Italy. Umbria
gave its name to the
famous Umbrian
school of painters, to which Raphael
(1483-1520) and Perugino (1446-1524) be-
longed. Ancient Umbria extended from the
Tiber to the Adriatic.

umiak (oo' mi ak). This is another
spelling of oomiak. See oomiak.

umlaut (um' lout), n. A change of
the vowel in a syllable due to the influence
of an original i or u (now usually lost or
modified) in the following syllable.

Teutonic languages contain many ex-
amples of these vowel changes, but they
have ceased to occur in modern English.
Certain words, like man and mouse, which
have come to us from Anglo-Saxon, a
Teutonic language, show the influence of
the umlaut in their plurals, as men and

Umpire. — The umpire in a lawn-tennis tournament
making notes of the game as it proceed*.

mice, which are umlauted (um' lout ed, adj.)
forms, modified by umlaut.
G. from um about, laut sound.

umpire (um' pir), n. A person appointed
to enforce the rules and settle disputed
points in a competitive game ; one chosen
to decide or arbitrate between opposing
parties, v.t. To act as umpire in or for.
v.i. To act as umpire. (F. arbitre, prud'-
homme, juge ; arbitrer, decider.)

In cricket the umpires, when appealed to,
decide if a batsman is in or out, call the
overs, and, among other things, state when
necessary whether the pitch is fit or not
for play. The lawn-tennis umpire calls the
score, announces faults, etc. The authority
of an umpire is known as umpirage (urn' pir
ij, n.}. This word also means the act of
umpiring, the decision of an umpire, or else
. , his office or umpireship
(um' pir ship, n.).

An umpire = M.E. a
nompere, O.F. nomper
unmatched ; here = odd
man (who has the casting
vote), from non not,
per peer. SYN. : n.
Arbitrator, judge, re-
feree, v. Arbitrate,
decide.

un (un). This is a
colloquial form of one.
See one. Another
form is 'un (im).

un- [i]. A negative
prefix, denoting the
absence or opposite
of the quality or
condition expressed by
the word to which
it is joined. It is
used to form nouns,
usually abstract, as un-
certainty, uneasiness,
unwisdom ; adjectives,
as unequal, unwanted,
unceasing ; adverbs,
as unexpectedly,
unevenly; and ad-
jectival phrases, as
unheard-of, uncalled-for. In some cases
the word to which it is prefixed is no longer
used alone, as in uncouth, ungainly. It has
generally the same force as in- [2], which,
however, is restricted to words of Latin or
French origin, mostly already compounded
with in- in one of these languages. Some-
times, as in unadvisable, inadvisable, both
forms occur. In such words as unchristian,
unprofessional, as compared with non-
christian, non-professional, un- denotes
stronger opposition than non-, which is
merely negative.

The most important compounds with this
prefix that require no explanation will be
found in a list after un- [2], excluding those
marked with an asterisk.

4404

UN-

UNCOMPLAINING

A.-S. un- ; cp. O.H.G., G., Goth. un-,
O. Norse it-, o-, also O. Irish in-, an-, Welsh an-,
L. in-, Gr. aw-, a-, Sansk. an-. It is a form of
the negative prefix ne-.

un- [2]. A prefix used to form verbs
and participial adjectives, originally signi-
fying against, hence used to express the
reversal of an action or process, as in unbind,
undo, untie ; also removal or deprivation,
as in unclothe, unhand, unpeople, unyoke ;
disengaging or freeing from a thing, as
unearth, uncage, unbosom. In unloose, un-
has merely an intensive force. Some parti-
cipial adjectives with un- [2] are identical
in form, though not in meaning, with others
formed with un- [i] ; thus undone with un-
[2] means unfastened, ruined, but with un-
[i] means not done. In unto and until (which
see) the prefix is cognate with un- [2].

A.-S. on-, unstressed form of and- (see answer) ;
cp. Dutch ont-, G. ent-, O. Norse and-, Goth.
anda-, also Gr. anti- against, L. ante- before.

In the following list an asterisk (*) is
placed before those words in which the
prefix denotes reversal of the action or
condition expressed, as, for example, unclasp,
unclog, unyoke. Those participial adjectives
which, as is explained above, are formed
partly with un- [i] and partly with un- [2],
and therefore have two different meanings,
are marked with a dagger (f ). Each is really
a pair of distinct words.

This list is not complete — indeed, no such
list could be complete,
because there is virtu-
ally no limit to the
words with which the
prefix can be used. Of
the words in the list
the meaning is obvious.
Words needing ex-
planation follow.

Unabashed, unabated,
unabolished, una-
bridged, unacademic,
unaccented, unaccept-
able, unacceptableness,
unaccepted, unacclima-
tized, unaccompanied,
unacknowledged, unac-
quainted, unaddressed,
unadjudged, unadjust-
able, unadjusted, un-
administered, un-
adorned, unadulterated,
unadvisably, unadvised,
unadvisedly, unadvised-
ness, unaggressive, unagitated, unaided, un-
alleviated, unallied, unallowable, unalterable,
unalterableness, unalterably, unaltered, unalter-
ing, unambiguous, unambiguously, unambig-
uousness, unambitious, unambitiously, unambi-
tiousness, unamenable, unamendable, unamiabil-
ity, unamiable, unamiableness, unamiably, un-
amused, unamusing, unamusingly, unanalysable,
unanalysed, *unanchor, unaneled, unanimated,
unanswerable, unanswerableness, unanswer-
ably, unanswered, unapocryphal, unapostolic,
unappalled, unappeasable, unappreciated,
unapprcciative, unapprised, unapproachable,

Unattended. — Seen in some Continental towns :
dog, unattended, pulling a milk-cart.

unapproachableness, unapproachably, unap-
proached, unarmoured, unarranged, unarrayed,
unarrested, unartful, unartfully, unartistic, un-
ashamed, unasked, unaspirated, unaspiring, un-
aspiringly, unassailable, unassailably, unassailed,
unassayed, unassignable, unassigned, unassisted,
.unatoned, 'unattainable, unattainableness, un-
attainted, unattempted, unattended, unattested,
unattracted, unattractive, unattractively, un-
augmented, unauspicious, unauthentic, unau-
thenticated, unauthorized, unavailable, unavail-
ableness, unavailing, unavailingly, unavenged,
unavoided, unavowed, unawakened, unawed.

Unbaked, unbaptized, unbar, unbathed, un-
battered, unbearable, unbearably, unbeaten,
unbefitting, unbefriended, unbegot, unbegotten,
unbegun, unbeloved, *unbelt, unbeneficed, un-
beseeming, unbeseemingly, unbeseemingness, un-
besought, unbespoken, unbestowed, unbetrayed,
unbetiothed, unbewailed, unbiased, unbigoted,
imbitted, unblameable, unblameableness, un-
blameably, unblamed, unbleached, unblemished,
unblessed, unblissful, *unblock, unblotted, un-
blushing, unblushingly, unblushingness, un-
boastful, unboiled, unbookish, unborrowed, un-
bottomed, unbought, funbound, unboundable,
unbowed, unbrace, -{-unbraced, *unbraid, un-
branched, unbranching, unbranded, unbreakable,
unbreathable, unbreathed, unbred, unbreech, fun-
breeched, unbribable, unbridgeable, unbridged,
unbrotherliness, unbrotherly, unbruised, un-
brushed, *unbuckle, unburied, unburned, un-
businesslike, *unbutton, funbuttoned.

*Uncage, uncalculated, uncalculating, uncan-
celled, uncandid, uncandidly, uncanonical, un-
canonically, . uncanonicalness, uncanonized, un-
capped, uncarpeted ,
uncatalogued, uncaught,
uncaused, uncauterized,
unceasing, unceasingly,
uncensored, uncensured,
uncertified, *unchain,
unchallengeable, unchal-
lengeably, unchallenged,
unchambered, un»-
changeable, unchange-
ableness, unchangeably,
unchanged, unchanging,
unchangingly, unchap-
eroned, uncharted, un-
chartered, unchaste, un-
chastely, unchastened,
unchastenedness, un-
chastised, unchastity,
unchecked, unchewed,
unchivalrous, unchival-
rously, unchosen, un-
christened, uncircum-
scribed, uncircum-
stantial, unclad, un-
claimed, *unclasp,
*unclass, funclassed, unclassical, unclassifiable,
unclassified, uncleaned, uncleansed, uncleared,
uncleavable, *unclench, *unclinch, undipped,
*uncloak, *unclog, unclogged, *unclose, *un-
clothe, funclothed, unclouded, uncloudedness,
uncloyed, uncoated, uncoerced, uncoffined, *un-
coil, uncoined, uncollectable, uncollected, un-
colonized, uncoloured, uncombed, uncombinable,
uncombined, uncomeliness, uncomely, uncom-
forted, uncomforting, uncommanded, uncom-
mercial, uncommissioned, uncommitted, uncom-
municative, uncommunicatively, uncommunica-
tiveness, uncompanionable, uncomplaining,

4405

UNCOMPLAININGLY

UNFELT

uncomplainingly, uncomplaisant,uncomplaisantly, undeveloped, undeviating, undeviatingly, unde-
uncompleted, uncompliable, uncomplicated, un- voured, undevout, undevoutly, undifferentiated,
complimentary, uncompounded, uncompre- undiffused, undigested, undignified, undilated,
hended, uncomprehending, uncomprehensive, undiluted, undiminishable, undiminished, un-
uncompressed, uncompromised, uncomputed, dimmed, undiplomatic, undirected, undisbanded,
unconcealable, unconcealed, unconceded, un- undiscerned, undiscernedly, undiscernible, un-
concerted, unconcertedly, unconciliafed, uncon- discerning, undiscerningly, undischarged, undis-
demned, uncondensed, unconfinable, unconfined, ciplined, undisclosed, undiscomfited, undiscon-
unconfirmed, unconfused, unconfuted, uncon- certed, undiscouraged, undiscoverable, undis-
gealable, uncongealed, uncongenial, uncongenial- coverably, undiscovered, undiscriminating, un-
ity, uncongenially, unconnected, unconnectedly, discriminatingly, undiscussed, undisguised, un-
unconquerable, unconquerableness, unconquer- disguisedly, undisheartened, undisillusioned, un-
ably, unconquered, uriconscientious, unconscien- dismantled, undismayed, undismembered, un-
tiously, unconscientiousness, unconsecrated, un- dismissed, undispatched, undispelled, undis-
consenting, unconsidered, unconsoled, uncon- pensed, undispersed, undisplayed, undisputed,
solidated, unconstituted, unconstrained, uncon- undisputedly, undissected, undissembled, un-
strainedly, unconsumed, uncontainable, uncon- dissembling, undisseminated, undissolved, un-
taminated, uncontemplated, uncontending, un- distinguished, undistorted, undistracted, undis-
contested, uncontracted, uncontradictable, un- tractedly, undistractedness, undistressed, un-
contradicted, uncontrite, uncontroverted, un- distributed, undisturbed, undisturbedly, undis-
conversant, unconvinced, unconvincing, un- turbedness, undi versified, undiverted, undivested,
cooked, unco-ordinated, *uncork, f uncorked, undivided, undividedly, undivorced, undivulged,
unconnected, uncorroborated, uncorrupted, un- undomestic, undomesticated, undrained, un-
coiruptedness, uncorruptly, uncountable, un- dramatic, undramatized, *undrape, fundraped,
counted, funcoupled, uncourteous, uncour- undreaded, undried, undrilled, undrinkable,
teously, uncourteousness, uncourtliness, un- undutiful, undutifully, undutifulness, undyed,
courtly, uncreated, uncredited, uncritical, un- undying, undyingly.

critically, uncriticizable, *uncross, ^uncrossed, un- Uneatable, uneatableness, uneaten, uneccle-
crowded, *uncrown, funcrowned, uncrystallizable, siastical, uneclipsed, uneconomic, uneconomical,
uncrystallized, uncultivable, uncultivated, un- unedible, unedified, unedifying, unedited, un-
cultured, uncumbered, *uncurb, uncurbable, educated, uneffaced, undated, uneliminated,
f uncurbed, * uncurl, f uncurled. unelucidated, unemancipated, unembarrassed,

unembellished, unemotional, un-
emotionally, unemphatic, un-
emphatically, unempowered, un-
emptied unenclosed, unencum-
bered, unendangered, unending,
unendorsed, unendowed, unendur-
able, unendurably, unenduring, un-
enforceable, unenforced, unen-
franchised, unengaged, unengaging,
unenjoyable, unenjoyed, unen-
lightened, unenlivened, unenriched,
ill unenrolled, unenslaved,*unentangle,
funentangled, unentered, unenter-
\ prising, unenterprisingly, unenter-
\ prisingness, unenthralled, un-
j enthusiastic, unentitled, unenvi-
<j able, unenviably, unenvied, un-
1 envious, unenvying, unequable,
$ unequipped, unerring, unerringly,
\ unespied, unessayed, unessential,
unestablished, unestimated, un-
£i estranged, unethical, unevangelical,
Undisturbed. — Quite undisturbed by the massive proportions of its unevaporated, unexaggerated, Un-

companion, a cat exchanges greetings with a bloodhound. exalted, unexamined, unexcavated.
* Undam, undamaged, undamped, undaughter- unexcelled, unexchangeable, unexcited, un-
ly, undazzled, undebatable, undebated, unde- exciting, unexcluded, unexclusive, unexclusively,
bauched, undecayed, undecaying, undecipher- unexcused, unexecuted, unexemplified, un-
able, undecipherably, undeciphered, undeclined, exercised, unexhausted, unexpanded, unexpec-
undecomposable, undecomposed, undefaceable, tant, unexpended, unexpiated, unexpired, un-
undefaced, undefeatable, undefeated, unde- explainable, unexplained, unexplicit, unexploded,
fended, undefiled, undefinable, undefined, un- unexploited, unexplored, unexported, unex-
delayed, undelineated, undelivered, undemanded, posed, unexpounded, unexpressed, unexpressive,
undemocratic, undemonstrable, undemonstrably, unexpurgated, unextended, unextinguished.
undemonstrative, undenied, undenominational, Unfaded, unfading, unfadingly, unfadingness,
undenominationalism, undenounced, undepend- unfaithful, unfaithfully, unfaithfulness, unfallen,
able, undeplored, undeposed, undepreciated, unfaltering, unfalteringly, unfashionable, un-
undepressed, undeprived, undeputed, underived, fashionableness, unfashionably, unfashioned,*un-
underogatory, undescribed, undescried, unde- fasten, funfastened, unfatherly, unfathomable,
served, undeservedly, undeservedness, undesig- unfathomableness, unfathomably, unfathomed,
nated,undesignedly,undesignedness,undesigning, unfatigued, unfavoured, unfeared, unf earing,
undesirability, undespairing, undestroyed, un- unfearingly, unfeathered, unfeasible, unfed, un-
detachable, undetached, undetected, undeterred, feigned, unfeignedly, unfeignedness, unfelt.

4406

UNFENCED

UNNEIGHBOURLY

unfenced, unfermented, unfertile, unfertilized, uninflected, uninflicted, uninfluenced, unin-
*unfetter, unfettered, unfilial, unfilmed, un- fluential, uninformed, uninhabitable, unin-
filtered, unfinished, unfired, unfirm, unfitted, un- habited, uninhibited, uninitiated, uninjured, un-
fitting, unfittingly, *unfix, junfixed, unflagging, inspired, uninspiring, uninstigated, uninstructed,
unflattered, unflattering, unflatteringly, un- uninstructive, uninstructively, uninsurable, un-
flavoured, unfledged, unflickering, unfoiled, un- insured, unintellectual, unintelligent, unintelli-
forbearing, unforbidden, unforced, unfordable, gently, unintelligibility, unintelligible, unintelli-
unforeboding, unforeseen, unforetold, unfor- gibleness, unintelligibly, unintended, uninten-
feited, unforged, unforgettable, unforgettably, un- tional, unintentionally, uninterested, uninterest-
forgetful, unforgetting, unforgivable, unforgiven, ing, uninterestingly, unintermitted, uninter-
unforgiving, unforgot, unforgotten, unforsaken, mittent, unintermittently, unintermitting, un-
unfortified, unfought, unfound, unfounded, *un- intermittingly, uninterpolated, uninterpretable,
frame, unframed, unfranchised, unfraternal, uninterpreted, uninterred, uninterrupted, un-

unfraught, unfree, un-
freezable, un-French,
unfrequent, unfrequent-
ed, unfrequently, un-
frozen, unfulfilled, un-
furnished, unfurrowed,
unfused.

Ungallant, ungallant-
ly, ungalled, ungalvan-
ized, ungarbled, ungar-
nered, ungarnished, un-
gartered, ungathered,
ungauged, ungenial, un-
jenerous, ungenerously,
ungenteel, ungentle, un-
gentlemanly, ungentle-
ness, ungently, *ungird,
fungirded, fungirt, un-
gladdened, *unglaze,
*unglove, fungloved,
*unglue, unglutted, un-
governed, ungowned,un-
graced, ungraceful, un-
gracefully, ungraceful-
ness, ungraded, un-
grafted, ungrained, un-
grammatical, ungram-
matically, ungrammati-
calness, ungratified,

interruptedly, unintimi-
dated, unintoxicated,
uninvaded, uninvented,
uninventive, uninvent-
ively.

* Unjoin, unjust, un-
justifiable, unjustifiable-

I ness, unjustifiably, un-

• justly.

Unkept, unkindled,
unkingliness, unkingly,
unkissed, unkneaded,
unknightliness, un-
knightly, *unknit, un-
knowability, unknow-
able, unknowableness,
unknowably, unknow-
ing, unknowingly.

Unlabelled, unlabour-
ed, *urilade, unlady-
like, unlamented, *un-
lash, funlashed, *un-
latch, unlaundered, *un-
leash, funleashed, un-
led, unlessened, un-
lessoned, unlet, unlet-
tered, unlevel, unlevied,
unlicensed, unlifelike,

^ unlighted, unlikable,

ungrounded, ungrudg- Uninhabitable.— An intrepid explorer amid the jagged *unlimber, *unlhlk, un-

ing, ungrudgingly, un- ice in an uninhabitable region of the Antarctic. liquefiable, unliquefied,

guided, fungummed. unlit, unlived, unliveli-

Unhackneyed, unhailed, unhallowed, unham- ness, unlively, unlocated, *unlock, funlocked,

pered, unhandily, unhandiness, unhandled, un- unlopped, unlovable, unloved, unloveliness,

handsome, unhandsomely, unhandsomeness, un- unlovely, unloverlike, unloving, unlovingly,

handy, *unhang, unhanged, unharassed, unhard- unlubricated.

ened, unharmed, unharmonious, unharmoniously, fUnmade, unmagnified, unmaidenly, un-
unharmomousness, *unharness, unharrowed, un- maimed, unmalleable, unmanageable, unmanful,
harvested, unhatched, unhealed, unhealthful, unmanfully, unmanifested, unmanipulated, un-
unhealthfully, unhealthfulness, unheated, un- manliness, unmanly, unmannerly, unmanu-
heeded, unheededly, unheedful, unheedfully, factured, unmarketable, unmarred, unmarriage-
unheeding, unhelped, unhelpful, unhelpfully, un- abie, unmarried, unmastered, unmasticable,
hemmed, unheroic, unhesitating, unhesitatingly, unmatchable, unmatched, unmated, unmaternal,
unhewn, unhidden, unhindered, unhired, un- unmatted, unmatured, unmeant, unmeasurable,
historic, unhistorical, *unhitch, *unhive, un- unmeasured, unmechanical, unmechanically, un-
homogeneous,unhomogeneously,unhomogeneous- medicated, unmeditated, unmelodious, unmelo-
ness, unhonoured, *unhood, funhooded, *unhook, diously, unmelodiousness, unmelted, unmenaced,
tunhooked, *unhoop, unhostile, *unhouse, fun, unmendable, unmeiided, unmentionable, un-
housed, unhung, unhurt, unhurtful, /unhusk, mentionableness, unmentionably, unmentioned,

unhygienic.

unmercenary, unmerchantable, unmerited, un-

Unideal, unidentified, unidiomatic, unillu- methodical, unmilitary, unmingled, unmirthful,
minated, unillumined, unillustrated, unimagin- unmirthfully, unmistakably, unmistaken, un-
able, \inimaginableness, unimaginably, unim- mitigated, unmixed, unmodern, unmodernized,
aginative, unimaginativeness, unimagined, fun- unmodified, unmodulated, unmoistened, un-
imbued, unimitated, unimpaired, unimpassioned, molested, unmollified, unmortgaged, unmotherly,
unimpeached, unimpeded, unimplored, unim- *unmould, funmounted, unmourned, unmoved,
portance, unimportant, unimposing, unimpressed, unmoving, unmurmuring, unmurmuringly, un-
unimpressionable, unimpressive, unimpressive- musical, unmusically, *unmuzzle, unmystified.
ness, unimproved, unimpugned, uninaugurated, *Unnail, unnameable, unnamed, unnational,
unincorporated, unindemnified, unindicated, un- unnavigable, unnavigated, unnecessary, unneces-
infected, uninfested, uninflated, uninflammable, sarily, unneeded, unnegotiable, unneighbourly,

4^)7

UNNEIGHBOURLJNESS

UNSCEPTIGAL

unneighbourliness, unnoted, unnoticeable, un-
noticed, unnourished, unnumbered, unnurtured.
Unobjectionable, unobjectionably, unobliged

unreasoningly, um-ebuked, unreca liable, unre-
canted, unreceipted, unreceivable, unreceived,
unreceptive, unreciprocated, unreckoned, unre-

unobliging, unobnoxious, unobscured, unobser- claimable, unreclaimed, unrecognizable, unre-

vant, unobserved, unobserving, unobstructed,
unobtainable, unobtained, unobtruding, unob-
trusive, unobtrusively, unobtrusiveness, unoc-
casioned, unoccupied, unoff ended, unoffending,
unoff ensive, unoff ered, unofficial, unofficially, un-

cognizably, unrecognized, unrecommended, un-
recompensed, unreconciled, unrecorded, unre-
counted, unrecoverable, unrecruited, unrectified,
unredeemed, unredressed, unrefined, unreflecting,
unreflectingly, unreformed, unrefreshed, unre-

officious, unoiled, unopposed, unordained, un- .freshing, unrefuted, unregal, unregarded, unre-

originated, unornamented, unornamental, un-
ornate, unorthodox, unorthodoxy, unostenta-
tious, unostentatiously, unostentatiousness, un-
crwned, unoxidized.

Unpacified, *unpack, *unpacker, unpaged, un-
painful, unpalatable, unpalatably, unpardonable,
unpardonableness, unpardonably, unpardoned,
unpared, unparental, unparted, unpartisan, un-
patched, unpatented, unpatriotic, unpatriotic-
ally, -f-unpaved, unpawned,* unpeaceful, unpeace-
fully, unpedantic, unpeeled, *unpe.g, *unpen,

gardful, unregenerate, unregistered, unregretted,
unregulated, unrehearsed, unrelated, unrelaxed,
unrelaxing, unrelenting, unrelentingly, unrelent-
ingness, unreliability, unreliable, unreliableness,
unreliably, unrelievable, unrelieved, unrelished,
unremarked, unremedied, unremembered, un-
remitted, unremitting, unremittingly, unremorse-
ful, unremorsefully, unremovable, unremoved,
unremunerated, unremunerative, unrendered,
unrenewed, unrenounced, unrent, unrented, un-
repaid, unrepairable, unrepaired, unrepealed,

unpenetrated, unpensioned, *unpeople, fun- unrepentance, unrepentant, unrepented, unre-

peopled, unperceivable, unperceived, unper-
formed, unperjured, unperplexed, unpersuad-
able, unpersuaded, unpersuasive, unperturbed,
unperverted, unphilanthropic, unphilological,
unphilosophical, unphilosophically, unphilosoph-
icalness, unpicturesque, unpierced, unpiloted,
unpitied, unpitying, unpityingly, unplaced, un-
plagued, unplaned, unplanned, unplanted, un-
plausible, unplausibly, unpleased, unpledged,
unpliable, unpliably, unpliant, unpliantly, un-
plighted, unploughed, unplumbed, unpoetical,
unpoetically, unpoeticalness, unpolished, un-
polled, unpolitical, unpolluted, unpondered,
unpopulated, unportioned, unportrayable, un-

penting, unrepentingly, unrepining, unrepiningly,
unreplaced, unreplenished, unreported, unrepre-
sentative, unrepresented, unrepressed, unre-
prievable, unreprieved, unreproachful, unre-
provable, unreproved, unrequested, unrequited,
unresented, unresenting, unresigned, unresisted,
unresisting, unresistingly, unresolved, unre-
spected, unrespectful, unrespited, unresponsive,
unresponsively, unresponsiveness, unrested, un-
resting, unrestingly, unrestraint, unrestricted,
unrestrictedly, unretarded, unretentive, unre-
tracted, unretrieved, unreturned, unrevealed,
unrevenged, unreversed, unrevised, unrevoked,
unrewarded, unrhymed, unrhythmical, unrigged,

ruffled, unruled.

possessed, unposted, unpractical, unpracticality, unrighted, unrightful, unrightfully, unripened,
unpractically, unpraised, unprefaced, unpre- unrisen, *unrivet, unroasted, *unrobe, unroman-
possessing, unprepossessingly, unprescribed, un- tic, unromantically, *unroof, funroofed, *unroot,
presentable, unpreserved, unpressed, unpresum- *unrope, ifunrounded, unroyal, unroyally, un-
ing, unpresumptuous, unpretending, unpretend-
ingly, unpretentious, unpreten-
tiously, unpretentiousness, unpre-
vailing, unpreventable, unprevented,
unprimed, unprincely, unprint-
able, unprinted, unprivileged, un-
prized, unprobed, unproclaimed,
unprocurable, unprofaned, un-
profited, unprogressive, unprogres-
siveness, unprohibited, unprolific,
unpromising, unpromulgated, un-
pronounceable, unpronounced, *un-
prop, unpropagated, unprophetic,
unpropitiated, unpropitious, un-
propitiously, unpropitiousness, un-
proportionate, unproportioned, un-
proposed, unprosperous, unpros-
perously, unprosperousness, un-
protected, unprotecting, unpro-
tested, unprovable, unproved, un-
proven, unprovoking, unpruned,
unpublished, *unpucker, unpunc-
tual, unpunctuality, unpunctually,
unpunctuated, unpunishable, un-
punished, unpurchasable, unpurged,
unpurified, unpurposed.

Unquaffed, unquailing, unquailingly, un-
quarried, unquelled, unquenchable, unquench

Unsafe. — Officials measuring the ice on Carsebreck Loch, Perth-

shire, where a famous curling match takes place. "Safe, or

unsafe ? " is the question.

Unsafe, unsafely, unsafeness, unsaid, unsaint^

.. i ly, unsalaried, unsaleability, unsaleable, unsale-

ably, unquenched, unquestioning, unquestion- ableness, unsalted, urisanctified, unsanctioned,

ingly, unquilted, unquotable, unquoted.

Unraised, unransomed, unrated, unratified,
unravaged, unrazored, unreachable, unreached,
unreadable, unreadableness, unrealizable, un-

unsated, unsatiated, unsatisfactorily, unsatis-
factoriness, unsatisfactory, unsatisfied, unsatis-
fying, unsatisfyingly, unsaved, unsawn, *unsay,
*unsayable, funscabbarded, unsealed, unscanned,

realized, unreaped, unreasoned, unreasoning, unscared, unscarred, unscented, unsceptical,

4408

UNSCHEDULED

UNZEALOUS

unscheduled, unscholarly, unschooled, unscienti- unsuited, unsullied, unsummed, unsummoned,
fie, unscientifically, unscorched, unscorned, un- unsung, unsunk, unsunned, unsupplied, unsup-
scourged, unscratched, unscriptural, unscriptur- portable, unsupportably, unsupported, unsup-
ally, unsculptured, unseaworthiness, unsea- portedly, unsuppressed, unsure, unsurely, \$a-
worthy, unseconded, unsectarian, unsectarian- sureness, unsurgical, unsurmised, unsurmounted,
ism, unsecured, unseduced, unseductive, unsee- unsurpassable, unsurpassably, unsurpassed, un-
ing, unseemliness, unseemly, unsegmented, un- surrendered, unsusceptible, unsustainable, un-
selected, unself-conscious, unself-consciousness, sustained, *unswaddle, unswallowed, *unswathe,
unselfish, unselfishly, unselfishness, unsensational, unswayed, *unswear, unsweetened, unswept,
unsent, unsentenced, unsentimental, unsepar- unswerving, unswervingly, unsworn, unsym-
ated, unserved, unserviceable, unserviceableness, bolical, unsymmetrical, unsymmetrically, un-
unserviceably, unsevered, unsewn, *unsex, *un- sympathetic, unsympathetically, unsympathiz-
shackle, unshaded, unshadowed, unshakable, ing, unsympathizingly, unsystematic, un-
unshaken, unshamed, unshaped, unshapely, un- systematically, unsystematized.
shared, unshaved, unshaven, *unsheath, unshed, *Untack, untainted, untakable, untaken, un-

uiishelled, unsheltered, unshocked, unshod, un- talented, untalked-of, untamable, untamableness,
shorn, unshot, unshown, unshrinkable, unshrink- untamed, *untangle, untangled, untanned, un-
ing, unshrinkingly.. unshrouded, unshrunk, tapped, untarnishable, untarnished, untasked,

untasted, untaught, untaxed, un-
teachable, unteachableness, untear-
able, untechnical, untempted, un-
terrified, untested, *untether, fun-
tethered, unthanked, unthankful,
unthankfully, unthankfulness, un-
thatched, untheatrical, unthink-
able, unthought, unthoughtful, un-
thoughtf ully, unthoughtfulness, un-
thrashed, unthreshed, unthrift, un-
thriftily, unthriftiness, unthrifty,
unthwarted, untidily, untidiness,
untidy, untiled, untillable, untilled,
untinctured, untinged, untired, un-
tiring, untiringly, untithed, untitled,
untormented, untorn, untortured,
untouched, untraceable, untraced,
untracked, untractable, untragic,
untrained, untrammelled, untrans-
ferable, untrahsferred, untrans-
latable, untranslated, untrans-
mitted, untransportable, untrapped,
untraversable, untraversed, untreas-
ured, untried, untrimmed, untrod,
untrodden, untroubled, untrusti-
unshunned, unshut, unshuttered, unsifted, ness, untrustworthiness, untrustworthy, un-
unsigned, unsilenced, unsilvered, unsinged, trusty, *untuck, untunable, *untune, funtuned,
unsinkable, unsisterliness, unsisterly, unsized, untuneful, unturned, untutored, untwilled.
unskilful, unskilfully, unskilfulness, unslacked, Unurged, unusable, unused, unutilized,

unslaked, unsleeping, *unsling, unslumber- Unvaccinated, unvanquished, unvaried, un-

ing, unsmiling, unsmilingly, unsmirched, un- varying, unvaryingly, unvenerable, unvenomous,
smoked, unsoaked, unsober, unsoberly, un- unventilated, unveracious, unverifiable, unveri-
sociability, unsociable, unsociableness, unsoci- fied, unversed, un vexed, unvictualled, unvindi-
ably, unsocial, unsocially, unsoiled, unsolaced, cated, unviolated, unvisited, unvitiated, unvitri-
unsold, unsoldierlike, unsoldierly, unsolicited, fied, unvoiced, un volatilized, un vulcanized.
unSolicitous, unsolid, unsolidity, unsoluble, un- Unwaked, unwakened, unwalled, unwanted,

solvable, unsolved, unsoothed, unsorted, un- unwarlike, unwarmed, unwarned, *unwarp, un-
sought, unsounded, unsoured, unsown, un- warped, unwashed, unwasted, unwatched, un-
specified, unspeculative, f unspelled, unspent, un- watchful, unwatchfulness, unwavering, unwaver-
spilled, unspiritual, unspirituality, unspiritually, ingly, unweakened, unwearable, unwearied, un-
unspiritualness, unspoiled, unspoken, unspon- weariedly, unweariedness, unweary, unwearying,
taneous, unspotted, unsprinkled, unsquandered, unwearyingly, *unweave, unwed, unwedded,
unsquared, unstable, *unstack, funstacked, un- unweighed, unwelcome, unwelcomed, unwelded,
staid, unstainable, unstained, unstamped, un- unwept, unwhetted, unwhipped, unwhispered,
standardized, unstarched, unstarred, unstartled, unwhitened, unwholesome, unwholesomely, un-
unstated, unstatesmanlike, unsteadfast, unstead- wholesomeness, unwifely, unwinged, unwinking,
fastly, unsteadfastness, unsteadily, unsteadiness, unwinning, unwisdom, unwise, unwisely, un-
unsteady, unstemmed, unsterilized, *unstick, wished, unwithdrawn, unwithered, unwithering,
unstigmatized, unstimulated, unstinted, un- unwitnessed, unwomanly, unwon, unwooded,
stirred, unstored, unstrained, unstratified, un- unwooed, unworkable, unworked, unworkman-
stressed, unstriated, unstripped, unstuffed, un- like, unworldly, unworn, unworshipped, un-
stung, unsubdued, unsubmissive, unsubmissively, worthily, unworthiness, unworthy, f unwoven,
imsubmissiveness, unsubscribed, unsubstantial, *unwrap, unwreaked, *unwreath, *unwrinkle,
unsubstantially, unsubstantiated, unsuccess, un- unwrinkled, unwritable, unwrought, unwrung.
successful, unsuccessfully, unsugared, unsuit- Unyielding, unyieldingly, unyieldingness, *un-

ability, unsuitable, unsuitableness, unsuitably, yoke, funyoked, unyouthful, unzealous.

027 4409 i E 7

Unspoiled. — The banks of the Stour, near Dedham, Essex, one of
the beauty spots of England that remain unspoiled.

UNABLE

UNAPPROVING

unable (un a' bl), adj. Not able (to) ;
lacking ability or competence ; incapable.
(F incapable.)

A very angry person is often unable to
speak coherently. A motor vehicle in unable,
or inefficient, hands may be a grave danger
to life and limb.

To be unaccommodating (adj.) is to be
disobliging, or the reverse of accommodating.
A deed is unaccomplished (adj.) if left un-
finished or not done ; a person is unaccom-
plished if he lacks accomplishments.

Lunatics are unaccountable (adj.), or not
responsible, for their actions. A happening
is unaccountable if it cannot be accounted
for, that is, explained. The state or quality
of being unaccountable is unaccountability
(n.) or unaccountableness (n.). People some-
times behave unaccountably (adv.), that is,
in a manner for which no reason can be
given. Soldiers ordinarily do not go into
action unaccoutred (adj.), or without their
accoutrements ; nor do ambassadors go
unaccredited (adj.), or without proper cre-
dentials, to a foreign court.

Most people are unaccustomed (adj.) to
going many hours without food, because
they are accustomed to regular and frequent
meals. Exertion of a kind to which we are
strange and unaccustomed soon tires the
muscles. It is impossible to carry out an
unachievable (adj.) scheme, which must
therefore be abandoned and left unachieved
(adj.). Many things which we desire are
unacquirable (adj.), or not to be obtained,
and will thus remain unacquired (adj.). A

Unalarmed.-

Unalarmed by any thought of being stung, a tiny tot
approaches a great swarm of bees.

play is unactable (adj.) if not suitable for
presentation on the stage, or beyond the
powers of actors. Many written plays have
had to remain unacted (adj.).

Most tools are unadaptable (adj.) for any
purpose but the particular one for which
they are devised. Weakly people are un-
adapted (adj.), or unfitted, for hard work.
Deeds and people are unadmired (adj.) if
not admired ; faults are unadmonished

(adj.) if not reproved. People are unadven-
turous (adj.) if they do not like adventure
and prefer unadventurous or quiet lives.

An unaffected (adj.) manner is a natural,
simple manner devoid of affectation. Gold
remains unaffected in the presence of air
or moisture, and does not tarnish. We are
unaffectedly (adv.) pleased if genuinely
pleased, and our pleasure then has the state
or quality called unaffectedness (n.). An
unafnliated (adj.) branch of a society is one
that has not yet been united with, or recog-
nized by, the main body. People who
escape affliction are unafflicted (adj.).

Some wild animals are unalarmed (adj.)
at the presence of man if they have not
yet learnt to fear him. Pure gold and silver
are unalloyed (adj.), not mixed with baser
metals ; happiness is unalloyed if absolute
and not marred by sadness. Travellers
become so used to strange and wonderful
sights that many astonishing things leave
them unamazed (adj.).

unanimous (u nan' i mus), adj. Being
all of one mind ; agreeing in opinion ;
formed, held, or expressed with one accord.
(F. unanime, incontestd.)

The voting at a meeting is unanimous if
all the votes go one way. People are
unanimous about a matter when all are
agreed as to the policy to be followed.
Voting has unanimity (u na nim' i ti, «.), or
unanimousness (u nan7 i mus nes, n.), the
quality or state of being unanimous, if there
are no dissentients. Votes in such a case,
are given unanimously (u nan' i mus li, adv.)t
that is, in a unanimous fashion';
From L. unanimus, from unus one
animus mind, spirit ; E. suffix -ous

unannounced (un a nounst'),
adj. Not announced. (F. sans
etre annonce, inattendu.)

Sometimes the King honours
a hospital or other institution
by an unannounced and in-
formal visit, which gives great
pleasure because it is unantici-
pated (adj.). To unapparel (v.t.)
is to unclothe, and un-
apparelled (adj.) means unrobed
or unclothed. Food is un-
appetizing (adj.) if it does not
tempt the appetite, perhaps
because it has been prepared
unappetizingly (adv.).

A fact is unapprehended (adj.)
if not understood ; a criminal
remains unapprehended until
he is caught. We are unapprehensive
(adj.) when we have no fear or apprehension,
and our condition is then one of unappre-
hensiveness (n.). Money belonging to a
fund is unappropriated (adj.) when not yet
applied to any particular purpose. Acts are
unapproved (adj.), and are regarded un-
approvingly (adv.), if not approved of. We
may show disapproval by an unapproving
(adj.) gesture or word.

4410

UNAPT

UNBENDINGLY

An unapt (adj.) quotation is one lacking
in appropriateness. An unapt person is
dull or stupid, behaves unaptly (adv.), and
displays unaptness (n.), the state or quality
of being unapt.

To unarm (v.t.) a person is to take his
arms away, to disarm him. To unarm
(v.i.) is to put off one's armour or arms. An
unarmed (adjj man is one without weapons
of defence. An unartificial (adj.) thing is
natural, and produced unartificially (adv.).
Mountains are unascendable (adj.) if they
cannot be climbed. Several ascendable
peaks are still unascended (adj.), that
is, unclimbed. Facts are unascertainable
(adj.) if not capable of being established,
d is

Food is unassimilated
been digested.

(adj.) until it has

Unarm. — Arms left when Chinese soldiers entered the European
quarter of Shanghai and were unarmed by the British.

Modest behaviour is unassuming (adj.).
An unattached (adj.) part or object is one
not attached or fastened ; an unattached
student at a university does not belong
to a college ; in a legal sense, unattached
goods are those which have not been seized
for debt.

An unauthoritative (adj.) statement is
one made without good authority. Some
mistakes are unavoidable (adj.), that is,
not to be avoided, and have the state or
quality of unavoidableness (n.). To be
detained unavoidably (adv.) is to be detained
by circumstances or events which are
unavoidable. We are unaware (adj.) of
facts of which we are ignorant. Footpads
attacked their victims unawares (adv.), or by
surprise. Harm done unintentionally is
done unawares.

unbacked (un bakt'), adj. Not trained
to carry a rider ; having no backers ; un-
supported. (F. non dresse, sans appui.)

An unbacked horse may be one not yet
broken in, or one having no supporters
at a race-meeting. To unbag (v.t.) wheat,
cement, etc., is to take it out of bags. A
person charged with a crime is unbailable

(adj.) if he cannot be released on bail. A
sudden shock may unbalance (v.t.) a person's
mind, that is, disorder it. An unbalanced
(adj.) person is one of unstable character.
A scale-beam is unbalanced when it is not
in a state of equipoise or balance ; accounts
are unbalanced if not adjusted so as to
show an equal amount on both credit and
debit sides.

Ships are unballasted (adj.) when carrying
no ballast ; a railway track is unballasted
until a layer of ballast has been spread over
it to carry the sleepers. To unbank (v.t.) a
furnace fire is to remove the covering of
ashes placed on it to damp it down. A
hook, arrow, or spear is unbarbed (adj.) if
it has no barbs on it. A man is unbarbered
(adj.) if unshaven or with hair too long.

To unbarricade (v.t.) streets is
to remove barricades from them.
To unbear (v.t.) a horse is to loosen
or remove the animal's bearing-
rein. An unbearded (adj.) youth
is one whose beard has not yet
begun to grow. Objects are
unbeautiful (adj.) if they lack
beauty. An unbecoming (adj.)
dress is one that does not suit its
wearer, who is . then said to be
dressed unbecomingly (adv.) ; un-
becoming conduct is indecorous
or improper conduct. A manner
unbecoming to a person is one
which ill befits him. Unbecom-
ingness (n.) is the state or quality
of being unbecoming in any of
its meanings. Unbeknown (adj.)
is an old-fashioned word some-
times used instead of unknown.
To do a thing unbeknown (adv.)
to other people is to do it without
their knowledge. These two words, and unbe-
knownst (adj. and adv.), which has the same
meaning, are colloquialisms or dialect words.*
The condition of mind called unbelief (n.)
may be either one of doubt, or one of refusal
to believe in a thing because it is regarded
as untrue. The second is also called dis-
belief. An unbeliever (n.) is one who
doubts the truth of a statement, or who
rejects the evidence brought forward in
favour of a creed. Either may be said to
be unbelieving (adj.), that is, without belief.
An unbelievable (adj.) statement is one
which we cannot credit.

To unbend (v.t.) a bent pipe is to straighten
it ; a cable or rope is unbent by casting it
loose or untying it ; to unbend sails is to
remove them from their yards or stays. A
reserved or austere person is said to unbend
(v.i.) when he becomes more friendly or
less formal ; a bow unbends as it straightens
out when the string is released. An iron
column is unbending (adj.) if it does not
bend under strain. An unbending will is
resolute and unyielding. A determined man
carries out his purpose unbendingly (adv.),
that is, inflexibly. An unbending manner

4411

UNBIBLIGAL

UNCIAL

may be one of affability or condescension,
though this is to be avoided as ambiguous.

Doctrines are unbiblical (adj.) if not
contained in or founded on the Bible. An
unbidden (adj.) guest is one not invited ;
acts are unbidden if they are done without
orders. To unbind (v.t.) a prisoner is to
release him from his bonds or fetters. A
bandage is unbound by loosening and
uncoiling it. To unbishop (v.t.) a prelate
is to deprive him of his office of bishop.

A horse is unblooded (adj.) if not a
thoroughbred ; a sacrifice is unbloody (adj.)
if not accompanied by bloodshed. Flowers
still in the bud are unblown (adj.) ; in
another sense unblown means not distended.
Unbodied (adj.) means disembodied, or
incorporeal.

We unbolt (v.t.) a door by drawing back
the bolts to open it. It is then unbolted
(adj.), since it is not secured by bolts. Un-
bolted (adj.) flour is flour which has not
been bolted or sifted. To unbonnet (y.i.)
is to remove one's bonnet or hat, especially
as a sign of respect. To unbonnet (v.t.)
a motor-car is to remove the bonnet from
over the engine.

Future generations are
sometimes spoken of as
generations yet unborn
(adj . ) . To unbosom (v.t.)
oneself is to confess or
reveal things in con-
fidence to another, and
to unbosom (v.i.) is to
open one's heart or tell
confidences. Space is
conceived as unbounded
(adj.), having no bounds
or limits, but stretch-
ing unboundedly (adv.),
or infinitely, in all direc-
tions ; its linboundedness
(n.), or infinity, is beyond
our understanding.

Anger is unbridled
(adj.) when not con-
trolled. A plant that
bends easily to the
wind may remain un-
broken (adj.), but one
with a rigid stem is
likely to be broken.
Stillness is unbroken if
not disturbed by sounds,
mains unbroken as long
unbroken land is virgin land, which has
never been turned up by the plough ; an
unbroken colt is one not yet broken to the
saddle or harness.

To unburden (v.t.) the mind is to relieve
it of a burden by disclosing troubles or
confessing faults which oppress the con-
science. An unburdened (adj.) mind is
either one thus relieved or one that has no
burden.

uncalled (un kawld'), adj. Not called ;
not summoned. (F. non appele.)

Uncertain. — Soldiers on the Western Front in

1915 uncertain, owing to the fog, whether

the men approaching are friends or foes.

A

as

promise re-
it is kept ;

People are uncalled if not summoned
to a gathering, and the meeting itself
is uncalled if people have not been given
notice of it. Offers of help are uncalled-
for (adj.) if not- necessary, and rebukes
are uncalled-for if not deserved. We de-
scribe mysterious, weird happenings as un-
canny (adj.). To uncap (v.t.) cartridges is
to remove the caps from them ; to uncap
(v.i.) means to remove the cap or hat as
a sign of respect or courtesy. Children are
uncared-for (adj.) if neglected. To uncase
(v.t.) goods is to take them out of their
cases ; to uncase the flag of a regiment is
to unfurl it.

uncate (ung' kat), adj. Hooked ; in
the form of a hook. See uncinate.

unceremonious (un ser e mo' ni us),
adj. Not ceremonious ; without ceremony
or formality ; abrupt. (F. sans-gene, sans-
fafon.)

To dismiss a person unceremoniously
(adv.) is to dismiss him abruptly, without
discussion. By unceremoniousness (n.) is
meant the quality or state of being uncere-
monious in any sense.

A person is uncertain
(adj.) of facts if not sure
of them ; we are un-
certain of our answer to
a proposal if we have not
yet come to a decision
on the matter. A breeze
is uncertain if variable
and fickle, and a person
is uncertain if change-
able and capricious. We
see things uncertainly
(adv.), that is, in an un-
certain manner, in the
dusk. The state of being
uncertain is uncertainty
(».). Uncertificated (adj.)
means lacking a certifi-
cate of proficiency. The
word is used in a special
sense of an elementary
school teacher who has
not qualified for the
certificate granted by the
Board of Education.

People are uncharitable
(adj.), show uncharitable -
ness (n.), and behave un-
charitably (adv.) if they judge other people
harshly and censoriously. Such behaviour is
unchristian (adj.), or unchristianly (adj.), that
is, not in accord with the spirit of Christianity.
To unchurch (v.t.) a person is to excom-
municate him. A community is unchurched
by being deprived of a church, and a sacred
building by losing its status as a church.

uncial (un' shal), adj. Of or written
in a kind of writing with large rounded
characters used in manuscripts of the fourth
to the eighth century, n. A letter or manu-
script written in this form. (F. oncial.)
Uncials are somewhat like our modern

4412

UNGINATE

UNGONTROLLABLENESS

capitals. The uncial style of writing was valuable. An uncompromising (adj.) de-

a literary hand, . used in the vellum manu-
scripts of the period mentioned.

L. uncialis, from uncia inch.

uncinate (un' si nat), adj. Hooked ;
crooked. (F. uncine.)

mand admits of no compromise or con-
cessions. We should be uncompromisingly
(adv.] — that is, rigidly — opposed to all that
is evil.

By unconcern (n.) is meant either apathy

and burdock are scattered.

From L. unclndtus from unclnus hook.

By means of the uncinate or hooked and indifference, or freedom from anxiety,
bristles and bracts with which they are Level-headed people are unconcerned (adj.),
furnished such fruits as those of cleavers or easy in mind, in situations where nervous

people would worry themselves. Few can
remain unconcerned in the presence of
uncivil (un siv7 il,) adj. Rude ; ill- sorrow or suffering. Brave men behave
mannered. (F. incivil, impoli, malhonnete.) unconcernedly (adv.) in danger, showing

little concern for their personal safety.

The surrender of an
army is unconditional
(adj.) if made without
conditions. Property
is generally bequeathed
unconditionally (adv.) —
without conditions.

An exception is uncon-
formable (adj.) to, or in-
consistent with, a rule.
In geology, strata of the
earth's crust are said to
have unconformability
(n.), or unconformable-
ness (n.), the state of
being unconformable,
when there is a discrep-
ancy in the sequence,
caused by some move-
ment of the crust.

unconscionable (un
kon' shon abl), adj.
Very unreasonable ; un-
scrupulous. (F. deraison-
nable, sans conscience.)

A demand may
have unconscionableness
A court of law may hold that a

Discourteous behaviour is uncivil. One
who treats another im-
politely or boorishly is
said to act uncivilly
(adv.). Races which live
in a state of savagery
are uncivilized (adj.).

uncle (ung'kl),n. The
brother of one's father
or mother ; the husband
of one's aunt. (F. oncle.)

O.F., from L. avunculus
maternal uncle, dim. of
avus grandfather.

unclean (un klen'),
adj. Not clean ; foul ;
dirty ; unchaste ; in
Jewish law, ceremoni-
ally impure. (F. mal-
propre, immonde, impur.)

The hands, arms, and
face of a worker in the
metal trades or in an
engineering shop may
often be unclean and
grimy, but this uncleanly
(un klen' li, adj.) state
can soon be remedied.
Only lazy and dilatory people tolerate un-

Uncommon. — An elder bush growing in an un-
common position, on Bradmore Tower, near
Nottingham.

cleanliness (un klen' li nes, n.) in themselves contract has been made unconscionably (adv.)
or their surroundings. In Leviticus (xi) we and is so grossly unfair that its performance
find a list of animals regarded as unclean,
and forbidden to be used as food because
of this uncleanness (un klen' nes, n.).

A clergyman's clothes are unclerical
(adj.) if not such as clergy usually wear. A

should not be enforced.

From un- [i] and conscience mistaken for pi.

unconscious (un kon' shus), adj. Not
conscious. (F. sans connaissance.)

An unconscious action is done without
man' is said to be unclubbable (adj.) if not anY exercise of f the will. A preoccupied

sociable, and therefore not of the kind that
would be welcomed in a club.

unco (ung' ko'). This is a shortened form
of uncouth. See under uncouth.

uncock (un kok), v.t. Of a fire-arm, to let
down the hammer so as to prevent accidental
discharge. (F. de'sarmer.)

person may perform actions unconsciously
(adv.). The state of being unconscious,
called unconsciousness (n.), is brought
about by the use of anaesthetics or by
hypnosis.

An act of a minister is unconstitutional
(adj.) if not in accord with the constitution
of a country. Charles I was guilty of un-

We are uncomfortable (adj.) if we feel constitutionality (n.), the quality or state of
discomfort in mind or body. Shoes that being unconstitutional, and behaved un-
pinch fit us uncomfortably (adv.), in a constitutionally (adv.) when he levied ship
manner the reverse of comfortable.

A total eclipse of the sun is an uncommon
(adj.), that is, an unusual or rare, occur-

rence. An uncommonly (adv.), or remark-
ably, brave man is one brave in an unusual

money.

Anger or other passion unchecked or un-
controlled (adj.) may become uncontrollable
(adj.), when it cannot be controlled. A
horse displays uncontrollableness (n.), the

degree. The uncommonness (n.), or rarity, state of being uncontrollable, when it bolts,
of early printed books makes them very A very funny joke may make us laugh

4413

UNCONTROLLABLY

UNDECEIVE

uncontrollably (adv.). Topics are uncon-
troversial (adj.) which do not lead to dispute,
and may be discussed uncontroversially
(adv.), that is, calmly and without heat.

An unconventional (adj.) person is one
who will not be fettered by convention.
His manners and clothes may be uncon-
ventional, or not in accordance with custom.
A free-and-easy person prefers unconven-
tionality (n.)> the practice of being uncon-
ventional, and lives unconventionally (adv.}.
An artist may treat a subject in an uncon-
ventional manner, disregarding established
canons of taste and precedent. Raw
materials are materials unconverted (adj.],
that is, not yet converted into manufactured
goods. People are unconverted when un-
changed in opinion or belief. In Rugby
football, a try is said to be unconverted
when the kick at goal fails. Similarly, an
unsuccessful penalty kick in Association
football is described as unconverted.

To uncord (v.t.) a box
is to take the cord off it. '
Gold remains uncorroded * ;

(adj.), which means not
corroded. Acts are
uncountenanced (adj.) if
done without approval
or encouragement.
Porters uncouple (v.t.)
railway carriages when
they disconnect them.

uncouth (un kooth'),
adj. Awkward ; clumsy ;
strange. (F. grassier,
etrange.)

One who behaves un-
couthly (un kooth' li,
adv.], or boorishly, shows
uncouthness (un kooth'
nes, n.), the quality or
state of being uncouth.
The Scottish form unco
(ung' ko, adj.) means
strange, great, and unco
(adv.) extremely.

A.-S. uncuth unknown,
from un- [i], cunnan to
know. SYN. : Awkward.

unco ven anted (un kuv' e nan ted), adj.
Not granted or secured by a covenant or
contract. (F. non stipule.)

To uncover (v.t.) a thing is to take a cover -
ering off it, reveal it, or expose it ; to uncover
(v.i.) is to take off one's hat. A thing not
coveted is uncoveted (adj.). To uncowl (v.t.)
a monk is to deprive him of his cowl, that
is, of his right to be a monk.

unction (ungk' shim), n. The act of
anointing as a symbol of consecration or
for medical purposes ; that which is used
for anointing ; an ointment ; an unguent ;
anything soothing or flattering ; fervour or
warmth in speech due to or stimulating deep
emotion or devotion ; the affectation of
this ; effusive emotion ; gush ; keen enjoy-
ment ; gusto ; relish. (F. onction, onguent.)

Unconverted. — An unconverted try : Wales,

playing against Scotland, fails to convert a

try into a goal.

Extreme unction, in the Roman Catholic
Church, is the sacramental anointing of a
dying person with oil. A discourse imbued
with deep religious feeling is said to be
unctuous (ungk' tu us, adj.), this word being
applied in the physical sense to anything
having the characteristics of an unguent, or
which is oily or soapy to the touch.

In allusion to simulated or affected fervour,
an effusive salesman or a bland speaker
can also be described as unctuous. An oily-
tongued person is said to speak unctuously
(ungk' tu us li, adv.] or with unctuousness
(ungk' tu us nes, n.}.

From L. undid (ace. -en-em) from unctus p.p.
of unguere to anoint.

unculled (un kuld'), adj. Not gathered ;
not picked out. (F. non cueilli, non choisi.)
In the fields and lanes close to our cities
few of the more attractive kinds of our wild
flowers are left unculled. A speech or
address given at full length is uncurtailed
(adj.), that is, not
1 shortened or condensed.
Imported goods are un-
customed (adj.) if no
customs duty has been
paid on them, or if they
are not subject to duty.
An uncut (adj.) crop of
corn is one not yet
reaped ; an uncut book
has the edges left un-
trimmed.

undated (un da' ted),
adj. Bearing no date.
(F. sans date.)

When legal documents
are engrossed blanks are
sometimes left for the
date, and the document
remains undated until
the day of signature,
when the date is filled
in. A letter should never
be left undated. Brave
people usually face
dangers undaunted (adj.),
and are not daunted or
intimidated by them, but it is difficult to
meet some troubles undauntedly (adv.), and
a succession of misfortunes may daunt
even the most courageous.

unde (un' da), adj. In heraldry, un-
dulating, wavy, or wavy-edged. (F. onde.)

This word is applied to a bearing, or to
a line dividing it into parts.

O.F. unde (F. onde), participial adj. from L.
undo, a wave.

undeceive (un de sev'), v.t. To cause
to be no longer deceived or in error ; to
open the eyes of. (F. dssabuser, desillus-
ionner.)

It is not always easy to undeceive a
credulous person or one who is superstitious.
When at last a dupe is undeceived his

4414

UNDECIDED

UNDERCLOTHES

resentment against his deceiver is great.
A law-suit is undecided (adj.), in the sense
of unsettled, if no judgment has been given
about it ; a person is undecided if his
character is irresolute, or if he cannot make
up his mind on a matter, and behaves un-
decidedly (adv.). A building or street is
undecked (adj.) if not made gay with flags ;
a boat is undecked, in another sense, if it
has no deck.

Powers are undelegated (adj.) if not
entrusted to someone else. A theory is
undemonstrated (adj.) until its correctness
or truth has been demonstrated or proved.

under (un' der), prep. In or to a posi-
tion lower than ; below ; at the foot or
bottom of ; covered by ; beneath ; on the
inside of inferior to ; falling short of ;
less than subject, subservient, or subor-
dinate to bound, controlled, or governed
by ; directed by ; undergoing ; in process
of ; liable to (penalties, etc.) ; in accordance
with ; in the form or guise of ; in the time
of ; planted with. adv. In or to a lower
or subordinate place, position, or condition.
adj. Lower; inferior; subordinate. (F. sous,
au pied de, moins de ; dessous, au-dessous ;
plus bas, inferieur.)

One room of a house may be actually
under, or beneath, another on an upper
floor. A house under a. hill stands at the
foot of the slope. Coal is mined from
tunnels driven under the surface of the
land. The earth above a salt mine fre-
quently caves in, since the pumping of brine
from under the surface allows the soil to
subside. Floods may submerge land, which
is thus placed under water ; should the
land be under crops the plants growing on it
will be ruined.

A lieutenant is under, or subordinate to,
his captain, and a captain is under his
colonel in rank. The under side of the
sole is lighter in colour than the top side.
We are forbidden to break the law under
penalty of fine or imprisonment. A person
is under age if his age falls short of full
age. A matter is under discussion while
in process of being' discussed. A nation
has as many men under arms as are enrolled
and equipped for fighting. Soldiers are
said to be under fire when they are exposed
to the fire of the enemy.

Under, or in the time of, the Common-
wealth our navy increased in strength and
improved in organization ; under Charles II
it suffered from corrupt administration. A
business is under, or controlled by, its
manager or directors. Under feudal law
a villein was bound to the land of his lord,
and was transferred with it.

A vessel is under sail, or under way,
when her sails are set and propelling her.
Most ships now are under steam, but
an increasing number use oil-engines. A
criminal is under sentence when sentence
has been passed on him. We must be

patient under misfortunes, that is, when
they afflict us. To speak under the breath
is to speak very softly. To tell a thing
under the rose is to impart it in strict
confidence. See under rose.

A.-S. ; cp. Dutch onder, G. unter, O. Norse
undir. SYN. : prep. Below, beneath, under-
neath, adj. Inferior, lower, subordinate, sub-
servient. ANT. : prep. Above, over, upon.
adj. Higher, superior.

Under. — A remarkable photograph, taken under
water, of a cormorant seizing a fish.

under-. A prefix used in an adjectival
or adverbial sense and meaning below,
beneath, lower than, underneath, subordin-
ate, insufficiently, inadequately, incom-
pletely, improperly. (F. sous-.)

A selection of words in which the prefix
appears is given below. The meanings of
words not defined can be learned by referring
to the simple noun, adjective, or verb.

Inexperienced actors may perhaps under-
act (un der akt', v.t.) a part, that is, put
insufficient life into it. In cricket, bowling
in which the delivery is made with the arm
below the shoulder is called underarm
bowling (n.). To underbid (un der bid',
v.t.) another bidder at an auction is to make
a lower bid than he does. The lines on an
etched copper plate are said to be under-
bitten (un der bit7 en, adj.), if not eaten
away by the acid to a proper depth. An
animal is said to be underbred (tin der bred',
adj.), if not pure-bred ; a person is under-
bred if ill-mannered.

The under-carriage (n.) of a carriage or
wagon is the framework supporting the
body. To undercharge (un der charj', v.t.)
a customer is to charge him less than the
proper price for an article bought. The
amount by which the price is short of the
correct sum, or the act of making such a
charge, may be called an undercharge (un'
der charj, n.). To undercharge a gun is
to give it less than the full charge of powder.
The under-clay (un' der kla, n.) of a coal-
field is the stratum of clay underlying the
bed of coal.

Material that has slipped from a sea-
cliff sometimes forms an undercliff (un' der
clif, n.) or terrace on the shore below. A
well-known example is the undercliff on the
south coast of the Isle of Wight. We wear
underclothes (un' der klo^z, n.pl.), or

4415

UNDERCLOTHING

UNDERLIE

underclothing (un' der kloth ing, n.) between
our outer garments and the skin. A crypt
or other chamber below a church is an
undercroft (un' der kroft, «.). .

An undercurrent (un' der kur ent, n.) of
water is a current running below the surface,
often in the opposite direction to one above
it. Figuratively, the word means a more or
less hidden tendency of opinion or feeling.
Miners undercut (lin der kut', v.t.) a mass of
coal, or cut away material beneath it, to
make the rest fall by its own weight. To
undercut prices is to quote lower rates than
other people in order to get trade.

In golf, to undercut the ball is to hit it
below the centre, so as to make it rise and thus
reduce the run on reaching the ground. A
carver undercuts a design when he cuts
away part of the material under it, to obtain
greater relief. An undercut (un' der kut, n.)
is an act of undercutting or the result of
this ; the undercut of a sirloin of beef is
the under and tenderer side of it.

To under-develop (un der de vel' op, v.t.)
an exposed photographic plate is to develop
it for too short a period. Meat is underdone
(un der dun', adj.) if insufficiently cooked.
To underestimate (un der es' ti mat, v.t.)
costs is to put them at too low a figure.
The total is then an underestimate (un der
es7 ti mat, n.), and the act is an under-
estimation (un der es ti ma/ shun, n.).

Underground. — A train entering a section of the Bakerloo Line,
one of London's underground railways.

Amateur photographers under-expose (un
der eks poz', v.t.) their plates or films if
they do not expose them long enough in
the camera. Too short exposure is under-
exposure (un der eks po' zhur, n.). To under-
feed (un der fed', v.t.) horses and cattle is
to stint them of food. Pottery is under-
fired (un der fird', adj.) if not baked in
the kiln long enough. Ice-covered roads
are very slippery underfoot (un der fut',
adv.), that is, under one's feet.

An undergarment (un' der gar ment, n.)
is one worn under others. Underglaze (un'
der glaz, adj.) colours used in painting

porcelain are those suitable for applying
before the piece is glazed. Everyone has
to undergo (un der go', v.t.), that is, pass
through or experience, troubles. An under-
graduate (un der grad' u at, n.) is a member
of a university who has not graduated,
that is, taken his degree. His standing or
condition is called undergraduateship (un
der grad' u at ship, n.).

Anything below the surface of the earth
is , underground (un' der ground, adj.).
Sewers, subways, and many railways run
underground (un der ground', adv.). The
system of underground railways of London
is often spoken of as the Underground (un'
der ground, n.). Stunted trees, which have
not attained the usual size, are said to be
undergrown (un der gron', adj.}. Planta-
tions which are not properly cleared or
tended become choked by undergrowth (un'
der groth, n.), a mass of bushes and small
trees growing among and beneath the
larger ones.

Acts are said to be done underhand (un
der hand', adv.) if done clandestinely, or
in a sly or secret fashion. So underhand
(un' der hand, adj.) dealing means secret
or unfair dealing. In lawn-tennis, an
underhand stroke is one made with the racket
held below the waist. The word under-
handed (un der han' ded, adj.) may mean
underhand, but if we speak of a factory
being underhanded we mean that
it has not got sufficient workers.
Uriah Heep, in " David Copper-
field," delighted in scheming
underhandedly (un der han' ded
li, adv.) for his own profit.

A wrestler gets an underhold
(un' der hold, n.) if he grips his
opponent round the body under
both the latter's arms. A person's
lower jaw is said to be under-
hung (un der hung', adj.) if it
projects beyond the upper jaw ;
a sliding door is underhung if it
runs on rollers at the bottom, in
contrast to one overhung or sus-
pended by the top.

To underlay (un der la', v.t.) a
printing block is to raise it to
the proper height for printing by
layingthicknessesof paper or card-
board under it. A mineral vein or
a fault in rocks is said to underlay (v.i.) if it
tilts out of the upright. Such a tilting is
called an underlay (un' der la, n.) or hade.
In printing, an underlay is the material laid
under a block. An underlayer (un' der la er,
n.) is a substratum or lower layer.

An underlease (un' der les, n.) of a pro-
perty is a sublease, one granted to a third
party by the person who originally leased
the property from the owner. The tenant
of a house may be allowed to underlet (un
der let', v.t.) it, that is, let it to someone
else, should he desire to vacate it. Great
beds of clav underlie (un der II', v.t.), that

4416

UNDERLINE

UNDERSTAND

is, lie under, London. Truth may underlie,
or form the basis of, a legend that seems
full of impossibilities.

We underline (un der 1m', v.t.) words,
that is, draw lines under them, to draw
attention to them. An underline (un' der
Un, n.) is a short description given under
an illustration, or a line at the foot of a
play-bill announcing a coming play. Under-
clothing generally, whether made of linen
or not, is often called underlinen (un' der
lin en, ».). An underling (un' der ling, n.}
is a subordinate person,
or an assistant.

To underman (un der
man', v.t.) a ship is to
provide it with too small
a crew. An undermen-
tioned (un der men'
shund, adj.) thing or
person is one mentioned
below or later on in a
document or a book.
Sappers undermine (un
der mm', v.t.) fortifi-
cations before exploding
a charge to destroy
them. Waves under-
mine cliffs, that is,
remove material from
under them, till they
become unstable and
fall. Long hours of
hard work may under-
mine a person's health
or sap his constitution.
The undermost (un' der
most, adj.) coin of a
pile of coins is the coin at the bottom.

Flat-fish are light-coloured underneath (un
der neth', adv.), that is, on the lower side.
Many insects live underneath (prep.), or
below, stones. An undernote (un' der not,
n.) is a quiet or subdued note. A speech
is said to have an undernote of encourage-
ment if a suggestion of encouragement runs
through it. To underpay (un der pa', v.t.)
workpeople is to pay them unfairly low
wages.

To underpin (un der pin', v.t.) a building
is to strengthen it from below by means of
masonry, concrete, or girders, so as to prevent
it from sinking. Both the process itself
and the materials used in it are described as
underpinning (un der pin' ing, «.). A novel
may contain an underplot (un' der plot, n.),
which is a secondary plot running concur-
rently with the main plot. It may be wiser
to underpraise (un der praz', v.t.) a person,
that is, to praise him less than he deserves,
than to praise him to excess. When there
is underproduction (un der pro duk' shun, n.)-
of a commodity, which means a production
too small to meet the demand, the price
may rise.

Spirit is underproof (im' der proof, adj.)
if it contains a smaller proportion of alcohol

Underprop.— Part of Durham Castle under-
propped during restoration.

than proof spirit. Workmen underprop (un
der prop', v.t.) a structure by propping it
up from below. One tradesman may under-
quote (un der kwot', v.t.) another, that is,
quote prices lower than his, in order to
effect a sale. It is unwise to underrate
(Cm der rat', v.t.) an enemy, which means to
rate his ability or power too low. In some
cities subways for foot-passengers underrun
(un der run', v.t.), or pass beneath, roads at
busy crossings. To underscore (un der
skor', v.t.) a word is to underline it.

An undersecretary (un
der sek' re ta ri, n.) is an
assistant to a secretary.
His post is an under-
secretaryship (under sek'
re ta ri ship, n.). There
is an Under-Secretary
of State for each of
seven principal depart-
ments of the British
Government. A manu-
facturer who produces
goods very cheaply is
able to undersell (un der
sel', v.t.) other manu-
facturers, that is, sell
at lower prices than they
can. An under-servant
(un7 der ser vant, n.) is
a lower servant in a
household. To underset
(un der set', v.t.) a build-
ing is to support or
underpin it. An underset
(un' der set, n.) is an
undercurrent moving in
a direction contrary -to that of the surface
water or the wind.

An under-sheriff (un der sher' if, n.) is a
deputy sheriff. An under-shirt (un' der
shert, n.) is a shirt worn next the skin, under
another. A water-wheel is undershot (un '
der shot, adj.) if driven by water flowing
beneath it. Botanists describe as an under-
shrub (im' der shrub, n.) a plant smaller
than a shrub but of shrub-like growth.

The people who sign a petition are re-
ferred to in it as the undersigned (un der
slnd', adj.). When fruits are graded, the
undersized (un der sizd' ; un' der slzd, adj.)
ones, those smaller than the standard size,
are kept apart. An underskirt (un' der
skert, n.) is a petticoat, or a skirt worn
under another.

understand (un der stand'), v.t. To
perceive or comprehend the meaning of;
to grasp with the mind ; to perceive the
force or intention of ; to know how to deal
with ; to infer ; to assume to be the mean-
ing of ; to take for granted ; to supply (a
word, etc.) mentally, v.i. To have compre-
hension, p.t. and p.p. understood (un der
stud'); archaic p.p. understanded (un der
stand 'ed). (F. comprendre, saisir, apprendre,
sup poser, conclure.)

4417

UNDERSTATE

UNDERTAKE

In order to understand astronomy one
must study the science at some length,
and also those branches of mathematics
without a proper understanding (un der
stand' ing, n.) of which one cannot compre-
hend the relations and movements of the
heavenly bodies.

Clearly expressed directions are readily
understood. Some legal phraseology is hard-
ly understandable (un der stand' abl, adj.), or
capable of being comprehended, by the lay
mind. A newspaper, sometimes announces
that it understands such-and-such a thing
to have happened, meaning that it has had

intelligence from which it infers that which
it states as news.

A person who has had little to do with
horses hardly understands them or knows

person out
understood
by gesture. The sense of ancient docu-

manuscript is torn and mutilated, and
parts are missing. Missing words may be
comprehended by their context. In writing
or speaking we often make use of ellipses,
leaving certain words to be understood, or
supplied mentally. Even without words

we may understand from a person's attitude entreprendre.
whether he is friendly and sym-
pathetic, or has the opposite
sentiments.

Dogs are very understanding
(adj.], or intelligent, animals. ' •
The word also means sympa-
thetic, and able to enter into
another person's views or
thoughts. The human under-
standing is the faculty or power
of apprehension possessed by
human beings, in virtue of which
they think, draw inferences, and
make comparisons. Understand-
ing also means insight, percep-
tion, practical judgment, discern-
ment, and sensibility. Using the
word in yet another sense, we
say that there is an understanding between
two people if they have come to an in-
formal agreement about something. King
Edward VII worked very hard for a good
understanding, or accord, between the
European powers.

People vote understandingly (un der
stand' ing li, adv.] if they use their votes
intelligently, in a manner which shows
understanding.

SYN. : Apprehend, comprehend, grasp, learn,

stating, is better than an overstatement, or
one tending to exaggeration.

Shopkeepers understock (un der stok', v.t.),
their shops if they supply them with
too small stocks of goods ; farmers under-
stock their pastures if they run fewer animals
on them than the land will support com-
fortably.

The word understood is the past tense
and past participle of understand. Under-
strapper (un' der strap er, n.) is a rather
contemptuous term for a person in an
inferior position, or an underling. It
originally meant an assistant groom. The

under-stratum (un' der stra turn, n.), or
subsoil.

To understudy (un der stud' i, v.t.) a part
in a play is to learn it and to" familiarize
oneself with the acting of the player who
takes it, so that one may act in his place
if necessary. One who does this for an
actor is his understudy (un' der stud i, n.).

undertake (fin der tak'), v.t. To take
upon oneself ; to enter upon ; to engage
to carry out ; to bind oneself to perform ;
to guarantee, p.t. undertook (un der tuk').
p.p. undertaken (Cm der ta' ken). (F.

perceive,
stand.

understate (un der stat'), v.t. To
represent as less than is actually the case ;
to state less strongly than is justifiable.
(F. rabaisser, rabattre, attenuer.}

When talking about one's abilities or
attainments an understatement (un der
stat' ment, n.)f that is, an act of under-

Undertake. — Columbus, about to undertake his first voyage to
America, receiving the blessing of the Church.

Teachers undertake our instruction, and
undertake the responsibility of imparting
knowledge to us. A master undertakes to
teach a trade to his apprentice, who for
his part undertakes to do his best to learn.
We should undertake our tasks with the
steadfast intention of carrying them through
to completion.

A contractor undertakes to carry out a
work for an agreed sum ; a merchant who
issues a price list undertakes to sell

ANT. : Misapprehend, misunder- certain goods at the prices quoted. Either

of these is an undertaker (un' der ta ker, n.},
that is, one who undertakes, but this word
is used chiefly of a tradesman whose
business it is to make arrangements for
funerals.

In history the name of " Undertakers " is
given to the members of a party, devoted
to his own interests, which James I tried

4418

UNDER-TENANT

UNDESIRABLE

to form within the House of Commons in
1614, his intention being that they should
influence such legislation as he himself
desired. In the eighteenth century owners
of boroughs in Ireland who were allowed
Crown patronage on condition that they
undertook to manage the Irish House of
Commons in the interest of the govern-
ment were known as undertakers.

The building of the Forth Bridge was a
great undertaking (un der ta' king, n.), or
enterprise. In many legal documents two
or more persons enter into an undertaking
to perform certain conditions. Following a
decision in a lawsuit a party may be obliged
to give an undertaking to refrain" from certain
acts.

SYN. : Engage, guarantee.

Undertaking. — At work on the construction of the Panama Canal,
one of the greatest engineering undertakings in the world.

under-tenant (un' der ten ant), n.
One who holds lands or houses from a
tenant. (F. sous-locataire,}

One who holds property under a lease
given not by the owner but by a lessee
is an under-tenant. The tenure of an
under-tenant is an under- tenancy (un' der
ten an si, n.}. To avoid waking a sleeping
person one speaks in an undertone (un7 der
ton, n.), that is, in a low voice. A subdued
colour also is called an undertone. The
word undertook (un der tuk') is the past
participle of undertake.

To undertrump (un der trump', v.t.} a
lead at cards is to play a trump lower than
another played. On some parts of the
coast bathers have to beware of the under-
current called an undertow (un' der to, n.},
which moves seawards from the beach.

To undervalue (un der val' u, v.t.} an
article is to set too low a value on it, or
even to despise it. The undervaluation (un
der val u a/ shun, n,} of a person's services
is either the act of underestimating them,
or an unduly low value put on them. An
undervest (un' der vest, n.} is a light vest

worn next the skin. The underground work-
ings of a coal-mine are inspected regularly
by an official named an underviewer (un'
der vu er, ».). Any kind of underclothing
is underwear (Cm' der war, n.}. The word
underwent (un der went') is the past parti-
ciple of undergo.

The word underwing (un' der wing, n.)
is used with adjectives of colour to form
the name of various moths — for instance,
the red underwing. The bushes and low-
growing trees in a wood or forest are under-
wood (un' der wud, n.}. People underwork
(un der werk', v.i.) when they do not work
as hard as they should. The word under-
world (un' der werld, n.) is used of the earth
as opposed to the heavens ; of the anti-
podes ; of the nether regions, that is,
Hades ; and, colloquially, of the
lowest and most disreputable
classes of society.

underwrite (un der rit'),
v.t. To execute and deliver (a
policy of insurance) ; to engage
to buy stock or shares of (a new
company, etc.) ; to write below.
v.i. To act as an underwriter.
p.t. underwrote (un der rot').
p.p. underwritten (un der rit 'en).
(F. souscrire.}

An underwriter (un' der rit er,
n.} was originally one who made
a business of insuring ships and
cargoes, but the term under-
writing (un' der rit ing, n.} is
now applied to insurance against
risks of all sorts. The asso-
ciation of underwriters known
as Lloyd's consists of people
who are willing to insure ships
and cargoes, and to underwrite
various other risks. Each
underwriter who desires to take part in
an insurance writes or stamps his name on
the policy, specifying the proportion of the
whole risk for which he will undertake
liability. Thus there may be half a dozen
or more who underwrite a policy in this
manner.

When a new company is formed, or there
is a new issue of capital, the whole of the
stock or shares may be underwritten by
a financial company, which thus engages
to take up any of the issue not subscribed
by the public.

undesirable (un de zlr' abl), adj. Not
desirable ; unpleasant, n. An undesirable
person or object. (F. peu desirable, fdcheux.}
A large dog may be a desirable com-
panion for a walk across the moors, but in
a drawing-room such an animal's presence
might be undesirable, and then the dog would
be an. undesirable. An undesired (adj.]
visitor is one who is unwelcome, whom we
are undesirous (adj.] of meeting. Things we
do not wish for or those we ought not to
desire possess the quality of undesirability
(«.), or undesirableness (n.}.

4419

UNDINE

UNEARNED

Strong-willed people are determined ; more inclement than is to be expected at
weak-willed persons are undetermined (adj.), the season. An angry person may speak
or irresolute. The boundaries of some with undue warmth, using words unduly

(adv.), or excessively, censorious.

undulate (un7 du lat, v. ; un7 du lat,
adj.). v.i. To move in waves ; to have a
wavy appearance, adj. Bending or moving
alternately in and out or up and down ;
wavy. Undulated (un7 du lat ed, adj.)
has the same meaning. (F. ondoyer ;
ondoyant.)

If one end of a rope lying extended on the

countries are still in places undetermined,
that is, not definitely fixed.

undine (un den'), n. A legendary
water-nymph who had no sojul, but could
obtain one by marrying a mortal. (F.
ondine.)

Modern L. undlna, from L. undo, wave.

undo (un doo7), v.t. To reverse (that
which has been done) ; to annul ; to un-

fasten ; to untie or unloose ; to corrupt ; ground be shaken the impulse passes

to bring ruin upon. p.t. undid (un did7). undulatingly (un7 du la ting li, adv.), that is,

p.p. undone (un dun7). (F. defaire, annuler, in a wavy fashion, along the rope, which

de'lier miner.) may then be said to undulate. Water

It may be difficult or even impossible to is in undulation (un du la7 shim, n.) when

in wavy motion, and each wave of a series
is an undulation. A boat on a smooth sea
moves up and down with gentle undulations.
An undulation may be a rise and fall in
strength or intensity, as in undulations of
sound. In physics, undulation means a

undo some wrongs, that is, to put them
right, or reverse their effect. We undo
our boots before taking them off, and
a parcel by untying the string! An undoer
(un doo7 er, n.) is one who undoes in any
sense ; but we use the word most fre-
quently of one who brings about "the un- motion of matter or the ether which passes
doing (un doo7 ing, n.) of another, damaging movement or energy along without the
his prospects or character, or ruining him matter or ether itself advancing as a whole,
morally. A task is left undone (adj.) if In the seventeenth century Christian

not done ; a knot comes undone when it Huygens brought forward the theory that
becomes loose or unfastened.

SYN. : Annul, reverse, unfasten,
unloose, untie. ANT. : Do, fasten,
tighten.

undoubted (un dou7 ted),
adj. Not doubted ; not called
in question. (F. incontestable.)

A person of undoubted honesty
is one about whose honesty there
can be no doubts, or whose
honesty has never been ques-
tioned. Gold is undoubtedly
(adv.), that is, without doubt,
one of the most valuable of
metals. To face a task undoubt-
ing (adj.) or undoubtingly (adv.)
is to face it confidently.

The words undreamed (adj.),
undreamt (adj.), and undreamed-
of (adj.) all mean never imagined
in dreams, or never thought
of. Mining prospectors some-
times discover gold-bearing soil of un- light was a form of motion, and that the
dreamed-of richness. ether, being set in motion by the rapid

To undress (v.t.) a child is to take off vibration of the molecules of a light-giving
its clothes • to undress a wound is to remove object, transmitted energy in an undulatory
the bandages and dressings from it. To (un7 du la to ri, adj.), or undulating, manner,
undress (v.i.) is to remove one's own clothes. The theory was opposed for many years,
Undress (adj.) uniform is that worn on but its essential truth was accepted in the

Undulate. — Tribesmen with their camels in the Sahara. The sand,
heaped up by the wind, undulates like the waves of the sea.

ordinary occasions as opposed to full-dress
uniform, and undress (n.) means ordinary
clothes or uniform. A person is said to be
undressed (adj.) when stripped, or when
not wearing day clothes.

A debt is undue (adj.) when not yet due.

middle of the nineteenth century.

From L. undulatus (formed as if p.p. of
unduldre) from unda wave. SYN. : adj. Wavy.

unduly (un du' li). For this word see
under undoubted.

unearned (un ernd7), adj. Not earned.

The legal term undue influence (n.) means (F. immerite.)
improper persuasion or pressure used by The words unearned increment mean

one person to obtain an advantage from the increase in the value of land due to a
another. Weather of undue severity is district becoming more thickly populated

4420

UNEARTH

UNFAVOURABLY

or more desirable residentially, etc., as
opposed to a rise in value caused by any work
done or expenditure made by the owner.

To unearth (v.t.) minerals or buried
treasures is to dig them out of the ground.
Huntsmen unearth a fox when they drive
it from its earth, or burrow. We unearth
information when we find it by search, or
unearth a secret when we bring it to
light. By an unearthly (adj.) sound or
sight we mean usually one which is weird
or mysterious.

Anxiety makes one uneasy
(adj.), that is, troubled or rest-
less, in mind. One moves
uneasily (adv.), or awkwardly,
when in pain. Uneasiness (n.),
the state of being uneasy, may be
either mental or physical.

A statement is unelaborated
(adj.) when couched in a simple
form. People are unemployed
(adj.) when not engaged in any
task ; generally the word is used
of those — called the unemployed
(n.pl.) — who are workless and un-
able to procure employment. An
unemployable (adj.) person is one
not fit or capable of being em-
ployed, who may be called an
unemployable (n.). The con-
dition of lacking employment, called un-
employment (n.), is mitigated to some degree
by . the State scheme of unemployment
insurance (n.). Employed work-people and
their employers are obliged by law to
contribute to a fund, which is used to
make payments to workpeople when they
become unemployed.

Words borrowed from other languages
are un-English (adj.) in origin, since they
are not English ; un-English behaviour is

or precedent is said to be unexampled
(adj.).

Conduct is unexceptionable (adj.) if no
exception or objection can be taken to it.
It then has unexceptionableness (n.), which
is the state or quality of being unexception-
able. To behave unexceptionally (adv.) is
to give no cause or occasion for exception
or protest. Presents often give greater
pleasure if the gift is unexpected (adj.),
and takes the recipient by surprise. A

Unearth. — The remains of a Roman barge unearthed during
excavations on the site of the London County Hall.

storm blows up unexpectedly (adv.) when
it comes suddenly, without warning. A
commander who plans a surprise attack on
enemy forces hopes to make his assault
more effective by reason of its unexpected-
ness (n.).

unfadable (un fad' abl), adj. That
cannot fade ; not capable of being faded.
(F. qui ne deteint point.)

Fabrics intended for curtains, or for
use in other ways where they are exposed

conduct not typical or worthy of English- to strong sunlight, may be dyed with colours
men. Two things are unequal (adj.] if which are unfadable, and cannot be faded,
not equal in size, power, quality, or other or made fainter by the action of light.

A water-supply is unfailing (adj.) if it never
runs short ; a clock runs with unfailing
regularity if it keeps good time. The sun
rises day after day unfailingly (adv.), that
is, without fail. Unfailingness (n.) is the
state or quality of being unfailing.

An unfair (adj.) decision is one not just
or not impartial. In an unfair bargain one
party may seek to take advantage of an-
other ; dishonest trading is unfair, and
articles may be unfairly (adv.) priced or
weighed. A game is spoilt by unfairness (n.)

respect. A novel or poem is said to be
unequal if its quality varies. The word
unequalled (adj.) means unrivalled or un-
matched. A thing is unequally (adv.)
divided if so divided that the paits are
not equal.

A statement is unequivocal (adj.) if its
meaning is perfectly clear. To deny a
thing unequivocally (adv.) is to deny it
flatly, without equivocation. Unequivocal-
ness (n.) is the state or quality of being
clear and free from ambiguity.

A road is uneven (adj.) if not smooth on the part of the players. We are un-

and level ; a crop is uneven if the plants
are of unequal height or strength ; a
number is uneven if it cannot be divided
exactly by 2. A pavement is laid unevenly
(adv.), that is, in an uneven manner, if the
surface show unevenness (n.). A period
of history which is marked by few stirring
or notable events is said to be uneventful
(adj.). A circumstance without parallel

familiar (adj.) with streets in a strange
town, and the locality is unfamiliar or
strange to us. The state or quality of
being unfamiliar is unfamiliarity (n.). A
report is unfavourable (adj.) if it speaks
unfavourably (adv.), or in terms other than
favourable, of the person who forms its
subject. An unfavourable wind is a
contrary one, which does not favour the

4421

UNFAVOURABLENESS

UNGULA

course we desire to sail. An outdoor party
may be cancelled because of the unfavour-
ableness (n.) of the weather.

To be unfeeling (adj.) is to lack sensitive-
ness, or to be harsh and cruel. Some people
who are not very sensitive to pain and
suffering are apt to treat others unfeelingly
(adv.), that is, in a manner which shows
or betrays want of proper feeling. Unfeel-
ingness (n.) may mean want of sensitiveness,
or the quality of being hard-hearted and
cruel.

A woman is regarded as unfeminine (adj.)
if she lacks the qualities looked for in one of
her sex.

An unfigured (adj.) fabric has no design
or pattern on it. To
unfile (v.t.) documents is
to take them off or out
of their files. Meat in-
tended for human con-
sumption is examined
by inspectors to ensure
that any unfit (adj.] for
food shall be condemned
and destroyed. Luxury
and self-indulgence unfit
(v.t.) people for hard
work. Defective eyesight
unfits, or disqualifies, a
person for many occu-
pations. To behave un-
fitly (adv.) is to behave
in an unsuitable or
improper manner ; to
show un fitness (n.) for a
task is to prove oneself
lacking in the qualities
needed for it. The brave
and steadfast man faces danger unflinchingly
(adv.), with unflinching (adj.) courage. To
unfold (v.t.) a folded cloth means to lay
it out flat. Flowers unfold (v.i.) as they
open ; a varying scene unfolds itself before
our eyes as we travel by road or rail.

Scientists believe that the earth was
once an unformed (adj.), or shapeless, mass
of incandescent matter. Leaf-buds contain
the undeveloped leaf, as yet unformed. An
unformed handwriting is one badly formed,
or one immature, not yet fully formed. A
treaty is unformulated (adj.) till its terms are
drawn up. An unfortunate (adj.) adventure
is an unlucky one ; an unfortunate remark
is one that has a bad effect. We speak of
a person who has had many misfortunes as
an unfortunate (n.).

An unfriended (adj.) person is one destitute
of friends. An unfriendly (adj.) attitude
is one, the reverse of friendly, denoting cold-
ness or hostility ; unfriendliness (n.) is the
opposite of friendliness. To unfrock (v.t.) a
priest is to deprive him of his priestly
office and privileges. Barren land is
unfruitful (adj.), yielding inadequate crops ;
an unfruitful tree bears little or no fruit, and
an enterprise which has no useful result
may be described as unfruitful also. To

Ungainly. — The giraffe is forced to adopt an
ungainly attitude to reach the grass.

toil unfruitfully (adv.) is to work in vain.
The state or quality of being unfruitful is
unfruitfulness (n.).

The unfunded (adj.) debt of Britain is
all that part of the National Debt which is
represented by money borrowed for short
periods only ; it is opposed to funded debt,
which the Government does not undertake
to repay at any specified period, or which
is borrowed for a long term of years. To
unfurl (v.t.) a sail is to open it out after it
has been furled. Flags unfurl (v.i.), or
expand, in the wind.

ungainly (un gan' li), adj. Clumsy ;
awkward. (F. gauche, disgracieux.)

The legs of a young foal or a calf are so
long as to make the
animal appear ungainly,
or awkward. This un-
gainliness (n.}, however,
disappears as the
youngster grows. The
ungodly (adj.) man has
no regard for God. His
condition is one of un-
godliness (n.).

Passion is ungovern-
able (adj.) if ^it cannot
be controlled.' In the
Peninsular War troops
which captured a town
sometimes became un-
governable, looting for
days together. An un-
gracious (adj.) reply is
one wanting in gra-
ciousness, and is given
ungraciously (adv.). An
ungrateful (adj.) person
shows little or no gratitude for kindness,
accepting assistance ungratefully (adv.), or
in a churlish manner. Ungratefulness (n.)
was manifested by nine of the ten lepers
whom Christ cleansed (Luke xvii, 12-17), f°r
one only of the ten showed gratitude.

ungual (ling' gwal), adj. Of, resem-
bling, or having a nail, claw, or hoof. (F.
ungueal.)

From L. unguis nail, and E. suffix -at.
unguarded (un gar' ded), adj. Not
guarded ; careless. (F. sans defense, irreflechi.)
Moving parts of machines are required
by law to be fenced or guarded. A penalty
is imposed on factory owners who leave
such parts unguarded. A remark let fall
unguardedly (un gar' ded li, adv.), or in-
cautiously, has often led to a conspiracy
becoming known.

From E. un- [i] and guarded. SYN. : Incautious.
unguent (ung' gwent), n. A salve ;
an ointment. (F. onguent, baume.)

An unguentary (ung' gwen ta ri, adj.)
vase is one used to contain unguents; it
is sometimes called an unguentary (n.).
L. unguentum, from unguere to anoint.
ungula (ung' gu la), n. A hoof, claw, or
talon ; in geometry, the portion of a cone
or cylinder included between a part of the

4422

UNHAIR

UNIFICATION

base and a plane intersecting the base
obliquely, pi. ungulae (ung' gu le). (F.
sabot, onglet.)

The name ungula is used especially of
hoofs. A hoofed animal is called an ungulate
(ling' gu lat, n.), and belongs to the Ungulata
(ung gu la' ta, n.pl.), an order of mammals
including such animals as the cow, pig,
horse, tapir, and rhinoceros. By ungulate
(adj.) is meant hoof-shaped, or hoofed.
The shape of the solid figure called in
geometry an ungula resembles that of a
horse's hoof.

L., dim. of unguis nail, hoof.

unhair (un har'), v.t. To remove the
hair from (a skin). (F. depiler.)

In tanning skins are unhaired by scraping
with a knife. To unhand (v.t.) a person is
to take one's hands off him, or to relax the
grasp. People are unhappy (adj.) if miser-
able, wretched, or unfortunate. To live
unhappily (adv.) is to live a wretched life.
Unhappiness (n.) is the state of being
unhappy.

By the planting of eucalyptus trees,
malarial districts formerly unhealthy (adj.],
or bad for health, have been freed from their
unhealthiness (n.), which is their unhealthy
quality or condition. People
are unhealthy whose health is
bad, owing perhaps to their
living unhealthily (adv.), that
is, in a manner which injures
health.

Sounds not perceived by the
ears are unheard (adj.) ; an
unheard-of (adj.) event is one
of a kind never known
before — an unprecedented
event. An unheard-of request
is a very unusual one. The
word unheralded (adj.) means
not announced, or not
heralded. We say that spring
comes unheralded if it comes
suddenly, without any of the
usual harbingers or warnings.
To unhinge (v.t.) a door is to
take it off its hinges ; a
person's mind is said to be
unhinged (adj.) if seriously
unsettled, as by sorrow or
anxiety.

An unholy (adj.) life is one
lived impiously, that is, in a manner not in
accord with God's will. Unholiness (n.) means
lack of sanctity or holiness. An unhoped
.(.adj.) success is one that was not hoped for,
or was regarded as beyond hope. In the
tournaments of old a knight tried to unhorse
(v.t.) his opponent, that is, throw him from
his horse.

uni-. A prefix meaning having, composed
of, or characterized by, one. (F. uni-.)

Combining form of L. unus one, single.

Uniat (ux ni at), n. A member of any
Oriental Church which acknowledges the
supremacy of the Pope but uses its own

British Museum.

Unicorn. — A cup fashioned in

the shape of the fabulous

unicorn.

liturgy, rites, and ceremonies, adj. Of or
relating to such a Church or its members.
Another form is Uniate (u' ni at). (F.
Uniate.)

The Uniat or United Oriental Churches
are in communion with Rome, but each
retains its special and peculiar customs and
privileges, and has a liturgy of its own,
usually in the native tongue and not in
Latin. Among the more important com-
munities of Uniats are the Ruthenian,
Rumanian, Armenian, Coptic, Maronite,
Melchite, and Malabarese.

From Rus. uniyatu from L. unus one.
uniaxial (u ni ak' si al), adj. Having v.
single axis. Another form is uniaxal (u ni
ak' sal).

When the main axis of a plant ends in
a flower the plant is said to be uniaxial.
Certain shapes of crystals are uniaxial in
the sense of giving single refraction in one
direction only, that of the optic axis. A
part of a living body is developed uniaxially
(u ni ak' si al li, adv.] if it extends along or
round a single line. The legislature of a
country is unicameral (u ni karri' er al, adj.)
if it consists of a single chamber, as opposed
to a bicameral legislature. A unicellular
(u ni ser u lar, adj.) organism
is one that consists of a single
cell.

unicorn (u' ni korn), n. A
fabulous creature depicted with
a horse's head bearing a single
horn, the legs of a stag, and the
tail of a lion ; a coaching team
with two horses behind and a
single horse in front. (F.
licovne.)

The unicorn which forms one
of the supporters of the British
royal coat of arms was intro-
duced from the arms of Scotland
at the Union. The animal
referred to in the Bible as a
unicorn (Deuteronomy xxxiii,
17) was probably the wild
buffalo.

The narwhal, which is armed
usually with a single tusk, goes
by the other names of sea-
unicorn (n.), unicorn-fish (n.),
and unicorn-whale (n.). The
South American bird com-
monly called the horned screamer is also
named unicorn-bird (n.) because it has a
slender horn-like process on its head.
The unicorn-moth (n.) of North America
gets its name from its caterpillar, on the
back of which is a projection suggesting a
horn. The name of unicorn-shell (n.) is
given to two genera of gasteropods in which
the lip of the shell bears a projecting
spine.

L. unicornis, from unus one, covnu horn.
unification (u ni fi ka' shim), n. The
act of unifying ; the state or process of
being unified. See under unify.

4423

UNIFORM

UNINVESTIGATED

uniform (u' ni form), adj. Having
always the same character, form, or appear-
ance ; not changing ; unvarying ; homo-
geneous ; conforming to one standard or
rule. n. A regulation dress of the same
kind as that worn by other members of the
same body. (F. uniforme.)

In Great Britain a uniform rate of postage
is charged whether a letter is carried to the
next street, or whether it travels the length
of the kingdom. Stephenson devised a
governor for the steam-engine to maintain
the rotation at a uniform speed. Stokers
toil to keep up a uniform pressure of steam.

When Boy Scouts and Girl Guides are
dressed in uniform they present a uniform
appearance on parade. Cargoes of perish-
able goods are kept at a uniform tempera-
ture while being conveyed by steamer, for
unless they are kept uniformly (u' ni form li,
adv.) cool such articles deteriorate.

Uniform. — A Yeoman of the Guard wearing his
picturesque Tudor uniform.

The Act of Uniformity, passed in 1662,
was designed to secure uniformity (u ni
for' mi ti, n.), or sameness, in the services
of the Church of England by laying down
rules for public worship. A uniformitarian
(u ni for mi tar' i an, n.) is a geologist who
believes in the uniformitarian (adj.) theory,
or uniformitarianism (u ni for mi tar' i an
izm, «.), that is, the doctrine that all changes
in the earth's surface have been brought
about by the forces of nature acting uni-
formly, and not by sudden catastrophes.

F. uniforme, L. uniformis, from nnus one,
forma shape. SYN. : adj. Consistent, even,
homogeneous, invariable. ANT. : adj. Diversi-
fied, irregular, varied.

unify (u' ni fi), v.t. To cause to be
one ; to make into one ; to regard as a

unit ; to reduce to one standard or to
uniformity ; to consolidate. (F. unifier.)

A number of businesses may be unified,
or consolidated into one concern, by amalga-
mation or federation. The Latin Union was
formed in 1865 to bring about the unifica-
tion (u ni fi ka' shun, n.} of the coinage of
France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy.
The monetary unit in all these countries
was the franc, or its equivalent, which was
unified in value.

From F. unifier, L.L. unificare, from unus one,
-ficdre ( = facer e) to make.

Unigenitus (u ni jen' i tiis), n. The
name given to the bull of Pope Clement XI
condemning Jansenism in 1713.

The Bull is so called because " Unigenitus "
was its first word.

L. = only begotten.

unilateral (u ni lat' er al), adj. In
botany, etc., arranged or produced on, or
turned towards, one side of an axis or surface ;
in zoology or pathology, of or relating to,
or affecting, one side ; done by or affecting
one party to a contract ; one-sided. (F.
unilateral.}

Flowers growing in a row on one side of
a stem are said to grow unilaterally (u ni
lat' er al li, adv.). Such an inflorescence is
described as a unilateral one. An ailment
affecting one side of the body or of a speci-
fied organ is unilateral, and this word is
used in law to describe a bond or contract
which binds one party only.

From E. uni-, L. latus (gen. later-is) side, and
E. suffix -al. SYN. : One-sided.

uniliteral (u ni lit' er al), adj. Con-
sisting of or involving only one letter. (F.
d'une seule lettre.)

From E. uni- and literal.

unilocular (u ni lok' u lar), adj.'
Having a single loculus or compartment,
uniloculate (u ni lok' u lat) has the same
meaning. (F. uniloculaire.)

Plants, such as the peas and vetches, are
unilocular, the ovary consisting of a single
loculus or cavity.

Another unilocular. ovary is that of the
poppy. In this, although there are several
chambers, these open into the main cavity.
If the dissepiments, or partitions, divide the
ovary into two or more closed compart-
ments, the seed is bilocular or multilocular,
as the case may be.

From E. uni- and locular.

unimpeachable (fin im pech' abl), adj.
Not . capable of being impeached or called
in question. (F. irreprochable , impeccable,
irrecusable.)

Testimony or evidence has unimpeach-
ability (n.) or unimpeachableness (n.), the
quality or state of being unimpeachable,
if it cannot be doubted or called in question.

A book without an index is unindexed
(adj.) ; this word is used, too, of an item
not mentioned in the index of a book. An
uninvestigated (adj.) crime is one which has
not been looked into.

4424

UNION

UNISON

union (u' nyon), n. The act of joining
together ; the state of being united ;
junction ; coalition ; agreement ; harmony ;
concord ; that which results from a com-
bination or amalgamation of parts or
members ; a confederation of states ; a
league ; a society ; a group of parishes
consolidated for administering the Poor
Laws ; a workhouse belonging to this ; an
association of churches ; a device on a flag
to represent the union of countries ; the
part of the flag containing this ; a flag
bearing this device ; a fabric in which two
different materials are woven together ; a
device for coupling pipes which enables
them to be joined or separated readily.
(F. union, harmonie, raccord.}

Union Jack. — The Union Jack, the national flag
of Great Britain and Ireland.

A union of England and Scotland came
about in 1707, the Act of Union being passed
in the previous year. The union of Ireland
to England and Scotland in 1801 was
symbolized in the Union flag, still the
British national flag, in which the flags of
the three countries are combined, namely,
the red cross of St. George on a white field,
the white saltire of St. Andrew on a blue
field, and the red saltire of St. Patrick on
a white field. The flag , is properly named
the Great Union, and is called the Union
Jack, when flown on the flag-pole or jack-
staff at the bows of a warship. A device
similar to that, borne, on it — the Union —
appears in the upper quarter of the white,
blue, and red ensigns flown by ships of 'the
Royal Navy, the Royal Naval Reserve, and
the mercantile marine respectively. The
ensign is flown with the Union upside down
as a signal of distress.

The Baptist Union and the Congregational
Union are associations of religious bodies.
The Postal Union is a combination of
countries which have agreed on regulations
for the interchange of mails at specified
rates of postage.

A union workhouse (n.) also called a
union, is an institution maintained by a
union of parishes for the relief of destitute
people. The word unionism (u' nyon izm,
n.) means the principle of combining. It
is used specially of the combining of work-
men into trade-unions, for protection, etc.,
and of the political principles of a party

favouring the maintenance of the Union of
Ireland with Great Britain.

One who advocates union of any sort is a
unionist (u' nyon ist, n.). The term is
applied to one who is a member of a trade-
union, and the name Unionist means in
a special sense a supporter of the British
political party which was opposed to the
granting of Home Rule to Ireland. In
America, before and during the Civil War,
a Unionist meant one opposed to secession.

The name of union cloth (n.) is given to
a textile fabric woven from two or more
different materials, such as cotton and silk,
cotton and linen, or cotton and wool.

F., from L.L. unio unity, from L. unus one.
SYN. : Combination, harmony, unity. ANT. :
Disunion, division, separation.

unionid (u' nyon id), n. Any fresh-
water mussel belonging to the family
Unionidae.

The common British pond mussel (Ano-
donta cygnea) is a unionid.

From L. unio (ace. -on-em) and E. suffix -id.

unique (u nek'), adj. Single ; solitary ;
having no like or equal ; unmatched ; un-
paralleled, n. A unique person or thing.
(F. unique.)

This word is often wrongly used for
rare or remarkable. It is incorrect to
call anything " rather unique " or " very
unique," because the uniqueness (u nek' nes,
n.) of an object or an achievement depends
on its being unequalled or unparalleled.
In order to perform anything uniquely (u
nek' li, adv.) one must do it in a way in
which it has never before been done.

F., from L. unicus sole, single, only, from
unus one. SYN. : adj. Only, sole, unequrJled.
ANT. : adj. Common, ordinary, universal.

Unisexual. — Flowers of the begonia, which are
unisexual. The male flower is on the left.

unisexual (u ni sek'su al), adj. Having
only one sex. (F. unisexuel, unisexue.}

A unisexual plant bears flowers — destitute
either of pistils or stamens — which are either
male or female. There are many plants which
have pistil and stamen on the same bloom.

From E. uni- and sexual.

unison (u' ni zon), n. In music,
accordance or unity in pitch ; a tone with
the sarnie pitch as another ; the interval
between such tones ; the sounding of the
same tone or its octaves by two or more

4425

I F 7

UNIT

UNITY

instruments, voices, or parts ; a musical
passage of this character ; agreement ;
concord, adj. Coinciding in pitch.

Many fine effects are obtained in choral
works by unison passages, or singing in
unison, contrasted with the voices in
harmony. When the stringed instruments
of an orchestra are tuned their A strings
are first adjusted so as to sound in unison.

A unisonal (u nis7 on al, adj.] or unisonous
(u nis' on us, adj.) combination is the
simultaneous occurrence of two or more
sounds which accord in pitch.

O.F. unison, from L. unisonus adj., from unus
one, sonus sound. SYN. : Harmony. ANT. :
Discord.

unit (u7 nit), n. A single person, thing
or group regarded as individual and com-
plete ; each of the individuals or groups
into which a number or whole may be
separated ; an amount or quantity used
as a standard for calculation ; the quantity
represented by the number one. (F. unite.)

The inch, foot, and yard are British units
of length ; the ohm, volt, and ampere are
units used in electrical measurement ; a
battalion is a military unit, which is
divided into units called companies. Each
man in the ranks is a unit. Gas is measured
by its heating power as expressed in therms
or thermal units. In the U.S.A. and in
Canada the monetary units are the cent
and the dollar.

In the denary system used for notation the
number i stands for i, 10, or 100, according
to its position in one of three columns called
the units, tens, and hundreds columns
respectively, so that ten is the unit of
numeration. When a figure is moved one
place to the left it is multiplied tenfold.

In many motor-cars the engine, clutch,
and gear-box together form a unit, that is,
a group of parts so joined together as to
be handled as a single whole.

A Unitarian (u ni tar7 i an, n.) is one of
a religious body which rejects the doctrine
of the Trinity. Unitarianism (u ni tar' i
an izm, n.) is the doctrine that God is but
one Person. The Unitarian (adj.) Church
is that of the Unitarians.

A unitary (u7 ni ta ri, adj.) quantity is
one of the nature of a unit. The unitary
method in arithmetic solves proportion sums
by determining the unit.

Probably shortened from unity.

unite (u nit7), v.t. To join together so
as to make one ; to combine ; to consoli-
date, v.i. To become one ; to become
joined ; to coalesce ; to combine ; to
agree ; to co-operate. (F. unir, s'unir.)

The edges of a cut are brought together
with adhesive plaster so that they may unite.
Broken bones are kept rigid and motionless
until they join or unite. Metal parts are
united by welding, soldering, or brazing.

In 1776 the thirteen American states,
which until that year had been separate

English colonies, united to issue the Declara-
tion of Independence of America. Pre-
viously they had been unable to act in
concert, but the unstatesmanlike treat-
ment they received from the home govern-
ment served to unite them, and henceforth
they acted unitedly (u nit7 ed li, adv.),
organizing an army and making a bold
bid for complete independence. As a result
of the war the colonists waged with Great
Britain, the thirteen states became the
United States of America.

Unite. — A cartoon of 1915, representing 'Britain
and Italy united in the cause of Justice.

The United Kingdom came into being on
January ist, 1801, when Ireland joined the
kingdom of Great Britain. The members
of the Protestant Church of the Moravians
are sometimes called the United Brethren.

From L. unltus, p.p. of ilnlre to make one.
SYN. : Amalgamate, combine, connect, join,
merge. ANT. : Detach, disconnect, disjoin, dis-
unite, separate.

unity (u7 ni ti), n. The state of being
one, single, or individual ; oneness ; the
state of being united ; an agreement or
harmonious interconnexion between parts ;
structural coherence ; agreement ; con-
cord ; in mathematics, the number one, a
factor which leaves unchanged the number
on which it operates. (F. unite.)

Unity characterizes the animal body,
which has many organs, parts and mem-
bers forming a complex whole. In a state
of health the functions are performed in
unity and harmony. In I Corinthians xii
the Apostle Paul compares the Church of
Christ to the human body and stresses its
essential unity. Unity of purpose, as ex-
pressed by team-work, will go a long way
towards success in sports.

If the diameter of a circle be taken as
unity, the circumference is 3-14159 Tn

4426

UNIVALENT

UNIVERSITY

his " Poetics," Aristotle held that a play
should observe unity of plot. Greek tragedy
usually obeyed the law of dramatic unities,
wrongly attributed to Aristotle, which
involved the unities of action, time, and
place. According to these rules only
pne plot should be dealt with, and any
under-plots must be subservient to the main
action ; the play should cover only a period
equal to that which its actual performance
took, or not more than a single day ; and
there should be no change of scene.

F. unite, L. unitds (ace. -tdt-em), from unus
one. SYN. : Concord, harmony, individuality,
singleness. _,, ,

univalent (u niv' a lent), adj. In
chemistry, having a valence or combining
power of one ; monovalent. (F. univalent.)

From E: uni- and suffix -valent.

univalve (u' ni ,valv), adj. Having a
single valve, n. Any gasteropod having a
single-valved shell. (F. univalve.}

This word is used of molluscs — such as
snails or whelks — which possess a shell
composed of one piece, as contrasted with
bivalve molluscs, such as oysters.

From E. uni- and valve. -

universal (u ni ver' sal), adj. Of,
relating to, or done by all men or all things
in the world or in the class referred to ;
common to or applicable to all cases;
general; in logic, applying to all the in-
dividuals of a class or genus, opposed to
particular. ». In logic, a universal pro-
position ; in philosophy, a general concept
or idea ; a thing predicable of many. (F.
universel.)

Esperanto was invented to serve as a
universal language (».)». readily learnt and
used by people of different races. With a
universal plane the carpenter,
by inserting differently shaped
cutters, may perform various
operations for each of which a
special plane is normally required . *»

The statement " all horses are
quadrupeds " is a universal pro-
position, since something is pre-
dicated of the whole class
forming the subject. A merchant
who sets out to supply any and
every want of the community
may call himself a universal
provider.

A universal coupling (n.), or
universal joint (n.), is a device for
connecting two parts, such as
shafts, which are thus permitted
to turn freely in various direc-
tions. One type of universal
joint, the ball-and-socket joint, is modelled
on that found in the human body, as, for
example, the hip- joint. The artillery pro-
jectile called a universal shell (n.) is one
which can be used either as a shrapnel
shell or a high-explosive shell. The quality
or state of being universal is universalism
(u ni ver' sal izm, n.). According to a

doctrine known as Universalism, all men will
be saved in the end and inhabit a world
free from evil. One who believes in it is
called a Universalist (u ni ver' sal 1st. n.).'
The universality (u ni ver sal' i ti, n.} of
a thing is its quality or state of being
universal.

Three centuries have sufficed virtually
to universalize (u ni ver' sa Hz, v.t.), or
make general, the use of tobacco. The
process of becoming or being made universal
is universalization (u ni ver.sa.ll za' shun, n.).
A rule applies universally (u ni ver' sal li,
adv.) if it admits of no exception, or has
universal application.

From L. universalis, from universus. See
universe. SYN. : adj. Common, entire, general,
world-wide. ANT. : adj. Individual, particular,
special.

universe (u' ni vers), n. All existing
things ; all created things regarded as a
system ; the whole creation ; the cosmos ;
all mankind ; in logic, all things forming
the subject of consideration. (F. univers.)

The universe includes the sun, the earth,
the planets, the stellar system, and every-
thing that may exist in space. In another
sense it means the known world, or
mankind.

It has been said that Wesley took the
universe as his parish, and Christianity, in
one form or another, is current throughout
the universe.

The relations to each other of the things
which compose the universe are the subject
of a science called universology (u ni ver sol'
6 ji, «.)•

From L. universum, neuter of universus, from
unus one, verier e to turn. SYN. : Cosmos,
creation, world.

University. — The Sorbonne, the seat of the faculties of science and
literature in the University of Paris.

university (u ni ver' si ti), n. An
educational institution for instruction and
examination in the more important branches
of learning, having power to grant degrees ;
the members of this collectively ; a team,
crew, etc., representing a university. (F.
universite.)

Mediaeval universities date from the

4427

UNKEMPT

UNLIKE

eleventh and twelfth centuries. The Univer-
sity of Paris developed from the school
belonging to the cathedral of Notre Dame.
At Bologna there was a law school to which
students came from all countries, and
Salerno had a school famous for the teaching
of medical science. Although towards the
end. of the twelfth century these three
institutions were well established, it was
not until a century later that a system of
colleges developed.

In England a similar movement was
taking place, the University of Oxford
being in the mid-thirteenth century a rival
to that of Paris, by which time, too, Cam-
bridge had its University.

Students come to Oxford and Cambridge
from all parts of the world to receive in-
struction and to sit for examinations.
The other English universities include
Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Leeds, Liver*
pool, London, Manchester, Nottingham,
Reading and Sheffield. Scotland and Ireland
have their famous universities, and Wales
has one of its own. By charter the univer-
sities are empowered to grant degrees to
those who pass certain examinations and
conform to the regulations.

From L. universitas whole, totality. See
universe.

unkempt (un kempt'), adj. Un-
combed ; dishevelled ; rough ; untidy. (F.
mal peigne, ebourrife, debraille, en ddsordre.)

Unknown. — Guarding the body of the Unknown Warrior, on its
journey from France in 1920.

A horse with an unkempt mane presents
a neglected appearance.

From un- [i] and A.-S. cemban to comb.

unkennel (un ken7 el), v.t. To let (hounds)
out of the kennel ; to drive (a fox) from its
earth.

An unkind (adj.) nature is one wanting
in kindness ; unkind words are harsh and
cruel. One who behaves unkindly (adv.), or
in an unkindly adj. manner, commits an un-
kindness (n.) ; this last word means also the
state or quality of being unkind. To unkink

(v.t.) wire is to take the kinks or bends out
of it. Ropes unkink (v.i.) when they
straighten out. We unknot (v.t.) a rope
by untying it, or by freeing it from knots.

Things of which we are ignorant are
unknown (adj.) to us. The fate of some
Arctic explorers is unknown, and likely
to remain for ever unknown. An author
or poet is unknown till he has made a
name for himself. In mathematics an
unknown quantity is one which has not
been ascertained. Space extends for an
unknown or incalculable distance about
the heavenly bodies.

The body of an unidentified soldier, the
Unknown Warrior (n.), was buried in West-
minster Abbey on Armistice Day (November
nth) 1920, as an honour to all men of the
Empire who gave their lives in the World
War. The example was followe'd by other
countries.

unlace (un las'), v.t. To unfasten the
laces ^'of (shoes, etc.). (F. delacer, delier,
defaire.)

Lazy people sometimes attempt to pull
off shoes without unlacing them properly,
and find they have to unlace them still more.
A dining table is unlaid (adj.) i when hot
prepared for a meal. Acts are unlawful (adj.)
which infringe the law. We behave unlaw-
fully (adv.), and our acts have the character
of unlawfulness (n.), when we do something
forbidden by law. Sailors unlay (v.t.) the
ends 'of a rope, or untwist it into
strands, before the'y begin to
splice it. To unlearn (v.t.) a bad
habit is to throw it off or forget
it. A lesson is unlearned (un
lernd', adj.) or unlearnt (adj.)
if not mastered ; an unlearned
(un ler' ned, adj.) person is one
who is ill-educated or ignorant.
Bread made without yeast or
other substance which renders
it light is called unleavened
bread (n.). It is used as wafers
in the Roman Catholic Church
for the Eucharist, and by Jews,
in the form of flat cakes or
biscuits, at the Feast of the
Passover.

unless (un les'), conj. If it
be not the case that ; except
when. (F. a mains que, a mains
de.)

We may promise to call on someone
unless we are otherwise engaged. Unless a
watch is wound it will run down. A bi-
cycle will give trouble unless it is kept in
order. Unless one understands a machine
it is foolish to meddle with it.

For on less (that) ; " unless he insults me "
means on less provocation than such an act
would supply. Cp. F. a moinsque.

unlike (un Ilk'), adj. Not like ; dis-
similar. (F. different, dissemblable.)

Two tiny seeds may appear not unlike

4428

UNLIKENESS

UNNATURALNESS

to the eye, but their essential unlikeness (n.),
or dissimilarity, is manifest when they ger-
minate and grow into plants of different,
or unlike, species. An unlikely (adj.) event
is one that is improbable. A number of
competitions are based on the unlikelihood
(n.), unlikeliness (n.), or improbability, of
many competitors arranging names, etc., in
a certain arbitrary order. The greater the
number of possible alternatives, the more
unlikely are the entrants to find the desired
sequence which will win them a prize. Space
is regarded by scientists as unlimited (adj.),
that is, without limits or bounds, stretching
unlimitedly (adv.) in all directions. Its
unlimitedness (n.) is its quality or state of
being unlimited, or infinite.

Unload. — The first consignment

fruit sent direct from

-me first consignment ot grape-fruit sent din
Florida to Liverpool being unloaded at the docks.

To unline (v.t.) a coat is to take the lining
out of it ; an unlined (adj.) garment has no
lining. Stocks and shares are unlisted
(adj.) if not in a list of prices. Powerful
cranes are used to unload .(v.t.) ships, that is,
remove their cargoes from them. To unload
a gun is to take the cartridges or charge
out of it ; to unload stocks or shares is
to sell many of them quickly. Ships
unload (v.i.), or discharge cargo, at a quay.
Some lorries and wagons discharge or unload
their contents by tipping.

An unlooked-for (adj.) disaster is an unex-
pected one. To unloose (v.t.) or unloosen (v.t.)
is to set free or unfasten, or to make loose.
In superstitious ages some people regarded
certain days of the week or month as
unlucky (adj.), or unpropitious, days for
beginning a venture. Others attributed un-
luckiness («..), or the quality of bringing
ill-fortune, to various objects. Gems, animals,
or even persons, were once thought to be
unlucky. To-day an unfortunate person is
said to be unlucky, and* a bad investment
to turn out unluckily (adv.).

unmaintainable (un man tan7 abl),
adj. Not capable of being maintained. (F.
insoulenable.)

A claim is unmaintainable if it cannot be
supported or made good. To unmake (v.t.)
a garment is to take it to pieces. Great
sorrow may unman (v.t.) people, or break
their spirit. To unman a ship is to take
away her crew.

An unmarked (adj.) happening is one which
passes unobserved or unnoticed ; exam-
ination papers are unmarked until marks
have been awarded to them. An unmartial
(adj.) nation is one not inclined to war. An
unmasculine (adj-.) man is one who lacks
manly qualities. To unmask (v.t.) villainy
is to expose it ; to unmask a battery of
guns is to remove any screen in front of it,
so that it may fire. People unmask (v.i.)
at a masked dance when they take off their
masks.

An unmeaning (adj.) phrase is
one without meaning, worded
unmeaningly (adv.) and devoid of
sense. In ancient times con-
querors were unmerciful (adj.),
showing scant mercy to their
captives, and treating them un-
mercifully (adv.), in a merciless
manner. A line of poetry is
unmetrical (adj.) if not arranged
in metre, or if it does not scan
properly. Some modern poetry
is written unmetrically (adv.),
that is, without regard for metre.
We should not be unmindful
(adj.), or heedless, of the needs or
sufferings of others. People who
succeed in life are sometimes
unmindful of the debt of grati-
tude they may owe to those who
helped them. The Israelites
often treated God's commands
unmindfully (adv.), that is, carelessly or
forgetfully, and they were punished for their
unmindiulness (n.). Metal is unminted
(adj.) if not made into coin. The meaning
of a sentence is unmistakable (adj.)<ii it
is clear and not ambiguous. Shakespeare's
works prove unmistakably (adv;), or plainly,
that the author was a man of genius and
wide experience.

To unmoor .(v.t.) a ship is to release her
from her moorings ; .to unmoor (v.i.) is to
weigh anchor. - Unmoral (adj.) means not
concerned with morality. To unmuffle (v.t.)
a drum is to remove a muffling from it ;
to unmuffle (v.i.) means to take a covering
from one's face.

unnatural (un nach' ur al ; un nat' yiir al),
adj. Not natural ; contrary to nature ;
affected; artificial ; inhuman. (F.peunaturel.)
An unnatural manner is one affected or
not natural ; an unnatural instinct is one
contrary to nature. An unnaturalized (adj.)
person is an alien who has not become a
legal citizen of the country he lives in.
Fever makes the eyes unnaturally (adv.)
bright, that is, bright in an unnatural
degree. A forced laugh often has unnatural-
ness (n.), and does not ring naturally.

4429

UNNERVE

UNPRINCIPLED

A series of disasters may unnerve (v.t.)
the bravest of men, that is, take away his
coolness and resolution. Young cuckoos
unnest (v.t.), or expel from the nest, other
young birds hatched with them.

unobliterated (un 6b lit' er at ed),
adj. Not obliterated ; still visible or
decipherable. (F. non efface.}

On some ancient palimpsest manuscripts
one may see the unobliterated remains of
an earlier writing, not completely erased
or obliterated. Works priceless to scholars,
of which no other record was known, have
been rediscovered in this form.

We often speculate about the contents
of an unopened (adj.} letter. A book is
described as unopened if it has not been
trimmed before binding, so that the leaves
have to be cut apart at the edges.

A country is unorganized (adj.] for defence
if it has not been organized, but disorganized
if an organization that existed has broken
down. Ideas and jokes are unoriginal (adj.]
if not original — that is, if they have been
used before.

unpaid (un pad'), adj. Not paid ;
done or acting gratuitously. (F. non paye,
non acquitte, non liquide, gratuit.}

A debt is unpaid if it
has not been discharged ;
many people do unpaid
work for charity, giving
their services free. Un-
paid magistrates, or
justices of the peace,
render public service
without any stipend,
and are sometimes called
collectively the great
unpaid. Goods are
unpaid-for (adj.] if they
were bought on credit
and money has not yet
been paid for them.

Boots, shoes, and
gloves are unpaired (adj.)
until arranged in pairs.
An event is unparalleled
(adj.) if without parallel
or precedent. Children
are unparented (adj.) who
have lost their parents or
have no known parents.

Behaviour or procedure is unparliament-
ary (adj.) if contrary to the rules or usage
of Parliament ; the word is used of language
of a nature which would not be permitted
in Parliament.

An entertainment is unpatronized (adj.)
when people do not visit or support it.
A dog is said to be unpedigreed (adj.) if it
has no known pedigree, and people may be
considered unpedigreed whose pedigree is
unknown, or not a distinguished one.

A book is unperused (adj.) that has not
been looked through or read. To unpick
(v.t.) a seam is to take the stitches out of
it. Unpicked (adj.) fruit is that still on the

Unpicked. — A cacoa-tree, showing the unpicked

fruits, in which are contained the cocoa-nibs

or seeds.

tree ; the word is used also of fruit not sorted
into qualities. To unpin (v.t.) anything is
to remove the pins which hold it together.
Walls not covered with plaster are un-
plastered (adj.}. Stone is unplastic (adj.),
that is, not able to be shaped by pressure.
Metal articles are unplated (adj.) if not
plated with another metal. A bowler is
said to be unplayable (adj.) whose deliveries
are too difficult for the batsman to
play.

Ari unpleasant (adj.) sensation, manner,
or word is one that is disagreeable. Tidings
which are likely to be unpleasing (adj.), or
to cause displeasure, need not be phrased
unpleasantly (adv.), or in a disagreeable
manner. A rebuke is bound to affect its
recipient unpleasingly (adv.), or in a manner
which displeases him. Unpleasantness (n.)
is the quality or state of being unpleasant;
the word is used also to mean a disagree-
ment. To unplug (v.t.) a hole is to remove
a plug or obstruction from it. Pencils as
manufactured are unpointed (adj.), and are
sharpened by a separate process. A chant
not marked with points, or a writing devoid
of stops, is said to be unpointed. In un-
pointed brickwork the joints have not been
filled and finished off
by the process called
pointing.

An unpopular (adj.)
law is one not popular ;
the epithet generally
means that such a
measure is actively
disliked. Statesmen
often have to face un-
popularity (n.), which
is the state or quality
of being unpopular,
when advocating a
measure not popular
with their supporters.
A custom becomes un-
practised (adj.) when it
goes out of fashion ;
an unpractised person
is one lacking experience
or skill. A thing is
unprecedented (adj.) for
which there is no prece-
dent or parallel.
Absence of prejudice is unprejudice (n.),
and an unprejudiced (adj.) person is im-
partial. An act is unpremeditated (adj.)
if not planned beforehand. We often do
things unpremeditatedly (adv.), that is, on
the spur of the moment. No prices are
marked on or quoted for > unpriced (adj.)
goods. A bishop may unpriest (v.t.) a
clergyman, that is, deprive him of his priest's
orders, for unpriestly (adj.) behaviour, which
is conduct unworthy of a priest.

We describe people as unprincipled (adj.)
if their conduct appears not to be guided
by good moral principles. A poor invest-
ment, or a soil that yields poor crops, is said

4430

UNPRODUCTIVE

UNRESERVEDNESS

to be unproductive (adj.). Money is spent
unproductively (adv.), that is, in an unpro-
ductive manner, if its spending does not
increase wealth or happiness. The unpro-
ductiveness (n.) of a country, that is, its state
or quality of being unproductive, may be
due either to natural barrenness, or to the
fact that its resources are not made the most
of. A doctor may.be
interested in unpro-
fessional (adj.) matters,
that is, things not re-
lated to his profession.
If he behaves in an
unprofessional manner
— one not befitting his
profession — he may be
called to account by his
colleagues. Unprofess-
ional occupations are
those which are not
classed as professions.

Business which brings
no profits is unprofitable
(adj.), and is done un-
profitably (adv.). A
discussion has unprofit-
ableness (n.), the state
or quality of being un-
profitable, if it leads to
no good result. An
unprompted (adj.) action
is one performed spon-
taneously, without prompting. Praise is
unproportional (adj.) to merit if not pro-
portioned to it.

Persons who are unprovided (adj.) with
the means of procuring food or shelter
are received into Poor Law institutions
established for them. Orphanages make
provision for children left unprovided for
by the death of parents. An unprovoked
(adj.) attack is one made without provocation.

unqualified (un kwol' i fid), adj.
Not competent ; lacking proper qualifica-
tions ; absolute ; entire. (F. incapable,
incompetent, absolu, sans reserve.)

One having little knowledge of a matter
is unqualified to discuss it with authority.
Unqualified persons, who have not been
through a proper course of instruction
and do not hold diplomas showing them to
be proficient, are debarred by law from
practising certain professions. Deeds of
great bravery arouse our unqualified, or un-
limited, admiration. An unqualified apology
is one made without any attempt to defend
one's conduct.

The natural beauty of Alpine scenery
is absolutely unquestioned (adj.), not
called in question. The truth of mathe-
matical axioms, is unquestionable (adj.), or
beyond question. Many things are un-
questionably (adv.), or indisputably, dearer
now than they were some years ago. A
witness is unquestioned if no questions are
asked him. His evidence is unquestionably
true if its truth is manifest and admits

Unravel.— Sir William Herschel, the famous

astronomer, trying to unravel a problem of

the heavens.

of no doubt. An unquiet (adj.) mind is
restless and uneasy.

unravel (un rav' el), v.t. To separate
the threads of ; to untwist ; to disentangle ;
to solve (a mystery), v.i. To become
separated or untwisted. (F. demeler, de-
brouiller ; se detortiller.)

To unravel a twisted skein may be a
task of some difficulty.
A selvage is formed on
the edge of a fabric to
prevent unravelment
(n.). If this were not
done the threads would
unravel and hang loose.
A book is unread (adj.)
if no one reads it;
people are unread if
they read little or
nothing worth reading.
To be unready (adj.) for
a journey is to be un-
prepared for it ; a person
unready in action is one
slow to act.

Dreams and fairy
stories are unreal (adj.),
that is, imaginary.
Prosperity is unreal if
i^ot founded on a safe
and sound basis. A
story is said to have
unreality («.), the state
or quality of being unreal, if it seems too
fanciful, or unlike actual life.

The word unreason (n.) means folly, the
opposite of reason, or unreadiness to think
or act rationally. An unreasonable (adj.)
price is an absurdly high one. An unreason-
able person is one who will not listen to
reason and shows unreasonableness (n.) in
his attitude of mind. A foolish, headstrong
person often behaves unreasonably (adv.),
in a manner contrary to reason.

To unreel (v.t.) cotton is to unwind it
from a reel. Fishing-lines unreel (v.i.) as they
run off their reels. To unreeve (v.t.) a
rope is to draw it out from a ring or block
through which it has been rove. A person
not reformed'or reclaimed from evil ways is
unreformed (adj.) ; one who cannot be
reformed is unreformable (adj.).

Anger is unreined (adj.) when not held in
check. The word unrepair (n.) means dis-
repair or bad repair. A law is unrescinded
(adj.) as long as it remains on the statute-
book, though it may have ceased to be
enforced.

The quality called unreserve (n.) is
frankness or candour, the opposite of
reserve. An unreserved (adj.) person is
open and free-spoken ; hospitality is un-
reserved if given without stint ; theatre
seats are unreserved if not assigned to
certain persons. Confidence given without
reservation is given unreservedly (adv.),
and has unreservedness (n.), the state or
quality of being unreserved.

4431

UNREST

UNSEASONED

• Since the -World War (1914-18) the
world has suffered much from political
unrest (n.}, which is restlessness, agitation,
and dissatisfaction with the existing state
of things. 'Noise and bustle make a place
unrestful (adj.), incapable of giving rest
to the mind and nerves. The word unrest-
fully (adv.) means in an unrestful manner,
and unrestfulness (n.) is the state or quality
of being unrestful or restless.

An unrestored (adj.) ruin or picture is
one which remains in a damaged con-
dition. Many articles lost in public vehicles
are unrestored, or not returned, to the owners,
because the latter do not apply for them.
Tears are unrestrainable (adj.) when they
cannot be held back ; to weep unrestrain-
ably (adv.) is to weep without restraint.
Anger is unrestrained (adj.), or not con-
trolled, when a person gives vent to it
unrestrainedly (adv.). The state or quality
of being without check or restraint is
unrestrainedness (n.).

Unrestored.— The unrestored ruins of the Residency at Lucknow, a

place memorable for its heroic defence during ths Indian Mutiny

of 1857-8.

An unridable (adj.) horse cannot be
ridden ; an unridden (adj.) horse is one
that has never been ridden. To unriddle
(v.t.) a riddle or problem is to solve it.
Comparatively few ancient tombs in Egypt
have remained unrifled (adj.), 'or unrobbed.
A shot-gun is unrifled, by which we mean
that the barrel has no rifling.

Sailors unrig (v.t.) a ship when they take
the rigging off her. An unrighteous (adj.)
deed is an unjust or wicked one. It is
done unrighteously (adv.). Unrighteousness
(n.) is the state of being unrighteous.

To unrip (v.t.) a seam is to cut or tear
it open. Fruit is unripe (adj.) when imma-
ture, and its unripeness (n.), or unripe
condition, may make it unwholesome. To
be unrivalled (adj.) is to be without a
rival, or to be unequalled. Drapers unroll
(v.t.) material, that is, unwind it from rolls,
to show to customers ; a blind will unroll
(v.i.) if the cord is pulled. Manuscript is
usually sent through the post unrolled (adj.),
that is, not rolled, but flat. An unruly (un

4432

roo' li, adj.) people is lawless and difficult
to govern, i The state or quality of being
unruly is unruliness (un roo' li nes, n.).

unsaddle (un sad' 1), v.t. To remove
the saddle from (a horse) ; to dislodge (a
rider) from the saddle ; to unseat. v.i.
To unsaddle one's horse. (F. desseller,
d^sar Conner.)

Troopers unsaddle horses, or unsaddle,
when they return to quarters from a march.
In mediaeval tournaments each rider tried
to unseat, or unsaddle, his opponent, usually
by thrusting with the lance. An unsaddled
(adj.) horse is one from which the saddle has
been removed.

A solution is unsaturated (adj.) if the
largest possible amount of the chemical
which it can contain has not been dissolved
in it. Food is unsavoury (adj.) if not tasty
and appetizing. Unsavouriness (n.) in a
dish may be due to lack of condiments or
seasoning ; figuratively, a nasty or distaste-
ful subject is said to have unsavouriness.

Some mountain peaks have
proved to be unscalable (adj.),
that is, incapable of being
climbed. Poetry not written in
a metre is unscannable (adj.) —
it cannot be scanned. A house
is unscreened (adj.) from the
winds if not sheltered from
them ; gravel is unscreened
if it has not been sifted
through a riddle. We unscrew
(v.t.) a screw or bolt when we
loosen or remove it, and un-
screw a part when we take the
screws out of it to allow of its
removal.

An unscrupulous (adj.) person
has no scruples of conscience, and
behaves unscrupulously (adv.), or
in an unprincipled way. The
unscrupulousness (n.) of such
a person is his quality or state of being
unaffected by scruples. To unseal (v.t.) a
letter is to break the seals on it, or to open
it. An unsealed (adj.) document is one
without a seal ; an unsealed envelope is
one left open, without being sealed down.
To undo or rip a garment at the seams is to
unseam (v.t.) it.

The judgments of God (Romans xi, 33) are
unsearchable (adj.), that is, hidden or
inscrutable. When a very important or
valuable thing is lost no corner is left un-
searched (adj.), or unexamined. Cold weather
in summer is unseasonable (adj.), or unusual
at the season. A visit has unseasonableness
(n.), the quality of being unseasonable, if
ill-timed. To jest unseasonably (adv.) is
to make jokes out of season, or at an
inappropriate time. Food is unseasoned
(adj.) if it is not flavoured with seasoning
or condiments. Unseasoned timber is
wood that has not been seasoned. It is
not in a fit condition to be used in con-
structional work.

UNSEAT

UNSURVEYED

Unsightly. — Unsightly litter left by people who spent a bank-holiday on Hampstead Heath, one of London's

most popular open spaces.

A restive horse may unseat (v.t.) a rider,
or throw him from the saddle. A member
of Parliament deprived of his seat in the
House of Commons is described as unseated
(adj.) ; an unseated hall is one not yet
provided with seats. Things are unseen
(adj.) if invisible, or hidden from sight, or
if not previously seen. In the last sense the
word is used of a passage — not previously
prepared, and new to the scholar — set for
translation at sight. By the unseen (n.)
is meant the unseen world, the world of
spirits.

A gathering is unselect (adj.) if it contains
people of different social ranks. Jewellers
unset (v.t.) gems by taking them from their
setting. An unset (adj.) gem is an un-
mounted one ; an unset trap is one not set.
An unset fracture is one in which the bones
have not been set, or arranged in proper
position.

. Thunder-storms are apt to unsettle (v.t.)
the weather, or make it changeable, so that
a spell of unsettled (adj.) weather ensues.
A debt which is owing remains unsettled
until it is paid ; a region is unsettled if
not yet occupied by colonists.

A person of vacillating or changeable
temperament is said to be unsettled in mind.
A spell of idleness may unsettle a person
and disincline him for sustained toil or
effort. Boundaries are unsettled until they
are decided or delimited.

To unship (v.t.) a cargo is to unload it ;
to unship a rudder is to remove it from its
place at a vessel's stern. Oars are said to
be unshipped (adj.) when out of the rowlocks.
A coastline not yet sighted from an
approaching ship is unsighted (adj.). An
unsighted gun is one which has no sights on
it, or one not sighted on a target.

An unsightly (adj.) object is one dis-
pleasing to the eye, or ugly ; and unsightli-
ness (n.) is ugliness. Unskilled (adj.) means
clumsy, or lacking in skill. In a special
sense, workers — for instance, labourers — are
said to be unskilled if they have not under-
gone a special training or apprenticeship
to fit them for a trade or craft. Unskilled
labour is that not needing, or done without,
such a training. One can unsolder (v.t.},
or separate, soldered joints by heating them.

An unsophisticated (adj.) person is one
simple, artless, and natural in manner;
unsophisticated wines are pure and unadul-
terated. The quality or state of being
unsophisticated is unsophisticatedness (n.).

Timber is unsound (adj.) if decayed ; a
horse is unsound . if defective in any part
of its foody ; an investment is unsound if
risky ; and an argument is unsound if
fallacious. A house on bad foundations is
unsoundly (adv.) built ; meat unfit for
human food has unsoundness (n.), the state
or quality of being unsound. The word
unsparing (adj.) has the two very different
meanings of liberal and unmerciful. One
person may give his money unsparingly
(adv.), or open-handedly, to charitable
objects ; another may be unsparing, or un-
forbearing, in his treatment of those who
offend him. An unspeakable rogue is
indescribably bad.

Grief is unspeakable (adj.) when it cannot be
described in words ; People are unspeakably
(adv.) grateful if their gratitude is too great
for expression. An unspliced (adj.) rope
is one having no splice in it. Conduct is
unsporting (adj.) or unsportsmanlike (adj.)
if not typical or worthy of a sportsman.

To unstep (v.t.) a mast is to take it out
of the step, or socket, in which its foot rests.
To unstitch (v.t.) a dress is to undo its seams
by unpicking the stitches. To unstock (v.t.)
a shop is to remove or deplete its stock
of goods. An unstocked (adj.) gun is one
which has no stock. To unstop (v.t.) a fox's
earth is to remove an obstruction placed
in the entrance to it. An unstopped (adj.)
organ-pipe is one — open at the upper end —
having no stop. We unstrap (v.t.) baggage
when we undo the straps round it, or
loosen those which attach it to a carrier.

To unstring (v.t.) a harp or a violin is
to loosen or remove its strings ; to unstring
beads is to take them off their string. Un-
strung (adj.) beads are those which are loose
and not strung. A person's nerves are
sometimes said to be unstrung, or weakened,
through shock or illness. Grace in move-
ment is unstudied (adj.) when it comes
naturally, without conscious effort.

The word unsurveyed (adj.) may mean
either not measured by surveyors or not

4433

UNSUSPECTED

UNTRUSSED

viewed. An unsuspected (adj.) danger is
one thought not to exist, into which an
unsuspecting (adj.), or unsuspicious (adj.),
person — one having no fears or suspicions —
might come unsuspectingly (adv.), or un-
suspiciously (adv.), that is. unawares.
Unsuspiciousness (n.) is the state or quality
of being unsuspicious.

untemper (un tern7 per), v.t. To
draw the temper of (steel, etc.). (F. rendre
non-trempe'.)

It is easy to untemper a piece of steel
by making the metal red-hot and allowing
it to cool slowly. An untempered (adj.) chisel,
which has not been tempered, or which
has been softened to remove its temper,
is unfit for use as a cutting tool. Un-
tempered also means not controlled or
moderated. A military position is untenable
(adj.] if it cannot be held ; an argument
has untenableness (n.), the quality or state
of being untenable, if it cannot be main-
tained.

Buildings not fit to be occupied by a
tenant are untenantable (adj.) ; an un-
tenanted (adj.) house is one which is not
occupied. An untended (adj.) fire will soon
die out in the grate. Meat is untender
(adj.) if tough ; words are untender if
unkind ; thanks are untendered (adj.) if
not offered.

Young people are
sometimes unthinking
(adj.), which means
thoughtless or careless,
and hurt a person's feel-
ings unthinkingly (adv.).
To unthread (v.t.) a
needle is to take the
thread out of it ; to
unthread a maze is to
find one's way back
through it to the
entrance. In one kind of
race the competitors take
an unthreaded ( a dj . )
needle and a length of
thread, and have to
thread the needle as
they run the course.
To untie (v.t.) a knot is
to undo it ; to untie a
horse is to unfasten the
rope holding it. An
untied (adj.) shoe-lace
may cause a person to trip up and tumble.

until (un til'), prep. Till. conj. Till.
(F. jusqu'd; jusqu'd ce que.)

This word may be substituted for till
in all its uses.

From O. Norse und up to, and till till [2] ;
cp. O. Saxon, Goth, und up to. See unto.

un timbered (un tim' berd), adj.
Not timbered ; having no trees. (F.
sans arbres.)

An untimbered landscape — one which
is treeless — presents a barren and empty
appearance. At one time few cottage

Untie. — A dog untying the rope by which its
master has been bound.

walls were untimbered, for balks of wood
were generally used in their construction,
the spaces between being filled in with
brick or other material. In modern build-
ings the appearance is often simulated by
thin wood fastened on to the walls.

An untimely (adj.) frost is one that comes
out of its proper time or season ; an untimely
death is an early or premature death. A
remark has untimeliness (n.) if made at an
inappropriate moment.
unto (un' tu), prep. To.
This word may be used for " to " except
where the latter is employed as the sign of
the infinitive. It is found chiefly in
religious and poetical language.
M.E., altered from until.
untold (un told'), adj. Not told ; not
revealed or disclosed ; not counted ; un-
numbered. (F. inexprime', sans nombre,
vaste, inoul.)

The stars are untold, or innumerable.
An untold story is one not narrated or
revealed. An army suffers untold losses
if the casualties are too great to be counted.
A very rich man is sometimes said to have
untold wealth. An untoward (un to' ard,
adj.] happening is an unfavourable or un-
fortunate one, or one merely annoying and
vexatious. The word is used of persons
or animals in the sense of -
perverse or intractable.
j An untoward season is
one not propitious or
prosperous.

A country is un-
travelled (adj.] if not
crossed by travellers,
but we speak of a person
as untravelled if he
has not visited foreign
countries or has had
little experience o f
travel. A story is un-
true (adj.) if not in
accordance with facts ;
an untruth (n.) is a
falsehood. Its untruth
is its quality of being
untrue. A disloyal
person is untrue to his
allegiance ; anything
which deviates from the
correct standard may be
described as untrue.
An untruthful (adj.) statement is one at
variance with the truth ; an untruthful
person is one given to speaking untruthfully
(adv.], or in a manner devoid of truth.
Untruthfulness (n.) is lack of truth, or the
state of being untrue.

To untruss (v.t.) a bound person is to
free him from his fastenings. Formerly to
untruss meant to undress by undoing the
many laces then used to fasten clothes.
An untrussed (adj.) fowl is one not made
ready for cooking by trussing or skewering
together.

44^4

UNTWINE

UP

adj. Not

The awns of some grasses, which twist
in dry weather, will untwine (v.i.), or untwist
(v.i.), and become relaxed on the approach
of dampness. To untwine (v.t.), or untwist
(v.t.), the strands of a rope is to uncoil them.
A parasitic climbing plant twines itself so
closely round the trunk of its host that it
is very difficult to untwine, or separate,
from the latter.

unusual (un u' zhu al), adj. Not
usual or common ; strange ; remarkable.
(F. rare, inaccoutume'.)

Some summers are unusually (adv.) cold
and wet, the weather being characterized
by these unpleasant features to a strange
or unusual extent. Unusual dryness, on
the other hand, may cause a period of
drought. Unuttered (adj.) words are those
left unsaid, to which we do not give utter-
ance. Emotion is unutterable (adj.) if too
deep to be expressed ; one is unutterably
(adv.) relieved, that is, to a degree beyond
description, when a long period of suspense
or anxiety is at last ended by favourable
tidings.

unvalued (un val' ud)
valued or esteemed ; not
priced; not appraised. (F. '
non prise, peu estime.)

Unvalued trifles are
things upon which we set
little or no value. Until
valuers have estimated or
appraised the value of a
dead person's estate, the
latter is said to be un-
valued. An unvarnished
(adj.) article is one not
coated with varnish ; but
a story told in simple
language, without em-
bellishment or striving
after effect, is called an
unvarnished story.

Usually a person of
eminence is asked to unveil
(v.t.) a statue or memorial,
that is, to remove a
covering from it as a sign
that it is dedicated.
Women unveil (v.i.) when
they remove their veils.
An unvouched (adj.) docu-
ment or statement is a document or state-
ment that has not been properly witnessed
or vouched for.

unwarrantable (un wor' ant abl),
adj. Not justifiable ; not excusable ; im-
proper. (F. inexcusable.)

An unwarrantable liberty is one for which
no excuse or warrant can be found. An
unwarrantable interference with the freedom
or privilege of citizens is one which is im-
proper and not warranted either by law or
by circumstances.

An illegal act has unwarrantableness (n.),
the state of being unwarrantable, and is
done unwarrantably (adv.], or unjustifiably.

Unveil. — The Guards' Memorial in London

about to be unveiled with the appropriate

ceremonial.

An unwarranted (adj.) article is one sold
without a guarantee of good quality, but
an unwarranted remark or charge is one
devoid of justification. Lack of caution
makes one unwary (adj.). Many proverbs
warn us not to act unwarily (adv.), or heed-
lessly, in matters of importance, and point
out that unwariness (n.), or lack of caution,
may bring disaster.

Plants soon droop in hot weather if left
unwatered (adj.), that is, without water.
An unwatered country has few or no rivers
which water it. To be unwell (adj.) is to
be indisposed, or in bad or indifferent
health.

A tyrant dies unwept (adj.), or unlamented.
A hammer so heavy that it cannot easily be
wielded is unwieldy (adj.). Very large and
heavy vehicles move unwieldily (adv.), tlrat
is, ponderously and clumsily. Unwieldiness
(n.) is the quality or state of being unwieldy.
To unwill (v.t.) something that has been
wished for is to desire it not to come about,
to will the reverse. To be unwilling (adj.)
is to be reluctant ; an unwilling act is one
done involuntarily or with aversion. To
perform a task unwillingly
'! (adv.) or with unwilling-
IN,^ ness (n.) is to do it against

one's will. To unwind (v.t.)
a reel of thread is to remove
the thread by winding
in the reverse direction,
until the reel is unwound.
An unwitting (adj.) mistake,
or a blunder perpetrated
unwittingly (adv.), is oAe
made unintentionally, or
of which a person is not
conscious.

To be unwonted (adj.)
to excitement is to be
unaccustomed to it ; an
unwonted event is one rare
or infrequent. To be un-
wontedly (adv.) active is
to be unusually so. The
word unwontedness (n.)
means the state or quality
of being unwonted, un-
common, infrequent, or
unaccustomed. Unwound
(un wound') is the past
tense and past participle of unwind. An
unwounded (un woon' ded, adj.) person is
one free from wounds.

An unwritten (adj.) letter is one not yet
written ; unwritten history is merely oral
and traditional, not based on or recorded in
writings. The unwritten law of a country
is that part of its law which is based on
custom and not on Acts of Parliament.

UP (UP)» adv. To a higher or superior
place, position, value, or degree ; to a place
farther north ; in a higher place or position ;
upright ; raised ; out of bed ; in the saddle ;
ready for action ; effectually, prep. From
a lower to a higher position or point on,

4435

UP-

UPGROWTH

or in a higher part of ; inland from the coast the adverb after the verb instead of prefixing
or from the mouth of a river, adj. Moving it. To take examples, we say build up

rather than upbuild, cheer up instead of

or sloping upwards ; going towards the rather than upbuild, cheer up instead of
capital, n. The state of being up. v.t. To upcheer, and gather up instead of upgather.
™,+ ,,^ . +n T-aic^ 7. * Tr> ri^- fn rnmp upanishad (oo pa' ni shad; oo pan' i

shad), n. One of a series of ancient sacred
books of the Brahminic religion.

Sansk., from upa near, ni-shad to lie down.
upas (u' pas), n. The upas-tree (Anti-

put up; to raise, v.i. To rise; to come
forward ; to begin suddenly. (F. en haut,
plus haut, droit, debout, leve, monte, pret,
efficacement ; en haut de ; remontant ; haut ;

elever ; se lever.}

Aeroplanes fly high up in the air. Prices go arisr toxicaria)~"oi' Java"; the "poisonous
up, that is, increase, when there is scarcity. milky sap of this and other Javanese trees.
A violinist tightens up the strings of his (p upas.)
violin to tune it. An undergraduate speaks
of going up when he returns to his university.

We screw up a box when we make it fast
with screws. Many thousands of people

From incisions made in the bark of the
upas-tree (n.) oozes the poisonous juice,
from which a deadly arrow-poison is pre-
pared. From the freshly-cut tree or bark

living outside London take an up tram to a poisonous vapour is given out, which may
business every morning, having to get up cause painful eruptions on the skin, but
very early to reach the station in time. there js no truth in the old tale that the

We have to leave a public reading room upas so poisons the air around it that no
or museum when time is up, that is, when
the time during which it is open has ended ;
and competitors assembled to run a race
start off when time is up, that is, when the
moment for starting comes. We may have
to walk fast to come up
with, which means to over-
take, someone walking in
the same direction who
started ahead of us. To
roam up and down a
country is to roam over
it in all directions. To
look a man up and down
is to have a good look at
him, generally in a critical
manner. What is called
rolling country consists of
ups and downs in the
sense of rises and falls.
We must expect ups and
downs, that is, changes of
fortune, in the course of
our lives.

An athlete must train
to be up to, that is, to
reach, the form needed for
racing. When we are
unwell we do not feel up
to, in the sense of equal to or inclined for,
games. The expression that it is up to a

Upas-tree. — A fine upas-tree in front of
the sanatorium at Sindanglaya, Java.

anima*! can live in its neighbourhood.
Figuratively, the word is applied to any evil
influence or practice ; for example, we often
hear of the upas of drunkenness.

Malay - poison. upbraid (up brad'). Vmtm
To reproach (with) ; to
reprove severely, v.i. To
utter reproaches. (F.
reprocher, reprimander.)

A fanner is sure to
upbraid a boy whom he
finds in his orchard. He
may also upbraid the boy
with the dishonesty of
stealing apples. In thus
speaking upbraidingly (up
brad' ing li, adv.), or scold-
ingly, the farmer may be
called an upbraider (up
brad'er,^.), and his reproof
an upbraiding (up brad'
ing, n.). These last two
words, though often met
with in poetry, are seldom
used in ordinary writing
or conversation.

A.-S. upbregdan to lay
hold upon. See braid. SYN. :
Charge, chide, scold.

upbringing (up' bring ing), n. The
process of maintaining and training ; educa-

person to do this or that means that it tion in behaviour and manners. (F.

is his special business or duty to do it.
Some children are up to anything, that is,
ready for any fun or mischief.

Education.)

Boys and girls who achieve success in
life generally owe this to the upbringing

A business is up to date if conducted on given them by their parents,
the most modern lines, and a history is 3 The upcast (up' kast, adj.) shaft of a
up to date if it describes very recent happen- mine, commonly called the upcast (n.),
ings. The colloquial question " What's up ?" is the shaft through which ventilating air
means " What is going on ? " rises after passing through the workings.

A.-S. upp (of direction), uppe of position; cp. To go up-country (up' kun tri; up kun' tri,
Dutch op, G. auf, O. Norse upp. ANT. : adv., a^v^ is to travel inland from the sea to the
prep., adj., n., v. Down. up-country (n.), that is, the up-country

up-. A prefix used adverbially with (adj.), or interior part, of a country. Up-
verbs, and with nouns derived from them. growth (up' groth, n.) is the process of

Many of these verbs are now obsolete or growing up or development, or a thing
used only in poetry, as we prefer to place which has grown up.

4436

UPHEAVAL

UPPER

A mountain range is in many Cases the
result of an upheaval (up hev' al, n.) of the
earth's crust. In a figurative sense, we often
speak of a disturbance or a violent change
in our daily routine as an upheaval. To
upheave (up hev', v.t.) anything is to thrust
it upwards from below, especially by a great
effort, and a thing that rises up by itself is
said to upheave (v.i.).

An uphill (up' hil, adj.) surface is one
that slopes upwards ; an uphill task is a
difficult one. A motorist may have to use
a lower gear when travelling uphill (up hil',
adv.), that is, up an incline.

Upheaval. — A scene in a London street, showing a violent upheaval
of the roadway caused by an underground explosion.

The upkeep of a house is .the business of
keeping it in proper repair and staffed with
servants.

An upland (up' land, n.) is a stretch of
high ground. The uplands of a country
are the upland (adj.), or loftier, parts of it,
as opposed to the lowlands or plains near
sea-level or bordering rivers.

To uplift (up lift', v.t.) is to lift up or
raise. A policeman stops traffic with his
uplifted arm. In geological strata an up-
lift (up' lift, n.) is an upheaval causing an
upward bend ; in a figurative sense, uplift
means elevation or improvement of the
mind, thoughts, or character.
The uplying (up' II ing, adj.)
fields of a farm are the highest
on it.

upon (u pon'), prep, and adv.
On. (F. sur.)

We use this compound
of "on " when the construc-
tion requires that the pre-
position should follow its
object, as for example in the
phrases " very little to live
upon " and " not much to go
upon." It is found in many
exclamatory phrases, as " upon
my word " and " upon my
honour," and is also commonly
used to denote addition or mul-
tiplicity as in " line upon line "
and " jest upon jest."

uphold (up hold'), v.t. To keep erect;
to support or give support to ; to approve ;
to maintain, p.t. and p.p. upheld (up held').
(F. soutenir, maintenir.)

Hops need stakes to uphold them. The
verdict obtained in one of the lower courts
of law may be upheld or quashed on appeal.
Every good citizen is an upholder (up hold'er,
n.} of the cause of justice.

From E. up and hold. SYN. : Confirm, coun-
tenance, sustain. ANT. : Disapprove, oppose,
reject.

upholster (up hoi' ster), v.t. To
furnish (a room, house, etc.) with carpets
and hangings ; to provide (chairs, sofas,
etc.) with cushions, padding, and coverings.
(F. tapisser.)

One who upholsters rooms or furniture is
an upholsterer (up hoi' ster er, n.). His
work and the things which he provides are
called upholstery (up hoi' ste ri, n.).

Originally a noun ( = modern upholsterer),
synonymous with upholder, and applied to- one
trading in furniture ; earlier uphold-ster.

uphroe (u' fro), n. Along wooden slat
with holes to take the cords which support
an awning on a ship, etc.

From Dutch juffrouw maiden, h'omjong young,
vrouw woman.

upkeep (up' kep), n. Maintenance.

(F. entretien.)

M.E. uppon (up, on), influenced by
O. Norse upp a (Dan. pad).

upper (up' er), adj. Higher in place,
rank, or dignity, n. The part of a boot or
shoe above the sole. (F. superieur ;
empeigne.)

A boy or girl is often said to be in the
upper school when he or she is in the higher
division, or one of the upper classes.

The House of Lords is often spoken of
as the Upper House (n.), the House of
Commons being the Lower House. Some-
times the term upper ten (n.), or upper ten
thousand (n.), is applied to the leading classes
of society. A printer speaks of the upper
case when he refers to the case which holds
the capital letters ; this is the uppermost
(up"er most, adj.) of a pair of type cases.
A sailor calls those parts of the ship
that are above the water when the vessel
is prepared for a voyage, the upper works.
We may speak of gaining the upper hand
in the sense of gaining the mastery ; a
person who has done this is often placed
uppermost (adv.) in popular estimation. One
who is in very poor circumstances is some-
times said to be on his uppers, an expression
which really means that he has worn away
the soles of his shoes, and is compelled to
walk on the uppers.

Comparative of up ; cp. Dutch opper ; the n. is
short for upper-leather. SYN. : adj. Higher,
superior. ANT. : adj. Inferior, lower.

4437

UPPISH

UPSIDE-DOWN

uppish (up' ish), adj. Forward ; self-
important. (F. suffisant, avantageux.}

It is difficult to snub an uppish person,
but one who behaves uppishly (up' ish li,
adv.], that is, self -assertively, may be
punished for his uppishness (up' ish nes, n.)
by being ignored by his associates.

From E. up and -ish. SYN. : Arrogant, pert,
pretentious. ANT. : Diffident, modest, un-
pretentious.

upraise (up raz'), v.t. To raise up ; to
lift up. (F. sou/ever, clever, lever.}

We may be said to upraise our voices
when we sing, but although we find the
verb in many hymns and psalms, it is rare
in ordinary conversation and writing. In
poetical language we may say that high
mountains uprear (up rer', v.t.}, that is,
lift up, their heads to the clouds.

upright (up' rit) adj. Erect ; vertical ;
perpendicular ; honest ; righteous. adv.
Erect, n. An upright part of a structure.
(F. droit, debout, vertical, honnete, probe ;
droit; moniant.}

In predicative use the adjective is also
pronounced up rit'. An upright piano
has the strings stretched on a vertical
frame. Soldiers are trained to hold them-
selves upright. The angle which a golf-
club presents when it is soled or grounded
is called the upright. The goal-posts in
football are called the uprights. Uprightly
(iip' rit li, adv.} means in an honest manner ;
uprightness (up' rit nes, n.} is the state or
quality of being upright in any sense.

From E. up and right. SYN. : adj. Exemplary,
just, vertical. ANT. : adj. Base, nefarious, prone,
unprincipled.

Uprising. — The uprising in 1809 of the Tyrolese, who were led by
Andreas Hofer, against the French and the Bavarians.

uprising (up rlz' ing), n. The act of
rising up ; an insurrection. .(F. lever,
soulevement.}

When the Psalmist in his prayer says
" Thou knowest my downsitting and mine
uprising " (Psalms cxxxix, 2) he uses the
word in the sense of "standing up." Although

rarely in ordinary speech and writing, we
sometimes speak of the rising of a pre-
viously conquered district as an uprising.
From E. up and rising, verbal n. from rise.
uproar (up' ror), n. A great noise or
clamour ; a violent disturbance. (F.
tumulte, tapage, tintamarre, brouhaha.}

If a speaker called his audience a pack of
rogues there would probably be an uproar,
and the meeting would become uproarious
(up ror' i us, adj.}. An audience will usually
laugh uproariously (up ror' i us li, adv.} at a
good joke, and the speaker is then pleased
at the uproariousness (up ror' i us nes, n.}
of its reception.

From Dutch oproer (op up, roeren stir) ; cp.
G. aufruhr. SYN. : Clamour, hubbub, racket,
tumult.

uproot (up root'), v.t. To tear or dig
up by or as by the roots. (F. deraciner,
extirper.}

We sometimes have to uproot plants in
our garden to make room for others. We
uproot ourselves if we move away from a
place where we have lived for a long time.
From up and root. SYN. : Eradicate, extirpate.
upset (up set', v. ; up' set, n. and adj.}, v.t.
To overturn ; to trouble or disturb ; figura-
tively, to make void ; to shorten and
thicken (a tire or other metal object) by
hammering or pressure, v.i. To be over-
turned, n. The act of upsetting ; the state
of being upset, adj. Of a price at an auction,
lowest at which property will be sold. (F.
renverser, boule- verser, refouler ; verser,
chavirer ; bouleversement.}

We should be upset, or troubled, if we
knocked against arid upset, that is, over-
turned, a cabinet containing valuable china.
A wet afternoon may upset all
the arrangements made for a
garden-party. A quarrel or bad
news may cause an upset in a
household. A person offering
property for sale by auction
often places a reserve price on
it. This is the lowest price
at which it may be sold, and is
known as the upset price.

From up and set ; cp. older over-
set. • SYN. : n. Derangement, dis-
turbance, v. Derange, overturn,
reverse.

upshot (up 'shot), n. The re-
sult or final issue ; general effect.
(F: resultat, fin, conclusion.}

Lifelong friendship is often
the upshot of a chance meet-
ing. • We can never tell what
may be the upshot of a quarrel
between nations.
From E. up and shot ; originally a final shot
in an archery match. SYN. : Conclusion, con-
sequence, result.

upside-down (up' sid doun'), adj.
and adv. With the upper part below ;
wrong way up ; in a state of confusion ;
topsy-turvy. (F. sens dessus dessous.}

4438

UPSTAIR

TJRANO-

Aeroplanes can be flown upside-down for
considerable distances. Figuratively, we
may say our houses are upside-down during
the annual period of spring-cleaning.

Formerly up so down = up as if down ; a
peculiar phrase without known parallels.

upstair (up' star),
adj. Relating to or in
an upper story. (F.
d'en haut, superieur.)

An upstair room is
not on the ground floor
or in the basement.
We have to go upstairs
(up stars', adv.), that is,
to an upper story. An
upstart (up' start, n.) is
a person of humble
origin who gains power
or wealth suddenly, and
uses it in an arrogant
manner.

To row upstream (up
strem', adv.) is to row
towards the source of
a river, and therefore
against the current.
Salmon seek upstream
(adj.) places, that is,
places lying well up a
river, in which to
spawn.

In writing, an up-
stroke (up' strok, n.),
which is a line made upward, should be
thinner than a downstroke. The upstroke
of a piston or pump plunger is a movement
in an upward direction.

We sometimes describe a person as slow
in the uptake (up' tak, n.) if he is slow
to understand. The uptake of a boiler is
a passage or flue connecting the furnace
with a chimney or shaft ;
the uptake shaft (n.) .of
a mine is a shaft through
which air rises to the surface
from underground workings.
In the United States people
speak of an uptown (up'
toun, adj.) street, meaning
one in the higher or more
central part of a town.

From E. up and stair.

upward (up' ward), adj.
Directed or moving towards a
higher place ; rising ; towards
the source or origin, adv.
From a lower to a higher
place ; in an upward direc-
tion ; towards the source ;
more. A more common
form of the adverb is up-
wards (up' wardz). (F.
ascendant, montant; plus haut, en haut, en
remontant.}

A cautious person looks upwards before
going under a ladder, that is, his glance

Upside-down. — Aeroplanes of the U.S. navy
manoeuvring close together and upside-down.

Uptake. — The uptake is a flue con-
necting a boiler with its funnel or
chimney.

takes an upward direction. .We may trace
a stream upwards, that is, towards its source
or spring. Articles at a fancy bazaar may
be priced at one shilling and upwards ; there
may be upwards of, that is more than, one
hundred kinds. Upwardly (up' ward li, adv.)
is seldom used.

From up and ward(s).
i ANT. : adj. and adv. Down-
ward.

uraeus (u re' us), n.
An emblem in the form
of a serpent placed on
the head-dress of ancient
Egyptian divinities and
kings as a symbol of
sovereignty.

L., from Gr. ouraios
alleged to represent the
Egyptian name of the
cobra, apparently in-
fluenced by the Greek
homonym derived from
oitra tail.

Ural-Altaic (ur' al
al ta' ik), adj. Of or re-
lating to the region of the
Ural and Altaic moun-
tains, its inhabitants,
or their languages ; in
philology, denoting the
family of agglutinative
languages spoken in Asia
and eastern Europe, in-
cluding Mongolic, Finno-
Ugrian, and Turkic. (F. ouralo-alta'ique.)

The Ural-Altaic group of languages, known
also as the Turanian, includes Turkish,
Hungarian, Manchu, and Finnish.

uranium (u ra' ni um), n. A hard,
white metallic element, chemical symbol U,
found in pitchblende and other ores. (F.
uranium.)

This comparatively rare
metal is not found native,
but in its oxides, which are
said to be uranic (u ran' ik,
adj.). or uranous (ur' a mis,
adj.), according as they con-
tain uranium in its higher or
its lower valency.

From Uranus and -ium.
urano-. This is a pre-
fix meaning the sky, the
heavens. (F. urano-.)

Descriptive astronomy is
sometimes called urano-
graphy (ur a nog' ra fi, n.).
Uranometry (ur a nom' e tri,
n.) means the measurement
of the real or apparent dis-
tances of the stars. A
map showing the magnitudes
of the stars and their arrangement into
groups or constellations is also called an
uranometry.

From Gr. ouranos heaven, sky.

4439

URANUS

URINE

Uranus (ur' a mis), n. The most
ancient of the Greek gods ; the seventh
farthest planet from the sun. (F. Uranus.}

Uranus was the son of Ge, the Earth,
and the father of Kronos, or Saturn, and the
Titans. After him was named the outer-
most but one of the planets, lying between

communication between the Hindus and
their Mohammedan conquerors.

Hindustani urdu, Turkish ordu camp. See
horde.

urge (erj), v.t. To drive ; to force
onwards ; to cause to proceed with diffi-
culty ; to press earnestly with arguments

« . 1 ^T . - rr\1 • 1 1 1 T ^v*-i.*^jr , w j-fJ. x^kj^F «*«**. *4.W%*V*y TV .1 m C* J. C LA lAi.V_-±X UO

Saturn and Neptune. This heavenly body or entreaties, etc. ; to dwell on emphatically
had been regarded as a faint star before or persistentlv ; to press the adoption or
1781 when Sir William Herschel proved acceptance of; to insist on. n. The act
it to be a planet. t is nearly twenty times ?f urging ; the fact of being urged ; an

impelling force, motive, or influence. (F.
presser, pousser, exciter.}

A strong breeze may be said to urge a
boat forward. The captain of a team
sometimes has to urge his men on, or urge
them to make greater efforts. We urge
an objection to some procedure when we

as far from the sun as the earth.

L,., from Gr. ouranos heaven.

urare (u ra' ri). This is another form of
curare. See curare.

urban (er' ban), adj. Of, relating to,
situated in, or living in, a city or town. n.
A person belonging to or living in a city
or town. (F. urbain.}

express our disapproval in an earnest manner.

The urban population of a country is Jane Austen (1775-1817) experienced the

distinguished from its rural population.
Municipal councils of to-day have to deal

urge to write at an early age. She wrote
a large number of tales ' before she was

with many urban problems, especially those sixteen. An urgent (er' jent, adj.} matter
relating to the health and welfare of people is one that requires prompt attention. The
living in overcrowded parts of towns. An British Broadcasting ; Corporation broad-
urban district is a district for the purpose casts private messages of an urgent nature,

of local government.

From L. urbdnus pertaining to a town, f
urbs town, city. SYN. : adj. Metropoli
ANT. : adj. Rural.

urbane

or such as call for immediate action, and so
from have the quality of urgency (er' Jen si, n.).
itan. When a person has accidentally taken poison
first-aid treatment is needed urgently (er' jent
li, adv.}, or in an urgent manner. Some

(ur ban'), adj. Courteous ;

refined ; elegant ; suavely polite. (F. poll, reformers are urgent, or insistent, in their

affable, cultive.} demands for social reconstruction.

Urbane manners originally denoted those L. urgere to press, drive ; akin to Gr. cirgein

of townspeople, who were considered to be to constrain, and E. wreak. SYN. : v. Hasten,

more polished and fashionable than country impel, importune, incite, stimulate. ANT. :

folk. Nowadays any person is said to v- Check> dissuade, hinder, oppose, restrain,
be urbane, or to behave urbanely (ur ban' li,
adv.], if his manners are courteous and refined.

Urim and Thummim (ur' im and
thum' im), n.pl. Sacred objects of an
The quality or character of being urbane unknown nature worn in or upon the breast-

is urbanity (ur ban' i ti, n.). We speak of plate of the Jewish high-priest (Exodus

the urbanity, that is,
the elegance and re-
finement, of a person's
bearing, and some-
times describe the
courtesies of social
life as its urbanities.

As urban. SYN.:
Courteous, elegant,
polished, polite, suave.
ANT.: Boorish, dis-
courteous, rough, rustic,
unrefined.

xxviii, 30).

It has been suggested
that the Urim and
Thummim were two
small stones used in
casting lots to discover
the will of Jehovah,
and representing light
and darkness, or " yes"
and " no."

Heb. of doubtful mean-
ing ; perhaps " curses "
and " perfections."

A roguish or urine (ur' in), n. The waste liquid

youngster ; a secreted from the blood by the kidneys.
(F. urine.}

The white crystalline substance called

Urchin. — Sea-urchins, of the genus Echinus, with
and without spines.

urchin (er' chin), n.
mischievous small boy ;
sea-urchin. (F. gamin, polisson, oursin.,

Properly hedgehog, O. Northern F. herichon

(Walloon urechon, F. herisson}, dim. from L. • . , ,- /.,--/•

ericius, lengthened form of «r hedgehog • cp unc acid (ur ik as' id, n.} is present normally

Gr. kher hedgehog, kharassein to scratch. See m sma11 quantities in urine. Various diseases

character. Goblins were supposed to take the ar? caused by the excessive production of

form of hedgehogs. this acid. The word urinary (ur' i na ri,

Urdu (oor' doo), n. The Hindustani adj.} means pertaining to, or of the nature

language, adj. Of, pertaining to, or writ- °f» urine. A urinometer (ur i nom' e ter, n.)

ten in this language. (F. hindoustani.} is an apparatus for measuring the specific

Urdu is founded on a dialect which arose gravity of urine.

in the camps and bazaars as a means of F., from L. urlna ; cp. Sansk. vdri water.

4440

URMAN

USE

urman (er7 man), n. A large tract of
swampy, coniferous forest country in the
taiga of Siberia.

The Siberians fix frames, resembling
snow-shoes, to their feet when crossing the
dreadful quagmires of the urmans. Many,
however, are impassable in summer, and
some have probably never been visited by
man.

Siberian word.

urn (ern), n. A round or square-
cornered Vessel, usually with a supporting
base, for holding the ashes of a cremated
corpse ; something resembling an urn in
shape or purpose ; the grave ; a vase-
shaped vessel with a tap, in which tea,
coffee, etc., is kept hot by means of a spirit-
lamp, etc., underneath, v.t. To enclose
in or as if in an urn. (F. urne, fontaine :
renfermer dans une urne.)

After cremation the ashes
of the dead are usually
placed in urns. This practice
is very ancient, and was the
accepted method of burial in
northern Europe during the
Bronze Age. Many ancient
Greek and Roman urns
tapered towards the foot,
and it is this form that is
possessed by an urn-shaped
(adj.) object. This shape is
common also in many tea-
urns and coffee-urns. An
urnful (ern' ful, n.) of water
is as much water as an urn
can hold.

F. urne, from L. urna jar,
funerary vase, from were to burn.

Ursa (er7 sa), n. In astronomy, the
Bear. (F. Ourse.)

The seven brightest stars of the constella-
tion called Ursa Major, the Great Bear,
form the familiar Wain or Plough. The
pole-star is situated in the tip of the tail
of Ursa Minor, the Little Bear. The word
ursine (er' sin ; er7 sin, adj.) means of,
relating to, or resembling a bear or bears.

L. = she-bear.

Ursuline (er' su iin ; er7 su lin), n.
A nun belonging to a Roman Catholic
order devoted to teaching young girls and
nursing the sick. adj. Of or belonging to this
order. (F. Ursuline.)

The order of Ursulines was founded by
St. Angela Merici of Brescia in 1537. It
is named from its patron, St. Ursula. Ursu-
line communities exist in many countries.

urticate (er7 ti kat), v.t. To sting with,
or as if with, nettles ; to whip (a benumbed
or paralytic limb) with fresh nettles to
restore feeling.

The urticating of a limb is termed urti-
cation (er ti ka' shun, n.}, which also means
a burning or pricking sensation resembling
that produced by nettles.

From L.L. urtlcdre (p.p -dt-us] to sting as a
nettle, from L urtlca nettle, from were to burn.

ritisli Museum.

Urn. — A pottery urn for the ashes
of the dead, found in Bedfordshire.

urubu (oo ru boo'), n. The black
vulture (Cathartes foetens) of Central and
South America. (F. urubu.)
Native Brazilian term.

urus (Or7 us), n. The aurochs. See
aurochs. (F. urus, aurochs.)
L. form of Celtic word

us (us ; us), pron. The objective case
of we. (F. nous.)

This word is the plural personal pronoun
of the first person. For the way in which
us and other pronouns are used see pages
xxxvii to xxxix.

A.-S. MS (contracted from uns), ace. and dative
pi. of we we ; cp. G., Goth, uns, L. nos, Sansk. nas.
use (us, n. ; uz, v.), n. The act, right, or
power of using ; the state or fact of -being
used ; employment or utilization with or
for a purpose ; application to some useful
or other end ; the purpose
j^jjjjjjjjjjjjjj^ for which a thing can be em-
ployed or converted ; the
quality of being useful or
serving a purpose ; utility ;
custom ; usage ; practice ;
a special form of ritual,
etc., of a church, etc. ; in
law, the enjoyment of
benefit or profit from a
property held in trust by
another, v.t. To make use
of ; to employ for or apply
to a purpose ; to avail one-
self of; to turn to account;
to treat (well, badly, etc.) ;
to wear out, consume, or
exhaust ; to make a practice
of (diligence, honesty, etc.) ;
to accustom (to), p.t. and p.p. used uzd).
v.i. — always in p.t. or p.p., used (ust). To
be accustomed or wont (to). (F. emploi,
usage, service, utilite, habitude, pratique,
usufruit ; user de, employer, se servir de,
traiter, user, consommer, habituer, accou-
tumer ; avoir coutume.)

Garden tools keep bright with constant
use. Much greater use is now made of
india-rubber than formerly, as it is widely
used for the tires of motor vehicles. It is cus-
tomary to pay interest for the use of borrowed
money. The old liturgy and ritual of the
diocese of Salisbury are called the Sarum or
Salisbury Use. Long use, or familiarity,
takes away from the novelty of things, and we
become used or habituated to them. Kitchen
chairs are meant for use more than for orna-
ment. We should always put our spare
time to good use, or employ it in a useful or
profitable manner.

Lazy people do not like using their brains.
It is better to use arguments than employ
force when attempting to prevent a person
from acting in a foolish way. Troy weight
is used chiefly in weighing gold, silver, and
gems. To use up a store of goods is to
consume it by use. Ventilation renews the
used-up air in a room, that is, the air ren-
dered unserviceable by use. People used

027

4441

i 07

USHER

USUGAPION

to think that flying in aeroplanes was a
most remarkable feat. Now they are so used
to aerial traffic that they take little notice of
aeroplanes passing overhead.

Many words used by our ancestors are
not in use, or made use of, nowadays. To
a certain extent law is based on use and
wont, that is, upon common or customary
practice. A machine may be ruined quickly
by rough usage (u7 zaj, n.), or treatment.
The Puritans maintained that ecclesiastical
usage, or mode of procedure, should be based
solely on the Bible. We follow the usage
of great writers when we base our use of
language upon their customary or habitual
practice in writing. A usage of this kind
is regarded as setting a standard. In law,
a recognized and uniform practice, but not
necessarily an immemorial one, is termed a
usage.

A bicycle may be usable (u7 zabl, adj.), that
is, capable of being used, long after it shows
signs of use, or wear. The word usance
(ii' zans, n.) is in commercial use; it means
the customary time allowed for payment of
foreign bills of exchange. A family medi-
cine chest is a useful (us' ful, adj.), or service-
able, article to have in a house. Knowledge
is useful if it benefits the person who possesses
it. Steel is useful, or of use, for a large
number of purposes. We make ourselves
useful when we help other people in a way
that is of use to them.

Time is usefully (us7 ful li, adv.) spent if
spent to advantage. The
usefulness (us7 ful nes,
n.) of a thing, act, etc.,
is its state or quality
of being useful. It is
useless (us7 les, adj.),
thaj is, of no avail, to
cry over spilt milk ; an
unsharpened knife is use-
less, or of no use, for
cutting tough meat. A
useless person is an in-
efficient one. Spend-
thrifts squander their
money uselessly (us7 les
li, adv.), or in a useless
manner. Uselessness
(us7 les nes, n.) is the
state or quality of being
useless.

The user (u' zer, n.)
of a tool is the person
who uses it. In law,
user (ii7 zer, n.) is the con-
tinued use or enjoyment
of a thing, such as a footpath, and also the
inferred right arising from this use.

From L. usus from p.p. of utl to use, employ.
SYN. : n. Custom, employment, habit, practice,
utility, v. Apply, employ, exercise, handle.

usher (ush'er), n. An officer or servant
acting as a doorkeeper ; one who has to in-
troduce strangers into a court, etc., or
walk before a person of rank ; formerly an

4442

quarters by means of a useful street telephone.

usucapion (u

Roman and civil

assistant teacher in a school, v.t. To- act
as usher to ; to introduce ; to show (in) ;
to announce. (F. huissier, sous-maitre, pion ;
precSder, introduire, annoncer.)

The doors of courts and public halls are
often attended by an usher, whose duty-
it is to usher strangers into the building.
In a figurative sense, we say that a red
dawn often ushers in a rainy day. The
Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod is an
official of the House of Lords who summons
the Commons to the Upper House for
special ceremonies. His office or functions
are termed his ushership (ush' er ship, n.).
• O.F. (h)uissier, L. ostidrius doorkeeper, from
ostium door. SYN. : v. Herald, introduce.

usquebaugh (us7 kwe ba ; us7 kwe
baw), n. Whisky ; an Irish liqueur made
of brandy, spices, etc. (F. whisky.)

Irish uisge water, beatha Life ; cp. F. eau de vie.
usual (ii7 zhii.al}, adj. Such as ordinarily
occurs, or is commonly met with or observed ;
customary ; habitual-; common. (F.
usuel, habituel, ordinaire.}

The usual route to a place is the route in
common use. We have to fill up the usual
documents when applying for a passport,
and pay the usual, or established, fee. In
England, cold weather is not usual, or met
with in ordinary experience, in July, for
that month is usually (u' zhii al li, adv.], or
commonly, warm and sunny. We say that
a person works harder than usual or is
more than usually industrious when he
displays a diligence not
observed in most people,
or else not characteristic
of himself. During the
redecoration of a shop,
a notice may be dis-
played outside, reading
" Business as usual."
This means that business
is being carried on with-
out interruption. A thing
or event to which we
are accustomed has the
quality of usualness (u7
zhu al nes, n.}, that is,
ordinariness, or famili-
arity.

From L.L. usualis from
L. usus custom, wont (uti
to make use of). SYN.:
Customary, habitual, nor-
mal, ordinary, prevalent.
ANT. : Abnormal, excep-
tional, extraordinary, un-
common, unusual.

zu kap7 yira), n. In
law, the acquisition of
the right or title to property by uninterrupted
and undisputed possession for a certain
period. Another form is usucaption (u zu
kap7 shim). (F. usucapion.}

L. usucapio (ace. -on-em) from usu by use
ablative of usus custom, usage, and caper e to
take, seize.

USUFRUCT

UTMOST

Utensils.— Kitchen
used many

usufruct (u' zu frukt), n. In law,
the right to enjoy the use and benefits of
property belonging to another without sub-
jecting it to damage or waste, v.t. To hold
in or subject to usufruct. (F. usufruit.)

A person who holds lands or tenements
in usufruct en joys usufruc-
tuary (u zu fruk7 tu a ri,
adj.) rights over the pro-
perty, and is then called
a usufructuary (n.), or one
who has usufruct.

L. usufructus, from usus
usage, tructus fruit. See use,
fruit.

usurer (u'zhurer), n.
One who lends money at
an exorbitant rate of in-
terest. (F. usurier.}

In former times a usurer
was simply a money-
lender, or person engaged
in usury (iV zhii ri, n.}, that
is, the lending of money at
interest. Nowadays these
words are used only in con-
nexion with money-lending
carried on at an unfair,
excessive, or usurious
(u zur7 i us; u zhoor7 i us, adj.) rate of
interest.

The usurious practices of Shylock in
Shakespeare's " The Merchant of Venice "
earned him the hatred and contempt of the
Christian merchants in Venice, who con-
sidered that the interest he charged was
excessive. The word usuriously (u zur' i
us li ; u zhoor7 i us li, adv.] means in a
usurious manner.

F. usurier, from L.L. usurarius, from L. usus
use, enjoyment.

usurp (u zerp7), v.t. To seize or take
possession of wrongfully ; to claim or
assume without right. (F. usurper.)

A monarch is said to have usurped a
throne when he has seized it by force from
its lawful holder. His act is one of usurpa-
tion (u'zer pa7 shun, n.), and he is a usurper
(u zerp7 er, n.), or usurping (u zerp7 ing, adj.),
ruler. A speaker in a debate who attempts
to reverse the ruling of the chairman might
be said to usurp the authority of the chair,
for he has no right to act in this way.

From L. usurpare to acquire wrongfully, from
usus use and perhaps vapere to seize.

usury (u7 zhu ri). For this word see
under usurer.

ut (ut), n. The first note in Guido's
system of syllable-names for the notes of
the musical scale ; in France, the note C.
(F. ut.)

In England, do is used as a singing name
for the first note of any scale, instead of ut.

L. ut in order that, first syllable of a mediaeval
hymn used in Guido's notation. Ses fa.

utensil (u ten7 sil), n. An instrument,
implement, or vessel, especially one used
for kitchen, dairy, or farm work. (F.
ustensile.)

British Museum.
utensils which were
centuries ago.

Formerly a utensil denoted any vessel,
etc., serving a useful end or purpose, includ-
ing the sacred vessels and furnishings of a
church.

O.F. utensile, L utensile useful object,
from utl to use.

utilitarian (u til i tar7
i an), adj. Of, relating to,
or based upon utility or
utilitarianism, n. An ad-
vocate of utilitarianism ;
one who regards mere
utility as the standard of
what is good for man-
kind. (F. utilitaire.}

The utilitarian system
of ethics, which is called
utilitarianism (u til i tar7 i
an izm, n.}, is based upon
the principle that the
greatest happiness of the
greatest number should be
the main test of whether
an action is right or good,
either for an individual
| or a community. Jeremy
Bentham (1748-1832),
John Stuart Mill (1806-
73), and Herbert Spencer
(1820-1903) were the chief exponents of this
philosophical doctrine.

From E. utility and suffix -anan.

utility (u til7 i ti), n. Usefulness ;
serviceableness ; a useful or advantageous
thing or feature ; a utility-man ; utili-
tarianism (F. utilite, service, avantage,
utilitarisme.}

Kitchen vegetables are grown for their
utility.- Flowers, from the human point
of view, mostly lack utility, but are valued
for their beauty. An architect who ignores
the-, practical utilities when designing a
house may produce a splendid building,
but he will not have the gratitude of its
occupants. A utility-man (n.) is an actor
engaged to take unimportant parts in a
play as required.

To utilize (u7 ti Hz, v.t.) the forces of
nature is to make use of them or convert
them to use. The utilization (u til I za7
shun, n.), or making use, of waste products
is an important branch of modern industry.
It has been found, for instance, that the coal-
tar produced in gas-making is utilizable
(u7 ti liz abl, adj.), or capable of being
turned to account, in hundreds of ways
formerly unknown, for example, in the
manufacture of chemicals.

From L. utiliias usefulness. SYN. : Advan-
tageousness, profitableness, serviceableness, use-
fulness. ANT. : Inutility, unprofitableness, un-
serviceableness, uselessness.

utmost (ut7 most), adj. Farthest ;
extreme ; that is of the greatest or highest
degree, quantity, or amount, n. The ut-
most extent or degree ; that which is of the
highest degree, etc. ; the greatest or best
of one's ability, etc. ; all that is possible.

4443

UTOPIA

UZBEG

(F. extreme, le plus haut, le plus grand, -le
plus eleve; I' extreme, le plus haut degrd, le
comble.}

The utmost parts of the earth are its
most remote regions. The patience of
school teachers is sometimes tried to the
utmost limit, or to the utmost. We do our
utmost to achieve something when we try
our very hardest to succeed.

A.-S. ut(e)mest, from ut(e) out, and the double
superlative -m-est, altered through influence of
most. SYN. : adj. Extreme, greatest, outmost,
remotest, uttermost. ANT. : adj. Least, mini-
mum, nearest.

Utopia (u to' pi a), n. An imaginary
island with a perfect social and political
system, described by Sir Thomas More
(1478-1535) ; a place or state of ideal
perfection, especially one regarded as an
impossibility. (F. utopie.)

More's Utopia, or Utopian (u to' pi an,
adj.) commonwealth, is so far removed
from the present imperfections of our
social system that any impossibly ideal
schemes for social improvement are said
to be Utopian. A Utopian reformer is one
who advocates a scheme of this nature. He
is called a Utopian (n.), a word originally
meaning an inhabitant of Utopia, but ^,lso
denoting an ardent, but unpractical reformer,
whose mental bent or character is termed
Utopianism (u to' pi an izm, «.); Im-
possibly perfect schemes for the 'advance-
ment of human welfare are- .also., known
collectively as Utopianism.

Formed by Sir Thos. More, from Gr: ou not,
topos a place, with suffix -ia denoting a country.
Cp. S. Butler's Erewhon = nowhere. • > : ;"

Utraquist (u' tra kwist),- n. One : of
those followers of John Hus who demanded
or advocated the reception
of both bread and wine
at communion. (F. utra-
quiste.)

From L. utraque fern, ol
enter que both, and E. suffix -ist.

utricle (u'trikl), n. Tn
botany, a small sac or cell ;
in anatomy, a small mem-
branous pouch or bag, etc.,
in the body, especially
one in the inner ear. (F.
utricule.}

F., from L. utriculus dim. of
liter leather bottle.

utter [i] (uf er), adj.
Complete ; total ; entire ;
absolute ; unqualified. (F.
complet, total, entier, absolu.)

The utter destruction of
Phoenician Carthage by
the Romans under Scipio,
in 146 B.C., was one of
the most thoroughgoing
punitive measures in his-
tory. We speak of the
utter misery of a person
in the very depths of

Uzbeg.— An Uzbeg falconer with one of
his charges.

unhappiness, and of the utter folly of an
extremely ill-advised act.

When a person utterly (uf er li, adv.),
that is, absolutely, refuses some request, we
may justly be disappointed at the utter-
ness (uf ernes, n.), or completeness, of our
failure. The uttermost (uf er most, adj.)
degree is the extreme or utmost degree.
Utter barrister is an old term for a junior
barrister, who addresses the Court from
outside the bar. He was said to be called to
the utter bar.

In its original sense of outer, the word
utter is still sometimes used in poetry.

A.-S. ut(t)era, comparative of ut out. Outer is a
later doublet. SYN. : Absolute, extreme, total,
unconditional, unqualified. ANT. : Condi-
tional, incomplete, partial, qualified.

utter [2] (uf er), v.t. To give forth
audibly ; to give expression to ; to put
(notes, counterfeit coins, etc.) into circu-
lation. (F. prononcer, exprimei , emettre.)

A swimmer seized with cramp utters a
cry for help, and on being rescued utters,
or gives utterance (uf er ans, n.} or ex-
pression to, his gratitude. The public
utterances ,ofy or words spoken by, pro-
minent persons are freely commented on
in the newspapers. A person with
imperfect powers of speech is said to have a
defective utterance. A person who utters
sounds, thoughts, or spurious notes or
coins, is an utterer (uf er er, n.). Anything
capable of . being expressed in words or
uttered is utterable (uf er abl, adj.).

M.E. outeren, uttren originally to put out for
sale, influenced by M. Dutch uteren (simi-
larly formed) to show, make known, speak ; cp.
G..aussern,to utter, from uus out. SYN. : Circu-
late, emit,' express, issue, pronounce.

: uvula (u' vu la), n.
In anatomy, a hanging
fleshy part, at the back
of the soft palate ; one
of two similar parts in
the bladder and cerebellum.
pi. uvulae (u' vu le). (F.
luette, uvule.)

Many French people use
the uvula, instead of the
tip of the tongue, in sound-
ing the letter f. In pho-
netics, they are said to
produce a uvular (u' vu Jar.
adj.) sound.

Certain small glands in
the membranous covering
of the uvula are known
by the name of the uvular
glands.

L. = dim. of uva grape.

Uzbeg (uz' beg), n. A
member of a race of
Turkic descent inhabiting
Turkestan, in Central Asia.
(F. Usbek.)

Native name.

4444

VACCINATE

V, v (ve). The twenty-second letter of volt (capital) ; for Vicar, as in V.A. Vicar
the English alphabet. In Latin and in Apostolic ; Vice-, as in V.P. Vice-President ;
older English it was not distinguished from
u, of which it is merely another form.

V is one of those sounds called spirants,
which can be sounded continuously without
the help of a vowel. It only differs from /
in being voiced or sonant, that is, the vocal
chords are vibrated. It is produced by
bringing the lower lip into contact with the
upper teeth, leaving a narrow space for the
voice to pass. It is therefore called a
fabio-dental.

In Latin v had the
value of the semi-
vowel w, which is the
vowel u with a slight
friction as the voice
passes between the

lips. The English
words wall and wine
(L. vallum, vinum]
preserve this sound.
The w sound of Latin
v was turned later into
a v sound, which was
borrowed from 0 1 d
French by English.
Anglo - Saxon, like
Welsh, had no letter
v, but / between
vowels or between
/ or r and a vowel
had the sound of v.
Hence we have loaf,
pi. loaves ; wife (A.-S.
wif), pi. wives; self, pi. selves; scurf, adj.

Victoria, as in V.C. Victoria Cross, V.R.I.
Victoria Regina et Imperatrix, Victoria
Queen and Empress. With a line through
it, V means versicle (in liturgies). In music,
v represents the Italian violino (violin) and
voce (voice). In German, v. is used for the
particle of nobility von. In Latin v means
varia in v.l. varia lectio various reading,
versus, against, in a lawsuit, as Bardell v.
Pickwick, vide see, and vixit lived. The
history of this letter
will be found on page
xviii.

va (va), v.i. A musi-
cal direction meaning

go on.

The direction va ac-
celerando means go on
increasing the speed.

Ital. va, L. vdde im-
perative of vddere to go.

vacant (va/ kant),
adj. Not filled or oc-
cupied ; empty ; not oc-
cupied with business;
unintelligent ; silly. (F.
vide, vacant, inoccupe,
distrait, inepte.}

Sometimes, when we
have a vacant even-

Vacant.— Chairs in Hyde Park, London, left vacant
on account of bad weather.

ing, that is, one free
from occupation or en-
gagements, we hurry
off to a concert, hoping

that we will find a vacant seat. A vacant

scurvy. No English words end in v, and person is unintelligent and stupid, and gazes
v is never doubled, except in the modern about vacantly (va/ kant li, adv.], that is,

in an empty-headed fashion.

We vacate (va kat', v.t.}, that is, leave,

word navvy.

In the south of England initial / was

is known as a vacancy (va/ kan si, n.), a
word which is also used of any unoccupied

pronounced v (as s became z and wh became a post when we resign, and the vacant post
w}. This is still the case with native
English words in the dialect of Somerset,

etc. Vat and vixen (cp. wine-fat, fox) place. A holiday is sometimes called a

come -from southern dialects. Nearly all vacation (va ka' shun, n.}, and this term is

the other English words in v are of Latin also applied to the period when the law

origin, either directly or through French. courts are not sitting, and when studies are

V is the Latin _symbol for five, iv being suspended at a university.

four, vi six, etc. V represents five thousand.
It is supposed that v represented a • flat
hand with the fingers touching each other.
See X. V is the chemical symbol 'for
vanadium. As a motor-car index letter it
stands for Lanark.

As an abbreviation v stands for vector,
velocity, ventral, verb, verse, Volunteer(s),

L. vacans (ace. -ant-em) pres. p. of vacdre to be
empty, devoid, idle. SYN. : Disengaged, empty,
inane, unfilled, vacuous. ANT. : Engaged, full,
inhabited, intelligent, occupied.

vaccinate (vak' si nat), v.t. To
introduce the specially prepared virus of
a disease into the body of (a person) by a
slight scratch on the skin. (F. vacciner^)

4445

VACILLATE

VACUUM

.From L. vacillatus p.p. of vacilldre to sway.
reel, w^ver. SYN. : Change, fluctuate, hesitate,

When . a doctor vaccinates _a person., he
introduces the dead germs into the. flesh
wound, thus creating the disease in a sway, vary
mild form 'and. so preventing .a serious vacuous (vak' u us), ad]. Empty;

attack. The. term vaccination (vat; si^n'a' unfilled; expressionless; unintelligent. (F.
shun, «.) was furst used ,6f this protective vide, inepte.)
measure when directed t against smallpox.
It is now extended to btfje'r diseases.

The virjis used in Vaccination -, of
inoculation is known as a vaccine (vak' sin,
n.}. . It is made from the deacl bodies of the

Sometimes we meet with a person whose
face is vacuous, or lacking in expression,
or who makes vacuous, or unintelligent,
remarks.

A minute cavity in an organ or tissue is

germs causing the disease'. When tHe'se called a vacuole (yak' u 61, n.), or a vacuolar

are introduced into .the. system by the
vaccinator (vak' si na tor, h.), -the blood
immediately sets to work' and prepares
the appropriate antidote to the poison in
the vaccine.

The vaccine (adj.) lymph, used to prevent
smallpox, is obtained from calves. The
animals are bred and the vaccine prepared
on a special farm known as a vaccine-farm

(vak7 u 6 lar, adj.] space. Vacuity (va kii'
i ti, n.), the state of being vacuous, has
the meanings emptiness, stupidity, and
nothingness. A vacant space or void is a
vacuity.

From L. vacuus (vacare to be empty) empty,
void, and E. suffix -ous. SYN. : Blank, inane,
vacant, void. ANT. : Expressive, intelligent.

vacuum (vak' u iim), n. A space

n.). The vaccinal (vak'' ; si rial, adj.) or entirely devoid of matter ; a space exhausted

vaccinic (yak sin' ik, adj.] preparation is
applied to the arm or other part of the body
by means of a special
needle called a vac-
cine-point (n.).

A vaccinationist
(vak si na' shun ist,
n.) is a person who
believes that every
member of the com-
munity should be vac-
cinated as a preventive
of smallpox. Vaccinia
(vak sin' i a, n.) is
the medical term for
cowpox, a mild form
of smallpox chiefly
attacking cattle.

From F. vaccin (from
L. vacclnus from vacca
cow) vaccine, lymph and
•ate.

vacillate (vas' i
lat), v.i. To swing
from side to side ; to
waver ; to oscillate ;
to fluctuate from one
opinion to another :
to be irresolute in
conduct or purpose.
(F. vaciller.}

A general who vacil-
lates, that is, hesitates
as to his line of attack,
is almost certain to
lose the battle. A
vacillatory (vas' i la to n, adj.) boy cannot
decide quickly what game he would like to
play or which subjects he would like to
study. His training both at school and
at home should aim at correcting this
vacillation (vas i la' shim, n.}, or lack of
resolution. One who knows what he wants

Vacuum-tube. — Sir William Crookes, whose experi-
ments with vacuum-tubes led to many valuable
scientific discoveries.

of air to a high or the highest degree ; the
condition of such a space ; a partial lessening
of pressure below that
of the atmosphere.
pi. vacua (vak' u a)
and vacuums (vak' u
umz). (F. vacuum,
vide.}

A true vacuum is a
theoretical conception.
A partial vacuum .is
obtained by drawing
air from an enclosed
space with an air-
pump ; the greater the
degree of exhaustion
the greater will the
outside air-pressure be.
This fact is made use
of in the vacuum-brake
(n.}, an automatic con-
tinuous brake used on
trains. In this de-
vice the greater air
pressure on one side of
a piston drives the
piston in and applies
the brake connected
with it.

The so-called
vacuum-cleaner (n.) is
an apparatus for col-
lecting dust and dirt
from furniture, road-
ways, etc., by means
current which draws
nozzle into a con-

ol a strong air
the dirt through a
tainer.

The vacuum-engine (n.) is an air-
engine, in the cylinder of which a partial
vacuum is formed at every outstroke,
so that the piston is forced back by the

does not act vacillatingly (vas' i lat ing li, pressure of the air during the inward stroke.
adv.), or waveringly, but works steadily to The ordinary thermos flask is a vacuum-
reach his goal. flask (n.), that is, a container with a double

4446

VADE-MECUM

VAIN

jacket inside which there is a partial vacuum
which retards the passage of heat and cold.
A vacuum-gauge (n.) is a gauge used to
show the pressure in a partial vacuum.

The X-ray tube, the thermionic valve,
and the Geissler tube are examples of the
vacuum tube (n.), which is a sealed glass
tube containing air or gas at low pressure.
Wires run through the sides or end, so
that an electric current may be passed
between plates or wires inside.

L. neuter of vacuus empty, void.

vade-mecum (va' di me" kum), n.
A handbook or a small pocket manual for
ready reference. (F. vade-mecum, manuel.)

L. vdde mecum come (imperative) with me.

vagabond (vag 'a bond), adj. Wander-
ing about ; moving from place to place
without a fixed home ; drifting to and fro ;
driven about in a haphazard manner, n.
One who wanders from place to place or has
no fixed home ; a wanderer, especially a
tramp or other disreputable person with
no means of honest livelihood ; a scamp,
a rascal, v.i. To play the vagabond. (F.
vagabond, errant; vagabond,}

Gipsies are a vagabond or wandering
people, but are not mere vagabonds or
tramps, although they live in a state of
vagabondage (vag' a bon daj, n.}, or vaga-
bondism (vag' a bon dizm, n.\.

A vagabondish (vag' a bond ish, adj.) life
is quite pleasant in summer, and numbers
of people vagabondize (vag' a bon diz, v.i.},
that is, travel or live unconventionally,
during a summer holiday.

F., from L.L. vagabundus roving, from L.
vagdrl to wander, stray. SYN. : n. Idler, nomad,
rascal. ANT. : n. Labourer, toiler, worker.

vagary (va gar' i), n. A caprice ; an
extravagant or fantastic thought or idea ;
an eccentric or erratic piece of conduct.
(F. caprice, fantaisie, boutdde.)

We speak of the vagaries, or tricks, - of
fortune, and of the vagaries, or erratic
state of mind, of a temperamental person.

Ultimately from L. vagdrl to wander, roam.
SYN. : Crotchet, eccentricity, fancy, freak.

vagrant (va/ grant), adj. Wandering ;
roving ; unsettled ; wayward, n. One who
has no settled home ; a wanderer ; a vaga-
bond ; a tramp ; in law, an idle or disorderly
person wandering about begging or without
obvious means of support. (F. vagabond,
errant, changeant ; chemineau, vagabond.}

Sometimes on a holiday we make no
settled plans for spending the time, but
wander about following our vagrant, or
wayward, inclinations. Tramps who roam
about vagrantly (va/ grant li, adv.), are
liable to imprisonment under the laws
relating to vagrancy (va/ gran si, n.}, that
is, the conduct, life, or practices typical
of vagrants.

Older vagarant, perhaps Anglo-F. wakerant, O.F.
walcrant, of Teut. origin, akin to walk, but con-
fused with L. vagans (ace. -ant-em) wandering.

Vagrant. — Vagrants, on whose doleful faces the
firelight plays. From the painting by A. R. Todd.

SYN.: "adj.:- Erratic, itinerant, rambling, vaga-
bond, wayward. . n. Tramp, rogue, vagabond,
wanderer. » ANT. : adj. Domestic, respectable,
restrained, steady. > -

vague (vag), adj. Lacking in detail
and precision; of doubtful meaning; not
clearly expressed ; indefinite ; ambiguous.
(F. vague, ambigu.)

On a dark night trees and other objects
can only be distinguished as vague outlines.
Members of the House of Commons often
use vague, or indefinite, phrases when they
do not want to commit themselves to any
particular policy. A lecturer who does
not know much about his subject talks
about it vaguely (vag' li, adv.), that is,
without clearness. Vagueness (vag' nes, n.)
is the quality or state of being vague.

L. vagus stray, roving. SYN. : Ambiguous,
doubtful, indefinite, uncertain. ANT. : Clear,
definite, distinct, specific.

vagus (va' gus), n. One of the nerves
concerned with the regulation of breathing
and digestion, pi. vagi (va' ji). (F. nerj
pneumogastrique.)

There are two vagi which pass right and
left from the brain through the neck and
chest to the heart, lungs, and stomach,
where they branch into a large number of
small tendrils. They are also known as
the pneumogastric nerves.

L. = vagrant, roving.

vain (van), adj. Empty ; unsubstantial ;
worthless ; having no real value ; useless ;
unprofitable ; futile ; conceited about one's
personal appearance ; self-admiring ; proud
of petty achievements. (F. vain, futile,
suffisant, fa'stueux.)

4447

VAIR

VALENTINE

Of the many attempts to fly across the
Atlantic, only a few have been successful,
the others being made in vain (adv.), or to no
effect or purpose. A vain girl will stand
before a mirror admiring herself. Such a
one may try vainly (van' li, adv.), or uselessly,
to make herself more attractive by adopting
an affected manner.

People who boast about their own attain-
ments or possessions are vain-glorious (van
glor' i us, adj.). They speak vaingloriously
(van glor' i us li, adv.) and display vainglori-
ousness (van glor7 i us nes, n.).

F., from L. vdnus empty, idle, fruitless. SYN. :
Conceited, empty, futile, trivial, worthless.
ANT. : Modest, satisfactory, substantial, success-
ful, useful.

vair (var), n. In heraldry, a fur repre-
sented by shield-shaped devices of argent
and azure alternately. (F. vair.)

F., from L. varius, from mottled appearance.

Vaisya (vis' ya), n. The third of the four
chief Hindu castes ; a person belonging to
this caste.

Sansk. = peasant, labourer.

vakeel (va kel'), n. In India, an am-
bassador or commissioner residing at a
court ; an Indian attorney or barrister.
Another form is vakil (va kel').

Pers. vakil, Arabcwakil.

valance (val' ans), n. A short curtain
hung round the frame of a bedstead and
reaching to the floor ; a damask fabric,
usually of silk, used for covering furniture.
(F. cantonniere .)

Anything that has a valance is valanced
(val' ansd, adj.).

Origin obscure, perhaps akin to O.F. avaler
to let down.

Vale. — A typical vale, or valley, in which a lake has formed,
among the Rocky Mountains, in North America.

vale [i] (val), n. A valley ; a dale.
(F. vallon, vallee.)

Poets frequently use the word vale
instead of valley or dale. It is also used in
ordinary speech, usually for valleys of

great beauty, such as the Vale of Llangollen,
in Denbighshire, Wales, and the Vale of
Avoca, in County Wicklow, Ireland.

M.E. and F. val, from L. vallis valley.

vale [2] (va' le), inter. Farewell, n. A
farewell. (F. adieu.)

L. imperative sing, of valere to be in health, to
fare well.

valediction (val e dik' shun), n. A
farewell ; a bidding farewell. (F. adieu.)

When we say good-bye to a friend, even
for a short time, we utter a valediction,
and when we wave our hand to one in a
departing train we are using a valedictory
(val e dik' to ri, adj.) gesture.

From L. valedictus p.p. of valedlcere to bid,
farewell ; E. suffix -ion. SYN. : Adieu, farewell.
ANT. : Greeting, salutation, welcome.

valence [i] (va' lens), n. The combining
or replacing power of the atom of any element
or radical as compared with that of the
hydrogen atom ; a number expressing this.
valency (va' len si) has the same meaning.
(F. valence.)

The valence or combining power of an
atom with other atoms may vary in different
compounds. Thus iron is divalent, or has
a valence of two, in a ferrous compound,
and is. trivalent, or has a valence of three,
in a ferric compound.

From L.L. valentia, from valens (ace. ent-em)
ptes. p. of valere to be strong, to be valid,
efficient, worth. .....

valence [2] (vaT ens). This is another
spelling of >v_alance. See valance.

Valenciennes (va law si en ' ; val en

senz'), n. A fine variety of lace in which

the pattern is worked in the net ; a

machine - made imitation of this.

(F. point de Valenciennes.)

The lace was originally made
-•'^^ at Valenciennes, in northern
France. The mesh is in the form
of an irregular hexagon, made
of two threads. The pattern
is formed by twists and plaits
in the net.

valency (va'lensi). This has
the same meaning as valence.
See valence [i].

valentine (val' en tin), n. A
sweetheart met for the first
time or chosen on St. Valentine's
day ; a letter or card of a
sentimental or humorous nature
sent anonymously to a person of
the opposite sex on this day.
(F. Valentin, valentine.)

The once popular custom of
sending valentines on St. Valen-
tine's day (n.) — (February i4th)—
which commemorates the
legendary martyrdom of the saint may be
connected with an analogous custom
observed in ancient Rome about the same
date.

L. Valentlnus proper name.

4448

VALERIAN

VALLEGULA

valerian (va ler' i an), n. A plant
of the genus Valeriana ; a medicinal pre-
paration .from the root of the plant. (F.
valeriane.)

Of the two British species the great wild
valerian (Valeriana officinalis) with its
clusters of small pale flesh-coloured flowers,
is abundant in ditches, on river banks,
and in woods. As a drug, valerian is a
sedative and is much used as a preventive
of sea-sickness. Among other chemical
products obtained from valerian roots are an
aromatic valerian oil, and valeric (va ler' ik,
adj.) acid, which, when saturated with
potassium, yields a salt known as a valerate
(val' er at, n.).

O.F. valeriane, appar-
ently from L. personal
name Valerianus (fern.
-a), but the connexion
is obscure.

valet (val/ et ; val'
a), n. A man-servant
who assists his master
with his toilet and
takes care of his
clothes, etc. ; a stick
with an iron point
used in training horses.
v.t. To act as valet to.
(F. valet.}

This word, now
anglicized, was origin-
ally the shortened form
of the French valet de
chambre (val a de
shan' br, «.).' , A valet
de pied (val a de pya',
n.) is a footman, and
a valet de place (val
a de plas', n.) is a guide who temporarily
looks after the needs of travellers.

O.F. vaslet, dim. of vasal vassal. Varlet is a
doublet.

valetudinarian (val e tu di nar' i an),
adj. Seeking to recover health ; abnor-

Valerian.— The great valerian, a wild flower from
which the drug valerian is made.

O. Norse valholl (gen. -hallar), from val-r the
slain in battle, holl hall. See Valkyrie.

valiant (val' yant), adj. Brave,
gallant ; daring. (F. vaillant, hardi,
intrepide.)

The Victoria Cross is conferred upon
members of the forces who perform valiant
deeds during times of war. During the
World War, General Townshend and his
men defended Kut, in Mesopotamia,
valiantly (val' yant li, adv.), but at last
they had to surrender to the Turks.

O.F. valiant (F. vaillant}, pres. p. of valoir to be
worth, L. valere to be strong. SYN. : Courageous,
daring, fearless, gallant. ANT. : Cowardly,
fearful, timid.

valid (val' id),
adj. Sound ; not
capable of being dis-
proved ; legally effec-
tive and binding. (F.
val able, valide.}

An argument that
is well-founded and
without flaw is said
to be valid. A bye-
law made by a rail-
way company or other
body is valid if it is
made in accordance
with powers conferred
by Parliament. The
validity (va lid' i ti,
n.) of such bye-laws
is sometimes con-
tested, and if it ap-
pears that they were
not made validly (val'
id li, adv.), Parliament
may take steps to validate (val' i dat, v.t.)
them by conferring additional powers. The
act of validating is validation (val i da/ shun,
n.), but the word is rarely used, except by
lawyers.

L. validus strong, from valere to be strong.

maily anxious about one's state of health ; SYN. : Effective, just, sound, sufficient, weighty.
, ,J . -' i. j. • 11 ANT. : Insufficient, invalid, unfounded, unsound.

sickly ; infirm, n. An invalid; especially
one chiefly concerned with his own ailments.
Another "form is valetudinary (val e tu'
di na ri, adj. and n.). (F. valetudinaire.)

Sometimes in an hotel lounge we see a
group of valetudinarians discussing their
symptoms. An invalid may be said to be
in a state of valetudinarianism (val e tu di
nar' i an izm, n.), that is, of feeble health.

From L. valetudo (ace. -tudin-em) health, from
valere to be strong, and E. adj. suffix .-arian.
SYN. : adj. Infirm, sickly, n. Invalid.

Valhalla (val hal' a), n. In Norse
mythology, the hall where Odin received the
souls of slain warriors ; a hall or building used
as the final resting-place or as a memorial of
the great men of a nation. (F. Valhalla.)

The Temple of Fame near Ratisbon, built
1830-42 by Louis I of Bavaria and dedicated
to the illustrious dead of Germany, is known
as the Walhalla.

ANT. : Insufficient, invalid, unfounded, unsound,
unsupported.

valise (va lez'; va les'), n. A bag or case,
usually of leather, which can be carried in
the hand and which is used to hold a few
toilet articles and clothes, etc. ; a small
portmanteau. (F. valise.)

A soldief packs all his spare kit into his
valise, which is strapped across his shoulders
and is carried in this position.

F.., — L.L. valisia of obscure origin.

Valkyrie (val' kir . i), n. In Norse
mythology, one of the twelve Maidens of
Odin who hovered over battlefields and con-
ducted the souls of the slain to Valhalla.
(F. valkyrie.)

O. Norse valkyrja chooser of slain heroes, from
val-r the slain, -kyrja chooser. See choose.

vallecula (va lek' u la), n. In anatomy
and botany, a groove or furrow. pi.
valleculae (va lek' u le). (F. vallecule.)

L.L. dim. of vallis valley.

4449

VALLEY

VALVE

valley (val' i), n. A depression or duration; relation of a tone of part of a

low tract of land between hills or mountains
and usually traversed by a stream or river ;
any hollow or depression between two
elevations ; the trough formed between
two ridges of a roof ; figuratively, a period
or place of gloom or sorrow. (F. vallee.)

In " The Pilgrim's Progress " Christian had
to pass through the Valley of the Shadow
of Death before he reached the land of
Beulah.

O.F. valee, assumed L.L. valldta, from L. vallis
vale. SYN. : Dale, dell, vale.

vallonia (va 16' ni a), n. The acorn-

picture to the rest ; in mathematics, the
quantity, denoted by a symbol, v.t. To
prize ; to set a value on ; to estimate. (F.
valeur, prix, importance, signification ; priser,
evaluer, estimer.)

Every commodity produced has an ex-
change value («.), or value in exchange (n.), as
compared with other commodities. This
value, if. not controlled by legislation, will
adjust . itself naturally according to the
economic law of supply and demand, and
is also called the economic value (n.). The
commercial value (n.) of a commodity is

cup of the Turkish or vallonia oak (Quercus its selling price, whether or not this is
aegilops). Another form is valonia (va 16' fixed by law.

ni a). (F. vallonee.)

The value, or worth, of a servant depends

Vallonia, which is used for dyeing, tanning, among other things on his honesty. Scientific
and for making ink, is exported in large research has proved of the utmost value

»^

quantities from the Levant.

Ital., from Gr. balanos acorn.

vallum (val' um), n. A rampart of
earth or masonry
erected as a permanent
defence, especially a
palisaded bank round
a Roman camp. pi.
valla (val' a). (F.
retranchement.)

In the north of
England and Scotland
the Romans built many
permanent camps to
protect themselves
from the marauding
Picts. The vallum,
which surrounded the
camp, consisted of
earth thrown up from
a trench and crowned
by a timber palisade.

L. See wall.

valonia (va 16' ni
a). This is another
form of vallonia. See
vallonia.

valour (val' or), n.
Personal bravery ;
prowess. (F. vaillance.)

Firemen often show
great valour while per-
forming their duty.
They are valorous (val'
or its, adj.), that is,
they act valorously

Valour. — Cromwell's Ironsides storming Drogheda

(1649), an operation characterized by valour and

ruthlessness.

in combating disease. We value, or set
store on, the friendship of an honourable man.
Air is valuable (val' u abl, adj.), that is,
of great value ; but
it is not valuable in
the sense of being
capable of being
valued or appraised,
or of having a market-
value. Its valuable-
ness (val7 u abl nes,
n.), which is its
property of being
valuable, is due to
the fact that we
cannot live without
it. To contribute
valuably (val' u ab li,
adv.) towards the
success of an under-
taking is to give help
in a manner which
makes it valuable.

The property of a
deceased person has
to undergo valuation
(val u a' shim, «.),
that is, the process
of being valued, or
estimated, to find
what death-duty
should be paid on it.
The valuation, rih the
sense of the value
placed upon it, is
decided by a valqer

(val' or us li, adv.), when they risk their (val' u er, n.), or valuator (val' u a tor, n.),

that is, a person who makes a business of
valuing goods and property.

A thing is valueless (val' u les, adj.) if
without value. Its state or quality is one
of valuelessness (val' u les nes, n.).

O.F. value n. and fern. p.p. of valoir to be
worth. SYN.: n. Cost, excellence, importance,
significance, worth. v. Appraise, appreciate,
compute, esteem, regard, respect.

valve (valv), n. A device for control-

own lives in order to save the lives of
others trapped in a burning building.

O.F. valour (F. valeur) from L.L. valor . (ace.
-orem) from valere to be strong, vigorous. SYN. :
Bravery, courage, gallantry, intrepidity. ANT. :
Cowardice, pusillanimity.

valse (vals). This is another form of
waltz. See waltz.

value (val' u), n. The qualities of a
thing which make it desirable ; worth

estimated in money ; market-price ; utility ; ling the flow of air, liquid, or vapour through
importance ; meaning ; of a musical tone, a pipe or passage ; a flap in a vein allowing

4450

VAMBRAGE

VAN

blood to flow in one direction
only ; one of the parts or
divisions of the shell of a
bivalve shell -fish; a segment
of a seed-vessel; in wireless
telegraphy and telephony, a
thermionic valve. (F. soup-
ape, valvule, valve.)

A valve may work auto-
matically, like the flap valve
or clack valve, employed for
many pumps, or it may be
opened and closed mechani-
cally, like the throttle-valve

Valve-horn. — The musical wind-
instrument called the valve-horn.

devant, piece, improvisation ;
remonter, raccommoder ,
improviser.)

The vamps of old shoes
are sometimes replaced by
new ones, making the shoes
more or less new. In
music, the mechanical and
monotonous alternation
of a few chords as an
impromptu accompaniment
to a song is described con-
temptuously as vamping.
The vamper (vamp' er, n.),

regulating the supply of air, steam, or gas that is, one who plays in this way, generally

±~ — : — lacks technical knowledge and artistry.

Shortened from O.F. avantpie (F. avantpied],
from avant before, pie foot. See avaunt.

vampire (vam' pir), n. ..-. A
ghost once supposed to leave the
grave at night and suck the
blood of sleeping persons ; a
living person imagined to have
similar habits ; a person who
preys upon others ; a small bat
of the genera Desmodus, and
Diphylla that lives by sucking
blood from animals ; in the
theatre, a small double spring-
door used, for sudden entrances
and exits, (F. vampire.)

The vampire or vampire-bat
(n.) lives in Central and South
America. Its teeth and certain
organs are adapted for blood-
sucking. There are only two species of

to an engine.

A horn, trumpet, or other brass instru-
ment provided with valves or pistons is
often distinguished as a valve- i
horn (n.), valve-trumpet (n.), etc.
The valves connect the main
tube with branch tubes and lower
the pitch. The various types of
thermionic valve used in wire-
less receiving sets serve to detect
and magnify electric oscillations.

The valves of a steam-engine
are opened and closed by valve-
gear^.). The veins of the human
body are provided with valves
which close somewhat like trap-
doors and prevent the blood
from flowing backward once it
has passed through them. The
arteries, however, are valveless
(valv' les, adj.), except at the point where

Valve. — A valve, a device

for regulating steam,

water, etc.

they leave the heart. In botany, sepals or vampire, each forming a genus. They
petals are said to be valvate (val' vat, adj.) attack sleeping cattle, horses, and, some-
when united by their margins only. A times, men. A man or woman who extorts
valvate calyx is composed of such sepals. money or support from others to which
A similar arrangement of parts is 'found he or she is not entitled may be called a

Belief in and ideas

in valvate aestivation. The
word valved (valvd, adj.)
means provided with valves.

A valvelet (valv' let, n.), or
valvule (val' vul, n.), is a
small valve. Heart troubles
are valvular (valv'u lar, adj.)
if connected with the valves
of the heart.

L. valvae pi. the leaves or
flaps of a folding door.

vambrace (vam' bras), n.
Defensive armour worn on
the forearm.

From F avant before, bras
arm.

vamp (vamp), n. The
upper part of a boot or shoe

Valve. — A freshwater mussel. Its
shell has two halves or valves
which are hinged together.

in front of the ankle seams ;

a patch intended to make an old thing look therefore the place of honour. For many

vampire,
associated with the existence
of the demons known as
vampires are both called
vampirism (vam' pir izm,
n.). Anything of the nature
of a vampire is vampirish
(vain' pir ish, adj.) or vam-
piric (vam pir' ik, adj.).

F., from Magyar vampir.

van [i] (van), n. The
vanguard of an army, fleet,
or other force ; the fore-
front : the leaders of any
movement collectively. (F.
avant-garde.)

The van, or vanguard, as
it was in front, was the
place of greatest danger, and

like new ; in music, an improvised accom-
paniment or prelude of simple chords, v.t.
To put a new vamp on (a boot, etc.) ; to

centuries now England has maintained her
place in the van of commercial enterprise.
Garibaldi was in the van of the movement

give a new appearance to ; to furbish (up) ; for the freedom of Italy.

in music, to improvise an accompaniment
of simple chords to. v.i. To improvise
simple accompaniments. (F. empeigne,

Shortened from vanguard. O.F. avant-garde.
SYN. : Forefront, front. ANT. : Rear, rearguard,
tail.

4451

VAN

VANG

van [2] (van), n. A large vehicle, usually
covered, for > carrying heavy goods ; a
lighter vehicle used by tradesmen for
delivering goods ; a railway coach for
luggage, or for the guard, v.t. To carry
in a van. (F. fourgon, v oiture ; transporter.)

Shortened from caravan : cp. (peri}wig.
(omni}bus, etc.

van [3] (van), n. A rough test of the
quality of ore by washing on a
shovel, etc. ; in poetry, a wing ;
the sail of a windmill, v.t. To
test (ore) in this manner. (F. van,
vanner.)

In making a van the vanner
(van' er, n.) rocks his shovel and
so separates the powdered ore into
little heaps of varying gravity.
f L. vannus winnowing-fan. See'ian.

vanadium (va na' di um), '' n.
A rare silver- white metallic
element (first discovered : in 1801)
used* in the dyeing industry and
to' give tensile strength to steel.
(F. vanadium.} ""••'"<> ,

Vanadium occurs in a few
minerals, including vanadmite
(va nad' i nit, n.), which is
composed of lead chloride and lead vana-
date (van7 a dat, n.}, a vanadate being a
salt of vanadic (va nad' ik, ' adj.] acid.
The word vanadious (va na' di us, adj.]
means relating to or derived from
vanadium in its lower valency
as opposed to vanadic.

From Vana-dls, a name of the Norse
goddess Freyja, and L. suffix -ium.

Vandal (van'dal), n. One of a
Teutonic race from the shores of
the Baltic, who in the fifth cen-
tury overran Gaul, Spain, and
North Africa destroying many
works of art and libraries, etc. ;
any person who wilfully destroys
or damages a work of art or other
thing of beauty. (F. Vandale.)

The Vandals sacked Rome in
A.D. 455 and, after destroying
many of its monuments, carried
off much of its treasure. Numerous van-
dalic (van dal' ik, adj.] acts, or acts of
vandalism (van' dal izm, n.}, were committed
during the World War (1914-18),
when many beautiful buildings
in France and Belgium were
damaged or destroyed.

L. Vandall pi. ; the Spanish
province of Andalusia (Vandalusia)
derives its name from the Vandal
settlers.

vandyke (van dik'), n. A
painting by Sir Anthony Van
Dyck ; one of a series of large
points forming an ornamental
border to lace or linen ; a collar or
cape .with such points, adj. Of
or relating to the style of dress
worn by the figures in Van Dyck's

Vane. — A weather-
vane, pointing
north-east.

Vane. — A ship's

vane on the top of

a mast.

Vang.— A sailing barge,

having the windward

vang taut.

paintings, v.t. To cut the edges of (linen,
etc.) into Vandykes. (F. a la van Dyck ;
denteler.}

Sir Anthony Van Dyck, or Vandyke
(1599-1641), was a Flemish painter who settled
in England and became court painter to
Charles I. Valuable Vandykes are found
in the National Gallery and other art
collections in England. They are mainly
portraits, and many of the figures
therein are shown wearing the kind
of collar or cape known as a
vandyke, or, in full, as a vandyke
collar (n.} or vandyke cape (n.). A
vandyke beard (n.) is a trimmed
and pointed beard such as Charles
I wore. Vandyke brown (n.) is a
rich reddish-brown colour or
pigment, very common in the
paintings of Van Dyck.

vane (van), «. A weather-cock
or other device pointing in the
direction of the wind ; a similar
contrivance exposed to a current
of water ; an arm or blade of a
windmill, screw-propeller, or steam-
turbine ; the broad part of a feather
on either side of the quill ; the
horizontal sliding part of a surveyor's
levelling-staff ; the sight on a quadrant,
compass, etc. (F. girouette, bras, aube,
barbe, voyant, pinmde.}

Most church steeples carry a
vane in the shape of a cock whose
head turns in the direction of the
wind. A vane of an aerial bomb
is one of the metal fins at the tail
which tend to make the bomb
fall vertically. A vane in the
tail of a paravane holds the
apparatus steady as it passes
through the water.

A device or apparatus fitted
with a vane is vaned (vand, adj.}.
A steam-turbine is many-vaned,
in some cases having thousands
of vanes. Anything without vanes
is vaneless (van7 les, adj.}.
Southern form of A.-S. fana small flag ;
cp. Dutch vaan, G. fahne, Icel. fdni ; ,_.vakin
to L. pannus a cloth.

Vanessa (va nes' a), n. A
genus of brilliantly coloured
butterflies with notched wings
which includes the red admiral
(Vanessa atalanta} and the
Camber well beauty (V. antiopa}.
(F. vanesse.}

Modern L. ; why the name has
been bestowed on this butterfly is
not ascertained.

vang (vang), n. One of a
pair of guy-ropes which run from
the peak of a gaff to a ship's
deck. (F. palan de retenue.)

Dutch, = catch, curb. See
fang.

4452

VANGEE

VANTAGE

vangee (van' je), n. A mechanism
consisting of a barrel and crank -brakes for
working a ship's pumps.

Possibly connected with vang.

vanguard (van' gard), n. The troops
that march in front of an arm}-- : an advance-
guard. (F. avant-garde.)

The vanguard usually act as scouts,
and guard against the risk of a surprise
attack on the main body of the army.

F. avant-garde, from avant before, garde guard.
ANT. : Rearguard.

vanilla (va nil' a), n. A member of
a genus of tall climbing orchids bearing
sweet-smelling flowers and native of tropical
North America ; the dry pods of this
used in commerce. (F. vanillier,
vanille.)

The beans of the vanillas,
especially Vanilla planifolia, con-
tain a volatile oil valuable for
perfumery and for flavouring
liqueurs, syrups, chocolates, and
ices. It was used by the old
Mexicans. The fragrance-bearing
principle, vanillin (va nil' in, «.)
or vanilline (va nil' in, n.), which
contains vanillic (va nil' ik, adj.)
acid, is extracted from the pods,
but is also prepared from oil of
cloves and other substances.
Those who handle the vanilla
pods sometimes suffer from
vanillism (va nil' izm, n.), an
eruptive, itching skin disease,
caused by insects found thereon,
or by some irritant substance
with which the pods are coated.
A vanillate (va nil' at, n.) is a
salt of vanillic acid.

Span, vainilla little pod, dim.
of vaina (F. gaine), L. vagina
sheath.

vanish (van' ish), v.i.

unexpected large fortune. Ambition is often
a vanity, or vain pursuit, giving no real
joy to those who sacrifice to it the ordinary
pleasures of life. The term Vanity Fair
(n.), which symbolizes the pleasures and
temptations of the world, was first used
by Bunyan in "The Pilgrim's Progress."

A small ornamental hand-bag, usually
made of gold or silver filigree, and carried
by a lady to hold her powder-puff, mirror,
and other little vanities,, is known as a
vanity-bag" (n.).

From F. vanite, L. vamtas (ace. -tat-em) from
vanus empty, idle. SYN. : Conceit, futility,
ostentation, unreality. ANT. : Humility, modesty,
reality.

Vanity. — "Modesty and Vanity," a study in temperaments. From

the painting by the great Florentine artist, Leonardo da Vinci

(1452-1519).

To disappear

suddenly or mysteriously ; to dissolve or pass
away ; to be lost to sight ; in mathematics,
to become zero. (F. s'evanouir, disparaitre.}

A fog is said to vanish when it disappears
as the sun comes out. Conjurers make
articles vanish, that is, disappear inex-
plicably from the sight of the spectator.
A vanishing fraction (n.} is a fraction that
reduces to zero for a particular value of
the variable which enters it. Vanishing
point (n.) is the point at which all the parallel
lines on the same plane seem to meet.

M.E. vanissen, short for evanisshen, O.F.
esvaniss-, L. evanescere to die away, vanish, fade
out, inceptive v. from vanus empty. SYN. :
Disappear. ANT. : Appear.

vanity (van' i ti), n. The quality or
state of being vain ; false pride in personal
appearance, achievements, etc. ; anything
which is frivolous, trifling, deceptive, or un-
real ; showiness ; futility. (F. vanite, faiuite,
suffisance, futilite.}

Vanity in its worst form is often displayed
by a family which inherits or acquires an

vanner (van' er). For this word see
under van [3].

vanquish (vang' kwish), v.t. To
defeat ; to overpower ; to get the better
of ; to confute. (F. vaincre, subjuguer,
I'emporter sur, refuter.}

Medical science has been able to vanquish
many serious diseases, such as the plague
and smallpox. Diseases are said to be
vanquishable (vang' kwish abl, adj.] if
they can be cured. A doctor fighting
and curing disease, a soldier on the winning
side, and anyone who vanquishes or refutes
the arguments of another may be called
a vanquisher (vang' kwish er, n.}.

From O.F. veinquir (pres. p. veinquiss-ant) ,
L. vincere to conquer, overcome. For the form
see under finish. SYN. : Conquer, defeat, over-
come, refute, subdue.

vantage (van' tij), n. Advantage;
•a favourable opportunity ; a condition
favouring success ; in tennis, the point
won by either side after a score of deuce.
v.t. To profit or advantage. (F. avantage,
occasion favorable ; servirj)

4453

VAPID

VARANGIAN

This term is seldom used now except
in scoring at tennis. A child holding the
castle in the game of King of the Castle
occupies vantage-ground (n.), which makes
it easier for him to repel the attacks of his
playmates than it is for them to dislodge
him and gain his place.

Aphetic form of advantage.

Vantage.— Off icers' Training Corps scouts benefiting
by the vantage provided by a tree-stump.

vapid (vap' id), adj. Flat ; insipid ;
spiritless. (F. fade, plat, insipide, inepte.)

Distilled water is vapid or flat, and not
a pleasant drink. Its vapidity (va pid' i ti,
n.), or vapidness (vap' id nes, «.), can be
removed by aeration, that is, by pumping
air through the water. A dull speaker
speaks vapidly (vap' id li, adv.), or insipidly.

From L. vapidus (from vapor) literally, that
has given off steam, hence flat, spiritless. SYN. :
Dull, lifeless, stale, tame. ANT. : Animated,
spirited, trenchant, vivid.

vapor able (va/ por abl). For this word,
vaporific, vaporize, etc., see under vapour.

vapour (va/ por), n. Particles of
water suspended in the air ; the gaseous
form of a usually solid or liquid substance ;
haze ; a vain thing ; an unreal fancy ; (pi.)
melancholy, low spirits, v.i. To boast. (F.
vapeur, fantaisie, chose vaine, spleen ; fan-
far onner.)

Vapour makes the atmosphere hot and
oppressive before a storm. Unhealthy
vapours often rise from the depths of a
stagnant pool. Poets often speak of vain
imaginations as vapour. The young ladies
in Jane Austen's novels suffered from .the
vapours, a kind of hysteria common before
girls led an active life.

A vapour-bath (n.) is a steam bath taken
by sitting in a room or apparatus filled
with hot vapour and also spoken of as a

vapour-bath. A blow-lamp or Primus stove
is a vapour-burner (n.), that is, an apparatus
which burns an inflammable vapour. A
vapour-engine (n.) is one driven by some
elastic fluid under pressure.

Camphor and naphthalene are vapori-
ferous (va por if er us, adj.), or vaporific
(va por if ik, adj.), that is, they give off
vapour. Steam is a vaporiform (va/ por i
form, adj.), that is, gas-like, state of water.
A vaporimeter (va por im' e ter, n.) is used
for measuring the volume or pressure of a
vapour. We can vaporize (va/ por Iz, v.t.)
mercury, that is, change it into vapour,
by heating it. Petrol and benzoline
vaporize {v.i.), that is, turn into vapour,
easily, whether heated or not. A vaporizer
(va/ por Iz er, n.) is a heated chamber or
other device for vaporizing any liquid which
is vaporizable (va/ por Iz abl, adj.), or vapor-
able (va'.por abl, adj.), that is, capable of
being vaporized easily by heat or spraying.

The vaporization (va por I za/ shun, n.) of
a liquid, which is the process of turning
into vapour, is accompanied by loss of heat
in the vessel containing it. The vaporability
(va por a bil' i ti, n.), that is, the capacity
for vaporizing, of certain liquids, is a useful
factor in cold storage.

A thin glass shell filled with a volatile
liquid for inhaling or fumigation is called a
vaporole (va/ po rol, n.). Mists are due to
a vaporous (va/ por us, adj.), or vapoury
(va/ po ri, adj.), that is, vapour-charged,
state of the air. We often see spray rising
vaporously (va/ por us li, adv.), that is, like
vapour, from the foot of a waterfall.

Vapourer (va/ por er, n.) is a term meaning
braggart or boaster, that is, one who talks
vapouringly (va/ por ing li, adv.), or in a
swaggering way. The vapourer moth (n.) —
Orgyia — is very destructive to trees. The
female has no wings. In one sense vapourish
(va/ por ish, adj.) has the same meaning as
vapoury, but a vapourish person is one
subject to the vapours. The state of being
vapourish in either sense is vapourishness
(va/ p>6r ish nes, n.).

O.F., from L. vapor (ace. -or-em) steam.
SYN. : Fume, mist, steam.

vaquero (va kar' 6), n. A Mexican
herdsman. (F. vacher, vaquero.)

Span. = cowboy, from vaca (L. vacca] cow,
ox.

Varangian (va ran ' ji an), n. A Norse
sea-rover. (F. Varangien.)

From the ninth to the eleventh centuries
the coasts of the Baltic suffered from the
attacks of the fierce Varangians, who sailed
up the rivers in their fighting ships and
harried the surrounding country far arid
wide. The Varangian Guard (n.) was the
name given to the bodyguard of the Byzan-
tine emperors. It was composed partly
of hired Varangians.

From L.L. Varangus, Late Gr. Baranggos from
O. Norse Vaeringi sworn men (varar oaths,
akin to L. verns true).

4454

VARANUS

VARIEGATE

Varanus (var' a nus), n. A genus of
large lizards popularly called the monitors.
(F. varan.)

These lizards are often of great size.
They have a small head, a very long forked
tongue, a strong neck, a large tail flattened
from side to side for swimming, and very
small scales.

Modern L., from Arabic war an lizard.

varec (var' ek), n.
Seaweed ; an impure
carbonate of soda
made in France by
burning seaweed. (F.
varech, fucus.)

F., earlier wavec, werek,
from Scand. ; akin to
E. wrack, wreck. SYN. :
Kelp.

variable ( v a r ' i

abl), adj. Changeable;
liable to alter. n.
That which varies ;

(pi.) the belt between
the north and south

ie gen
lizards are often of great size.

(F. variable, volage, change ant ;

These

trade- winds.
variability.)

People whose opinions change from day
to day are variable. A country like England,
in which the weather is constantly changing,
is said to have a variable climate.

Certain cross-breeds of dogs, such as
Sealyhams, are said by biologists to be vari-
able, because from time to time individuals
are born which do not conform to the recog-
nized type, but resemble a remote ancestor.

In mathematics, a quantity that can
have a series of different values is a variable,
and sailors use the same name for a shifting
wind. Variability (var i a bil' i ti, n.), and
variableness (var' i abl nes, n.) are terms
used for the state of being changeable.
Anything that keeps on changing acts
variably (var' i ab li, adv.).

F., from L.L. varidbilis, from L. variare to
diversify, alter ; also to differ, change. SYN. :
adj. Fickle, inconstant, mutable, shifting,
vacillating. ANT. : adj. Constant, firm, in-
variable, steady, unalterable.

variance (var' i ans), n. Disagree-
ment ; dissension ; discord ; the state of
being different. (F. dissidence, discorde,
difference.}

People are said to be at variance when
they differ among themselves, and a story
is at variance with the facts when it does
not agree with them. Something exhibiting
variance in form or detail but essentially
the same as another is variant (var7 i ant,
adj.}. Goethe's dramatic poem, " Faust,"
is a variant (n.) of the mediaeval legend,
Doctor Faustus, used by Christopher
Marlowe (1564-93) for his play of that name.

O.F., from L. variantia from varians (ace.
-ant-em) pres. p. of variare to vary. SYN. :
Controversy, difference, diversity, variation.
ANT. : Accord, agreement, concord, harmony,
unison.

variation (var i a' shim), n. Partial
change in form, position, quality, or state of
anything ; deviation ; modification ; the
extent to which a thing varies. (F. varia-
tion, deviation, modification.)

All living things are subject to variation to
such an extent that no two of them are ever
exactly alike. Thus closely related plants
and animals vary in form, size, colour, and
many other respects,
under the influence
of differences in food,
climate, and other
factors. During long
ages yariational (var
i a' shun al, adj.) dis-
tinctions in individuals
have produced num-
bers of new types and
species.

In grammar, vari-
ation in words to
indicate number, sex,
time, and so on, is
called inflexion or

modification. The variation of a planet or
other heavenly body is a deviation from
its course caused by another body moving
near it. The magnetic needle shows
variation in the amount by which it
deviates from a.' true north - and - south
direction. ' Mathematical' variation ' is a
relation between the changes that take
place in quantities that vary as each other.
In music, variation is the repetition of the
air or theme in a changed or a more elaborate'
form.

F., from L. varidtio (ace. -on-em) difference,
from varidtus p.p. of variare (varius) variegated,
diverse, varying. SYN. : Alteration, disagree-
ment, diversity, mutation. ANT. : Conformity,
homogeneity.

varicella (var i sel' a), n. Another name
for chicken-pox. (F. varicelle.)

Modern L. dim. of variola. See variola.
varices (var' i sez). This is the plural
form of varix. See varix.

varicoloured (var' i kul erd), adj.
Of various colours ; diverse. (F. bigarre,
multicolore.)

From L. varius various, and E. coloured.
varicose (var' i kos), adj. Of veins,
etc., affected with permanent abnormal
swellings ; designed for the treatment of
varices or varicose veins. (F. variqueux.)
The state or condition of being varicose
is termed varicosity (var i kos' i ti, n.).

From L. varix (ace. -ic-em) swollen vein, and
-ose.

varied (var' id). For this word see
under vary.

variegate (var' i e gat), v.t. To mark
with irregular patches of different colours ;
to diversify in colour. (F. bigarrer, barioler.)
This word is used chiefly in its past
participle. In botany, leaves, petals, or
other parts of plants having two or more
colours are said to be variegated. The

4455

VARIETY

VARIX

variegated geranium, for instance, is so
called from its variegated leaves, which are
pale in places owing to lack of chlorophyll.
This condition or quality is termed varie-
gation (var i e ga' shun, «.). In a general
sense we may say that brightly coloured
fungi variegate the trunks of trees, or that
tropical birds have wonderfully variegated
plumage, their diversity of colouring being
termed variegation.

From L. variegdtus p.p. of variegdre to
diversify (in colour, pattern etc.), from varius
parti-coloured, agere to render. SYN. : Chequer,
dapple, diversify.

Variegate. — Specimens of variegated leaves — leaves
which are not of the same colour all over.

variety (va ri' e ti), n. The state or
quality of being various ; absence of . uni-
formity or monotony ; diversity ; a col-
lection of diverse things ; variety enter-
tainment ; a minor class or group differing
in some common qualities from the class
to which it belongs ; a specimen or mem-
ber of such a class ; a kind ; a sort ; in
biology, an individual or group differing
from the type of its species in some minor
but transmissible quality ; a subspecies.
(F. variete.)

We are impressed by the variety, 01
many-sidedness, of the abilities of a versatile
man. Some people have a love of variety.
They make frequent changes in their sur-
roundings, their acquaintances, and their
interests. A well-chosen anthology of verse
has the charm of variety. In stamp-
collecting, varieties are specimens of postage-
stamps varying in some detail from the rest
of the issue to which they belong.

In botany and biology, varieties, or
varietal (va rl' e tal, adj.) forms, of plants
and animals possess some small permanent
or transmissible characteristic which dis-
tinguishes them from others of their species.
They differ varietally (va ri' e tal li, adv.},
or as distinct varieties, from the species,
and are said to form a subspecies.

A variety theatre (n.) is a place of amuse-
ment where the programme consists of a
number of varied and distinct items, such
as dances, songs, acrobatics, and comedy
numbers, by a succession of performers. A
variety entertainment (n.), or variety show

(n.), is a performance of ttys nature, some-
times described colloquially as variety.

F. variete, L. varietds (ace. -dt-em) from
varius. SYN. : Diversity, many-sidedness, ver-
satility. ANT. : Monotony, sameness, uni-
formity.

variola (va ri' 6 la), n. Another name
for smallpox. (F. variole, petite ve"role.)

The virus of smallpox is called variolous
(v& ri' 6 lus, adj.) matter or fluid, especially
when used for the purpose of inoculation,
or variolation (var i 6 la' shim, n.). Vario-
loid (var' i 6 loid, n.} is the modified form
of smallpox which occurs in people who
have been vaccinated. The word varioloid
(adj.) means resembling or pertaining to
smallpox. Variolite (var' i 6 lit, n.) is a
dark green variety of orthoclase, in which
small pale spherules are embedded, having
the appearance of the marks of smallpox.

L.L. fern. dim. of varius variegated, speckled.

variometer (var i om' e ter), n. An
instrument used for measuring the varia-
tion^ of magnetic force at different times
or places ; in wireless, a tuner consisting
*of~two coils, one rotating inside the other.
- (F. variometre.)

, From:i>ano- combining form of L. varius
various, and E. -meter.

variorum (var i or' urn), adj. Of a
book, with the notes of the various com-
mentators or editors inserted. (F. variorum.}

Variorum editions of Shakespeare and
other classical works are published for the
use of students.

L. masc. gen. pi. of varius varied, different,
meaning (with the comments) of diverse
(critics, editors, etc.).

various (var' i us), adj. Different;
diverse ; several ; many-sided ; variable ;
not uniform. (F. varie, divers, plusieuvs,
variable.)

Most school teachers give instruction in
various subjects, that is, subjects of different
kinds or sorts, besides the particular subject
in which they specialize. The holiday
resorts of England are various in character.
Some are quiet health-resorts ; others provide
various popular amusements. When we
do something for various reasons, we have
more than one reason for doing it. The
word variousness (var' i us nes, n.) means
variety of nature or character, or else a
varied state or quality. The age of the
earth has been estimated variously (var'
i us li, adv.), or in various ways, at from
twenty-five million to sixteen hundred
million years. Variously may also mean
diversely, differently, with variation, or in
a various manner.

From L. varius diverse and -ous. SYN. :
Different, diverse, manifold, sundry, variable.
ANT. : Identical, uniform.

varix (var' iks), n. An abnormal
swelling of a vein or artery ; a swelling or
ridge crossing the whorls of a univalve
shell, pi. varices (var' i sez). (F. varice.)

4456

VARLET

VASCULAR

The varices, or ribs, on the surface of a
shell, such as that of the Triton, mark the
position of former lips of the shell, left
behind by the periodical growth.

L. = congested vein.

varlet (var' let), n. In the Middle Ages,
a page preparing to be a squire ; a knave ;
a rascal ; a scoundrel. (F. varlet, coquin.)

This archaic word is now used only in a
facetious sense.

M.E. and O.F. ; an earlier F. form is vaslet
dim. of vasal vassal. See valet.

varnish (var' nish), n. A thin resinous
solution used to give a hard, transparent,
shiny coating to wood, metal, etc. ; the
lustrous glaze on pottery ; a glossy appear-
ance on the surface of leaves, etc. ; any
superficial polish ; a superficially favour-
able appearance given to conduct ; a
palliation, v.t. To cover with varnish ;
to give an improved appearance to ; to
gloss over. (F. vernis, lustre, palliation ;
vernir, lustrer, embellir.)

Varnish. — Girls applying varnish to a girder used in the construction
of a British airship.

The walls of rooms, after being papered,
are sometimes varnished to give them a
hard and shining surface. In a figurative
sense, an action is said to be varnished over
when an attempt is made to excuse it, or
to make it appear less unpleasant or harmful
than it really is. Thus we speak of a person
hiding his natural vulgarity under a thin
varnish of culture.

Various trees that yield the material for
varnish are given the name of varnish-
tree (n.), especially the large East Indian
tree scientifically named Melanorrhoea
usitatissima. The day before the opening
of an exhibition of pictures is called varnish-
ing day (n.), because the exhibiting artists
are then allowed to varnish or else retouch
their pictures as they hang on the walls.

O.F. vernis, vernisser ; cp. Ital. vernice,
Port, verniz, Span, berniz, L.L. vernix, bernix, of
doubtful origin.

028 4457

'varsity (var' si ti), n. University.

This familiar abbreviation is sometimes
used by undergraduates.

varsovienne (var so vyen'), n. A
dance resembling the Polish mazurka ;
the music for this. (F. varsoviana, varso-
vienne.}

The dance called the varsovienne is not a
national dance, like the mazurka, but is an
imitation of that dance. It is probably of
Parisian origin. The music should be played
at a moderate speed in triple time with a
decided accent at the beginning of each
second measure. .

F., from Varsovie Warsaw, capital of Poland.

vartabed (var' ta bed), n. A member
of an order of teaching clergy in the
Armenian Church, ranking between bishops
and priests. Another spelling is vartabet
(var' ta bet).

Armenian term.

varus (var' us), n. A deformity character-
ized by the feet being turned inward. fF.
varus, cagneux.}

L. varus knock-kneed.

vary (var 'i), v.t. To change;
to alter in appearance, form, or
substance ; to modify ; to diver-
sify ; in music, to make variations
of (a tune, etc.). v.i. To be
altered in any way ; to differ,
or be of different kinds ; to under-
go change ; in mathematics, to
increase or decrease proportion-
ately with, or inversely to, the,
increase or decrease of another
quantity, p.t. and p.p. varied
(var' id). (F. varier, changer,
diversifier ; varier, changer, se
modifier.}

A writer must necessarily vary
his style to suit the subject about
which he is writing. Doctors
sometimes advise patients to
vary, or make changes in, their
diet. A varied scene is one
' having variety. The moods of

a temperamental person appear to vary

from hour to hour.

From F. varier, L. varidre. SYN. : Change,

deviate, diversify, modify, transform. ANT. :

Conform, harmonize, stereotype.

vas (vas), n. In anatomy, a vessel,
duct, or tube. pi. vasa (va' sa). (F,
vaisseau, conduit.}

L. = vessel. See vase.

vascular (vas' ku lar), adj. Pertain-
ing to, consisting of, or containing vessels
for conveying blood, sap, etc. ; richly
supplied with blood-vessels. (F. vasculaire,
vasculeux.}

The vascular system of man consists
of the heart, arteries, veins, capillaries,
and the lymphatic vessels and glands, which
perform the work of circulating blood and
lymph throughout the body. The chief
constituent of the walls of the vessels of

I H?

VASCULUM

VAST

Vase.— 1. Prehistoric vases, from Cyprus. 2. Dipylon
geometric vases and other ware, representing
very early Greek art. 3. Panathenaic amphorae,
jars given as prizes in the Panathenaic games at
Athens. 4. A red-figured stamnos, or jar, of the
fifth century B.C. 5. A Greek krater, or mixing,
bowl, of the latter half of the fifth century B.C.
6. Two decorated pottery vases of British manu-
facture.

vascular plants is called vasculose (vas'
ku 16s, n.).

L. vasculdrius from, vasculum dim. of vds
vessel, jar.

vasculum (vas' ku him), n. A botan-
ist's collecting-case, pi. vascula (vas' ku la)
and vasculums (vas' ku liimz).

L. dim. of vas. See vas.

vase (vaz ; archaic, vawz ; archaic ana
U.S.A., vas and vaz), n. A vessel of
pottery, alabaster, metal, etc., of various
forms but usually circular and greater in
depth than width, used for various, chiefly
ornamental, purposes ; an ornament having
the form of a vase. (F. vase.)

Vases were used by the ancient Greeks
as utensils, as prizes in public games, and
for various religious purposes. Many
fine examples of Greek vases are preserved
in museums. The later specimens have
generally been decorated with pigments —
a form of art known as vase-painting (n.) —
and often record the life of the people of
their time. A vaseful (vaz' ful, n.) of
water is as much water as a particular
vase will contain. A vaseful of flowers is
a vase filled with flowers.

F., from. L. vas vessel.

vasi-. This is a prefix meaning of or
pertaining to vessels or ducts. Another
form is vaso-. (F. vasi-, vaso-.)

In anatomy and botany, tubes or parts
having the form of ducts are said to be
vasiform (va' si form, adj.). The flow of
blood along the blood-vessels of the body
is regulated by the action of the vaso-motor
(va so mo' tor, adj.) system upon their
walls. This system of nerves controls the
expansion and contraction of the vessels,
the former effect being produced by the
vaso-dilator (va so di la' tor, adj.) nerves,
and the latter by the vaso-constrictor (va so
kon strik' tor, adj.) nerves.

Combining form of L. vas vessel, conduit.

vassal (vas' al), n. One holding land
from a superior lord by feudal tenure ;
one having a position resembling that of a
feudal vassal ; a humble dependant ; a servant
or subordinate, adj. Having the standing
or character of a vassal ; of or pertaining
to a vassal. (F, vassal.)

The state or condition of a vassal in feudal
times was termed vassalage (vas' al ij, n.).
Various forms of service were rendered by
vassals to their lords in return for the fiefs
they held, and many grades of vassals were
recognized. In an extended sense, sub-
jection to some person or influence may be
described as vassalage.

O.F., from L.L. vassallus from Celtic vassus ;
cp. Breton goaz, Welsh gwas servant. SYN. : n.
Dependant, feudatory, subject, subordinate.
ANT. : n. Lord, master, sovereign.

vast (vast), adj. Of great extent ;
enormous ; huge ; boundless ; very great
in number, quantity, amount, range,
degree, etc. n. In poetry, a boundless or

4458

VASTUS

VAULT

immense space. (F. vaste, immense, Enorme ;
immensite.)

The Pacific Ocean is a vast expanse of
water. It might be described poetically
as the vast of ocean. A vast scheme is
one of immense scope. Wise administra-
tion vastly (vast' li, adv.), or to an extent
or degree not easily grasped, increases the
confidence of a nation in its government.
In a colloquial sense we say that a matter
is of vast importance or vastly important
when it is of very great importance. A
vast thing or task has the quality of vastness
(vast' nes, n.). A vast space is sometimes
described as a vastness, or said to be vasty
(vas' ti, adj.), especially in poetry and
poetical prose.

From L. vastus huge, enormous. SYN. : adj.
Enormous, gigantic, huge, immense, stupendous.
ANT. : adj. Little, minute, small, tiny.

vastus (vas'tus), n. In anatomy, the large
muscular mass on the outer or inner surface
of the thigh, pi. vasti (vas' ti). (F. vaste.)

L. = vast.

vat (vat), n. A large tub, tank, or
other vessel for holding liquids, v.t. To
put into a vat ; to treat in a vat. (F.
cuve ; encuver.)

Vats are used in brewing, tanning, jam-
making, and chemical processes. A vatful
(vat' ful, n.) of liquid is as much as a vat
will hold.

Southern form from A.-S. faet ; cp. Dutch vat,
G. fass, O. Norse fat ; akin to Dutch vatten,
G. fassen to grip, to hold.

Vatican. — The Vatican, the official residence of the Pope and the
. seat of the papal government.

Vatican (vat' i kan), n. The official
residence of the Pope on the Vatican hill
at Rome ; the papal government. (F.
Vatican.)

The Vatican consists of a huge group of
palaces, courts, chapels, and other buildings,
and is said to contain about seven thousand
rooms, some of which were decorated by
Raphael, Michelangelo, Perugino, and other
great Italian artists. The Basilica of St.
Peter, the largest church in the world, is

a part of the Vatican. The anathemas and
denunciations of earlier Popes are some-
times described figuratively as the thunders
of the Vatican.

The Vatican Council (n.) is a general
council of the Roman Catholic Church,
which met in 1869 and was adjourned in the
following year. It proclaimed the doctrine
of papal infallibility. The ecclesiastical
system based on the findings of this council
in regard to the supremacy and infallibility
of the Pope is termed Vaticanism (vat' i kan
izm, n.). A person who adheres to or
supports these tenets is termed a Vaticanist
(vat' i kan ist, n.).

L. Vdticdnus, one of the seven hills of Rome,
on which the papal palace stands.

vaticinate (va tis' i nat), v.t. and i.
To prophesy. (F. vaticiner, prophetiser,
predive.)

A prophecy is sometimes called a vaticina-
tion (va tis i na' shun, n.), which also means
the act or fact of vaticinating.

From L. vdticindtus p.p. of vdticindrl from
vdtes prophet, soothsayer, canere to sing.

vaudeville (vod' vil), n. A light,
amusing play in which the dialogue is
interspersed with songs and dances ; a
variety entertainment ; a French topical
song sung in couplets, often to a well-known
refrain. (F. vaudeville.)

A vaudeville was originally a convivial
song, of the kind written by the French poet
Oliver Basselin (d. 1418), who was born in
the Val de Vire, formerly called Vau de
Vire, in Normandy. Songs
resembling those written by
Basselin, the first vaudevillist
(vod' vil ist, n.) or writer of
vaudeville, were introduced into
light entertainments, and musical
comedies, which came to be
known as vaudevilles, a name
also given to a music-hall variety
entertainment.

F., from (chanson du) Vau de Vire
(song of) the valley of Vire, said to
have been used by Basselin as a
name for his popular songs.

Vaudois [i] (vo dwa'), adj.
Of or relating to the canton of
Vaud in Switzerland, n. An
inhabitant of this canton ; the
Vaudois dialect, pi. Vaudois (vo
dwa'). (F. vaudois.)

F., from L.L. valdensis belonging
to Vaud, G. Waadt.

Vaudois [2] (vo dwa'), adj. Of or
relating to the Waldenses. n. One of the
Waldenses. pi. Vaudois (vo dwa'). See
Waldenses. (F. vaudois.)

F. form of L.L. Waldensis = a partisan of
Peter Waldo, the founder of this sect.

vault [i] (vawlt), n. An arched roof
of masonry ; a continuous arch ; a struc-
ture consisting of a series of stone arches
connected by masonry at their sides ;
an arched underground chamber ; a cellar ;

4459

VAULT

VEDETTE

a burial-chamber of masonry under a church
or in a cemetery ; any vault-like covering
or canopy ; in anatomy, an arched body or
surface, v.t. To cover with or as if with a
vault or vaults ; to build in the form of
a vault. (F. voute, cave, caveau ; vouter,
former en voute.}

The ancient Persians and, later, the
Romans made use of the vault, which,
however, was greatly improved and elabor-
ated by the Gothic builders, whose ribbed
vaults finally developed into the famous
fan-tracery vaulting (vawlf ing, n.), or
vaulted construction. The process of roofing
with vaults or constructing vaults is also
termed vaulting.

Wine and beer are stored in underground
vaults, where the temperature remains
very even all -the year round. In many
churchyards there are family vaults, in which
successive members of a family are buried.
The sky is sometimes described poetically
as the vault of heaven.

O.F. voulte, from assumed L.L. volta, L. voliit
a fern. p.p. of volvere to turn.

Vault. — A competitor vaulting cleanly over a high
cross-bar.

vault [2] (vawlt), v.i. To leap, bound,
or spring, especially with the hand or hands
resting on something, or with the aid of a
pole. v.t. To leap over in this manner, n.
A leap performed thus. (F. sauter, voltiger ;
franchir ; saut.)

Gymnasts practise vaulting with a vault-
ing-horse (vawlf ing hors, n.). This is
a gymnastic apparatus consisting of a
wooden figure of a horse with a padded top.
Towards this the vaulter (vawlf er, n.}
takes a short run, and then vaults over it,
usually with the aid of a spring-board.

O.F. volter ; same as vault [i]. SYN. : v.
and n. Bound, jump, leap, spring.

vaunt (vawnt), v.i. To boast; to brag.
v.t. To boast of. n. A boast. (F. se vanter,
se glorifier, fanfaronner ; vanter; vantardise,
gasconnade.)

This word is more or less archaic and is
chiefly confined to rhetorical language. A
much vaunted feat is one that has been
boasted of, or praised highly. A vaunter
(vawnt ' er, n.} is a braggart or a boaster
— a person who talks vauntingly (vawnt'
ing li, adv.), that is, vaingloriously or osten-
tatiously, of his own merits or achievements.

F. vanter, assumed L.L. vanitave from L. vanitds
(vanus, empty, vain) emptiness, vanity. SYN. :
v. Advertise, boast, brag, parade. ANT. : v.
Conceal, hide, repress, suppress.

vavasour (vav' a sor ; vav' a soor), n.
A feudal vassal of various kinds, especially
one of a class of tenants above knights,
holding land from a great vassal. Other
forms are valvassor (val' va sor) and vavassor
(vav' a sor). (F. vavassal, vavasseur.)

From L.L. vassus vassorum vassal of vassals.

veal (vel), n. The flesh of the calf as
food. (F. veau.)

Veal is pale in colour, with close firm
flesh. A flavour resembling that of cooked
veal is said to be vealy (vel' i, adj.).

From O.F. veel, L. vitellus dim. of vitulus calf,
properly yearling ; cp. Gr. (w)etos year.

vector (vek' tor), n. In mathematics,
a line conceived as having a fixed length
and direction in space, but no fixed position ;
a quantity determining the position of a
point in space relatively to another, con-
ceived as a line from one to the other. (F.
vecteur.)

A knowledge of the properties of vectors
is of practical use in physics, especially in
connexion with the electro-magnetic theory.

L. = bearer, from vectus p.p. of vehere to carry.

Veda (va/ da), n. The ancient Hindu
scriptures written in old Sanskrit. (F.
veda.)

The Veda consists of the Rig-Veda and
three other books forming a collection of
Vedic (va/ dik, adj.) literature often termed
the Vedas. It contains the earliest examples
of Indo-European literature, and includes
hymns to nature gods, sacrificial hymns,
and prayers. The Hindus also recognize
certain ancient sacred works as auxiliary
to the Veda. Each of these is called a
Vedanga (va dang' ga, n.).

The Vedanta (va dan' ta, n.) is an
important system of Hindu philosophy
founded on the Vedas. A scholar or
exponent of this Vedantic (va dan' tik, adj.)
philosophy is termed a Vedantist (va dan'
tist, «.).

Sansk. = knowledge, learning.

vedette (ve det'), n. A mounted
sentinel stationed in advance of an outpost.
(F. vedette.)

A small vessel used for scouting purposes,
etc., in na'ral warfare is sometimes called, a
vedette-boat (n.).

F., from Ital. vedetta, perhaps from veduta
fern. p.p. of vedere, L. videre to see.

4460

VEER

VEGETABLE

veer [i] (ver), v.i. Of the wind, to pass
more or less gradually from one point to
another, especially in the direction of the
sun ; to change direction ; of a ship, to be
steered round with the head away from
the wind, especially in order to sail on a
fresh tack ; to be changeable or variable
in opinions, conduct, etc. ; of conditions,
opinions, etc., to change or alter, v.t. To
bring (a ship) round with the head away
from the wind by putting the helm down.
(F. tourner, changer de direction-; virer,
changer de bord, changer I'opinion.)

At the International Meteorological Con-
ference held at Innsbruck in 1905, it was
agreed that the old nautical term to veer
should be adopted in meteorology. When
the wind follows the sun's course it is said
by meteorologists to veer. It backs when
it passes from point to point in the opposite
direction — west, south, east, north. A
weathercock veers about in a changing
wind, and, in a figurative sense, a man
veers about when he vacillates in opinion.
The fortunes of war sometimes veer round
and place an almost vanquished country
in a favourable position.

A helmsman veers, or wears, a ship when
he causes it to swing round, away from the
wind, through two-thirds of the compass,
so that the stern is temporarily to windward,
preparatory to sailing on another tack.
This process, called veering (ver' ing, n.), is
mainly confined to large sailing-ships, which
are too unwieldy to tack. The sails have
to be trimmed all the way round when a
ship veers.

F. virer, L.L. virdre to turn about ; cp. virola
ring, L. viriola bracelet. SYN. : Alter, change,
shift, turn, vacillate.

veer [2] (ver), v.t. To let out (a cable,
etc.) ; to allow (a rope, etc.) to run (out).
(F. filer.)

This is a nautical word. A boatman
allows his boat to drift in a desired direction
by veering out the tether holding it to the
bank or landing-stage. To veer and haul
on a rope is to slacken and tauten it alter-
nately. In a figurative sense, a political
party may be said to veer and haul on some
government matter when its attitude
vacillates.

M. Dutch vieren to slacken ; cp* O.H.G.
fieren to give direction to.

vega (va' ga), n. In Spain and Spanish
America, a fertile, grass-covered plain ;
in the West Indies, a tobacco field or sugar
plantation. (F. vdga.)

vegetable (vej' e tabl), n. A plant,
especially a herb used for culinary purposes
or for feeding cattle, etc. adj. Pertaining
to, of the nature of, or resembling, a plant ;
derived from or comprising plants ; made
of or pertaining to culinary vegetables. (F.
plante, legume; vegetal, legumineux.)

Potatoes, cabbages, beans, onions, carrots,
parsnips, and other vegetables grown in
kitchen-gardens are a very important part

of human food. Root crops, such as swedes
and mangel-wurzels, are equally valuable as
vegetables for feeding live stock.

The substance called vegetable ivory
(n.) consists of the hardened seeds of the
corozo nut. It is used in the manufacture of
umbrella handles and other small objects.
All living organisms that are not animals are
included in the great division of organic
nature named the vegetable kingdom (n.).
The vegetable marrow (n.) — Cucurbita ovifera
— is a trailing plant related to the gourd.
Its large, elliptic or globular fruit, also called
vegetable marrow, is used as a vegetable.

Vegetable marrow. — The vegetable marrow is usually

straight ; the above specimens were deformed by

pressure together during growth.

Gardeners make considerable use of vege-
table mould (n.), which is soil containing a
large proportion of decayed or decaying
vegetable matter, especially leaves and
small roots. In a general sense the word
vegetal (vej ' e tal, adj.) has the same meaning
as vegetable, and implies a contrast with
animal. Scientists, however, also use the
word in the sense of common to both plants
and animals, when speaking of the functions
of growth, nutrition, circulation, and secre-
tion, which they term the vegetal functions.

The substitute for ivory or coral called
vegetaline (vej' e ta lin, n.) is obtained by
treating wood fibre with sulphuric acid.
A vegetarian (vej e tar' i an, n.) is a person
who lives wholly or largely on vegetable
food. A strictly vegetarian (adj.) diet
excludes milk and eggs, besides all animal
foods involving the destruction of life.
Vegetarian cookery is concerned with the
preparation of foods eaten by vegetarians.
Vegetarianism (vej e tar' i a nizm, n.) is the
practice or doctrine of vegetarians.

To vegetate (vej' e tat, v.i.)^is to grow in
the manner of a plant. A man is said to
vegetate if he leads a dull, monotonous
life, without social interests or mental'
activity. His existence is regarded as being
similar to that of a vegetable, and is de-
scribed figuratively as vegetation (vej e ta'
shun, n.). In a literal sense, vegetation
denotes the action of growing as a vegetable,
and, also, plants collectively, or plant life.
When we say that a hill is covered with
vegetation we mean that it is overgrown

4461

VEHEMENT

VEIL

with trees, bushes, and other plants. In a Vehmgericht (fam' ge rikht), n. A

general sense the word vegetative (vej' e kind of secret tribunal which was held

ta tiv, adj.] means having the power of in Germany during the Middle Ages and

growth: in botany and physiology it has later, pi. Vehmgerichte (fam' ge rikh te).

the special meaning of concerned with (F. Vehme, cour vehmique, tribunal des

growth and development. Vegetative cells francs-juges.)

have the quality of vegetativeness (vej ' e ta The Vehmgericht prevailed especially in

tiv nes, n.). Westphalia, and exercised a powerful" in-

O.F. vegetable capable of growing, L.L. vege- fluence. The more serious criminal cases

tabilis, from L. vegetus animated, lively, from were tried in the Vehmic (fa/ mik adj )

vegere to quicken, arouse ; cp. vigour. court by night in secret sessions.

vehement (ve e ment), adj. Caused G., from vehme (now fehme, fehm) judgment,

by, or exhibiting, impetuous, strong feeling doom, gericht court, tribunal,

or excitement ; fervent ; passionate ; act- veil (val), n. A piece of more or less

ing with great force
or violence. (F. vehd-
ment, fervent, ardent,
passionne, violent.}

A vehement protest
is one uttered in for-
cible or impassioned
language. It shows
that the speaker is
influenced by strong
emotions, and it dis-
plays vehemence (ve'
e mens, n.), that is,
passionate force or
excitement. We speak
also of the vehemence,
or great violence, of a
storm, and of chemical
reactions that take
place with more or less
vehemence, or ve-
hemency (ve' e men si,
n.} — a rare word. Some
revivalists preach
vehemently (ve' e ment
li, adv.], that is,
ardently, or with
violent language, dis-
playing great emotion.

transparent fabric
worn to hide or protect
the face ; a piece of
linen, etc.. forming
part of a nun's head-
dress ; a covering,
curtain, or screen ; a
mask or disguise ; a
pretext ; in anatomy,
etc., a veil-like mem-
brane ; in music, a
slight want of clearness
in the voice, v.t. To
cover with or as if
with a veil ; to hide
or disguise ; in music,
to obscure (the voice)
slightly. (F. voile,
deguisement, pretexte ;
v oiler, deguiser,
sombrer.)

In many Moham-
medan countries the
women are still re-
quired to be veiled in
public. Turkish
women, until recently,
wore the yashmak, a
veil concealing the face

F., from L. vehemens (ace. -ent-em) ; probably below the eyes. They now go about
from vehe = ve- apart, and mens (ace. ment-em] veilless (val' les, adj.], or without veils. In
mind, hence = out of one's mind. SYN. : the Roman Catholic Church the veils of most
Ardent, eager, fervid impetuous, violent. ANT.: orders of nuns are black> but a few are

Veil. — A bride, wearing a long veil, leaving home
fo.- her wedding.

Calm, indifferent, mild, restrained, weak.

distinguished by white veils. A woman is

vehicle (ve' ikl), n. Any kind of a said g, take ^ veil when she Decomes

carriage or conveyance used on land ; a
means of conveyance or transmission ; a

a nun.

*u^s«*u«* v^i *_/vy.iA v v/ y (jm\-,\^ V^i l*KC»U0JLUA0iUvU , Cfc __ _ .- . 1 J

liquid that serves as a medium for a pigment During Lent veils, or coverings, are placed

or medicine; any person or thing used over crucifixes, images and pictures in

_. f T> ^ «-*-»*-» ••-•. /^*-» 4-Vk ^1-i s\ r\-r^r^ *-\4-H.r\-»- r* K 1 1 T"^ V» £kO 1 n r\

as a medium for conveying thoughts,

feelings, etc. (F. voiture, vehicule.

Roman Catholic and other churches, and
in former times a veil or curtain was hung

To-day there are more vehicles on the between the altar and the choir A similar
roads than ever before, and in busv towns veil,of precious cloth separated the sanctuary

the regulation of vehicular (ve hik' u lar,

temple from the mam part of

, .

adj.) t?affic, or that carried on by vehicles, the building When Christ was crucified

is a most difficult matter. Prose is the this veil was rent in twain (Mark xv, 38 .

usual vehicle for the expression of one's Smce a vei1 serv?s as a covering or conceal-

thoughts ; the sculptor, however, chooses ment> we are said to draw °J ^9^ a vei1

stone as a vehicle, or medium, of expression. over soxme event whjn w.e hl*h ^ UP' °r

Artists' pigments are reduced to a proper refrain from talking about it. Veiled resent-

working state bv mixing them with some ment 1S a Partly Bidden emotion, wh5ch,

vehicle, such as " oil or water. however, is still apparent to other people.

From L. vehiculum conveyance, dim. from Many of the finest dramatic singers have

-.ehere to carry. Sv;i. : Conveyance, medium. possessed what is called a veiled voice,

4462

VEIN

VELOCITY

that is, a voice sounding as if it had passed
through some interposed medium. When
the veil is slight, as in the case of Jenny
Lind, it gives richness to the voice, but
when pronounced, it is regarded as a defect.

Anything serving as a veil or curtain is
a veiling (val' ing, n.}. In photography
this word denotes indistinctness or blurring
in a film or plate. The material of which
veils for the face are made is also known
as veiling.

O.F. veile, L. velum covering, veil. See velum.
SYN. : n. Cover, curtain, mask. v. Conceal,
hide, screen. ANT. : v. Disclose, reveal, uncover,
unveil.

vein (van), n. One of the blood-vessels
that carry the blood back to the heart ;
any blood-vessel ; one of the ribs in a leaf
or insect's wing ; in geology, a fissure or
crack in rock filled with deposited matter ;
a streak or stripe of a different shade or
colour in wood, marble, etc. ; any dis-
tinctive trait, tendency, or cast of mind ;
a particular mood or disposition, v.t. To
fill, cover, or mark with, or as with, veins.
(F. veine, humeur, disposition; veiner.)

In a loose sense, the arteries and capillaries
are described as veins. Of the latter, only
those which carry the blood directly into
the veins on its return journey to the heart
can be so described. A special name
for a minute vein of this kind is veinlet
(Van' let, n.). The delicate wings of insects
are supported by horny tubular thickenings
called veins or nervures.

Many valuable metals are obtained from
veins in rock, which may vary considerably
in thickness from a mere thread-like deposit
to one hundreds of feet thick. Such a vein
may also contain worthless minerals, known
as the gangue or veinstone (van' ston, n.).
Some marbles are beautifully veined, but
in others the veining (van' ing, n.), or
veined appearance, is considered a defect.
Sculptors, for instance, require veinless (van'
les, adj.) Carrara marble, or marble of this
kind unmarked by veins, but owing to its
usually veiny (van' i, adj.) nature, large
blocks entirely free from veins are difficult
to procure.

The process of ornamenting with vein-
like (adj.) markings, or ones resembling veins,
is also termed veining. In a figurative
sense we speak of a vein, or strain, of satire
running through a book, or of its being
written in an ironical vein. We are in the
vein when in a fit humour for something.

F. veine, L. vena, from vehere to carry. SYN. :
n. Mood, nervure, strain, streak.

velamen (ve la/ men), n. A mem-
branous covering or envelope, pi. velamina
(ve la' mi na). Another form is velamen -
tum (vel a men' turn) — pi. velamenta (vel a
men' ta). (F. involucre.}

The membranous, or velamentous (vel a
men' tus, adj.), envelopes enclosing parts of
the brain are termed velamina by anatomists.

In botany the sheath of an aerial root, such
as that of a tree-orchid, is called a velamen.

L. = covering, from veldre to veil.

velar (ve' lar). For this word, and
velarium, see under velum.

velatura (vel a toor'a),n. The glazing
of a picture by rubbing on a thin coating
of colour with the hand, as in early Italian
paintings.

Ital., from velar e, to veil, cover.

veldt (felt), n. In South Africa, a
tract of open, especially treeless, country
suitable for pasturage. Another spelling is
veld (felt). (F. veld, veldt.)

A veldt-shoe (n.) or veldt-schoen (felt'
shen, n.) is a light shoe without heels, made
of untanned hide. This name is also given
to a kind of shoe for children.

Dutch = field, open country.

vellum (vel' um), n. A fine parchment,
originally made of calf-skin ; a manuscript
written on material of this kind. (F. velin.)

Paper made to imitate vellum is called
vellum-paper (n.).

O.F. velin, from L. vitulinus (vitulus calf).

veloce (ve 16' cha), adv. In music
in rapid time, very swiftly. (F veloce.)

Ital., from L. velox. See velocity.

Velocipede.— A velocipede is A two-wheeled vehicle
propelled by the feet.

velocipede (ve los' i ped), n. A
vehicle propelled by the foot ; an early
kind ojE cycle. (F. velocipede.)

The velocipede was in use during the
early part of the nineteenth century. It
was propelled by thrusting with the feet.
The addition of driving mechanism led to
the development of the bicycle. The rider
of a velocipede was called a velocipedist (ve
los' i ped ist, n.).

From L. velox (ace. -de-em) rapid and pes
(ace. ped-em) foot.

velocity (ve los' i ti), n. Rapid motion ;
swiftness ; rate of motion, especially of
inanimate things. (F. velocite.)

One of the first scientific lessons we learn

4463

VELUM

VENATIG

at school explains the relative velocity of on a silk background and cutting off their

light and sound, so that we understand tips. Velveret (vel' ver et, n.) is a poor

how it is that we see the lightning before quality of velvet which is usually backed

we hear the thunder, although both take with cotton. This fabric is also called

place at the same time. A velocimeter cotton-velvet (n.), which term is also used

(vel 6 sim7 e ter, n.) is an apparatus for for the imitation velvet made entirely of

measuring velocity.

Through F. velocite from L. velocitds (ace.
-dt-em] speed, from velox swift. SYN. : Celerity,
speed, swiftness.

velum (ve7 him), n. A membrane ; a
membranous veil or partition, especially the
soft palate, pi. vela (ve' la). (F. voile.}

The soft palate is a soft drooping mass
forming a velum, or veil, between the mouth
and the upper part of the pharynx. Such
sounds as gw, and qu are called velar
(ve7 lar, adj.] because they are produced
by the aid of the velum.

A very different kind of velum was the
velarium (ve lar7 i um, n.}, or awning, which
was stretched above the seats in the roofless
theatres of ancient Rome, as a protection
against rain and sun.

L. velum veil, sail, from vehere to carry.

velure (vel7 ur), n. Velvet, or other
fabric resembling velvet ; a silk or velvet
pad for smoothing a silk hat. v.t. To brush
with this.

A velure may be made of silk, cotton,
or jute. Veloutine (vel u ten7, n.) is a corded
fabric ma.de of merino wool. In natural
history, anything which has a surface
looking or feeling like velvet, such as the
leaves of some plants and the bodies of

cotton, more often called velveteen (vel ve
ten', n.). As gamekeepers often wear
clothes of this material, a gamekeeper is
sometimes spoken of jokingly as velveteens
(n.pL).

A velvet pile (n.) is a soft nap or pile like
that of velvet, or a carpet or fabric having
such a pile. A material or surface is
velveted (vel7 vet ed, adj.) if covered or
trimmed with velvet. Cats have velvety
(vel7 vet i, adj.) paws, that is, soft like
velvet. The velveting (ver vet ing, n.) of
velvet is the pile. A stock of velveting is
a stock of velvet goods.

From L.L. velluetum, ultimately from L.
villus shag, shock, akin to vellus, fleece, fell.

vena (ve7 na), n. A vein. pi. venae
(ve7 ne). (F. veine.}

Among the largest veins of the body are
the two venae cavae, which together carry
all the blood of the body back to the heart.
The blood in the veins is called venous
(ve7 mis, adj.}. The words venous and
venose (ve7 nos, adj.} mean contained in
or relating to the veins or having many
veins. Venous is commonly used of the
veins of man and the larger animals, arid
venose of the veins of plants and insects.
When the blood in the arteries has not been

some caterpillars; is said to be velutinous

(ve lu7 ti mis, adj.}. sufficiently aerated, it retains its dusky

From O.F. velour velvet.

For this word

velveret (vel7 ver et).
see under velvet.

Velvet.

A veteran East Anglian weaver of velvet busy at his
hand-loom.

velvet (vel7 vet), n. A closely woven
fabric, usually of pure silk, with a pile on
one side ; anything resembling this ; the
furry skin on the young antlers of a deer.
(F. velours.}

Velvet is made by weaving loops of silk

venous character, and such venosity (ve nos'

i ti, n } may have serious results.

The arrangement of the veins of leaves

^^^^^^ and in the wings of insects is
called venation (ve na7 shun, n.},
venational (ve na7 shun al, adj.}
differences being used in classi-
fying plants and insects.
L. vena vein.

venal (ve7 nal), adj. Cap-
able of being bought over for
money ; capable of sacrificing
principles or honour for a money
gain ; mercenary ; sordid. (F.
venal.}

A venal public servant, that
is, one who accepted bribes,
would be instantly dismissed
from his post if discovered.
Venality (ve nal7 i ti, n.} of thi?
kind is rare in England, but
occasionally we read in our
newspapers of a civil servant
who has acted venally (ve7 nal
li, adv.}.
F., from L. vendlis for sale, from venus sale.

SYN. : Mercenary, purchasable, sordid. ANT. :

Honest, incorruptible, unpurchasable.

venatic (ve nat7 ik), adj. Of or relating

to or skilled in hunting ; fond of or living

by hunting, venatical (ve nat7 ik al) and

4464

VENATION

VENERATE

venatorial (ven a tor' i al) have the same
meaning. (F. de venerie, de chasse.}

Primitive man was venatic. A trapper
to-day may be said to live venatically (ve
nat' ik al li, adv.), as he lives by exchanging
the skins of the animals he catches for food
and other necessities.

From L. venaticus from venatus p.p. of vendrl
to hunt.

venation (ve na' shun). For this word
see under vena.

vend (vend), v.t. To sell ; to offer
(wares, usually small wares) for sale. (F.
vendre.)

Vender.— Muscular and cheery venders of fish in a street of Tokyo,
the capital of Japan.

A person who vends is a vender (vend' er,
n.) or a vendor (vend7 or, n.), and the person
to whom he sells is, in legal language,
a vendee (ven de', n.). An article which
is capable of being sold is vendible (vend' ibl,
adj.) and its vendibility (vend i bil' i ti, n.)
induces the purchaser to buy it.

From O.F. vendre, L. vender e = venundare
(venum sale, dare to give). SYN. : Hawk,
peddle, retail, sell. ANT. : Buy, purchase.

vendace (ven' das), n. A small,
delicately flavoured Scottish freshwater fish
(Coregonus vandesius), somewhat resembling
the herring. (F. vandoise, aubourj

The vendace occurs only in two Scottish
lakes. It is allied to the gwyniad.

From O.F. vendese dace.

Ven dean (ven de' an), adj. Of or
belonging to La Vendee, a maritime depart-
ment of western France. n. A native of
La Vendee. (F. vendeen ; Vendeen.)

Vendemiaire, which was the vintage
month, lasted from September 22nd to
October 2ist.

F., from L. vindemia vintage, from vlnum
wine demere to take away.

vendetta (ven det' a), n. A private
blood-feud, often hereditary; private warfare
or hatred. (F. vendetta))

In certain parts of the world, especially
in Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily, a vendetta
is often carried on from generation to
generation, the murder of one man being
avenged by the death of another, whose
relatives in turn take up the quarrel.

Ital., from L. vindicta revenge.
See vindicate, avenge. SYN. :
Blood-feud.

vendible (vend' ibl). For
this word and vendibility see
under vend.

veneer (ve ner'), v.t. To
overlay (an inferior wood) with a
wood of a superior quality ; to
put a thin coating on (pottery) ;
to disguise (character) by an
affectation of pleasing manners.
n. A thin, layer of superior
wood ; superficial polish. (F.

placage.)

he use of veneer is a very
important feature in furniture
manufacture, as a great deal of
our furniture consists of an in-
ferior wood, such as deal, covered
with a layer of a superior one,
such as mahogany . The veneer-
ner' Ing, «.) is done in the
factories, where a machine called the veneer-
cutter (n.), veneer-mill (n.), or veneer-saw
(n.) is used for the purpose. A person
whose education or manners are superficial
is said to have a veneer of education or of
manners.

G. furniren, from F. fournir to supply. See
furnish. SYN. : v. and n. Coat, disguise, gloss.

venerable (ven' er abl), adj. Worthy
of veneration or deep respect, especially
on account of age, personal character, etc. ;
worthy of reverence by reason of sacred
associations. (F. venerable.)

In the Roman and Anglican Churches an
archdeacon is described formally as the Vener-
able Archdeacon. We may say that a
white-haired old man has a venerable
appearance, or that his beard is venerably
(ven' er ab li, adv.) long.

When the venerability (ven er a bil' i tir

ing {ve

The Vendean risings (1793-95)? which n.), or venerableness (ven' er abl nes, n), of
were directed against the revolutionary a person's life has been officially proved
government, resulted in the defeat of the by the Roman Catholic .Church, he or she
royalist Vendeans and the extermination receives the title of " venerable." This is

the first step in canonization.

From L. venerdbilis from venerdrl to revere.
ANT. : Aged, respected, reverenced, sage.

venerate (ven' er at), v.t. To regard
or treat with admiration, respect, or defer-

of many noble families in the province.

vendee (ven de'). For this word see
under vend.

Vendemiaire (van da myar), n. The
first month of the French " revolutionary
calendar. (F. Vendemiaire.)

ence ; to revere. (F. venerer, reverer.]

4465

VENERY

VENOM

We venerate a man or woman, especially Venice and the country round have long

an old man or woman, who is carrying on been famous for Venetian glass (n.), a very

some noble work with great wisdom or fine and delicate kind, which is made

dignity. A feeling of veneration (ven er a/ into vases, mirrors, beads, and many other

shun, n.) is usually inspired by old institu- ^»-*-^i«^ TI^ i — -\, ~~ \r j.:__ i —

Anyone who venerates

tions and customs.

is a venerator (ven7 er a tor, n.}. A person
inclined to venerate others may be said to
be venerative (ven7 er a tiv, adj.}.

From L. venerdtus p.p. of venerdri to revere.
SYN. : Admire, honour, reverence, worship.
ANT. : Despise, dishonour.

venery (ven7 er i), n. The art or practice
of hunting ; the chase. (F. venerie, chasse.)

This word is often seen in old books.
A.t one time it meant also the game hunted
and a kennel in which hunting-dogs were
kept.

O.F. venerie from L. vendrl to hunt.

venesect (ven7 e sekt), v.i. To let blood
by opening a vein. (F. saigner.}

In .former times surgeons usually vene-
sected by opening a vein in the patient's arm.
The operation of venesection (ven e sek7
shun, n.}, which allows a quantity of blood
to escape, was once a common remedy for
many disorders.

From L. vena vein and sectus p.p. of secdre
to cut.

Venetian glass. — Venetian glass, also called Venice glass, Venice
being the chief centre of manufacture of this beautiful glass-ware.

Venetian (ve ne7 shan), adj. Relating
to the city or province of Venice, in north
Italy, n. A native or citizen of Venice ; a
Venetian blind. (F. venitien; Venitien,
jalousie.}

The city of Venice is built on numbers of
small islands in a lagoon. Canals largely
take the place of streets, and the gondola
is used instead of wheeled vehicles.

A Venetian blind (n.) is a window-blind
composed of a large number of horizontal
wooden slats mounted at each end on a tape
ladder. The slats can be drawn up flat
against one another into a small space or
r">e let down and turned to shut out or admit
light. A venetianed (ve ne7 shand, adj.)
house is one fitted with Venetian blinds.
Powdered talc is called both Venetian chalk
(n.) and French chalk.

articles. The lace known as Venetian lace
(n.) is a point-lace worked in high relief. A
Venetian window (n.) has three separate
openings, the arched central portion having
a flat-topped part on each side of it.

From L. Ven'etia land of the Venetl, E. suffix -an.

vengeance (ven7 jans), n. Punish-
ment inflicted in return for a personal
injury or an offence against others ; retri-
bution. (F. vengeance, recompense.}

The blood of a murdered man is said to
cry aloud for vengeance. A vindictive
man can be described as vengeful (venj 7 ful,
adj.}, and his vengefulness (venj7 ful nes, n.}
may cause him to act vengefully (venj7
ful li, adv.}, or in a revengeful manner,
towards the person who has wronged him.

The phrase with a vengeance means to an
extreme or excessive degree.

F., from venger, L. vindicdre to avenge, requite.
See vindicate. SYN. : Retribution, revenge.
ANT. : Forgiveness, pardon.

venial (ve7 ni al), adj. Excusable ; not
very serious ; in the Roman Catholic
Church, (of sins) not deadly.
(F. veniel, pardonnable.}

A venial offence is a fault, or
folly that may be pardoned. In
Roman Catholic theology, venial
sins are those which do not en-
danger the salvation of the soul.
The venial ity (ve ni al7 i ti, n.}
of an action does not mean
that it is not blameworthy,
but that it is not a deadly
wickedness. To act venially
(ve7 ni al li, adv.} is therefore
to commit a small fault.

From L.L. venidlis from venia
pardon. SYN. : Pardonable. ANT. :
Heinous, inexcusable, mortal,
unpardonable.

Venice (ven7 is), a dj .
Venetian. (F. de Venise.}

The beautiful Venetian glass is sometimes
called Venice glass (n.).

venison (ven7 zon : ven7 i zon), n.
The flesh of the deer when used as food.
(F. venaison.}

O.F. veneison from L. vendtio (ace. -on-em)
from vendrl to hunt.

Venite (ve ni7 te), n. Psalm xcv ; a
musical setting of this.

The Venite, " O come let us sing," is
used as a canticle. Its title is the first
word of the Latin version.

venom (ven7 6m), n. The poison of
serpents, scorpions, and other creatures;
in poetry, poison generally; spite, malignity;
v.t. To poison or infect with venom ; to
embitter; to envenom. (F. venin, rancune,
malignite; empoisonner, envenimer.}

The venom of snakes is secreted in a

4466

GRACEFUL GONDOLAS AND STATELY BUILDINGS ON A VENETIAN WATERWAY

Venetian. — Gondolas laden with tourists and goods on a busy Venstian canal. On the !eft is the
Doge's Palace, which dates from the fourteenth century. It is connected with the state prison on
the right by the Bridge of Sighs, across which many an unfortunate political offender passed to
darkness and death in earlier times. Venice was formerly a republic, then an oligarchy, with a doge
or duke at ths head of affairs. It became part of th? kingdom of Italy in 1866.

Factna I3aue 4467

VENOSE

VENTRICOS£

gland behind the fangs, through which it
is emitted in the act of biting. The only
venomous (ven' orn iis, adj.) British snake
is the viper, and its venomousness (ven '6m
us nes, n.) is, in -the case of some persons, very
dangerous, and always quite sufficient to
make it a creature to avoid. Venomed (ven'
omd, adj.] or venomous words are malevolent
or injurious ones. One who speaks veno-
mously (ven' 6m us li, adv.), or spitefully, of
other people may do them more harm than
would the venom of a viper.

From O.F. venim, L. venenum venom.

venose (ve" nos). For this word,
venous, etc., see under vena.

From L. venosus, from vena vein.

vent [ij (vent), n. A hole made to
allow the passage of air, liquid, or fumes ;
the touch-hole of a gun ; an outlet. v.t. To
make a vent in ; to give expression to ; to
utter. (F. soupirail, lumiere, issue ; forer,
percer, donner libre cours a, exhaler.)

Children find a vent, or outlet, for their
high spirits by shouting and chasing each
other ; an angry man vents, or gives vent to,
his feelings by acts or words.

A vent-hole (n.) is a small hole bored in
the top of a cask to admit air and so allow
the contents to run out through a tap. This
hole is closed by a pointed wooden vent-peg
(n.), or vent-plug (n.). The latter word
may also mean a plug for stopping a touch-
hole. In a wind instrument, such as the
flute, each of the holes to be covered by a
finger or by a key is called a ventage (vent7
ij, n.). If the mould for a casting were
ventless (vent' les, adj.), that is, without
vents, trapped air would prevent the molten
metal filling it.

Partly F. vent, L. ventus wind ; partly F. event
air-hole, from L. e- out, ventus wind. SYN. : n.
Aperture, outlet, utterance.

vent [2] (vent), n. A slit in the back of
a coat.

Karlief fent, F. fente cleft, -from fcndre, L.
findere to split.

vent [3] (vent), v.i. Of an otter or other
hunted animal, to take breath, n. The act
of venting.

The otter is said to vent when it comes
to the surface to breathe. Hunters track
the animal by watching for its vents.

F., from L. ventus wind.

ventiduct (ven'ti diikt), n. A passage
or conduit, especially a subterranean one,
used for ventilation. (F. ventouse.)

From L. ventus wind, and duct.

ven til (ven' til), n. A valve in a
musical instrument ; a shutter for regu-
lating the flow of air to the various groups
of stops in an organ.

G., from L.L. ventile sluice, shutter.

ventilate (ven' ti lat), v.t. To supply
with fresh air ; to cause (air) to circulate
in a room ; to oxygenate (the blood) ; to
make public ; to submit to examination
and discussion. (F. ventiler, aerer, publier.)

There was a time when very little attention
was paid to ventilation (ven ti la/ shun, #,)
of buildings, but to-day it is very different.
Great care is taken to ventilate schools,
factories, and houses properly, and these
ventilative (ven' ti la tiv, adj.) measures
have undoubtedly done a great deal of good.

People with grievances are said to ventilate
them when they give them publicity by hold-
ing meetings or writing letters to newspapers
about them. As a ventilator (ven' ti la tor,
n.) of this kind, the newspaper serves a
useful purpose. The term ventilator is
commonly applied to any device by which
fresh air is admitted to a room or mine.

From L. ventildre (p.p. ventildtus) to fan, to
blow, to winnow, from ventus wind. SYN. :
Air, discuss, publish. ANT. : Repress, stifle.

Ventilator. — The ship's ventilator on the left is of
iron ; the other is of canvas.

Ventose (va;* toz), n. The sixth
month of the French revolutionary calendar.
(F. Ventose.}

Ventose, which was the month of wind,
lasted from February igth to March 2oth.

F., from L. ventosus windy.

ventral (ven' tral), adj. Of, in, or
relating to, the abdomen ; on the anterior or
lower side or surface. (F. ventral.}

In botany and anatomy a ventral surface
is distinguished from a dorsal surface. The
ventral fins of a fish are placed on the
under side of the body, and are, therefore,
said to be situated ventrally (ven7 tral li, adv.).
Corpulent people are ventricose (ven' tri
kos, adj.). In botany a corolla or calyx that
swells out in the middle is said to be
ventricose. A ventricose shell is one similarly
shaped.

From L. ventrdlis from venter abdomen.

ventricle (ven' trikl), n. In anatomy, a
small cavity or hollow, especially in the heart
or brain. (F. ventricule.)

The two lower chambers of the heart
are called ventricles. There are also ventri-
cular (ven trik' u lar, adj.) spaces, or ones
having the nature of ventricles, in the brain.
Ventricular meningitis is an inflammation of
these cavities. It is the ventricular con-
traction of the heart that keeps the blood
moving round the body.

From L. ventriculus dim. of venter abdomen.-

ventricose {ven' tri kos). For this
word see under ventral.

4467

VENTRILOQUISM

VERACIOUS

ventriloquism (ven tril' 6 kwizm), n.
The act or art of speaking in such a manner
as to cause the hearers to believe that
the sounds come from a source other
than the person speaking. Another form
is ventriloquy (ven tril' 6 kwi, n.). (F.
ventriloquie.}

True ventriloquism depends on the appre-
ciation and imitation of the value of sounds
at given distances, but the ventriloquial
(ven tri 16" kwi al, adj.], or ventriloquistic
(ven tri 16 kwis' tik, adj.), art that is practised
on the stage with the aid of a marionette
is largely a question of suggestion. The
ventriloquist (ven tril' 6 kwist, n.), when
he is going to ventriloquize (ven tril' 6
kwiz, v.i.), takes a deep breath, and then,
while speaking, keeps the muscles of the
mouth and throat as motionless as possible.

From L. venter (ace. ventr-em) belly, loqu to
speak, and -ism.

Ventriloquist. — A little patient in & hospital being entertained by a
ventriloquist and his marionette, dressed like a sailor.

venture (ven' chur), n. An under-
taking involving risk ; a commercial specu-
lation ; that which is risked ; a stake.
v.t. To expose (oneself, or something) to
risk ; to dare to stake, v.i. To dare ; to
run a risk ; to take chances. (F. risque,
hasard, speculation, enjeu ; hasarder, aven-
turev ; oser, s'aventurer.)

A foolhardy young man may be said
to be ready for any venture. Old people
are wise not to venture out of doors when
an east wind is blowing. The senior
member of a firm may be annoyed if a
junior ventures, or dares, to point out a
mistake.

Ahab, King of Israel, was slain (2
Chronicles, xviii, 33) by a Syrian, who drew a
bow at a Venture, that is, fired at random,
against the Israelites. The word venturer
(ven' chur er, n.) is an archaic shortened
form of adventurer, meaning one who
nakes a trading venture.

Some children are very venturesome (ven'
chur som, adj.), or venturous (ven' chur us,

adj.), that is, ready to take risks, climbing
venturesomely (ven' chur som li, adv.), or
venturously (ven' chur us li, a-dv.), up trees,
or showing their venturesomeness (ven'
chur som nes, n.), or venturousness (ven'
chur us nes, n.), which means their daring
nature, by other dangerous pranks.

Aphetic for adventure. SYN. : n. Chance,
hazard, risk, speculation.

venue (ven' u), n. The county or place
where the jury is summoned for a trial ;
in extended use, the scene of an event
or series of events. (F. voisinage.)

This term is used by lawyers to indicate
the place where a crime is alleged to have
been committed, and where, in accordance
with the provisions of the law, a jury must
be summoned and the trial held. In
exceptional cases change of venue is allowed
and the trial takes place elsewhere, in order
that the prisoner may not suffer from local
prejudice, or to prevent the
occurrence of a riot.

F. verbal n. from venir, L. venire
to come. SYN. : Locality, position,
site, whereabouts.

Venus (ve' mis), n. The
Roman goddess of love and
beauty ; the corresponding Greek
goddess Aphrodite ; the second
planet from the sun. (F. Venus.)
The two most famous statues
of Venus are the Venus of Cnidus
after Praxiteles, and the Venus
of Milo or Melos. After her was
named the bright planet which
comes between Mercury and the
earth.

Among the plants named
after the goddess are the wild
teasel, Venus's basin (n.), so
called because of the water
which collects in the hollows
formed by the opposite pairs of
leaves. The shepherd's needle (Scandix
Pecten-Veneris) is called also Venus's comb
(n.) and lady's comb, because of the slender
tapering beaks of the seed-vessels, which re-
semble the teeth of a comb. Venus's looking-
glass (n.) — Specular ia speculum — is so called
from the resemblance of the flower to an
ancient round mirror with a straight handle ;
and Venus's slipper (n.) — Cyprepedium — also
known as lady's slipper, is an orchid with
flowers shaped somewhat like a broad slipper.
The marine shell-fish of the genus Venus, some
of which are valued as food, are known as Venus
shells (n.pl.) because of the beauty of their
shells. A kind of sponge is called Venus' s flower-
basket (n.), and a sea-fan, Venus's fan (n.).
veracious (ve ra' shus), adj. Habitu-
ally truthful ; characterized by accuracy
or truth. (F. vdridique.)

The best newspapers give an interesting
but veracious account of what is happening,
and their reporters write veraciously (ve
ra/ shiis li, adv.) of what they see and hear.
The veracity (ve ras' i ti, n.) of a statement

4468

VERANDA

VERDANT

by an historian or explorer is sometimes
questioned, as in the famous case of Dr.
Cook, who claimed to have reached the
North Pole.

From L. ver ax (ace. -de-em) and -acious.
SYN. : Accurate, honest, trustworthy, truthful.
ANT. : Evasive, false, mendacious, perjured.

veranda (ve ran' da), n. A light,
roofed gallery or portico running along the
front or side of a house. Another form is
verandah (ve ran' da). (F. veranda.)

From Port, and Span, varanda railing, perhaps
from vara rod.

veratrum (ve ra7 trum), n. The hellebore ;
a genus of plants comprising the hellebore.
(F. vsratre)

From the roots of the hellebore is ob-
tained veratrine (ve ra' trin ; ver' a trin,
n.}, an extremely poisonous alkaloid com-
pound, which is sometimes used as a local
irritant in neuralgia.

L. veratrum hellebore.

verb (verb), n. The part of speech
which makes a statement about a person
or thing. (F. verbe.)

The original meaning of verb was " spoken
word." Although it is not now used in
this sense, we still mean by verbal (ver7 bal,
adj.} instructions, those given by word of
mouth, as opposed to written instructions.
A verbal translation is a literal one.
A verbal prefix is a syllable placed before
a verb, as com- in compose. A verbal noun
is one derived from a verb ; it may be used
as the subject of a sentence or the object of
a transitive verb. An account of verbs is
given in volume I, pages xl to xlvi.

A verbalist (ver7 bal ist, n.) is one who
examines words very closely, or is con-
cerned with words as words rather than as
parts of sentences. Minute attention to
words is verbalism (ver7 bal izm, n.). We
verbalize (ver7 bal Iz, v.t.), or verbify (verb7 i
fi, v.t.), a noun or adjective when we use it
as a verb, as in the phrases " to carpet a
floor," " to brown a cake." We verbalize
(v.i.) if we become wordy. The process of
verbalizing a word, or its state of being
verbalized, is verbalization (ver ba II za'
shun, n.}.

A message sent by word of mouth is
delivered verbally (ver' bal li, adv.), that is,
in spoken words ; and if delivered exactly
as given it is verbally correct, that is, correct
as regards the repetition of the original
words. The game called verbarium (ver
bar7 i um, n.) consists in making as many
words as possible out of given letters. A
piece of poetry learned as a lesson must
be repeated verbatim (ver ba7 tim, adv.],
that is, word for word, to score full marks.

From L. verbum word, akin to E. word.

verbena (ver be7 na), n. A genus of
herbs and undershrubs belonging to the
order Verbenaceae. (F. verveine.)

Most of the known species of verbena
are natives of America. The British species,
Verbena officinahs, also called vervain, which

is found on waste ground and by the road-
side, has dense spikes of lilac flowers and a
stiff branching stem. The lemon-scented
verbena (Lippia citriodora), valued in
gardens for its fragrant leaves, is a verbena-
ceous (ver be na7 shiis, adj.) plant, that is,
one belonging to the order Verbenaceae.
Many beautiful varieties of the genus Verbena
are grown in our garden.

L. = branch of laurel, olive, or myrtle used
in religious ceremonies, akin to verber a rod.

Verbena. — Blooms of the verbena, most species of
which are natives of America.

verbiage (ver7 bi ij), n. Wordiness; the
use of superfluous words. (F. verbiage.)

A public speaker who knows little about
his subject or who wishes to impress his
hearers with his command of language may
indulge in verbiage.

Inexperienced writers often have a verbose
(ver bos, adj.), that is, wordy, style. Ver-
bosity (ver bos7 i ti, n.), or verboseness (ver
bos7 nes, «.), is the quality of being verbose.
It is a very serious fault in writing or
speaking, for it produces diffuseness and
obscurity. Verbose or prolix speakers are
usually very dull.

The word verbicide (ver7 bi sid, n.) is
used facetiously to mean the habit of using
words in wrong or perverted senses, or else
a person, like Mrs. Malaprop, who does
this.

F., from L. verbum and -age. SYN. : Circum-
locubion, periphrasis, tautology, wordiness.
ANT. : Brevity, conciseness, succinctness, terse-
ness.

verdant (ver7 dant), adj. Green; fresh
or flourishing ; covered with growing grass ;
unsophisticated. (F. verdoyant.)

The grass is usually verdant in the spring,
but it becomes less so in the summer,
especially if the weather- is hot and rainless.
This verdancy (ver7 dan si, n.) is very
pleasant to the eye, and fields where the
grass grows verdantly (ver7 dant li, adv.)
are very refreshing. A simple youth, easily
tricked by those with more worldly know-
ledge, may be called verdant. Verd-
antique (ver dan tek7, n.) is an ornamental
building stone composed chiefly of serpentine,
usually green and often mottled or veined.

4469

VERDERER

VERIFY

A green incrustation on old bronze is also
called verd-antique. In heraldry a crest
charged with flowers is said to be verdee
(ver' da, adj.).

Probably O.F. verdeant, L. viridans (ace.
-ant-em) pres. p. of viriddre to grow green. SYN. :
Fresh, green, innocent, raw. ANT. : Dry, parched,
sophisticated, withered.

verderer (ver' der er), n. A former
judicial officer having charge of the trees and
beasts of chase in royal forests. (F. verdier.)

Extended (like poulterer, upholsterer, etc.)
from obsolete E. verder, O.F. verdier ; cp.
L.L. viriddrius. See vert.

verdict (ver' dikt), n. The decision
of a jury after consideration of the facts
in the trial of an action in a court of law ;
decision ; judgment. (F. verdict, jugement,
decision.)

Many cases in the law courts are decided
by a jury, who give a decision or verdict
on the facts submitted to them, leaving it
to the judge to apply the law in accordance
with their finding. An open verdict (n.)
is one which reports that a crime has been
committed, but does not name the guilty
person. Such a verdict is usually returned
by a coroner's jury, when they are satisfied
that murder has been committed, but have
no evidence as to the person responsible
for the deed. A special verdict (n.) is
returned when a jury puts certain facts on
record, but leaves the judge to decide the
application of the law to those facts.

O.F. verdit, L. vere dictum true pronounce-
ment (vere truly, dictum p.p. of dlcere to say).
SYN. : Conclusion, decision, finding.

verdigris (ver' di gres ; ver Mi gris), n.
A green or greenish - blue compound formed
by acetic acid acting on copper,
used in medicine ; a green or |
bluish deposit on copper or brass. I
(F. vert-de-gris.)

Verdigris is an irritant poison, J
the best antidote being white of |
egg. It is still used to some |
extent in dyeing and calico
printing, but as a pigment it has
been largely replaced by an
aniline product.

From O.F. vert de Grece, green of
Greece.

verditer (ver' di ter), n. A
basic carbonate of copper yield-
ing blue and green pigments. (F.
verdet.)

From O.F. vert deterre earth green.

verdure (ver' dyiir), n.
Greenness ; green fresh vegeta-
tion. (F. verdure.)

Poets often speak of the spring
clothing the earth with verdure,
meadows are verdurous (ver' dyur us, adj.),
verdured (ver' dyurd, adj.), or covered with
verdure in May. Deserts with oases are
not entirely verdureless (ver' dyur les, adj.)
or without verdure.

O.F. verd (F. vert, L. vivridis) green and -ure.

veretn (fe rin'), n. In Germany, an
organized society of persons or parties ;
a group.

G., from ver- (= E. for-), ein one.

verge [i] (verj), n. The extreme edge,
brink or margin ; a narrow strip of grass
between a flower-bed and a path ; a bounding
strip of land ; a wand of office ; a shaft or
spindle in certain mechanisms. (F. bord,
lisiere, verge.)

A dispute between two states may bring
them to the verge of war before an agree-
ment is reached. A verger (verj' er, n.) is
a person who looks after a church, shows
people to seats, and does other duties ; or
an official who carries a staff before a bishop.
His post or office is called a vergership
(verj' er ship, n.).

F., from L. virga rod.

verge [2] (verj), v.i. To approach ;
to border (on, upon). (F. pencker, tenir de.)

In a figurative sense, a boy's reply may
be said to verge on insolence when it is
rather insolent. The word vergency (ver'
jen si, n.), formerly meaning the act of verg-
ing, is now used only in optics to denote the
reciprocal of the focal distance of a lens
as a measure of the divergence or con-
vergence of rays.

L. vergere to incline. SYN. : Approach, border.

vergee (ver je"), n. A land measure
of about four-ninths of an acre, used in the
Channel Islands. (F. vergee.)

O.F., from verge rod, perch.

veridical (ve rid' i kal), adj. Truthful;
veracious ; of dreams, phantasms, etc., cor-
responding to reality. (F. veridique.)

In the first sense this word is rare, except
in jest. A person accused of exaggeration

Verdure.— A Swiss pastoral : sheep feeding on the verdure of a
hillside in the canton of St. Gall.

English

may declare he is speaking veridically
(ve rid' ik al li, adv.).

From L. veridicus, from verus true and dlcere to
say, with E. suffix -al.

verify (ver' i fi), v.t. To prove or
test the truthfulness or correctness of ; to
affirm under oath ; to prove by sworn

4470

VERILY

VERMICULAR

testimony. (F. verifier, prouver, constater,
jurer.}

We verify a boy's account of his doings
if we make inquiries to find out if his story
is true, and a witness in a court of law verifies
a statement when he makes it under oath.
A statement which is capable of verification
(ver i fi ka' shun, n.), or proof, is verifiable
(ver' i fi abl, adj.), and its verifiability (ver
i fi a bir i ti, n.) makes it possible for a
verifier (ver' i fi er, n.) to discover if it is true.

O.F. verifier, L.L. verificdre (L. virus true,
-ficdre = facer e to make. SYN. : Authenticate,
confirm, establish, substantiate. ANT : Contra-
vene, countervail, rebut, subvert, weaken.

verily (ver' i li), adv. Certainly; in
fact ; assuredly. (F. certes, assurdment.)

This archaic word is familiar to us from
its frequent occurrence in the Bible.

From very and -ly. SYN. : Indeed, really,
truly, undoubtedly.

verisimilitude (ver i si mil' i tud), n.
The appearance of truth or reality ; prob-
ability ; likelihood ; a statement, apparently
true. (F. vraisemblance.)

If we say that a story has verisimilitude
we mean that it seems to be true, although
we are not absolutely certain about it.

L. verisimilitude, from ver I gen. of verus true,
similitude likeness.

veritable (ver' i tabl), adj. Real ;
true ; genuine ; properly so called. (F.

vrai, veritable.)

A veritable bargain may occasionally
be secured out of the second-hand box of a
bookseller. Most of the big London stores
hold sales every year, and in many cases
veritably (ver' i tab li, adv.) reduce prices to
below cost.

F., from veritds truth, and -able. SYN. : Actual,
genuine, positive. ANT. : False, sham, untrue.

verity (ver' i ti), n. Truth; the cor-
respondence of a statement with fact ; a
fact. (F. verite, veracite, fait.}

When we doubt the truth of a statement
we may be said to question its verity.
Anything which is true or really existent
is a verity, and we sometimes find the
expression "of a verity " meaning " in
truth " or " surely."

F. verite, L. veritas (from verus true) truth.
SYN. : Authenticity, reality, truth, veracity.
ANT. : Error, falsehood, falsity, inexactitude,
untruth.

verjuice (ver' joos), n. The sour juice
of unripe grapes, crab-apples, and other
fruits. (F. ver jus.)

., Ver juice is sometimes used in cooking
instead of vinegar. In a figurative sense,
the word means tartness of disposition, and
an ill-tempered person may be said to be
ver juiced (ver' joost, adj.}.

O.F. verjus, from vert green, jus juice.

vermeil (ver' mil), n. A transparent
varnish used to give a lustre to gilt ; silver-
gilt ; in poetry, vermilion. (F. vermeil.}

Vermeil was originally a red paint or
varnish used as a coat under gilding.

F., from L. vermiculus dim. of vermis (cochineal)
worm.

vermi— . This is a prefix meaning of or
relating to worms. (F. vermi-.}

Many creatures that are not true worms
are vermian (ver' mi an, adj.}, or worm-like.
Anything worm-shaped, like the tongue
of an ant-eater, is vermiform (ver' mi
form, adj.}. An apparently useless part of
the human intestines which has this shape
is called the vermiform appendix (n.).
Anything which pertains to worms, or re-
sembles a worm in its shape or movements,
is said to be vermicular (ver mik' u lar, adj.}.
Botanists use the word of the thick, round
winding roots of certain plants. Vermi-
vorous (ver miv' or us, adj.} animals eat
worms and grubs.

Some worms live in the intestines of other
animals, and any medicine or drug which
drives them out is called a vermifuge (ver'
mi fuj, n.}, and, if it kills them, a vermicide
(ver' mi sid, n.).

The curious wave-like movement of the
small intestines, by which food is kept
moving along, is called vermiculation (ver
mik u la' shun, n.), a word also applied to
the borings in worm-eaten wood, which
is vermiculated (ver mik' u lat ed, adj.),
although the winding passages in the wood
are not the work of worms but of grubs.

Combining form of L. vermis worm. See worm.

Vermicelli.— An Italian making vermicelli, long
threads of wheaten paste, a staple food in Italy.

vermicelli (ver mi sel' i ; ver mi
chel' i), n. Long slender threads of wheaten
paste. (F. vermicelle, vermicel.)

Vermicelli is an Italian food-stuff made
of flour, cheese, yolk of egg, sugar, and
saffron, formed into long, slender worm-like
masses. In England, it is chiefly used in
soups and broths.

Ital. = little worms.

• vermicular (ver mik' u lar). For this
word, vermiform, vermifuge, etc., see under
vermi-.

4471

VERMILION

VERSANT

vermilion (ver mil' yon), n. Cinnabar;
a bright red pigment obtained by grinding
cinnabar, or by the chemical treatment of
mercury and sulphur ; a red earth resembling
this ; the colour of this pigment or earth.
adj. Of this brilliant red or scarlet colour.
v.t. To colour or paint with vermilion or a
similar red. (F. vermilion; rouge vif ; ver-
millonner.)

Large quantities of vermilion are used by
painters, and in printing and the manu-
facture of sealing-wax. A child with a
healthily ruddy colour may be said to have
vermilion cheeks.

O.F. vermilion kermes, from L. vermiculus
dim. of vermis worm. See vermeil.

vermin (ver7 min), n. Offensive or des-
tructive animals collectively; parasitic in-
sects collectively; repulsive or vile people.
(F. vermine, canaille.)

Foxes, mice, rats, and rabbits, and many
insects are labelled vermin because of the
damage they do. Verminous (ver7 min us,
adj.) people' or animals are those infected
with vermin or insect parasites of an ob-
noxious kind, which are due generally to
uncleanliness. To verminate (ver7 min at,
v.i.) is to produce vermin. Dwelling-houses
found to be verminously (ver7 min us li,
adv.) unclean may be condemned by the
health authorities. A vermin-killer (n.) is
a substance or preparation for destroying
vermin.

From F. vermine, ultimately from L. vermis
worm.

Vermin. — The brown rat, probably the most
destructive of all vermin in the British Isles.

vermouth (var7 moot; ver7 mooth), n. A
mild cordial taken to promote the appetite.
Another spelling is vermuth (var7 moot ;
ver7 mooth). (F. vermout.)

Vermouth is made both in France and
Italy from white wine flavoured with worm-
wood and other aromatic herbs.

F., from G. wermuth. See wormwood.

vernacular (ver nak7 u lar), adj.
Spoken by the natives of a particular
country or district ; using, writing, or written
in the native language of a particular country
or district ; indigenous, n. The native tongue
or dialect of a country or district. (F. du
, natal; langue maternelle.)
he poems of Burns were written in the
vernacular, that is, in the language spoken
in the part of Scotland where he lived. A

Vernier. — A sextant, with
a vernier, or sliding scale.

vernacularism (ver nak7 u lar izm, n.) is a
vernacular idiom or word.

To vernacularize (ver nak7 fi lar Iz, v.t.)
a Latin work is to translate it into one of
the spoken languages, or translate it vernacu-
larly (ver nak7 u lar li, adv.) This change
may also be called an act of vernaculariza-
tion (ver nak u lar I za7 shun, n.).

From L. vernaculus native, indigenous (from
verna home-born slave) and E. suffix -ar.

vernal (ver7 nal), adj. Of, relating to,
occurring in, or suggesting the spring ; re-
lating to youth. (F. printanier.)

Vernal fancies and vernal hopes are those
of young people who are in the springtime
of life. Flowers which bloom vernally (ver7
nal li, adv.) are those which appear in spring.
The scent and
flavour of new-mown
hay is due to a
substance called cou-
marin, found in ver-
nal grass (n.), called
by scientists Antho-
xanthum odoratum.
The manner in which
leaves or fronds are
folded in the bud is
called vernation (ver
na7 shun, n.).

O.F., from L. vernalis
rare form of vernus
from ver spring.
vernier (ver7 ni er), n. A movable
scale for measuring fractional distances on
measuring instruments, such as barometers
and theodolites. (F. vernier.)
F., from inventor's name.
veronal (ver7 6 nal), n. A drug used
to induce sleep.

From the chemical substance vernin (from L.
vernus of the spring), and alkali.

Veronese (ver 6 nez7), adj. Of or relating
to Verona, a city and province in northern
Italy, n. A native or inhabitant of Verona.
pi. Veronese (ver o nez7). (F. veronais.)

veronica (ve ron7 i ka), n. A plant
belonging to the figwort family having blue,
pink, or white flowers, the speedwell; a
cloth bearing the image of Christ, especially
the legendary napkin of St. Veronica. (F.
veronique.)

The best known of the speedwells, or
veronicas, is the germander speedwell
(Veronica chamaedrys), but there are many
other British species.

The legendary St. Veronica is chiefly
associated with the story of the sudarium
or veronica bearing Christ's portrait (see
sudarium).

From the name of St. Veronica a L. form
of Gr. Berenike.

versant (ver7 sant), n. The slope or side
of a mountain or mountain-chain ; the ten-
dency to slope or descend, adj. Engaged or
skilled (in) ; conversant (with) ; concerned
(about). (F. versant; verse, au cour ant.)

F., from verser, L. versare frequentative of
vertere to turn.

4472

VERSATILE

VERSION

versatile (ver' sa til), adj. Able
to turn to or apply oneself easily to new
tasks or occupations ; many-sided ; change-
able ; variable ; in botany and zoology,
moving freely round or to and fro on its
s'upports. (F. flexible, complexe, versatile.}

A versatile man is one who can do several
things well. The Earl of Balfour (born 1848),
statesman, philosopher, scholar, musician, and
lawn-tennis player is a good example of
versatility (v£r sa til' i ti, n.). The heads
of insects are said to move versatilely (ver'
sa til li, adv.) if they move easily on the body.

L. versdtilis, from versdre to turn over, frequen-
tative of vertere to turn. SYN . : Adaptable,
manyrsided.

verse (vers), n. A metrical line ; a stanza,
or definite group of such lines, as in a hymn ;
language in metre, as opposed to prose ;
a division of a chapter in the Bible ; a
short part for a single voice in a liturgy
or an anthem, v.t. To put into verse, v.i.
To write -verses. (F. vers, stance, poesie,
verset; versifier.)

A single line of verse is usually dis-
tinguished from one of prose by its rhythm.

A verse of a hymn or ballad means one of a
series of short se'ctions of equal length repeat-
ing a similar rhythm, each forming a unit
composed of several lines.

The form of light witty poetry called
society verse is sometimes given the French
name vers de sociSte (var de so sya ta, n.).
A verseman (vers' man, n.), or verse-monger
(«.), is a writer of verse, especially of a poor
kind, and the act of writing such poetry
is verse-mongering (n.). A ,verselet (vers'
let, n.) is a short line of poetry, or a poem
in a few lines ; and a verset (ver' set, n.) is
a short piece of music composed for the
organ.

The versicular (ver sik' u lar, adj.) division
of the chapters of the Bible is the breaking
of them up into verses. A versicle (ver' sikl,
n.) is a sentence spoken by .the minister in
a religious service and replied to by' tHe
congregation. .<» i - " ..

To versify (ver' si f I, v.t.) .prose is to turn
it into prose. Poets versify \(v'.i.},^ "that; is,
write verses. The process or practice of
writing verses is versification (ver si fi^ ka'
shun, n.} ; the versification , of an idea is
its expression in verse. A versifier (ver' si
fi er, n.}, that is, one who writes verses, may
not be worthy of the name of poet.

M.E. fers, vers, A.-S. fers, L. versus turning,
line of poetry, so called because the line is turned
back ; from vers-us, p.p. of vertere to turn, akin
to A.-S. weorthan to become, G werden. See
worth [2]. ANT. : n. Prose.

versed (verst), adj. Experienced or
familiar ; proficient (in) ; in trigonometry,
turned about or reversed (of sines). (F.
ferr6, fort, vevse, cale.)

A man who is well versed in English
literature is a man who is familiar with the
works of the great writers. A versed sine is
obtained by subtracting the cosine from one.

From L. vers-us, p.p. of vertere to turn, E.
p.p. ending -ed. SYN. : Conversant, practised,
skilled. ANT. : Unskilled, unversed.

verselet (vers' let). For this word,
verset, versicle, etc., see under verse.

versicoloured (ver' si kul erd), adj.
Variegated ; changing from one colour to
another according" to differences of light.
(F. versicolore.)

From L. versicolor changing colour, from vertere
to turn, color hue.

versify (ver' si fi). For this word,
etc., see under verse.

m««*iiw«»a J vtuutgtgtotwm: put »!*»>*"$• -,?*•
tees* vt ptt»*a « fctttf* f&sa&Kif «> witrr* itsBTil ^

Version. — A page of the version of the Bible
prepared under Wyclif's direction about 1380-82.

version (yer' shun), n. That which
is translated or rendered from one language
into another ; a piece of translation ; state-
ment or description of something from a
particular point of view. (F. version.)
; The first complete' English version of the
Bible was the translation from the Latin
Vulgate ' finished under the direction of
John Wyclif about 1382.

A translation of a foreign book may be
said to be a versional (ver' shun al, adj.)
rendering of the original.

After knocking a man down, or running
over him, a motor driver may perhaps give
a version of the affair quite different from
that of another person who saw exactly
how the accident happened. Verso (ver' so,
n.) is a term used for the left-hand page of
a book, and also for the reverse or back of
a coin or medal.

L. versio (ace. -on-em) from versus p.p. of
vertere turn, change. SYN. : Account, translation.

D26

4473

117

VERST

VERTIGO

verst (verst), n. A Russian measure
of length equal to 3,500 English feet, or
about two-thirds of a mile. (F. verste.}

Rus. versta, from vert-iete to turn.

versus (ver' sus), prep. Against-
(F. contre.}

This word is used in cause lists (where
it may be abbreviated to v.) to denote a
legal action entered against one party by
another, as, for example, " John Doe versus
(or v.) Richard Roe." It is also used to
show the opposition of two teams in a match,
as, for example, "Lancashire v. Yorkshire."

L. = against, from vertere to turn.

vert (vert), n. In old forest law, trees
and shrubs which bear green leaves in a
forest and serve as a cover for deer , the
feudal right to cut green or growing wood ;
in heraldry, the tincture green. (F. verdure,
droit de verdure, sinople.)

F. = green, L. viridis, from virere, to be green,
probably akin to vlvere to live.

vertebra (ver' te bra), n. Each qf
the segments composing the spinal column
in man and other animals.
pi. vertebrae (ver' te brg). (F.
vertebre.)

The backbone is called the ^
vertebral (ver' te bral, adj.] column ,
because it consists of a number:
of vertebrae. All the higher
animals are vertebrated (yef'^te^.
bra ted, adj.), or provided with
backbones, the first traces of
vertebration (ver te bra' shun,
n.), or vertebral formation, being
found in the young of the lowly
creatures called sea-squirts or
ascidians. The rudimentary back-
bones of these organisms are
discarded in later life.

A vertebrate (ver' te brat, «.), or
vertebrate (adj.) animal, is a
member of the Vertebrata, a
great division of the animal king-
dom, which includes all animals
having a backbone or its equiva-
lent. Mammals, birds, reptiles,
amphibians, and fishes are all
vertebrates. The combining form
vertebro-, relating to the vertebrae,
is used in the formation of various
anatomical terms. The word
vertebrp-costal (ver te bro kos'
tal, adj.), for instance, means of,
connecting, or pertaining to the
vertebrae, and the ribs.

L. = joint, from verier e to turn.

vertex (ver' teks), n. The
highest point ; the summit ; in astronomy,
the zenith ; the point of an angle, cone,
etc. ; each of the angular points of a triangle ;
the crown of the head. £/. vertices (ver'tisez).
(F. sommet, time, zenith, sommet d'un angle.)

The vertex of an angle is the point at
which the two lines forming it meet.

L. = top, pole of the sky from vertere to turn.
SYN. : Apex, summit, top.

Vertebral. — The vertebral
column.

vertical (ver' ti kal), adj. Of, pertain-
ing to, or situated at the vertex or zenith ;
perpendicular to the plane of the horizon ;
upright ; of machinery, operating in an
upright position ; in anatomy, of, affecting,
or situated on, the vertex or crown of the
head. n. The perpendicular. (F. zenithal,
vertical; verticale.)

It is only in the tropics that the sun is
vertical, or directly overhead. Its verti-
cality (ver ti kal' i ti, n.), or fact of being
vertical, accounts for the great heat in
the torrid zone, due to the concentration of
the sun's rays. Butterflies often raise their
wings vertically (ver' ti kal li, adv.), or in a
vertical position, when resting on a flower
of leaf. The Lombardy poplar grows verti-
cally, or in a vertical direction. An object is
vertically under another when it is more or
less perpendicularly beneath it.
' In astronomy, a vertical plane (n.) is a
plane passing through the zenith at right
arigles to jtrhe? horizon. A vertical circle (n.)
is an azimuth-circle, or one that passes
/t<;\..''lthrbugh the zenith and the
! nadir, thus cutting the horizon
at right angles. The pairs of
opposite angles made by two
•intersecting lines are known as
vertical angles (n.pl.). The ver-
tical fins (n.pl.) of a fish are
' those' placed along the middle
liiife "either of the back or the
lower parts, namely, the dorsal,
anal, and caudal fins.

L'.L. verticdlis, from L. vertex (ace.
--ic-ert) summit. SYN. : adj. Perpen-
dicaiar, plumb, upright. ANT. : adj.
Horizontal, inclined, slanting, sloping.
verticil (ver' ti sil), n. In
botany, a whorl. (F. verticille.)

Parts of a plant arranged in a
whorl are said to be verticillate
(ver tis' i lat, adj.).
From L. verticillus.
vertigo (ver' ti go ; ver ti'
go), n. Giddiness ; dizziness.
(F. vertige.)

There are two kinds of ver-
tigo, the subjective, in which
the patient feels as if he were
whirling round, and the objec-
tive, in which objects surround-
ing him appear to be rotating.
Vertiginous (ver tij' i niis, adj.),
feelings, or sensations of vertigin-
ousness (ver tij' i mis nes, n.),
such as these, sometimes accom-
pany sea-sickness. Some people
are affected by vertigo when they look down-
wards from the tops of high buildings. In a
figurative sense, a rapid sequence of events
that dazes the mind may be described as a
vertiginous succession of events, causing
one's mind to react vertiginously (ver tij' i
nus li, adv.), or dizzily.

L. = a whirling round, from vertere to turn
round. SYN. : Dizziness, giddiness.

4474

VERTU

VESSEL

vertu (ver too'). This is another form
of virtu. See virtu.

vervain (ver' van), n. A plant of the
genus Verbena, especially the typical species,
Verbena officinalis. (F. verveine.)

F. verveine, L. verbena. See verbena.

verve (varv ; verv), n. Vigour, enthusiasm
or energy, especially when present in literary
or artistic work. (F. verve, brio, vivacite.)

A spirited picture is one painted with
verve. Much of Shelley's poetry has life and
verve, for it was written in the white heat
of inspiration.

F., found as early as the twelfth century,
originally = caprice, possibly L. verba words.
SYN. : Ardour, energy, enthusiasm, spirit, vigour.
ANT.: Dullness, flatness, tameness.

vervet (ver7 vet), n. A small South
African monkey (Cer co-
pith ecus pygerythrus) \
having greyish-green fur
and a black or blackish
face. (F. vervet.}

F., coined by the natur-
alist Cuvier, but from
what source is obscure. .

very (ver' i), adj.
True ; real ; actual ;
veritable ; being what
it appears or is repre-
sented to be; self-same.
adv. In a high degree ;
to a great extent; in
the fullest sense ; ex-
tremely ; exceedingly ;
greatly. (F. vrai, actuel,
veritable, meme ,* ires,
bien, fort.)

In the Nicene Creed,
in the Church o f
England Communion
Service, Christ is called
" Very God," which means True God, The
word is now archaic in this sense, but when
we wish to emphasize a noun denoting time,
for instance, we say "this very moment," or
"that very morning," etc. A suggestion is
described as the very thing when it exactly
suits the circumstances, or is just what is
needed. The adverb is often used to
intensify an adjective, as, a very red sunset,
the very last farthing.

M.E. and O.F. verrai (F. vrai) ultimately from
L. verus true, akin to Welsh gwir, G. wahr.

vesicle (ves' ikl), n. In anatomy and
botany, a little sac, cyst, cell, or other
hollow organ ; in physics, a spherule of
vapour or liquid ; in geology, a small
cavity caused by a gas bubble in volcanic
rock. (F. vesicule.)

The air sacs of the lungs are called air
vesicles. When a doctor examines a patient
with a stethoscope he may detect a vesicular
(ve sik' u lar, adj.) murmur, or one sounding
as though it were generated in these vesicles.
It was formerly thought that fogs were
formed of vesicles or vesicular particles of
vapour.

Vervet. — The vervet, a small South African
monkey. It has greyi

In medicine, the act or process of raising
a blister or blisters on the skin is termed
vesication (ves i ka' shim, n.). An applica-
tion used for this purpose is called a vesicant
(ves' i kant, n.) or a vesicatory (ves' i ka
to ri, n.), and is said to have vesicant (adj.)
or vesicatory (adj.) powers. The word
vesiculated (ve sik' u lat ed, adj.) means
having the nature of or containing small
cavities or vesicles.

From L. ve&lcula, dim. of ves tea bladder.

Vesper (ves' per), n. Hesperus, the even-
ing star ; (vesper) the evening ; (pi.) in the
Roman Catholic and Greek Churches, the
sixth of the seven canonical hours of the
breviary, said towards the evening, adj.
Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the
evening, or vespers. (F.
i'sitfJ Vesper, soir, vepres ;
vesper al.)

A vesper-bell (n.) is a
bell rung to summon
worshippers to vespers,
a service corresponding
to evensong in the
Church of England. An
office-book containing
psalms and anthems,
with musical settings, for
use at vespers is known
as a vesperal (ves' per
al, n.) ; so also is a
collection of antiphons,
containing chants for
the same service. In
the year 1282 the vesper-
bell gave the signal in
Sicily for the massacre
known in history as the
Sicilian Vespers (n.pl.).

Bats, owls, and other
creatures that are abroad in the evening are
described as vespertine (ves' per tin ; ves'
per tin, adj.) animals. Night-blooming, or
vespertine, flowers, such as the white
lychnis, are visited by vespertine moths.
L. — evening, akin to Gr. hesperos.
vespiary (ves' pi a r«), n. A nest of
wasps or hornets. (F. guepier.)

The rare word vespine (ves' pin, adj.)
means of or relating to wasps.

From L. vespa wasp and E. suffix -(i)ary.
vessel (ves 'el), n. A hollow receptacle,
especially one for holding liquids or food ;
a ship or craft of any kind, especially one
of some size ; in anatomy, a tube or duct
for containing or conveying blood or other
fluids ; in botany, a tubular structure
consisting of cohering cells carrying sap,
etc. ; a person regarded as a receiver or
container (of grace, etc.). (F. vase, vaisseau,
vase d' elect ion.)

The arteries, veins, and capillaries of the
body are its blood-vessels. In a plant, the
vascular system consists of vessels carrying
sap. In biblical language, people are some-

times spoken of as vessels of honour

4475

VEST

VESTMENT

wrath. A vesselful (ves' el ful, n.) of liquid
is as much as a vessel will hold.

a covered passage between two coaches
in a corridor train ; in anatomy, a chamber,

Anglo-F., from O.F. vatssel, from L. vascellum channel, or cavity communicating with

others, especially the first division 'of the
labyrinth of the internal ear. (F. vestibule,
antichambre.)

In America a corridor train is called a

dim. of vds jar, vessel, vase. SYN. : Canal, duct,
tube, utensil.

vest (vest), n. A waistcoat ; a knitted
or woven undergarment for the upper

part of the body; a piece of lighter vestibule train («.). Many houses are vesti-

material insp.rted in the front Of a woman S t-..i i / / ^ w,^u ~j~ \ :j_j :j_v. .

dress, v.t. To invest , or endow (with
authority, etc.) ; to confer a fixed right of
present "or future possession of (property
or power) in a person ; in poetry, to clothe
with or as if with a garment, v.i. Of pro-
perty, rights, etc., to become vested or take sense bf the word
effect (in a person). (F. gilet, gilet de laine, F from L vestibulunt.
chemisette: revetir, investir, vetir ; etre

buled (ves' ti buld, adj.), or provided with a
vestibule, in which callers may wait until
the master or mistress of the house is ready
to receive them. The word vestibular (ves
tib' u lar, adj.) means of, pertaining to, or
serving as a vestibule in the anatomical

devolu.}

The ownership of land is said to be vested
in a person when it becomes his by law.
Certain prerogatives,
such as the power to
pardon a condemned
criminal, vest or are
vested in the sovereign.
Vested (vest7 ed, adj.)
rights are those that are
definitely assigned to or
fixed in a person and
cannot be interfered
with. A person ap-
pointed to a certain
post for life has a
vested interest in the
salary of that post.
Material called vesting
(vest7 ing, n.) is used
for making vests or
waistcoats. The word
vestiture (ves'ti chur, n.)
means clothing or cover-
ing. In afigurative sense,
words may bedescribed as
the vestiture ot thought.

F. veste, L. vestis gar-
ment, cp. Gr. (w)esthes
clothing.

Vesta (ves' ta), n. In ancient Roman
mythology, the goddess of the hearth and the
hearth-fire; in astronomy, the fourth and
brightest asteroid ; (vesta) a wax match ignit-
ing by friction. (F. vesta, allumette-bougie .}

In the temple of Vesta, in ancient Rome,
a sacred fire was kept burning perpetually
on the altar. Its maintenance was one
of the chief duties of the vestal (ves' tal,
adj.) virgins, or priestesses in the service
of Vesta. A vestal (n.), or attendant in
this temple, took vows of chastity, and so,
in an extended sense, a nun or other chaste
woman is sometimes spoken of as a vestal.
The adjective vestal also means pertaining
to the goddess Vesta, hence virginal.

L. Vesta, cp. Gf. Hestia, properly hearth.

vestibule (ves' ti bul), n. A passage,
lobby, small hall, or antechamber next to
the outer door of a house, and from which
doors open into various rooms ; a porch ;

Vertal.— "The Vestal Virgin." From the

picture painted by Angelica Kauffmann,

1741-1807.

There is no apparent

connexion with vestis ; a derivation from ve-
apart from, and stabulum abode has been sug-
gested. See stable [2]. SYN. : Antechamber,
entrance-hall, lobby.

vestige (ves' tij), n.
A sign, mark, trace, or
perceptible evidence of
something no longer
present or existing ; an
atom ; a particle ; in
biology, a small, de-
generated, or more or
less useless organ. (F.
signe, trace, vestige ,
ombre.)

Vestiges of prehistoric
animals and plants are
found in the form of
fossils. These vestigial
(ves tij' i al, adj.) re-
mains have enabled
scientists to reconstruct
for;<us the life o^ by-
gone; .ages. Some ,of
the vestiges of- the most
ancient cultures amount
to no: more than -a, few
implements or. ; orna-
ments. In a colloquial
sense, we .say, that, there
is not a vestige of truth
in a statement when we mean that it does
not contain the least amount of truth.

Biologists have made a careful study of
the vestigial or rudimentary organs of
animals. In ancestral types these organs
were fully developed and were of value to the
species. Some whales have vestigial hind
legs, reminding us that they are related to
land animals.

F., from L. vestigium footprint, track ; origin
obscure. SYN. : Mark, particle, sign, trace.

vesting (vest' ing). For this word
and vestiture see under vest.

vestment (vest' ment), n. A garment,
especially a robe of state or office ; any
of the garments of the clergy or choristers
used in church ritual, especially a chasuble ;
an altar-cloth. (F. vttement, vttement
liturgique, chasuble, nappe d'autel.)

O.F. vestement, from L. vestlmentum garment.

4476

VESTRY

VETO

vestry (ves' tri), n. A room in, or
building attached to, a church, in which
vestments are kept and put on by the clergy,
choristers, etc. ; a room or chapel used for
prayer - meetings ; a meeting of the rate-
payers of a parish or their elected repre-
sentatives dealing with parochial matters,
and formerly with local government. (F.
sacristie, reunion de paroissiens.)

Local government is no longer in the
hands of the vestries, but before 1894 they
had many of the responsibilities of modern
municipal councils. A member of such a
vestry, which usually met in the vestry of
the parish church, was known as a vestry-
man (n.). The vestry-clerk (n.} was an
officer chosen by the vestry to keep accounts
and records of meetings, etc. A common,
general, or ordinary vestry consisted of the
ratepayers as a body ; a select vestry was
composed of their elected representatives.

From O.F. vestiairie, L. vestidrium wardrobe,
F. vestiaire = cloak-room.

vesture (ves' chur), n. In poetry and
rhetoric, dress, clothes, garments ; a cover-
ing ; in law, everything that grows upon
and covers land, with the exception of trees.
v.t. To clothe. (F. v foments, habits; vetir.}

A church official having charge of the
vestments is known as a vesturer (ves' tyur
er, n.}. This word also denotes a sub-
treasurer of a cathedral or collegiate church.

O.F. vesteure, from L.L. vestltura clothing,
from L. vestis garment.

Vesuvius. — A view of Vesuvius, Bay of Naples, Italy,
probably the best-known active volcano.

Vesuvian (ve su' vi an), adj. Per-
taining to, or resembling Vesuvius, a volcano
near Naples, Italy ; like that of Vesuvius.
n. (vesuvian) A kind of fusee for lighting
cigars, etc. ; vesuvianite. (F. vesuvien ;
allumette tison.)

The kind of match or fusee known as a
vesuvian was designed for use in the open
air. A hard, glassy compound of silica and
other minerals is named vesuvian or vesu-
vianite (ve su' vi an It, n.) because it was
found originally in Vesuvian lava.

vet (vet), n. A veterinary surgeon.
(F. veterinaire .)

Short for veterinary. See veterinary.
vetch (vech), n. A plant of the genus
Vicia, especially the common vetch or
tare (Vicia sativa} ; any of certain related
plants, including the kidney- vetch (Anthyllis
vulneraria}. (F. vesce.)

The vetches belong to the bean family and
are mostly climbing plants. The common
vetch is widely used, both wild and culti-
vated, as a forage plant. The vetchling
(vech' ling, n.) is a plant allied to the
vetches and belonging to the genus Lathyrus.
From O.F. veche, L. vicia vetch.
veteran (vet' er an), adj. Grown old
or experienced, especially in military service ;
of or relating to a veteran or veterans ;
composed of veterans, n. One who has had
long experience in any service, occupation,
or art, especially as a soldier. (F. aguerri,
experimente ; veteran.}

During the last years of his life Thomas
Hardy, who died in 1928, at the age of 87
years, was often spoken of as the veteran
novelist and poet. Even as an old man he
was an active writer. Many veterans of the
South African War fought in the British
Army during the World War.

From L. veteranus seasoned, tried, time-
expired, from vetus (ace. veter-em] old, long-
standing, akin to Gr. (w)etos year. See veal. SYN. :
n. Adept, expert. ANT. : n. Novice, recruit, tyro.
veterinary (vet' er i na ri), adj. Of or
for the treatment of diseases
and injuries of domestic animals.
n. A veterinary surgeon. (F.
veterinaire.}

Cattle, horses, dogs, and other
domestic animals sometimes re-
quire veterinary treatment.
Their owner then obtains the
services of a veterinary surgeon
— sometimes called a veterinarian
(vet er i nar' i an, n.} — who is
qualified to deal with ailments
affecting animals.

From L. veterlnarius pertaining to
veterlnae beasts of burden, draught
cattle, akin to t. wether, veal.

veto (ve' to), n. The power
or constitutional right pos-
sessed by a sovereign, president,
or upper chamber to reject an
enactment of another legis-
lative branch ; the act of exer-
cising this right ; the message conveying
such a rejection ; any authoritative refusal
or prohibition, v.t. To refuse to approve (a
Bill, etc.) ; to forbid ; to prohibit. (F.
veto; mettre son veto a, rejeter, defendre,
interdire.}

No British sovereign has exercised his
veto, or has vetoed legislation, since 1707. In
most Parliaments having an upper and
a lower chamber each chamber possesses the
right of vetoing the other. A person who
supports the exercise of such power or makes

Vesm

4477

VETTURA

VIANDS

use of it is a vetoist (ye' to ist, n.). A sus-
pensive or suspensory veto is one that
suspends or delays the operation of a
measure, but does not necessarily prevent
its completion. In a general sense, a

banner or cross carried in church processions,
pi. vexilla (vek sil'. a). A shortened form,
used in botany, is vexil (veks' il). (F.
vexille.)

In the Roman army the vexillum was

person is said to put his veto on a proposal carried by a standard-bearer termed a

vexillary (vek7 sil a ri, «.). A vexillum of
troops usually corresponded to a maniple.
The vexillum, or large upper petal, of the
pea flower and other papilionaceous flowers

when he forbids it.

L. veto I forbid. SYN. : n. Ban, interdiction,
prohibition, refusal, v. Forbid, negative, pro-
hibit. ANT. : n. Authorization, permission,

warranty, v. Approve, assert, endorse, pass, encloses the other petals when in the bud.

nrnrrmljrat.f TV.,-« ,T ,-;n,,, ^t ~ •u:~'u~_~>~ , T n

The vexillum of a bishop's crozier is attached
to and usually wound round the upper
part.

L. = banner, dim. from vehere to carry.

promulgate.

vettura (ve toor' a), n. An Italian
four-wheeled carriage, pi. vetture (ve toor'
a). (F. voiture.)

The man who drives a vettura, or lets via (vi' a), prep. By way of ; through,
out vetture for hire, is known as a vetturino (F. via, par la vote de.)

Travellers to Australia can sail via Suez
or via the Cape of Good Hope. The Latin
phrase, via media (vi' a me" di a, n.), means
a middle way or course of action.
L. ablative of via way, road.
viaduct (vlx a dukt), n. A bridge-
like structure, especially a series of arches

(ve too re' no, n.} — pi. vetturini (ve too
re' ne).

Ital., from L. vectura transport, conveyance,
from vectus p.p. of vehere to carry ; cp. F. voiture.

vex (veks), v.t. To make somewhat
angry or annoyed by little or slight provo-
cations ; to affect with a sense of dissatis-
faction ; to irritate ; to afflict ; in poetry,
to agitate (the sea, etc.). (F. vexer, irriter,
tourmenter, agacer, agiter.)

When Petruchio, in Shake-
speare's " The Taming of the
Shrew," (Hi, 2), is late for his
marriage, Baptista assures
Katharina that " such an injury
would ve.x a saint." It is, how-
ever, part of Petruchio 's plan
to " tame " his shrewish lady-
love by acting in a vexatious
(vek sa' shus, adj'.), or provoking,
way. A vexed question is one
that has beeri much discussed
without being finally settled.

The verb is now archaic in
the sense of to afflict, but in
poetry the sea, for example, is
said to be vexed, or thrown
into a commotion, by a violent
wind. The act of vexing or the
state of being vexed is Vexation

of masonry carrying a road or railway
across a valley, etc. (F, viaduc.)

Viaduct.— Langwies viaduct, which carries the Chur-Arosa railway
across a valley in the canton of Grisons, Switzerland.

(vek sa/ shun, n.). Annoying or irritating
things are often said to be vexations.
We experience vexation, that is, irritation,
when events do not turn out as we had hoped.
When children behave vexatiously (vek
sa/ shus li, adv.) — so as to cause annoyance —
we try to make them realize the vexatiousness

From L. via ducta, from via way, ducta fern,
p.p. of ducere to lead.

vial (vi' al), n. A small vessel, usually
made of glass and cylindrical in shape,
for holding liquid medicines, etc. (F. fiole.)

To pour out vials of wrath on or upon
a person's head means to vent one's

(vek sa shus nes, n.}, or vexing nature, of anger upon him. This colloquialism origin-

i- ri£M T* r»*"knrin/"»4- \A7o -n £*£*r\ i-i/^4- t-mr*£*C'C"~i fil-Tr o-r^/^^lj- »t • it •• ••• i • •• t /-•-* i t •

their conduct. We need not necessarily speak
vexedly (vek' sed li, adv.), or in a manner
showing vexation.

F. vexer from L. vex are to jolt, molest, plague.
SYN. : Annoy, bother, harass, tease, worry.
ANT. : Calm, pacify, placate, soothe.

vexillum (vek sil7 um), n. In ancient

ated in the biblical phrase (Revelation
xvi, i) : " Go your ways and pour out the
vials of the wrath of God upon the earth."

M.E. viole, fiole, O.F. fiole, L. phiala. Gr.
phi ale. See phial. SYN. : Phial.

viands (vf andz), n.pl. Articles of

Rome, a square flag, especially that of a food, especially when ready for eating ;

maniple, or subdivision of a legion ; a
body of troops under a single vexillum ; in
botany, the large upper petal of a butterfly-
shaped flower ; the web of a feather ; a
small piece of fabric on a bishop's staff ; a

provisions ; victuals. (F. mets, vivres,
comestibles.)

F. viande from assumed popular L. vlvanda
food, for L. vlvenda neuter pi. gerundive of vlvere
to live. SYN. : Food, provisions, victuals

4478

VIATICUM

VICAR

viaticum (vl at' i kum), n. Money given
to a person for travelling expenses ; pro-
visions for a journey ; a comfort or help in a
person's journey through life ; the Eucharist
when brought and administered to a dying
person. (F. viatique.)

L. = travelling allowance, rations or ration-
money, from via way. Voyage is a doublet.

vibraculum (vi brak' u lum), n. In
zoology, a flagellum. pi. vibracula (vi brak'
u la). (F. flagellum.)

Vibracula are slender and whip-like in
shape. They are regarded as modified zooids,
whose function is either to defend, or to
lash particles of food within reach of, the
colony of polyzoa to which they belong.
The word vibracular (vi brak' u lar, adj.)
means of, resembling, or furnished with
vibracula.

Modern L., from L. vibrdre to quiver, to set in
motion.

vibrate (vi brat' ; vi' brat), v.i. To
move to and fro ; to swing ; to oscillate ;
in physics, to move to and fro ceaselessly,
especially with great rapidity. v.t. To
cause to swing or oscillate ; to measure
(seconds, etc.) by vibrations or oscillations ;
to shake (wings) rapidly. (F. vibrer, osciller ;
balancer, secouer, battre.)

A violin string vibrates when
set in motion by the bow. Some
houses vibrate, that is, quiver
or tremble, when heavy vehicles
pass near them. A pendulum
just over thirty-nine inches long
vibrates seconds, or swings once
per second.

The voice of an actor in melo-
drama becomes vibrant (vi'
brant, adj.), that is, tremulous
or resonant, with assumed
emotion when he has to make
a pathetic speech. The tones of
his voice then have the quality
of vibrancy (vi' bran si, n.). The
cilia of infusoria are vibratile
(vi' bra til ; vi' bra til, adj.),
that is, capable of being vibrated.

Sound is caused by the vi-
bration (vi bra' shun, n.), or
vibrating, of air. When the
vibrations, or movements forwards and back-
wards, of an air column exceed 4,224 per
second, the sound is shrill and painful to the
ear. In physics, the term amplitude of
vibration denotes the greatest departure
of a vibrating body, such as a violin string,
from its position when at rest.

A vibrational (vi bra' shun al, adj.),
or vibratory (vi' bra to ri, adj.), movement
is one having the nature of or consisting of
vibrations. Unskilful singers make frequent
use of vibrato (ve bra' to, n.)— a tremulous
undulating effect in the voice that should
be used only in the expression of great
emotion, as in dramatic passages in opera.
When used continuously its effect is monot-
onous and inartistic. On the violin, viola,

and violoncello, a vibrato is obtained by
moving the finger quickly to and fro on the
string so that the pitch of the note wavers
slightly and very rapidly. When used with
discretion it is effective on long notes.

Anything that vibrates or causes some-
thing to vibrate is a vibrator (vi bra' tor, n.).
This word is used especially to denote a
part made to vibrate electrically, such as
the hammer of an electric bell, or the disk
in an electric motor-horn. A free reed, as
used in a harmonium, is also known as a
vibrator. The vibrator in a printing-press
is a roller which moves to and fro as it
revolves. Its function is to spread the ink
evenly on the other rollers.

The combining form vibro- means
vibrating or relating to vibrations. Vibro-
massage (vi bro ma sazh', n.) is a form of
massage in which a vibrating appliance is
used.

From L. vibrdtus p.p. of vibrdre, to
shake, quiver. SYN. : Oscillate, quiver, shake,
tremble.

viburnum (vi ber' num), n. A genus of
small trees or shrubs containing the guelder
rose ; a plant of this genus. (F. viorme.)

L. viburnum wayfaring tree.

Vicarage. — The vicarage at Westerham, Kent, famous as the
birthplace of General Wolfe, the conqueror of Quebec.

vicar (vik' ar), n. In the Church of
England, the priest of a parish of which the
tithes belong to a chapter or other body, or
a layman ; in the Roman Catholic Church,
a bishop's deputy ; a deputy or substitute.
(F. ministre, vicaire.)

A vicar, in the Church of England, is
distinguished from a rector, whose tithes
are not impropriate. A vicarage (vik' ar
ij, n.) is the benefice of a vicar, or else his
house or residence. Sometimes the vicar
and his family are spoken of as the vicarage.
A lay vicar (n.) is a lay officer who sings
portions of the divine service in an Anglican
cathedral. He is sometimes called a vicar
choral (n.), a term also denoting a clerical
assistant having similar duties.

4479

VICE

VIGE-

The vicar-general (n.) of an archbishop
or bishop is a lay officer who acts as an
assistant or deputy in certain ecclesiastical
matters. In the Roman Catholic Church,
a vicar-general is a church officer, usually a
cleric, who assists his bishop in matters of
jurisdiction ; and a vicar forane (vik' ar for7
an, n.) is a dignitary or a parish priest in
charge of a town or district in a diocese. His
powers are limited and are chiefly confined
to matters of church discipline.

One of the titles of the Pope is Vicar of
Christ. A papal delegate acting as bishop
of the diocese of Rome is known as a cardinal
vicar (n.) and a missionary or titular bishop
appointed where no episcopate has been
established is termed a vicar apostolic (n.).
A district under such a bishop is known as a
vicariate (vi kar' i at ; vi kar' i at, n.).
This word also denotes the authority or
office of a vicar, especially that of the Pope
considered as the representative of God
on earth. m

The period during which a vicar of the
Church of England is in charge of a parish is
sometimes termed his vicariate. In a general
sense, a political office held by, or authority
exercised by, a deputy official may be
described as a vicariate.

The authority of a deputy is vicarious (vi
kar' i us ; vl kar' i us, adj.), that is, deputed
or delegated. The bees when collecting
honey from flowers perform a vicarious
service, or one done for another, by fer-
tilizing many of the plants they visit with
pollen from others. In theology, the suffer-
ings of Christ are said to be vicarious, that
is, endured by Him for others. We do
some act vicariously (vi kar' i us li ; vi kar'
i us li, adv.) when we delegate some other
person to perform it for us.

From O.F. vicaire, L. vicarius deputy, proxy,
from vie- change, succession. See vice [3].

vice [i] (vis), n. An evil practice or
habit ; evil conduct ;
depravity; a serious
moral fault ; a blem-
ish or failing ; a de-
fect; a bad habit or
trick in a horse, etc.
(F. defaut, depravation,
vice.)

F., from L. vitium
fault, defect, failing.
SYN. : Fault, immoral-
ity, iniquity, sin,
wickedness. ANT.:
Goodness, purity,
righteousness, upright-
ness, virtue.

vice [2] (vis) n.
An instrument with
two jaws between
which an object can
be gripped while being operated on.
etau.}

Carpenters and metal workers make
considerable use of vices, which are generally

clamped to the ends of benches. The
jaws of a vice are usually closed and opened
by means of a screw or a lever. A very strong
person is said to have a grip like a vice.

From O.F. vis, vitz screw, from L. vltis vine
(alluding to its spiral tendrils).

vice [3] (vi' se), prep. In the place of ;
instead of. (F. au lieu de.)

The announcement that " Lieutenant
Brown is gazetted captain, vice Captain
Smith promoted," means that Brown will
now act as captain in the position vacated
by Smith.

L., ablative form from stem vie- change,

succession ; akin to E. weak, G. weichen to yield.

vice [4] (vis), n. A person acting in

the place of, or next in rank to, another.

This word is often used as a colloquial

abbreviation of such titles as vice-chairman,

vice-president, etc. In " Bleak House "

Dickens wrote of " Chancellors and Vices,"

meaning, of course, vice-chancellors.

vice-. This is a prefix meaning acting
or qualified to act in the place of, or next
in rank to. (F. vice-.}

Many of the words formed with this
prefix are self-explanator}'-. A vice-admiral
(n.), for instance, is a naval officer of the rank
next below that of an admiral and next
above that of a rear-admiral. The vice-
chair (n.) at a meeting is the chair occupied
by the vice-chairman (n.), that is, the person
qualified to act as chairman in the chair-
man's absence. A vice-chairman and his
office, known as the vice- chairmanship (n.),
are sometimes spoken of as the vice-chair.
The vice-chamberlain (n.) of the Royal
Household acts as deputy for the Lord
Chamberlain. A vice-chancellor (».) is
a deputy of a chancellor. In English lav/,
the title survives as that of the judge of the
court of the Duchy of Lancaster. Formerly
a Lord Chancellor had his vice-chancellor, or
legal assistant. The vice-chancellor of a
university is respon-
sible for most of the
administration of the
university. The chan-
cellor in this case is
merely a titular head.
The vice-chancellor of
the Roman Catholic
Church is a cardinal
in the Roman Chan-
cery who deals with
Papal bulls and briefs.
The office held by a
vice-chancellor is a
vice-chanc ellorship

Vice.— Types of bench vice (1) and (2) ; jeweller's
vice (3) ; hand vice (4).

(F.

A vice-consul (n.)
is an official in the
consular service rank-
ing next below a
consul, and acting for a consul in one of his
districts. His office is a vice-consulship («.).
A vice-dean (n.) is a sub-dean. In certain
exceptional circumstances, a king or other

4480

VICEGERENT

VICISSITUDE

ruler, may appoint a vicegerent (vis jer'ent,
n.) to act in his place, or take over certain
duties of administration. The Pope, regarded
as a delegate or representative of God on
earth, is sometimes described as the vice-
gerent of God, his office or rule being
termed a vicegerency (vis jer' en si, n.).
An official acting under, or as a substitute for,
a governor is known as a vice-governor (n.).

One who acts as the deputy or representa-
tive of a president, in various senses of
that word, usually holds the title of vice-
president (n.). The Vice-President of the
United States is elected at the same time
as the President. He presides over the
Senate, but does not vote unless a casting
vote is required.

In practice, the holder of the Vice-
Presidency (n.), or office of Vice-President,
of the United States has
little administrative in-
fluence, but in the event
of the President's death,
resignation, or removal,
he becomes President.
Theodore Roosevelt and
Calvin Coolidge are
among the six Vice-
Presidents in American
history who have thus
become President.

A vice-principal (n.) of
a college is an assistant
next below the principal.
For viceregal (adj.) see
under Viceroy. A vice-
regent (n.) acts in the
place of a regent.

See vice {3].

viceroy (vis' roi), n.
A ruler acting with royal
authority in a colony,
dependency, etc. (F.
vice-roi.)

A viceroy governs a
colony or province in the
name of its supreme
ruler. An example is
the Viceroy of India.
The office or authority of a ruler who
exercises viceregal (vis re' gal, adj.), or
viceroyal (vis roi' al, adj.), powers is known
as the viceroyalty (vis roi' al ti, n.) or
viceroyship (vis' roi ship, n.) ; so also are
the country administered by him and the
period during which he holds office.

O.F., from L. vice in lieu of, O.F. roy king.

vice versa (vi' se ver' sa), adv. With the
persons or relations between the main per-
sons or things mentioned reversed ; con-
versely ; the other way round. (F. vice versa.)

Music is often compared to architecture
and vice versa, that is, architecture is often
compared to music. Sometimes the intended
meaning is stated in full after the adverb.

L. = literally the place or order being turned,
hence conversely, the other way about. See vice
[3]. SYN. : Contrariwise, conversely, reversely.

Photo: Bourne & Shepherd, India.

Viceroy. — Rufus Daniel Isaacs, first Marquess

of Reading, Viceroy and Governor-General of

India from 1921 to 1926.

vicinity (vi sin' i ti), n. The neighbour-
hood ; the surrounding or adjoining district ;
the state or quality of being near ; proximity.
(F. voisinage, environs, alentours, proximite".)
People living in the vicinity of an
aerodrome, that is, near or close to one,
become accustomed to the noise of arriving
and departing aeroplanes. Wireless experts
warn us against the vicinity of aerials to. one
another. The word vicinage (vis' i nij, n.}
has much the same meanings as vicinity, but
is less often used.

M.F. vicinite, L. vlclnitas (ace. -tat-em), from
vlclnus near, in the same street, from vlcus street.
SYN. : Environs, neighbourhood, propinquity,
proximity, surroundings.

vicious (vish' us), adj. Of the nature
of a vice ; characterized by or addicted to
some vice ; corrupt ; faulty ; reprehensible ;
malignant ; spiteful ; of
a horse, having bad
habits or tricks. (F.
vicieux, deprave, plein de
depit.)

Habitual drunkenness
is a vicious habit, or
vice. Reading by in-
sufficient light is a
vicious practice in a
much milder sense of the
word, that is, blame-
worthy. A horse is
said to be vicious when
it bites or kicks with-
out provocation. Ill-
tempered people some-
times speak viciously
(vish' us li, adv.), that
is, in a vicious way, full
of spite or malice, about
persons they dislike.
They are actuated by a
natural viciousness (vish '
us nes, n.), or malicious-
ness of temper. We
speak also of the vicious-
ness of refractory
animals. Addiction to
vice, and corruptness
of conduct, are also known as viciousness.
O.F., from L. vitiosus from vitium defect,
flaw. SYN. : Corrupt, depraved, immoral,
spiteful, wicked. ANT. : Good, kind, moral,
pure, virtuous.

vicissitude (vi sis' i tud ; vi sis' i
tud), n. A change of fortune, condition, or
circumstances. (F. vicissitude.)

The vicissitudes of life are its changes,
especially the ups and downs of fortune. A
wealthy man who became bankrupt and
afterwards won back something of his
former position, might be said to have led
a vicissitudinous (vi sis i tud' i mis ;
vi sis i tud' i mis, adj.) life, that is, one
marked by vicissitudes.

From L. vicissitude interchange, from vicissim
by turns, vie- meaning change, exchange. See
vice [3].

4481

VICTIM

VICTORY

victim (vik' tim), n. A living creature
sacrificed to some deity or in the performance
of some religious rite ; a person or thing
destroyed or injured as a result of some event
or in the pursuit of some object ; a dupe.
(F. victims d' expiation, victime, dupe.}

People killed in a railway accident are
described as the victims of the accident.
The victims of a bank failure are, however,
those who suffer financial loss from it.
A man who sacrifices the happiness, the
welfare, or even the lives of others, in the
pursuit of his ambitions is said to victimize
(vik' tim Iz, v.t.) the people who suffer by
his unscrupulousness or dishonesty. The
confidence trick has been used by many
swindlers in the victimization (vik tim I
za' shun, n.), or victimizing, of people.

From L. victima, cognate with G. weihe conse-
cration, Goth, weih-s holy, weihan to consecrate.
SYN. : Dupe, gull, prey.

victor (vik' tor), n. One who conquers
in battle or wins in some contest ; a conquer-
ing army or nation. (F. vainqueur.)

This is a more or less rhetorical word.
In ordinary language we do not usually
describe the winner and loser in, say, a
boxing match, as victor and vanquished.
The word victress (vik7 tres, n.), denoting
a woman who is a victor, is rarely used.

L., from victus p.p. of vincere to overcome ; cp.
A.-S. wig war. SYN. : Conqueror, vanquisher,
winner. ANT. : Loser.

Victoria. — The huge water lily, Victoria regia, a
native of tropical South America.

victoria (vik tor' i a), n. A low, light
kind of four-wheeled carriage ; a genus of
South American water-lilies with gigantic
leaves ; a variety of domestic pigeon.
(F. victoria.)

The vehicle called a victoria has a raised
seat for the driver, and a low seat for two
passengers over the rear axle, protected by
a light collapsible hood. It was much used
in the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901).
The huge water-lily, having the scientific
name Victoria regia, grows in the backwater
of the Amazon. Its floating leaves are some-
times twelve feet across, and have upturned
edges. The natives of Guiana roast its seeds
for food.

The Victoria Cross (n.) — often abbreviated

to V.C. — is a decoration for valour instituted
by Queen Victoria in 1856. It is the highest
award of this kind open to officers and men
of the British Navy, Army, and Air Force.
In form, the Victoria Cross is a bronze
Maltese cross attached to a red ribbon. It
is worn on the left breast. Formerly, naval
V.C.'s, or recipients of this decoration, were
distinguished by a blue ribbon.

The word Victorian (vik tor' i an, adj.)
means of, pertaining to, characteristic of
flourishing or living in, the reign of Queen
Victoria. Victorian conventions are those
observed by people of that period. Victorian
furniture is a heavy type of furniture that
was then fashionable. A person, especially a
writer, who lived during this reign is known
as a Victorian (n.). The Royal Victorian
Order is an order of knighthood founded by
Queen Victoria in 1896, and awarded usually
for distinguished services rendered to the
sovereign.

victorine (vik to ren'), n. A small
fur tippet with long narrow ends in front ;
a kind of peach. (F. palatine.)

Perhaps named after Queen Victoria.

victory (vik' to ri), n. The defeat of
an enemy in a battle or of an opponent in
a contest ; an ancient Roman or Greek
goddess of victory ; a statue typical of
victory. (F. victoire.)

An army wins a victory when it over-
comes, or is victorious (vik tor' i us, adj.)
over, the enemy, and a football team gains
a victory when it defeats its opponents.
In classical times, statues of the goddess
Victory were set up to commemorate
military and naval successes. One of the
most notable of these statues is the winged
Victory of Samothrace, preserved in the
Louvre, Paris. It celebrated the Macedonian
victory over the Egyptian navy off Cyprus
(306 B.C.).

A victory bond (n.) was a British Govern-
ment security issued as part of a loan raised
in June, 1919, to reduce the floating debt
incurred during the World War. It was a
four per cent bond redeemable at par by
annual drawings, which commenced in
September, 1920. In March, 1919, the
allied Powers instituted a victory medal
(n.), to be awarded to officers and men of
the military and naval forces who had seen
active service during the World War. It
is a bronze medal containing a full length
figure of Victory on one side, and on the
other an inscription " The Great War for
Civilization."

Triumphant troops may be said to return
victoriously (vik tor' i us li, adv.), or in a
victorious manner, from a war in which they
have been victorious or successful. Victori-
ousness (vik tor' i us nes, n.) is the state or
quality of being victorious.

O.F. victorie (F. victoire) from L. victoria
victory, from victus p.p. of vincere to conquer.

SYN. : Ascendancy, conquest, mastery, success,
triumph. ANT. : Defeat, failure, subjugation.

4482

VICTUAL

VIEW

victual (vif 1), n. Food ; provision.
v.t. To supply or store with provisions.
v.i. To lay in provisions. (F. victuailles,
vivres, aliment ; alimenter, approvisionner ,
faire ses vivres.}

The noun is generally used in the plural,
victuals. The supplying of provisions to
seamen in particular is known as victualling.
A cruising yacht has to put into ports
along her route in order to victual, or obtain
stores. A victualler (vif ler, n.) is one who,
or that which, supplies provisions or meals,
such as an innkeeper, or a ship for that pur-
pose. A publican with a licence to sell
intoxicating liquors is a licensed victualler, (n.)

A victualling-bill (n.) is a warrant issued
by the custom-house authorities, enabling
dutiable goods to be removed from a -bonded
warehouse without payment of duty for the
purpose of victualling, or provisioning, a ship
for a voyage.

The supply of provisions to the navy is
attended to by a department of the
Admiralty called the victualling department
(n.). A mercantile shipping
line also has its victualling-
office (n.), or victualling
department, for the supply
of victuals.

Provisions are put
aboard a ship or fleet while
at sea by a victualling-ship
(n.), or a victualler. War-
ships are provisioned from
the shore at a victualling-
yard (n.}, usually adjoining
a dockyard. In the navy,
a victualling-note (n.} is an
order giving a steward
authority to victual a new
seaman when he joins a
ship.

O.F. vitaile, L.L. victudlia,
from L. victus sustenance;
subsistence, food, from vlvere
(p.p. victus) to live.

vicuna (vi koo' nya),
American mammal (Lama
to and resembling the llama ; the wool of the
vicuna ; a soft fabric made from this or
from a mixture of wool and cotton. Another
form is vicugna (vi koo' nya). (F. vigogne.)

The vicuna is one of the smaller members
of the camel family. It has light brown hair
and is gracefully built. It is hunted for its
wool, from which the expensive cloth also
known as vicuna is made. The cheaper
vicuna of commerce is, however, a mixture
of sheep's wool and cotton.

Span., from Peruvian.

vide (vf de ; vT' de), v. imperative. See
(F. voyez.)

This word is used chiefly in reference
to passages in books : vide supra, means
see above, that is, refer to the preceding
matter, and vide infra means see below. Quod

Vicuna. — The vicuna, hunted for its
wool, is fast disappearing from the Andes.

«. A
vicunia)

South
allied

vide, usually abbreviated to q.v. and mean-
ing, " which see," is a term often used in
cross-references.

L. imperative of videre to see,.
videlicet (vi de' li set), adv. That is
to say ; namely ; in other words. (F.
savoir, a savoir.)

This word is frequently shortened to viz.,
which is usually read aloud " namely."

L. condensed, formed of videre licet one may
see, hence, to wit, in other words.

vidette (vi det'). This is another form
of vedette. See vedette.

vidimus (vi' di rmis ; vid' i mus), n.

An examination or inspection of accounts;

an abstract or summary. pi. vidimuses

(vi' di rmis ez ; vid7 i imis ez). (F. vidimus.}

L. = we have seen.

vie (vi), v.i. To compete or strive for
superiority (with, in) ; to be rivals ; to be
equal or superior (with, in), pres. p. vying
(vi' ing). (F. rivaliser, faire concours,
egaler.)

Nature poets may be said to vie with one
another in singing the praises of rustic
simplicity. The act of
competing in this manner
is known as vying (vi' ing,
n.).

M.E. men shortened from
envien, O.F. envier, from L.
invitdre to challenge. SYN. :
Compete, contend, rival.

Viennese (ve e nez'),
adj. Of - or relating to
Vienna or its inhabitants.
n. A native or inhabitant
of Vienna, pi. Viennese
(ve e nez'). (F. viennois.)

view (vu), n. Examina-
tion or inspection by the
eye ; in law, inspection by
a jury of a place, etc.,
connected with a case being
tried : range of sight ; the
power of seeing ; that
which is seen ; "a scene ; a
picture or photograph of a scene ; a mental
or intellectual survey ; a manner of regarding
a thing ; a mental attitude ; an opinion ;
a judgment ; an intention ; purpose ;
design, v.t. To inspect or examine with the
eye ; to survey mentally or intellectually ;
to consider ; to form an opinion or judgment
of. (F. coup d'ceil, vue, panorama, tableau,
point de vue, maniere de voir, examen, expose,
dessein ; examiner, voir, contempler.}

An object is said to be in view when it is in
sight. In a figurative sense, a person has no
work in view when he has no prospect of
getting work. The owners of ships insure
them in view of, that is, out of regard for, the
risks to which vessels and their cargoes are
exposed.

Exhibitions of pictures are said to be
on view when they are open to public
inspection. A private view of an exhibition

4483

VIGIL

VIGOUR

day. As a result of their vigilance (vij7 i
lans, n.), or watchfulness, many crimes
are prevented. A vigilance committee (n.)
is a self-organized body of persons main-
taining order, etc., in districts where there
is no regular or reliable police force, or
dealing with some special form of crime.
Such committees were once common in
newly settled towns in the United States.
A sentry keeps watch vigilantly (vij7 i lant.
li, adv.), or in a vigilant manner.

F. vigile, from L. vig ilia insomnia, watch,
from vigil wakeful.

vignette (vin yet7), n. In architecture,
an ornament of vine-leaves and tendrils ;
an ornamental flourish round a capital
letter in a manuscript ; an engraved illus-
tration or embellishment not enclosed in a
definite border, especially one on a title-
page ; a photograph or portrait showing
the head and shoulders, or other picture,
with the background gradually shaded away.
v.t. To shade off the background of (a por-
trait) in the style of a vignette ; to make
a portrait of in this style. (F. vignette.)

The architectural vignette was often
employed in the Tudor period as an orna-
ment. An engraver of the vignettes formerly
much used in the illustration and decoration
of books, is known as a vignettist (vin yet7
ist, n.) . A vignetter (vin yet ' er, n.), however,
is an apparatus for producing photographic
vignettes.

F. dim. of vigne, L. vlnea vineyard, because
originally applied to a decorative border con-
taining vine-leaves and tendrils.

vigoroso (vig 6 ro7 so), adv.
In music, vigorously; with

energy. (F. vif.)
Ital.

vigour (vig7 or), n. Active,
physical strength or energy;
mental strength or activity;
capacity for intellectual or
physical exertion; vitality;
robustness ; force ; trenchancy.
(F. vigueur, force.)

A healthy person has strength
and vigour, and his actions are
characterized by vigour. A tren-
chant, forcible, literary style is
said to have vigour or vigorous-
ness (vig7 or us nes, n.)— a word
also denoting a robust or energetic
condition.

During warm wet weather
plants grow vigorously (vig7 or

vigil (vij7 il), n. Keeping awake during us li, adv.), but long exposure to such

conditions may sap their vigour. Good
food, fresh air, and exercise are all essential
if a child is to grow into a strong, or vigor-
ous (vig7 or us, adj.) adult. Unless a boy's
heart is in his work, his efforts tend to

of this kind is one available only to
persons invited by the exhibitors, such as
friends, connoisseurs, and critics.

To consider a matter or thing from every
point of view is to look at it from all sides.
An object is exposed to view, or to the view,
when everybody can see it.

A huntsman gives the shout called the
view-hallo (n.) when he sights the fox. To
use a colloquial phrase, he does this with a
view to, that is, with the purpose of, letting
everyone in hearing know that the animal
is in sight. The view-finder (n.) of a camera is
an apparatus which shows, on a very small
mirror, the view or scene towards which the
camera is directed.

A house is viewable (vu7 abl, adj.) if it may
be viewed or looked over by anyone wishing
to inspect it. The word viewless (vu7 les,
adj.) means incapable of being seen, invisible.
It is used chiefly in poetry. For example, in
" Measure for Measure " (iii, i) Shakespeare
wrote of the " viewless winds." A window
screened by trees is viewless, or without
a view, in another sense of the word, and a
person who lacks views or opinions regarding
some matter is viewless in that connexion.
A viewy (vu7 i, adj.) person, on the other hand,
is one who is inclined to adopt speculative
or fanciful views about things. His opinions
have the quality of viewiness (vu7 i nes,

From O.F. veue fern. p.p. of voir, L. videre to
see. SYN. : n. Design, intention, prospect, sight,
vista, v. Contemplate, regard, scan, see, survey.

View and Vignette.— This picture— a view of Cintra, Portugal— is
also a vignette, because its background is shaded away.

the usual hours of rest ; watchfulness or
alertness ; the eve of a festival, especially
that preceding a fast ; (pi.) nocturnal
prayers. (F. veillee, veille, vigile.)

In the Middle Ages, a man about to be
knighted with full ceremony kept vigil
before an altar or shrine, passing the night
in earnest prayer. Policemen are vigilant
(vij7 i lant, adj.), that is, awake and on the
alert, when on duty whether by night or

be vigourless (vig7 or les, adj.), or lacking
in energy.

F. vigueur, from L. vigor, from vigere to flourish,
be vigorous. SYN. : n. Energy, force, strength.
ANT. : n. Feebleness, inactivity, weakness.

4484

VIKING

VILLANELLE

Viking (vik' ing; vf king), n. A Scan-
dinavian sea-rover and pirate of the eighth
to the tenth centuries (F. viking.)

Swarms of Vikings ravaged the coasts
of England and other parts of northern
Europe. They were daring seamen, and a
few Vikings even reached and settled in the
New World. Vikingism (vik' ing izm ; vl'
king izm, n.) is the spirit or practice of
.Vikings.

From O. Norse vlking-r, possibly = warrior
(vlg war and -ingr), cp. A.-S. wtcing.

Viking. — A model of the Oseberg Viking ship presented to Rouen,
France, by the city of Oslo, Norway.

vilayet (vil a yet'), n. A province in
the former Turkish empire, governed by a
vali, or governor-general ; a similar unit of
administration in the republic of Turkey.
(F. vilayet.)

Turkish term, from Arabic.

vile (vil), adj. Morally depraved ;
wicked ; despicable ; odious ; abject ;
shameful ; worthless. (F. vil, infdme,
odieux, sans valeur.)

Fagin, in Dickens's " Oliver Twist," was
a vile old man who sought to deprave
children and make them vile, by training
them to be thieves.

The slave trade was a vile or wicked one,
and many vile or odious practices attended
it. One who for gain betrays his fellows
to shame or punishment may be said to
act vilely (vil' li, adv.) or with vileness (vil'
nes, n.).

We are disgusted when anyone attempts
to vilify (viT i fi, v.t.) the character of a
worthy person or of one who is dead. Such
an act is termed vilification (vil i fi ka' shun,
n.) ; the person who vilifies is a vilifier (vir
i fi er, n.) or defamer.

F., from L. vllis cheap, common, worthless,
paltry. SYN. : Abject, corrupt, depraved,
infamous, odious. ANT. : Good, honourable,
upright, worthy.

villa (vir a), n. A country house ; a
detached house or mansion in a suburb.
(F. villa.)

Formerly it was only a residence of some
size and pretension which was called a
villa, but the name is now loosely applied

to quite small suburban houses or cottages.
Occasionally the term villadom (vil' a dom,
n.) is used of suburban villas collectively,
and sometimes of the people or class living
in them.

L. = country-seat, perhaps dim. of v Icus village.
village (vir ij), n. A group or as-
semblage of houses smaller than a town
and larger than a hamlet, adj. Belonging
to a village or concerning a village ; rustic.
(F. village; villageois, rustique.)

In the past the village was a more or less
self-contained and self - centred
' unit, with its houses and cott-
ages along the high road, or
clustered about the parish church.
Modern motor transport has
linked villages with towns, and
the villager (vir ij er, n.) now
enjoys many of the amenities of
town life.

In a village centre (n.), which
is a village for disabled ex-service
men, the men are given medical
attention and trained to earn
their own living.

A village-community (n.) is a
group of families which is self-
governing and owns and tills
land in common. Many centuries
ago village- communities existed
in England and Germany. They
are still to be found in India.

F., from L. villdticum something pertaining
to a villa. See villa.

villain (vir an), n. A person guilty
or capable of crime or great wickedness ,
a scoundrel ; a rogue ; a rascal ; a serf ;
a bondsman attached to a feudal lord or
to a manor or estate, adj. Of or relating
to or dorie by a villain. (F. miserable,
gredin, scelevat, vilain ; Y vilain.)

In feudal times* the villain, or villein (vil'
en, n.), was' one who held land by doing
'menial service for his lord, this kind of
tenure being known as villainage (vir an ij,
n.), or villeinage (vil ' : en ij. n.) — words
denoting also the condition of a feudal serf.
Later the word villain meant a low-born
person, or one having the1 attributes of this
class, then a person of base or ignoble
instincts. In this way the word acquired its
present meaning, that of a depraved scoun-
drel or a person of great wickedness.

The term villainy (vil'' an i, n.) denotes
the qualities or characteristics of extremely
wicked people, who are said to act villain-
ously (vir an us li, adv.). Writers sometimes
describe either a man's conduct or his
appearance as villainous (vir an us, adj.).
Villainousness (vil' an us nes, n.) is the
quality or state of being villainous.

M.E. and O.F. vilein, from L.L. villanus farm
servant, properly adj. from villa. £ee villa.
SYN. : n. Knave, rascal, rogue, scoundrel.

villanelle (vil a nel'), n. A form of
verse of nineteen lines based on two rhymes.
(F. villanelle.}

4485

VILLEGGIATURA

VINE

The villanelle is a French form of com-
position, and consists of six stanzas — five
of three lines and one of four. .

F., from L. villanella fern, of villanello rustic,

villeggiatura (vi lej a toor' a), n.
A stay or retirement in the country. (F.
villegiature.)

Ital., from villegiare to stay in a villa or
country-seat, hence to take a country holiday.

villein (vil' en). For this word and
villeinage see under villain.

villus (vil7 us), n. In anatomy, a
short, hair-like outgrowth ; (pi.) in botany,
long soft hair. pi. villi (vu" I). (F.
vittosiU.)

The villi of the small intestine are hollow
tongue-like outgrowths from the surface
of the mucous membrane, containing blood-
vessels and lymph-vessels, whose function
it is. to absorb the liquefied food as it passes
along the intestine.

L. = shock of hair, hairy growth.

vim (vim), n. A colloquial term for
vigour or energy.

Apparently L. vim, ace. of vis force, vigour.

vinaceous (vi na' shus ; vi na' shiis),
adj. Of or relating to wine or grapes ; of
the colour or nature of wine. (F. vineux.)

From L. vlndceus (vlnum wine) winy and E. -ous.

vinaigrette (vin a gret'), n. An
ornamental bottle or case for holding
aromatic vinegar or smelling-salts. (F.
flacon de sets.}

F. dim. of vinaigre vinegar, properly applied to
• a kind of pickle or sauce.

vinasse (vi nas'), n. The liquid
remaining from the distillation of alcoholic
liquors, especially that from the distillation
of fermented beet molasses. (F. vinasse.}

F. in same sense.

vincible (vin' sibl), adj. Capable of
being conquered or subdued ; not invin-
cible. (F. qui pent etre vaincu.)

This is a rare word, used in theology.

L. vincibilis conquerable, from vincere to
overcome.

vinculum (ving' ku him), n. In
algebra, a straight line drawn over several
terms to show they are to be treated as a
whole in relation to that which follows or
precedes ; in printing, a brace ; in anatomy,
a fraenum. pi. vincula (ving' ku la). (F.
parenthese, accolade, frein.)

In such an expression as a-ffcxc, the
straight line is a vinculum tying together
a and b, which have to be added together
and the sum multiplied by c ; whereas a -\-b x
c (without the vinculum) means that the
product of b and c has to be added to a.

L. = bond, from vincire to bind.

vindicate (vin' di kat), v.t. To main-
tain (a claim, etc.) ; to defend against a
charge ; to justify ; to establish the justice, .
validity, or merits of ; to uphold. (F.
soutenir, justifter, appuyer.)

A person who wishes to patent an inven-
tion must vindicate his claim to originality.
One unjustly accused of a crime is vindicated

when his innocence is established. His
vindication (vin di ka' shun, n.) may result
from the action of someone who comes
forward to act as a vindicator (vin' di ka
tor, n.), by giving evidence of a vindi-
catory (vin' di ka to ri, adj.) nature.

In old times a person accused of a crime
was vindicable (vin' di kabl, adj.) through
successfully surviving an ordeal by com-
bat. A claim may have vindicability (via
di ka bil' i ti,n.) or capacity for being upheld.
Anything which tends to justify it is vin-
dicative (vin' di ka tiv ; vin "dik' a tiv,
adj.). A woman who vindicates might be
called a vindicatress (vin' di ka tres, n.).

From L. vindicdtus, p.p. of vindictive to lay
claim to, from vim force, dlcere to say. SYN. :
Establish, justify, maintain, uphold. "

vindictive (vin dik' tiv), adj. Re-
vengeful ; characterized by or addicted to
revenge. (F. vindicatif, rancunier.)

A vindictive man is one who is inclined
to be revengeful and to return evil for evil.
A vindictive action — one done vindictively
(vin dik' tiv li, adv.) and characterized
by vindictiveness (vin dik' tiv nes, n.) — has
behind it motives of revenge.

Vindictive damages have been sometimes
awarded to a plaintiff in a court of law
when it was desired not merely to compensate
him for the wrong" he had suffered, but to
punish the defendant for inflicting that
wrong.

Shortened from vindicative (from vindicdtus,
p.p. of vindicdre to avenge), as if from L.
vindicta vengeance, with E. suffix -ive. SYN. :
Avenging, retaliatory, revengeful. ANT. : Con-
ciliatory, forgiving, placable.

Vine. — Wonderful clusters of South Australian
grapes in a vineyard near the Murray River.

vine (vin), n. A climbing plant of the
genus Vitis, especially that which produces
grapes, V. vinifera ; any plant with a
slender trailing or climbing stem. (F.
vigne.)

The grape-vine was probably introduced
into Britain by the Romans. The in-
dustry of viniculture (vin' i kul chur, n.}, or

4486

VINEGAR

VIOLA

the cultivation of vines for producing
wine, is very ancient. A field of vines is
called a vineyard (vin' yard, n.). In our
climate grapes are cultivated usually under
glass — a glass-house for vines being called a
vinery (vin' er i, n.). A vinedresser (n.) is
one who tends vines ; a viniculturist (vin i
kul' chiir ist, n.) is a grower of vines.

The trailing stem of the melon, and the
climbing stem of the hop are called vines.

A vinifacteur (vin' i fak ter, n.) is an
apparatus for making wine ; a vinificator
(vin' i fi ka tor, n.) is one for condensing
the alcoholic vapours in wine-making.
A vinometer (vi nom' e ter, n.) is an instru-
ment for measuring the alcoholic strength
of wine. A vine-clad (adj.) or viny (vi' ni,
adj.) hillside is one clothed with vines.
Land which bears vines is viniferous (vi
nif er us', adj.). Liquids with a wine-like
taste are vinous (vin' us, adj.) ; they are
characterized by vinosity (vi nos' i .ti, n.).
The speech of an intoxicated person may be
described as vinous, since it is affected by
indulgence in wine. Vine-disease (n.) is
generally due to the attacks of aphides,
especially the phylloxera.

O.F. vigne, L. vlnea, from vinum wine. See
wine.

vinegar (vin' e gar), n. An acid liquid
obtained by acetous fermentation from
alcoholic liquids, used for pickling and as a
condiment ; anything sour or soured, v.t. To
treat with or make sour like vinegar ; to
apply vinegar to. (F. vinaigre ; vinaigrer.)

Vinegar is made from a special kind of
beer, and also from wine and cider. The
vinegar fermentation is carried out by a
bacterium called the vinegar-plant (n.) and
also mother of vinegar. Ordinary
malt vinegar, obtained from beer,
is brown ; white vinegar is made
from a low grade of wine. Or-
dinary vinegar is distilled with
various plants' and other sub-
stances in order to mak'e aromatic
vinegars. .The characteristic •yine-
Uary (vin' e gar i, adj.) or vinegarish
(vin' e gar ish, adj.) taste of the
liquid is due to acetic acicf, 'of
which ordinary malt vinegar con-
tains from six per cent to s&veri per
cent. The vinegar-eel -(n.) is a
minute, worm which is sometimes
found in great numbers in .vinegar
and other fermenting substances1.

F. vinaigre, from vin wine, aigre
sour

vinery (vin' er i). For this
word, vineyard, etc., see under
vine.

vingt-et-un (vawt a en), n. A card
game, played by two or more persons with
the entire pack, the object of the players
being to make a total of twenty-one points.
(F. vingt-et-un.)

In vingt-et-un the cards have the usual
values for purposes of scoring. The king,

Viola —Blooms of the
viola.

Viola

queen, and jack count ten each, and the ace
either one or eleven, as the holder chooses.

F. = twenty-one.

viniculture (vin' i kul chur). For this
word, vinometer, vinosity, etc., see under vine.

vinous (vin' us), adj. Of or relating
to, or having the characteristics of wine ;
produced by wine. See under vine.

vintage (vin' tij), n. The season for
gathering grapes ; the yield of a vineyard
or vine-growing district in a particular
season ; the wine produced from this. (F.
cru, vendange, vin.)

A vintage year (n.) is one in which the vintage
or produce has qualities that fit it to be
retained as what is called a vintage wine (n.),
one not used merely for blending with other
wines of earlier vintages but matured
separately as a wine of superior merit.

The old name for a wine merchant is
vintner (vint' ner, n.), and vintnery (vint'
ne ri, n.) the name of his trade. A gatherer
of grapes is a vintager (vin' tij er, n.) and
to make wine is to vint (vint, v.t.) it.

M.E. vindage, vendage, F. vendange, L. vin-
demia, from vinum wine, demere to take away.

viol (vi' 61 ; ve' 61), n. An ancient
type of stringed instrument resembling the
violin, but with sloping shoulders, played
with a bow, and having a fretted keyboard.
(F. viole.)

The viol in its different sizes was the
forerunner of the modern violin, viola (ve 6'
la, n.)t which is the large or alto violin,
violoncello, and double-bass, which comprise
what is still termed the viol class (n.) of
instruments. The frets on the keyboard of
the viol were usually cut off when the player
became proficient.

The viola da gamba (ve 6' la da
gam' ba, n.), or bass viol of
mediaeval musicians, developed
into the violoncello, which is also
sometimes called the bass viol.
A violist (vi' 6 list; ve 6' list, n.)
is a player on either the viol, or
the viola, the four strings of which
are tuned a fifth lower than those
of the violin. The viola d'amore
(ve 6 la da mo' ra, n.) is a kind
of viol having additional strings,
running beneath the finger-
board and bridge, to give extra
resonance.

F. (Prov. viula), Ital. viola from
L.L. vltula a word of doubtful origin,
akin to fiddle.

viola [i] (ve 6' la). For this
word see under viol.
[2] (vi' 6 la), n. A genus of
plants containing the violet and pansy.
(F. violacee.)

The pansy or heartsease so often found
in English gardens is Viola tricolor. The
dog-violet and sweet violet also belong to
this genus. Violaceous (vi 6 la' shus, adj.)

4487

VIOLATE

VIOLIN

flowers belong to the violet family. The
word violaceous also means having a violet
colour.

By nurserymen, the name of viola is given
especially to tufted pansies, garden hybrids
which are produced in many colours and
varieties.

L. = viola, a dim. form ; cp. Gr. (w)ion.

violate (vi' 6 lat), v.t. To disobey ;
to break ; to infringe ; to transgress ; "to
desecrate ; to outrage ; to treat irreverently
or profanely ; to disturb. (F. violer, en-
freindre, profaner, outrager.)

The majority of people obey the laws,
but there are some who transgress or violate
them. To be false to one's allegiance is to
violate it. An oath or vow is violated
when it is broken. In olden days a fugitive
from violence might seek sanctuary in a
church, and few pursuers dared to violate
the sacred building by entering it in order
to capture the fugitive.

The violation {vi 6 la/ shun, n.) of one's
conscience is the act of behaving contrary
to its dictates, as when the violator (vi' 6
la tor, n.) does something he knows to be
wrong. Violable (vi' 6 labl, adj.) means
capable of being transgressed or violated.

From L. violatus, p.p. of violare to profane,
outrage, from vis force. SYN. : Desecrate,
infringe, profane, transgress. ANT. : Honour,
obey, reverence.

Violence. — A scene of violence : .the murder of Thomas Becket, Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, in his cathedral.

violence (vi' 6 lens), n. The quality
or state of being violent ; violent conduct
or treatment ; outrage ; vehemence ; in-
tensity ; the wrongful use of physical force
or threats of force. (F. violence.)

Winds blow with great violence, or strength,
hurling waves against breakwaters and
groynes with such violence as to shatter these
structures. Robbery with violence is rob-
bery accompanied by physical injury to the
person robbed, so as to overcome or prevent

resistance. Violence in this sense also
means intimidation or compulsion by the
threat of such physical injury. We do
violence to — that is, injure — our better
nature by committing acts of which we are
ashamed. A theory not compatible with
reason is said to dp violence to reason.

A violent (vl' 6 lent, adj.) blow is one
delivered with great force. In a collision
between two vehicles there is a violent
impact, and the contents are hurled violently
(vi' 6 lent li, adv.) in all directions. A
violent dislike is an intense dislike. A
violent speaker uses unrestrained or even
outrageous, language. Death by accident,
or as the result of violence, is called violent
death. In Scot s law a violent suspicion or
presumption is one that is extremely strong
or severe.

F., from L. violentia. See violate. SYN. :
Brutality, fierceness, injury, intensity, vehem-
ence. ANT. : Gentleness, weakness.

violet (vi' 6 let), n. Each of several
kinds of plant, mainly of the genus Viola,
with blue, purple, or white flowers ; the
colour, blue tinged with red, seen at the
end of the spectrum opposite to red. adj.
Of the colour of violet. (F. violette , violet.}
Shakespeare, in " Love's Labour's Lost"
(v, 2), wrote of " daisies pied and violets blue " ;
but most violets are purplish rather than
blue. Violet, the colour of the violet, is a
mixture of blue with a small
, proportion of red. Of the
true violets the most familiar
are the sweet violet (Viola
odorata), and the paler dog-
violet (V.canina) also known
as the scentless wild violet.
The water violet (Hottqnia
palustris) belongs to a
different family. It has
lilac flowers. A yiolescent
(vi 6 les' ent, adj.) colour
is one tending towards
violet.

The toilet powder called
violet powder (n.) consists of
starch perfumed with orris-
root and other substances.
Violet-wood (n.) is the timber
of a number of trees, in-
cluding k i n g w o o d, and
myall, a species of Australian
acacia.

F. violette dim. of O.F. viole,
L. viola. See viola.

violin [i] (vi 6 tin'), n. A small four-
stringed musical instrument of the viol
class, held in a horizontal position by the
chin, and usually played with a bow ; a
player of this instrument. (F. violon.)

The violins are the most important
instruments i*-». a full orchestra. They have
greater expressiveness and more variety of
tone than' any other solo instrument. A
player on a violin is called a violinist (vi 6
tin' ist, n.). In an orchestra, the leader of

4488

VIOLIN

VIRELA?

the violins is called the principal violin.
The viola, violoncello, and contra-bass are
other instruments of the violin family (n.).

Ital. violmo, dim, of viola, L.L. vldula, vltula.
See fiddle, viol.

violin [2] (vl' 6 lin), n. An emetic found
in the common violet. Another spelling is
violine (vl7 6 lin). (F. violine.}
From L. viola violet, and K.-m.
violinist (vl 6 lin7 ist). For this word
see under violin [i].

violist (vi7 6 list ; ve 6' list). For this
word see under viol.

violoncello (ve 6 Ion chel7 15), n. A
large instrument of
the violin family,
rested on the ground
between the knees
when being played.
(F. violoncelle.)

In England and
America, the familiar
abbreviation 'cello, is
commonly used as a
name for this instru-
ment, a violoncellist
(ve 6 Ion chel' list,
n.} or player on it
being called a 'cellist,
or, in an orchestra,
a 'cello. The violon-
cello developed from
the viola da gamba,
or bass viol, just as
the modern contra-
bass, sounding an
octave lower, is an
improved form of violone (ve 6 16 ' na, n.},
the deepest instrument of the viol class.

Ital., dim. of violone contra-bass viol, augmen-
tative of viola viol.

viper (vi7 per), n. A venomous snake,
belonging to the genus Vipera or an allied
genus, especially the adder or European viper,
the only poisonous snake found in Britain ;
a treacherous person. (F. vipere.)

The British viper, or adder, as it is more
often called, may be recognized by its broad
head, sharply tapering tail, and the row of
dark markings on its back. An i1 lustration
will be found on page 50. Viperiform (vi7
per i form, adj.) and viperine (vl7 per In, adj.)
mean resembling a viper ; the latter word and
viper ish (vi7 per ish, adj.) are both applied
to malignant or treacherous persons, and
conduct. The plant viper's bugloss (n.) —
Echium vulgare — has bright blue flowers,
and grows on waste ground.

From F. vipere, L. viper a viper.
virago (vi ra7 go), n. A bold, noisy,
violent woman. (F. virago.}

L. virago a man-like woman, from vir man.
Virgo virgin is perhaps a contraction of virago.
SYN. : Scold, shrew, termagant.

virelay (vir7 e la), n. An old French

form of verse having two rhymes to a

stanza, usually with a refrain. (F. virelai.)

From O.F. virelai, virer to turn, lai lay, ballad.

D28 4489

Violoncello.— The 'cello,

the full name of which

is violoncello.

.*%»/
4^Pv

Violin. — Some steps in its development. (1) A late
example of the crwth, an old Welsh instrument
related to the lyre, and regarded by some as an
ancestor of the violin. (2) A mediaeval forerunner
of the violin, with additions made in the sixteenth
century. (3) The smallest type of viol, seventeenth
century. (5) A nineteenth century Norwegian violin
with sympathetic strings, as in the seven teeth century
viola d'amore (4). (6) English violin, said to have
belonged to James I.

I K7

VIREO

VIRTU

vireo (vir' e 6), n. An insectivorous
American song-bird which makes hanging
cup-shaped nests. (F. moucherolle .}

L. — a kind of small bird, possibly the
greenfinch.

virescence (vi res' ens), n. The normal
greenness of plants. (F. verdure.}

The virescence of plants is due to a sub-
stance called chlorophyll, or leaf-green.
Light is necessary for the formation of
chlorophyll, so that plants kept in the dark
do not become virescent (vi res' ent, adj.}.
The petals of flowers, such as tulips, some-
times tend to be virescent, becoming greenish
in colour instead of the normal hue.

From L. virescens pres. p. of virescere to
grow green.

vir gat e ( ver ' gat ) ,
adj. Straight, slender,
and erect ; like a rod.
n. An ancient measure
of land ; a quarter of
a hide. (F. en verge :
ver gee.}

From L. virga rod,
switch and E. -ate.

Virgilian (ver jil' i
an), adj. Of or relating
to Virgil (Publius Ver-
gilius Maro), the Latin
poet (about B.C. 70-19) ;
in the style of Virgil.
(F. virgili en.}

virgin (ver' jin), n.
A maiden; an innocent
girl. adj. Maidenly ;
modest ; chaste ; of land,
not yet brought into
cultivation. (F. fille,
vierge ; de jeune fille,
modes te, chaste, vierge.}

To plough grass-land, or any other which
has not hitherto been cultivated, is to
till virgin soil. One who enters upon a new
venture is said to cultivate virgin territory,
or to break new ground.

Virile. — The tense expression and vigorous
action of a virile jumper.

The Virginia creeper (n.) — Vitis or Am-
pelopsis quinquefolia — is a climbing plant
much grown in gardens. In autumn its
leaves change colour very beautifully.

The Virginian deer (n.} — Odocoileus vir-
ginianus — is a kind of deer found in North
America. The coat is reddish-brown in
summer and greyish in winter. For the
Virginian grosbeak (•».) or Virginian nightin-
gale (n.} see cardinal-bird.

Modern L., from vir go (ace. -gin-em) virgin.
Virgo (ver7 go), n. One of the twelve
zodiacal constellations ; the sixth sign of
the zodiac. (F. la Vierge.}
L. = virgin, maid.

viridescent (vir i des' ent), adj.
Greenish ; tending to be-
comegreen. (Y.verddtre.}
The pigment viridian
(vi rid' i an, n.} is a
bluish green.
From L.L.
(ace. -ent-em)
of viridescere
green.

virile (vir" il ; vir'
il), adj. Of or relating
to the male sex ; manly ;
masculine; forceful ;
vigorous. (F. viril, male,
nerveux.}

A virile person is dis-
tinguished from one who
is childish or effeminate.
A literary style which
has vigour and forceful-
ness is said to be virile.
Virility (vi ril' i ti, n.} is
the quality or state of
being virile.

From O.F. viril, L.
virllis masculine, from vir man as distinguished
from woman. SYN. : Manly, masculine, vigorous.
ANT. : Childish, decadent, effeminate, effete,
womanish.

virose (vir' 6s), adj. Poisonous ;

viridescens
pres. p.
grow

to

Dress or conduct is virginal (ver' jin al, emitting a fetid smell, or one suggestive

adj.) if maidenly, or befitting a virgin. The
word virginally (v£r' jin al li, adv.) means
in a maidenly manner. A virginal (n.) was
a small kind of harpsichord, used in the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, having
a rectangular or five-sided case. Virgin-
hood (ver' jin hud, n.), or virginity (ver
jin' i ti; n.), is the state or quality of being
a virgin.

From L. vir go (ace. -in-em) maiden, girl.

Virginia (vir jin' ya), n. Tobacco
from Virginia, a middle Atlantic state of
the U.S.A. (F. tabac de la Virginie.}

The colony of Virginia took its' name
from Elizabeth, the virgin queen of England.
Thence the first tobacco was brought to
England, and the name has ever since been
used for tobacco grown there. Other
Virginian (ver jin' yan, adj.} products are
cotton and corn. A Virginian (n.} is a
native of Virginia.

of poisonous qualities. (F. veneneux, infect.]

This word is seldom used.

From L. vlrosus from virus poison.

virtu (ver too'), n. A knowledge or love
of the fine arts ; a taste for objects of art or
curios ; works of art or curios, collectively .
is vertu (ver too'). (F. gout

Articles or objects of virtu are works of
art regarded as valuable because of their
beauty, workmanship, age, or rarity. A
person who loves and understands such
works of art, or certain classes of them, is
called a virtuoso (ver tu 6' so, n.} — pi.
virtuosos (ver tu 6' soz) or virtuosi (ver too
6' si).

In another sense, an exceptionally brilliant
musician who excels as an executant is
termed a virtuoso. The name is also used
of one who is proficient in the technique
of any art. Such technical mastery is

4490

VIRTUE

VISGAGHA

virtuosity (ver tu os' i ti, n.), which also
means the interests or pursuits of a dilettante
or virtuoso.

Ital. virtu, L. virtus virtue.

virtue (ver' tu), n. Moral excellence,
worth, or goodness ; uprightness ; a par-
ticular excellence of nature or character ;
chastity ; 'inherent power, efficacy, or good-
ness ; (pi.) the seventh order of angels.
(F. vertu, pvobite, purete.)

The cardinal virtues (n.pl.) are the
most important moral virtues, by the
practice of which one attains to true virtue,
or moral goodness. The ancients regarded
them as being justice, temperance, prudence,
and fortitude. To these have been added
the Christian virtues of faith, hope, and
charity, making up seven in all.

The alchemists tried to discover the
philosophers' stone, which was reputed to
have the virtue, or power, of turning
base metals into gold. Many substances
obtained from plants have healing virtues,
and are used as salves, medicines, etc.
Virtue, or efficacy, of one sort or another
was once imputed superstitiously to other
natural objects, which in a wiser age we
know to be quite virtueless (ver' tu les,
adj.), or devoid of such power.

A judge passes sentence by virtue of,
or in virtue of, the office which he holds,
that is, through its authority.

People are virtuous (ver' tu us, adj.) if
they are morally good, and acts are virtuous
if they are a proof of, or display, virtue.
There are many ways of behaving virtuously
(ver' tu us li, adv.), or morally, and of
displaying virtuousness (ver' tu us nes, n.),
the quality or state of being virtuous.

A virtual (ver' tu al, adj.) victory is a
result which has the real effect of a victory,
though it may not be a victory in name.
It has virtuality (ver tu al' i ti, n.), that is,
the state or quality of being virtual, or
equivalent for all practical purposes. In the
prolonged absence from a business of its
proprietor, his manager may virtually
exercise control and be its head in all but
name. A document is signed virtually (ver'
tu al li, adv.), that is, in effect, by a person,
if it is signed by his proxy or attorney, to
whom he has delegated the necessary
powers.

From F. vertu, from L. virtus manliness, moral
worth. SYN. : Excellence, goodness, uprightness,
value, worth. ANT. : Defect, demerit, vice,
worthlessness.

virtuosity (ver tu os' i ti). For this
word, virtuoso, etc., see under virtu.

virulent (vir' u lent), adj. Extremely
poisonous ; deadly ; bitter ; malignant.
(F. virulent.)

The virulence (vir' u lens, n.) of an in-
fectious disease depends upon the amount
or strength of the virus (vir'us, n.), or poison,
produced by the germs of the disease and

absorbed into the body. The name of
virus is given also to a preparation made
from disease germs and used as a preventive
of the particular disease. Some diseases,
such as cholera or rabies, act more viru-
lently (vir' u lent li, adv.) than others.

Figuratively, bitterness or acrimony is
described as virus, and a newspaper or a
politician, for example, that attacks an-
other in bitter or scathing terms is said to
do so virulently, or with virulence. A moral
taint, or any influence of a corrupt nature
is sometimes called a virus.

From L. vlrulentus from virus poison, venom.
SYN. : Bitter, malignant, poisonous.

virus (vir' us). For this word see
imder virulent.

vis (vis), n. Force ; energy ; power.
(F. force.)

This Latin word, in combination with
other Latin words, forms various terms
used in mechanics. Perhaps the best-known
of these is vis inertiae (see under inert), an
expression also used figuratively for a ten-
dency to remain unprogressive or inactive.

visa (ve' za). This is another form of
vise. See vise.

visage (viz' ij), n. The face ; the
countenance. (F. visage, figure.)

This is a more or less literary word.
Visaged (viz' ajd, adj.) — having a visage — is
used in such combinations as stern-visaged
and sour-visaged.

F., from L. vlsus (cp. Ital. viso face) from
videre to see. SYN. : Countenance, face.

visard (viz' ard). This is another form
of visor. See under visor.

vis-a-vis (ve za ve'), adv. Face to
face ; opposite, n. A person facing another ;
a carriage or seat for two persons sitting
vis-a-vis. (F. vis-d-vis, en face ; vis-a-vis.)

F. = face to face (O.F. vis face). See visape.

Viscacha. — The viscacha, a burrowing rodent, very
numerous on the plains of South America.

viscacha (vis kach' a), n. A small South
American burrowing rodent, Lagostomus
trichodactylus, related to the chinchilla. (F.
viscache, vizchaca.)

4491

VISCERA

VISIGOTH

These animals are found in great numbers
on the pampas of South America. They
are somewhat like rabbits in appearance
and live in warrens containing about a
dozen burrows. The viscachas have a
queer habit of dragging all sorts of hard
and apparently useless objects, such as bones,
sticks, and stones, to the mouths of their
burrows. Their fur is grey above, with
dark markings, and whitish beneath.

South American native.

viscera (vis' er a), n.pl. The internal
organs in the great cavities of the body.
sing, viscus (vis' kus). (F. visceres.}

The brain or the heart is as correctly called
<i viscus as the stomach or the liver ; but
usually it is the intestines or organs of
the abdomen which are regarded as viscera.
Visceral (vis' er al, adj.] means of or
relating to a viscus or to viscera.

L. pi. == entrails. SYN. : Entrails.

viscid (vis' id), adj. Sticky ; adhesive ;
semifluid in consistency ; of a surface,
coated with such a secretion. (F. visqueux.}

Viscid. — A magnified view of the sundew, which
catches insects by means of viscid threads.

Gums and resins are viscid or viscous (vis'
kus, adj.) substances which ooze from trees.
In the sundew the leaves are studded with
crimson threads, and these secrete a
viscid substance. Insects which alight
on the leaves are held captive. Owing to
the viscidity (vi sid' i ti, n.) of its leaves a
similar plant is said to be used in parts of
Portugal as a substitute for fly-paper.
Viscin (vis' in, n.) is a viscid liquid obtained
from the mistletoe and other plants. Vis-
cosity (vis kos' f ti, n.) is the quality or
state of being viscous, that is, the property
in fluids and semifluids by which they
resist change in the arrangement of the
molecules. A viscosimeter (vis ko sim' e
ter, n.) is an apparatus for determining the
viscosity of liquids.

L.L. viscidus, from L. viscum mistletoe, bird-
lime. SYN. : Adhesive, glutinous, gummy, sticky.

viscount (vi' kount), n. A noble
ranking next below an earl, and above
a baron. (F. vicomte.)

Originally a viscount was an officer who
acted in place of the count, or in England
the earl, of a county, and those who
held the viscountcy (vi' kount si, n.), vis-
countship (vi' kount ship, n.), or viscounty
(vi' kount i, n.), as the office was variously
called, were afterwards known as sheriffs.
Viscount is now the fourth degree of nobility
in Great Britain and, as a courtesy title, is
borne by the eldest son of an earl. The
wife of a viscount is known as a viscountess
(vi' kount es, n.).

O.F. viscomte, L.L. vicecomes. See vice-,
count [2].

viscous (vis' kus), adj. Sticky ;
glutinous ; having viscosity. See under viscid.

viscum (vis' kum), n. A genus of

farasitic shrubs comprising the mistletoe.
V. album}. (F. gui.)

L. = mistletoe.

viscus (vis' kus), n. Any one of the
internal organs of the body, generally used
in the plural. See viscera.

vise (ve" za), n. An official endorse-
ment upon a passport, denoting that it
has been examined, v.t. To mark with
a vise. (F. visa; viser.)

F., p.p. of viser to examine, from L. vlsere to
view, behold.

visible (viz' ibl), adj. Capable of being
seen, perceived, or ascertained ; in sight ;
apparent. (F. visible, sensible, manifested)

Smoke and mist are visible, but air and
most other gases are invisible. A person
who is apparently destitute is said to be
without visible means of support. Protest-
ants distinguish between the visible Church
(«.), which is the apparent Church of Christ
on earth, made up of all people professing
to be Christians, and the invisible, or real,
Church, which consists of persons who are
Christians at heart and in deed. To a
sailor in mid-ocean the view is bounded on
all sides by the visible horizon, the line in
which sea and sky seem to meet. A system
of printed signs representing all speech-
sounds in use, is known as visible speech
(n.).

A thing can be seen if it possesses
visibility (viz i bil' i ti, n.), or visibleness
(viz' ibl nes, n.}, the state or quality of being
visible. We say that the visibility is bad
if moisture or fog obscures the view. People
are visibly (viz' ib li, adv.] affected by
sights or words if affected in a way obvious
to the eye.

F., from L.L. visfalis, from vlsus p.p. of
videre to see. SYN. : Discernible, noticeable,
obvious, open, perceptible. ANT. : Impercepti-
ble, invisible, unseen.

Visigoth (viz' i goth), n. One of the
western branch of the Goths. (F. Visigoth.}

This name is applied to members of that
branch of the Gothic tribes which settled in
Dacia. Those Goths who remained on the

4492

VISION

VISIT

northern shores of the Black Sea are known
in history as the Ostrogoths or Eastern
Goths.

The Visigoths overran most of Europe in
the fourth and fifth centuries and settled
in France and Spain. Anything relating to
the Visigoths or the monarchy founded by
them may be described as
Visigothic (viz i goth7 ik, adj.).

L.L Visigothus western Goth.

vision (vizh' un), n. The
act or faculty of seeing ; sight ;
a thing supernaturally or mystic-
ally seen ; an apparition ; a
phantom ; a creation of the
fancy ; insight, v.t. To see as
in a vision ; to present to the
mind ; to imagine. (F. vue,
vision, spectre, perspicacity ; se
figurer, s'imaginer.)

Spectacles or eyeglasses are
aids to vision, used by those in
whom the natural vision, or
power of sight, is not so good as
it might be. A telescope brings
distant objects within range of
vision, so that we can see them ;
but its field of vision, or the area
which can be seen by its aid
without moving the instrument,
is somewhat small.

To most young people the mention oi
Christmastide conjures up visions of mince-
pies and plum-pudding, and hungry people
sometimes are tormented by visions of good
things they very much desire to eat.

Many visions, or supernatural appearances,
are mentioned in the Bible. They either
were prophetic or conveyed some message
from God.

Joan of Arc is said to have had many
experiences which were visional (vizh' un
al, adj.), that is, of the nature of visions.
She believed herself to be urged visionally
(vizh7 un al li, adv.), or in visions, to deliver
France from the English.

Some people regarded Joan's experiences
as visionary (vizh7 un a ri, adj.), or existing
only in her imagination ; they described her
schemes as visionary, or unpractical, ones ;
and considered Joan herself to be a visionary
(n.), or day-dreamer, one given to flights
of fancy.

The state of being visionary is visionari-
ness (vizh7 un a ri nes, n.). A visionless
(vizh7 un les, adj.) person is one without the
faculty of sight, or one who lacks imagina-
tion or insight.

From L. vlsio (ace. -on-em) from vlsus p.p. of
videre to see. SYN. : Insight, phantom, sight,
spectre. ANT. : Blindness, sightlessness.

visit (viz7 it), v.t. To go or come to
see (a person, etc.) as an act of friendship
or ceremony, on business, or out of curiosity ;
to make a short stay at ; to come or go to
for the purpose of inspection, supervision,
etc. ; to come upon ; to overtake ; to
afflict ; to comfort, v.i. To call on or

maintain friendly intercourse with people.
n. An act of visiting ; a temporary stay a1
a place or with a person ; an official call foi
purposes of inspection, etc. (F. visiter,
affliger ; faire des visiles, aller en visile ,
visite.)

Friends and relatives keep touch with

Visit. — A little girl in hospital is made happy by a visit from her
young companions, who bring her enchanting toy*.

one another by means of visits, visiting
each other from time to time. Town children
look forward to visiting the seaside or
country, and country residents like to visit
London. Schools are visited by inspectors
who test the proficiency of the pupils ; doctors
visit their patients to see how they are getting
on, and to give professional advice. God
visited, or afflicted, the Egyptians with
ten plagues because Pharaoh would not let
the Israelites depart.

Poets sometimes use visitant (viz7 i tant.
adj.) in the sense of visiting, and describe
a guest or visitor as a visitant (n.). A
migratory bird is a visitant staying in a
country for part only of the year. A nun is
called a Visitant if she belongs to the Order
of the Visitation of Our Lady, a body
devoted to the education of young girls. The
word visitation (viz i ta7 shun, n.), used in
their title, means an act of visiting, and
refers to the visit paid to Elizabeth by the
Virgin Mary (Luke i, 39-56), which is com-
memorated by a festival of the Roman
Catholic Church.

A bishop's visitation is a formal visit
of inspection made to the churches of his
diocese, which are visitable (viz7 it abl,
adj.), or liable to be visited, periodically for
this purpose. Visitations are also made by
archdeacons. International law allows the
visitation of a foreign ship by a nation
engaged in war, this being the act of boarding
the vessel, to learn her nationality and tl e
nature of her cargo. Countries are sometimes
plagued by a visitation, or invasion, of
mammals or insects, such as lemmings and

4493

VISOR

VITAL

locusts, which sometimes migrate in enor- visual (vizh' u al ; viz' u al), adj.
mously large numbers. A plague of locusts Concerned with, or used in vision. (F. visuel.}

was one of the plagues sent upon the
Egyptians as a visitation, or judgment, of
God. People sometimes regard a calamity
as a visitation, or divine punishment, sent
upon them.

The Book of Common Prayer contains
an office which is called the Order for the
Visitation of the Sick, to be used by the
clergy when they visit sick people.

A visitatorial (viz i ta tor' i al, adj.)
right is one of making an official visitation.
Details about calls received and made are
kept in a visiting-book (».). A visiting-card
(n.) is a small card, printed with his name and
address, left by a visitor (viz' i tor, n.) —
that is, one who pays a call — at the time of
calling. A visitor to the seaside is one who
goes there for a short stay ; the visitor of
an institution is an official appointed to
inspect it. The visitors' book (n.) at a
house, hotel, or institution is one in which
callers enter their names.

From F. visiter, L. visitare frequentative
of vlsere to view, survey (videre to see). SYN. :
v. Afflict, call, inspect, overtake, n. Call, in-
spection, stay.

visor (viz' or), n. A movable part
at the front of a helmet to protect the face ;
a projecting part of a cap to
shield the eyes. (F. visiere.)

In mediaeval armour the
face of the wearer was pro-
tected by a visor, a perforated
part of the helmet which
could be dropped down over
the face at will. One who
availed himself of this pro-
tection could be described
as visored (viz' ord, adj.), and
one who had no visor as
visorless (viz' or les, adj.}.
Many uniform caps are now
protected with a peak, or
visor, to shade and shield the
wearer's eyes.

Anglo-F. viser (F. visiere}
from O.F. vis face. See visage.

vista (vis' ta), n. A long,
narrow view, confined at the
sides, as between rows of
trees ; a mental view far
into the future or the past. (F. echappee de
vue, perspective.)

In some of our ancient parks an avenue of
noble elms or beeches stretches for a long
distance from the entrance of the mansion,
affording a pleasing leafy vista in summer.
Originally, the view at the end was the vista.
A wood or forest with vistas may be described
as vistaed (vis' tad, adj.).

Sometimes we look back in retrospect upon
a series of past events, or try and look for-
ward in anticipation to those we expect in
future. Each of these sets of mental images
may be called a vista.

Ital. = view, from L. vis-us seen.

Visor.— A helmet with visor, the

movable part which serves to

protect the face.

Our eyes are visual organs, and the sensi-
tiveness of the retina of the eye depends
largely on the presence in its rods of a
substance known as visual purple (n.) or
rhodopsin. This is a purple pigment which
fades temporarily when exposed to light.

To make a thing visible is to visualize
(vizh' u a Hz ; viz' u a Hz, v.t.) it ; we also
visualize a thing when we form an idea or
image of it in the mind. An architect, for
example, visualizes in his mind the building
he proposes to erect, and upon his power
of visualization (vizh u a II za' shun ;
viz' u a II za shun, n.), much depends. A
painter or poet needs to be a visualizer
(vizh' u a II zer ; viz' u a li zer, n.), imagin-
ing in his mind what he desires to represent.

A telescope makes distant objects per-
ceptible visually (vizh' u al li ; viz' ii al li
adv.) to the user, so that they can be seen.

O.F. from L.L. vlsualis, from L. visus sight.

vital (vi' tal), adj. Of, pertaining to,
or supporting, organic life ; essential to
organic life ; affecting life ; fatal to life or
to the success of something ; indispensable,
(vitals) n.pl. The organs most essential to
life, as the heart, brain, and lungs ; essen-
tials. (F. vital, essentiel, indispensable ;
parties vitalrs.)

Life is sometimes described
as the vital spark. In phy-
siology, those functions of

• living organisms that are
necessary to the continuance
of life are known as the
vital functions. The heart,
brain, lungs, and liver, in
particular, are vital organs
or parts, and in ordinary
language they are loosely
termed the vitals.

The vital centre (n.) of an
animal is the part or point
in the body at which a
wound appears to be imme-
diately fatal, especially the
respiratory nerve-centre in

* the lower part of the brain.

Scientists have tried to
account for organic life and
its manifestations by
assuming the existence of a force called the
vital force (n.) or vital principle (n.), which
is held to be distinct from chemical and
physical forces. The doctrine or theory that
life originates in such a force is known as
vitalism (vi' tal izm, n.). A vitalist (vi'
tal ist, n.) is one who supports or
endeavours to expound this vitalistic (vi ta
lis' tik, adj.) theory.

Statistics of births, deaths, marriages, and
other facts of life are known as vital statistics

An organism is affected vitally (vi' tal li,
adv.) by a change of climate when its
power of sustaining life is affected. A

4494

VITELLUS

VITREOUS

matter is vitally important, or of vital
importance, when the success or failure
of an enterprise depends upon it. Vital
books are those of real importance as con-
trasted with ephemeral novels or other light
literature.

Animation, or the principle of life, is also
known as vitality (vl tal7 i ti, n.). Some
disease germs have remarkable vitality,

vitreous (vif re us), adj. Consisting of
or resembling glass ; obtained from glass.
(F. de verre, vitreux.)

In geology, rocks which resemble glass
in lustre, hardness, and brittleness are said
to be vitreous. Obsidian is an instance of
a lava possessing a vitreous, or glassy,
structure. A glass rod rubbed with a silk
handkerchief produces what was formerly

or power of continuing to exist, or of sustain- called vitreous electricity (n.}, as distinguished
ing life in very unfavourable conditions. A from resinous electricity, which is of a
very vigorous person is said to be full of lower potential. Nowadays these terms
vitality. are superseded by the words positive and

We cannot vitalize (vl7 tal iz, v.t.}, that is, negative, respectively,
give life to, dead matter, but in
a figurative sense an author
may be said to vitalize, put
life into, or present in a life-
like manner, the characters in
his books. The action of vital-
izing and the state of being
vitalized, in a literal or figurative
sense, are both termed vitaliza-
tion (vl ta li za7 shim, n.). The
vitalization of an industry, for
instance, is the process of making
it more active and prosperous.

F., from L. vltdlis of life, from
vita life. SYN. . Essential, indispen-
sable, living, necessary. ANT. :
Unessential, unimportant.

vitellus (vi tel7 iis ; vl tel7
us), n. Yolk of egg ; that portion
of this which affords nourish-
ment to the growing bird. pi.
vitelli (vi tel7 I ; vi tel7 I). (F.
vitellus.)

The vitellus is contained within the
vitelline (vi tel7 In ; vl tel7 In, adj.) mem-
brane, forming the vitellary (vit7 e la ri adj.)
sac, or yolk sac, of the egg. It is absorbed
into the embryo of the bird during incubation.
The substance contained in the yolk is a
mixture of albumin and casein, known to
scientists as vitellin (vi tel7 in ; vl tel7 in, «.).

L. = yolk of egg, literally little calf.

vitiate (vish7 i at), v.t. To impair the
quality of ; to corrupt or make faulty ;
to render invalid or ineffectual. (F. vicier,
alter er, invalider.)

The air of a crowded room is vitiated
when it is rendered impure through lack
of ventilation, and so is injurious to
health. A person's character becomes
vitiated when it is influenced towards the
bad. The failure to observe proper legal
form may vitiate a contract, or invalidate
it. The act or process of vitiating, and also

Vitreous. — A scene in a plate-glass factory : the vitreous fluid, that
is, molten glass, being poured out by a machine.

vitiation (vish i a7 shun, n.).

From L. vitidtus p.p. of vitidre to mar, from
vitium vice, defect. SYN. : Contaminate, invali-
date, spoil, taint.

viticulture (vit7 i kul chur ; vi7 ti kul
chur), n. The cultivation of the vine.

(F. viticulture.)

From L. vltis vine, cultura cultivation.

A vitrescent (vi tres7 ent, adj.) substance
is either a glass one, or else one that tends
to become glassy. It is vitrescible (vi tres'
ibl, adj.), or verifiable (vit7 ri fi abl, adj.),
if it is capable of being turned into a glassy
substance by the application of heat.
Vitrescence (vi tres '-ens, n.) is either the state
of becoming vitreous or a vitreous quality
or condition. We speak, for instance, of the
high vitrescence of Chinese porcelain, meaning
that its surface has a high glaze.

Furnaces are used in glass-making to
vitrify (vit7 ri fi, v.t.) sand, soda, and other
substances, that is, to change them into
glass. Bricks are apt to vitrify (v.i.), or
become glassy, if overheated in the kiln.
The process of vitrifying, that is, converting
or being converted into a vitreous substance,
or the state produced by the process, is
vitrification (vit ri fi ka7 shun, n.), or
vitrifaction (vit ri fak7 shun, n.).

The ancient form of hill-fort called a
vitrified fort (n.) found in central Europe,
France, and Scotland, is built of rough
stones fused together by fire. It is uncertain
whether the vitrification of the stones was
due to design or accident.

A vitrine (vit7 rin, n.) is a glass show-case
in a. shop or museum.

From L. vitreus from vitrum glass ; E. suffix
-ous. SYN. : Glassy.

4495

VITRIOL

VIVARIUM

vitriol (vit7 ri 61), n. Sulphuric acid
or oil of vitriol ; any salt of this ; a sulphate ;
virulence or malignancy in criticism, etc.
(F. vitriol.}

The sulphates of many metals form clear
glassy crystals, and are for this reason called
vitriols. Green vitriol is iron sulphate, blue
vitriol is copper sulphate, and white vitriol
is zinc sulphate, especially the commercial
salt. Sulphuric acid was called oil of vitriol
because it was first made by the distillation
of green vitriol.

The act of throwing oil of vitriol at a
person with the object of disfiguring his
face is known as vitriol-throwing (n.). It
is a serious crime and is heavily punished.

An author who writes in a satirical, bitter,
or caustic way may be said to wield a
vitriolic (vit ri ol7 ik, adj.) pen.

M.E. and O.F. vitriole, from L.L. vitriolum
dim. from L. vitrum glass.

Vitruvian (vi troo7 vi an), adj. Of, or in
the style of, Vitruvius. (F. vitruvien, de
Vilruve.)

Vitruvius lived in the reign of the
Roman Emperor Augustus (27 B.C. — A.D. 14)
and dedicated to the Emperor the great
treatise on architecture and engineering
by which he is chiefly known. The Vitruvian
scroll (n.) is a form of decoration consisting
of a convoluted scroll-pattern.

From M. Vitruvius Pollio, Roman architect.

vitta (vit7 a), n. In zoology, a stripe of
colour ; in botany, an oil-tube in the fruit
of certain plants, especially of the parsley
family, pi. vittae (vif e). (F. raye.)

L. = chaplet, fillet, head-band.

Vituperate. — An incident of the French Revolution : the rabble
vituperating the Queen in the Palace of the Tuileries. 1792.

vituperate (vi tu' per at), v.t. To abuse ;
to rail at ; to revile. (F. vitup6rer, vilipendcr,
injuner.)

A person is said to vituperate another
when he blames, or speaks evil of him, in

violent or emphatic language. Abusive
language of this kind is known as vitupera-
tion (vi tu per a/ shun, n.) ; so also are the
act or process of vituperating, and the
expression of blame, etc., in vituperative
(vi tu' per a tiv, adj.), or violently abusive,
speech. A vituperative letter is one which
attacks a person vituperatively (vi tu7
per a tiv li, adv.) , or in a manner accompanied
by vituperation. A vituperator (vi tu7
per a tor, n.) is one who vituperates another.
From L. vituperatus p.p. oivituperare to abuse,
disparage, find fault, from vitium fault, pardre
to prepare. SYN. : Abuse, rate, revile, up-
braid. ANT. : Applaud, eulogize, extol, laud,
praise.

viva [i] (ve7 va), inter. An Italian
exclamation of applause or joy ; long live
(a specified person), n. This cry or exclama-
tion ; a cheer or hurrah. (F. vivat.)
Ital. = long live, L. vlvat.
viva [2] (vi7 va). For this word see
under viva voce.

vivace (ve va7 cha), adv. In music,
briskly ; somewhat quicker than allegro.
n. A composition played thus. (F. vivace.)
Ital. = lively, L. vlvax. (a.cc.-dc.-em).
vivacious (vi va7 shus; vi va7 shus),
adj. Lively ; animated ; gay ; sprightly.
(F. vivace, vif, eveille.)

A vivacious person is the very opposite of a
dull and sluggish one. Vivacity (vi vas7 i ti ;
vi vas7 i ti, n.) or vivaciousness (vi va/ shus
nes ; vi va7 shus nes, n.}, that is, a vivacious
quality, is regarded as a characteristic of
French people. Unlike the French, the
English do not chatter vivaciously ( vi
va7 shus li ; vi va7 shus li, adv.),
or in a vivacious manner, with
their neighbours when travelling.
They prefer a peaceful, but
sometimes depressing silence.

From L. vlvax (stem -dc-i-) and
E. -ous. SYN. : Animated, gay, light-
hearted, lively, sprightly. ANT. :
Dull, glum, spiritless, stolid.

vivandiere (ve van dyar), n.
A woman selling provisions,
liquor, etc., formerly attached
to French and other Continental
regiments. (F. vivandiere.)

F., fern, of vivandier sutler, from
L. vlvenda. See viand.

vivarium (v: var7 i urn), n.
A pond or pool where fish are
preserved alive for food ; a place
artificially prepared for the pur-
pose of keeping animals in their
natural state as objects of study
or interest ; a glass bowl or box
in which small reptiles are kept
in similar conditions, pi. vivaria
(vi var7 i a). (F. vivier.)

A vivarium may be a large park
or garden, or a small glass-sided box, but in
both instances living animals are kept in it,
and some attempt is made to reproduce
their natural surroundings.

L. = a preserve, from vlvus alive.

4496

VIVAT

VIZ

vivat (ve' vat), inter. Long live (a
specified or implied person or thing). n.
This cry. (F. vivat.)

Through F. from L. = long live, third sing,
pres. subj. of vlvere to live.

viva voce (vi" va vo' se), adj. Oral. „._„. . ~&&~ » -~ — ^^v, t,*^^m&

adv. By word of mouth; orally, n. An oral seeds or bulbs that germinate" while joined

examination. (F. oral; de vive voix, orale- to the parent plant. (F. vivipare.
ment ; exanien oral.}

alive, jacere to render). SYN. : Quicken, re-
animate, refresh, vitalize. ANT. : Debilitate,
enfeeble, impoverish, weaken.

viviparous (vi vip' a rus), adj. Pro-
ducing the young alive, and not hatching
them from eggs ; in botany, producing

In certain examina-
tions questions have
to be answered viva
voce, that is, verbally,
instea d of being
written down. A viva
voce vote is one given
orally, as opposed to a
ballot.

L. = with the live
voice (vox, ace. voc-em).

vive (vev), inter.
Long live. (F. vive.)

When a foreign king
pays a state visit to
Paris he is greeted
with the cry Vive le
roi, or " Long life to the
king," by the crowds
assembled along the
route to witness his
progress through the
city.

F. imperative of vivre to live = long live.

vivid (viv' id), adj. Having an appear-
ance of vigorous life ; animated ; lively ;
of colours, intense or brilliant ; life-like ;

Viviparous. — A viviparous lizard, one that produces
aliv

its young

ive, and not from eggs.

vivisection (viv

Mammals are vivi-
parous as contrasted
with birds, which are
oviparous and hatch
their young from eggs.
Most reptiles also are
oviparous, but the
common English vivi-
parous lizard (Lacerta
vivipara) produces its
young viviparously
(vi vip' a rus li, adv.),
or in aviviparous
manner. This char-
acteristic is known as
viviparity (viv i par'
i ti, n.). The rocam-
bole (A Ilium scorodo-
prasum) , allied to
garlic, is an example
of a viviparous plant.

From L.L. viviparus,
from L. vlvus alive,
par ere to bring forth.

sek' shim), n. The

dissection of, or other experiment made
on, living animals. (F. vivisection.)

Strictly speaking, to vivisect (viv' i sekt,

strongly marked ; realistic; highly coloured. v.t.) an animal is to dissect or cut it while

alive ; vivisecting, or vivisection, however,
is generally held to include the making of
other kinds of experiments on living animals
in the interests of medicine or physiology.
One of the chief vivisectional (viv i sek'
shun al, adj.) operations, in this wider
sense of the word, is the inoculation of
animals to obtain vaccines. In England
the vivisector (viv' i sek tor, n.) has to
obtain a licence before he may carry on
vivisectional work.

A vivisectionist (viv i sek' shun ist, n.) is
a person who approves of vivisection, as
distinguished from an anti-vivisectionist,
who advocates its prohibition by law.

From L. vlvus alive, and E. section

vivo (ve' vo), adv. In music, hi a
lively, animated, or brisk manner. (F. vif.)

Ital.

(F. vif, aninie, brillant, eclatant.)

The colours of tulips are usually vivid.
A vivid flash of lightning temporarily
blinds those who look directly at it. A
good literary style may be described as the
vivid expression of clear thought. A scene,
or a person, is depicted vividly (viv' id li,
adv.) when described in an animated,
striking, or realistic manner. Some old
people astonish us by the vividness (viv'
id nes, n.), that is, the vivid quality, of their
reminiscences. They can bring back to life,
as it were, events that they witnessed in their
youth.

L. vividus from vlvus alive. SYN.: Animated,
bright, glaring, graphic, intense. ANT. : Colour-
less, dim, dull, obscure, pale.

vivify (viv' i fi), v.t. To animate or
render more animated ; to enliven ; to
give life to. (F. ranimer, vivifier.)

This word is used chiefly in a figurative
sense. The prospect of a merry or diverting
evening may be said to vivify the spirits of
a person suffering from boredom. The sun
may be described as a great vivifier (viv' i
fi er, n.), a term meaning a person or thing
that gives life. The act of vivifying, or
giving life or animation to, anything is
vivification (viv i fi ka' shun, «.).

From O.F. vivifier, L.L. vivificdre (L. vlvus

vixen (vik' sen), n. A she-fox ; a
shrewish, ill-tempered woman ; a scold.
(F. renarde, megere.)

A woman is said to be a vixen or to have
a vixenish (vik' sen ish, adj.) disposition
when she rails or nags habitually.

Southern form of assumed O.K. fyxen fern, of
fox ', cp. G. fuchsin. SYN. : Scold, shrew.

viz. This is a contraction of videlicet,
the z representing -et. See videlicet.

4497

VIZGAGHA

VOCATION

vizcacha (viz kach' a). This is another
form of viscacha. See viscacha.

vizier (vi zer'), n. A high state official
in Mohammedan countries, especially a
minister of state in the former Turkish
Empire. (F. vizir.)

Before the office of Sultan was abolished
in Turkey, the ministers of state were known
as viziers, and the prime minister as the

are produced, include the larynx and the
vocal chords (n.pl.). The latter are two
elastic folds in the lining membrane of the
larynx, and are stretched across its opening,
called the glottis. The slit between these
membranes is known as the vocal glottis (n.).
In order to speak or sing, we allow the
vocal chords to be vibrated by currents of
passing upwards from the lungs and

,

grand vizier. The office or authority of a
minister of this kind is known as his vizierate Music that is composed for or produced
vi zer' at, n.),or viziership (vi zer' ship, n.}. by the voice is known as vocal music (n.),

A vizierial (vi zer' i al, adj.) letter is one
issued by a vizier.

From Turkish vezlr, Arabic wazlr one who bears
a charge or burden.

vizor (viz' or). This
is another form of visor.
See visor.

Vlach. (vlak), n. A
Wallachian. adj. Wal-
lachian. See Wallach.
(F. Valaque.}

Slav., from O.H.G. Walk
foreigner. See Welsh.

vocable (vo' kabl), n.
A word, especially with
regard to its form rather
than its meaning. (F
vocable, mot.)

F., from L. vocabulum
name, from vocdre to call.

vocabulary (vo kab'
u la ri), n. A list or
collection of words used
in a language, science,
book, profession, etc.,
usually arranged in
alphabetical order and
explained; the sum total
of the words in a
language ; the stock of
words at a person's
command; a word-book.
(F. vocabulaire .)

Many French reading-books prepared for
the use of English students have a vocabu-
lary at the end. This is really a small
dictionary containing the less familiar words

Vizier.— The Grand Vizier Salih Pasha, a

Turkish minister in the reign of Abdul

Hamid II.

as distinguished from instrumental music.
When the music for several voices to be
heard in combination, as in a part-song,
is written or printed
on separate staves, the
arrangement is known
as a vocal score (n.).

A language is said to
be vocalic (vo kal' ik,
adj.) when it is rich hi
vowels. Vocalism (vo'
ka lizm, n.) is the use
of the voice, especially
in singing, and a vocalist
(vo' ka list, n.) is a
singer, as opposed to an
instrumentalist. The
state or quality of
having voice or the
possession of vocal
powers, is vocality (vo
kal' i ti, n.). In pho-
netics, this word denotes
the quality of being
voiced.

To vocalize (vo' ka
Hz, v.t.) Hebrew is to
write it with vowel-
points. A sound is
vocalized when it is
uttered, especially (in
phonetics) when it is
made into a sonant.
To vocalize (v.i.) is to
sing. The action or pro-
cess of vocalizing, in various senses, or the
state of being vocalized, is termed vocaliza-
tion (vo ka 11 za' shun, ».). In music this
word may denote singing in general, or, in

occurring in the book, usually with defini- a special sense, the art of singing prolonged

tions, so that the reader need not lose time
by hunting in an ordinary dictionary. We
say' that a man has a large vocabulary
when he has a wide range of language.

From L. vocabulum (see vocable) with E.
suffix -ary. SYN. : Glossary.

vocal (vo' kal), adj. Of or pertaining
to the voice ; having a voice ; uttered or
produced by the voice ; in phonetics,
produced by the vibration of the vocal
cords, voiced ; in poetry, resounding with
or as if with voices ; endowed as if with
a voice, n. A representative entitled to

vowel sounds — a vocalise (vo ka lez', n.)
being a vocal exercise sung to any vowels
required. In poetry and poetical p'rose, the
word vocally (vo' 'ka li, adv.) means in a
vocal manner, and, in music by means of
singing.

F., from L. vocdlis, from vox (ace. v de-em) voice.

vocalion (vo ka' li on), n. A form of
harmonium having broad reeds vibrated
by a high wind -pressure.

From vocal and -ion.

vocation (vo ka' shun), n. A call
to, or a sense of fitness for, a particular

speak but not to vote in the United States career or occupation ; a call under spiritual
Congress. (F. vocal.)

The vocal organs, by which vocal sounds

uidance to undertake some particular
uty, etc., especially in the Christian Church ;

4498

VOCATIVE

VOICE

at),

To

one's calling, occupation, or profession.
(F. vocation, etat.)

When a man feels a vocation for the
priesthood he experiences an obligation to
become a priest, as if by a divine call.
Unless a person has some vocation to music
it would be foolish for him to adopt music
as his vocation. A school which provides
training for certain vocations, professions,
or other occupations, may be described as
a vocational (vo ka' shun al, adj.) school.

F., from L. vocdtio (ace. -on-em) a summons,
from vocatus p.p. of vocdre to call. SYN. :
Avocation, calling, employment, occupation,
profession.

vocative (vok' a tiv), adj. In grammar,
pertaining to or used in addressing, or
invoking, a person or thing, n. The case
of a noun employed in addressing a person
or thing. (F. du vocatif ; vocatif')

In Latin, Greek, and other languages,
there is a distinct vocative case, but in
English, and most modern European lan-
guages, the vocative is identical with the
nominative. The Latin Domine — O Lord ! —
is an example of the vocative.

From L. vocdtlvus pertaining to a call, or
summons.

vociferate (vo sif
shout out ; to utter
in a loud voice ; to
assert vehemently, v.i.
To cry out loudly.
(F. vociferev, gueuler ;
voctferer.)

A person who is de-
termined to be heard,
and who therefore vo-
ciferates his opinions,
is called a vociferator
(vo sif7 er a tor, n.).
He is said to be vocif-
erous (vo sif er us,
adj.), or vociferant (vo
sif' er ant, adj.),
that is, clamorous or
loud-voiced, and to
possess vociferousness
(vo sif er us nes, n.),
the quality or charac-
ter of being vociferous.
A vociferous talk is
one distinguished by
loud declamation, or
vociferation (vo sif
er a' shim, n.), which
also denotes the act
of vociferating. An
audience applauds vociferously (vo sif er us
li, adv.) when it applauds with great loud-
ness. The resulting clamour might be
described as vociferation.

The vociferous eagle (n.) — Haliaetus voci-
feroides — is a species of sea-eagle, allied
to the British erne and found in Madagascar.

From L. vociferdtus, p.p. of vociferdrl, from
vox (ace. voc-em) voice, jerre to carry. SYN. :
Bawl, declaim, shout, yell.

Vociferous. — The vociferous eagle,
because it is very noisy.

vodka (vod' ka), n. A strong alcoholic
liquor drunk in Russia. (F. vodka.)

Vodka is usually distilled from rye,
potatoes, or maize. During the World War
the consumption of vodka was prohibited
in Russia.

Rus., dim. of voda water, akin to K. water, wet
voe (vo), n. In the Orkney and Shetland
islands, a small inlet or bay.
Norw. vaag, O. Norse vdg-r bay.
voetganger (fuf gang er), n. In
South Africa, a young locust before develop-
ing its wings, and so having uo crawl along
the ground.

South African Dutch, from v oet foot, ganger one
that goes.

vogue (vog), n. The mode, fashion,
or practice prevailing at any particular
time ; common currency ; popular accept-
ance or usage. (F. vogue, mode.)

A style of dress is said to be in vogue
when it is fashionable. It was the vogue
in Elizabethan England to attend exhibi-
tions of bear-baiting.

F. = rowing, course, from voguer to set sail ;
cp. Ital. vogare to row, G. woge wave ; akin to
E. weigh. SYN. : Craze, fashion, mode, style.
voice (vois), n. A sound produced
by the larynx and modified by the mouth,
especially human utter-
ance in speaking, sing-
ing, etc. ; the power
or faculty of vocal
utterance ; speech ;
the expression of
opinion or will in
spoken or written
words ; the opinion 01
wish so expressed ; th< •
right to express 11
thus; spoken or
written support ; a
person expressing the
will or judgment of
others ; a sound re-
sembling human
speech ; a vocal part
in music ; any indi-
vidual part in a
musical score ; in
phonetics, sound pro-
duced by resonance of
the vocal chords, and
not by breath alone ;
in grammar, the form
of a verb showing
the relation of the
subject to the action.
v.t. To give utterance to ; to express ; in
music, to regulate the tone quality and
loudness of (an organ-pipe) ; in phonetics,
to utter with the voice, to make sonant.
(F. voixy parole, langage, suffrage ; exprimer,
pvodamer, faire rgsonner.)

A party newspaper is said to be the voice,
or mouth-piece, of the political party that
finances it. It voices, or gives voice to,
the policy of the party by putting into

so named

4499

VOID

VOLAPUK

print that party's political views. To
have a voice in a matter is to have a right
to express an opinion on it, or to share in
a decision regarding it.

The training of the singing voice, known
as voice-culture (n.}, has as its object the
production of clear, resonant, and apparently
effortless sounds, which are true in pitch.
One of the secrets of voice-production (n.) is
correct breathing. Musicians often describe
a fugue having, say, three distinct parts or
melodic lines, as a fugue for three voices,
even though the music is written for the
organ or pianoforte.

In phonetics, a letter capable of being
sounded continuously, accompanied by vibra-
tion of the vocal chords, as b, d, g, is said
to be a voiced (voist, adj.) letter or a sonant.
This adjective also means having a voice,
the quality of which is usually specified, as
in the word loud-voiced.

A person is voiceless (vois' les, adj.) when
he is speechless, or dumb, and so has the
quality of voicelessness (vois' les nes, n.).
A voiceless sound in phonetics is one that
is not voiced. The word voiceful (vois' ful,
adj.), meaning sonorous, is used only in
poetry and poetical prose.

O.F. vois (F. voix), L. vox (ace. voc-em) voice
sound, akin to Gr. (w)epos word, Sansk. vach to
speak. SYN. : n. Language, mouthpiece,
speaker, speech, utterance, v. Express, utter.

vacant, depourvu, sans valeur, vain, nut,
invalide ; vide; invalider, annuler, evacuer.)

In the biblical account of the Creation,
the earth is described as having been
at first " without form and void " (Genesis
i, 2). It was both formless and empty, or
destitute, of all life. Ignorant people are
said to be void of learning ; a stupid
remark is void of common sense. In poetry
and rhetorical language ; an aeroplane or a
bird may be said to vanish into the void,
or the void of heaven, when it passes or
flies out of sight.

In law, the fact of a bishopric, etc.,
becoming void or vacant is termed voidance
(void' ans, n.}. A contract or deed is null
and void when it is invalid or has been
voided or cancelled. Its voidness (void'
nes, n.}, or nullity, thus renders it valueless.
A legal conveyance is said to be voidable
(void' abl, adj.] if it is capable of being
voided, especially if it may alternatively
be confirmed, when, for instance, the person
concerned comes of age. In ordinary lan-

fuage, voidness means emptiness, vacuity,
n heraldry, a voided (void' ed, adj.] charge
is one with the inner portion cut away, or
emptied to a mere frame, so as to show the
field or background.

From O.F. voide, vuide ; possibly from L.
vacuus (through assumed popular L. vocita
— L. vacudta p.p. of vacudre to empty) or else
from viduus bereft. SYN. : adj.
Deserted, empty, ineffective, un-
occupied, vacant. ANT. : adj.
Filled, frequented, occupied, valid.

voivode (voi' vod), n. A
former administrative officer or
local ruler in south-eastern
Europe ; a hospodar. Another
form is vaivode (va/ vod). (F.
vayvode.)

Polish woyewoda, Rus. voevoda.

volant (vol' ant), adj. Cap-
able of flying ; flying ; nimble ;
active ; in heraldry, represented
as flying. (F. volant.)

This word is used chiefly in
poetry and poetical prose. The
volante (vo Ian' ta, n.) is a two-
wheeled vehicle, with long shafts,
used in Cuba and other Spanish-
speaking countries. The body of
the carriage is slung in front of
the axle, and the driver rides
on the horse.

From L. volans (ace. -ant-em).

Volapuk (vol' a puk), n.
A system of universal language
published in 1880. (F. Volapuk.)
A Swabian priest named Johann Maria

unfilled ; having no occupant or holder ; Schleyer invented the artificial language
devoid or destitute (of) ; useless ; ineffectual ; known as Volapuk. The vocabulary consists
without legal force ; null ; invalid, n. An mostly of words of one syllable inflected by
empty or vacant space ; the empty expanse means of suffixes and prefixes. Its chief
of outer space ; a vacuum, v.t. To in- sources were English, Latin, and German,
validate ; to nullify ; to emit. (F. vide, A Volapukist (vol' a puk ist, n.) is a

4500

Voice. — An expert voicing the pipes of an organ by adjusting the
mouths of the pipes until the correct tones are obtained.

void (void), adj. Empty ; vacant ;

VOLATILE

VOLCANO

Volcano. — Mount Ngauruhoe, a volcano on North Island, New Zealand, in eruption. The photograph, taken
from Tongariro National Park, shows clouds of dust and vapour rising to a height of five thousand feet.

person who advocated the adoption of
this simplified international tongue, which,
however, has been largely superseded by
Esperanto.

Volapuk vol world, puk speech (both from E.).

volatile (vor a til), adj. Changing
readily into vapour ; liable to evaporate
at ordinary temperatures ; light-hearted ;
fickle. (F. volatil, leger, volage.)

Smelling-salts have volatility (vol a til ' i
ti, n.), the quality of being' volatile. One
can volatalize (vo laf i Hz, v.t.) them,
that is, make them evaporate, more quickly
by heating them. Petrol and benzine
volatilize (v.i.}, or evaporate, if exposed
to the air. Indeed, they are so volatilizable
(vo lat i Hz' abl, adj.] as to be very danger-
ous, for during volatilization (vo lat i 11 za'
shun, n.), the process of evaporating, they
mingle with air and form a highly explosive
mixture.

F. volatil, from L. volatilis, from voldre to fly.
SYN. : Airy, giddy, flighty, unstable. ANT. :
Steady, unchanging.

volauvent (vol 6 van), n. A kind of
rich raised pastry into which minced game,
meat, or fish is placed after baking. (F.
vol-au-vent.)

F. — flight in the wind.

volcano (vol ka' no), «. An opening
in the earth's crust, through which heated
matter is discharged, usually surrounded by
a conical hill built up by the accumulation
of ejected material ; a hill or mountain of
this nature, pi. volcanoes (vol ka/ noz).
(F. volcan.}

Lava, or molten matter, rock fragments,
ashes, vapour, and various gases are the
substances usually emitted from volcanoes.

Many mountains are of volcanic (vol kan'
ik, adj.] origin, that is, came into existence
as volcanoes. Some of them have long
ceased to erupt and are called extinct
volcanoes ; others like Fuji-yama, in Japan,
have not erupted for many years, and
are styled dormant volcanoes ; a third class,
including Vesuvius and Etna, consists of
the active volcanoes, so called because they
frequently show signs of activity. The
mass of " material hurled volcanically (vol
kan' ik al li, adv.) from a crater is sometimes
enormous.

Volcanic action or condition, that is,
volcanicity (vol ka nis' i ti, n.), or volcanism
(vor ka nizm, n.), is due to great pent-up
forces finding their way out through weak
points in the earth's crust. The volcano-
logist (vol ka nol' 6 jist, n.), or vulcanologist,

4501

VOLE

VOLT

that is, expert in volcanology (vol ka nol'
6 ji, n.), or vulcanology, the science of
volcanoes, knows that these points lie on
certain well-defined lines, many of which
are near the edges of seas and oceans.
These lines may be seen on volcanological
(vol ka no loj' i kal, adj.), or vulcanologicaJ,
maps.

The terms volcanist (vol' ka nist, n.),
vulcanist, and Plutonist were applied to
people who believed that most of the changes
in the earth's crust were due to the action
of fire. Certain strata of the crust are
volcanized (vol' ka nizd, adj.), or modified
by volcanic heat. The volcanization (vol
ka nl za' shun, n.) of a region is the process
of its being affected by volcanic action,
or it may mean the changes in it brought
about by this.

Ital., from L. Vulcdnus Vulcan. See Vulcan.
Mt. Etna, the Sicilian volcano, was popularly
reported to be ihe flue of his underground
smithy.

vole [ij (vol), v.i. In certain card
games to win all the tricks in a deal. n.
The act of doing this. (F. faire la vole;
vole.}

F., from voler, L. voldre to fly. SYN. : n. Slam.

vole [2] (vol), n. One of several small
rodents resembling rats and mice, but with
shorter limbs and tail.
(F. campagnol.)

The water- vole
(Microtus amphibius),
known also as the
water - rat, inhabits
almost every river and
stream in Great
Britain. It makes its
burrow in the bank,
and, although living
chiefly on water-plants,
may penetrate inland
in search of root crops.
The field- vole (Microtus
agrestis) , or short -tailed |
field - mouse damages
crops and young trees.
The red or bank vole
(Evotomys glareolus) is
a third British species.

Originally vole-mouse
= field mouse ; cp. O.

Norse voll-r, Norw. voll, Swed. voll field, and E.
wold.

volet (vol a'), n. The wing or side
panel of a triptych. (F. volet.}

F. = shutter, movable flap, from voler to fly,
flutter, flap loose.

volitant (vol' i tant), adj. In zoology,
volant or flying. (F. volant.}

From L. volitans (ace. -ant-em), p.p. of volitdre,
frequentative of voldre to fly.

volition (vo lish' un), n. The power
or act of willing ; exercise of the will. (F.
volition, volontd }

A man acts on his own volition when he
acts entirely of his own free will. His

Vole. — The water-vole, also called the water rat, a
vegetarian rodent.

action is therefore volitional (vo lish' un al,
adj.}, or volitionary (vo lish' un a ri, adj.).
Anything that concerns the will is volitive
(voV i tiv, adj.). A man who acts volition-
ally (vo lish' un al li, adv.) acts as his own
will dictates, but one who has no will of
his own, and is merely passive, is volition] ess
(vo lish' un les, adj.).

F.,fromL.L. vohtio (ace. -on-em), from L. velle
(first pres. indie, volo) to will, wish.

volkslied (folks' let), n. A national
German air: a German folk-song, pi. volk-
slieder (folks' led er).
G., folk's song.

Volksraad (folks' rat), n. The chief
law-making body of both the Transvaal
and the Orange Free State, prior to the
union Vith Great Britain after the South
African War (1899-1902).

South African Dutch volk people, raad council.
volley (vol' i), n. The simultaneous
discharge of a number of missiles ; the
missiles thus discharged ; a noisy or ex-
plosive outburst of many things at once ;
in lawn -tennis, football, etc., the act of playing
the ball before it touches the ground ; in
cricket, a ball bowled so as to fall in the
stumps without bouncing, v.t. To dis-
charge in a volley ; in lawn-tennis, football,
etc., to play (the ball) before it bounces.
v.i. To fire volleys ;
to fly in a volley ; in
lawn-tennis, football ,
etc., to play the ball
before it bounces. (F.
decharge, salve.)

The remarks of <i
speaker may be greeted
with volleys of cheers,
or followed by volleys
of questions. A volleyer
(vol' i er, n.) is one
who volleys, the term
being applied specially
in lawn-tennis to a net
player. A batsman
takes advantage of a
half-volley (n.), which
is a ball so pitched
that the bat catches
it before it has risen
far from the ground.

From F. volte a flight,

shower of rain, crowd of missiles, from voler to fly.
vol pique (vol pe' ka), n. A descent
made by an aeroplane at a steeper angle
than the natural gliding angle ; a dive.
From F. vol flight, pique sharp.
volplane (vol' plan), v.i. To descend
in an aeroplane at a steeper angle than the
natural gliding angle, n. A descent made
in this way. (F. vol planer ; vol plane.)
From F. vol flight and planer to plane.
volt [i] (volt), n. The course of a horse
that goes sideways round a central point ;
in fencing a side movement to avoid a thrust.
Another form is volte (volt). (F. volte.}
F. volte, Ital. volta a turn. See vault.

4502

VOLT

VOLUBLE

volt [2] (volt), n. The electrical pressure
needed to create a current of one ampere
in a circuit having a resistance of one ohm.
(F. volt.}

The volt is the unit of electromotive
force. It may be compared with the pound
to the square inch used as a unit of steam-
pressure.

Voltmeter. — The voltmeter measures the voltage, or
electromotive force, of a current.

The voltage (vol' tij, n.} of a current is
its pressure, or electromotive force, expressed
in .volts. It is measured with an instru-
ment called a voltmeter (volt' me ter, n.},
which must not be confused with a volta-
meter (see under volta-).

What is known as voltaic (vol ta' ik, adj.]
electricity, or voltaism (vol' ta izm, n.}, is
electricity generated by the chemical action
that takes place in an electric cell. It is
also called galvanic electricity, and is of
the same nature as that produced by a
dynamo or accumulator. In general, the
expression is used in opposition to frictional
electricity, which is caused by rubbing.
Voltaic electricity will flow as a steady
current, whereas frictional electricity dis-
charges itself in an instant.

The voltaic pile (n.} is a very simple form
of electric battery. It consists of a pile of
pairs of zinc and copper plates, the plates
of a pair touching one another and being
separated from other pairs by pads of
cloth or cardboard moistened with weak
sulphuric acid. Voltite (vor tit, n.} is a
special kind of insulating material with
which electric wires are coated.

From Count Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), an
Italian physicist, who made important electrical
discoveries.

volta (vol' ta), n. In music, a time.
pi. volte (vor ta).

This musical term is used only in com-
bination with qualifying words, as due volte,
which means that a passage so marked is
to be played twice.

Ital. See vault [2].

volta-. A prefix derived from the name
of Count Alessandro Volta (1745-1827),
meaning having to do with the type of
electricity which flows in a continuous
current. (F. volt-, • volta-.}

A quantity of volta-electric (vol ta e lek'
trik, adj.), or voltaic, electricity (see under
volt [2]) is measured by an instrument

called a volta-electrometer (vol ta e lek
trom' e ter, n.) or, more shortly, a voltameter
(vol tarn' e ter, n.), not to be "confused with
a voltmeter (see under volt [2]). This
makes volta-electrometric (vol ta e lek tro
met' rik, adj.), or voltametric (vol ta met'
rik, adj.), measurements by decomposing
water or depositing a metal on a plate.

As volt [2].

voltage (vol' tij). For this word, and
voltaic, see under volt [2].

Voltairism (vol tar' izm), n. The
principles or views of Voltaire ; scoffing
doubt. Another form is Voltairianism (vol
tar' i an izm. (F. V oltairianisme .) ~»

Voltaire, whose real name was Francois
Marie Arouet, was a great French writer
who lived from 1694 to 1778. He attacked
many beliefs, especially the belief in Christ-
ianity. For three years he lived in England,
and afterwards in Prussia. One who imitates
his scoffing scepticism is called a Voltairian
(vol tar'"i an, n.), or a believer in Voltairian
(adj.) principles.

Voltairian. — Fran ois M. Arouet (Voltaire), the
great French writer, whose followers are known
as Voltairians.

voltaism (vol' ta izm). For this
word see under volt [2].

volte (volt). This is another form of
volt. See volt [i].

volte-face (volt fas), n. A turn round
or change about. (F. volte-face.)

When a Conservative becomes a Socialist
he performs a volte-face.

F. — Face about.

voltite (vol' tit). For this word see
under volt [2].

volubilate (vo lu' bi lat). For this
word, volubile, etc., see under voluble.

voluble (vol' ubl), adj. Characterized
by an easy flow of words ; fluent ; glib ;
in botany, twining round a support. (F.
facile, loquace, bavard, volubile.)

4503

VOLUME

VOLUNTARY

A voluble person often recounts his
experiences in an amusing manner. Some
people express themselves so volubly (vol'

The volume of a body of gas is gauged
with a volumeter (vo lu' me ter, n.}, oi
which there are several kinds. The chemical

u bli, adv.) that at times their volubility analysis of a substance may be volumetric

(vol u bil' i ti, n.), or volubleness (vol' ubl
nes, n.), is annoying, and wasteful of other
persons' time. Weak-stemmed plants, such
as the honeysuckle, convolvulus, and kidney
bean, which need to wind themselves round
a support are called by botanists voluble, or
sometimes volubilate (vo lu' bi lat, adj.) or
volubile (vol' u bll, adj.).

F., from L. voliibilis, from volvere to turn
round. See helix, wallow. SYN. : Chatty,
garrulous, loquacious. ANT. : Curt, taciturn.

volume (vol' urn), n. A number of
printed sheets bound together and com-
prising a single work, part of a work, or
more than one work ; a single book ; cubic
content ; bulk ; a rolling mass (of smoke,
etc.) ; fullness of tone. (F. volume, tome,
masse.}

The word volume originally meant some-
thing rolled up. The earliest books were
long strips of papyrus or parchment wound
on rollers, to the extremities of which were
attached labels, each bearing the name of
the author and the subject of the work.

Volume. — The Exeter Book, a manuscript volume written in the
tenth century, and presented to Exeter Cathedral about 1046.

The volume of a ton of water is about thirty -
six cubic feet. A double-bass gives a much
greater volume of sound than a violin.

A numeral is usually prefixed to the
word volumed (vol' umd, adj.), which
signifies containing volumes. We speak of
the three-volumed novel, which was popular
in the nineteenth century.

The bulk of a solid body can be discovered
with a volumenometer (vol urn e nom' e ter,
n.), either by measuring the amount of
water displaced by the body, or by ascer-
taining the increase in pressure in a fixed
volume of air into which the body is intro-
duced. The use of either method is volu-
menometry (vol um e nom' e tri, n.).

(vol u met' rik, adj.), or volumetrical (vol u
met' rik al, adj.), and be carried out volu-
metrically (vol u met' rik al li, adv.), that is,
in a manner which employs observations
of volume. Measurements are voluminal
(vo lu' mi nal, adj.) if made by volume, as
in dry measure.

A voluminous (vo lu' mi mis, adj.) work
is one in many volumes ; a voluminous
writer is one who writes many books, or
writes voluminously (vo lu' mi mis li, adv.),
that is, at great length ; a very voluminous
dress is one of great voluminousness (vo lu'
mi mis nes, n.) ; but voluminosity (vo lu mi
nos' it i, n.) means the quality of great
literary productiveness.

F., from L. volumen roll, from volvere to roll,
turn about ; books originally consisted of parch-
ment made up in continuous rolls, which were
unrolled for reading. SYN. : Bulk, fullness,
mass, richness, tome.

voluntary (vol' lin ta ri), adj. Acting
of or prompted by one's own free will ;
spontaneous ; done willingly ; regulated -by
choice or will ; done by agreement
or consent or without constraint
n. An organ solo played before^
during, or after a church service;
a supporter of the principle that
the Church should be maintained
by the voluntary efforts of its
members. (F. volontaire, libre.
spontane'.)

Our wills control most of our
movements — for instance, before
we kick a ball or pick up a pen,
we form the intention to do so.
These actions are voluntary and
in contradistinction to the blink-
ing of our eyelids in a bright light
or the withdrawal of our hands
from a blazing match.

A voluntary which is played by
an organist at a musical service
may be a prelude, an interlude,
or a postlude. The modern
organist usually plays suitable
items from his repertoire, but, in former
times, organists often improvised such music.
Most of our hospitals are supported
voluntarily (vol' lin ta ri li, adv.). The
voluntariness (vol' lin ta ri nes, n.} of the
public to contribute to their support shows
its appreciation of the work done. Any
public service is said to be maintained on
the voluntary system (n.) if engaged in 01
supported by people of their own free will.
In time of peace the British Navy and
Army are recruited on this system, but the
voluntary principle had to be abandoned
during the World War (1914-18).

During the 'eighties of the nineteenth
century the Nonconformists demanded that

4504

VOLUNTEER

VORTEX

all religious bodies should rely upon volun-
tary support alone. These principles were

(vol' u toid, adj.) molluscs, are greatly
valued for their beauty or rarity, among

called voluntarism (vol' un ta rizm, n.), or them being the peacock-tail volute. The

1 / • !-••• \ 1 -W T T n T I ' Jl til / T r f - . 1 „ ..*\

voluntaryism (vol' un ta ri izm, n.), and one
who believed in them ,was known as a
voluntary, or, more usually, as a voluntarist
(vol' un ta rist, n.) or voluntaryist (vol' un
ta ri ist, n.).

M.F. voluntaire, L. voluntdrius, from voluntas
will (volens, pres. p. of velle to will). SYN. : 'adj.
Deliberate, intended, purposive, volitional.
ANT. : adj. Automatic, compulsory, involun-
tary, uncontrolled, unintentional.

volunteer (vol un ter'), n. One who
offers to carry out a task or duty of his
own free will ; one who voluntarily under-
takes military service, especially a member
of an auxiliary force distinct from the
regular army of a country, adj. Voluntary.
v.t. To offer (one's service) voluntarily.
v.i. To offer to serve as a volunteer.

Volunteer. — An animated scene in French history. The recruiting
of volunteers as depicted, by Vichon in his picture " Enrolling."

(F. volontaire ; offrir volontairement ; s' engager
comme volontaire.)

When England was threatened by
Napoleon with invasion in the early years
of the nineteenth century, many men came
forward to volunteer their services for home
defence. In 1859 there was another scare
of invasion, and a special Volunteer Force
was raised by the War Office. Detachments
of this fought in the South African War.
In 1907 the Volunteers, as they were called,
were disbanded and re-enlisted in the Terri-
torial Force, which exists to-day.

See voluntary. SYN. : v. Proffer, tender.

volute (vo lut'), n. A spiral scroll used
on Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite capitals ;
a mollusc with a spiral shell of the family
Volutidae. adj. Rolled up. (F. volute.)

A leaf is said to be volute when it is rolled
up in the bud. The voluted (vo lut' ed,
adj.) columns of the Temple of Diana at
Ephesus, burned by the Goths in A.D. 262,
are described by the Elder Pliny (A.D. 23-79)
in his history. The shells of certain tropical
molluscs, called the volutes, or volutoid

West Indian music-shell (Valuta musica)
owes" its name to the markings, resembling
musical notes, on its shell. A volution
(vo hi' shun, n.) is a spiral turn or twist,
one of the whorls of a shell, or, in anatomy,
a convolution.

F., from L. volut-ns, p.p. of volvere to turn
about, to roll.

vomer (vo' mer), n. A small thin bone,
resembling a ploughshare, which in man,
and most vertebrate animals, forms the
principal part of the partition between the
two nostrils. (F. vomer.)
L. vomer ploughshare.

vomit (vom' it), v.t. To discharge
from the stomach by way of the mouth.
v.i. To discharge the contents of the stomach
by the mouth, n. Matter thus discharged.
(F. vomir ; vomissement.)

A drug employed to bring
about vomiting is called a vomi-
tory (vom' i to ri, n.), or emetic.
Vomiturition (vom i tur ish'iin,
n.) is a term used by doctors
for unsuccessful . attempts at
vomiting.

From L. vomer e (p.p. vomitus) to
throw up ; cp. Gr. (w}emein.

voodoo (voo' doo), n. A
system of magic and sacrifice
based on snakeiworship, prac-
tised in the WTestMndies and the
Southern United States ; a negro
sorcerer or witch skilled in this.
v.t. To put a spell upon ; to
bewitch.

Voodoo, or vopdooism (voo 'doo
izm, n.), is carried on, especially
in Hayti, by the negroes and
also by those of mixed blood.
Efforts have been made to suppress voo-
dooish (voo' doo ish, adj.) practices, but
they are still continued in secret.

African (Dahomey) vodu; cp. Creole F.vaudoux.
voracious (vo ra' shus), adj. Raven-
ous ; greedy ; ready and eager to eat
or devour. (F. vorace, rapace.)

A hungry man is often a voracious, or
greedy, eater. A hungry man may be said
to eat voraciously (vo ra/ shus li, adv.).
Voracity (vo ras' i ti, n.}, or voraciousness
(vo ra' shus nes, n.), is produced by hunger
or greed. We can speak of a boy or girl who
reads a great deal as a voracious reader.

From L. vorax (stem -dci-} ; vordre to
devour ; with E. suffix -ous. SYN. : Gluttonous,
rapacious. ANT. : Abstemious, temperate.

vortex (vor' teks), n. A whirling mass
of fluid, especially a whirlpool ; in physics,
that portion of a fluid whose particles have
a rotatory motion ; a movement or pursuit
that absorbs those who engage in it. pi. vor-
tices (vor' ti sez). (F. tourbillon, trombe.)

A vortex is formed by a body of water or
other fluid rotating round an 'axis in such

D26 1

4505

I L7

VOTARY

VOUCH

a way as to form a
hollow in the centre into
which particles of solid
matter are drawn. In a
figurative sense, a person
is said to be drawn into
the vortex of politics or
of gay society.

Whirlpools, eddies,
waterspouts, and whirl-
winds are examples of
vortices, and in some
storms the air has a
vortical (vor' tik al, adj.],
vorticular (vor tik' u lar,
adj.), or vorticose (vor' ti
kos, adj.) motion, that
is, it moves vertically
(vor' tik al li, adv.), or
in a whirling manner,
round a centre.

L. = vertex whirlpool,
eddy, tornado ; from vortere,
verteretoturn. SYN.: Eddy.

votary (vo' ta ri), ».
A person who makes a
vow or promise to do
something ; a person
devoted to a certain
subject of study, recrea-
tion, etc. (F. zelateur,
amateur.}

In ancient Rome,
votaries were persons
who vowed their lives
to the service of some
god or g o d d e s s. To-
day we may speak pf a
votary of science, mean-
ing one whose life is
given up to scientific
pursuits. .A woman who
does this may be called
a votaress (vo' ta res,

«.)'• =

From L. i'dfum vow,
consecration , devotion,
longing', arid E^ suffix '-<ary .

vote (vot); «; .An. expression of opinion,
preference, or will in' regard to the electipn
of a candidate or to a measure or resolution
proposed; that by means of which this
opinion, etc., is ..expressed ; that which is
given or granted by means of a vote ; the
right to vote.' ' v.i. To give one's vote. v'.i.
To give one's vote for; to enact; to resolve.
(F. vote, voix, suffrage; voter.}

All qualified adults in this country, with
the exception of lunatics and criminals,
have a parliamentary vote, that is to
say, they are entitled "to declare by a vote,
which they record on a voting-paper («.),
whom they wish to represent them in
Parliament.

Members of Parliament vote for or against
the proposals which are laid before them,
and any sum of money which they vote
for the administration of the country is

funnel-shaped cloud forming:
in the vortex of a^ whirlwind.

SYN. :_ Devotee.

Vortex.— A
waterspout

called the army vote, the
civil service vote, or the
education vote, etc.,
according to the purpose
to which it is allocated.
In a time of emergency,
the House of Commons
may be asked to pass a
vote of credit (n.), which
empowers the govern-
ment to spend money
for a purpose not
definitely stated.

A voter (vot' er, n.) is
one who votes or has the
right to vote, and a
voteless (vof les, adj.)
person is one who does
not possess this right.
The usual method of
recording a vote is on a
voting-paper (n.). This
is used at parliamentary
elections in England,
but at some other elec-
tions a mechanical
device called a voting
machine (n.) has been
adopted. This registers
when the voter presses
a key or pulls a handle,
and adds the vote to the
total already recorded.
Anything that may be
voted is said to be vot-
able (vof abl, adj.).

F., from L. votum vow,
wish, prayer, from p.p. of
vovere to devote, vow, con-
secrate. SYN. : n. Choice,
judgment, suffrage, voice,
wish. v. Choose, elect,
poll, wish.

votive (vo' tiv), adj.
Given or consecrated in
fulfilment of a vow. (F.
voue, votif.)

An offering made in fulfilment of a vow
is a votive "offering. Offerings which are
made votively (vo' tiv li, adv.) often take
the form of candles or images, which may be
seen in Roman Catholic churches.

F. votif (fern, -ive), from L. votlvus pertaining
to a vow (votum from p.p. of vovere to vow).

vouch (vouch), v.t. To guarantee ;
to back up ; to support ; to confirm, v.i.
To answer (for) ; to be a surety (for). (F.
attester, certifier, soutenir ; temoigner.}

We may vouch for the truth of a state-
ment made by another person if we also
have a knowledge of the facts. We vouch,
or vouch for, a person's character when we
guarantee his trustworthiness and are pre-
pared to answer for him. A voucher (vouch'
er, n.) is one who vouches. A document or
ticket which confirms something, such as a
payment, or the correctness of an account,
is also called a voucher. A lawyer speaks

4506

VOUCHSAFE

VULCAN

of a voucher (vouch' or, n.)- when referring
to one who. acts as security for. another.

From O.F. vochier, L. vocdre to call, to summon.
SYN. : Affirm, attest, substantiate. ANT. :
Deny, disaffirm, disown, repudiate. ^•lt

vouchsafe (vouch saf), v.t. To deign ;
to condescend to, do something.

This old-fashioned word, is found chiefly
in the Book of Common Prayer of the
Church of England.

Originally vouch (= guarantee), safe, that is
to safeguard, stand bail for, guarantee.

voussoir (voos' war), n. Each of the
wedge-shaped stones forming an arch. (F.
voussoir.)

The middle voussoir is the keystone of
the arch.

F., from assumed L.L. volsorium, from L.
volvere to roll up, turn about.

vow (vou), n. A solemn promise made
of one's own accord, especially in the form
of an oath to God or a saint, etc., under-
taking some obligation, act, etc. v.t. To
promise or affirm solemnly ; to dedicate with
a vow. v.i. To bind oneself with a vow.
(F. vceu; vouer, consacrer ; faire vceu.)

The monastic vows are the three vows
taken by monks and nuns on entering a
community, namely, the vow of poverty
(not to have any money or goods of their
own), the vow of chastity, and the vow of
obedience.

From O.F. vou, L. votum. See vote.

vowel (vou7 el), n. One of the vocal
sounds which can be uttered
without any obstruction by the
organs of the mouth ; a free,
open sound as opposed to a con-
sonant ; one of the letters, a, e, i,
o, u, sometimes w, y, representing
such a sound. (F. voyelle.)

We can repeat the vowels, in
order, with little conscious change
in the form of the mouth. But
in uttering the consonants we
are aware of decided movements
of the lips and tongue. There
are many vowel sounds which are
not represented by separate
letters, and require two vowels
to express them. In English,
each alphabetical vowel has
several different sounds.

The change of a vowel in a verb
to alter its tense is an example
of vowel-gradation (n.), or ablaut ;
and the changing of the sound of
a vowel, through the influence of
an original i or u in the follow-
ing syllable, is called vowel -
mutation (n.), or umlaut. See ablaut and
umlaut.

The vQwels in printed Hebrew are shown
by small marks, each of which is called a
vowel-point (n.), placed near the characters.
To vowelize (vou' el Iz, v.t.) shorthand words
is to add marks to them representing
vowels.- The word vowelled (vou' eld, adj.)
means having many vowels. There are no

vowelless (vou' el les, adj.) words, that is,
.words without vowels, in English. A lan-
guage in which many vowels are used might
be termed avowelly (vou'elli, adj.) language.
O.F,. vouel, from L. vocalis, from vox voice.

vox (voks), n. A voice.

In music, the vox humana is an organ
stop' with short pipes, producing tones
resembling the voice of a singer.

L. See voice.

voyage (voi' ij), n. A journey by
water, especially one to a distant part.
v.i. To make a voyage. v.t. To travel over
by water. (F. voyage, expedition; voyager.}

In these days a voyage to America or to
Japan is a far easier and less dangerous
undertaking than it was a hundred or so
years ago. A person who goes on a voyage
or one who travels on land may be called
a voyager (voi' aj er, n.}. The sea on which
a ship sails or steams must be voyageable
(voi' aj abl, adj.], that is, navigable. A
voyageur (vwa ya zher, n.) is a Canadian
boatman, or a man employed by the Far
North trading companies to carry furs and
other goods from one place to another.

F. = journey, from voie, L. via way, path,
road. See viaticum. SYN. : n. Cruise, journey.
v. Cruise, journey, sail, traverse.

vraisemblance (vra san blaws), n.
An appearance of truth. (F. vraisemblance.}

F. from vrai true, semblance likeness. See very.
SYN. Verisimilitude.

Vulcan. — "The Forge of Vulcan," from the painting by the great
Spanish artist, Velazquez (1599-1660), in the Prado Gallery,
Madrid.

kan), n. The ancient
fire and metal- working.

Vulcan (vul'
Roman god of
(F. Vulcain.}

Vulcan was the Hephaestus of the Greeks.
Virgil tells us, in the Aeneid, how Vulcan
set up his forge at Stromboli, the volcano
in the Lipari Islands, and with the aid
of the Cyclopes made a suit of Vulcanian
(vul ka' ni an, adj.} armour for Aeneas.

4507

VULGAR

VYING

Vulcanist (vul-' ka nist, n.), volcanist, and
Plutonist are terms used to denote a person
who thinks that most of the changes in the
earth's crust were caused by fire.

In the middle of last century it was
discovered how to vulcanize (vul' ka niz,
v.t.) rubber. The process of vulcanizing,
called vulcanization (vul ka ni za' shun, n.),
consists in treating raw rubber with sulphur.
Vulcanized rubber is less affected by heat
than raw rubber, and will retain any shape
that is given it. If a large proportion of
sulphur be used, hard rubber, called vulcanite
(vul' ka nit, n.}, is produced.

vulcanological (vul ka no loj' ik al).
For this word, vulcanologist, and vulcanology,
see under vulcano.

vulgar (vul' gar), adj. Relating to the
common people or to their tastes ; coarse;
unrefined, n. The common people collect-
ively. (F. vulgaire, commun, grassier, trivial.)

The meaning of this
adjective, like that of
" common," has under-
gone a change from its
original signification of
" popular." It is now
applied rather to habits
and words not favoured
by educated people. The
vulgar means the great
mass of ordinary people.
A national language, one
spoken by the people at
large, was formerly de-
scribed as the vulgar
tongue, as opposed to
Latin. A vulgar fraction
(n.) is a fraction of the
kind most usually under-
stood by the word
fraction, namely, one
having the numerator
above, and the de-
nominator below, a
line.

Manners are vulgarian
(vul gar' i an, adj.)
if coarse and unre-
fined, and a person
who displays them is sometimes spoken
of as a vulgarian (n.). A vulgarism (vul'
gar izm, n.) is an expression that only
an uneducated person would use. A vulgar
nature reveals itself by vulgarity (vul gar'
i ti, n.), which is coarseness in talk and
behaviour.

The use of slang tends to vulgarize (vul'
gar Iz, v.t.) a language, that is, make it
vulgar. Mixing with vulgar folk causes
the vulgarization (vul gar I za' shun, n.)
of manners, which is the. process of making
them vulgar, or their state of being vulgar.
A bicycle is vulgarly (vul' gar li, adv.),

Vulture.— The king vulture, a large bird of
prey which feeds on animal carcasses.

the Vulgate (vul' gat, n.} was made by St.
Jerome at the end of the fourth century
A.D. It gets its name from the fact that it
became the common, or standard, version
used by the Latin Church.

From L. vulgdris common, popular, from
vulgus the public; cp. Welsh gwala fullness.
SYN. : adj. Coarse, common, low, plebeian.
ANT. : adj. Cultured, educated, elegant, refined.

vulnerable (vul' ner abl), adj. Cap-
able of being wounded ; susceptible to
criticism ; open to attack by an armed
force. (F. vulnerable.)

The eye is one of the most vulnerable
parts of the human body. A parliamentary
candidate who knows something to the
discredit of his opponent may attack
him in this vulnerable place. In warfare,
the vulnerability (vul ner a bir i ti, n.), or
vulnerableness (vul' ner abl nes, n.), of a
fort is generally known to the besieging
general.

From L. vulnerabilis,
from vulnerdre to hurt,
wound (vulnus wound).

vulpine (vul' pin;
vul' pin), adj. Relating
to or characteristic of
the fox ; crafty or cun-
ning like a fox. (F. de
renard, ruse, madre.}

The vulpine species
is so notorious for its
craftiness, that vulpinism
(vul" pin izm, n.) is
another name for crafti-
ness and cunning in
general. Vulpicide (vul'
pi sid, n.), or vulpecide
(vul'pesid, n.), the kill-
ing of foxes otherwise
than by hunting, is
condemned by sports-
men, and in country
districts a vulpicide, or
person guilty of this, is
looked upon with anger
and contempt.

From L. vulpmus, from
vulpes fox ; akin to E. wolf,
vulture (vul' chur), n. A large bird
of prey which feeds on carrion ; a cruel,
greedy person. (F vautour, harpie.)

The vultures include the largest birds of
prey. Their bare heads and necks, and
the rough unkempt plumage, give them an
ugly appearance, but in warm countries they
have their use as scavengers. Vulturine (vul'
chur in, adj.), vulturish (vul' chur ish, adj.),
and vulturous (vul' chur us, adj.) mean vul-
ture-like, either in form or habits. The
vulturn (vul' tern, n.) is the Australian
brush turkey.

From L. vultur, from vellere (p.p. vulsus) to

that is, commonly, or slangily, called a pluck, tear away.

" bike." • vying (vi' ing). This is the present

The Latin version of the Bible known as participle of vie. See vie.

4508

w

WAD

W, w (dub' 1 ii). The twenty-third
letter of the English alphabet. This letter
has taken the place of the Anglo-Saxon
letter called wen, which was something
like an italic v closed at the top. As its
name implies, w is a double u, or rather v,
which was merely another form of u. In
old books it is sometimes printed W or
as two overlapping Vs.

We derive this letter
from Old French, which
employed it to represent
the w sound in words bor-
rowed from the German
dialect spoken by the
Franks, who conquered
Gaul, as in O.F. warde
(later guarde, F. garde).
French has now (except in
foreign words) lost the
letter, which is not found
in the other languages of
Latin origin.

In English, w has two
values, those of a vowel
and of a consonant or
semi-vowel. As a vowel
w is only used in combi-
nation with another vowel,
and is equivalent to u.
Thus the digraph aw as in
daw = au in haul, or a in
fall ; ew in dew (du) = eu
in feud, and in grew, blew
(groo, bloo) = eu in rheu-
matic ; ow in fowl (foul)
= ou in house. In many
words, however, as in flow,
flowing, ow has the sound of 6, followed by
a slight u sound.

The consonant w is called a semi-vowel
because, like y, it has very little of the friction
which is heard in the other spirants. It is,
in fact, produced like u by rounding and
protruding the lips and raising the back
of the tongue, but the opening between the
lips is narrowed enough to cause slight
friction. At the same time the vocal
chords vibrate, so that w is a voiced or
sonant consonant.

The corresponding voiceless or surd con-
sonant is the sound represented by the
digraph wh (A.-S. hw), phonetically spelt
hw in this book, although strictly speaking
it is a simple sound and not h-f-w. In the
south and east and a great part of the
midlands of England this sound has largely

Wad. — A Chinese woman wearing a

wadded coat, that is, one lined with

wadding.

disappeared and been replaced by w, so
that what, whip are pronounced wot, wip,
instead of hwot, hwip. Some educated
speakers, however, regard the hw sound as
a mark of good breeding, though others
treat it as an affectation. The tendency
to restore this sound, which was noticeable
towards the end of the nineteenth century,
has not been maintained.

About two hundred years
ago w became silent before
r, as in wren, wring. It
I is also silent in answer,
sword, two, and who, and
in place-names like Green-
wich (grin' ij) and Chiswick
(chiz' ik).

W is the chemical symbol
for tungsten (wolframium),
the electrical symbol for
the unit called a watt,
and the motor-car index
letter for Sheffield. It is
an abbreviation of Wales,
Welsh, Warden, Wednes-
day, week, wife..;, of walk,
in w.o. walk over ; War,
as in W.D. War Depart-
ment ; West, as in S.W.
south-west ; Western, as in
G.W.R. Great Western
Railway ; wet dew (nauti-
cal) ; Wight, in I.W. Isle
of Wight ; wire, in w.g.
wire gauge ; Women's, as
in W.L.F. Women's Liberal
Federation ; Writer, in
W.S. Writer to the Signet ;
wrong, in w.f. wrong fount (printing). A
further account of the letter w will be found
on pages xviii and xix.

wabble (wob' 1). This is another spelling
of wobble. See wobble.

wacke (wak' e), n. In geology a kind
of sandy or clayey rock produced by the
decomposition of volcanic rocks. (F. wacke,
wake, vake.)

G. miners' term ; cp. O.H.G. waggo pebble.

wad (wod), n. A small, compact mass
of a soft material used to keep things in
place, to separate objects, or stop up an open-
ing ; a plug. v.t. To compress into a wad
or wadding ; to stuff, line, or protect with
wadding ; to pack, secure, or stop up with
a wad. (F. pelote, tampon; peloter, ouater,
tamponner.)

4509

WAD ABLE

WAFT

In the old-fashioned muzzle-loading guns
the powder was poured into the barrel and
rammed down, and then a wad, or disk of
felt, was pushed tightly against it with the
ramrod before inserting the charge of shot,
the latter being in turn wadded to keep it
compact. Similarly in modern cartridges
wads separate powder and shot. Wadding
(wod' ing, n.} is a spongy material made
of cotton, etc., used for stuffing cushions,
lining garments, and packing delicate or
fragile articles. Wadded garments, stuffed
with a wadding, are worn by the Chinese
in cold weather.

Perhaps Scand. ; cp. Swed. vadd wadding,
Dan. vat, Dutch and G. watte (F. ouate), G.
watten to wad, quilt, Icel. vathmal coarse woollen
stuff.

wadable (wad' abl), adj. That per-
mits of being waded. See under wade.

•wadding (wod' ing), n. Soft spongy
material used to stuff or line garments, or
to separate and protect articles in packing.
See under wad.

waddle (wod' 1), v.i. To walk with an
ungainly swaying or rocking motion, as a
bird with short legs set far apart, n. A
walk or gait of this kind. (F. se dandiner ;
dandinement.)

Ducks or geese waddle along, moving
with quick short steps and swaying from
side to side. Sometimes a fat person walks
waddlingly (wod' ling li, adv.), or moves
with a waddle.

Frequentative of wade. See wade.

Wade. — A girl competitor in a paper-chase, wading
through a river.

waddy (wod' i), n. A kind of war-
club used by Australian aborigines.

Australian native word, or perhaps a corrup-
tion of wood.

wade (wad), v.i. To walk through
water, mud or anything else that impedes
motion ; to make one's way with difficulty.
v.t. To pass across or through by wading ;
to ford (a stream) on foot. (F. passer a

Tidal rivers may be wadable (wad' abl,
adj.) at certain times and impassable by
wading when the tide is high. Sometimes

we talk of wading through a dry or tedious
book, or through a mass of documents.

A person who wades is a wader (wad'er, n.).
A high waterproof boot, such as fishermen
wear, is also called a wader., and so is a
wading bird (n.). The latter is a long-
legged bird that wades ; an example is
the heron, which stands in the water to fish
for its food.

M.E. waden, A.-S. wadan ; cp. Dutch waden,
G. waien, O. Norse, valha, akin to L. vadum a
ford, vddere to go.

wadi (wod' i), n. In Arabic-speaking
countries, the channel or bed of a stream
that is dry except in the rainy season ;
the stream flowing through such a channel.

Arabic wadi channel, ravine, river-bed, river,
preserved in Span, river-names, such as Guadal-
quiver = Wadi el Keblr the great river.

wafer (wa' fer), n. A kind of very
thin sweet biscuit ; a round thin piece
of unleavened bread, used in the Eucharist ;
a disk of dried paste or adhesive paper for
sealing and fastening letters, holding papers
together, etc. v.t. To seal or attach with
a wafer. (F. gaufre, oublie, hostie, pain a
cacheter.}

Wafers are eaten with ices. Wafer- cake
(n.) is a thin wafery (wa' fer i, adj.), or wafer-
like, cake. Adhesive wafers were used
before it became the practice to insert
letters in envelopes ;
they were employed
to fasten down the
folded edge of the
letter.

O.F. waufre, gaufre,
of Teut. origin ; cp.
M. Dutch waefel, Low
G. wafel, G. waffel,
akin to G. wabe honey-
comb, A.-S. wefan,
E weave. F. gaufre
means both honey-
comb and waffle, from " Waf He-iron. —A waffle-
the resemblance be- irop as employed in
tween the two. making waffles.

waffle (wof 1), n. A thin cake of
batter, baked on a waffle-iron over a fire.
(F. gaufre.}

The waffle-iron (n.) enables waffles to
be cooked quickly, owing to the relatively
large surface of heated iron which is in
contact with the waffle. The utensil has
square projections that make cavities in
the batter cake.

American, from Dutch wafel. See wafer.

waft (waft), v.t. To bear or convey
through or as through the air or over water ;
to sweep lightly or gently along, n. An
act of wafting ; a sweep of a bird's wing ;
a breath ; a puff ; a whiff of odour, etc.
(F. porter, transporter, faire flatter ; transport,
souffle, bouffee.)

This word is used chiefly in poetry.
Sounds and scents are wafted on the breeze,
and favourable winds waft the voyager
home.

4510

WAG

WAGON

Originally to convoy, back-formation from
obsolete E. wafter convoying ship or commander
of such, probably Dutch wachter guard. The n.
is partly from wave and whiff.

wag (wag), v.t. To shake up and down,
or backwards and forwards, v.i. To move
up and down or to and fro ; to proceed or
keep going, n. An act or movement of
wagging ; a joker ; a wit. (F. branler,
secouer, hocher; s'agiter, continuer ; hoche-
ment, branlement, farceur.)

A dog wags its tail when it is pleased ;
a person wags a finger at another in reproof,
or perhaps in assumed anger. The pendulum
of a clock oscillates or wags ; the tongue
of a talkative person is continually wagging.

A wag is a man who makes facetious
remarks, which we describe as waggish
(wag' ish, adj.) ones, or one ^ ^w^,i^m,..,....,^,,.,,r.m,5.
given to practical jokes. |
He talks or behaves!
waggishly (wag 'ish li, adv.). \
Waggery (wag7 er i, n.) [
means drollery, or waggish- j<
ness (wag' ish nes, n.), the j
state or character of being I
waggish.

Perhaps Scand. M.E. I
waggen, cp. O. Swed. wagga, i
to wag, rock a cradle, sway, |
O. Norse vagga; akin to A.-S. \
wagian to rock, from wegan \
to move, carry (cp. G. I
bewegen), E. weigh, waggon, \
L. vehere to carry. The n. [
(joker) may be shortened from
wag-halter (gallows-bird) one
who deserves to swing on a
halter. SYN. : v. Oscillate,
shake, n. Humorist, jester,
wit

wage (waj),w. A peri-
odical payment made for
work done by a servant
or workman ; recompense ;
requital, v.t. To engage
in or carry on (war). (F. gages, salaire ;
soutenir, faire.)

Formerly the noun was more widely
used. It was applied, for instance, to the
sum paid to an official or a professional
person. The word salary is to-day more
common in this connexion, and by wage, or
wages, is meant the amount paid — by day,
week, or month — to one who performs labour
of a mechanical kind. A workman who
receives no payment is wageless (waj' les,
adj.). A living wage is one which en-
ables the worker to live without fear of
destitution.

Wage-fund (n.) or wages-fund (n.) is the
name given by political economists to that
portion of the capital of a country which is
used in paying the wages and salaries of the
workers. A country which engages in hostili-
ties with another is said to wage war against it.

O.F. (also guage, gage). L.L. wadium pledge,
of Teut. origin, cp. Goth. wadi. See gage [i |, wed.
SYN. : n. Reward, salary.

Wagnerian.— Richard Wagner (1813-

1883) whose admirers are often referred

to as Wagnerians.

(1813-83), the

wager (wa' jer), n. A bet ; something
staked on the result of a race or contest.
v.t. To stake or bet. v.i. To bet. (F. gagsure,
enjeu; gager, parier.)

The amount betted on a chance, as well
as the bet, may be called a wager, and one
who hazards or stakes such an amount is
said to wager it. The verb is now seldom
used.

In Anglo-Saxon times the wager of law
(n.), or compurgation, was a custom by which
an accused man sought to prove his inno-
cence. He took an oath that he was
guiltless, and called upon a number of other
persons to swear that his oath was worthy
of belief. In the wager of battle (n.), also
a form of trial, the accused man and his ,
accuser fought each other, in person or

_ through champions, the

j verdict being awarded to
i the victor.

From O.F. wageure, L.L.
! wadi at uv a from wadidre to
! pledge. See wage. SYN. :
n. and v. Bet, stake.

waggery (wag7 er i).
For this word, waggish, etc.,
see under wag.

waggle (wag' 1), v.i.
and /. To wag quickly and
frequently, n. Such a
movement. (F. remuer,
I secouer ; action de remuer.)
Frequentative of wag ; cp.
Dutch waggelen, G. wackeln,
to shake, wabble, stagger,
Low G. waggeln. SYN. : v.
and n. Wag.

waggon (wag 'on). This
is another spelling of wagon.
See wagon.

Wagnerian (vag ner' i
an), adj. Of or pertaining
to William Richard Wagner
great dramatic composer ;
in the style of Wagner's music or music-
dramas, n. An admirer of these works.
Another form of the noun is Wagnerist
(vag' ner ist). (F. wagnerien.)

At one time Wagner's compositions were
strongly criticized by many able musicians,
and gave rise to a widespread Wagnerian
controversy, in which the composer himself
took part." The Wagnerians, whose advo-
cacy of Wagner is termed Wagnerianism
(vag ner' i an izm, n.) or Wagnerism (vag'
ner izm, «.), proved to be right, for " The
Ring," " Tristan and Isolde," and other
Wagnerian music-dramas are now accepted
masterpieces. Wagner's imitators may be
said to write in a Wagnerian manner.

wagon (wag' on), n. A strong four-
wheeled road vehicle for carrying heavy
loads ; an open railway truck. Another
spelling is waggon (wag' on). (F. fourgon,
chariot, wagon.)

4511

WAGTAIL

WAIN

Before the days of the railway goods
and produce were carried by wagons, each
with its team of horses, which made the
journey to the large towns. To-day we
often see the hay wagon with its wagoner
(wag' on er, n.}, or driver, and farm produce
is usually transported in heavy lumbering
wagons. The constellation Auriga is called
the Wagoner. From the fact that wagons are
often fitted with a cover called a tilt, are
derived the architectural terms wagon-ceiling
(n.), wagon-roof (n.}, and wagon- vault (n.),
or barrel- vault, which are approximately
semicircular in section, or semi-cylindrical in
shape inside.

A sleeping-car on a Continental railway
is called a wagon-lit (va gpn le, n.}. A
wagon-load (n.} is as much as a wagon will
hold. The four-wheeled pleasure vehicle
called a wagonette (wag 6 net7, n.), or
waggonette (wag 6 net', n.), has a long body
containing side seats facing each other.

Of Dutch origin, Dutch and G. wagen ; cp.
A.-S. waegen, E. wain (a doublet), from a root
meaning to carry; cp. L. vehere, E. weigh.

wagtail (wag' tal), n. Each of several
kinds of small insect-eating birds of the
genus Motacilla. (F. bergeronnette , hoche-
queue,}

Wagtails keep their tails in constant motion
when on the ground. There are several
species which breed in England, the com-
monest being the pied wagtail (M. lugubris),
a graceful, active little bird with black and
white plumage. It frequents places near
water where insect food is easily obtained,
and is often called the water- wagtail.
Other species are the grey, the white, and
the yellow wagtail.

From E. wag and tail.

Wagtail.— The grey wagtail. Wagtails, of which
there are several kinds, feed on insects.

Wahabi (wa ha' be), n. A member of
a Moslem sect following the strict letter of
the Koran. Another spelling is Wahhabi
(wa ha' be). (F. Wahabite, Ouahhabite.}

The sect of Wahabis was founded in Nejd
in the middle of the eighteenth century
by a devout Moslem named Abd-el-Wahhab.
The adherents of Wahabiism (wa ha' be
izm, n.} live very strict and simple lives,
interpreting the Koran literally. The

Wahabis conquered Mecca and Medina, and
their dominion was extended over central
Arabia, but in 1818 they were defeated by
the Egyptian Viceroy, Mehemet Ali. In
the early years of the twentieth century
the power of the Wahabis revived under
the leadership of Ibn Saud, who in 1926 made
himself king of the Hejaz and sultan of
Nejd. Ibn Saud's principal aim was to
induce the nomads to settle on land and
engage in agricultural pursuits, in which
he achieved a fair measure of success.
Arabic Wahhabi.

Wahabi.— A group of Wahabis, photographed in

the market-place of Koweit, at the head of the

Persian Gulf.

waif (waf), n. An object or person lost
or astray ; an object cast up or adrift on
the sea ; something abandoned by an un-
known person ; a homeless person, especially
a forsaken child. (F. epave, personne aban-
donne.)

Much is done in these days for waifs and
strays, as homeless and friendless children
are called, and there are excellent institu-
tions, such as those founded by Dr. Barnardo
or the Church of England Waifs and Strays
Society, which receive and care for them.

Of Scand. origin. O.F. waif, gaif lost, un-
claimed, abandoned, from O. Norse veif any-
thing napping about, akin to veifa to flap or toss
about ; cp. L.L. wayvium, wayfium, F. (chose)
gaive. See waive.

•wail (wal), v.l. To bewail ; to lament
loudly over. v.i. To lament ; to make
plaintive sounds, n. A loud lament ; a
plaintive or mournful cry ; a sound resem-
bling this. (F. pleurer, lamenter ; plenrer,
gemir ; lamentation, gemissement.)

At the Wailing Place in Jerusalem Jews
gather on Fridays to mourn and pray. Poets
speak of the wailing of the wind in the trees,
because sometimes it makes wailful (wal'
ful, adj.] sounds.

Of Scand. origin. M.E. wailen, weilen ; cp.
O. Norse valla to cry, vae woe, so obsolete E.
wayment, waiment to lament, from M.E. ivai,
wei woe. See woe. SYN. : v. Bewail, lament,
mourn, n. Lam,ent.

wain (wan), n. A wagon : Charles's
Wain. (F. chariot, grand chariot.)

4512

WAINSCOT

WAIVE

This word is now used chiefly in poetry.
The Wain and Charles's Wain are old
names for the constellation better known
as the Great Bear.

M.E. wain, wayn, A.-S. waegn ; cp. Dutch
and G. wagen, O. Norse vagn, L. vehere to carry,
Sansk. vahana, Gr. okhos. wagon. See weigh.

wainscot (wan' skot), n. Wooden
panelling or lining for covering the inner
walls of rooms ; a name for various noctuid
moths of. the sub-family Orthosiidae, whose
caterpillars feed on deciduous trees and low
plants, v.t. To cover with wainscot. (F.
lambris ; lambrisser .}

The word wainscoting (wan' skot ing, n.}
means a wainscot, or the material for it,
or wainscots collectively, or the act of
lining walls with wainscot.

Originally a superior kind of oak imported
from Germany, Holland, etc. ; M. Low G. "br
M. Dutch wagensckot. The first part of the
word means wagon.

waist (wast), n. That part of the
human body between the ribs and the
hips, or the contraction ordinarily marking
this ; the part of a garment enclosing this ;
the contracted middle part of a long object ;
the part of a ship's deck between poop and
forecastle. (F. ceinture, taille, entre-deux.)

Women's garments, and often, those of
men, are shaped to the waist, or waist-line
(n.}. The sand of an hour-glass flows
through a small passage in its constricted
middle portion, or waist. The middle part
of a violin is called its waist. The word
waisted (wast' ed, adj.), having a waist, is
generally used in combination, as short-
waisted, long-waisted.

A waist-band (n.) is one encircling the
waist, or a band attached to the top of
a skirt ; a waist-belt (n.) is a belt worn
round the waist to support or encircle a
garment. The natives of some hot
countries wear a waist-cloth (n.), or loin-
cloth, as their only, or principal, garment.

The waistcoat (wes' kut, n.) worn by men
and boys is an under-coat — usually without
sleeves — reaching from the neck to the
waist. The water of a stream is waist-deep
(adj.), or waist-high (adj.), and runs waist-
deep (adv.), or waist-high (adv.), if it reaches
to the waist of a person who is wading
through it.

M.E. wast, probably originally growth, size,
from A.-S. weaxan to grow ; cp. O.H.G. vahst
growth, G. wuchs growth, figure, wachsen to
grow. See wax [2].

wait (wat), v.i. To remain inactive, or in
the same place, until the occurrence of some
event or time for action ; to pause ; to stay ;
to tarry; to be expectant ; to be in readiness ;
to be on the watch (for) ; to act as waiter.
v.t. To await (an event, etc.) ; to defer, n.
The act of waiting ; a period of waiting ; a
halt ; delay ; ambush ; watching ; (pi.) a
band of persons singing or playing Christmas
carols in the streets or from house to house.
(F. attendre, demeurer, rester, espfrer, etre pret,
guetter, servir ; attendre, retarder ; attente,

sejour, halte, delai, embuscade, musiciens
ambulants.)

Thieves wait a favourable opportunity for
their schemes, but the police may be waiting,
too, watching for a chance to take them red-
handed. In the beautiful sonnet " On his
blindness " Milton wrote : —

Thousands at His bidding' speed

And post o'er land and ocean without rest : —

They also serve who only stand and wait.

To wait a meal for a guest is to delay
it till he comes. Robbers lie in wait, or in
ambush, for their victims. Servants wait on
their employers. After applying a remedy
a doctor waits for the results.

A waiter (wat' er, n.) — or waitress (wa/
tres, n.), if a woman — waits at table in a
restaurant, hotel, or club, or looks after
guests in other ways. A waiting-maid (n.),
or waiting- woman (n.), is a female attendant.

Waiter. — A student waiter learning to wait at table
at a London school of waiting and cooking.

A railway station usually has at least one
waiting-room, (n.), in which passengers may
sit while waiting for the arrival of their
trains. The waiting-room of a doctor or
dentist is one where patients may wait
their turn. Books and periodicals are often
provided with which they may beguile
their wait, or time of waiting. A groom-
lord- or lady-in-waiting is one in attendance
on the sovereign or his consort.

O.F. wait(i)ert gaiter (F. guetter) to watch, wait,
from waite watchman, from O.H.G. wahta, G.
wacht watch, guard. See wake [i]. SYN. : ' v.
Await, defer, expect, postpone, stay. «. Delay,
halt, stay. ANT. : v. Depart, go.

waive (wav), v.t. To forgo, (aright, etc.) ;
to forbear to use or insist on ; to relinquish.
(F. abandonner, renoncer a, se desister de.)

We waive our right to a thing when we
do not insist upon asserting that right,
but allow it to be exercised by somebody
else. One party to a contract may permit
some departure from its conditions, while
stating, however, that he does not waive
his right to require compliance. He thus
preserves his right. The act of waiving,

4513

WAIWODE

WALDENSES

or forgoing, a legal right or claim is called
by lawyers waiver (wav7 er, n.).

M.E. waiven, Anglo-F. wcyver = O.F. gaiver,
probably from weyf, gaif waif. SYN. : Abandon,
forgo, relinquish.

waiwode (wa7 wod). This is another
form of voivode. See voivode.

wake [i] (wak), v.i. To be aroused from
sleep ; to cease to sleep ; to revive ; to be
awake ; to rouse oneself or be roused
from inaction, etc. v.t. To rouse from
sleep ; to revive ; to raise from the dead ;
to arouse ; to stir (up) ; to break the silence
of ; to disturb with noise. n. The state
of being awake, p.t. and p.p. woke (wok) or
waked (wakt). (F. s' eveiller, se re'veiller,
veiller, se remuer ; eveiller, ressusciter,
troubler ; veille.)

Some people wake without effort in the
morning, but others need to be waked,
perhaps depending upon an alarum clock
to make them wake. One who indus-
triously occupies his waking hours is likely
to sleep through the night without waking.
In some places, a waker (wak' er, n.) is
employed to go round from house to house
and wake people up, in order that they may
get to their work in time. A loud noise is
said to wake the echoes. Merchants adver-
tise in order to wake up, or stir up, business.
Trade, when it improves or revives, is said
to wake up. Christians believe that at the
Last Day the dead will wake. The plant
known as wild arum, or lords -and -ladies, is
sometimes called the wake- robin (n.).

A..-S..wacan (p.t. woe. p.p. waceri) intransitive,
whence the causative wacian (p.t. wacode) ;
cp. Dutch waken and wekken, G. wachen and
wecken, Goth, wakan.
Cp. L. vigil awake.
SYN. : v. Arouse, awake,
disturb, revive, stir.
ANT. : v. Lull, sleep,
slumber.

wake [2] (wak), n.
In Ireland, the watch-
ing of a dead body, by
relatives, etc., before
burial ; the lament-
ations and feasting
connected with this ;
in parts of England,
a period of holiday
and festivity.

A.-S. -wacu a watch-
ing, from wacan to wake ;
cp. G. wache a watch-
ing, O. Norse vaka vigil
of a festival, merry-
making, whence perhaps
M.E. sense of a patronal
festival, annual holiday.
See wake [i], watch.

wake [3] (wak), n.

a ship, torpedo, etc., passing through .the
water. (F. sillage.}

If we stand near the stern of a moving
vessel at sea we may observe the track of

Wake. — Emigrants crossing the Atlantic, watching
the wake of the liner " Montcalm."

The track left by

smooth water that she leaves behind her.
This is formed by the closing in of the
water, which immediately fills the space
made by the vessel in ploughing her way
forward. For some time afterward the wake
or track remains smoother than the adjacent
water. A ship which steers the same
course as another may be said to follow in
the latter 's wake. A person who imitates
another is said to follow in his wake.

Of Scand. origin, properly an dpening or
passage through ice ; cp. O. Norse vok, Swed. vak,
Dan. vaage. The original meaning is supposed
to be wet, akin to O. Norse vok-r, Dutch wak,
L. uvidus, Gr. hygros.

wakeful (wak7 ful), adj. Not disposed
or unable to sleep ; restless ; disturbed ;
passed with little sleep ; sleeplessly watch-
ful. (F. frveille, vigilant.)

A wakeful person, or one who cannot
sleep, may have some trouble on his mind.
In another, a wakeful night may be due to
some ache or pain, which causes wakefulness
(wak' ful nes, n.). It is not at all pleasant
to pass the night wakefully (wak7 ful li, adv.).

From wake [i] and -ful. SYN. : Alert, restless,
sleepless, vigilant. ANT. : Sleepy, undis-
turbed.

waken (wak7 n), v.t. To rouse from
sleep ; to stir up to action ; to call forth.
v.i. To wake ; to become awake. (F.
V eveiller, susciter; se r eveiller.)

Towards the hour when it is usual for
for us to waken we are more easily wakened
by noises ; the brighter light when some-
one draws the blinds may waken a person
from his sleep.

Statesmen try to waken, or rouse, people
to the necessity of
doing something for
the benefit of the
country. Clergymen
and ministers preach
stirring sermons in
order to waken their
flock to a sense of
duty towards God and
man. Teachers en-
deavour to waken, or
kindle, in children a
desire for study and
learning.

Originally v.i., M.E.
wak (e)nen, K.-S.waecnan ,
from the root of wake [i] ;
cp. O. Norse vakna
SYN. : Awaken, kindle,
rouse, stir, wake. ANT. :
Lull, sleep, slumber.

Waldenses ( w o 1
den7 sez), n.pl. A

religious sect, founded by Peter Waldo, a
Lyons merchant, about 1170. (F. Vaudois.)
Waldo's followers called themselves the
Poor Men of Lyons. They denounced
the Roman Catholic Church, and founded

4514

WALDHORN

WALK

their doctrines on a literal interpretation
of the Scriptures.

The Waldenses, or Vaudois, as they are
also called, suffered many grievous perse-
cutions. About the year 1630 they defin-
itely joined the Protestants, and some
twenty-five years later troops were sent
against them by the Duke of Savoy,
and many were massacred with great bar-
barity. Cromwell intervened on their be-
half. This episode was the occasion of
a famous sonnet by John Milton. To-day
the Waldenses, or Waldensians (wol den' si
anz, n.pl }, number over 20,000 and are
settled mainly in Piedmont, the Dauphine
and Provence" The Waldensian (adj.) system
of church government resembles that of the
Presbyterians.

From name of founder, Peter Waldo.

waldhorn (valf horn), n. A hunting-
horn ; an old form of French horn without
valves. (F. cor de chasse.)

G. wald forest, horn horn, bugle.

wale (wal). This is another form of
weal. See weal [2].

waler (wa/ ler), n. in India, a horse,
especially one imported from New South
Wales, for the Indian army.

From (New South) Wales, and suffix -er
meaning inhabitant of.

Walhalla (val hal' a). This is another
spelling of Valhalla. See Valhalla.

Walk.— Mother and daughter walking along a lane
on their way to play badminton.

•walk (wawk), v.i. Of man, to move
along by lifting, advancing, and setting
down each foot alternately, one or other
foot being always on the ground ; to go
at the ordinary pace ; to go slowly ; of
animals, to go with the slow gait nearest
to the human walk ; to live or conduct

oneself in a specified way. v.t. To traverse
or cover by walking ; to perambulate ; to
tread ; to cause to walk. n. The act of
walking ; the step or gait used in walking ;
a distance traversed by walking ; a stroll ;
a promenade or excursion by walking ; the
route taken in this ; a path or track intended
for walking ; a footpath , a hawker's
round ; one's calling or profession. (F.
marcher, aller au pas ; parcourir, arpenter,
promener ; marche, demarche, pas, allure,
promenade, sentier, allee, tournee, metier.)

Walk.— The stern walk on a battle-ship. It runs
round the stern, outside the captain's cabin.

In walking races a competitor must
place the heel of the leading foot on the
ground before raising the back foot. This
is called heel-and-toe walking. After exer-
cise, in which the animal becomes heated,
a groom walks a horse up and down while
it cools. To walk up a steep hill is tiring,
and to walk down a slope is not always
pleasant. Most people have a favourite
walk, or route, which they prefer when they
take a walk for health or pleasure. Four
miles an hour is an average walking pace
for a man . One can walk miles at a stretch
at this rate without undue fatigue. To
walk a person off his legs is to tire him by
making him walk too far or too fast.

We have gravel walks in our gardens, and
side-walks, or pavements, in our streets.
Parks are laid out in walks and drives. A
man's walk in life is his occupation. A
policeman perambulates, or walks, his beat,
and may be recognized at some distance by
his regular, measured walk, or gait.

A competitor in a race is said to have a
walk-over (n.) if he wins it with great ease.
Pickpockets are said colloquially to walk
off with, or steal, the property of other
people. An old test for sobriety was to
make a man walk the chalk, or walk along
a straight chalk-line drawn on the floor.
Medical students walk the hospitals, attend-
ing them to gain experience. Pirates, in
the bad old days, sometimes got rid of
unwanted prisoners by compelling them to
walk the plank, which was one laid on the
gunwale and projecting over the ship's side.

Paths and roads are walkable (wawk' abl,
adj.) if fit to be walked on. A walkable
distance is one which may be traversed on
foot. A walker (wawk' er, n.) is one who

4515

WALKYRIE

WALL

walks ; the name is used of any bird that
moves over the ground by walking and not
by hopping. A good walker is a person who
can cover long distances without strain.

A lady's walking-dress (n.) is a costume
worn out of doors. A walking-gentleman
(n.) or walking-lady (n.) in a play is an actor
or actress who takes a part needing few
words but a smart appearance. The walk-
ing-leaf (n.) is an insect which mimics a
leaf. A walking-stick (n.) is a stick used
or carried when walking ; this name is
given to an insect, which resembles a twig,
and is also called the stick insect. A
walking-tour (n.) is a holiday spent in
walking through the country.

M.E. walken, from A.-S. wealcan to roll, roam,
walk ; cp. M. Dutch walken to felt hats, G.
walken to full cloth, O. Norse valka to roll,
stamp, Sansk. valg to spring, go by leaps, val
to move backwards and forwards, L. volvere to
roll. Perhaps akin to L. valgus bandy-legged,
and influenced by A.-S. weallian to roam as a pil-
grim ; cp. G. wallen to walk or wander about, go
on a pilgrimage. SYN. : v. Go, perambulate,
stroll, traverse, n. Footpath, gait, path, stroll,
step.

Walkyrie (wol' kir i). This is another
spelling of Valkyrie. See Valkyrie.

•wall (wawl), n. A continuous, rela-
tively high, narrow structure of brick, stone,
earth, timber, etc. , forming part of a build-
ing, or serving to enclose, protect, or divide
a space ; the interior partition of a room,
etc., or the surface of this ; a rampart ; an
obstacle ; a defence ; anything like a wall
in appearance, effect, or function ; the
sides of a vessel or cavity ; the rock bound-
ing a vein or lode, v .t. To furnish, enclose,
or protect with a wall ; to close (an opening)
with a wall. (F. mur, muraille, paroi,
rempart, obstacle; murer, cerner.)

The greatest of walls are those built
long ago to prevent invasion, such as the
Great Wall of China, or, in our own country,
Hadrian's Wall, and the Wall of Antoninus,
raised by the Romans as a defence against
the Picts and Scots.

In some ancient towns there are remains
of walls formerly built for defence. Walls

of stone in some parts of the country are
more common than living hedges as bound-
aries of fields

An embankment is supported by a re-
taining wall ; adjoining houses are separated
by a party wall. The joists of a ground floor
or basement are laid on a low wall called a
sleeper wall. Private grounds are walled
off, or separated by walls, from those open
to the public. A cell-wall is the partition
surrounding it, enclosing its contents. The
walls of the heart are the hard tissues and
muscles surrounding its cavities ; the wall
of a cylinder is the
metal enclosing the
bore.

A walled (wawld,
adj.) garden is one
walled in, or enclosed
by walls. Sometimes
doors and windows
are walled upr or
blocked up by brick-
work, etc., to close
the opening. By
walling (wawl' ing,
n.) is meant either
walls in general, the
process of building
walls, or materials used in constructing them.

To give the wall to a person is to allow
him to walk or pass on the side away from
the edge of a pavement. Formerly this was
the cleaner part of the pavement, away
from the kennel, or gutter, commonly a
receptacle for all kinds of filth. To take
the wall of anyone is to pass between him
and the wall, driving him towards the road-
way— an act of discourtesy. To go to the
wail means to be pushed back in a fight till
one can retreat no farther, and so, figura-
tively, to get the worst of it in a struggle
of any kind.

The wall - creeper (n.) — Tichodroma
mur aria — is a small bird, found in Asia
and southern Europe, which hunts in walls
and rocks for insects, as our tree-creeper
hunts in the bark of trees. The name of wall-
cress (n.), or rock-cress, is given to various

Wallflower.— Blooms of
the sweet-smelling wall-
flower.

Wall.— The Great Wall of China. About one thousand five hundred miles long, it was begun by the Emperor
Shi Hwang-ti in the third century before Christ, and was repaired and extended in the fifteenth and

sixteenth centuries A.D.

4516

WALLABY

WALLOP

small plants of the genus Arabis, which
grow in cracks in walls and cliffs.

The wallflower (wawl' flou er, n.), which
has the botanical name of Cheiranthus, is
a favourite in our gardens ; it bears very
sweet-smelling flowers, of orange, yellow,
crimson, and other colours.

A wall- tree (n.) is a fruit-tree or other
tree trained up a wall, to which it is fastened
in places. Peaches, apricots, and nectarines
are usually produced on wall-trees, and in
many gardens apples, pears, and plums are
grown in the same way. Fruit grown on
such trees is called wall-fruit (n.).

A fresco is one kind of wall-painting («.) —
a painting done on a wall. The tapestries
and other hangings of older times "have been
replaced by wallpaper (n.), which is stout
paper specially prepared for covering walls.
It may have decorative patterns printed on
it, or be of one colour throughout. Among
the many wild plants that grow on walls are
the wall-pellitory (n.) — see under pellitory —
the wall-moss (n.) or wall-pepper (n.}, better
known as stonecrop,
and the wall-rue (n.),
a small evergreen fern,
which is also found on
cliffs, Asplenium Ruta-
muraria.

A wall-plate (n.) is a
stout plank or timber
laid on the top of a
wall to support the
ends of the roof trusses
or rafters and dis-
tribute their weight
over the wall.

A.-S. weal(l), from L.
vallum rampart, line of
stakes, from vallus stake,
palisade. See vallum.
SYN. : n. Defence, ram-
part, v. Confine, enclose,
fence, immure.

wallaby (wol' a bi),. n. Any of certain
smaller species of kangaroos, with brighter
fur than the typical kangaroo.

Australian.

Wallach (wol' ak), n. One of the
Romance-speaking peoples of the former
principality of Wallachia, nowr part of
Rumania. Another form is Walach (wol' ak).
(F. Valaque.}

The Wallach or Wallachian (wa la' ki an,
n.} speaks Wallachian, or the Wallachian
(adj.) language, that is, Rumanian.

^Another form of Vlach (which see), ultimately
from O.H.G. walk foreigner ; so G. Welsch poetical
for Italian, and E. Welsh, from name given to
the native races by Teutonic invaders.

wallah (wol' a), n. A term used in
India for a person or thing regarded as
being concerned with or employed about
something.

This word is used chiefly in combination.
A punkah wallah is a servant who works
a punkah, a competition wallah an Indian

wall-eye (wawl'

Wallaby. — The rufous-necked wallaby,
species of kangaroo.

civilian appointed by competitive examina-
tion, and a howdah wallah an elephant
trained to carry a howdah.

Hindi suffix -wdld man connected with or
belonging to.

wallaroo (wol a roo'), n. One of certain
large species of kangaroos, especially
Macropus robustus.
Australian.

•wallet (wol7 et), n. A bag or sack
formerly used for carrying necessaries for
a journey, especially a mediaeval pilgrim's
pack ; a small bag for carrying tools, etc. ;
a small leather case for carrying paper money,
etc., in the pocket. (F. sacoche, escarcelle,
besace, portefeuille .)

Possibly a variant of M.E. watel bag, A.-S.
ivatel hurdle, basket, bag. According to another
suggestion it is from an assumed O.F. walet, from
O.H.G. wallon to go on a pilgrimage (G. wallen),
O.F. gauler to wander as a pilgrim. See wattle.
It may have been influenced by F. mallette bag,
scrip, dim. of malle, trunk, hawker's or pedlar's
basket.

1), n. An eye with a
very light-coloured
iris ; an eye showing
more of the white
than usual owing to
squinting; a large
staring eye, especially
of a fish. (F. glaucome ,
ceil vairon.)

A wall-eyed (adj.)
person may suffer from
a squint, or one or
both eyes may have
lighter irises than
usual. In America
there is a fish called
the wall-eyed pike (n.)
from its large staring
eyes.

Back-formation from
wall - eyed, M.E. wawil-
eyed, O. Norsa vagl-eyg-r, frorri vagi film, auga eye.
•wallflower (wawl' flour). For this word,
wall-fruit, etc., see under wall.

Walloon (wol oon'), n. One of a
people of Gaulish origin living in south-east
Belgium and the adjoining parts of France ;
the Romance dialect spoken by these people.
adj. Of or belonging to the Walloons or
their language. (F. Wallon; wallon.)

L.L. Wallo (ace -on-em) from O. Teut. walah
foreigner. See Vlach, Wallach, Welsh.

wallop (wolx up), v.t. To thrash
soundly ; to belabour, n.- A heavy blow.
(F. rosser, battre; coup fort.)

This word is more or less colloquial,
although it has been used by Meredith
and other established writers.

M.E. walopen to gallop, to put to the gallop by
.whipping, etc., later also to boil noisily, assumed
O. Northern F. waloper= F. galoper ; cp. Walloon
waloper to rinse. See gallop. The noise of the
clattering horse's hoofs is compared to that of
bubbling, boiling water •; cp. M.E. wallen, A.-S.
weallan to well up, boil, Dutch and G. wallen.

.mail

4517

WALLOW

WAN

wallow (wol' 6), v.i. To roll or tumble
about in sand, mud, water, or other yielding
substance ; to move with a rolling, flounder-
ing motion ; to revel self-indulgently (in
wickedness, etc.) ; to take a gross pleasure
(in), n. The act of wallowing ; a place to
which an animal, such as a buffalo, goes to
wallow. (F. se vautrer, se rouler, se livrer ;
action de se vautrer.}

In some farmyards pigs may be seen
wallowing happily in the mud. In a
figurative sense, a person who takes a gross
delight in sensual things is said to wallow
in them, or even to wallow in the mire.
Very rich people are sometimes said con-
temptuously or jocularly to be wallowing in
money.

M.E. walwen, A.-S. wealwian, akin to L.
volvere to roll. SYN. : v. and n. Flounder, revel,
roll, tumble.

Wall send (wawl' zend), n. A kind
of superior household coal, originally ob-
tained from Wallsend-on-Tyne.

•walnut (wawl' nut), n. A large timber
tree of the genus Juglans, especially Juglans
regia; the seed contained in its round,
fleshy fruit, regarded as a nut ; the light,
hard, fine-grained timber of this tree.
(F. noyer, noix.}

The walnut, or walnut-tree (n.}, has com-
pound leaves divided into from five to nine
narrow leaflets. The roundish fruit con-
sists of a fleshy husk enclosing a hard deeply
wrinkled shell in two sections or halves.
Inside this is an
edible kernel, which
is eaten as a dessert
fruit. The wood of
the walnut is used
in furniture-making
and for gun-stocks.

M.E. walnote from
A.-S. wealh foreign (G.
welsch) hnuta nut ; cp.
Dutch walnoot, G.
wallnuss, Icel. valhnot ;
in F. the walnut is
taken as the typical
nut and called n(>ix.
See Vlach, Walloon,
Welsh.

Walpurgis Night (val poor' gis nit),
n. The eve of May Day, when witches
were supposed to hold their revels, especially
on the Brocken, in the Harz, Germany ; the
witches' sabbath. (F. nuit de Walpurgis.}

Walpurga, a woman missionary and saint
of Wessex in the eighth century, became
abbess of Heidenheim, in Germany. Her
festival is February 25th, but in Germany
it is held on May ist, the opening of the
May festival in pagan times.

From Walpurgis = Walpurga, and E. night.

walrus (wawr rus ; wol' rus), n. A
large amphibious seal-like mammal with
a pair of long tusks projecting downwards
from the upper jaw. (F. morse, vache
marine.}

Walnut. -A .prig of a

walnut-tree bearing wal-

nut8.

The walrus (Trichechus} frequents coastal
waters in the Arctic regions. It is related
to the sea-lions. The tusks are used in
fighting and for digging for the shell-fish
on which these animals feed. A valuable
oil is obtained from the blubber of the
walrus ; its skin is made into a very tough
and durable leather, and its tusks yield
ivory of an excellent quality.

Probably of Dutch origin. Dutch walrus ', cp.
walross, Swed. hvalross — whale-horse ; cp. A.-S.
horshwael, O. Norse hrosshval-r = horse-whale.
Perhaps due to popular etymology.

Walrus.— The walrus, a mammal related to the
sea-lions. It frequents the Arctic regions.

waltz (wawltz), n. A dance per-
formed to music in triple time ; the music
for such a dance ; an instrumental piece
in the style of this, but not intended for
dancing, v.i. To dance a waltz ; to trip
or move smoothly and lightly. (F. valse ;
valser.}

People waltz in pairs, rotating smoothly
together as they progress. A complete
rotation usually occupies two bars. Each
of the partners in a waltz is a waltzer
(wawltz' er, n.}. A waltz-song (n.) is either
a waltz to the tune of which words are sung,
or else a song in the style of a waltz.

G. walzer, from walzen to roll, revolve. See
welter.

wampee (worn pe'), n. An Asiatic
tree (Clausena Wampi} bearing a grape-
like pulpy berry ; the fruit of this tree.

The fruit pulp of the wampee has a
peculiar flavour that is much liked by the
Chinese.

Chinese hwang yellow, pi skin.

wampum (worn' pum), n. Small
beads made of shells strung on threads
and formerly used by some North American
Indians as money, ornaments, etc.

The value of an English penny in wampum
was three dark beads or six white ones.
The Indians sometimes recorded tribal
events in the patterns on their wampum
belts.

North American Indian (Algonkin) wam-
pompeag, from wamp white, ompe string of
beads, and ag pi. suffix.

•wan (won), adj. Pale ; bloodless ;
.tired or worn in appearance ; colourless.
(F. pale, exsangue, bleme.)

4518

WAND

WANT

verge, 'baguette,

..••':,,--';

A boy who is neither happy nor well
may smile wanly (won' li, adv.) or give a
wan smile, that is, a faint or forced one,
when we try to cheer him up. This use of
the word is an extension of its usual mean-
ing. We speak of the wanness (won' nes, n.),
or pale colour, of a sick person's face. Thin
clouds may be said to drift wanly across
a bleak sky.

A.-S. wann dark, lurid, livid, now applied to
pale, colourless objects or such as have lost their
proper colour. Perhaps influenced by A.-S.
wan- wanting, lacking. See wanton. SYN. :
Faded, ghastly, pate, pallid, sickly.

waiid (wond), n. A long, _ slender rod
or baton, esjxicialty7 one used' as a staff
of office" or by conjurers. *~ ' ''
bdton.)

The fairy godmother in
the story of Cinderella
turned the pumpkin into
a -coach by touching it
with a wand. A conjurer
uses a wand' 'because of its
association with magic.

Of Scand; origin. O. Norse
vond-r -wand, swi.tch, twig :
cp. Dan. vaand, Goth.
wandus, supple stick or rod,
akin to E. wind [2].

wander (won' der), v.i.
To travel or go here and
there without any definite
route or object; to roam
or ramble ; to go astray
or get lost ; to leave the
right way ; to err ; to de-
part from home ; to talk
or think in an incoherent,
irrelevant, or disconnected
manner ; to be delirious ;
to be inattentive, v.t. To
roam over ; to traverse
in a random way. (F.
errer, vagabonder, s'egarer,
transgresser, s'eloigner,
divaguer, avoir le delire ; parcourir, battre.)

A person suffering from loss of memory
is liable to wander aimlessly about, neither
knowing nor caring where he is going.
Small children sometimes wander and get
lost. An invalid is said to wander when he
becomes delirious ; he talks wanderingly
(won' der ing li, adv.), that is, disconnectedly
or senselessly. A speaker wanders from his
subject when he diverges from it. Each of
these persons is a wanderer (won' der er, n.),
but generally this word denotes a person
who is not satisfied with a stay-at-home
life, but wanders about the world. His
aimless travels are wanderings (won' der
ingz, n.pl.).

A teacher might have cause to ask a
stupid or inattentive boy to collect his
wandering (adj.), or straying, wits. The
legendary character called the Wandering
Jew (n.-) is supposed to have been condemned
to wander from place to place until the Day

Wandering. —A wandering Dervish setting
out on a tramp over the plains of Persia.

of Judgment because he ordered Christ
to hurry on the way to Calvary. Certain
trailing plants are given the popular name
of Wandering Jew.

A.-S. wandrian, akin to wendan to wend
one's way and wind [2] ; cp. Dutch wandelen,
G. wandeln to walk, wandern to wander. SYN. :
Err, roam, rove, saunter, stray. ANT. : Abide,
reside, settle, stay.

wanderoo (won de roo'), n. The lion-
tailed monkey (Macacus silenus), having
a grey ruff round its face ; a species of
langur, a long-tailed monkey found in
Ceylon. Another spelling is wanderu (won
de roo'). (F. macaque.)

The wanderoo with the tufted tail is
found in western India, and not in Ceylon,
in spite of the fact that
} it has a Cingalese name.
This name is more cor-
rectly used of the Cingalese
langur (Semnopithecus
cephalopterus) , a very in-
quisitive greyish monkey.
Cingal ese wanderu .
wane (wan), v.i. To
become less in size and
brilliancy, as the moon
after the full; to decrease
in power, vigour, influence,
etc. ; to decline, n. The
act or process of waning.
(F; decretive, dechoir,
de diner ; ddcroissement ,
decheance, declin.}

During the second half
of each lunar month, the
moon wanes or is on the
wane. The. visible part of
its surface becomes smaller,
and the brilliancy of the
light reflected decreases.
In a figurative sense, the
power of ancient Rome
may be said to have begun
to wane during the second
century of the Empire.

A.-S. wanian, from negative prefix wan
lacking, deficient (cp. wanton) ; akin to Dutch
wan-, G. wahn-, O. Norse van-, Goth, wan-s,
Gr. eunis, bereft, Sansk. una-s (Dutch wanspraak
bad pronunciation, G. wahnsinn lack of sense,
madness, O. Norse vanafli waning in strength,
weak). SYN. : v. Decline, decrease, diminish,
fail. ANT. : v. Brighten, expand, improve,
increase, wax.

wanly (won' li). For this word and
wanness see under wan.

want (wont), n. The condition or state
of being without ; lack ; deficiency ; need
(of) ; privation or poverty ; a desire for a
thing as being necessary to happiness,
success, etc. ; something that is not pos-
sessed but is desired, v.t. To lack or be
without ; to be deficient in ; to fall short
by ; to require in order to complete ; to
need ; to crave or desire, v.i. To be in
need ; to be deficient (in) ; to be lacking.

4519

WANTON

WAR

(F. manque, besoin,
necessite, defaut; mari-
quer de, avoir besoin
de, souhaiter ; fare dans
le besoin, manquer.)

All people have
wants, or requirements,
of one kind or another,
although they are not
necessarily living in
want, that is, in
poverty. A thought-
less remark is one
wanting in tact.
Neglected iron railings
become rusty for want
of paint. We say that
the head of a statue
is wanting when the statue wants a head,
or is headless. A criminal is said to be
wanted, or required, by the police when there
is a warrant for his arrest.

A person wanting (wont' ing, prep.)
courage or resource is a person who lacks
these qualities. A cricketer who has scored
ninety-nine runs is wanting one run to com-
plete his century.

M.E. originally adj. = lacking, O. Norse
van-t neuter of van-r (see wane), whence vanta to
be lacking. SYN. : n. Dearth, lack, need, penury.
v. Lack, require., ANT. : «. Abundance, plenty,
superfluity, v. Have, own, possess.

wanton (won' ton), adj. Playful;
sportive ; frolicsome ; capricious ; wild ;
unrestrained ; reckless ; extravagant ; pur-
poseless, v.i. To sport or frolic ; to act or
move without restraint. (F. foldtre, enjoue,
capricieux, deregle, ecervele,
gratuit; foldtrer, sebattre.)

A wanton act of cruelty is an act for
which there is no possible excuse. It is
done from sheer wantonness (won' ton nes,
n.), that is irresponsibility. A woman's hair
may be said to grow wantonly (won' ton li,
adv.) if it grows in a wild or luxuriant way.
Many of the treasures of ancient civilizations
were wantonly, or ruthlessly, destroyed by
barbarian conquerors.

M.E. wantowen, wantoun, from wan- = not,
and towen, for logen, p.p. of teon to pull, draw,
bring up, hence ill-bred ; G. ungezogen (from un-
= not, badly, and p.p. of ziehen to draw).
SYN. : adj. Frolicsome, heedless, purposeless,
undisciplined, unrestrained. ANT. : adj.

Disciplined, purposeful, restrained.

wapenshaw (wap' en shaw). This
is another spelling of wappenshaw. See
wappenshaw.

wapentake (wop' en tak), n. An
old division of certain English shires,
corresponding to a hundred.

Certain divisions of Yorkshire and other
partly Danish counties are still known as
wapentakes.

O. Norse vapnatak, from vdpn weapon, taka
to take, probably referring to the custom of
brandishing weapons to show assent at an assem-
bly, hence district represented at an assembly.

jr' ^1^ T

Wapiti. — The wapiti, a species of deer common in
the mountainous parts of North America.

depensier,

wapinshaw (wap'
in shaw). This is
another spelling of
wappenshaw. See
wappenshaw.

wapiti (wop' i ti),
n. A large North
American deer (Cervus
canadensis) resem-
bling and related to
the European red deer.
(F. wapiti.}

North American Indian,
from wapi white. See
wampum.

wappenshaw

(wap' en shaw), n.
A periodical gathering or review of mili-
tary retainers formerly held in certain
districts in Scotland ; a meeting in Scotland
for rifle shooting, curling matches, etc.
Other spellings include wappensehaw. (wap'
en shaw), wapenshaw (wap' enr shaw), and
wapinshaw ( wap '^in shaw). ._• : ,-. • ..

In the novel, '"Old Mortality," by Sir
Walter Scott, which dea-ls with Scottish
village life in the reign of Charles II, and with
the outbreak of the Covenanters (1679),
there is a description of a wappensliaw.

Sc. (wapin weapon, shaw show) Cp. JD'utch
wappenschouwing.

war (wor), n. , A contest between
nations, or between parties in the same state,
carried on by force of arms ; the state of
affairs thus brought about ; a military or
naval attack ; hostile operations ; strategy ;
hostility ; active enmity ; strife ; a feud. v.i.
To make or carry on a war ; to be in opposi-
tion ; to be inconsistent. (F. guerre,
strategic, hostility, lutte, querelle mortelle ;
faire la guerre, lutter.)

The verb to war is used chiefly in litera-
ture and seldom in ordinary speech. For
instance, a writer might say that nation
warred with nation, meaning that nations
fought together in war. In a figurative
sense we speak of warring (adj.) principles,
that is, rival or competing principles.

The terrible losses and sufferings during
the World War (1914-18) have shown once
again the utter wastefulness of war as a
means of settling disagreements. This time
the lesson has been heeded, for it has led
to the formation of a great movement,
headed by the League of Nations, for doing
away with war altogether and replacing it
with peaceful arbitration. If this object is
achieved there will be little need of the
art of war, that is, strategy and tactics ;
nations will cease to be at war, that is,
engaged in hostilities, with one another ; and
we shall not hear of one party in a nation
fighting another party in what is called a
civil war (n.).

A war fought in defence of, or to spread,
a religion is known as a holy war (n.). The

4520

WAR

WAR

Crusades were holy wars waged against the
Mohammedans .

Writers say that a war-cloud (n.) has
arisen when there seems to be a likelihood
of war owing to a quarrel between nations.
In earlier times soldiers shouted a war-cry
(n.) as they charged in battle or rallied
during an attack. This was usually a name
or phrase showing for whom or for what
cause they were fighting. Nowadays a
political catchword or phrase used to in-
fluence electors is known as a war-cry.
The war-cries of savages are battle-shouts
usually designed to intimidate the opposing
side, and a war-dance (n.) is a ceremonial
dance practised among primitive peoples
as a preparation for battle.

An army or navy is on a war looting
when ready for war. This means that all
reservists, etc., have been called back to
their depots or to their ships, so that all
units are at full strength. The ancient
Romans worshipped Mars as their war-god
(n.), that is, a god believed to possess the
power of giving victory in war. A war
grave (n.) is the grave of a soldier who has
died on active service. The graves of those
who fell in the World War and were buried
in the war areas are known especially as
war-graves.

The war-head (n.) of a torpedo is the
chamber at its nose filled with explosives.
This head is not used in peace practice,, its
place being taken by a head of the same
weight, but quite harmless. The term
war-horse (n.) denotes a horse ridden by a
warrior in former wars. This term is
archaic or poetical, except when used in a
figurative sense. We say, for instance, that
a veteran soldier or politician, when he- is
stirred by the memories of former campaigns
or triumphs, is like an old war-horse.

British subjects who left their own
country to serve overseas during the World
War were granted a war medal (n.) whether
they entered a theatre of war or not. This
medal is of silver, inscribed with the dates
of the war, and the ribbon has an orange
centre bordered with blue, black, and white
stripes. A similar medal in bronze was
awarded to British subjects who had served
in native labour corps in any theatre of
war.

The War Office (n.) is a British Govern-
ment department managing the affairs of
the army. The Secretary of State for War,
at its head, is assisted by the Army Council.
Us headquarters are situated in a large
building, also named the War Office, in
Whitehall, London.

The North American Indian used to put
war-paint (n.) on his face and body before
going into battle. A person in ceremonial
dress, or who is dressed up for an occasion,
is said colloquially to be in full war-paint.
A political party in favour of war is de-
scribed as a war party (n.); so also is a
party of Indian braves which has taken the

war-path (n.), that is, a trail or road leading
to an enemy whom they mean to attack.
In a figurative sense a person who is
thoroughly roused and ready to engage in
a struggle of some kind is said to be on the
war-path.

A War Savings certificate (n.) was a form
of British Government security issued during
the World War to attract the savings of
small investors. It was purchasable at
fifteen shillings and sixpence, a pound being
repaid for it at the end of five years. These
certificates have been continued at a lower
rate of interest, under the name of National
Savings certificates.

A warship (n.) is a ship that is armed
for use in war. Formerly a large warship
belonging to a country's navy was known
as a man-of-war.

A war shrine (n.) is a memorial set up on
a street wall, or in a church porch, etc.,
to commemorate men of the neighbourhood
who have fallen in a war. especially the
World War.

Warship. — A striking view or the warship " Koaney,"
showing lofty control tower and heavy armament.

A war-song (n.) is a song of a warlike
character, or one sung by savages during
a war-dance or before a fight.

By the end of the World War millions of
people were war- wearied (adj.) and war-
worn (adj.], that is. exhausted by their
experiences of war.

The war-whoop (n.) of the North American
Indian is a loud cry uttered when going
into battle. It should be the ideal of all
Christians to render the world warless
(wor' les, adj.), or free from war. Unfor-
tunately warlike (wor' lik, adj.), or bellicose,

D28

4521

WARATAH

WARDEN

instincts sometimes get the better of civilized
nations and plunge them into war. A
war is preceded by warlike preparations,
that is, preparations which are a sign of
coming war.

Of Teut. origin. O. Northern F. werre,
O.H.G. werra quarrel, strife, confusion, werran to
embroil ; cp. Dutch warren, G. (ver)wirren.
Akin to E. worse. SYN. : n. Enmity, hostility,
strife. ANT. : n. Peace.

waratah. (war' a ta), n. An Australian
shrub (Telopea speciosissima] , bearing ter-
minal clusters of crimson or scarlet flowers ;
a kind of camellia.

Native Australian name.

warble [i] (wor' bl), n. A small, hard
tumour or swelling on the back of ahorse
or other animal. (F. nodus.}

Origin doubtful, probably akin to M. Swed.
varbulde boil, from var pus, bulde tumour.

warble [2] (wor' bl), v.i. To sing in
a continuous trilling or quavering manner,
as a bird ; to sound thus ; to make a gentle
melodious sound, as a brook, v.t. To speak
or utter in the manner of a bird's song. n.
The act or sound of warbling ; a warbled
song. (F. gazoiiiller, grisoler, murmurer ;
gazouiller, modular ; gazouillement, ramage.}

Warbler. — The garden warbler, one of a numerous
family of songsters commonly called warblers.

In the daytime the nightingale may
sometimes be heard softly warbling the
song that it sings so splendidly at night.
Many British birds are given the popular
name of warbler (worb' ler, n.), especially
some, such as the blackcap and the white-
throat, of the genus Sylvia. A person who
warbles a song is jocularly called a warbler.
Singing birds are sometimes described in
poetry or poetical prose as warbling (worb'
ling, adj.) birds. A warbling brook is one

that warbles or flows warblingly (worb' ling li,
adv.) along.

M.E. werbeln, O.F. werbler, from O.H.G.
werbel plectrum, also a rattle, probably something
that is whirled or that revolves (G. wirbtl) ;
akin to E. whirl, whorl.

ward (word), n. The act of watching
or guarding ; custody or confinement ;
control or guardianship"; a minor or other
person in charge of a guardian, or of
the court of chancery ; an administrative
division of a borough or city ; a division
or apartment in a hospital or workhouse
containing a number of inmates ; a pro-
jection inside a lock to prevent any key
but the right one from turning ; a notch
in a key corresponding to such a projec-
tion, v.t. To turn aside ; to parry ; to
keep (off). (F. action de garder, tutdle,
pupille, arrondissement, salle, garde; paver,
detonmer.)

In its first sense this word is archaic,
except in the alliterative phrase " watch and
ward," which means surveillance or guardian-
ship. An isolation ward in a hospital is an
apartment where patients suffering from
infectious diseases are isolated from the
patients in other wards. A workhouse has
a casual ward in which tramps and homeless
people are given accommodation for the
night. A blow is warded off by parrying it,
or causing it to glance off, and in fencing
a parry was formerly called a ward. Dangers
are said to be warded off when they are
averted.

Boroughs are divided into wards, and at
municipal elections each ward is entitled to
elect a certain number of men and women
to sit on the city or borough council.

An old name for a meeting of the citizens
of a ward is ward-mote (n.). Such meetings
of the liverymen in the City of London
under an alderman are still known as
ward -motes.

A ward-room (n.) in a battle-ship is a mess-
room for the use of commissioned officers
above the rank of sub-lieutenant. Such
officers as a body are sometimes termed
the ward-room. The word wardship (n.)
means guardianship, especially of a ward or
person under ward.

A.-S. weard (masc.) guard, keeper, (fern.)
watching, protection ; cp. G. wart warder,
O. Norse vorth-r warder, guard, watching, v.
A.-S. weardian to guard, keep ; cp. G. warten to
wait, attend to, O. Norse vartha to answer for,
watch, defend. Akin to E. wary Guard is a
doublet. SYN. : n. Guard, protection, watch.
v. Parry.

warden [i] (wor' den), n. A keeper ; a
guardian ; the head of a school or college.
(F. gardien, gouverneur, recteur.)

In former times the frontiers between
England and Scotland or Wales were guarded
by powerful barons known as lords wardens
of the marches. The naval defence of
England was once entrusted to the Warden
of the Cinque Ports («.). This is still a title
4522

WARDEN

WARM

of the governor of Dover. At Oxford
University the heads of certain colleges are
known as wardens. Their office is termed a
wardenship (n.).

Anglo-F. wardein, from O.F. warder to ward.
SYN. : Custodian, guardian, keeper, protector.

warden [2] (wor' den), n. An old
kind of cooking pear that may be stored
for a time without deteriorating. (F. poire
"ie garde.}

From O.F. warder (F. garden] to keep.

warder (wor' der), n. A keeper : a
jailer ; a sentinel.
(F. gardien, ge Slier.}

Male officials in
charge of prisoners in
jails are known as
warders, a woman
performing similar
duties among female
prisoners being a
wardress (wor' dres,
n.}. In the sense of
sentinel or watchman
:he word is archaic.

From ward (to guard)
and agent suffix -er.

wardrobe (word'
rob), n. A cupboard,
large movable cabinet,
ar other receptacle,
a s e d for holding
clothes ; a person's
clothing collectively.
(F. armoire, gar de-robe}

A woman keeps
part of her wardrobe,
or stock of garments, in a wardrobe, which
is usually a movable cupboard in which
clothes can be hung without being folded.
A wardrobe-dealer (n.) is a person who
buys and re-sells cast-off clothing.

O.F. warderobe, F. garderobe. See ward.

ward-room (word' room). For this
word and wardship see under ward.

ware fi] (war), n. Manufactured
articles of a specified kind ; pottery ; (pi.}
articles of merchandise ; goods for sale.
(F. marchandise, poterie, articles, denree}

This word is generally found in com-
pounds, such as hardware, china-ware, and
earthenware. It is used also in the names of
different types of pottery, as Wedgwood ware
and Staffordshire ware". The commodities
offered for sale by a shopkeeper are his wares.

A warehouse (war' hous, n.) is a building,
or part of a building, in which wares, or goods,
are stored or kept before being sold. A
bonded warehouse is a government building
in which imported goods, on which a duty is
payable, are kept in bond until the importer
pays the tax due on them. To warehouse
(v.t.) goods is to store them in a warehouse.
Furniture placed in a depository is said to
be warehoused. A warehouseman (war7
hous man, n.) is a man who is employed in
or has charge of a warehouse.

._

Warder.— Prisoners working at the dough trough

in a jail, while a warder looks on, keeping a

watchful eye on his charges.

A.-S. waru ware, protection ; cp. Dutch waav ,
G. ware, O. Norse vara. The idea is probably
that of things that are guarded, from root wer
to keep.

ware [2] (war), adj. In poetry, aware or
watchful, v.t. imperative. Beware ! ; look
out for ! ; guard against ! ; keep clear of !
(F. qui sait, en eveil ; gare 1}

The adjective is now archaic. In his
poem, " Drake's Drum," Sir Henry Newbolt
wrote that if the Spaniards ever invaded Devon
they would find Drake " ware an' wakin', as
they found him long
ago." In hunting, a
rider may warn his
companions of a
dangerous wire fence
by shouting out "Ware
wire ! "

A.-S. waer ; cp. Dutch
°ewaar, G. gewahr, O.
Norse var-r, perhaps akin
to L. vererl to respect,
Gr. horan to see, look
out.

warfare (wor' far)
n. A state of war
military operations
hostilities ; strife. (F
guerre.}

From E. war, and -fare
journey (A.-S. faru).
SYN. : n. Conflict,
strife. ANT. : n. Peace.
warily (war' i li).
For this word and
wariness see under
wary.

warless (wor' les). For this word, war-
like, etc., see under war.

warlock (wor' lok), n. A wizard or
sorcerer. (F. sorcier.}

M.E. war log he liar, traitor, wizard, from A.-S
wderlogha one who breaks his pledge, from wder
faith, pledge (akin to L verus true), loga liar,
from leogan to lie.

warm (worm), adj. Moderately hot ;
at a somewhat high temperature ; giving
out heat ; glowing with exercise, etc. ;
of clothing, etc., retaining bodily heat ;
of colours, containing a predominance of
rich reds or yellows ; suggesting warmth ;
ardent ; emotional ; enthusiastic ; hearty ;
excited ; animated ; of a fight, vigorous ;
vehement ; of the scent in hunting, fresh
or strong ; in children's games, being near
to finding or guessing the object sought, n.
An act or spell of making oneself, etc., warm.
v.t. To make warm ; to make enthusiastic
or ardent, v.t. To become warm ; to grow
enthusiastic, zealous, or sympathetic. (F.
chaud, ardent, plein d'ardcur, chaleureux,
anime, vigoureux, vehement , un air de feu ;
chauffer; se chauffer, s'animer.}

On a warm day we do not need to wear
warm clothing, nor do we require fires to
warm our living-rooms. Close friends give
each other a warm, or cordial, welcome.

452?

WARN

WARP

Political meetings sometimes produce warm
discussions. To warm to a person means to
begin to feel kindly towards him.

In the game of hunt-the-thimble, a player
is said to be warm when he is close to the
hidden thimble, and cold when away from
it. We warm up our bodies on a cold day
by taking exercise. A strenuous occupation
is sometimes described as warm work.
Troops give an enemy a warm reception
when they receive them with a vigorous
resistance. Colours compounded mainly of
red and yellow are called warm colours, as
opposed to cold colours, in which blue or
green preponderates.

Birds and mammals are warm-blooded
(adj.) animals, that is, they have warm
blood, ranging in temperature between
98 degrees and 112 degrees Fahrenheit. Fish
on the other hand, are cold-blooded. Affec-
tionate, kindly people are said to be warm-
hearted (adj.). They have the quality of
warm-heartedness (n.) and treat other people
warm-heartedly (adv.). A warmer (worm'
er, n.) is an apparatus for warming things,
or for giving warmth, such as a foot-warmer.
Warming (worm' ing, n.) is the action of
making warm.

The old-fashioned warming-pan (n.), used
for airing beds, consists of a copper or brass
pan, closed by a lid, and mounted
on a long handle. The pan was f
filled with live coals, and moved I
up and down in the bed. In a e
figurative sense, a warming-pan > j

is a person who holds a post for
the time being till someone else
is ready to take it.

The sun shines warmly (worm'
li, adv.) on us when it imparts
warmth (wormth, n.), that is, a
temperate heat. A moderately
heated state of the atmosphere,
etc., is also known as warmth.
People shake hands warmly when
they do so with warmth of feel-
ing, that is, with heartiness or
enthusiasm. To keep warm in
winter we need to be warmly, but
not heavily, clad, because the
body loses warmth rapidly in a
low temperature.

Most controversial matters are disputed
warmly, or vehemently, at some time or
other by people holding opposite views
regarding them. The painter, J. M. W.
Turner, is famed for the warmth of many of
his sunsets. This means a glowing effect
obtained by the use of warm colours.

A.-S. wearm ; cp. Dutch and G warm, O. Norse
varm-r ; perhaps akin to O.L. formus warm, Gr.
thermos, Sansk. gharma. SYN. : adj. Ardent,
enthusiastic, fervent, glowing, zealous. ANT. :
adj. Chill, cold, cool, frigid, unenthusiastic.

warn (worn), v.t. To give notice to ;
to inform beforehand ; to caution or put
on guard (against) ; to admonish ; to notify

(a person) to keep (away, off, etc.). (F.
avertir, prevenir, notifier, precautionner.)

Lighthouses, lightships, and buoys warn
sailors of the presence or position of danger-
ous shoals and rocks. Sometimes a bell,
having a clapper swung by the tide, is used
to give warning (worn' ing, n.), or previous
notification, of such dangers. In Associa-
tion and Rugby football, a warning, or
caution, is issued to a player guilty of rough
or ungentlemanly conduct. For a second
offence a player may be ordered off the field.

Dull heavy clouds may be said to warn
us that rain is coming. Children cannot be
too often warned, or put on guard, against
playing in the roadway. When spoken to
warningly (worn' ing li, adv.), or by way of
a warning, we should give due attention
to the caution or admonishment.

In biology, strongly contrasted and con-
spicuous colours on the bodies of certain
animals are known as warning colours (n.pl.)
because they are supposed to act as warnings
to possible enemies. Wasps are warningly
coloured with black and yellow bands.
Other animals that are poisonous or inedible,
or that have some other unpleasant character-
istic, are similarly marked.

A.-S. warenian ; cp. G. warnen ; akin to wary.
SYN. : Admonish, caution, forewarn.

Warp.— Lifeboattnen warping a yacht alongside after salving it
and bringing it into harbour.

•warp (worp), n. The threads running
lengthwise in a woven fabric ; a hawser
used in towing a ship, etc. ; a twist or dis-
tortion in timber, etc., due to uneven
shrinkage or swelling ; the state of being
twisted ; a perversity of disposition ; a
stratum of sediment deposited on land
by standing water, v.t. To turn or twist
out of shape ; to distort or pervert (the
mind, etc.) ; to fertilize by flooding artificially
with silt-laden water ; to tow or move
(a ship) with a line attached to a buoy,
anchor, etc. ; to arrange (warp yarns) on
a beam for weaving, v.i. To become
twisted, crooked, or perverted. (F. chaine,

4524

WARRANT

WASH

touee, cambrure, torsion, perversion, colmate ;
faire dejeter, colmater, touer, ourdir ; se
dejeter, se fausser.)

A thin board warps quickly in a hot sun.
It becomes curved on the exposed side
owing to unequal expansion. A person's
nature may be warped by disappointment,
so that he turns cynical and suspicious.
In harbours ships are warped, or moved, to
their berths by means of a warp attached
to a buoy or other fixed object. Poor or
impoverished land near rivers is sometimes
improved by warping. It is enclosed by a
low bank known as a warping-bank (n.),
and then flooded with silt-laden river water.
The alluvial deposit, or warp, left by the
standing water increases its fertility.

A.-S. wearp, from weorpan to throw ; cp.
Swed. varp, draught of a net, warp, O. Norse
varp a casting, throwing, M.H.G. warf warp in
weaving, v. A.-S. weorpan ; cp. Dutch werpen,
G. werfen, O. Norse verpa (all meaning throw).

warrant (wor' ant), v.t. To answer for ;
to guarantee ; to justify ;
to serve as a guarantee for.
n. Anything that authorizes
or justifies an action ; a
document conferring power
or authority on a person
or persons. (F. garantir,
certifier, justifier ; autorisa-
tion, mandat.)

A salesman who warrants
the articles he sells to be of
good quality is a warrantor
(wor' ant or, n.}, or war-
ranter (wor' ant er, n.}.
He probably gives what
lawyers call a warranty
(wor' an ti, n.}, or guarantee,
in writing to the warrantee
(wor an te', n.}.

An action which may
be justified or defended is
warrantable (wor' an tabl,
adj.], and we may prove its
warrantableness (wor' ant
abl nes, n.) by showing that
it was done warrantably
(wor' ant ab li, adv.), that
is, with good authority. A warrant
of attorney (n.) is a document authorizing
one person to act on behalf of another. A
warrant-officer (n.) is an officer in the Army
or Navy next below a commissioned officer,
and holding rank by a warrant.

O.F. warant, garant, of Teut. origin, O.H.G.
werend. See guarantee. SYN. : v. Guarantee,
justify, vouch. n. Authorization, sanction,
surety, voucher.

•warren (wor' en), n. A piece of ground
in which rabbits live or are preserved. (F.
garenne.)

All over the country there are rabbit
warrens, or stretches of land which are
left to the rabbits. Usually this is poor
land, such as the warren outside Folkestone.
A person who looks after such a piece of

Warrant-officer.— A Naval warrant-officer,
who holds rank by an Admiralty warrant.

ground and the rabbits that live there is
called a warrener (wor' en er, n.}.

Of Teut. origin, O.F. waresne, warenne,
varenne, garenne, from O.H.G. warjan to protect
= G. wahren to watch over, preserve.

warrigal (wor' i gal). This is the
native name of the dingo. See dingo.

warrior (wor' i or), n. A fighting-
man or soldier ; a man famous in warfare,
(F. militaire, soldat, guerrier.}

M.E werrepur, O F. werreieur, guerreiur, from
werre, guerre war. See war.

wart (wort), n. A small, hardish out-
growth on the skin ; a small protuberance
on the surface of an animal or plant. (F.
verrue, excroissance.)

Warts are not painful, but warty (wort' i,
adj.) hands are very unsightly, and should
be treated until the skin becomes smooth
and wartless (wort' les, adj.).

Some gourds are said to be warted (wort'
ed, adj.), and we speak of the warty, or
warted, toad, as compared with the smooth-
skinned frog. The very
ugly wart-hog (n.). — Phaco-
choerus — of Africa owes its
name to the protuberances
under its eyes. It has a
long coarse mane. Potatoes
are sometimes affected with
a fungoid growth on their
tubers and stems called
wart disease (n.).

A.-S. wearte ; cp. Dutch wrat,
G. warze ; perhaps akin to
wort.

wary (war' i), adj. On
the watch against dangers ;
I cautious ; circumspect. (F.
avise, prudent, circonspect.)
A motor driver should be
wary, or on the look-out,
when approaching cross-
roads, and a sentry should
be wary about admitting
strangers within the lines.
Wariness (war' i nes, n.),
therefore, is useful both in
peace and war, and we are
often warned to walk warily
(war' i li, adv.], or to be careful what we do.
From ware [2] with suffix -y. SYN. : Careful,
cautious, guarded. ANT. : Careless, heedless,
unwary.

was (woz). Part of the verb " to be,"
used in the first and third person singular
of the past tense.

The archaic second person singular of
the past tense is wast (wost), or wert, used
with the archaic pronoun " thou." It has
been replaced in ordinary use by the modern
second person singular " you were."

A.-S. waes, from wesan to be ; cp. Dutch was,
G. war, O. Norse var ; the root (one of three used
in the verb to be) occurs also in Goth, wisan,
Sansk. vas to remain, dwell.

•wash (wosh), v.t. To clean with water
or other liquid ; to remove dirt from (some

4525

WASHINGTONIA

WASP

object) in this way ; to purify ; to dash
against ; to sweep along or away ; to free (ore
or coal) of rubbish by a stream of water ;
to cover with a thin coat of colour ; to plate
with a thin coat of metal, v.i. To cleanse the
face, hands, or body with water ; to wash
clothes ; to admit of being washed without
fading ; of water, to sweep, move, or splash
along, over, etc. n. The act of washing ;
the state of being washed ; the articles
washed at one time; the motion of a body
of water, especially the swell, caused by
the passage of a vessel ; soil removed and
accumulated by water ; a thin liquid food ;
a medicinal lotion ; a thin coat of colour or
metal ; ground sometimes covered by a sea
or river ; the blade of an oar. (F. laver,
blanchir, purifier, arroser, debourber, colorier,
recouvrir ; se laver, faire la lessive, blanchir,
couler ; lavage, lessive, clapotage, alluvion,
lavasse, cosmetique, lavis, lame, plat.}

Clothing sent to the wash is known as
washing (wosh' ing, n.}, both before and after
it has undergone the process of washing,
or being washed. The wash, or swell,
caused by the passing of a big liner may
endanger a small boat.

Wash.— Washing day on H.M.S. " Queen Elizabeth."
The wash is hanging out to dry.

In a special sense, a washer (wosh' er, n.}
is a ring or disk fixed under the screw of a
tap, etc., or between two joints, in order to
tighten the connexion and prevent leakage!
Ordinarily, a washer means one who washes,
or else an apparatus for washing. A washer-
man (wosh' er man, n.}, or a washerwoman
(wosh' er wum an, n.}, who washes clothes,
scrubs certain articles on a ribbed board
called a wash-board (n.). This name is also
given to a wooden skirting -board round the
walls of a room, and to planking fixed on

edge round the bows and sides of a boat
to prevent water from coming aboard.

A wash-boiler (n.) is a vessel in which
clothes are boiled to clean them. Wash-
day (n.), or washing-day (n.), is that day
of the week on which washing is done at
home. Some houses have a room or build-
ing, called a wash-house (n.), used only for
laundry work. It may contain a wash-tub
(n.), which is a large wooden tub made
specially for washing clothes in, and perhaps
also a washing-machine (n.), an apparatus
for stirring clothes mechanically. Some
people use a preparation known as washing-
powder (n.) to expedite the washing of clothes.

We wash our hands in awash-basin (n.), or
washing-basin (n.}, which may stand on a
wooden wash-stand (n.). Dirty plates are
washed in a wash-bowl (».). A chemist
washes gases and solids in an apparatus
called a wash-bottle («.). A wash-cloth
(n.) is a dish-cloth.

The process called wash-gilding (n.), or
water-gilding, consists in covering a metal
surface with an amalgam of gold and mercury
and driving off the mercury with heat, so
leaving a film of pure gold on the surface.
Plate is polished with wash-leather (n.),
also called chamois leather. A wash-out
(n.) on a road or railway is a gully scooped
across it by a sudden rush of water from a
stream in flood.

A fabric is washable (wosh' abl, adj.)
if its colours do not run when washed, or
if its texture is not impoverished. Tea is
sometimes said to be washy (wosh' i, adj.)
if it is weak. A painting is done washily
(wosh' i li, adv.), and has washiness (wosh' i
nes, n.), which is the quality or state of
being washy, if it lacks strength and vigour.

M.E. waschen, A.-S. wascan ; cp. Dutch wass-
chen, G. waschen, O. Norse vaska ; for wat-skan,
akin to wet, water. SYN. : v. Cleanse, launder,
lave, purge. ANT. : v. Besmirch, dirty, pollute,
taint.

Waslungtonia (wosh ing to' ni a), «.
A name for a gigantic palm-tree (Neo-
Washingtonia filifera) with spreading fan-
shaped leaves and white flowers, growing in
southern California. (F. washingtonie.)

Named after the first president of the U.S.A.

wasp (wosp), n. An insect belonging to
the section Vespoidae of the order Hymen-
op tera, especially Vespa vulgar is, the com-
mon wasp ; a malicious person. (F. guepe.)

The common wasp is a large four-winged
insect, marked with bright black and yellow
stripes, having a very slender waist and a.
formidable sting. It is a social insect,,
many thousands living in an underground
nest, which is filled with six-sided cells
made of a papery material prepared by the
wasps from chewed wood.

Short-tempered people are sometimes said
to be waspish (wosp' ish, adj.), and to behave*
waspishly (wosp' ish li, adv.). Their bad
temper may be referred to as waspish ness
(wosp' ish nes, n.).

4526

WASSAIL

WATCH

At one time women wore dresses laced very
tightly round the waist and were sometimes
said to be wasp-waisted (adj.). The name
of wasp-bee (n.) is given to a bee of the
genus Nomada, and that of wasp-beetle (n.)
to Clytis arietis ; „_.„.„„
both have wasp-like
colouring. The wasp-
fly (n.) is a fly re-
sembling the hornet
in appearance, or
else an artificial fly
used by anglers.

M.E. waspe, A.-S.
waesp, waeps, waefs ;
cp. Dutch wesp, G.
wespe, O.H G. wafsa,
wefsa, L. vespa, akin
to E. weave, from the
nature of its nest.

wassail (wos' 1 ; L-

Was' 1), n. A festi- Wasp.— A queen wasp

val; a carouse or >"bematin*.

feast ; spiced ale or other liquor drunk
for a wassail. v.i. To make merry or
carouse. (F. ripaille, biere epicee ; faire
ripaille.}

In Anglo-Saxon, wassail means good
health. The word, therefore, came to be
used for feasts at which the feasters drank
to one another, calling out the salutation
" wassail," and also for the drink prepared for
these feasts. Such a feaster was a wassailer
(wos' 1 er ; was' 1 er, n.), and he drank out
of a wassail-bowl (n.), wassail-cup (n.), or
wassail-horn («.).

A.-S. wes hdl be hale.of good health, from wes
imperative of ivesan to be, hdl hale, whole. See
was, hale, whole.

•wast (wost). This is the second person
singular of the past tense of be. See was.

•waste (wast), adj. Devastated ; deso-
late ; ruined ; resembling a desert or
wilderness ; lying untilled ; unfit for its
original use ; worthless ; left over. v.t.
To devastate ; to wear away ; to squander ;
in law, to injure by neglect, v.i. To dwindle ;
to lose weight ; to bring down one's weight.
n. The act of devastating or squandering ;
loss by wasting ; a desert ; that which is
left over ; refuse ; in law, damage to
property caused by neglect. (F. devaste,
desert, en mine, en friche, sans valeur, de
rebut, de reste ; devaster, user, gaspiller,
negliger d'entretenir ; diminuer, s'alleger;
gaspillage, perte, terre desert, dechet,
degdt.)

An army lays waste an invaded district
when it devastates it, burning houses and
crops. We throw old envelopes and letters,
and other odds and ends of used paper
into a waste-basket (n.), or waste-paper
basket (n.). Some people earn their living
by collecting waste-paper (n.), which is
paper already printed or written on, such
as old letters, newspapers, or books, and
other paper of no value. This they sell

to paper manufacturers for pulping and
making again into paper.

In some businesses particulars of all
transactions carried through are entered at
once in a book called a waste-book (n.),
from which they are later transferred to
the ledgers. The waste-pipe (n.) of a bath
is the pipe through which used water is
discharged. The word wastage (wast7 ij,
».) means loss through use, leakage,
decay, or from any other cause.

It is wasteful (wast' ful, adj.), that is,
extravagant, to light a large fire to boil a
little water. Foolish people spend their
money wastefully (wast' ful li, adv.), and
later regret their wastefulness (wast' ful
nes, n.), which is the quality or state of
being wasteful. Fortunately for us, air is
wasteless (wast' les, adj.), that is, inex-
haustible.

A waster (wast' er, n.) is a person who
wastes in any sense, especially one who
wastes money, time, or opportunities. Like
wastrel (wast' rel, n.), the word also means a
thing spoilt in manufacture and a good-for-
nothing fellow.

Adj. O.F. wast (also guast) , L. vastus unoccupied,
desert (distinct from vastus vast), cognate with
O.H.G. wuosti (G. wrest), which has influenced
the F. word. v. O.F. waster (F. gdter), L.
vdstdre to lay waste, from vastus, A.-S. wester
a desert is cognate. SYN. : adj. Bare, barren,
superfluous, unpopulated. v. Decay, decline,
destroy, dwindle, ruin. n. Desolation, havoc,
squandering, wilderness. ANT. : adj. Cultivated,
useful, v. Grow, flourish, increase, save. n.
Economy, frugality, gain, increase, thrift.

Watch.— Eton boys watching the historic wall-game
played annually between Collegers and Oppidans.

watch (woch), n. The act or state of
watching or keeping guard ; constant atten-
tion ; vigilance ; a watchman ; one of the

4527

WATER

WATER

divisions into which the Romans and Jews
divided the night ; one of the spells of duty
on board ship ; one of the two divisions
into which a ship's crew is divided ; a
pocket timepiece worked by a spring, v.i.
To be on the watch or look-out ; to act as
sentinel or guard ; to remain awake, v.t.
To keep an eye on ; to observe the move-
ments of ; to await (one's time). (F. garde,
guet, veillee, vigilance, surveillance, veilleur,
veille, quart, montre ; etre a I'affut, etre en
faction, veiller ; guetter, epier, attendre.)

A nurse watches or keeps watch by the
sick - bed of her patient. A policeman
watches a suspected thief in order to obtain
proof of his guilt.

The two watches of a ship are called the
starboard watch and the port watch. The
first is under the second 'officer, acting in
place of the captain — who does not stand
a watch — and the second is under the first
officer. A ship's day of twenty-four hours
is divided into seven watches, "five of four
hours each, and two dog - watches of
two hours each — from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. As the starboard
and port watches of men are on duty
alternately, the dog-watches cause the spells
of duty to fall differently each day, so that
the same watch is not on duty in the middle
of the night twice in succession.

A continuous watch is called watch and
ward (n.). In feudal times the obligation of
watch and ward, that is, the regular guard of
the town by night and day, was shared by
all citizens, whose duty it was to detain
strangers and give the alarm in the case
of fugitives from justice. A sentry has a
watch-box (n.), now usually called a sentry-
box, in which to shelter. Many people
keep a watch-dog (n.) in or near the house,
to warn them by its barking of the approach
of strangers. A watch-fire (n.) is one kept
burning through the night in a camp, or
one used as a signal. A watch-house (n.) is
the building occupied by a watch or guard,
or else a lock-up for prisoners.

In the seventeenth and eighteenth cen-
turies watchmen (woch' men, n.pl.) patrolled
the streets at night, as police do now, and
called out, at intervals, the time and state of
the weather. To-day, a watchman is em-
ployed to guard houses and property at
night. The last night of the year is called
watch-night (n.). Services are held on that
night in many churches, lasting into the
New Year. A watch-tower (n.) is a tall
tower from which a sentinel may keep watch,
and a watch-word (n.) means a password.
Figuratively, watchword means the motto
or catchword of a party or society.

A watcher (woch' er, n.), that is, one who
watches, has to remain watchful (woch' ful,
adj.), that is, vigilant, and observe things
watchfully (woch' ful li, adv.), or in a watchful
manner, since much may depend on his
watchfulness (woch' ful nes, n.).

A watch or timepiece is enclosed in a
metal case, called a watch-case (n.), and has
a flat or convex watch-glass (n.) to protect
the dial. A pocket watch, as distinguished
from a wristlet watch, is often secured to the
person by a watch-chain (n.) or watch-guard
(n.). A watch-key (n.) is a key used for
winding up a watch. A watchmaker (n.) is
a person who makes watches. The manu-
facture of watches, called watch-making («.),
is a very ancient industry.

Watches are lubricated with watch-
maker's oil (n.), or watch-oil (n.), a very
thin kind of oil. The spring which drives a
watch is called either the main-spring or
the watch-spring (•».).

M.E. wacche, A.-S. waecce, trom the v. ; cp.
Dutch waak, G. wache. v. A.-S. waecc- = wacian.
See wake. SYN. : n. Guard, sentinel, surveil-
lance, vigil. v. Guard, heed, observe, tend.
ANT. : v. Neglect, overlook.

Water. — An Indian water-carrier with a bottle
of water slung from his shoulder.

•water (waw' ter), n. A colourless,
odourless and tasteless liquid formed by
the combination of two volumes of oxygen
with one volume of hydrogen ; a liquid
which consists chiefly " of water ; water
collected in a body, such as an ocean, lake,
or river ; a fluid secreted by the body ;
the transparency of a diamond or other
precious stone ; in finance, stock issued
without provision for the payment of
interest thereon ; the sheen on silk, linen,
etc. v.t. To apply water to ; to irrigate ;
to supply with water ; to cause to overflow
with water ; to weaken (a liquid) by adding
water ; to increase (stock) without increase
of assets ; to give a peculiar sheen to

4528

WATER

WATER

(silk, etc.). v.i. To run or overflow
with water ; to take in water ; of cattle,
etc., to drink. (F. eau, humeur, lustre;
arroser, delayer, abreuver, inonder, couper,
moirer; couler, debar der, faire de I' eau,
s' abreuver.}

• A diamond of the first water is one
of great purity and brilliance. Brandy,
whisky, and other spirits are spoken of as
strong waters. An excuse may be said to
hold water if it appears to be a good one.
When trade is bad it may be difficult to
keep one's head above water, that is, to
avoid disaster.

The water which combines with a chemical
salt when it crystallizes is called the water
of crystallization (n.). The disease, water
on the brain (n.), is due to the collection of
fluid between the skull and the brain or
in the brain itself. A water-bailiff (n.) is
an official who watches a river to see that
it is not poached, or an official who inspects
ships while under way in certain areas of
the sea. A water-bath is a device for
keeping a substance at a heat not greater
than that of boiling water. The substance —
ghee for example — is placed in an inner
vessel, which dips into an outer vessel con-
taining boiling water.

Invalids may have to lie on a water-bed
(n.), that is, a rubber mattress filled with
water, to avoid getting bed-sores. A
water - bellows (n.), an open - bottomed
chamber with valves, is moved up and down
in the water to create a blast of air. A
water-beetle (n.) is a beetle that lives in
water. A water-bird (n.), or waterfowl (n.),
is one living by water. The term waterfowl
is often used collectively. The water-buck (n.)
is a large antelope (Cobus ellipsiprymnus}
found in various parts of Africa. Tt haunts
steep stony ground.

Goods carried in
ships and barges are
water-borne (adj.}.
Water - carriage (n.)
means conveyance by
water. A water-
carrier (n.) is one who
or that which carries
water. A water-cart
(n.) is a tank on
wheels for taking : -*

water from place to Water-clock.— An Algerian

place or for watering

the streets. Hydraulic cement is sometimes
called water-cement (n.). A water-chute
(n.) is a long inclined slope down which
boat-shaped sledges rush into a pool of
water. A water-clock (n.) is a device for
measuring time by the escape of water from
a vessel.

A water-colour (n.) is a pigment mixed
with water for use, or a painting done in
water-colours (n.pl.). An artist who uses
these is called a water-colourist (n.). An
engine is said to be water-cooled (adj.) if
its cylinders are prevented from becoming

very hot by means of water circulating
round them.

All kinds of ships and boats are water
craft (».). A locomotive is supplied with
water by a water-crane (n.) or, alternately,
by a water-pillar (n.), which is a hollow iron
pillar with a revolving arm and hose at the
top, through which the water flows. A
watercourse (n.) may be a stream or brook,
or an artificial channel made to carry water.
Many people like to eat watercress (n.), a
hot-tasting plant of the nasturtium family

Watercress.— Gathering watercress. Inset, a sprig
of watercress in bloom.

which grows in streams and ditches. A
water-cure (n.) is a course of hydropathic
treatment for illness.

A dog fond of going into the water is a
water-dog (n.). The water-spaniel (n.) is
such a dog ; it is used for retrieving game
that falls in water. Land is freed of water
by making a channel, called a water-drain
(n.), in it at a considerable depth.

The water-dropwort (n.) is a plant some-
what like celery, but very poisonous. The
water-hemlock (n.), another plant of the
same order, is poisonous ; it bears clusters
of white flowers and is found on the banks
of streams. The tropical water hyacinth
(n.) has rendered many rivers unnavigable
by reason of its thick leaf-stalks, which choke
paddle-wheels and screws.

The water-engine (n.) and the water-
motor (n.) are both devices driven by the
pressure of water. The first usually has
pistons and guides like a steam-engine, and
the second has a revolving wheel or drum.

A waterfall (n.) is a stream falling over a
precipice or down a steep hillside. A
water-finder (n.) is a person who professes
to be able to find underground water by
the movements of a rod or twig held in
his hand. The water- flag (n.) is the common
yellow iris, which grows in marshy places,
and the water-flea (n.) a tiny crustacean

4529

WATER

WATER

living in fresh water. A water- fly (n.) is any
of several species of insects which hatch out
of grubs living in water.

The gas called water-gas (n.) is made by
passing dry steam through red-hot fuel.
It is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon
monoxide, and is used in gas-engines and
also for mixing with other gases to give
light and heat.

A water-gate (n.) is either a gate which
controls the flow of water, or a gate giving
access to a river, as that at the Tower of
London. The level at which the water
stands in a boiler is shown by a glass tube
outside, called a water-gauge (n.), con-
nected with the inside at top and bottom.

Silicate of sodium in jelly form is called
water-glass (n.), or soluble glass. It is
used for preserving eggs and for making
stone waterproof. A water-ice (n.) is an
ice made with water instead of milk or
cream. A water- inch (n.) is the amount
of water that will flow in twenty-four hours
through a hole an inch in diameter or an
inch square under a small pressure. The
water-jacket (n.) of a motor-car's cylinder
is the enclosed space surrounding it, through
which water is circulated to keep the
cylinder cool. A joint made watertight
(adj.), that is, so that it will neither admit
nor let out water, is called a water-joint (n.).

A water-kelpie (n.) is a cruel water-sprite
(n.) which appears in many old Scottish
legends. The water-nymph (n.) of clasjjcal
mythology was a kindly goddess living in
seas and rivers.

Watermark. — The negative of a watermark used

for watermarking paper while in process of

manufacture.

Rope is water-laid (adj ) if its strands are
twisted in an anti-clockwise direction, or
left-handedly. A water-lens (n.) is formed
by enclosing water between two convex
glasses. The surface of a body of water
is at water-level (n.). The mean water-
level of the sea is usually called mean

sea -level. The term water - level is also
applied to a device used for levelling, con-
taining water instead of spirit.

A ship is submerged in water up to the
water-line (n.). If flooded with water, so
that she wallows helplessly like a log, she
is said to be waterlogged (adj.).

A water-main (n.) is one of the main
pipes of a system from which buildings are
supplied with water. A waterman (n.) means
either a man who plies on the water with
a boat for hire, or an oarsman. Skill shown
by either of these is called watermanship (n.).

The so-called watermark (n.) on a sheet
of paper is a semi-transparent design on it.
Paper manufacturers watermark (v.t.) paper
by pressing it with a roller on which the
design is raised in relief, so that the paper
is made thinner at the mark.

The leaves and beautiful flowers of the
white and yellow water-lily (n.) float on the
surface of the water. The water-melon (n.)
is the fruit of a tropical plant, the Citrullus
vulgaris. It is larger and more watery
than the hot-house melon.

Water is measured by being passed through
a device named a water-meter (n.). A
water-mill (n.) is a mill driven by water
passing over a water-wheel (n.) or through
a turbine. The water-mite (n.) is a tiny
creature which lives in water and propels
itself by means of its hairy legs. The water-
moccasin (n.) ?.s a poisonous North American
snake related to the rattle-snake ; it lives
in or near the water. Any moss that grows
on water is called water-moss («.).

A water-plane (n.) is an aeroplane designed
to start from and alight on water. A
water-plate (n.) is a plate or dish kept hot
by hot water contained in a double or
bottom jacket. The game of water-polo
(n.) is played by two teams of swimmers,
whose object is to throw the ball with their
hands into their opponents' goal.

A great part of the . world's electricity
is generated by water-power (n.), which is
the power of falling water. An outer
garment made waterproof [adj.), that is,
impervious to water, is called a waterproof
(«.). A waterproofer (n.), that is, one who
waterproofs cloth, generally uses for his
work rubber or linseed oil.

The water-rail (n.) is a bird related to
the corncrake and moor-hen. Its scientific
name is Rallus aquaticus. A water-ram (n.)
is an hydraulic ram for lifting water. The
water-rat (n.), or water-vole (n.), is a rodent
which lives in holes in river banks and
feeds on water-plants.

A rate levied for the supply of water to
houses is called a water-rate (n.). A person
with a stream or river flowing through his
property has certain rights called water
rights (n.pl.). The most important is
that he can bring an action for damages
against anyone who diverts the water
higher up.

4530

WATT

WATT

A water-sail (n.}, or studding-sail, is set or sprite living in the water, but the term

close to the water and can only be used in
fair weather. The water scorpion (n.) is
an insect that lives in stagnant water ; it
preys on other insects. The water spider
(n.) lives in a nest fastened below water

is often applied to various quick-diving
birds, and also to the storm-petrel.

The term water- works (n.pl., often with
sing, construction) is generally used to
mean a place where water is collected

The pebbles in the bed of a stream become

to the stem of a plant. The nest, which is and then filtered, and pumped by great
shaped like a bell, is kept filled with air engines into the main pipes of the district
by the spider, which rises repeatedly to the supplied. Sometimes it is used jocularly
surface and takes down air with it. A for crying, or shedding tears,
water-seal (n.) is a body of water set in the
bend of a pipe, to prevent air or
gas from passing.

High ground separating two
river systems is a watershed (n.).
A water-shoot (n.) is a pipe or
trough for discharging water.

The edge of a river or other
body of water is often called
the waterside (n.}. In some
countries water is carried about
in a water-skin (n.), which is an
animal's skin sewn up to form
a large bottle. A water-snake
(n.} is one of the many kinds of
snake that live in water. The
water-plant known as -water-
soldier (n.) is a native of Britain.
It has stiff sword-like leaves
and bears white flowers. Its
botanical name is Stratiotes
aloides.

The pillar of water reaching

from the sea to the clouds,
called a waterspout (n.}, is caused by a
whirlwind. Every town needs a water-
supply (n.), which is a system of collecting

Watershed. — A view in the Sierra Nevada, California. This
mountain range forms a great watershed, popularly called the Divide.

water- worn (adj.), that is, rounded and
smoothed by the wearing action of water.
A waterer (waw' ter er, n.) is one who

water and conveying it through pipes to supplies water, as, for example, to plants,
the houses. We say that a town has a good He sprinkles them with water from the
water-supply if it is provided with pure rose of a watering-pot (n.), or watering-can

water in abundance.

(n.). A watering-place

is a seaside

Rain-water is prevented from running resort or an inland spa, or a pond or other
down a wall by a projecting ledge called a Place where cattle can be watered. In some
Water-tiger (n ) is the cases cattle take their water from a large

trough called a watering-trough (n.).

A substance is waterish (waw' ter ish, n.)
and has waterishness (waw' ter ish nes, n.),

water-table

term used for the larvae of some kinds of

water-beetle. They feed upon other water-

, , v . . , which is the state or quality of being waterish,

A water-tank (n.) is a large cistern for .. . resembles watejf or g somewhat moist,

holding water. A water-tower (n.) is a By watery (waw' ter i, rc.) is meant contain-

tall tower of masonry, brickwork, or steel, • y ,-,'. (•* _^_L_ __j •_

carrying a large tank which supplies water

much water or thin like water, and, in
cage of food SO(Men and tasteless.

.

under pressure to houses in the neighbour- Q d h t appearance when

hood. A water-tube (n ) is a tube filled they threaten rain. The quality or state of
with water, forming part of a boiler and y

b ing t { is wateriness

exposed to the 5 heat .of the furnace Many ( J, / }/ A ion th t con.

ponds in Britain have been choked by |ains nQ water *

water-thyme (n.), also known as American
weed because it was imported from America
by a botanist.

Any one of the pond-plants of the genus
Hottonia is called a water-violet (n.). The

y De said to be waterless
(waw' ter les, adj.).

A.-S. waeter ; cp. Dutch water, G. wasser,
O. Norse vain, Rus. voda, L. unda, Gr. hydor,
Sansk. udan. See otter, wet.

•watt (wot), n. The electrical unit of

water-wagtail (n.) is the pied wagtail. A power or rate of work. (F. watt.)

waterway (n.) is any navigable channel.

watt represents the work done or the

The waterways of a ship are thick planks power conveyed by a current of one ampere

round the edges of a deck with grooves at a pressure of one volt. Mechanical

'.n them to carry water to the scuppers. horse-power is equal to 746 watts. A watt-

Literally, a water-witch (n.) is a witch meter (wot' me ter, n.) is an instrument for

4531

WATTEAU

WAVE

measuring electrical energy or rate of work.
It is a combination of the voltmeter and the
ammeter. If designed to show the energy
used in an hour, as household electricity
meters do, it is called a watt-hour meter (n.).
Named from James Watt (d. 1819) who
invented the steam-engine.

Watteau (wot' 6), adj. Of or referring
to a style of women's costume represented
in the pictures of Antoine Watteau (1684-
1721).

Watteau became famous for his gay
groups of Court ladies and gallants, whom
he depicted in the guise of idyllic shepherds
and shepherdesses. In his- pictures the
women's dresses are cut square at the neck
and have short ruffled sleeves, light bodices,
and full skirts raised over panniers.

The Watteau back (n.), which is some-
times seen on women's rest-gowns to-day,
is not a feature of Watteau 's paintings. It
is an arrangement by which a broad pleat
falls from the neck of the garment, the full-
ness being left free below the waist to give
extra fullness to the skirt.

wattle (wot' 1), n. A hurdle
ol wicker-work ; a species of
acacia, the bark of which is used
in tanning ; a fleshy lobe under
the throat of the turkey and
other birds ; the barbel of certain
fish. v.t. To interweave or inter-
lace ; to plait. (F. claie, acacia
mimosa, caroncule, barbillon;
tresser, entrelacer.)

In Australia any species of
acacia is called wattle.

Wattle used for fencing is
generally made by interlacing
twigs or flexible rods, but
another kind of wattling (wot7 f-
ling, n.), or wattle-work (n.), is
made with thin slats of wood.
Sheep are often enclosed in
wattled (wot7 Id, adj.) hurdles, Wave.— Wa
while huts of wattle-and-daub
(n.) are built of wattle-work daubed with
mud or clay.

Several species of honey-eaters, birds
that are natives of Australasia, are called
wattle-bird (n.). They are distinguished by
a wattle of bare skin hanging below each ear.

A.-S. watel, watul, akin to waetla bandage. See
wallet. In sense fleshy lobe perhaps for wartle.

waul (wawl), v.i. To cry unmelodiously
as a cat or baby. (F. miauler, pialler.)
Imitative word.

wave (wav), v.i. To move backwards
and forwards with a sweeping, serpentine
motion ; to undulate ; to flutter ; to be
wavy in shape or form ; to make signals by
brandishing a hand, flag, etc. v.t. To cause
to move backwards and forwards ; to make
wavy ; to give undulations to ; to direct
by waving, n. A moving ridge on the
surface of a liquid, especially on a large
body of water ; a vibration in matter or

the ether which transmits sound, heat,
light, or electricity ; a signal made with
the hand or with a handkerchief, etc. ; a
rise and fall of heat, atmospheric pressure,
excitement, etc. ; anything waved or re-
sembling a wave ; (pi.) the sea. (F. flatter,
ondoyer, s'agiter; agiter. onduler, fdire signe
d ; ondulation, signe.)

Flags never fly quietly in a breeze, but
wave to and fro ; this proves that the air
has a wave-like (adj.), or undulating, motion.
Modern science has given us the wave
theory (n.), otherwise called the undula-
tory theory, which lays down that light,
heat, sound, and the form of electricity
used in wireless telegraphy are vibrations,
or waves, in the ether. The word wave-
length (n.), which means the distance
between the crests of two adjacent waves,
has become well-known to millions of people
since broadcasting began. Some round-
abouts impart a wave-motion (n.), that is, an
up-and-down movement as if passing over
waves, to the cars as they ?o round.

dng to their friends. The girl waves with her hand and
the little boy with his spade.

Many attempts have been made to use
wave-power («.), which is the energy pro-
duced by the rise and fall of sea waves, but
none of them has been very successful.

Sea cliffs are wave- worn (adj.), which
means worn or scarred by waves. On a
perfectly calm day the sea seems waveless
(wav' les, adj.), that is, without waves. A
ripple on a pond is a wavelet (wav' let, n.), or
small wave. Hair is wavy (wav' i, adj.) if
it is in waves. Its waviness (wav' i nes, n.),
that is, its state or quality of being wavy,
may be natural ; or the hair may have
been arranged wavily (wav' i li, adv.), that
is, in waves, by a hairdresser.

M.E. waven to wave, fluctuate, vacillate,
A.-S. wafian to be agitated, hesitate, brandish ;
cp. A.-S waefre wavering, restless, flickering,
O. Norse vafla, vafra to hover about, vafa
to swing, vibrate, G. weben to hover, wave,
n. from the v., or a confusion of wave (v.i.)
with M.E. wawe, which could not become wave

4532

WAVER

WAX

and is probably cognate with wag (to move).
Wave (both n. and v.) has been confused with
waive. SYN. : v. Brandish, oscillate, shake,
vibrate. n. Billow, breaker, undulation,

vibration.

•waver (wa/ ver), v.i. To vary or falter
from lack of decision ; to be unsettled in
opinion ; to become unsteady ; to flutter ;
to flicker. (F. hesiter, vaciller, ftechir,
broncher, chanceler, trembloter.)

Cautiousness may cause a general to
waver, or hesitate, and an army pressed too
hard by the enemy may waver, or give
ground, before joining battle. No waverer
(wa/ ver er, n.), that is, one who always
delays or hesitates, ever wins a battle or
makes a mark in the world. Waveringness
(wa/ ver ing nes, n.), that is, the quality of
being wavering, is a defect of character.
To be successful in the world we must not
do tilings waveringly (wa/ ver ing li, adv.),
or in a faltering or indecisive manner.

Frequentative of wave. SYN. : Falter,
fluctuate, hesitate, quiver, vacillate.

wavey (wav' i), n. The North American
snow'goose, belonging to the genus Chen.
(F. oie de neige.)

Corrupted from American Indian wewe.

wavily (wav' i li). For this word,
wavy, etc., see under wave.

•wax [i] (waks), n. A yellow, fatty,
plastic substance produced by bees and
used by them in making their cells ; a
purified variety of this used for candles,
for modelling, etc. ; a similar substance
made by the wax-insect ; a similar substance
extracted from plants, seeds, shale-oil,
petroleum, etc. ; a material used by shoe-
makers ; sealing-wax, v.t.- To polish, coat,
soak, or join with wax. adj. Waxen. (F.
cire, cirage, poix ; cirer.)

The two most important waxes are bees-
wax and paraffin wax. The wax called
ozokerite occurs naturally in the ground.
Among vegetable waxes are palm wax,
and the wax from berries of the wax-myrtle
(n.), a West Indian tree.

Several kinds of Asiatic, African, and
Australian finches have the name waxbill
(n.) on account of their bills having the
appearance of red sealing-wax. A wax-
chandler (n.) is a maker and seller of wax
candles. The wax doll (n.) has a head made
of wax. A girl with a pretty but expression-
less face is sometimes spoken of as a wax doll.

A shoemaker's thread, well waxed and
pointed with a bristle, is called a wax-end
(n.). What is termed Chinese wax is pro-
duced by the wax- insect (n.), known to
scientists as Ericerus pela. This little insect
is bred on a species oi evergreen tree called
the wax- tree (n.), on which it spreads its
wax. A wax-light (n.) is a wax candle, a
night-light, or a wax taper. The wax-moth
(n.), or bee-moth, is a moth which invades
beehives and lays its eggs on the honey-
combs. The process called wax-painting
(».) is the same as encaustic painting.

Wax. — An expert adjusting the uniform of a wax
model of the Prince of Wales.

The wax- flower (n.) is an evergreen
climbing plant (Hoy a), a native of tropical
Asia, with thick shiny leaves and white,
red, or pink flowers. It is grown in England
under glass. The wax-plant (n.) is a
European annual or perennial plant
(Cerinthe), also named honey wort. It used
to be thought that bees got much of their
wax from it. The wax-palm (».) is a palm
which secretes wax. We use wax-paper
(n.), which is paper soaked with wax, for
protecting articles from damp and for other
purposes. A thing of the colour of red
sealing-wax is wax- red (adj.). The wax-
wing (n.) is a bird of the size of a thrush,

4533

WAX

WAY

which breeds in the Arctic regions and some-
times visits Britain. Some of its wing-
feathers are tipped with a substance like
red sealing-wax.

Wax. — Bees make wax from the nectar they gather.
This worker bee is laden with wax.

The process of modelling in wax, called
waxwork (n.) and carried out by the wax-
worker (n.), is used in producing imitations
of fruit, flowers, human faces and figures,
and other objects. At Madame Tussaud's, in
Marylebone Road, London, is a world-
renowned collection of waxworks (n.pl.) or
wax figures

Wax. — The wax cast of an animal, from the head and body of
which the plaster mould has been removed.

The Romans wrote on waxen (waks' en,
adj.) tablets, that is, tablets covered with
wax. Waxen or waxy (waks' i, adj.)
features resemble wax in lustre or smooth-
ness. Both waxen and waxy mean also
soft and plastic like wax. A substance
behaves waxily (waks' i li, adv.) if it can be
moulded like wax. The state or quality
of being waxy in any sense is waxiness
(waks' i nes, «.).

A.-S. weax ; cp. Dutch was, G. wachs, O. Norse
vax ; perhaps meaning woven ; cp. E. wick [i].

wax [2] (waks), v.i. To grow ; of
the visible surface of the moon, to increase
gradually between new and full ; to become
greater in number, strength, or intensity ;

to become gradually. (F. croitre, s'agran-
dir, s'accroitre, devenir.)

During a political crisis the excitement
of the people waxes, or increases daily
until a settlement is arrived at. The trans-
lators of the Bible used the word in the sense
of become. For example, we read that
" Moses' anger waxed hot " when he saw
the Israelites worshipping the golden calf
(Exodus xxxii, 19).

A.-S. weaxan ;' cp. Dutch wassen, G. wachsen,
O. Norse vax a, L. auger e to increase, Gr. aexein,
auxein, auxanein.Sa.nsk. vaksh, from root meaning
to grow. SYN. : v . Expand, grow, swell. ANT. : v.
Contract, diminish, shrink, wane.

waxen (waks' en). For this word;
waxy, etc., see under wax [i].

way (wa), n. A road or path or passage ;
distance to be traversed ; a course or route
followed or to be followed between two
places, or in order to reach a certain place ;
direction ; a plan of action ; the manner of
doing a thing ; method of life ; a peculiarity
of habit or manners ; progress ; impetus ;
(pi.) the timber slides down and on which
a ship is launched. (F. chemin, route, vote,
cours, moyen, faQon, pr ogres, impulsion.}

A ship is said to be under way when she
has just weighed anchor and is in motion.
To give way to a person is to yield or to
make way, that is, to give passage to him.
A platform gives way if it collapses. To pave
the way for a scheme is to make preparations
for launching it. To take one's own way is
to follow a course laid out by oneself, regard-
less of what other people may say.
In most Roman Catholic
churches may be seen a series of
pictures called the Way of the
Cross, representing incidents in
Christ's journey to Calvary. The
expression also covers a series of
devotions before each picture in
turn.

A person cannot carry on his
business without ways and means,
that is, without proper provision
of things, especially money. The
Committee of Ways and Means
in the House of Commons is a
Committee appointed to con-
sider ways of raising revenue for the
year.

A carrier's way-bill (n.) is a list of the
parcels or passengers to be carried by him.
A wayfarer (wa' far er, n.) or a wayfaring
(wa' far ing, adj.) man is a traveller, especi-
ally one who travels on foot, and wayfaring
(n.) is travel by road. The wayfaring-tree (n.)
of Europe is a shrubby plant with white
flowers and black berries, common on the
wayside (wa' sid, n.) or roadside. Its
botanical name is Viburnum lantana.

Highwaymen used to waylay (wa la', v.t.)
travellers, or lie in ambush with intent to
rob them. A person may be said to be a

4534

WAYWARD

WEAK

waylayer (wa la' er, n.) of a friend who waits
about in order to have a word with him.

being that the article represents the opinions
of the paper, and not those of an individual.

A way leave (n.) is a right of way across " We " is used to mean the community or

a property, rented by the owner to a com-
pany or public authority. A way-mark (n.)
is a milestone or other mark to help travel-
lers ; a way-post (n.) is a signpost. A
region may be said to be wayless (wa/
les, adj.) if it has no roads or paths through
it.

Common Teut. word. A.-S. weg ; cp. Dutch,
G. weg, O. Norse veg-r ; also L. vehere to carry.
Sansk. vaha road, way, from vah to carry. See
wain, weigh. SYN. : Course, passage, plan,
progress, route.

Way.— The launching of a ship. It has just left the ways
down which vessels glide to the water.

•wayward (wa/ ward), adj. Perverse ;
wilful ; erratic. (F. capricieux, tetu.)

Wayward children are disinclined to do
as they are told. They act waywardly

mankind generally — as in the phrases " we
all like the sunshine " ; "we have become
more enlightened." In proclamations a
sovereign refers to himself as " We."

A.-S. we ; cp. Dutch wij, G. wir, O. Norse
ver, Goth, weis, Sansk. vayam.

weak (wek), adj. Wanting in physical
strength ; not robust ; feeble ; infirm ;
lacking vigour ; easily fatigued ; easily
bent or broken ; readily overcome ; de-
ficient in power or number ; lacking mental
or moral strength ; deficient in
intelligence ; lacking power of
resistance ; irresolute ; easily led ;
not strong in will or action ;
unreliable ; trivial ; unconvinc-
ing ; logically deficient ; dilute ;
watery; in grammar, not strong ;
forming inflections by conso-
nantal additions to the stem
and not by change of vowels.
(F. faible, debile, sans courage,
faible d'esprit, infirme, irresolu,
pusillanime, sans importance,
aqueux.)

A weak spot in a rope may be
one where friction has worn the
strands thin ; a weak electrical
current is used for remedial pur-
poses to stimulate muscular
action. Most -drugs are used in
weak or aqueous solutions. A
sapling is weak, but gathers
strength as it grows. A military force is
weak if its numbers are small, and a fortress
is weak if unable to withstand a determined
assault. A weak government is one unable

(wa/ waVd li, adv.] or capriciously and their to govern properly, the members of which

are weak and irresolute. A weak argument
fails to convince, and is logically insufficient.

The money market is weak when prices
tend to fall; in iambic verse a line has a
weak ending if a preposition or conjunction
is where the final accent should be. The
verb " kill " is weak, its past tense and past
participle being formed by adding the suffix
-ed ; but "sing" is a strong verb, forming
its past tense sang and its past participle
sung by change of vowel.

A weak-eyed (adj.] or weak-sighted (adj.)
person is one troubled with poor sight, or
whose eyes are easily tired. To be weak-
headed (adj.) or weak-minded (adj.] is to
have a weak intellect. The latter word is
used, too, of an irresolute person, so that
weak-mindedness (n.) may denote intellectual
weakness, or merely lack of will-power ;
one showing lack of courage and determina-
tion is said to be weak-spirited (adj.). A
weak-kneed (adj.) person means one too
feeble to stand ; figuratively, it denotes
one who shows lack of firmness or resolution.

Sickness and hunger weaken (wek' en,
v.t.) the strength of a beleaguered garrison,

waywardness (wa/ ward nes, n.) or wilfulness
often leads them into serious trouble.

M.K. weiward = aweiward, from awei away,
ward in a direction from, turned away. See
f reward. SYN. : Capricious, freakish, obstinate,
refractory, wilful. ANT. : Docile, obedient,
tractable.

waywode (wa/ wod). This is another
form of voivode. See voivode.

wayzgoose (waz' goos), n. A yearly
dinner or entertainment held by the em-
ployees of a printing firm, pi, wayzgooses
Jwaz' goos es).

Corruption of earlier waygoose, of unknown
origin. SYN. : Beanfeast, outing.

we (we), pron. The plural of the first
personal pronoun I, indicating the person
speaking and those associated with or
represented by him. (F. nous.)

A person uses this word when he is speak-
ing of or for others as well as himself. The
leader of a political party or a religious
denomination uses " we " in speaking of
the aims or projects of the body. Editors
and other writers in newspapers use the
plural form in unsigned articles, the idea

4535

WEAL

WEAR

so that their resistance begins to weaken the Weald-clay (n.) or the upper part ot the
(v.t.), and grows less vigorous. Rot is a wealden (weld' en, adj.] strata, consisting
weakener (wek' en er, n.) of timber — a thing -* L-J- ~f -1--

that weakens it. Things are weakish (wek'
ish, adj.) if somewhat weak. A weakling
(wek' ling, n.) is a weakly (wek' li, adj.)
person or animal, that is, one feeble in
strength or impaired in health. To act
weakly (adv.] is to behave in a weak or
wavering manner.

The state or quality of being weak in
any sense is weakness (wek' nes, «.). A
weakness is a weak point in one's character,
or an inability to resist some particular
inclination or temptation.

M.E. wek, waike, O. Norse veik-r , cp. A.-S.
wdc pliant, from wlcan to yield ; cp. Dutch
week, G. weich, Gr. (w)eikein to yield. SYN. :
Dilute, feeble, fragile, frail, irresolute. ANT. :
Firm, hardy, robust, strong, vigorous.

weal [i] (wel), n. A sound, healthy
or prosperous state ; welfare ; good for-
tune. (F. bien, bonheur, bien-etre.)

This word is now used chiefly in a few
phrases. A statesman should work for
the common weal or the public weal — the
welfare and prosperity of the nation. For
weal or woe means for prosperity or
adversity.

A.-S. wela, akin to well [ij.

weal [2] (wel), n. A streak or stripe
caused by the stroke of rod or whip on the
flesh, v.t. To raise weals on. Another form
is wale (wal). (F. marque; marquer, rayer.)

A.-S. walu a weal, probably confused with
obsolete E. wheal pimple: cp Goth, walus staff.

Weald.— Midhurst Common, part of the Sussex Weald, with the
South Downs in the distance.

weald (weld), n. A tract of open

of beds of clay and limestone. Scientists
have given the name wealden (n.) to the
series of lower Cretaceous freshwater strata
between the oolite and the chalk because
it is seen typically in the Weald.

M.E. wold, wald, A.-S. w(e)ald ; cp. Dutch
woud, G. wald, O. Norse voll-r. Often confused
with wild. It is a doublet of wold.

wealth (welth), n. Riches ; targe
possessions ; prosperity ; opulence ; abun -
dance. (F. richesse.. opulence, abondance.)

In civilized countries a man's wealth is
reckoned in terms of money, and the worth
of his lands and goods. Sometimes we
speak of a wealth of fruit or flowers when
we mean an abundance or profusion. A
wealthy (welth' i, adj.) man is one who is
rich and lives in affluence. Wealthiness
(welth' i nes, «.) is the quality or state of
being wealthy.

From weal with suffix -th. SYN. : Affluence,
fortune, plenty, prosperity ANT. : Dearth, in-
digence, penury, poverty

wean (wen), v.t. To accustom (an infant)
to solid food ; to detach (from) or cure (of a
desire, habit, etc.). (F. sevrer.)

The original meaning is to accustom (to a,
change of food). A.-S. wenian to accustom ; cp.
Dutch wennen, G. gewohnen, O. Norse venja to
accustom, get accustomed to, from vane custom,
E. wont. For the sense disaccustom cp. A.-S.
a-weman, G. entwohnen.

weapon (wep' on), n. An instrument
of offence or defence ; anything
' used or usable for inflicting
; bodily injury ; a procedure,
I means or action made use of to
i secure an advantage in a con-
flict ; in an animal, a part of
the body which may be used
for attack or protection. (F.
arme, defense.}

The weapons used in twentieth
century warfare are much
more deadly than those of
earlier ages. In debate, a
speaker's own words may be
used as a weapon against him,
and an opponent may employ
ridicule or sarcasm as weapons.
Workmen sometimes use the
weapon of the strike to get^
their grievances redressed. Few*
animals are weaponless (wep'
on les, adj.), most using teeth,
claws, horns, hoofs or beak to defend them-

wooded country, especially the portion selves. Insects and crustaceans have strange
of Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire weapons, such as sting or pincers.

Common Teut. word. A.-S. waepen ; cp.
Dutch wapen, G. waffe (also wappen heraldic
arms), O. Norse vapn.

wear [i] (war), v.t. To be dressed in ;

that lies between the North and South
Downs.

The Weald in Kent and Sussex contains
some of the most beautiful scenery in

England. Geologists and archaeologists have to bear, carry, or exhibit on the person ;

to have on usually or habitually ; to
display or show (a smile, look, etc.) ;

paid a good deal of attention to this district
because it is rich in fossils. These are in

4536

WEAR

WEATHER

to impair, obliterate, dimmish, alter, or
attenuate by use or rubbing ; to produce or
cause (a hole, etc.) thus ; to exhaust ; to
tire. v.i. To be consumed, diminished,
altered, impaired, obliterated, etc., by use
or rubbing ; to stand use (well, badly, etc.) ;
to be or become exhausted ; to be tired
(out) ; to resist the effects of use or attrition ;
to last ; to endure ; of time, to pass gradu-
ally (away), p.t. wore (wor), p.p. worn
(worn), n. The act of wearing ; the state of
being worn ; that which is worn or is intended
to be worn ; suitable or fashionable apparel ;
damage by attrition or use ; power to resist
this. (F. porter, afficher, user, effacer, fatiguer ;
se consumer, etre inusable, s'user, s'epuiser,
durer ; port, usage, usure.}

Silver plating on spoons, etc., wears off
gradually by the friction and attrition of
use and cleaning. Some watch cases are
made of a kind of gold plate which will wear
for many years before the layer of the
precious metal is worn off. A finger ring
worn for many years wears thin. The
strangeness of new surroundings is said to
wear off as we become more accustomed
to them. All machines wear out sooner
or later — that is, become useless by some
parts wearing away. What is called fair
wear and tear of a property or thing
is the depreciation and damage it suffers

A weariless (wer' i les, adj.] person is
one not easily wearied. People who are
not robust or healthy quickly tire, or show
weariness (wer' i nes, n.}. A weary horse
hangs its head and plods along wearily
(wer' i li, adv.], or in a tired fashion.

M.E. weri, A.-S. werig ; cp. O.H.G. worag
drunk, A.-S. worian to wander, perhaps from
wor, moor, swamp. Not akin to wear. SYN. :
adj. Dispirited, exhausted, irksome, tedious,
tiring. ANT. : adj. Alert, fresh.

weasand (we' zand), n. An old term
for the throat or the windpipe.

A.-S. wdsend ; cp. O.H.G. weisant.

Weasel. — The weasel, Britain's smallest carnivorous
animal, is alert, resourceful, and quick of foot.

weasel

(wez' 1), n. A small British

through wear in ordinary and° proper use. carnivorous animal of the genus Putorius.
Clothes are wearable (war' abl, adj.) if they (F- belette.)

Weasels belong to the same family as
the stoat, martin, and polecat. The common
weasel (P. nivalis) is a reddish-brown
creature with a slender, lithe body, long

are fit or able to be worn ; the wearer (war7
er, n.) is the person who wears them.

M.E. wer(i)en, A.-S. werian to carry, wear ;
cp. O.H.G. werien to clothe, Goth, wasjan, L.

^/LJ. \^r . ±. JL . VJf . Wtsr frt-ffr i*vy ^ivyuxiv^, v-» w UAJ. . w/woyw/fr, i-/. _

ves«s, verify* clothing, to clothe, Gr. (w)esthes neck« and snort legs. It preys on small

(gen. -etos) garment, Sansk. vas to put on
clothes. See vest. SYN. : v. Abrade, bear, carry,
exhaust.

wear [2] (war), v.t. To put (a ship) on
the other tack by bringing her round stern
to wind. v.i. To come about in this way.
(F. virer vent arri&re.)

This manoeuvre is the opposite of tacking,
in which the vessel is turned with her head
to the wind.

Variant of veer. See veer [i].

wear [3] (wer). This is another form
of weir. See weir. to discolour> disintegrate or wear away by

weary (wer' i), adj. Tired; fatigued; the action of the weather; to come safely
dispirited ; sick or impatient (of) ; tire- through (storms, etc.) ; of a ship, to get to
some ; irksome ; tedious ; exhausting. windward of (a cape, etc.) despite inclement
v.t. To make weary (of) ; to tire or fatigue. weather ; to overlap (boards, tiles, etc.)

birds, rats, mice, voles, and other small
creatures. A person with a sharp, thin face
is sometimes described as weasel-faced
(adj.).

A.-S. wesule ; cp. Dutch wezel, G. wiesel, Icel.
vlsla.

weather (we^' er), n. The prevailing
state of the atmosphere at a given place
and time as regards moisture or dryness,
heat or cold, clearness, wind, pressure, and
electrical conditions ; changes in this, ac-
companied by rain, sunshine, thunder,
snow, etc. v.t. To expose to the weather ;

v.. To become tired ; to become weary
(of)., (F. las, fatigue, ennuye, fatigant.
ennuyeux ; lasser, exceder ; se lasser.)

Hard work or long sustained effort tires
and wearies one. Monotonous tasks are

downwards, so as to throw off rain, etc. v.t.
To stand exposure to weather ; to be
changed or disintegrated by such exposure.
adj. Windward ; situated up-wind (F.
temps, intemperie; exposer, supporter, gag-

perhaps more wearisome (wer' i som, adj ), ner le vent de, imbriquer ; au vent.}

since they lack interest and variety, and one
more readily grows weary or tired of them,

Sailing ships are often kept in port by
stress of weather, that is, storms and con-

but an occupation which affects one man trary winds ; vessels thus detained by bad

wearisomely (wer' i som li, adv.} may not weather are weather-bound (adj.}. A ship

weary, or possess the quality of wearisome- is said to make good weather or bad weather

ness (wer' i som nes, n.}, for another. according to her behaviour in a storm.

D28

4537

I N7

WEAVE

WEAVE

Sailors become weather-beaten (adj.], that
is tanned, by exposure to winds and storms.

To weather-board (v.t.) a building is to
cover it outside with weather-boarding (n.),
which is made up of horizontal planks,
overlapping each other like the strakes of
a clinker-built boat. The joints are all
covered, so that wind and rain do not easily
penetrate, and owing to the downward slope
the latter runs off. Tiles are weathered
similarly, or laid with a slope, to make a
roof weatherproof (adj.).

A weather- tile (n.) is one of a number of
tiles fixed to the side of a house to keep it
dry. These are fixed with a slope, called
a weathering (weth' er ing, n.), and overlap
like weather-boarding.

The kind of toy weather-indicator, called a
weather-box (n.) or weather-house («.), has
the form of a small house with two door-
ways in front. A figure of a woman appears
when the weather will be dry, and one of a
man wrhen there is likely to be rain. The
movement is produced by the twisting or
untwisting of a piece of string through
hygroscopic action.

A weather-bureau (n.) collects information
about weather from a number of localities,
in each of which is a weather-station (n.)
where meteorological observations are taken.
This information is used in making a weather-
chart (n.), or weather-map (n.), which is a map
of a large area of sea or land, showing the
barometric pressure and the direction of the
wind in different places. On the same
information is based the weather-report (n.)
or weather forecast (n.), published officially
every day, giving a prediction or forecast
of the weather to be expected. The weather-
service (n.) of a country is an organization
or department which collects such observa-
tions and issues weather-reports.

Weather-cloth.— A at

canvas attached to the bridge to afford protection.

To protect the officers on duty from wind,
rain, and spray a screen of canvas known
as a weather-cloth (n.) is fixed on the rails
of a ship's bridge.

A weather-cock (n.) or weather-vane (n.)
is a pivoted vane set on a spire, or other

high point, to show the direction of the
wind at any moment. It is generally
ornamental, and often has the form of a
cock. A changeable or fickle person is
sometimes called a weather-cock. Wet
weather sometimes causes current to leak
from one telegraph wire to another when
what is called a weather-contact (n.) or
weather-cross (n.) is formed.

In sailor's language to keep one's weathei
eye open is to keep a look-out to windward.
As used in ordinary conversation, the
phrase means to be on the alert. A ship is
said to have the weather-gauge (n.) oi
another if she is to the windward of it.
In the days of the wooden man-of-war a
commander usually tried to get the weather-
gauge of an enemy, so that he might close
with the latter when he desired.

A vessel is said to carry weather-helm (n.)
when she tends to turn up into the wind,
and so must have the tiller or helm turned
to the weather or windward side to counter-
act the tendency.

A weatherly (weth' er li, adj.) ship is
able to sail close to the wind. Its weather-
liness (weth' er li nes, n.), which is its state
or quality of being weatherly, is due to its
making little leeway. The weathermost
(weth' er most, adj.) "of a fleet of ships is
the one furthest to windward.

A weather-glass (n.) is a barometer. The
scarlet pimpernel is called the poor man's
weather-glass, because it keeps open in
fine weather only.

A weather-moulding (n.) is a dripstone
over a doorway or window to throw off
rain. One whose occupation takes him out
in all weathers is generally weather-wise
(adj.), or something of a weather-prophet (n.),
that is, one able to predict coming weather
with more or less accuracy. In this country
new stone buildings soon
weather, or show weather-stain
(n.), or discoloration by
weather, and become weather-
stained (adj.).

To the top or bottom of an
outside door or window is often
fixed a weather-strip (n.) — a strip
of wood or rubber to keep out
rain, etc. To keep one's weather
eye open means to be on the
look-out.

A.-S. iveder ; cp. Dutch weder,
G. wetter, O. Norse vethr, Rus.
vietr wind ; from the root of
G. we hen to blow, E. wind.
SYN. : v. Discolour, disintegrate.
adj. Windward ANT.: adj.
Lee.

weave (wev), v.t. To form
(threads, fibres, etc.) into a fabric by inter-
lacing ; to form (a fabric) thus ; to interlace ;
to work (facts, details, etc.) into a
story or theory ; to build up (a scheme,
etc.). v.i. To make fabrics by weaving
threads; to work at a loom. p.t. wove (wov).

4538

WEAZAND

WED

Weave. — A girl of northern Nigeria busy weaving
in a primitive way.

p.p. woven ^wov' en), and, in various trade
phrases, wove. n. Style of weaving. (F.
tisser, entrelacer, reunir ; tisser ; tissage.)

Besides flax, cotton or woollen threads
and natural or artificial fibres of many
kinds, other materials, such as cane or wire
are weavable (wev' abl, adj.] — or able to
be woven. Wove paper is that made on a
machine having a cylinder of crossed wire
gauze, so woven as to impart to the paper
an unlined surface. Laid paper has a
distinct pattern of parallel lines, the cylinder
in this case being woven with spaced parallel
wires. This dictionary is printed on wove
paper.

A person who weaves fabrics is a weaver
(wev' er, n.}. The word also means a
weaver-bird (n.), any one of the Ploceidae,
a family of tropical, finch-like birds, many
species of which weave flask-shaped nests of
grass. Weaver b'irds are found in Africa,
Asia, and Australasia. Many have brightly-
coloured plumage.

A writer weaves different incidents into a
story, or weaves a plot in this way. A
scientist may weave into a theory the facts
disclosed by his observations and researches.

A.-S. we/an ; cp. Dutch weven, G. weben,
O. Norse vefa, Gr. hyphe weaving, web,
hyphainein (v.). See web, weft, woof.

weazand (we7 zand). This is another
form of weasand (we' zand). See weasand.

weazen (wez' en). This is another
iorm of wizen. See wizen.

web (web), n. A woven fabric ; a
quantity of this woven in one piece ; the
groundwork of a textile fabric apart from
its figured ornament ; a cobweb ; a net-
work of threads woven by an insect ; a
fabrication ; a plot ; a large roll of paper,
especially that for printing newspapers ;
the membrane connecting the toes of bats,
water-birds, and some reptiles ; the thin
part connecting the flanges of an iron
girder ; the part of a spokeless wheel
between hub and rim ; the vane of a
feather, v.t. To connect or furnish with a
web ; to cover with or as with a web. (F.
tissu, toile, invention, membrane, dme, barbe.)

The warp and the woof of a textile fabric
form a web. Rugs are made by filling in
the interstices of an open web of canvas with
variously coloured wools. In an T-shaped
girder the upright part is the web, and con-
nects the top and bottom flanges. Most
railway-carriage wheels are spokeless, the
nave and rim being joined by a web.

Since a spider spins its web to catch
insects, a plot or conspiracy is sometimes
figuratively called a web. An animal which
has webs 'between its digits or toes, is de-
scribed as web-footed (adj.), or web-toed
(adj.). Anything provided with a web is
webbed (webd, adj.). Ducks, swans, geese,
and many other water-fowl have webbed
feet, and so have otters.

The caterpillars of some moths live on
trees in colonies and spin shelters of webs,
into which they retire when not feeding.
A caterpillar of this kind is called a web-
worm (n.).

Flax and other fibres are woven into
very strong bands named webbing (webj
ing, n.), used for supporting the seats of
chairs and sofas, for girths, and for the belts
and straps of a soldier's equipment.

A.-S. web(b) from we/an to weave ; cp. Dutch
web, G. gewebe, O. Norse vef-r. See weave.

Web. — The webbed foot of the goosander, a winter
visitor to the British Isles.

wed (wed), v.t. To marry ; to take
or give in marriage ; to unite ; to join
firmly. v.i. To marry. p.t. and p.p.
wedded (wed' ed). (F. <?pouser, marier,
unir ; se marier.)

In poetic and rhetorical language a
husband or wife are said to wed when they
marry. A father weds his daughter, giving

4539

WEDGE

WEE

Wedgwood. — Specimens of Wedgwood with white cameo-like ornaments. Wedgwood is named after its
. inventor, Josiah Wedgwood (1730-95), who raised a crude manufacture to the level of a fine art.

her in marriage, and the clergyman who
unites a couple in wedlock may be said to
wed them.

In modern, conversational language, the
past participle, used adjectivally, is chiefly
employed. A married pair are a wedded
(wed' ed, adj.) couple, who look forward
to years of happiness together. Most of us
are wedded to certain habits or opinions,
or so attached to them that it would be
difficult to give them up. A man who
possesses boldness wedded to sound judg-
ment is likely to achieve great things.

A wedding (wed' ing, n.}, or marriage
ceremony, is often followed by a feast or
entertainment called a wedding-breakfast
(«.), at which the wedding-cake (n.), an
elaborate iced cake made for the occasion,
is cut. Parts of it are afterwards sent to
absent friends, each portion accompanied
by a wedding-card (n.} on which is printed
the names of the wedded pair and the date
of the wedding-day (n.}. An anniversary
of the day also is called a wedding-day.
The 25th, 5oth, and 6oth anniversaries are
called respectively the silver wedding, golden
wedding, and diamond wedding.

A wedding-favour (n.) is a knot or rosette
of white ribbon worn at a wedding, or else
tied to a whip or fastened to a carriage, etc.
The wedding-garment (n.) of Christ's parable
(Matthew xxii, u) was a garment suitable for
a -wedding-guest. The wedding-ring (n.) is
a plain gold or platinum ring which is placed
on the third finger of the bride's left hand
during the marriage service.

M.E. wedden to wed, pledge, A.-S. weddian to
pledge oneself, marry, from wedd pledge ; cp.
Dutch wedde, G. wetten wager, O. Norse veth,
L. vas (gen. vadis) pledge, Gr. a-(w)eth-lon
prize for a contest. See athlete. The meaning
in E. comes from the earlier sense of engage-
ment, betrothal, in other cognates it has
that of pledge, wager, security. SYN. : Espouse,
marry.

wedge (wej), n. A piece of wood or
metal thick at one end and tapering to a
thin edge at the other ; anything shaped
like a wedge, v.t. To split with a wedge ;
to crowd or push (in) ; to fasten or fix with
or as if with a wedge. (F. coin; fendre au
coin, bourrer, caler.)

The wedge has usually a slow or gradual
taper to an acute angle at its extremity.
It is one of the mechanical powers, and is
an application of the inclined plane. By
the use of wedges timber or rocks may be
split, and great force or pressure exerted.
We can wedge open a door with a wedge-
shaped (adj.) piece of wood, which is in-
serted wedgewise (adv.), or after the manner
of a wedge.

The phrase " the thin end of the wedge "
is very often used for a first step, or the
beginning of a movement or an enterprise.
Once the thin end of a wedge has been
inserted the rest of the wedge may be driven
home. So a small encroachment on a
people's liberties is called the thin end of
the wedge ; if this be not strenuously
resisted other encroachments may follow.

A.-S. wecg mass of metal, piece of money,
wedge ; cp. Dutch wig, G. week wedge-shaped
roll, O. Norse vegg-r wedge.

Wedgwood (wej ' wud), n. Any of various
kinds of earthenware and porcelain produced
by Josiah Wedgwood, especially the jasper
ware invented by him.

This world-famous pottery, also called
Wedgwood ware (n.), was invented by
Josiah Wedgwood (1730-95). He em-
ployed the noted sculptors of the day tc
make designs for his pottery. It is his
jasper ware which is generally called Wedg-
wood, this having a ground of blue green
— Wedgwood blue (n.) — or brown, and bear-
ing cameo-like designs in relief, the latter
usually in white.

wedlock (wed' lok), n. The married
state ; matrimony. (F. mariage.)

A.-S. wedldc, from wedd pledge, lac sport,
offering, gift. SYN. : Marriage, matrimony.

Wednesday (wenz' da ; wenz' di), n.
The fourth day of the week. (F. merer edi.\

A.-S. Wodnesdaeg, a rendering of L.L. Mercuri\
dies (F. merer edi), Woden being identified with
Mercury. The name Woden (Odin) means raging,
furious, from A.-S. wod mad, raging, akin to
G. wut rage, madness, obsolete E. wood mad.

wee (we), adj. Very small ; tiny ;
little. (F. menu, minuscule, tout petit.)
This word is common in Scotland, and in

4540

WEED

WEEP

England is chiefly used in the talk of children.
The wee folk are the fairies.

Originally a n. (as still in Sc.) in the phrase
a little wee, a little bit, properly amount, weight,
A.-S. wdeg akin to weigh. Re-introduced into E.
from Sc. in the nineteenth century.

weed (wed), n. A wild plant growing
uncultivated where it is not desired ; a
lanky or weakly animal or person ; a cigar ;
tobacco, v.t. To clear (ground) of weeds ;
to uproot or cut off (a plant) ; to sort (out)
for riddance or removal (unwanted or
inferior plants, individuals, etc.) to rid (a
garden, community, etc.) of these, v.i. To
pull up weeds. (F. mauvaise herbe, ivraie,
tabac ; sarcler, deraciner ; arracher les
mauvaises herbes.)

In the cultivation of land an unceasing
fight must be waged against weeds, some

cloth, raiment, O. Norse vddor (pi.) clothes,
Sansk. vd to weave.

week (wek), n. A period of seven
days, especially from Sunday to the follow-
ing Saturday ; the six working days of the
week, excluding Sunday. (F. semaine.)

To-day week, to-morrow week, or yester-
day week mean the day later or earlier
by a week than the one mentioned. A week
of Sundays means, colloquially, seven weeks,
or a long time. A week-day (n.) is any
day of the week except Sunday. A week-
end (n.} is the time at the end of the week
spent as a rest or holiday, usually from
Saturday to the following Monday. To
week-end (v.i.) is to visit a place for the
week-end.

For the convenience of the week-ender
(n.), railway companies issue special week-

of which — grasses for example — are plants end (adj.) tickets at cheap rates. Weekly

useful in themselves, but a nuisance when
they spring up unwanted among crops, or

(wek' li, adj.) is used to describe anything
that happens, or is produced, or done every

in the flower-beds and paths of gardens. week, or once a week, or of anything related

Constant care and attention is needed to
maintain a garden in a weedless (wed'
les, adj ) state.

Sometimes tobacco is called " the weed,"
and a cigar is described colloquially as a

to or reckoned by the week. A weekly
(n.) is a newspaper or periodical published
weekly (adv.), or once a week.

Common Teut. word. A.-S. wice, wicu ;
cp. Dutch week, O.H.G. wecha, G. woche, O.
Norse vika week, Goth, wiko order. The word

wp^rl Oarrlpn r»ath<? ^nnn bernmp wepHv »""• *™*« VVCCK, OULU. W»KU uiuci. j.ue woiu
^ ; ^Sr1 J" *J * ± rS?^ £%. meant succession ; cp, O. Norse vlkja to (re)turn,

(wed' i, adj.], weed-grown (adj.], or over-
grown with weeds, if we neglect to weed
them frequently. Weakly seedlings are
weeded out from a seed-bed ; undesirable
members of a club or society may be weeded
out, or eliminated. When our book-shelves
become overcrowded we may sort out, or
weed out, those volumes we care least to
retain.

Weeds often grow up spindly, lacking
strength to support themselves, and so a
lanky or overgrown horse or
person is said to be weedy.
The state or quality of being :. >mjl
weedy, in any of the senses of
that word, is weediness (wed' i
nes, «.).

A weeder (wed' er, n.) is a
person who does weeding, or a
tool used for removing weeds.
Both the weeding-chisel (n.) and
weeding-fork (n.) are pronged
instruments used in weeding ;
others, devised to grasp and
extract weeds, being the weeding-
tongs (n.pl.) and weeding-forceps
(n.pl.). A weeding-hook (n.) is a
sharpened hook-like implement
which acts as a scraper.

A.-S. weod, wiod ; cp. Dutch

G. wechsel change. See weak.

ween (wen), v.i. To suppose ; to sur-
mise ; to believe.

This word is found chiefly in poetical
writing, and in the parenthetical phrase, I
ween.

A.-S. wenan to hope, expect, imagine, from
wen expectation ; cp. G. wahnen to fancy, from
wahnr. The original meaning was desire , cp.
Sansk. van to crave. See venerate, Venus,
win.

wiod ; cp.
wiede, Low G. wed, O. Saxon

wiod ; (v.) A.-S. weodian,
wieden.

Dutch

Weeping-willow.— With its gracefully drooping branches, the weeping
willow is the most ornamental of the willow trees.

weeds (wedz), n.pl. Mourning gar- -weep (wep), v.i. To shed tears ; to

ments worn by a widow. (F. vetements de exude, drip, or be covered with moisture ;

deuil.) to have drooping branches, v.t. To shed

M.E. wede, A.-S. wded(e) clothing, garment ; (tears) ; to shed tears for ; to bewail ; to

cp. O. Saxon wad, Dutch gewaad, G. wat linen, lament over ; to exhaust, pass, or consume

4541

WEEVER

WEIGH

in weeping, p.t. and p.p. wept (wept). (F.
verser des larm.es, degouter, pleurer ; lamenter,
se lamenter.}

The word weeper (wep' er, n.} means one
who weeps, and is used specially of a hired
mourner. A widow's crape veil, the white
cuffs she wore, or a crape hat-sash worn
by a man at a funeral were once called
weepers.

The weeping-ash (n.), weeping-birch (n.},
and weeping-willow (n.) are trees of these
species easily distinguished by their delicate
drooping branches. To speak weepingly
(wep' ing li, adv.) is to speak in a voice
choked with sobs. Eaves and gutter-spouts
are weepy (wep' i, adj.), that is, dripping
with moisture, after rain. We feel weepy
when we are inclined to weep.

During the World War (1914-18) use
was made of explosive shells which on
bursting gave out weeping-gas (n.), a very
penetrating gas which caused violent water-
ing of the eyes. It was also called tear-gas.

A.-S. wepan, from wop weeping, lamentation ;
cp. O.H.G. wuofan, Goth, wopjan, O. Norse
o'epa. SYN. : Cry, drip, lament, sob, wail.
ANT. : Laugh, rejoice.

weever (we' ver), n. A salt-water
fish with poisonous spines, belonging to
the genus Trachinus. (F. vive, araignee de
mer, dragon de mer.}

Of the two British species — the greater
weever (Trachinus draco), about a foot long,
and the lesser weever (T. vipera), half that
size — the latter is much the more common,
especially off the east coast. Both are
excellent food fish, but need careful handling
owing to the painful wounds made by the
dorsal spines and by those on the gill-covers,
which are provided with poison-glands.

Perhaps variant of obsolete wiver snake, from
L. vipera. See wyvern.

weevil (we' vil), n. A small kind of
beetle living on grain, etc., with a head
prolonged into a proboscis. (F. charancon).

Weevil. — The oak leaf-roller, one of the many
varieties of small beetles popularly called weevils.

Weevil is a name given specially to the
Curculionidae, or snout - beetles, which are
so called from their characteristic trunk
or proboscis. There are thousands of
species, whose grubs and full-grown insects
damage plants of different kinds. Some
species — the corn-weevils — attack grain when
stored.

Loosely, the name is applied to many
kinds of insects other than the true weevils.
Ship's biscuit used on the long voyages
between ports in the old days often became
weevilled (we' vild, adj.], or weevilly (we'
vil li, adj.], infested with or spoiled by the
attack of insects popularly called weevils.

A.-S. wifel ; cp. M. Dutch wevel, G. wiebel ;
probably akin to wave or weave.

weft (weft), n. The cross threads,
which pass through and are woven into
the warp to form a web ; the woof ; a
web. (F. trame.}

A.-S. weft(a), from we/an to weave ; cp.
O. Norse vept-r. See weave

Weigh.— Prince Arthur of Connaught weighing a
salmon caught by him in the River Dee.

weigh (wa), v.t. To find the weight
of with a balance, scales, or other machine ;
to balance in the hands in order to or as
if to guess the weight of ; to counter-
balance ; to be equal to (a given weight) in
the scales ; to think over carefully ; to
ponder ; to compare ; to appraise the
value or importance of ; to force down or
cause to sink by weight ; to raise (an
anchor), v.i. To have a specified weight ;
to ascertain one's weight ; to have import-
ance or influence ; to bear hard ; to be
burdensome ; to raise the anchor ; to start
on a voyage, n. The act or process of
weighing. (F. peser, contrebalancer , con-
siderer, evaluer, peser sur, lever; avoir du
poids, compter, peser, lever I'ancre, pesage.)

A grocer weighs out a required amount
of sugar or butter from his stock, and this
again may be weighed into a number of
equal portions by the scales. When the
portion in the scale-pan weighs as much as
the weight in the opposite pan the scale is
balanced. If too great a quantity of sugar
is placed in the pan the latter will be
weighed down.

4542

WEIGHT

WEIR

A jockey has to weigh in, that is, be
weighed before a race, and to weigh out,
or have his weight taken again after the race.
A ship is said to weigh anchor when the
anchor is raised from the sea-bed.

When faced with two alternatives we
weigh them in our mind, or weigh up the
whole matter, pondering over it and weigh-
ing the respective advantages and demerits
of each choice. A heavy burden, literally
or figuratively, is one which oppresses, or
weighs heavily on, one. Considerations that
weigh with us are those that have import-
ance or influence.

A weigh-beam (n.) is a large steelyard
in a frame which can be moved from place
to place. Loaded trucks, wagons, or carts
are taken on to the large iron platform of
a weigh-bridge (n.} to be weighed. A
weigh-house (n.) is a public building in
which goods can be weighed under official
inspection. Tiny amounts of matter are
weighable (wa' abl, adj.), that is, capable
of being weighed, by very delicate balances.

A weigher (wa/ er, n.} is one who weighs,
especially a public official who performs
this duty. A weighing-machine (n.} is any
device for weighing people, luggage, bales,
loaded vehicles, or other things. Weighing-
machines used for corn, coal, and other
commodities handled in large quantities
are in many cases automatic, and keep a
record of the total weight of the material
that is handled by them.

Common Teut. word. A.-S. wegan to carry,
lift, move, weigh ; cp. Dutch wegen to weigh,
G. -wegen to weigh, move, O. Norse vega to
lift, weigh ; akin to L. vehere to carry, Sansk.
vah to move, transport. See wain. SYN. : v.
Balance, consider, compare, counterbalance,
ponder.

weight (wat), n. The force
with which a body tends towards
the centre of attraction ; of
terrestrial things, the downward
tendency of a body due to the
gravitation and centrifugal force
of the earth ; downward force ;
the relative mass or quantity
of matter in a body ; the quality
of being heavy or of having
mass ; heaviness regarded as the
attribute of a body ; this as
expressed in terms of standard
units ; a piece of metal of
determined mass representing
such a unit and used in a pair
of scales; a notation or gradu-
ated system of such units ; a
mass of metal or other heavy
material used to weigh something
down, or to work a mechanism ;
load ; burden ; importance ;
preponderance ; consequence,
attach a weight to ; to hold with a
weight ; to burden ; to load ; to make
.heavier by adding other materials; to
adulterate. (F, gravite, poids, pesanteur,

fardeau, importance, influence, pre'ponde'r-
ance ; charger, appesantir, alterer.)

The weight of a mass depends on or
varies according to its specific gravity.
When first one lifts a piece of aluminium one
is surprised at its relative lightness as com-
pared with, say, an equal bulk of iron. Its
weight is less than that of glass, and about
one-fourth that of silver.

No substance is really weightless (wat'
les, adj.], that is, without weight, and deli-
cate balances used by chemists will measure
the weight of the most minute quantities of
substances.

Every child has to learn tables of weights
and measures (n.pl.), which are the stan-
dards of weight, length, area, capacity,
value, and time, and their subdivisions.

In commerce avoirdupois weight is gener-
ally used, but the apothecary and the
jeweller employ apothecaries' and troy
weight respectively. The pound and the
ounce in both the two latter systems are
alike, but the smaller divisions vary. A
pound weight troy is equal to thirteen
ounces and two - and - a - half drams
avoirdupois.

A heavy load is weighty (wat' i, adj.) ;
an opinion well thought out, giving evidence
of serious consideration, is a weighty one,
and carries weight. A statesman speaks
weightily (wat' i li, adv.) when he speaks
with authority, or when he utters words
worthy of notice. The state or quality of
being weighty in any sense is weightiness
(wat' i nes, n.).

M.E. weght, A.-S. (ge)wiht ; cp. Dutch gewigl,
G. gewicht, O. Norse vet-t. SYN. : n. Heaviness,
importance, influence, load, preponderance.
ANT. : n. Lightness, triviality

Weir. — The weir at Weir Hall, Tottenham, Middlesex.
built for use, weirs also beautify the landscape.

Though

influence ;
v.t. To

weir "(wer), n. A dam placed across a
river or stream in order to raise the level
of the water above it ; a barrier or enclosure
of stakes or nets set in a stream in ordei
to catch fish. Another form is wear (wer).
(F. barrage, deversoir, nasse.)

4543

WEIRD

WELFARE

A.-S. wer, from werian to defend, dam up ;
cp. G. wehr defence, weir of a mill, dam, from
wshren to defend, restrain, Goth, warjan
to defend, O. Norse, vorr (n.), verja (v.), Sansk.
vdraya to stop, hinder.

weird (werd), adj. Concerning fate
or destiny ; supernatural or uncanny ; odd ;
queer ; strange, n. .Fate or destiny. (F.
du destin, qui iient de la sorcellerie, sinistre,
fantastique.)

The Weird Sisters are the three Fates
and also the witches in " Macbeth." A
weird noise is one that cannot easily be
explained. The wind sometimes whistles
and wails weirdly (werd7 li, adv.], or eerily.
Colloquially, anything strange or odd is
said to be "weird. Weird stories are stories
of eery or fantastic happenings. Weirdness
(werd' nes, «.) is an attribute of some fanci-
ful ghost-stories. The Scottish phrase " to
dree one's weird " means to abide by one's
lot.

A.-S. wyrd fate, from weorthan to become ;
cp. O. Norse urth-r, O.H.G. wurt, G. werden (v.).
SYN. : adj. Eerie, queer, unearthly.

Welch (welsh). This is an old form
of Welsh. See Welsh Cil.

Welcome. — Major James Fitzmaurice, co-pilot of an

aeroplane which flew from Ireland to North America

in 1928, receiving a hearty welcome.

welcome (wel' kom), inter. Hail. adj.
Received with pleasure and friendliness ;
gladly permitted ; producing gladness. nm
A saying of " welcome " to a person ; a
greeting or salutation ; a cordial reception
and entertainment of a guest ; a glad
acceptance of an offer, etc. v.t. To say
*' welcome " to ; to greet cordially on arrival ;
to entertain with hospitality ; to receive
with pleasure. (F. salut ; bien accueilli,
accueilli avec plaisir; bienvenu, salut de

bienvenue, gracieuse accueil ; souhaiter la
bienvenue a, faire bon accueil a.}

Many of our great parks and gardens
are thrown open to the public by the owners
when the flowers are in blossom, and all
are welcome to walk through them. After
a week of toil Saturday brings a welcome
respite. We welcome good news about
the health of a sick person. A welcomer
(wel' kom er, n.} is one who welcomes, and
welcomeness (wel' kom nes. «.) is the
quality of being welcome.

From A.-S. wilcuma one whose coming is
pleasant, from wil- ( = will a) will, pleasure, cutna
comer (cp. G. willkommen], confused with well
(adv.) and come through influence of F. bien venu
well come, and perhaps O. Norse velkominn in
same sense. SYN. : adj. Grateful, pleasing.
ANT. : adj. Unwelcome.

weld [i] (weld), n. Dyer's rocket (Reseda
luteola], a kind of mignonette yielding a
yellow dye. (F. gaude, reseda des teinturiers.}

Probably akin to wold ; cp. M. Low G.
walde, Dutch wouw, G. wau ; not connected
with woad, but perhaps akin to G. wald, E. weald.

weld [2] (weld), v.t. To unite or join
together (pieces of metal, etc.) by hammering
or compressing, usually in a heated state ;
to make or produce in this manner ; to
bring into intimate union ; to make into
a compact mass or whole, v.i. To admit of
welding ; to unite (well or ill) by this pro-
cess, n. A welded junction or "joint. (F.
souder, corroyer, joindre, unir ; soudure.)

Metals are generally made hot before
welding. Some weld with little difficulty,
some weld badly, and others will not weld
at all. The blade of a table knife is usually
welded to a tang made of malleable iron.
Iron is readily weldable (weld' abl, adj.)
when raised to a white heat, since it then
becomes plastic and two pieces may be
welded together on the anvil. Glass has
weldability (weld a bil' i ti, n.) at moderate
heat. Both the electric arc and the acety-
lene blow-pipe are used by the welder (weld'
er, n.) to soften metals before proceeding
to weld them.

By the unification of Italy many petty
states were welded into the Italian kingdom.

A form, with excrescent d, probably from the
p.p., of the v. well [2], formerly used in the sense
of weld, A.-S, wiellan, causative of weal tan to
boil. SYN : v. Bind, connect, join, unite.

•welfare (wel' far), n. Prosperity ;
success ; well-being ; health. (F. bien-etre,
prosperite .)

One of the regular prayers in the English
Prayer Book is for the safety, honour, and
welfare of our Sovereign and his Dominions.
Child welfare is the object of a number of
philanthropic societies, and a great deal of
study has been given to industrial welfare,
or the welfare of the workers.

During the World War (1914-18) the
Ministry of Munitions appointed a Welfare

4544

WELKIN

WELL

Department (n.) to give special attention
to the health and general well-being of
people employed in munition factories.
Most large firms now have welfare depart-
ments of their own.

From the verbal phrase well-fare. See fare,
v. and n. SYN. : Health, prosperity, well-being.

welkin (wel' kin), n. The sky ; the
heavens. (F. voute celeste.}

This is a poetical word . Loud
singing or shouting is sometimes
said to make the welkin ring.

A.-S. wolcen cloud ; cp. Dutch
wolk, G. wolke.

•well [i] (wel), adv. In a good
or right manner ; satisfactorily ;
properly ; fortunately ; pleasing-
ly ; successfully ; prosperously ;
fully ; in a careful, complete,
adequate or thorough way ; per-
fectly ; heartily ; amply ; kindly ;
cordially; with approval; justly;
wisely ; reasonably ; in a be-
fitting manner. adj. In good
health ; in a satisfactory position
or state; advisable; fairly good.
n. That which is well ; good
things. inter. Expressing sur-
prise, expectation, resignation,
concession ; used also as an
expletive in resuming a conversation. (F.
bien, d'une maniere satis faisante, justement,
heur easement, enticement, a fond, parfaite-
ment, de bon cceur, amplement, cordialernent ;
en bonne sante, bien, judicieux ; le bien ; tiens !
eh mais !}

We think well of a workman who does
his task well. Shoes well mended wear well
and please us well. A prosperous man i>-
said to do well or get on well in life ; he
may owe a great part of his prosperity to
his keeping well, or healthy in mind 'and
body. Here, as usually, the adjective is
used predicatively. One who treats another
well may feel well repaid by gratitude
shown him.

A proverb says that we cannot eat our
cake and have it as well, or in addition. I*
is difficult to find synonyms for some words.
So well do they express the desired meaning
that no others will serve as well, or as fitly.
When starting for a holiday it is as well to
make a list of one's necessaries, so that
one omits nothing of importance. We
are well-acquainted (adj.) with people whom
we know intimately ; a well-advised (adj.)
action is one prudent or wise. A military
force is well-appointed (adj.) if properly
armed and equipped.

Wise and sensible people are well-balanced
(adj.), able to give a well-balanced judgment
or opinion. People are well-behaved (adj.)
or well-conducted (adj.) if they behave
well — in an orderly manner. A well-con-
ducted assembly is one in which no disorder
is tolerated. Conscientious statesmen work
for the well-being (n.) or welfare of a nation.

A person may be well-born (adj.), that is,
of good birth or family, without being
well-bred (adj.), well-spoken (adj.), or
well-mannered (adj.) — endowed respectively
with good breeding, refined speech, and
polite or courteous manners. A well-bred
animal is one which comes of a good or
pure stock

Well-known. — The Tower of London, well-known to most visitors to
the metropolis. It has served as fortress, palace, and prison.

A short speech made in well-chosen
(adj.) or carefully selected words is better
than a long, rambling address. A good-
natured person is well-conditioned (adj.) ; a
grumpy or querulous one ill-conditioned.
Well-conditioned means also in good physical
condition. A person is said to be well-
connected (adj.) if related to people o\
good birth. -We are well-content (adj.) when
satisfied with things ; we are well-disposed
(adj.) towards people for whom we have a
kindly feeling. The upright, honest man
is a well-doer (n.) and practises well-doing
(w.)%

We congratulate one who has beer
successful with the words well done ! (inter).
Well-done (adj.) food is that which is thor-
oughly cooked. Joseph (Genesis xxxix, 6)
was a well-favoured (adj.), or handsome, man.
A ship is well-found (adj.) if fully equipped
and with all her gear in good condition ;
well-founded (adj.) beliefs are based on
established or authenticated grounds.

A well-graced (adj.) person has attractive
qualities which make him popular ; a well-
informed (adj.) man has a wide general
knowledge, or a fund of special information
about some particular matter.

We say that actions are well-intentioned
(adj.) or well-meaning (adj.) if done with a
good motive ; such actions are not always
well-judged (adj.), that is, done with tact
or judgment.

A well-knit (adj.) or well-set (adj.) person
is one compactly built and muscular.
Facts widely known are well-known (adj.).
Persons are well-looking (adj.) if they

4545

WELL

WELLINGTONS

have a pleasing 01 healthy appearance.
Well met ! (inter.} is a salutation used by
two people who are pleased to meet each
other.

It is well-nigh (wel' ni, adv.), that is,
nearly, impossible to tame some wild
animals. A well-off (adj.) or well-to-do
(adj.) person is one fortunately placed,
prosperous, or with sufficient means.
Events or things are well-pleasing (adj.)
which cause us pleasure. A room or
building is well-proportioned (adj.) if its
parts or dimensions are in fit proportion
to each other. The careful reading of good
books makes one well-read (adj.) — that is,
well-informed through reading. A well-
reputed (adj.) firm is one in good repute ;
well-rounded (adj.) sentences are complete
in their meaning and symmetrical in form.

We place most faith in well-tried (adj.)
remedies, that is, those remedies which have
been thoroughly tested with good results.

A well-trod (adj.) or well-trodden (adj.)
path is one much used, as shown by its
condition. A well-wisher (n.) is one who
wishes prosperity to a person, object, or
cause. We call those phrases and subjects
well-worn (adj.) which are trite and stale
from frequent use and treatment.

A.-S. wel ; cp. Dutch wel, G. wohl, O. Norse
vel, properly meaning in accordance with a will
or wish. See will. SYN. : adv. Amply, fully,
justly, pleasingly, satisfactorily, adj. Advisable,
satisfactory. ANT. : adv. Badly, ill, unsatis-
factorily, adj. Inadvisable, unsatisfactory.

Well.— Drawing water from the well of The Three Wise Men,
situate not far from Bethlehem.

well [2] (wel), n. A hole or pit sunk
into the ground to obtain water, brine, or
oil ; an enclosed space or cavity resembling
this ; a space from floor to floor in a build-
ing, for a staircase, lift, etc., or left open
for light or ventilation ; a space in a law-
court where counsel, etc., sit ; the part of
a yacht which is not decked over ; a vertical
pipe from the deck to the bottom of a ship

tor ascertaining whether she is leaking, etc. ;
a tank in a fishing-vessel, open to the water,
tor the carriage of live fish ; a receptacle foi
ink in an inkstand ; in poetry, a spring ;
a source, v.i. To spring or issue (forth) aa
from a fountain ; of tears, to flow (down), or
rise (up) copiously, into the eyes. (F. putts,
sentine, vivier, godef d encre, source : couler
d flats, jaillir.)

Travel across the Sahara and other deserts
is made possible by the wells met with at
intervals along the caravan routes. The
sinking of artesian wells and oil-wells to
great depths has made available vast sub-
terranean supplies of water and oil.

A well-boat (n.) is a fishing-vessel contain-
ing a well or perforated receptacle for live
fish. That part of the main deck of some
ships between a raised forecastle and poop
is known as a well-deck (n.). A well-dish
(n.) is a meat dish having a hollow at one
end in which gravy from the meat collects.
The top of a well or a structure built over
it is called a well-head (n.). The well-head
of a river is the spring at its source. In a
figurative sense a main source, or fountain-
head of a supply is termed a well-head.

The well-hole (n.), that is the pit or shaft
of some wells, is hundreds of feet deep. A
well-hole in a building is a space occupied
by a well-staircase (n.), or by lifts. Large
buildings also have wells which admit light
to the lower floors.

Visitors to a spa go to a building called
a well-room (n.) to drink the
waters. The business of a well-
sinker (n.) is well-sinking (n.),
that is, the boring and digging
of wells.

The head-spring ot a stream,
or, in an extended sense, a
source of water that never fails,
is a well-spring (n.). Used
figuratively the word means a
continual supply, as in the
Biblical maxim (Proverbs xvi,
22), " Understanding is a well-
spring of life unto him that
hath it."

A.-S. wella, akin to weallan to
well up, surge, boil ; cp. Dutch wel
a spring, G. welle wave, O. Norse
veil a boiling up. A.-S. wiellan
causative of weallan to boil ; cp. v.
G. wellen to rise or swell in waves,
wallen to boil, bubble.

welladay (wel a da'), inter.
An exclamation of grief or
despair. Another form is well-
away (wel a wa'). (F. helas /)

This archaic exclamation is sometimes
used facetiously..

Altered from wellaway, A.-S. wei la wei, earlier
wa Id wa, literally woe, lo, woe ; affected by
O. Norse vei woe.

Wellingtonia (wel ing to ni a), «. A
sequoia. See sequoia.

Named after the Duke of Wellington.

4546

WELLINGTONS

WENLOGK

Wellingtons (wel' ing tonz), n.pl.
Boots reaching to or nearly to the knee.
(F. bottes a la Wellington.}

Named after the first Duke of Wellington
(1769-1852).

Welsh [i] (welsh), adj. Of or relating
to Wales or its inhabitants, n. The people
of Wales collectively ; their language. (F.
gallois.)

tumultuously ; to be in a state of agitation
or confusion, n. A turmoil ; a ferment ; a
confusion. (F. se rouler, se vaulrer, etre
baigne, clapoter ; roulis, tumulte.}

This word is used chiefly in poetry or
rhetorical prose. Nations at war may be
said hyperbolically to be weltering in each
other's blood. The sea is said by poets to
welter or surge, and its rolling and tossing
is described as the welter of the
waves. A disturbed state of
parliamentary affairs is spoken
of as a welter of politics.

Frequentative of M.E. walten to
roll, A.-S. waeltan ; cp. G. walzen
Icel. velta to roll, perhaps from the
root of E. wallow. SYN. : v. Roll,
tumble, turn, wallow.

welter [2] (wel' ter), adj. In
horse-racing, heavy-weight ; in
boxing, between light-weight and
middle-weight.

A horse-race for heavy-weight
riders is known as a welter-race
(n.), and the stakes of such a
race are called welter-stakes
(n.pl.}. A boxer in the welter
class is called a welter-
Welsh.— Cardiff schoolgirls, dressed in Welsh national costume, Weight («.)•

giving an exhibition of Welsh country-dancing. r\ • • M -U

Originally n., one who welts or

flogs. See welt.

•wen (wen), n. A n on -malign ant tumour
the scalp, etc. ; an

The Welsh have a strong sense of nation-
ality, and in spite of many conflicting in-
fluences have succeeded in keeping their
ancient language alive. In some of the
remote Welsh villages the Welshman (n.)
or Welshwoman (n.} who can speak Welsh
only is by no means uncommon, but most
Welshmen speak both Welsh and English.
Welsh mutton (n.) is a kind of mutton with
a delicate flavour obtained from small sheep
of the Welsh mountains. A welsh rabbit
(n.}, or welsh rarebit (n.), is a savoury made
of cheese melted and spread on toast.

A.-S. waelisc, from wealh foreign, Welsh,
Celtic ; cp. G. ivalsch, welsch foreign, Italian,
French, Celtic. Some derive from L. Volcae
a Gaulish tribe. See Vlach, walnut.

welsh [2] (welsh), v.t. To swindle (a
person) out of money placed as a bet.

This is a horse-racing term. A book-
maker who welshed his clients by running

occurring on the scalp, etc. ; an un-
sightly or abnormal growth. (F. loupe,
lipome.}

A quickly-growing town which disfigures
a landscape is sometimes spoken of depre-
ciatingly as a wen.

A.-S. wen(n} ; cp. Dutch wen, Low G. ween
G. dialect wenne, perhaps akin to A.-S. Goth.
winnan to suffer. See win.

wend [i] (wend), v.i. To go. v.t. To
proceed upon or direct (one's course), p.t.
and p.p. wended (wend' ed).

This word is now chiefly used in the
expression "to wend one's way." Its old
past tense, went, is now used for the past-
tense of go.

A.-S. wendan to turn, change (v.t.), also to go,
causative of windan to wind ; cp. Dutch, G.
wenden, O. Norse venda, Goth, wandjan to

off with their money and not paying them' cause to turn.

their winnings would be described as a
welsher (welsh' er, n.}.

welt (welt), n. A strip of leather sewn
round the upper of a boot or shoe so that
it may be attached to the sole ; a hem ; a
weal on the flesh ; a stroke or blow from a
stick, etc. v.t. To provide (shoes, etc.) with
welts ; to flog severely. (F. trepointe ;
mettre une trepointe a, rosser.}

M.E. welte, perhaps from A.-S. wyltan to roll;
but cp. Welsh gwald hem, welt. For the mean-
ing flog cp. leather. See welter.

welter [i] (wel' ter), v.i. To roll to
and fro ; to roll or lie (in blood, etc.

Wend [2] (wend), n. A member of a
Slavonic people of Lusatia in eastern
Saxony ; a Sorb.

This word is used in a general sense by
Germans for people of Slavonic origin in
or around Germany, including the Slovenes
and Polabs.

The language of the Lusatian Sorbs or
Wends is known as Wendish (wend" ish, n.}
or Wendic (wend' ik, n.}. The words
Wendish (adj.] and Wendic (adj.} mean of
or relating to the Wends.

Wenlock (wen'. 16k), adj. In geology,
denoting the middle division of the Silurian

to
be deeply involved (in) ; of waves, to heave system of rocks in Britain.

4547

WENT

WEST

The Wenlock series consists of shales and
limestones and is rich in marine fossils.
This group or formation of rocks is named
from Wenlock, in Shropshire, where it is
well developed.

went (went). This is the past tense ol
go and the old past tense of wend. See go
and wend [i].

wentletrap (wen' tl trap), n. A shell-
fish of the genus Scalaria, having an elon-
gated spiral shell.

Corrupted from G. wendeltreppe winding stair-
case, from wenden to turn, treppe step, stairs.

wept (wept). This is the past tense
and past participle of weep. See weep.

were (wer; war). Part of the verb
" to be " used in the first, second, and third
persons plural and the modern second person
singular (with " you ") of the past tense ;
used also in all persons singular and plural
of the past subjunctive, except with the
archaic " thou " second person singular.
See be.

In the second person singular of the
subjunctive, the archaic form wert (wert ;
wart) used with " thou," has been replaced
in general use by the modern second person
singular " you were," which has also taken
the place of " thou wert " and " thou wast "
in the second person singular of
the past tense.

In sentences expressing con-
dition, supposition, or contin-
gency, we use the subjunctive
"were" as in "If I were you."
Simple uses of the .past tense
are : " yesterday you were hard
at work, and we were enjoying
a holiday."

A.-S. waeron, pi. of p.t. indicative
wdere sing., wderen pi. of past sub-
junctive of wesan to be. See was.

werewolf (wer' wulf). This
is another spelling of werwolf.
See werwolf.

wergild (wer' gild), n. In
Anglo-Saxon law, a fine imposed
as a penalty for murdering or
maiming a person, varying in
amount according to the victim's
rank. (F. wergeld, vehrgeld.)

A.-S. from wer man (akin to L. vir) gild pay-
ment (cp. G. geld money).

Wernerian (wer ner' i an), adj. Of
or relating to A. G. Werner (1750-1817), a
German geologist, or his system, n. An
advocate of Werner's theory, a Neptunian.
(F. wernfrien.)

Werner put forward the Neptunian theory
(see under Neptune). This Wernerian theory
is not now accepted, but is remembered as
marking a great advance on previous ideas
as to the formation of rocks.

Wertherism (var' ter izm), n. Morbid
sentimentality or emotionalism resembling
that of the hero of " The Sorrows of
Werther," a novel by Goethe (1749-1832).
(F. ivertherisme.}

Werther, the hero of Goethe's novel, was
a young man with a very emotional nature,
who ended by committing suicide. We
may say that Goethe himself outgrew the
Wertherism of his early work. Any ex-
cessively emotional young man might be
said to indulge in Wertherian (var ter' i an,
adj.] grief or despondency, like that of
Werther.

•werwolf (wer' wulf), n. In folklore,
a person who was changed, or was capable
of changing himself, into the form of a wolf.
pi. werwolves (wer' wulvz). See lycanthrope.
Another spelling is werewolf (wer' wulf) — pi.
werewolves (wer' wulvz). (F. loup-garou.}

A.-S. werewolf, perhaps from wer a man, wulf
wolf ; cp. Dutch weerwolf, G. werwolf, L.L.
garulphus, whence O.F. garou, F. loup-garou, a
pleonastic form.

Wesleyan (wes' li an ; wez le' an),
adj. Of or relating to the Protestant
religious body founded by John Wesley
(1703-91). n. A member of this denomi-
nation. (F. wesleyien.)

When the Methodists divided into distinct

Wesleyan.— Wesley's Chapel, in City Road, London, one of the
original Wesleyan chapels in which John Wesley preached.

wert (wert ;
see under were.

wart). For this word

denominations the adherents of Wesley
came to be distinguished as the Wesleyan
Methodists or Wesley ans. A church of this
religious body is known as a Wesleyan
Methodist Church, or, in short, as a Wesleyan
Church, and its doctrines are termed
Wesleyan Methodism, or Wesleyanism (wes'
li an izm; wez le' an izm, n.}.

west (west), adv. At, in, or towards
the quarter in which the sun sets. «. The
cardinal point that lies opposite the east,
and on the left hand of a person facing
north ; the part of the sky, or the horizon,
where the sun sets ; the part of a country,
region, or area, towards the west ; the

4548

WEST

WET

western part of the world, especially Europe
as opposed to Asia ; a wind blowing from
the west. adj. Being, lying, or living,
towards or in the west, or westward, of some
point ; blowing from the west. (F. vers
I'ouest, d I'ouest; ouest ; occidental, de I'ouest.)

To an Englishman the west country is
the south-western part of England, especi-
ally the counties of Somerset, Devon, and
Cornwall. A west-countryman (n.} is a
native of this region. To an American the
West is the region west of the Mississippi
river, often described in novels as the Wild
West.

The richer and more fashionable part of
London to the west of, or further west than,
central London is known as the West End.
It includes the great shopping centres of
Regent Street, Oxford Street, Piccadilly and
Bond Street, in which there are many West
End (adj.) shops and stores.

When the sun is nearing the western
horizon it is sometimes described as the
westering (west'er ing, adj.) sun. A wester-
ing wind is one that shifts towards the west.
To the people of southern England, Dorset
is a westerly (west' er li, adj.) country, that
is, one situated in or towards the west. A
westerly wind blows from the west, but the
east wind blows westerly (adv.), that is,
towards the west.

The western (west' ern, adj.) United
States are those states on the west or
western side of the continent ; Western
Australia is the part of Australia west of
longitude 129° East. The nations of
Europe are western nations, that is, nations
belonging to the west, as distinguished from
those of Asia, which are eastern nations. A
Western (n.), or Westerner (west' ern er, n.),
is a person of a western race as distinguished
from an Oriental. One who lives in the
west part of a country is also called a
Westerner, or less often, a Western, especi-
ally a native or inhabitant of the Western
States of America.

In A.D. 395, the Roman Empire was
divided into two parts. Rome was the
capital of the West, or of the Western
Empire, and Constantinople the capital of
the Eastern Empire. When there was a
split in the Church in the ninth century,
the part that remained loyal to the Pope at
Rome came to be called the Western Church
or Latin Church.

Intercourse with western races tends
to westernize (west' ern iz, v.t.) eastern
races, that is, to give them western manners
and customs, dress, and ways of thinking.

Land's End is the westernmost (west' ern
most, adj.) point, or that farthest towards
the west, of England. The westing (west'
ing, n.) of a ship is the net distance it has
travelled westward (west' ward, adv.), west-
wards (west' wardz, adv.), or in a westerly
direction, from a given meridian.

The west end of a church faces to the
westward (n.) or that direction to the west

of the building. It might be described as
the westward (adj.) end, that is, the end
having a westerly situation or direction.

The west-north-west (adj.) point on the
compass-card lies midway between west
and north-west. A line drawn through it
from the centre of the card points to the
quarter called west-north-west (n.). A ship
heading west-north-west (adv.) travels in
that direction, that is, west-north-westerly
(adv.). A west-north-westerly (adj.) or west-
north-western (adj.) gale blows more or
less from the west-north-west.

The west-south-west (adj.) point on the
compass -card is midway between west
and south-west. The words west-south-
west (n. and adv.), west-south-westerly
(adj. and adv.) and west-south-western
(adj.) have the same relation to this direc-
tion as the corresponding terms defined
above have to west-north-west.

A.-S. west ; cp. Dutch, G. west. Swed. vest, O.
Norse vest-r, perhaps akin to L. vesper, Gr.
hesperos. SYN. : n. Occident, adj. Occidental.
ANT. : adv. East. n. East, Orient, adj. East,
Oriental.

Wet. — Pedestrians walking along the wet pave-
ment of the Victoria Embankment, London.

wet (wet), adj. Moistened ; soaked ;
covered with, or containing, water or other
liquid ; consisting of water or other liquid ;
rainy ; of paint, ink, etc., not yet dry ; of
technical processes, involving the use of water
or other liquid ; allowing or favouring the
sale of alcoholic liquors ; of a ship, liable
to be swamped with water, n. Moisture ;
rain. v.t. To make wet ; to moisten, drench,
or soak with water or other liquid ; to steep
(grain) in making malt ; to celebrate (a
bargain, etc.) by drinking. (F. humide,
mouille, pluvieux ; humidite, pluie ; mouiller,
humecter.)

Potters shape utensils from wet or moist

4549

WEY

WHALE

clay. Flowers are said to be wet with dew
when dew has fallen on them. Writing is
liable to smudge if it is touched while the
ink is wet. A boat that ships a lot of water
owing to some fault in her build or rig is
described as a wet vessel. A wet shampoo,
in which water is used, is distinguished from
a dry shampoo, in which alcohol is used
instead.

The wettest place in the world, or the
one having the greatest rainfall, is probably
Cherra Punji, in Assam.

Umbrellas are carried to shelter people
from the wet or rain. Wet clothes endanger
one's health and should be changed as soon
as possible. In 1919 the National Pro-
hibition Act, or Volstead Act, became law
in the United States. This measure com-
pelled all states in the Union that were
wet, that is, that allowed the sale of intoxi-
cating liquor in their territory, to become
dry, or forbid its sale.

A small fire may be extinguished by
throwing a blanket soaked in water over
it. In a figurative sense, a person who
damps or extinguishes the enthusiasm of
others, or whose presence checks conversa-
tion, is known as a wet blanket («.). A
boy at Eton who goes in for rowing is
known as a wet-bob (n.) — see under bob [2].

A wet-bulb thermometer (n.) has its bulb
kept moist, and is chilled by evaporation.
It is used in conjunction with a dry-bulb
thermometer (see under dry) for testing the
moistness of the air. A dock that is kept
full of water, so that ships remain afloat
in it, is called a wet-dock (n.), as opposed
to a dry dock, from which the water is
removed after a ship has been floated in
for repairs.

A wet-nurse (n.) is a woman employed
to nourish a baby not her own. To wet-
nurse (v.t.) a child is to act as wet-nurse
to it. In a figurative sense, the word means

to coddle or keep in leading-strings. Photo-
graphers formerly used a wet-plate (n.} to
obtain a negative. This was a glass plate
coated with collodion, dipped in a sensitizing
bath just before use, and exposed while
still wet. The wet-plate is now superseded
by the dry-plate.

A boy who falls into a river gets a wetting
(wet' ing, n.), that is, a soaking. Wetness
(wet' nes, n.) is the quality or condition of
being wet. A wettish (wet' ish, adj.) day
is one that is rather wet or rainy.

'A.-S. wait ; cp. O. Norse vdt-r, Sansk. vaad,
v. A.-S. wdetan. See water. SYN. : adj. Damp,
humid, moist, watery, v. Drench, moisten, soak.
ANT. : adj. Dry, parched, v. Desiccate, dry,
parch.

wey (wa), n. A weight or measure
varying greatly with different commodities.

As a dry measure a wey equals forty
bushels or five quarters; as a dry-goods
weight it varies, broadly speaking, between
two and three hundredweights.

M.E. weye, A.-S. wdege weight, from wegan to
weigh. See weigh.

whack (hwak), v.t. To strike heavily ;
to thwack, n. A heavy sounding blow ; a
thwack. (F. cogner, battre, rosser ; horion,
grand coup.}

This is a more or less colloquial word. A
whacking (hwak' ing, n.} is a beating or
thrashing. A whacking (adj.] or whacking
(adv.] big thing is one abnormally large. A
whacker (hwak' er, n.} means a person or
thing that whacks and also something par-
ticularly big or incredible, especially an
outrageous lie.

Imitative. See thwack. SYN. : v. Beat, be-
labour, castigate, thrash.

whale [i] (hwal), n. Any of the larger
fish-like mammals belonging to the order
Catacea, and adapted to a life in the sea.
v.i. To engage in whale-hunting. (F.
baleine ; faire la peche a la baleine.)

Whale.— A number of whales that were washed ashore near Cape Town, South Africa. Altogether upwards
of one hundred were thrown up by the tide.

4550

WHALE

WHARI

There are two great groups of whales,
the baleen or toothless whales and the
toothed whales. To the first group belong
the right whales, which have enormous heads,
the rorquals, and the humpbacked whales.
The second group includes the sperm whale,
or cachalot, and the narwhal.

Whaler. — A sailing ship specially equipped for whale-fishing and
therefore called a whaler.

Whales differ from fish in being warm-
blooded and so unable to live without rising
to the surface of the sea to breathe in air
at intervals. They have horizontal tails
and fore-limbs converted into paddles.

A whale-back (n.) is a type of vessel for
use in rough waters. The waves pass right
over the rounded covering of the main deck,
which has very few erections. A whale-boat
(n.) is an open boat, pointed at both ends,
of the type used in hunting whales. The
substance called whalebone (n.),
or in commerce whale-fin (n.)t is
an elastic horny material found
in long thin plates in the upper
jaw of baleen whales. It is used
for many commercial purposes.
A whale-calf (n.) is a young
whale. Whale-oil (n.) is oil ob-
tained from the blubber of
whales.

A part of the sea in which
whales are hunted is a whale-
fishery (n.). The industry of
hunting whales is called whaling
(hwal' ing, n.), whale-fishing (n.},
and whale-fishery. A whale-
line (n.) is a very strong kind of
rope, about two inches round,
which is attached to the harpoons
used in whaling.

A seaman who takes part in
whaling is a whaleman (n.) or
whaler (hwal' er, n.). A whaler
also means a ship employed in hunting
whales. Nowadays a small screw-steamer
is used, and the old method of throwing
the harpoon by hand has been superseded
by the use of the whaling-gun (n.}, which
fires a heavy harpoon and line with great
accuracy. A whaling ship is captained by
a whaling-master (n.).

A.-S. hwael ; cp. Dutch walvisch, G. walfisch,
O. Norse hval-r ; also G. we Is sheath-fish. The
word is perhaps cognate with Gr. pelor a
monster. See walrus.

whale [2] (hwal). This is another form
of weal. See weal [2].

whang (hwang), v.t. To beat or lash
violently ; to whack. v.i. Tc
make or give out a banging noise ;
to whine, n. A whanging blow
or sound.

This word is more or less
restricted to dialect or colloquial
use. A writer might speak of
the whang of a cannon-ball
whirling through the air, or of a
drum, or of a hammer in a black-
smith's forge.

Variant of thwang, old form of thong.
•wharf (hworf), n. A landing-
place for goods by the side of
a river, harbour, canal, etc.,
usually consisting of a platforrr
of timber or masonry. pi.

wharVCS (hw6rvz). V.t. To mOQl

at a wharf ; to deposit or store
(goods) on a wharf. (F. debarcadere, quai ;
mouiller, debarquer.}

Wharves parallel with the shore or river-
bank are called quays. Large projecting
wharves are known as piers. In harbours
and rivers frequented by cargo boats
cargoes are loaded and unloaded chiefly
from and on to wharves. A wharfingei
(hworf in jer, ».) is a man who owns or
manages a wharf. Wharfage (hworf ij, n.}
is a charge made for the use of a wharf.

Wharf.— The great wharf at Westerplatte in the Free City of
Danzig, in the delta of the River Vistula.

Accommodation at a wharf is also known as
wharfage, and so are wharves collectively.
The materials of which a wharf is made are
called wharfing (hworf ing, n.}, a word also
denoting timberwork along the face of a
sea-wall. Wharf-rat (n.) is a name for the
common brown rat (Mus decumanus] which
frequents ships and wharves.

4551

WHAT

WHEAT

A.-S. hwe(a)rf, perhaps originally a place of
turning about, a busy place, from hweorfan to
turn, change, go about ; cp. Dutch werf, G.
werft wharf, O. Norse hvarf turning away,
Swed. warf, G. werben to make an effort (to get
something), be busy. SYN. : n. Quay.

what (hwot), pron. Which thing or
things ? that or those which ; anything
that ; the things that ; whatever ; (as an
exclamation) how much ? which thing or
things ? adj. Which (in kind, amount,
number, quality, name, etc.) from an un-
limited selection ; how great, remarkable,
or ridiculous ; as much as ; as many as ;
any that ; such as. adv. To what extent ?
to what degree ? how much ? partly (with) ;
considering (onje thing with another).

When we ask a question that offers a
wide area of choice or possibility we use the
interrogative adjective or pronoun " what "
instead of "which," as in " what plays have
you seen lately ? " " what is your name ? "
We are then asking for a selection to be
made from an indefinite number of plays or,
from our point of view, all possible names.
But if we limit the person's choice to some
three or four plays about which we have
been speaking, we ask which of these he
has seen. Similarly, if his name is one of
a limited number on a list, we ask which is
his name.

The interrogative pronoun is often used
alone with the implied meaning " what did
you say ? "

In exclamations, the adjective is used
to express astonishment at the striking
nature of the thing denoted by the noun
it qualifies. For example, " What foolish-
ness ! " " What a genius the man is ! "
The pronoun is used similarly,
as in " What he has undergone ! "
which means " what things, l
sufferings, experiences."

As a relative, the adjective
occurs in the sentence " he took
what money he could find,"
and the pronoun in "I mean
what I say." The adverb is
used interrogatively in " what
do I care ? " that is, " how
much do I care ? " In collo-
quial language we sometimes use
" what with," as in "I was
very busy, what^ with one thing
and another " which means
" busy, parti}!? with one thing
and partly with others."

" What ho ! " is a more or
less jocular exclamation used in
greeting or accosting a person.
" What next ? " is used in the
exclamatory sense of " monstrous ! " " ab-
surd ! " The colloquial phrase " but what "
is used as a conjunction in the sense of " but,"
" but that," as in " not a week passes but
what I think of you." " What for ? "
means " for what reason or purpose ? "

But to give a person what for is to punish
him or rate him in plain language.

When we reckon up a list of things we
sometimes add " and what not," which
means other similar, and perhaps less
important, things. An article of furniture
with shelves for displaying curiosities,
knick-knacks, and what not, is known as
a what-not (n.). " What of that ? " means
" never mind."

A person is said, colloquially, to know
what's what when he knows the real thing
or can tell a genuine or good thing from
one that is false or inferior.

The indefinite senses of " what " are
intensified in the word whatever (hwot ev' er,
pron.), which means all that which, anything
that, or whatever (adj.) things, as in " he
gave them whatever they asked." In the
sentence " whatever luck you have," the
adjective means " no matter what." Some
authorities consider that this word should
be written as two words, " what ever." In
poetry the abbreviated form whate'er (hwot
ar', pron. and adj.) is sometimes used for
reasons of metre.

A.-S. hwaet, neuter of hwd who.

whatsoever (hwot so ev' er), pron.
and adj. Whatever. (F. tout ce que, quoi
que.)

In poetry, whatsoever is sometimes abbre-
viated for reasons of metre to whatsoe'er
(hwot so ar').

From E. what, so and ever.

whaup (hwawp), n. A Scottish name
for the larger curlew (Numenius arquata). (F.
courlis.)

Imitative of the bird's cry.

fflj

Wheat.— Reaping wheat in New South Wales, Australia,
ears, or spikes, of an improved kind of wheat.

Inset,

wheat (hwet), n. An annual cereal
grass of the genus Triticum, bearing a spike
with many flowered spikelets, without
stalks ; the seed or grain of this which is
ground into flour for bread. (F. froment, ble.)

The majority of the wheats cultivated to

4552

WHEATEAR

WHEEL.

provide the world's bread are varieties of
the common wheat (Triticum vulgare}. In
warm, dry climates club wheat (T. com-
pactum) is often grown. Its short and very
stiff stalks remain standing when the plant
is ripe, and the seeds do not fall readily
from the spikes. Other common varieties
are known as spelts.

A wheaten (hwef en, adj.} loaf is one
made of wheat. Various insects whose
larvae do damage to the wheat plant are
given the name of wheat- fly (n.), including
the Hessian fly. Couch-grass (T. repens) is
sometimes called wheat-grass («.). It is a
wild species of wheat.

Common Teut. word. A.-S. ' hwdete ; cp.
Dutch weit, G. weizen, O. Norse hveiti, Swed.
vete all from the root of E. white, from the
whiteness of the flour.

wheatear (hwef er), n. A migratory
British bird (Saxicola
oenanthe). (F. traquet,
motteux.)

The wheatear, also
known as the white-
tail, has white plumage
on its tail, breast, and
under parts. The wings
are black and the
upper parts grey.
Wheatears arrive in
Britain early in March
and migrate towards
the end of autumn.
They nest upon the
ground, and frequent
solitary places, such
as downs, mountain
slopes, and barren
uplands. They feed
mainly on insects.

Earlier forms are
wheat ears, wheatyear,
apparently the original
sense was white rump,
akin to whitt ail a
synonym ; cp. Dutch
wit s t a ar t, G. weiss-
schwanz.

wheedle (hwed' 1),
v.t. To persuade or
gain over by endear-
ments or flattery ; to humour ; to coax (into
doing something, etc.) ; to obtain (from)
or get (out of) by coaxing or flattery ; to
cheat (out of) by these means. (F. cdliner,
enjoler.)

People who habitually wheedle promises
or gifts out of others have a wheedling (hwed'
ling, adj.) manner, and obtain their desires
wheedlingly (hwed' ling li, adv.), or in a
wheedling way. The wheedler (hwed' ler,
n.) is usually regarded with contempt.

Possibly from G. wedeln to wag the tail, fawn
like a dog. More probably from A.-S. waedlian
to be poor, beg. SYN. : Cajole, coax, flatter,
humour.

wheel (hwel), n. A solid disk or
circular frame turning on its axis, used in

Wheatear. — The wheatear, also called the stone-
chat and the white-tail. It is a migratory British bird.

vehicles, machinery, etc., to make move-
ment easier or reduce friction ; an apparatus
or instrument consisting principally of a
wheel ; a steering-wheel ; a bicycle ; an
object resembling a wheel ; a disk ; an
old instrument of torture ; torture on this
instrument ; the act of wheeling ; a spell
of wheeling ; circular motion ; rotation ;
a cart-wheel, or somersault made sideways ;
an evolution of troops in which each rank
swings round or partly round the man at
one end, as if round a pivot ; any similar
motion of a line of warships, aeroplanes,
etc. v.t. To move or push (a wheeled
vehicle, etc.) ; to cause to swing or turn
round as on a pivot, v.i. To swing round a
centre ; to change direction ; to turn
round ; to move in circles or curves ; to
ride a bicycle. (F. roue, bicyclette, disque,
tour, rotation, conversion ; rouler, faire pivoter ;
faire une conversion,
alley en bicyclette.)

Thousands of years
H ago men found that
iflll heavy objects could be
dragged easily over
rollers placed on the
ground. The disad-
vantage of this method
was that the rollers
had to be moved con-
stantly as the load
advanced. The next
step was to attach
primitive wheels — pro-
bably slices cut from a
tree-trun k — to the
I load, so that it took
J its rollers with it. The
* rough disks of wood
| were eventually re-
placed by wheels built
up of a rim and other
parts, arranged to
combine lightness with
great strength. The
strongest wheel for its
l^jK weigfrt is the wire
" wheel, as used on
bicycles.

Wheels are used for
other purposes than carrying weight. Many
engines have a fly-wheel to make them run
steadily. Water-wheels drive mills, paddle-
wheels propel ships, which are generally
guided by steering-wheels. Most machines
contain gear-wheels or cog-wheels, used
either to modify or transmit speed. Driving
belts turn over pulley-wheels, and driving
chains over chain-wheels.

A swallow may be said to wheel and dip
as it flies. To an observer on the earth,
the constellations appear to wheel round
the pole-star in the course of a year. Troops
wheel when they make a part turn in ranks
about a pivot.

In the Middle Ages, criminals and others
were broken upon the wheel, that is, they

4553

i o 7

WHEEZE

WHEEZE

Wheel.— Miss Joan Fry, the lawn-tennis player,
seated at the wheel of her motor-boat.

Wheel.— Royal Air Force mechanics standing by
one of the wheels of a mammoth aeroplane.

Wheelbarrow. — A little boy giving hie
in a wheelbarrow.

pets a ride

were tied, spread-eagle fashion, to a wheel
and tortured to death.

The wheel-and-axle (n.) is one of the mech-
anical powers. It consists of a wheel fixed
on the end of an axle. Power is applied
to the rim of the wheel and the load is
lifted by a rope winding on to the axle.
The device is an application of the lever
principle, the leverage being obtained by the
difference between the diameters of the
wheel and axle.

The scientific toy called the zoetrope is
also known as the wheel of life («.). Any
intricate machinery of designs and plots is
described as wheels within wheels. This is
a reference to one of the visions in Ezekiel
(i, 1 6). Fortune is fabled to turn a wheel,
and so we speak, figuratively, of failure and
success as turns of fortune's wheel.

A wheel-animalcule (n.) is a rotifer.
The ordinary garden wheelbarrow (n.) is
a barrow with a single wheel in front and
two handles behind. A wheel-chair (n.) is
a chair on wheels, especially a bath chair,
for the use of invalids.

When a vehicle is hauled by a team of
horses, the horse, or either of the pair of
horses, nearest the wheels, is called a wheel-
horse (n.), or wheeler (hwel' er, n.), as
distinguished from the leader. The wheeler
of a wheelbarrow is one who wheels it.

The wheel-house (n.) of a ship is a struc-
ture enclosing the steering-wheel. The man
at the wheel is the steersman. A water-
wheel is sometimes enclosed in a structure
called a wheel-house. An old type of gun-
lock, in which the powder was ignited by the
friction of a small wheel worked by a spring,
was called a wheel-lock (n.).

A wheel-shaped (adj.) window, that is, a
circular one, with mullions radiating from
its centre like the spokes of a wheel, is named
a wheel-window (n.), or catherine-wheel. A
wheel-stone (hwel' ston, n.) is an entrochite
(which see). The part of the wheel of,
a vehicle that touches the ground, etc., is
the wheel-tread (n.).

A wheelwright (hwel' rit, n.) is a maker
of wheels and wheeled (hweld, adj.) vehicles,
that is, vehicles moving on wheels. A
tricycle is a three-wheeled vehicle. Sleighs
are wheelless (hwel' les, adj.), that is, without
wheels.

A.-S. hweol, earlier hweogul ; cp. Dutch wiel,
Swed. hjul, O. Norse hjol, Rus. koleso, Gr.
kyklos circle, polos axis. SYN. : v. Gyrate, rotate.

\vheeze (hwez), v.i. To breathe with
an audible, whistling sound, as in asthma.
v.t. To utter (words) in this way. n. The
sound of wheezing ; in the theatre, a
humorous gag ; a comical stock phrase ; a
dodge; a trick; a notion. (F. siffler ;
sifflement, plaisanterie, facetie.)

A person who wheezes is said to be
wheezy (hwez' i, adj.), and, when he
wheezes out some remark, it is spoken
wheezily (hwez' i li, adv.), or with a wheeze.
A wheezy harmonium is one in which the

4554

WHELK

WHERE

friction of escaping air is heard when it is
played. Asthma is one of the causes of
wheeziness (hwez' i nes, n.}, that is, the
state of being wheezy, in human beings,
especially when they are old.

An apt suggestion is described, collo-
quially, as a good wheeze.

Probably from O. Norse hvaesa, to hiss*

•whelk [i] (hwelk), n. A spiral-shelled
marine mollusc of the genus Buccinum,
and allied genera, especially the common
whelk (B. undatum) used for food. (F.
buccin.)

The whelk, like the snail, is a gasteropod,
and crawls on a broad
muscular foot. With
its tongue, or lingual
ribbon, the whelk
bores into the shells
of other molluscs,
for it is carnivorous,
and does much
damage to mussel-
beds, etc.

The h is intrusive,
perhaps suggested by
whelk [2;. A.-S wiloc,
weluc, weoluc, possibly
akin to Gr. helix screw,
spiral, the shell of the
whelk being spiral.

whelk [2] (hwelk), n. A small pimple,
or pustule. (F. bouton, pustule.}

This old word is now confined to dialect use.

A.-S. hwelca, akin to wheat.

whelm (hwelm), v.t. To overwhelm ;
to engulf, to submerge; to overburden.
(F. accabler, engloutir, ensevelir, plonger,
charger.}

This word is used chiefly in poetry and
rhetorical language.

M.E. whelmen, akin to whelven, hwelfen to roll,

turn, A.-S. dhwylfan to arch over, overwhelm,

from hwealf concave (adj.}, arch (*.) ; cp. Dutch

• welven, G. wolben, O. Norse hvelfa to upset,

overturn, vault, from hvalf vault. The original

. meaning seems to be to overturn (a round vessel) ,

so as to cover something else completely.

Whelm as a v. may be derived from an

assumed n. hwelfm, f being dropped owing

to the difficulty of pronunciation.

whelp (hwelp), n. A pup or cub ;
an offensive, ill-mannered youth. (F. jeune
chien, our son, lionceau ours mal leche.} '

This word is now seldom used in its
literal sense, except in literature. Puppies,
and the young of certain wild animals,
especially lions, tigers, bears, and wolves,
were once commonly known as whelps. In
one of his letters, Sir Walter Scott des-
cribed Lord Byron, the great poet, as a
young whelp.

A -S. hwelp, Dutch welp, G. welf, O. Norse
hvelp-r. '

when (hwen), adv. At what or which
time ? on what occasion ? how soon ?
how long ago ? at the or any time that ;
at which (time) ; as soon as ; at or just
after ; after which ; while, pron. What

Whelk.— Whelks under seaweed. The whelk,
spiral-shelled marine mollusc, is used for food.

time ? which time. n. Occasion ; time.
(F. quand, lorsque, a quelque moment que,
des que, apres quoi, pendant que.}

This word is often used in asking questions
relating to the time of an occurrence.
" When did he go out ? " means " at what
time did he go out ? " The adverb is used
relatively in " the day when I went away
for my holiday," " I will come when I can."
Sometimes the adverb is used elliptically
with a present participle, as in " people resent
interruptions when (or while) reading."

The pronoun is used interrogatively in
" till when is the ticket available ? " We
learn the when and
the how of an event
when we discover its
time and nature. Here
the word is used
as a noun. Whenever
(hwen ev' er, adv.}
means at whatever
time. In poetry, this
word is sometimes
abbreviated to when-
e'er (hwen ar', adv.}.
Whensoever (hwen so
ev' er, adv.} is an em-
phatic, and now arch-
aic, form of whenever,
meaning at what time soever.

M.E. whan, A.-S. hwaenne ; cp. M. Dutch
wan, Dutch wanneer, G. wann, wenn ; akin to
L. quando, Welsh pan.

•whence (hwens), adv. From what or
which place ? where from ? how ? from
which place, source, or origin ; wherefore ;
for which reason, pron. What or which
place or starting-point. (F. d'ou, pourquoi.}
This word is used both interrogatively and
as a relative. In questions it is more or less
archaic. Instead of " whence comes that
aeroplane?" we say "'where does that
aeroplane come from ? " In figurative uses,
as " whence comes it that he is angry ? "
we say " how is it " or " why is it " instead
of " whence comes it."

It is less usual, except in poetry and
poetical prose, to say that a person returned
" whence he came," than " to the place
from which he came." In this last example
" whence " is used as a relative. Whence-
soever (hwens so ev' er, adv.} means " where-
ever from" or " from whatever place or
source."

M.E. whennes (s adverbial, really a gen.
ending), earlier whanene, from A.-S. hwanan ; cp.
G. wannen. See when.

whenever (hwen ev' er). For this
word, and whensoever, see under when.

•where (hwar), adv. At or in what
place, situation, etc. ? to what place ?
whither ? in what direction ? in what
circumstances ? in which (place, or places,
etc.) ; in or to the, or any, place or direc-
tion, etc. pron. What place ? which
place. (F. oil.}

This word is used both interrogatively

4555

WHERRY

WHERRY

and as a relative. In the sentence " where
is the railway station ? " we use the inter-
rogative adverb. This is sometimes given
a special shade of meaning, as in " where
(or in what book), did you read that ? "
Examples of the relative adverb occur in
the following phrases : "a concert where
smoking is prohibited " ; "go where you
like."

The pronoun is used interrogatively in
" where does he come from ? " In collo-
quial speech it is also used relatively, as in
" Brighton is where he comes from."

The word " where " is combined with a
number of prepositions, each of which is
written with it as one word. These com-
pounds have in the past been widely used
instead of the interrogative pronoun
" what " and the relative pronoun " which "
written separately before or after the same
prepositions. Examples of these combina-
tions follow. Many are now confined to
formal phraseology, or to poetry or poetical
prose. In ordinary language they are
generally used only in a facetious manner,
or misused by uneducated speakers and
writers.

The word whereabout (hwar a bout',
adv.), meaning "in or near what place ? "
" about where ? " is now seldom used. Its
place is taken by whereabouts (hwar a
boutz', adv.), used interrogatively in " where-
abouts do you live ? " A fugitive from
justice endeavours to conceal his where-
abouts (hwar' a bouts, n.), that is, the place
where he is. If we do not know the
whereabouts of a book, we are unlikely to
be able to find it.

An important word in legal documents,
and one often written or printed in large
letters, is whereas (hwar az', conj.), which
means considering that, in view of the fact
that. In ordinary use this word is em-
ployed to raise an objection or point out
a misstatement, as in the following sentence :
" he told me he was in school yesterday,
whereas he was playing truant." Here
the word means " but on the contrary."

The formal and more or less archaic word
whereat (hwar at', adv.), that is, at which,
is used as a relative. For example, " he
said that he had solved the problem of per-
petual motion, whereat we all laughed."
Whereby (hwar bi', adv.) was formerly used
interrogatively in the sense of " by what ? "
It is still used relatively to mean " by
which," as in " there is no chemical agent
whereby lead can be turned into gold."

In legal language wherefor (hwar for',
adv.) is used relatively in the sense of " for
which." This word is an alternative form
of wherefore (hwar' for, adv.), used inter-
rogatively with the meaning " for what
reason ? " ; " why ? " and, relatively, with
the meaning " for which reason," " on which
account." The why and the wherefore (n.)
of anything are its cause or reason.

Only in archaic and formal language

do we meet with wherefrom (hwar from',
adv.), that is, from which, whence, as in " a
source wherefrom ideas come." This is true
also of wherein (hwar in', adv.], a word
having the interrogative meaning " in what
place ? " "in what respect ? etc.," and
the relative meaning " in which place, thing
condition, etc."

Similarly archaic or formal words are
whereinsoever (hwar in so ev' er, adv.], in
whatever respect, matter, etc. ; whereinto
(hwar in' tu, adv.], into which place ; whereof
(hwar ov', adv.), of which or whom, with
respect of, in regard to which ; whereon
(hwar on', adv.], on which, onto which.

A definitely archaic word is whereout
(hwar out', adv.), which means out of which.
Wheresoever (hwar so ev7 er, adv.] is used
only in poetry and formal writing. It
means in or to whatever place, or wherever.
Wherethrough (hwar throo', adv.) means
through which ; whereto (hwar too', adv.),
to which ; and whereunder (hwar un' der,
adv.], under which.

More general use is made of whereupon
(hwar u pon', adv.), meaning upon which,
immediately after or as a result of which.
The word wherever (hwar ev' er, adv.) is
used interrogatively chiefly in colloquial
language, as in the sentence " wherever did
you buy that hat ? " It has the meaning
of " where ? " but is more emphatic and
implies a surprised or puzzled state of mind
in the questioner. The adverb is also used as a
relative, meaning : at, in, or to whatever place,
etc. For instance, the lamb in the nursery
rhyme followed Mary wherever she went.

In poetry, wherever is sometimes abbre-
viated to where'er (hwar ar', adv.). Both
wherewith (hwar with', adv.) and where-
withal (hwar with awl', adv.) have the mean-
ings "with what?" and "with which." Used
interrogatively, both are now rare. We do
not say that a man bought a hat wherewith
(or by means of which) to cover his head,
unless as a deliberate archaism. This is
true also of relative
uses of "where-
withal," but, in col-
loquial language, the
necessary means or
resources (especially
money) for doing a
thing are described
as the wherewithal
(hwar' with awl, n.).
M.E. wher, whar,
A.-S. hwder ; cp Dutch
waar, O.H.G. hwar, G.
war- in war-um, O.
Norse hvar. The word
is from the relative
who, and parallel to
here, there,
n. A light, shallow

Wherry. — A Thames

waterman's wherry

crossing the river.

wherry (hwer' i)

rowing boat plying on rivers, etc. ; a type
of large sailing barge used on the Norfolk
Broads. (F. esquif, canot.)

4556

WHET

WHIDAH

To sharpen by rub-

Wherry. — A roomy and comfortable motor wherry
which plies on inland waters.

Wherries are used chiefly for carrying
passengers and goods on inland waters. A
Norfolk wherry is a decked boat of shallow
draught. A man in charge of a wherry is
a wherryman (hwer' i man, n.).

Possibly connected with O. Norse hverja
to turn, with reference to the lightness of
the boat, which turns easily. Perhaps akin
to whir, whirl.

whet (hwet), v.t.
bing on a stone, etc. ;
to excite or stimu-
late, n. The act of
whetting; something
that whets or stimu-
lates the appetite ; a
dram. (F. affiler,
repasser, stimuler ;
affilage, aperitif,
coup.}

A shaped piece of
stone on which to
whet a cutting instru
ment is called a whet-
stone (hwet' ston, n.)
or hone. An entree
is intended to whet the appetite. An extract
from a book may whet our desire to read
more of its author's work.

A.-S. hwettan to sharpen, incite, encourage ;
cp. Dutch wetten, G. wetzen, O. Norse hvetja to
sharpen, encourage. SYN. : v. Excite, sharpen.

whether (hwefA' er), conj. Introducing
an indirect question in the form of an alter-
native clause, followed by or, or not, or
whether, or with the alternative unexpressed ;
introducing a conditional sentence, followed
by or, or or whether when the alternative
is stated, pron. In archaic language, which
of the two. (F. si, que ; lequel.}

In the sentence " they do not mind
whether we go out or whether we stay at
home " the alternative is expressed in full.
In " they do not mind whether we go out
or not," the alternative is expressed elliptic-
ally. In " they do not mind whether \ve
go out," the alternative is merely implied.

Originally a pronoun. A.-S. hwaether, from
hwd who, and comparative suffix ; cp. O.H.G.
hwedar, G. weder (now only used negatively),
O. Norse hvdr-r, Gr. koteros, poleros.

Wherry.— The Norfolk

wherry, a craft common

on the Broads.

whetstone (hwet' ston). For this word
see under whet.

whew (hwu ; hwoo), inter. An ex-
clamation of astonishment or consterna-
tion, n. The sound of this. (F. ouais I
oufl}

This is a more or less jocular expression.

Natural expression, representing a whistle.

whey (hwa), n. The watery part of milk
remaining after the butter and casein have
formed curds. (F. petit lait.}

A.-S. hwaeg, Dutch, Low G wei ; cp. Welsh
chwig whey fermented with sour herbs.

which (hwich), pron. What person,
thing, persons or things, of a definite
number ? ; in a subordinate clause, repre-
senting a noun expressed or implied in the
principal clause, adj. What (person, thing,
etc.) of a definite number ? ; used with a
noun to sum up details of, or introduce
additional matter about, an indefinite
antecedent. (F. qui, que, lequel.}

When we ask a question requiring a
selection to be made from a limited or
definite number of things or persons, we use
the interrogative adjective " which," as in
" I prefer China tea to Ceylon tea, which
kind do you prefer ? " But if we say
" tell me, which do you prefer ? " we are
using the interrogative pronoun.

The relative pronoun is used to make what
would ordinarily be an independent sen-
tence, giving fresh information about the
antecedent, into a subordinate clause. For
example, " Tom's party was very enjoy-
able ; it took place on Monday," may be
expressed thus : " Tom's party, which took
place on Monday, was very enjoyable."

The relative adjective is less often used.
It has a somewhat archaic sound. In the
sentence " rain fell for two days, during
which time we had to remain inactive," we
might substitute " during this time or these
days " for " during which time."

The word whichever (hwich ev' er, adj. and
pron.} and its archaic
synonym which-
soever (hwich so ev'
er, adj. and pron.},
correspond to "what-
ever " and " what-
soever," but have
the more limited
range of meaning
that distinguishe s
" which ' ' from
" what."

A.-S. hwilc, from
hwi- (hwd} who, -lie
like ; cp. Dutch welk,
G. welch, O. Norse
hvilik-r.

whidah (hwid' a), n. A widow-bird.
See widow. Another spelling is whydah
(hwid' a).

The name whidah, whidah-bird («.), or

Whidah.— The whidah,

or why d ah, a West

African bird.

4557

WHIFF

WHILOM

smoke, odour, etc. ; an inhalation of tobacco-

whydah-bird (n.) is a corruption of widow- principles as whiggarchy (hwig' ark i, n.).
bird, due to association with the town of To act whiggishly (hwig' ish li, adv.] is to act
Whydah, in Dahomey, West Africa, where according to the views of the Whigs, and
these birds are found\ whiggishness (hwig' ish nes, n.} is the state or

whiff [i] (hwif), n. A light puff of air, quality of being whiggish.

Those of the American colonists who
British rule and fought for their
are also known by the name of
Whigs.

Said to be shortened from whiggamer literally
one who whigs or drives a mare, a name applied
to Presbyterian insurgents in Scotland in 1648.
SYN. : Liberal. ANT. : Conservative, Tory.

•while (hwil), n. A space of time ; the
time during which an action or event takes

smoke ; a small cigar ; a slight puffing or opposed British rule and fought for their
whistling sound ; a discharge of shot ; a freedom

light open sculling boat with outriggers.
v.t. To puff or blow lightly ; to smoke
(a pipe, etc.). v.i. To blow with a whiff;
to smoke a pipe, etc. (F. bouffee, souffle,
petit cigare, esquif ; lancer en bouffees, fumer ;
souffler fumer.}

The whiff of a cigar is the odour of one

carried through the air by a whiff, or puff, of place, conj. As long as ; during the time

that; at the same time as; although.
Another form of the conjunction is whilst
(hwilst), whiles (hwllz) being an archaic form.
v.t. To pass (time) pleasantly. (F. temps,

smoke emitted from it. A smoker is said
colloquially to take a whiff at a cigarette.
A seasoned soldier takes little notice of a
whiff of shrapnel.

Imitative ; cp. Welsh chwiff a puff. See waft. duree ; tant que, pendant que, quoique ;

passer, faire passer.}

A patient recovering from an illness may

11

whiff [2] (hwif), v.i. To fish with a
handline or Lines, usually from a boat,
by towing the bait near the
surface.

In Devonshire and Cornwall
quantities of mackerel are caught
by whiffing from sailing boats.
A spinning bait with a piece of
bright skin from" a mackerel is
used, and the method is really a
form of trolling.

Perhaps from whiff [i], in
the sense of moving lightly and
rapidly.

whiff [3] (hwif), n. A name
for various kinds of flat-fish,
including the smear-dab. (F.
car dine.)

Possibly from whiff (v.), of rapid
movement.

Whig (hwig), n. A member
of the political party in England
which stood for the principles
of political and religious liberty ;
a colonist who supported the

While. — Soldiers in barracks whiling away the time with music
and song while waiting for the rain to stop.

struggle for independence in the American be told by his doctor to take his business
Revolution. adj. Of, relating to, charac- easily for a while, that is, for a spell of time,
teristic of, supported by, or consisting of, There is no danger of starvation while food

Whigs. (F. whig.

In the reign of Charles II (1660-85)
there emerged two great political parties,
each of which bestowed a nickname on
its opponents. In opposition to the Court
party, or Tories, who supported the King in
his struggle for power, was the country
party, or Whigs, who opposed the King,
and fought for the privileges of Parliament.
The members of this party were called in
derision whigs, a name by which the
peasants of western Scotland were known.
About 1850 the Whigs became known as
Liberals.

Whiggish (hwig' ish, adj.) principles are
sometimes referred to as whiggery (hwig' er i,
n.) or whiggism (hwig' izm, n.), and govern-
ment by Whigs or in accordance with their longer.

4558

is plentiful. Casabianca stuck to his post
while the ship burned round him — while,
that is, whereas, the crew had fled into
safety.

Treats which come once in a while, that is,
occasionally, are enjoyed much more than
frequent treats. A thing is worth while if
it repays one for the time, labour, or
money spent on it.

Originally a noun meaning a space of time.
A.-S. liwll time ; cp. Dutch wijl, G. weile
time, O. Norse hvlla bed, rest, perhaps akin to
L. quies rest, quiet. See tranquil.

whilom (hwl' 16m), adv. Formerly.
adj. Of a former time.

This archaic word is still used in poetical
writing. A whilom friend means one who
was formerly a friend, but who is so no

WHILST

WHIN SILL

A.-S. hwllum at times, dative pi. of hwll while,
time. See while. SYN. : adv. Formerly, adj.
Former, quondam, sometime.

•whilst (hwilst). This is another form
of whiles. See under while.

whim (hwim), n. A caprice ; a sudden
fancy ; a freak ; in mining, a device used
for hoisting ore to the surface. (F. caprice,
fantaisie, treuil, cabzstan.}

We all know people who are full of whims,
or curious ideas, generally about themselves.
We may say that they are whimsical (hwim'
zi kal, adj.], but usually when we speak of
a whimsical person or say that such a one
has whimsical ideas wre mean he has humor-
ous or fantastic notions and talks whim-
sically (hwim' zi kal li, adv.], or fancifully,
about everyday matters, giving them an
. atmosphere of whimsicality (hwim zi kal'
i ti, n.}, or whimsicalness (hwim' zi kal nes,
n.}, which is a kind
of humorous charm.

A capricious person
is sometimes said to
be whimmy (hwim' i,
adj.}. A fantastic or
eccentric notion or an
odd fancy is sometimes
called a whimwham
(hwim' hwam, n.}, and
in an old - fashioned
way a whim or fancy is
sometimes spoken of
as a whimsy (hwim'
zi, •«.).

Perhaps Scand. Cp. O.
Norse hvima to wander
with the eyes, as if
silly or frightened, Dan.
vimse to fidget, fluster,
vimset fidgety, scatter-
brained, Norw. kvim
folly. SYN. : Crotchet,
vagary.

whimbrel (hwim'
brel), n. A small wading bird (Numenius
phaeopus), allied to the curlew. (F. courlis,
courlieu.}

The whimbrel is a very small variety
of curlew. Its plumage is a pale grey,
with streaks of brown on neck and breast ;
the underparts are white, and the feet and
legs dark grey. It is highly valued for- food,
and the eggs are considered a choice dainty.
So called from its cry ; cp. whimper, dotterel.

whimper (hwim' per), v.i. To cry
in a feeble, peevish voice ; to whine, v.t.
To utter in a voice of this kind. n. A low,
whining cry. (F. pleurnicher, geindre ; dire
en pleurnichant ; pleurnichement.}

A dog whimpers, or whines, when it wants
something, and sometimes, instead of cry-
ing aloud, a child will make a low, fretful
noise, which is called whimpering (hwim'
per ing, n.}. Poets speak of the whimpering
of the winds or of them sounding whimper-
ingly (hwim' per ing li, adv.], or plaintively,
through the trees. A child or dog that

Whimbrel. — The whimbrel. a small wadinz bird
related to the curlew.

whimpers may be called a whimperer (hwim'
per er, n.}.

Probably imitative, frequentative of obsolete
E. whimp in same sense ; cp. Sc. whimmer, G-
wimmern. SYN. : v. and n. Whine.

whimsical (hwim' zi kal). For this
word, whimwham, etc., see under whim.

whin [i] (hwin), n. Furze or gorse.
(F. ajonc, genet epineux.}

Both species of gorse are popularly called
whin, but especially the larger species
( Ulex europaeus) . The whinchat (n.} — Pratin-
cola rubetra — a small bird that nests on the
ground and is closely related to the wheatear,
gets its popular name from haunting whinny
(hwin' i, adj.], or gorsy, places.

Probably akin to Norw. hvin a sort of grass.

whin [2] (hwin), n. A hard variety of
rock, especially basalt, chert, or quartzose
sandstone. (F. trapp.}

Whin is a shortened
form of whinsill (hwin '
sil, n.}, or whinstone
(hwin' ston, n.}. This
is a northern word.

M.E. quin.

•whine (hwfn), v.i.
To utter a plaintive,
drawling cry ; to com-

Elain in a peevish or
abyish way. v.t. To
utter (words) plain-
tively or peevishly.
n. A whining cry cr
sound ; a mean or
trivial complaint. (F.
geindre; gemir;
gemissement, plainte.}

A dog left out in the
rain generally whines
until it is let in. A
boy is said to whine
if he goes home and
tells his mother in a complaining voice
that he has been hit with a cricket ball.
Such a whiner (hwin' er, n.} is never popular,
for no one with self-respect complains
whiningly (hwin' ing li, adv.] when things go
wrong.

Probably imitative. A.-S. hwlnan to hiss,
whizz (of an arrow) ; cp, O. Norse hvlna, Swed.
hvina, Dan. hvine to shriek, whistle, G. weinen
to weep.

whinny [i] (hwin' i). For this word
see under whin [i].

whinny [2] (hwin' i), v.i. To neigh
in a pleased way. n. An act or sound of
this kind. (F. hennir ; hennissement.}

The word whinny is chiefly associated
with horses, the noise they make when
they are pleased being called whinnying
(hwin' i ing, n.}.

Imitative ; perhaps akin to whine ; cp. L.
hinnue.

whinsill (hwin' sil). For this word,
and whinstone, see under whin [2].

4559

WHIP

WHIP

whip (hwip), v.t. To lash, flog, or thrash ;
to drive on or manage with a whip ; to
cause (a top, etc.) to spin by means of
lashes ; figuratively, to lash with sarcastic
words ; to get the better of ; to move sud-
denly and quickly ; to thicken (cream or
eggs) by beating , to oversew (two edges of
material) ; in fly-fishing, to cast (a line) over
a stream ; nautically, to hoist (a weight)
by means of a rope passed through a single
pulley , to bind (a stick, etc.) with a close
covering of twine, v.i. To move or turn
nimbly, n. A lash attached to a handle,
used for driving animals or for punish-
ment ; a driver of horses ; a hunt official
who manages hounds ; in Parliament, a
member whose duty it is to ensure the
attendance of the members of his party at
divisions ; the summons sent out to mem-
bers by a parliamentary whip ; a rope
passed over a pulley to hoist a weight.
(F. foucttcr, fane

' avancer , flageller,

enlever vitement, sur-
jeter, surlier; s'elan-
cer ; fouet, cravache,
cocker, valet de chiens,
secretaire d'un parti,
appel, cartahu.}

In training a
young animal we
may have to whip
it. A sarcastic
person may whip, or
get the better of, his
opponent in an
argument by whip-
ping him with sar-
casm. When children arrive at the seaside
on a hot day they usually whip off their
clothes and enjoy a bathe. •

Just as, in hunting, the whips encourage
and urge on the lag-
ging hounds, so the
parliamentary whips
are charged with
the duty of keeping
up the" enthusiasm
and also the attend-
ance of their party
in the House. Before
an important mea-
sure is to be put
to the vote a whip,
or call, is sent out to
all members of a
party, in order that it
may be represented
at full strength.

The old-fashioned phrase, to ride with
whip and spur, means to ride at top speed,
or proceed with frantic haste. The
lash of a whip is made of whip-cord (n.},
which is a hard twisted cord ; whip-cord
is also the name of a durable material
used largely for soldiers' breeches. A whip-
crane (n.) is a simple form of crane of the
wheel-and-axle type, the wheel being turned

Whip. — A rope and single

block for lifting is called

a whip.

Whipping.— A piece of

rope with whipping at

each end of it.

by a rope running to a winding barrel.
The pulley used for an ordinary hoisting
whip is called a whip-gin (n.). The form of
graft called whip-graft (n.) is a combination
of splice-grafting and saddle-grafting. To
whip-graft (v.t.) fruit trees is to graft them
in this way.

J

Whip scorpion. — The whip scorpion. Although

some whip scorpions look rather like true scorpions,

they actually differ in very many ways.

A person's whip-hand (n.) is that which
holds the whip when riding or driving, usually
the right hand. To have the whip-hand
over a person is to be able to control him.
An ordinary driving whip is made up of a
long flexible whip-handle (n.), or whip-
stock (n.), with a tapering whip-lash (n.)
on the end of it. The whip-ray (n.) is the
sting-ray, a fish with poisonous spines on
its whip-like tail. People in distress are
sometimes helped by a whip-round (».),
that is, a subscription got up among their
friends. To whip-round (v.i.) is to make a
collection for charitable purposes.

The whip scorpion (n.) of Africa, southern
Asia, and tropical America belongs to the
order Pedipalpi. The whip scorpion proper
has a whip-like thread to its tail.

The name whip-snake (n.) is given to
various snakes of long, slender, whip-like
form, such as those of the genus Dryophis.
A boy keeps a whip-top (n.), or whipping-
top (n.), in motion by lashing it at inter-
vals with a whip. A whipper (hwip' er,
n.) is one who whips ; a whipper-in (n.)
is a whip attached to a hunt. A pushful
but insignificant person may be called a
whipper-snapper (n.).

The old woman who lived in a shoe gave
her many children a whipping (hwip' ing, n.),
that is, punishment with a whip, before
sending them to bed. The pitched twine
used to bind the head to the shaft of a golf-
club is called whipping. In old days a
young prince was attended by a whipping-
boy («.), who was whipped whenever the

4560

WHIPPET

WHIRL

Whipping-post. — A representation of a prisoner
at the whipping-post.

prince earned a whipping. One may still
see here and there a whipping- post (n.), to
which people were tied to be whipped for
some crime. A fishing-rod is very whippy
(hwip' i, adj.), that is, flexible like a
whip.

The original idea is that of rapid movement.
M.E. wippen to tremble, flap ; cp. Dutch wippen
to swing, shake, G. to
move up and down,
L. vibrdre to shake.
SYN : v. Chastise, con-
quer, thrash, urge.

whippet (hwip'et),
n. A small racing
dog, a cross between
a greyhound and a
terrier; a light, fast
military tank. (F.
levrette.}

Perhaps from the
phrase whip it to move
briskly.

whip - poor - will
(hwip' pur wil), n.
An American bird
belonging to the genus
Antrostomus. (F.
engoulevent.)

The whip-poor-will
(A. vociferus) is a near
relative of the nightjar, which it resembles
in its gaping bill and mottled plumage.

Imitative of the bird's cry.

whir (hwer), v.i. To revolve, fly, or
move rapidly and with a whizzing
sound, n. A whirring or whizzing sound.
Another form is whirr (hwer). (F. tourner

Whippet. — The whippet, a small racing dog
used for rabbit-coursing.

vitement, tournoyer en bou rdonnant ;
bourdonnement.)

The wheels of machinery in motion whir,
or whiz round, and sometimes we can hear
the whir of the propeller of an aeroplane
that is flying too high to be visible.

Cp. Dan. hvirre, akin to E. wharf and whirl.
SYN. : v. and n. Whiz.

whirl (hwerl), v.t. To make to spin
rapidly ; to carry away or remove in some-
thing that turns round ; to snatch away.
v.i. To spin round and round quickly ; to
move round quickly ; to move along swiftly ;
of the brain, etc., to seem to spin. n. A
whirling motion ; something that moves
or seems to move with a whirling motion.
(F. faire tourner, emporter rapidement;
tournoyer, rouler ; tourbillonnement, tourbillon.)
Ballet-dancers are taught to whirl, or spin,
round on their toes. Agitation or e.xcite-
ment may put our thoughts in a whirl. A
doctor, summoned unexpectedly to an urgent
case, will jump on his car and be whirled
away. A ball-and-socket joint, such as
the knee-cap, is sometimes called a whirl-
bone (n.). At a point where currents of
water from different directions meet a
whirlpool («.), or eddy, is formed, the water
spinning round and about a central hollow.
Whirlpools also occur where, water flows
downward through a hole. A miniature
whirlpool is seen when the plug is removed
from a fixed washing-basin.

In a whirlwind (n.) a column of hot, rising
air spins round a centre, which keeps
moving forward. It may be but a few
inches or feet across, like the eddies one
sometimes sees on dusty roads in hot weather,
while in other cases it may assume the size
of a tornado and be
immensely destructive.
A whirler (hwerl ' er,
n.) is one who or that
which whirls. B y
means of an apparatus
called a whirling-table
(n.) a lecturer can
show the effects of
centrifugal force on
things made to spin
very quickly. Another
kind of whirling-table,
with a long arm
revolved by an engine,
is used for testing
the air-resistance and
lifting force of spars
and vanes of different
shapes.

The term whirligig
(hwerl ' i gig, n.) is
applied to various kinds of spinning toys.
The word is used also of a merry-go-round
at a fair, and of a species of beetle which
darts about in circular paths on the surface
of ponds. The expression, the whirligig of
time, means figuratively the changes brought
by the lapse of time.

much

4561

WHIRR

WHIST

Probably from O. Norse hvirfla to whirl, fre-
quentative of hyerfa to turn ; cp. A.-S. hweorfan
to turn, G. wirbeln to eddy, whirl. See wharf.
SYN. : v. Gyrate, spin, twirl, n. Gyration, spin,
twirl.

whirr (hwer). This is another form of
whir. See whir.

Whirl. — A North American Indian woman whirling
a rope round her body.

whisk (hwisk), v.t. To sweep or brush
(away) ; to carry off suddenly and rapidly ;
to shake or move about quickly ; to beat
(eggs) to a froth, v.i. To move swiftly
or suddenly, n. A sudden sweeping move-
ment ; an instrument used for beating up
cream, eggs, etc. ; a small bunch of feathers,
hair, etc. ; used for removing dust, etc.
(F. balayer, en-lever subitement, agiter, battre ;
passer "a toute vitesse ; ntouvement subit,
vergette, epoussette.}

If we tease a cat it may whisk its tail
to show its annoyance. Maids often use
a whisk, or feather brush, to dust shelves
containing valuable china. A person who
talks instead of eating his dinner rnay find his
plate whisked away before he has finished.

The hair that grows on a man's face is
whisker (hwisk' er, n.}, but nowadays we
usually speak of it as whiskers. Cats, dogs,
and many other animals are also whiskered
(hwisk' erd, adj.), their whiskers being
stiff bristles growing from the upper lip.

Probably of Scand. origin. Properly wisk ; cp.
Swed. viska to whisk, sponge, O. Norse visk a
wisp ; also Dutch wisschen, G. wischen, A.-S.
weoxian (= wiscian) to cleanse.

whisky [i] (hwis' ki), n. A strong
spirit usually distilled from malted barley,
but sometimes from other grains. Another
form is whiskey (hwis'ki). (F. whisky.)

Excessive drinking of whisky may produce
in the drinker a form of alcoholic poisoning,
sometimes spoken of as whisky-liver («.).
A drink of hot whisky and water is sometimes
called whisky-toddy («.).

Gaelic, Irish uisge beatha = water of life (cp.
usquebaugh] .

whisky [2] (hwis' ki), n. A light chaise
or gig formerly used for rapid travelling.
(F. wiski.}

See whisk.

whisper (hwis' per), v.i. To speak in
a very low voice ; to speak without resonant
tone ; to talk confidentially ; to plot
mischief or talk slander ; to rustle, v.t.
To say or tell in a low voice or privately, n.
A remark made in a very low voice ; a
whispering tone of voice ; a hint or insinua-
tion. (F. chuchoter, sonffler, murmurer ;
dire a I'oreille; parole dite a voix basse,
murmure, demi-mot.)

We whisper something to another person
when we do not wish the others present to
hear what we are saying. On the stage,
actors show by gestures when they whisper,
as their stage whispers must be - made in
an ordinary tone, so that the audience
can hear them. On a still night the wind
whispers, or makes a whispering (hwis' per
ing, n.), through the trees.

When we say that there is not a whisper
of truth in a certain charge we mean there
is not a suspicion or hint of truth in it. If
we say that a whisper has gone round that
a certain event is likely, we are using the
word in the sense of rumour.

It is not considered polite to whisper or
speak whisperingly (hwis' per ing li, adv.) in
company. The whisperer (hwis' per er, n.)
mentioned in Proverbs (xvi,28) is a tale-
bearer or slanderer. A whispering-gallery
(«.), such as the one in St. Paul's Cathedral,
is a corridor in which a very slight sound,
if made at certain points, can be heard at
certain other points, though it is inaudible
elsewhere. Certain caves have whispering
(adj.) places of the same kind.

Imitative. A.-S. hwisprian ; cp. Dutch
wispelen, G. wispeln, wispern, O. Norse hviskra.

whist [i] (hwist), inter. Silence! be
quiet ! (F. chut ! paix !)

Natural exclamation ; cp. hist, hush. SYN. :
Hush.

whist [2] (hwist), n. A card game for
four persons. (F. whist.)

Whist is not as popular as it was some
thirty years ago, before the introduction of
bridge. It is played with the entire pack
of cards by two players in partnership
against two others, the trump or superior
suit being decided by cutting.

The player on the dealer's left leads a
card, and the others follow with a card of
the same suit if they have one. If not.
they either play a truing or discard.

The one who plays the highest card scores
a trick for himself and partner and leads for

4562

WHISTLE

WHITE

the next round. When all thirteen tricks
have been made the game is over, each
trick above six counting as one point to
the side which scores. Five points con-
stitute a game, and additional points are
scored by the players holding honours in
the trump suit.

A whist-drive (n.) is a kind of whist tourna-
ment in which partners are changed after
every hand, the winners of the hand passing
to the next table. The winner of the drive
is the person who makes the largest number
of tricks in the series of hands.

Formerly whisk, from whisking the cards off
the table (see whisk). Said to have been called
whist later because silence is essential. See
whist (inter.).

whistle (hwis' 1), v.i. To make a shrill
musical sound with the lips or with an
instrument ; to give out this sound ; of
birds, to make a similar sound ; of a missile,
to make such a sound by its swift motion.
v.t. To utter (a tune) by whistling ; to give
a signal to by whistling, n. A whistling
sound ; an instrument for producing such
a sound. (F. siffler ; sifflement, sifflet.}

Most children know
how to whistle. In - z*^^^
whistling a shrill noise
is made by forcing
breath through a
small opening of the
lips. The whistle
of the steam-engine
is a familiar sound to
those who live near a
railway line. In foot-
ball, the beginning,
restart after the half-
time interval, and the
end of a game, and
also the stoppages
during the game, are signalled by the referee
on a whistle. To whistle for one's dinner or
for anything else is to want it, but to have
little chance of getting it. In the olden days
sailors, when the ship was becalmed, used
to whistle for a wind, as they believed this
would cause a wind to blow.

A tin whistle is a simple instrument on
which tunes can be played by a whistler
(hwis' ler, n.}. The whistling or hoary
marmot is called in America the whistler.
Another whistler is the whistling duck (n.)
or American widgeon. A broken-winded
horse is also called a whistler, because it
makes a whistling noise.

Imitative. A.-S. (h)wistlian ; cp. Swed. hvisla to
whistle, O. Norse to whisper ; (n } A.-S. (h)wistle.

whit (hwit), n. A jot ; the smallest
possible amount. (F. iota.)

M.E. wight, A.-S. wiht thing, creature. See
wight, naught. SYN. : Atom, bit, iota, particle,
tittle.

white (hwit), adj. Having the colour
produced by the reflection of all the visible
rays in sunlight, as fresh snow ; approach-
ing this colour ; pale ; light-complexioned ;

Whistles.— 1. Tin whistle. 2. Police whistle. 3.
Bird whistle. 4. Section of a steam whistle.

colourless ; transparent ; pure ; innocent ;
of the hair, silvery, as from age ; harmless ;
anti-revolutionary, v.t. To make white, n.
A white or nearly white colour ; a white
pigment ; a member of one of the light-com-
plexioned races ; the bull's-eye of a target ;
white material ; the albuminous part of an
egg ; the white butterfly ; membranous coat
surrounding the iris in the eye ; in billiards,
a white ball ; (pi.) white clothing ; flour of
a white colour. (F. blanc, pale, incolore,
bleme, pur, grisonnant; blanchir ; blanc.)

The colour we call white is that of a sur-
face which possesses the property of reflecting
all the visible rays in sunlight without
absorbing any of them.

Nothing is quite as white as snow, and
many objects we describe as white have a
faint tinge of another hue, such as yellow,
pink, or blue. Many substances and objects
which are pale in colour are said to be
white, as, for example, hair that has lost its
natural pigment through age or illness, wine
made from the lighter-coloured grapes, and
bread made from wheat from which the
brown outer husk has been removed.

Animals and birds

3Er^g==s^^ whose fur or plumage

is colourless are
spoken of as whites;
cricketers are said to
have changed into
whites when wearing
flannels, and ready for
play.

In a figurative sense,
we speak of a person
who is opposed to revo-
lutionary practices as
a white. The use of
this term arose in the
seventeenth century,

and is associated with the white flag of the
Bourbons, who were the greatest exponents
of royalist ideas in Europe.

There are several kinds of white alloy (n.),
or white metal (n.), a mixture of metals
having the appearance of silver and used
in place of it. German silver is a well-
known example, and Britannia metal is
another.

At one time it was the custom for cabinet
ministers to go to Greenwich at the end
of a session and have a dinner of whitebait
f(n.), which is the fry of the sprat and herring.
It is eaten when about two inches long, and
is considered a delicacy.

The whitebeam (n.) of our hedgerows is
a shrubby tree which bears white flowers
and has leaves with silvery -white under
surfaces. The white bear (n.} is the polar
bear. A white-beard (n.) is an old man with
a white or grey beard. This is also a name
for the plant Styphelia ericoides.

The nickname, Whiteboy («.), from the
fact that they used to wear white shirts
over their ordinary clothes, was given to

4563

WHITE

WHITE

a member of a secret organization among
Irish farmers and agricultural labourers
that was founded in the middle of the
eighteenth century. The practices of the
W'hiteboys, called Whiteboyism (hwif boi
izm, n.), were marked by serious disorder
and much cruelty.

The redstart is sometimes called white-
cap (n.) because of the white feathers on its
forehead. A white corpuscle (n.) is a
leucocyte in the blood. Many mountains
are white-crested (adj.), or white-crowned
(adj.), that is, have white crests or summits,
all the year round, as the snow never melts
on them. Wheat, barley, oats, and rye
are the chief white crops, that is, crops which
whiten as they ripen.

An animal with white
ears is white-eared (adj.).
Illness makes people
white-faced (adj.) in the
sense of pallid. A horse
is white-faced if it has
the streak of white
called a blaze on the
front of its head. The
term white-fish (n.)
means fish generally
which have white flesh
and are not oily. The
salmon, mackerel, her-
ring, and pilchard are,
therefore, not included
among them. Two im-
portant food fishes are
specially known as white-
fish. One is a salmon-
like fish found in the
lakes of North America,
and the other is the
menhaden.

A Carmelite friar is
often called White Friar
(«.), from the white
cloak and scapular worn
by the members of this
mendicant order. In
winter grass and trees
are sometimes covered with white frost (n.),
that is, hoar-frost.

People who do no rough work indoors
or out are white-handed (adj.), their hands
remaining smooth and white ; a person
with hands red and roughened from toil
may be white-handed in the figurative
sense of being free from dishonesty or guilt.
Waves crested with foam are known as
white-horses (n.pl.). A metal is said to
be white-hot (adj.) when heated to such a
degree that it gives out a dazzling light.
The White House (n.) at Washington is
the official residence of the President of
the United States.

The name of white-iron (n.) is given both
to thin sheets of iron coated with tin — more
often called tinned sheets or tinned iron —
and to a very hard, brittle form of cast-
iron, in which nearly all the carbon is

White. — A London policeman regulating

traffic. His white waterproof makes him more

noticeable.

combined with the iron. In some parts of
the country the soil is a stiff, whiteish clay,
named white-land (n.) because it is white
when dry, though dark-coloured when wet.
The white carbo.nate of lead commonly
called white lead (n.) is the base of many
paints. Walls are white-limed (adj.) when
whitewashed (see whitewash). The drain-
ing of blood from the lips by fear makes
a person white-lipped (adj.), that is, pale-
lipped. A white-livered (adj.), which means
cowardly, person, is most likely to be
affected in this way.

Magic used to be called white magic (n.)
if it had no connexion with evil spirits or
witchcraft, but was used for supposedly
beneficial ends, such as
the curing of disease.
It may be a compliment
to be called a white
man (n.), for the term
is applied not only to
a member of the white
races but also to an
upright and generous
person. By white meat
(n.) is meant pork, veal,
and that part of the
flesh of poultry which
is white after cooking.

A parliamentary
report issued by the
British Foreign 'Office
is known as a white
paper («.), because it
lacks the familiar blue
cover of the more
numerous type of report
known as blue-books.
An annual tax of eight-
pence on every tinner
in Devon and Corn-
wall is payable to the
Prince of Wales, who is
lord of the soil of the
d u c h y of Cornwall.
This is known as white
rent (n.).

The so-called white rhinoceros (n.), whose
colour is actually a dark grey, was at one
time common in South Africa, but has been
almost exterminated by big game hunters.
It is the largest known animal of its family.
A whitesmith (n.) is a worker in tinned
iron — more often called a tinsmith— or one
who polishes or finishes forged iron. A
white squall (n.) is a sudden wind-squall at
sea not preceded by clouds.

The whitethorn (n.) is the hawthorn or
May-tree. The whitethroat (n.) is a warbler
of the genus Svlvia, which visits Britain
in spring and summer and nests there.

The liquid called whitewash (n.) consists
of a mixture of slaked lime and water, or
of pulverized chalk, size, and water, used
for whitening walls and ceilings. The first
is generally referred to by builders as lime-
wash, and the second as distemper. In a

4564

WHITEGHAPEL CART

WHITLOW

figurative sense, whitewash means measures
taken to try to clear a person's reputation
from reproach, or to give a better appear-
ance to questionable acts done by him. To
whitewash (v.t.) a wall means to coat it
with whitewash. To whitewash a person is
to clear him from, or cover up, imputations
made against him. A court of law is

Whitethroat. — The whitethroat, which nests in the
British Isles.

said colloquially to whitewash a bankrupt
when it declares him free of his debts. A
whitewasher (n.) is one who makes use of
whitewash either literally or figuratively.

The powers and spells of a white witch
(n.) are used for good ends only. The word
white-wood (n.) is used as a name for various
trees having white timber, including the
North American tulip-tree, and also for the
wood of such trees.

White flowrers show up whitely (hwit' li,
adv.] in the dusk. To whiten (hwit' en, v.t.)
an object is to make it white. Hairs and faces
are said to whiten (v.i.) when they become
white. Chalk is a useful whitener (hwit
ner, n.), that is, a thing used to give white-
ness (hwit' nes, n.), the state or quality of
being white, to other things. Whitening
(hwit' ning, n.) is the act of making or the
state of becoming white. The substance whit-
ing is also called whitening (see whiting [i]).
Ripened ears of corn become whitish (hwit'
ish, adj.), or somewhat white, and so have
whitishness (hwlf ish nes, n.) of appearance.

Common Teut. word. M.E. whit, A.-S. hwlt ;
cp. Dutch wit, G. weiss, O. Norse hvlt-r, Sansk.
pvid to be white. See wheat.

Whitechapel cart (hwit' chap 1 kart),
n. A light two-wheeled spring-cart.

Said to be so named from having originally
been much used in Whitechapel, London.

whitening (hwit' ning). For this
word, whitesmith, etc., see under white.

whither (hwif/»' er), adv. Where ? to
what or which place ? to which ; wheresoever.
(F. ou, a quelque lieu que.)

Whither is used both as an interrogative
and a relative. It is now chiefly found in
poetical works, its place being taken by
" where " in ordinary language. Whither-
ward (hwifA' er ward, adv.) means to which
place or in what direction, and whithersoever
(hwi*A er so ev' er, adv.) means to what place
soever.

M.E. whider, A.-S. hwider, from relative stem
hwi- and comparative suffix as in whether.

whiting [i] (hwit' ing), n. Fine chalk
powdered and freed from impurities. (F.
blanc d'Espagne.)

This substance is used in whitewashing,
distemper painting, and in the manufacture
of putty. Whiting is employed also to
clean glass, plate, etc.

From white (v.), and suffix -ing of what is used
in performing the action of the verb.

'whiting [2] (hwit' ing), n. A salt-
water food -fish belonging to the genus Gadus.
(F. merlan.)

The whiting ... (Gadus merlangus) is so
named from the pearly whiteness of its flesh.
It belongs to the same family as the cod and
haddock, but differs from these fish in having
no barbel under the chin. This barbel is
present in an allied fish, the whiting-pout (n.),
or pout (Gadus luscus) — illustrated on page
.3366 — so-called from the inflatable membrane
over the eyes and part of the head, which
gives it a pouting appearance.

Dutch wijting ; cp. white and dim. -ing.

Whiting. — The whiting, the flesh of which, when
boiled, is of a pearly whiteness.

whitish (hwit' ish), adj. Somewhat
white. See under white.

whitleather (hwit' leih er,) n. White
leather dressed with alum and salt instead
of being tanned.

From white and leather.

whitlow (hwit' 16), n. An inflamma-
tion of a finger round or near the nail.
(F. panaris.)

At one time it was thought that whitlows
could be cured with whitlow-grass (n.),
which is a small white - flowered herb of
the genus Draba.

M.E. whitjiawe, apparently from white and
flaw [i], but perhaps altered by popular ety-
mology ; cp. Dutch vijt, fiit whitlow.

4565

WHITSUN

WHOLE

Whitsun (hwif sun), adj. Of or
relating to the time around the feast of
Pentecost. (F. de la Pentecote.}

The name of Whitsunday (hwit sun' di ;
hwit' sun da, n.} is given to the feast of
Pentecost, the seventh Sunday after Easter,
and means White Sunday. In former times
many were baptized at that season, and
wore white garments. Whitsunday and the
following days are known as Whitsuntide
(«.). Whit Monday (n.) is the Monday, and
Whit week («.), or Whitsun week (n.), the
week which follows Whitsunday.

•whittle (hwif 1), v.t. To cut off pieces
or slices from, with a knife ; to trim or
shave ; to thin down ; to pare ; to reduce
by degrees ; to bring (down) gradually
in amount, v.i. To cut repeatedly (at) ; to
continue paring or cutting away (at). (F.
tailler, peter, rogner, reduire ; couper,
aiguiser, affiler.}

A boy whittles a stick, or whittles it
down, by slicing off pieces with his knife,
until it is thin enough for his purpose.
Sometimes rights and privileges are whittled
down, or gradually reduced. In former
times, some unscrupulous landowners tried
to whittle away the common rights over
land' adjoining their own estates, enclosing
portions of it as opportunity offered.

From obsolete E. whittle a knife, M.E. thwitel,
from A.-S. thwltan to cut, whittle. SYN. : Cut,
pare, reduce, trim.

whity (hwit' i), adj.
Nearly white ; whitish.
(F. blanchatre.}

This word is generally
used in combination with
the name of another
colour. A colour that
is neither white nor
brown, but something
between the two, is de-
scribed as whity-brown
(adj.}.

From white and suffix -y.

whiz (hwiz), v.i. To
make a hissing sound
like that of a missile
flying through the air
at great speed, n. This
sound. Another form is
v/hizz (hwiz). (F. siffler,
voler en sifflant ; siffle-
ment.}

An express train
whizzes past, or goes
flying by with a whiz.
Sometimes, when a loco-
motive engine is started, the wheels fail to
grip the rails and whiz round instead.
Rockets whiz, or fly up whizzingly (hwiz' ing
li, adv.), when ignited.

Imitative.

who (hoo), pron. What or which
person or persons ? What sort of persons ?

Whole.— A portrait of President H. C. Hoover,
showing his whole figure.

the person or persons that. objective,
whom (hoom) ; possessive, whose (hooz).
(F. qui, que.)

In the sentence " Who was the boy who
slammed the door ? " the pronoun is used
first as an interrogative and secondly as a
relative. When we ask " Who are the
Smiths who have moved in next door ? "
we are seeking information as to the kind
of persons the newcomers are. In " Whom
do you mean ? " and " Whose son is he ? "
the objective and possessive ca.se, respectively ,
are used.

In " the person of whom I told you, whose
name was mentioned to me, is the man who
passed just now," the pronoun is used as a
relative in each instance.

The words whoever (hoo ev' er, pron.) —
shortened poetically into whoe'er (hoo ar')
pron.) — and whosoever (hoo so ev' er, pron.)
— shortened into whosoe'er (hoo so ar',
pron.} — mean anyone without exception,
anyone you like, anyone who. The ob-
jective case of these two words is whomever
(hoom ev' er) and whomsoever (hoom so
ev' er), or whome'er (hoom ar'), and
whomsoe'er (hoom so ar'), respectively.

A.-S. hwd, neuter hwaet ; cp. Dutch wie,
neuter wat, G. wer, neuter was, Goth, hwas,
hwo, hwa, L. qui, quae, quod, Sansk. ka, kd, had.

whoa (hwo' a), inter. Stop ! halt i
(F. halte, halte-ld.)

This interjection is used by the drivers
to stop their horses.

Prooably a variant of
ho.

•whole (hoi), adj..
Hale ; in sound con-
dition ; uninjured ; un-
broken ; complete ; in-
tact ; entire ; undimin-
ished ; containing or
having all its parts or
elements ; integral ; com-
posed of units ; without
fractions. n. A thing
complete in itself ; the
entirety ; all that there
is of a thing ; a complete
system ; an organic
unity. (F. entier, robuste,
sain et sauf, complet,'
entier, non diminue, in-
tegral ; tout, ensemble,
total, montant.)

In its old meaning
of sound or healthy,
this jvord is seldom
met with to-day. It
occurs many times in
the Bible in this sense,

however. People talk of the good old days,
but upon the whole, that is, all things
considered, the present times may be better
to live in. For example, a whole day would
be taken up by a journey which a train now
completes in an hour, and a whole year
might be occupied by a voyage to the

4566

WHOLESOME

WHORL,

Whoop. — London boys uttering whoops of delight as they leave school, the occasion being the breaking up

for the Christmas holidays.

East. Wholeness (hoi' nes, n.) is the
quality or state of being whole.

A whole-bound (adj.) book has the back
and sides of the cover bound entirely in
leather ; a whole-coloured (adj.), or self-
coloured, fabric is of the same colour through-
out. Kindness or generosity is whole-
hearted (adj.) if hearty and sincere. We
enter whole-heartedly (adv.), that is, with all
our hearts, into games of which we are very
fond. The whole-heartedness (n.) of a
welcome is its state or quality of being
cordially and sincerely given.

A whole-length (adj.) portrait shows the
whole figure of the person from head to foot.
Flour is called wholemeal (n.) if it contains
all parts of the grain ; wholemeal (adj.)
bread is made of such flour. A number is
a whole number (n.), or integer, if it is neither
a fraction nor a mixed number.

Goods are sold by wholesale (hoi7 sal, n.)
when sold in large quantities to be retailed
by other dealers. A wholesale (adj.) trade
is one carried on in this way, as opposed
to retail trade, in which goods are sold
singly or in small quantities. Some manu-
facturers sell their products both wholesale
(adv.), that is, in bulk, or large numbers,
and retail. Generally, however, a merchant
is either a wholesaler (hoi' sal er, n.) or a
retailer, and not both. A wholesale dis-
missal of employees is one made in the mass,
without discrimination.

A.-S. hdl, hale, sound, healthy ; cp. Dutch
heel, G. heil, O. Norse heil-l. Hale is a doublet.
See heal, hail [2], holy. SYN. : adj. Entire,
healthy, sound, unbroken, n. Aggregate, sum,
total. ANT. : adj. Broken, incomplete, injured.
n. Fraction, part.

wholesome (hoi' sum), adj. Tending
to promote physical or moral health ; not
morbid ; salubrious ; salutary. (F. bien-
faisant, sain, salubre. salutaire.}

Wholesome advice is advice that it is
salutary and profitable to follow. Food is
wholesome when it is nourishing and keeps
one healthy. Persons live wholesomely (hoi '
sum 11, adv.] when they eat good food and
take a proper amount of exercise, recreation,
and rest. Wholesomeness (hoi' sum nes, n.}
is the quality or state of being wholesome.

From whole and suffix -some. SYN. : Bene-
ficial, healthy, salubrious, salutary. ANT. :
Morbid, unhealthy, unwholesome.

wholly (h5r li), adv. Entirely or
exclusively ; altogether. (F. entierement,
completement, tout a fait.}

From whole and suffix -ly. SYN. : Absolutely,
completely, perfectly, totally.

whom(hoom). For this word, whom-
soever, etc., see under who.

whoop (hoop), v.i. To utter the sound
represented by " whoop " ; to shout out
loudly by way of encouragement or delight.
v.t. To urge (on) with whoops ; to mock at
with loud shouts, inter. A cry of excite-
ment or joy. n. This cry ; the sound made
in whooping-cough. Another less usual
spelling is hoop (hoop). (F. huer ; huee.)

Boys often whoop with delight when they
get an unexpected holiday. Whooping-
cough (n.) is an infectious disease which
many children get ; the sufferers give a
peculiar kind of cough followed by an in-
drawn breath which sounds like a whoop.

Partly a natural sound, partly M.E. houpen,
from O.F. houper to whoop, shout, from inter.
houp.

•whorl (hworl ; hwerl), n. A ring of
leaves or other organs about the stem of a
plant ; one turn of a spiral ; the disk for
steadying the motion of a spindle. (F.
verticille, molette.}

Any ring of petals, sepals, leaves, or other
plant parts, springing from the same level,
is called a whorl. In the buttercup, sepals

4567

WHORTLEBERRY

WICKET

and petals are whorled (hworld ; hwerld, wicked (wik' ed), adj. Bad ; evil or

adj.). The flower of the dandelion has a sinful ; transgressing intentionally against

whorl of bracts or modified leaves. In a
univalve mollusc, one turn of its shell is
called a whorl ; still another whorl is the
disk, usually made of clay or stone, which is
fastened to the lower end of a spindle to

what is right or good ; depraved or im-
moral ; spiteful ; playfully naughty or
mischievous. n.pl. Wicked people. (F.
mauvais, pervers, coupable, deprave, mechant.)
The thirty-seventh Psalm describes some

act as a fly-wheel and keep the spindle of the punishments that befall wicked people,
rotating steadily when twisted by the hand or evil-doers. For example, " The wicked
of a woman spinning.

Earlier whorwhil, wharwyl, variants of whirl.

have drawn out the sword

to cast

whortleberry (hwer' tl ber i), n.
bilberry, Vaccinium myrtil-
lus. (F. airelle, myrtille.)

Earlier hurtleberry from A.-S.
horta bilberry, and berry.

whose (hooz). For this
word, whoso, whosoever, etc.,
see under who.

why (hwi), adv. For
what purpose or reason ?
on what ground? on
account of which, n. The
reason, purpose, or explan-
ation of anything, inter. An
exclamation of surprise.
(F. pourquoi; raison, motif;
eh ma is /)

This adverb is used both
interrogatively and as a
relative. In '"' Why did you
release the prisoner ? Give
me the reasons why you took this action,"

down the poor and needy," but, says the

The Psalmist,

Whortleberry. — The bilberry, another
name for which is the whortleberry.

their sword shall enter into
their own heart " and thus
punish them for their wicked-
ness (wik' ed nes, n.), or
wicked actions. The quality
of being wicked is wicked
ness.

In extended senses of the
adjective we speak of a
wicked, or bad, smell; a
wicked, or very trying,
climate; a wicked, or difficult,
climb, and so on. To be
wickedly (wik' ed li, adv.)
deceived by someone is to
be deceived in a wicked
way. Sometimes these words
are used in a more or less
inoffensive sense, as when
a mischievous child is said
to be a wicked little thing,
or full of .wickedness, and a roguish remark

the first example is interrogative ; in the is said to be spoken wickedly,

second, " why " means " on account of P.p. form from M.E. wikke evil, A.-S. wicca

which," and is used as a relative. An wizard. See witch. SYN. : Bad, iniquitous,

inquisitive person wants to know the whys profane, ungodly, vicious. ANT. : Good, moral,

and the wherefores of
things.

A.-S. hwl, instrumental
case of hwa who, what
= in what way ? for what
reason ? cp. A.-S. for hwy
wherefore ?

whydah (hwid' a).
This is another form of
whidah, a name of the
widow-bird. See whidah.

wick [i] (wik), n. A
piece of spongy or
fibrous material used to
convey oil or melted
grease to the flame of
a lamp or candle. (F.
meche.)

A.-S. weoce ; cp. M.
Dutch wiecke, Low G.
weke lint, wick, G. wieche.

wick [2] (wik), n.
A town, hamlet, or
municipal district. (F.
bailliage, village.)

This word occurs commonly in place-
names such as Giggleswick, Berwick, and
Hampton Wick. It is also found in certain
compounds, such as bailiwick, the district
over which a bailiff has jurisdiction.

A.-S. wlc, probably from L. v Icus street, village.

Wicker. — Looking aft in an aeroplane along
the rows of wicker chairs for passengers.

righteous, sinless, virtuous.
wicker (wik' er), n.
Twigs, osiers, or withes
plaited together. adj.
Made of this material.
(F. osier, clayonnage ;
d'osier, en osier.)

Baskets, garden chairs,
and many other domes-
tic articles are often
made of wicker, or
wicker-work (n.). W'icker
chairs are very light
and easily carried. Many
ancient peoples are
known to have made
wicker, or wicker-work
(adj.), boats, covered
with hides. A wickered
(wik' erd, adj.) bottle is
one encased in wicker-
work.

Of Scand. origin. M.E.
wiker, wycker ; cp. Swed.
dialect vikker willow, from vika to yield, give
way, Dan. veg pliant, akin to weak, and A.-S.
wlcan to bend, yield.

wicket (wik' et), n. A small gate or
other entrance, especially one placed close
beside, or forming part of, a larger entrance ;

4568

WIDDERSHINS

WIDOW

in cricket, a set of three stumps fixed
upright in the ground with two bails resting
on their tops ; the ground between and
around the two wickets used in cricket ; a
batsman, regarded as the defender of a
wicket ; a wide ball. (F. guichet, barres.)

When the main gateway or door of a
monastery or other building is closed,
visitors niay be admitted through a wicket, or
wicket-gate (n.) or wicket-door (n.), situated
beside or forming part of the larger one.

I

ill

Wicket-keeper. — A professional cricketer giving a lesson in stumping
to a budding wicket-keeper.

In cricket, the wicket, in the sense of the
three stumps set in the ground with bails
affixed, must be twenty-seven inches high
and eight inches wide. Behind the batsman's
wicket stands the wicket-keeper (n.), a
player in the fielding team, whose work is
to prevent byes and to stump or catch out
the batsmen. When a bowler gets a
batsman out, he is said to get a wicket, and
the dismissed batsman loses his wicket.
A batting team has five wickets to fall when
that number of its players still has to be
dismissed. The pitch in cricket is also
described as the wicket, especially as regards
its condition for bowling. For instance,
the wicket is said to be fast when the ground
is dry and favours fast bowling. It is
slow or sticky when wet with rain, and is
then suitable for slow bowling.

M.E. wiket, from O. Northern F. wi(s)ket (F.
guichet}. The form is diminutive, perhaps from
the same root as whisk, from being easily opened,
or as A.-S. wlcan to give way. Some connect
with O. Norse vik corner. See viking. The
wicket in cricket was at first like a small gate.
See weak, whisk.

widder shins (wid' er shinz). This
is another form of withershins. See wither-
shins.

wide (wid), adj. Of relatively great
extent from side to side ; having a
specified degree of breadth ; broad or far-
spreading ; spacious or extensive ; not
limited or restricted ; comprehensive ;
liberal or free; deviating from, or distant

by a considerable extent from, a mark, point,
purpose, etc. adv. Widely ; to a great
distance • extensively ; far from the mark
or purpose, n. In cricket, a ball bowled to
the side and out of the batsman's reach.
(F. large, elendu, spacieux, dloignd ; au loin,
loin.)

A door is wide open when it is open to its
greatest extent. Gipsies wander far and
wide, that is, they travel over a wide or
extensive area. To take a wide view of a
subject is to take a large or
i generous view. To be wide of
the mark in making a guess is
to be far from the truth.

In cricket, a wide ball is a ball
that the umpire decides has been
bowled too far from the stumps
and out of the batsman's reach.
It counts one point to the other
side. Colloquially, we describe a
sharp person, or one who is not
'. easy to cheat or deceive, as
a wide-awake (adj.) person. A
wide-awake hat, or wide-awake
(n.), is a kind of soft felt hat
with a very wide brim. It has
been suggested that this name
was originally a punning descrip-
tion of a felt hat that did not
have a nap.

A report is said to be wide-
spread (adj.) when it has circu-
lated over a wide area, and is known to large
numbers of people. A species of plant is
widely (wid7 li, adv.) distributed when it is
found over a wide region. The novels of
Dickens are widely, or extensively, known,
that is, they are known among a very large
number of people. Things differ widely when
they differ to a great extent, or very much.
One's mouth opens widely, or to a consider-
able width, when one yawns.

When a bridge is too narrow for the traffic
passing over it, engineers are sometimes
employed to widen (wid' en, v.t.) it, or
make it wider, by adding to its width, instead
of building a new bridge. Rivers usually
widen (v.i.), or become wider, as they
approach the sea. Wideness (wid' nes, n.)
is the quality of being wide. Width is the
more usual term. A thing somewhat wide is
widish (wid' ish, adj.).

A.-S. wid : cp. Dutch wijd, G weit, O. Norse
vlth-r. SYN : adj. Broad, comprehensive, exten-
sive, spacious, unrestricted. ANT. : adj. Con-
stricted, contracted, cramped, narrow, restricted.

•widgeon (wij' on), n. A wild duck of
the genus Mareca, especially Mareca pene-
lope. (F. canard siffleur, sarcelle.)

Cp. O.F. vigeon, vingeon, gingeon a sort of duck.

•widow (wid' 6), n. A woman who has
lost her husband through his death and
has not married again, v.t. To bereave,
especially of a husband ; to make into a
widow or widower. (F. veuve ; rendre veuve,
rendre veuf.)

027

4569

t P 7

WIDTH

WIGHT

Wig.

Breadth.

A widow remains in a state of widowhood
(wicT 6 hud, n.) as long as she does not
marry again. The black clothes worn by
a widow, as a sign of mourning for her
deceased husband, are known as widow's
weeds (n.pl.). The verb to widow is used
chiefly in its past participle. A widower
(wid' 6 er, 'n.} is a man who has tost
his wife by death and remains
unmarried.

The widow-bird (n.) — Vidua —
is a small weaver-bird of West
Africa, so named from its black
plumage. Its name is sometimes
corrupted to whidah (which see}.

A.-S. widewe ; cp. Dutch weduwe,
G. wittwe ; akin to L. viduus bereft
(esp. of a spouse). .^

width (width), n: Breadth
or wideness ; extent of a thing
from side to side ; distance apart ',
liberality or comprehensiveness
(of mind, views, etc.). (F. largeur,
large, ttendue, largesse, tichesses
d'idees.)

The width, length, and height
of a square room are equal.
Several widths, or breadths, of
cloth may be joined together to
form a piece of greater width.

From wide and suffix -th. SVN
ANT. : Narrowness. , m ,

wield (weld), v.t. To have the manage-
ment or control of; to sway ; to use or
employ ; to handle. (F. gouverner, regir,
employer, manier.) .

Kings are said, figuratively, to wield power
or to wield the sceptre, that is, to rule or
reign. In "The Task " (iii,. 636) Cowper
writes " Strength may wield the pond'rous
spade." A critic may be said to wield, or
make use of, scathing sarcasm.

M.E. welden to wield, rule, A.-S. wealdan
(strong), wildan (weak) ; cp. G. walten, O. Norse
valda, Goth, waldan, probably akin to L.
valere to be strong, validus strong. . -.

wife (wrf), n. A .married woman,
especially in relation to her husband; an
elderly .or humble woman, pi. wives (wlvz).
(F. femme, epouse, commere.}

A woman becomes the wife of 'a man when
she marries him and takes up the duties of
wifehood (wif hud, n.}, or the position of a
wife. ; If she ~ has the characteristics that
one expects a wife to display, she is said
to be wifelike (wif lik, adj.) or wifely (wif
li, adj.). An unmarried man i$ wifeless
(wif les, 'adj.)', or without a wife. In pro-
vincial speech, wife may denote any old
woman. A fishwife is a woman, not
necessarily married, who sells fish. A
housewife is a married woman who takes
an active part in her own domestic affairs.
The word wifie (wif i, n.) is a colloquial
term of endearment for a wife.

A.-S. wif (neuter) woman, female ; cp. Dutch
wijf, G. weib, O. Norse vif. The word is not

connected with weave, as generally supposed,
and no satisfactory etymology has been
suggested. See woman.

wig [i] (wig), n. An artificial covering
of hair for the head, intended to conceal
baldness, or else to serve as an adornment,
as a disguise, or as part of a ceremonial dress.
(F. perruque.)

Finishing a full-bottomed wig. On the shelves are wooden
head models on which the wigs are made.

Wigs have been in use from very early
times. On the stage they are employed as
part of the disguise of actors and actresses.
Judges and barristers still appear in court
wigged (wigd, adj.), or wearing wigs, but
in ordinary life they go about wigless (wig'
les, adj.), or without their wigs.

Short for periwig (F perruque) See perruque.

wig [2] (wig), v.t.
To scold ; to repri-
mand. (F. savonner,
gourmander, tancer.)

A father is said,
colloquially, to wig
his son, or give him
a wigging (wig' ing.
«.), or scolding.

Slang, probably from
a subordinate being
r e p r i m a nded by a
" bigwig." SYN. : Ad-
monish, censure, chide,
rate, reproach. ANT. :
Commend, eulogize,
laud, praise.

wigan (wig' an), n. An open fabric
resembling canvas, used for stiffening other
materials.

This material is named from the Lan-
cashire town of Wigan, where it was origin-
ally manufactured.

wight [i] (wit), n. A person ; a being.
(F. personne, etre.)

This archaic word is still sometimes used,
generally in a pitying or good-humouredly
contemptuous way, in such expressions as :
luckless wight, wretched wight, friendless
wight.
4570

Wig.— A judge of the
King's Bench Division
wearing his judicial wig.

WIGHT

WILD

A.-S. wiht a thing, creature, perhaps from
wegan to move ; common Teut., cp. Dutch wicht
child, G. wicht creature, O. Norse vaett-r crea-
ture, thing, Goth, waiht-s person, waiht thing.
Whit is a doublet. See aught, naught, weigh.

\vight [2] (wit), adj. Brave, doughty.
(F. vaillant.)

This word is an archaism.

O. Norse vlg-t (neuter) skilled in arms.

wigwam (wig' worn), n. A hut or
tent of the North American Indians. (F.
wigwam?)

Some wigwams, such as those of the
Algonquin Indians, are more or less per-
manent structures, either conical in shape,
or resembling a beehive. They are built
of light poles covered with bark, skins, etc.

North American Indian (Algonquin) weekuwom
= tlieir house, corrupted in English to weekwam,
wigwam.

•wild (wild), adj. Living or growing
in a state of nature, especially in open
country or woodland ; not tamed, domesti-
cated, .or cultivated ; shy; easily startled ;
uncivilized ; savage ; unsettled ; not in-
habited ; desert; wayward; unruly; .vio-
lent ; tempestuous ; . furious ; showing
strong emotion or distraction ; excited ;
intensely eager or enthusiastic (about) ;
reckless ; unsound ; ill-considered ; of a
shot, ill-aimed, n. A desert ; an unculti-
vated and uninhabited place. (F. sauvage,
fauve, inculte, barbare, farouche, inhabite,
desert, entete, deregle, violent, orageux,
furieux, effare, extravagant, mat assis, peu
consider e ; ddsert, lieu sauvage.}

Wild animals and birds roam at liberty
and look after themselves. Domesticated
animals are more or less confined. All
garden flowers and other cultivated plants
were derived originally from wild plants. A
desert region is a wild place. A garden
is said to run wild when it is untended
and the plants in it become rank.

The wildboar (n.) — Sus scrofa — is a power-
ful member of the swine family, Suina.
The males have prominent canine teeth.
The wildcat (n.} — Felis catus — is a large, fierce
animal, having a thicker and shorter tail,
a stouter head, and more abundant whiskers
than any of the domestic cats.

An enterprise is described as a wild-cat
scheme (n.) if it is badly conceived and
altogether unsound. The epithet was prob-
ably first used in this sense of certain
fraudulent banks in the western United
States of America, one of which issued notes
bearing a representation of a panther,
known locally as a wild cat. A person who
accepted this " wild cat " money was con-
sidered to be very rash.

Another name for the mallard is wild
duck (n.). News is said to spread like
wild-fire (n.) — a highly combustible com-
position used in ancient warfare — when
it spreads very quickly. The word wild-
fowl (n.) denotes either a single game-bird
or, more usually, game-birds collectively,

4571

Wild. — The wild cat (top), a handsome and very
savage animal, larger than the domestic cat, now
very rare in Britain ; dholes, or wild dogs of India,
which, though not unlike chows, are not thought to
be ancestors of the domesticated dog ; the Mon-
golian wild horse, which has a large head, a
rounded forehead, and an erect mane.

WILDEBEEST

WILFUL

especially water and marsh birds such as
wild duck, geese, snipe, plover, etc. A wild
goose chase (n.) is a hopeless or foolish
enterprise, one as unlikely to be successful
as chasing the rainbow. In former times
a kind of horse-race in which the riders
followed one after another, like wild geese
in flight, was called a wild goose
chase. Natural forest is wild-
wood (n.), as opposed to a planted
forest or wood. This word is
now more or less confined to
poetry and poetical prose. A
plant grown from the self-sown
seeds of the parent plant, espe- j
dally a wild apple-tree, is known i|
as a wilding (wild' ing, «.). In ^
poetry, wild plants, flowers, or
fruit are sometimes described as j
wildings, or wilding (adj.) plants. I
flowers, etc.

An animal is said to be wildish
(wild' ish, adj.) when it is some-
what wild. During a tempest
the wind blows wildly (wild' li,
adv.), that is, in a wild manner, or violently.

under General Lee, in the American Civil
War. Any wild or desolate region is a
wilderness, although the word is less often
used than formerly.

For wildern-ness from obsolete E. wildern
desert, from A.-S. wilder, wildeor wild animal,
and suffix -ness.

m

Wilderness. — A view in the Wilderness, a district in Spottsylvania
county, Virginia, U.S.A.

wilding (wild' ing). For this word,

An unskilful pugilist hits out wildly, or reck- wildish, etc., see under wild.

lessly, without a definite objective. Wildness
(wild' nes, n.) is the state or quality of
being wild.

A.-S. wilde ; cp. Dutch, G. wild, O. Norse
vill-r = vilth-r bewildered, astray, wild. Perhaps
akin to O. Welsh gwyllt, L. ferus. Some, qn
the analogy of savage, from L. silvdticus living
in the woods, would connect with G. wald wood
(E. weald). SYN. : adj. Rash, uncivilized, un-
cultivated, untamed, violent. ANT. : adj.
Civilized, cultivated, domesticated, gentle, tame.

wildebeest (wil' de bast). This is
another name for the gnu. See gnu.

South African Dutch = wild beast.

wilder (wil' der), v.t. "To cause to
lose the way ; to lead astray ; to bewilder.
v.i. To lose one's way ; to stray ; to move
or wander in a confused . way ; to be
bewildered. (F. . egarer, effarer, troubler ;
s'egarer, se troubler.)

This word is now used chiefly in poetical
language. Wildered (wil' derd, adj.) means
bewildered, disordered, straying, lost, and,
as applied to a place, pathless or wild.
Wildering (wil' der ing, adj.) means that
wilders, in the various senses of the verb.
Neither adjective is in general use.

Perhaps a back-formation from wilderness,
or a shortened form of bewilder. Cp. G. wildern.

wilderness (wil' der nes), n. An
uncultivated or uninhabited tract of land ;

wile (wfl), n. A trick ; an artifice ;
a stratagem ; a deception, v.t. To entice
or cajole (into, away) ; to while (time
away). (F. ruse, artifice, subterfuge; en-
joler, tajoler, tuer.}

• One of the wiles of the Red Indians was
to mislead trackers by walking backwards
along a trail. The frontiersman who was
acquainted with their wiles, however, studied
the trail to see if the footprints were heavier
at the heel or not, and so avoided being
deceived.

Anyone who practises wiles habitually is
said to be wily (wl' li, adj.}, that is, crafty
dr cunning. The fox is a wily animal, or
one full of wiles. Wiliness (wi' li nes, n.)
is the quality of acting wilily (wi' li li, adv.),
or in a wily manner.

Late A.-S. wil ; cp. O. Norse vel artifice,
trick. Perhaps from an O.F. variant of guile, or
from A.-S. wlglian to divine, practise witchcraft.
SYN. : Artifice, manoeuvre, ruse, stratagem,
trick.

wilful (wil' ful), adj. Intentional ;
deliberate ; not accidental ; done from or
due to perversity, malice, or self-will ;
obstinate ; headstrong ; refractory ; self-
willed. (F. intent ionnel, volontaire, fait d
dessein, entete, insoumis, obstine.)

A wilful act is one for which we cannot
plead ignorance, compulsion, or the acci-

a scene of disorder or desolation ; a portion dental performance of it as an excuse. It

of a garden purposely kept in a more or less
wild state ; a confused, or vast, number or
quantity (of). (F. desen, terre inculte,
desordre.)

In America there is a district in north-
eastern Virginia known specially as the

is done wilfully (wil' ful li, adv.), or deliber-
ately. For wilful, or deliberate, murder a
man can be hanged, but for manslaughter,
or accidental murder, he can only be im-
prisoned. A wilful child is a refractory
one, given perhaps to wilful displays of

Wilderness. Here General Grant carried temper. Its wilfulness (wil' ful nes, n.), or
on the campaign, known as the Wilderness
Campaign, against the Confederate army

wilful nature, is a source of distress to its
family.

4572

WILILY

WILL

A willing (wir ing, adj.) worker is one who
cheerfully and readily performs tasks set
before him ; service is willing if given
willingly (wil' ing li, adv.), or without
reluctance. Employers value those under
them who show willingness (wil' ing nes, n.),
which is the state or quality of being willing.

A would-be (adj.) poet is one who vainly
aspires to write poetry, or who poses as a
poet.

M.E. willen, A.-S. will an ; cp. Dutch willen,
expressing simple futurity or conditional G. wollen ; O. Norse vilja, L.

From will (n.), and suffix -ful. SYN. :
Deliberate, intentional, perverse, refractory,
stubborn. ANT. : Accidental, docile, obedient
unintentional.

wilily (wi' li li). For this word and
wiliness see under wile.

will [i] (wil), v.t. To wish ; to desire ;
to choose to ; to wish that ; to consent
to be ; to be likely to ; to be accustomed
to. auxiliary v. In second and third person,
and in the first person in reported speech,

velle. SYN. :

action ; in first person, used to make a Wish,
future or conditional statement expressing will [2] (wil), n. The power or faculty
volition, intention, probability, or cer- by which a person initiates or decides upon
tainty. second person singular wilt (wilt), action ; the exercise of this ; the control
p.t. and conditional would (wud) ; second thus exercised over impulse ; an intention ;
person singular wouldest (wud' est), wouldst strength or energy of intention ; power of
(wudst). contracted negative won't
(wont), wouldn't (wud' nt). (F. vouloir,
desirer.)

carrying out one's intentions, or of dominat-
ing other persons ; that which is willed ;
the contents of the will ; arbitrary choice
In the transitive sense the verb is rarely or discretion ; disposition towards others ;

met with to-day. The daughter of Herodias a document in legal form which declares
said to Herod (Mark vi, 25), " I will that a person's wishes as to the disposal of his

thou give me ... in a charger the
head of John the Baptist."

In Shakespeare's " King Henry IV " testament.}

property after his death. (F. volonte, dessein,
pouvoir, puissance, intention, discretion,

(first part, v, i) Falstaff says to the Prince :
" I would it were bed-time, Hal,
and all well." A poet writes
" Oh would I were a boy again."

We say sometimes that so-
and-so will have his own way,
or will have things done just
so. Of another person we may
say that he would do this or
that of an evening, meaning
that the person was in the habit
of acting in such a way.

Apologizing for a boy's pranks,
a father may remark that " boys
will be boys."

As an auxiliary verb, modify-
ing tense or mood, " will " is
used in the second and. third
persons to express futurity or
conditionality, but "shall"
and " should " respectively take
its place in the first person.
Thus, strictly speaking, we ought to say :

Our law "is based upon the theory that a

Will.—" Reading the Will." From the painting by Sir David
Wilkie, R.A. (1785-1841).

man has free will, or free power of choice

" I shall be there ; you will be there ; he between actions good or bad, harmless or

(or they) will be there ; " "I should be glad
if you or he would call on me." In a future

harmful to himself and the community of
which he is a member. He may be tempted

or conditional statement which expresses to do things he knows to be wrong, but by
volition, desire, intention, probability, or the exercise of his will-power (n.) he may
certainty, " will " is employed in the first control his impulses or appetites and do

person only, " shall " and " should " re-
spectively being used in both the second
and third persons. In a phrase such as
the following this is made clear. " I will
try to be more careful in future, but
you should have warned me, for I would
not have suspected any danger."

that which his better nature would dictate.
If a sick person has the will to get better
he will probably make a quicker recovery.
A true sportsman bears no ill will to one
who beats him in a contest. A tenant at
will is one who may be ejected from his
tenancy at any time, holding it merely

The past tense is employed chiefly in at the will of the landlord,
conditional, subjunctive, and optative A person who generally gets his own way

senses, as "we would go if we could"; "he is said to have strong will. Willed (wild,

said he would go " ; " would that you adj.) is used in combination, and means

could go."

possessed of a will, as in strong-willed.

4573

WILL

WILLOW

will,

SYN.

Will-less (wir les, adj.) means weak-willed.
To do a thing with a will is to do it readily.
The will worship (n.) mentioned in Colossians,
ii, 23), means worship according to one's
fancy, not based on divine authority.

M.E. wille, A.-S. willa ; cp. Dutch wil, G.
wille, O. Norse vili.

will [3] (wil), v.t. To
have as the contents of the
will ; to intend ; to deter-
mine ; to resolve ; to in-
fluence, impel, or compel
by the exercise of one's
will ; to bequeath by will.
v.i. To exercise will-
power. (F. se proposer,
determiner, contraindre ,
leguer; vouloir.}

Martyrs to their faith
in Christ willed rather to
perish than to recant. Of
a masterful man we say
that what he wills must
be done. A weakened per-
son has little will-power
and seems unable to will.
Under the influence of
hypnotism a person may
be willed to perform certain
actions which the hyp-
notist wills.

A.-S. willian, from willa
Bequeath, determine, intend, resolve.

willet (wil' et), n. A North American
sandpiper, Symphemia semipalmata. (F.
chevalier semi-palmd.}

The willet is a wading bird related to the
snipe. It owes the second or descriptive
part of its scientific name to its toes being
partly webbed. Other popular names are
tattler and stone-snipe.

Imitative of the bird's cry.

•willing (wil7 ing), adj. Not averse or
reluctant (to) ; inclined ; ready. See under
will [ij.

. will-o'-the-wisp (wil' 6
the wisp7), n. A wandering
marsh light ; an ignis fatuus.
S<2£ ignis fatuus. (F.feufollet.)

From Will = William, and
wisp. See wisp.

willow [i] (wir 6), n. Any
tree or shrub of the genus
Salix ; a cricket-bat. (F.
saule.)

There are many different
species of willow found in
this country, ranging from
timber trees of fifty to eighty
feet high down to dimin-
utive shrubs. Some are fond
of moisture and thrive best
in damp ground near water ; others inhabit
dry situations. The weeping willow, the
white willow, the green willow, and the
bay- leaved willow are large trees, the first
of them being valued as an ornamental

Willow.— The white willow, one of the
larger members of the willow family.

Willow-pattern. — A willow-pattern

plate. It tells the love story of a

Chinese girl.

tree on account of its graceful drooping
branches. The sallow is the first of the
willows to flower, its branches, with their
silvery or golden catkins, being picked by
children as "palms." The golden pollen-
bearing catkins come from the male tree,
the silvery " pussy " cat-
kins from the female one,
for the willow is a dioec-
ious plant.

The wood of the large
willows is used for many
purposes, including the
making of cricket-bats, for
which its lightness and
toughness render it specially
suitable. Low- growing
willows, called osiers, yield
the twigs from which
baskets are woven, and
are usually polled, or pol-
larded, to encourage the
growth of branches.

The name of willow-
herb (n.) is given to several
species of plant belonging
to the genus Epilobium,
and having long, narrow
leaves resembling those of
the willow. One species,
also known as the rose-
bay, has crimson flowers, and grows in damp
places.

The willow-pattern (n.), a class of decora-
tive design in blue on white, greatly used for
dinner services and china generally, was
introduced by Thomas Turner, an English
potter, about 1780. It illustrates an 'old
Chinese story, and is drawn in Chinese style.
The willow- warbler (n.) or willow- wren
(n.) is a small bird allied to the chiff-
chaff.

Many streams are willowed (wir 6d, adj.),
that is, shaded or bordered by willows. A
district is willowy (wil' 6 i,
adj.) if it abounds in willows,
and a girl is said to be
willowy if she has a slim and
graceful figure, in allusion
to the graceful, drooping
habit of the willow.

Perhaps from an assumed
A.-S. wilig akin to A.-S. welig ',
cp. Dutch wilg, Low G. wilge.
Provincial E. willy means a
basket made of willow-twigs,
A.-S. wilige. See willow [2].

•willow [2] (wir 6), n. A
machine for beating, picking,
and cleaning wool, etc. v.t.
To treat (wool, etc.) in this
way. Another form is willy

(wil'i). (F. diable, hup.}
When wool comes to the mills it contains

a good deal of dirt and impurity generally.

Before anything else can be done with it,

the worst of this must be removed, and

4574

WILLY-NILLY

WINCE

this is done by a willow, or willo wing-machine
(«.), which opens it put by a revolving drum
furnished usually with spikes.

A.-S. wilige basket, so called from having been
first made of willow rods.

willy-nilly (wil' i nil' i), adv. Will-
ingly or unwillingly, adj. Uncertain or
hesitating. (F. bon gr£, mal gre.)

A person does something willy-nilly when
compelled to do it, whether he
likes it or not.

For will I (he, ye), nill I (he, ye}.
See nill.

wilt [i] (wilt). This is the
second person singular of will.
See will [i].

wilt [2] (wilt), v.i. To droop;
to wither; to lose freshness.
v.t. To cause to wilt. (F.
fldtrir.}

Strong sunshine or great heat
is apt to wilt plants, so that
they become limp and flaccid.
So delicate are some kinds that
they wilt if the leaves or stem
are handled.

In dialects also welt, perhaps
a variant of obsolete welk, cp.
Low G. and G. welken.

Wilton (wil' ton), n. A kind of carpet
originally manufactured at Wilton, near
Salisbury.

A Wilton resembles a Brussels carpet
except that it has the loops cut open to
form a pile. Wilton carpet is manu-
factured in many colours, and a floor is
often covered entirely with unpatterned self-
coloured Wilton.

wily (wi' li), adj. Full of wiles ; crafty;
cunning. See under wile.

wimple (wini' pi), n. A covering of
lit en or other material for the head, neck,
and sides of the face, formerly worn by
women generally, and still used by some
nu.is. (F. guimpe.)

A.-S. winpel ; cp. Dutch and G. wimpel
streamer, pendant, O. Norse vimpil-l. A sug-
gested derivation is from wind and pell (A.-S.
paell pall, covering, L. pallium cloak), perhaps a
piece of stuff that streams in the wind.

•win* (win), v.t. To gain, secure, or
attain by or as by superiority or success
in a struggle, contest, etc. ; to achieve by
effort ; to gain as the result of a bet or
wager ; to obtain by toil ; to earn ; to
attain to ; to make one's way to ; to be
victorious or successful in ; to gain the
respect, liking, or support of ; to charm ;
to extract (ore, etc.) by mining or smelting.
v.i. To be victorious or successful ; to make
one's way by successful effort ; to prevail ;
to be charming ; to exercise attraction.
p.t. and p.p. won (wun). n. A victory ;
a success. (F. gagner, remporter, extraire ;
vaincre, I'emportey, captiver, seduire ; vie-
toire, succes.)

Territories lost by France in the war of

1870 were won back in the World War
(1914-18). Whole areas were lost and
won in succession before the Allied Armies
won through to final victory. One who
successfully solves a puzzle may win a
prize. Advanced education at colleges and
universities is provided free for boys and
girls who win scholarships, or successfully
pass certain examinations.

Win. — Motor-cycle racing in the Isle of Man.
winning the Senior Trophy race.

A competitor

A runner wins a race by coming in first ;
a horse-race may be won by a head, a boat-
race by a length. To win in a canter is to
win easily. To win at a game is to be
successful in it. Many people have to
win, or earn, their daily bread. A swimmer
wins the shore, or a climber wins to the
summit of a peak, if he reaches it ; a miner
wins coal by hewing it with his pick.

The expression to win one's spurs meant
originally to be knighted, but now signifies
to attain to front rank, or win recognition
in one's profession or sphere. A winner
(win' er, n.) is one who wins in any sense.
The bread-winner of a family is the person
who supports it.

The winning (win' ing, adj.) stroke of a
cricket-match is the one that wins it. Some
people have winning manners, that is,
manners which make them attractive. To
smile winningly (win' ing li, adv.) is to
smile in a manner that charms. A sum
won by success in a bet, wager, or contest
is called one's winnings (win' ingz, n.pl.).
A billiard player makes a stroke called a
winning hazard (n.) when he forces the
object ball into a pocket by striking it with
his own ball. The winning-post (n.) is a
post set up on a race-course to mark the
finishing point.

A.-S. winnan to strive, fight in order to get ;
cp. Dutch winnen, G. gewinnen, O. Norse vinna,
Sansk. van to wish for, obtain, conquer ; akin
to L. venus desire, highest dice-throw. SYN : v.
Achieve, attract, gain, secure, succeed. ANT. :
v. Fail, lose.

wince (wins), v.i. To show pain or
distress by shrinking or recoiling; to

4575

WINCEY

WIND

flinch ; to start, n. The act of wincing.
(F. reculer, flechir, broncher ; crispation.}

Even a strong person may wince at a
sudden acute pain. One may wince, too,
on receiving distressing tidings, flinching,
starting, or losing composure.

M.E. wincen, wenchen to kick out, shrink, O.F.
guenc(h)ir to give way, wriggle, start, from
O.H.G. wenken (G. wanken) to flinch ; cp. G.
winken to move aside, nod. See winch, wink.
SYN. : v. Flinch, recoil, shrink, start.

'wincey (win7 si), n. A textile material,
usually with a cotton warp, and a woollen
filling.

This material is used for making women's
and children's garments.

Supposed to be from linsey-winsey, an assumed
variant of linsey-woolsey.

winch (winch), n. A crank for turning
an axle ; a hoisting
machine; a windlass.
(F. manivelle, treuil,
vindas.)

The crank of a
grindstone is called
a winch ; another
kind consists of a
wooden roller on
which a rope is
wound by turning
a cranked handle.
The reel of a fish-
ing rod is a winch.

A.-S. wince winch,
pulley ; the original
meaning was perhaps
a bent handle ; cp. wink. SYN. : Windlass.

wind [i] (wind ; in poetry, wind), n.
Air in natural motion ; a natural current
of air ; a breeze ; a gale ; the direction
from which a wind blows ; the weather-
gauge ; air set in motion artificially or
stored for use ; the wind-instruments of
an orchestra ; a scent carried by the wind ;
a hint or indication of a matter ; gas gener-
ated in the stomach by fermentation ;
breath needed in exertion, running, etc. ;
power of breathing in exertion without
difficulty ; the spot on the abdomen, below
the centre of the chest, where a blow tem-
porarily causes inability to breathe ; empty
or unmeaning words, v.t. To catch the scent
of ; to detect the presence thus ; to make
breathless ; to cause or enable to recover
wind by resting ; to expose to the wind ;
(wind) to sound (a horn) by blowing, p.t.
and p.p., of a horn, winded (wind7 ed) and
wound (wound) ; in other senses, winded
(wind7 ed). (F. vent, souffle, ventosite, flair ;
flairer, essoufler, sonner.)

Wind is caused by differences of pressure,
svhich again are due to differences of tem-
perature. Since heated air tends to rise,
its place being taken by cooler air, there
is a constant interchange of air-streams
over the surface of the globe. At varying
heights above a given spot currents opposite
in direction may be encountered. Winds
are named from the quarter in which they

Winch.— A winch such

as is used on board

ship.

originate, one coming from the north being
called a north wind, and so on. The four
cardinal points are known as the four winds,
and rumour is said to come from the four
winds, that is, from all quarters.

We say that there is something in the
wind when signs tell us that something is
about to happen. We get wind of a matter
when we begin to suspect its existence,
or first learn about it ; a matter is said to
get wind, or to take wind, if it leaks out or
becomes known.

We sometimes hold up a wetted fore-
finger to find out the direction of the wind ;
figuratively, to see how the wind blows
means to find out the position or state of
affairs. A ship is said to be sailing in the
wind's eye when heading almost straight
up wind, or towards the direction of the wind.

A vessel sails close to the wind when she
sails close-hauled, that is, as nearly against
the wind as she can go while still keeping her
sails filled. In a figurative sense, to sail
close to the wind means to do things that
are questionable, although perhaps not
actually dishonest or improper.

Wind. — The curious effect of a sudden circular
rush of opposing winds.

The direction from which the wind blows,
or a region lying in this direction, is wind-
ward (wind' ward, n.). The windward
(adj.) side of a vessel is the side against
which the wind blows. A weathercock
points windward (adv.), that is, up wind, or
in the direction of the wind. A ship gets
to windward of another when she gets on the
windward side of her. To get to windward
of a person is to obtain an advantage over
him.

A yacht is sometimes able to take the
wind out of another's sails, or prevent the

4576

WIND

WIND

latter from getting the wind, by sailing
close to windward of it. A speaker is said
figuratively to take the wind out of an oppo-
nent's sails by using the latter's own argu-
ments or methods. An orator who speaks
at great length, but says little that is worth
hearing, is described contemptuously as a
wind-bag (n.). A wind-jammer (n.) is a
merchant sailing ship.

In hot weather a wind-sail (n.), that is, a
large tube or awning of canvas, is rigged
aboard ship to send a draught of fresh air
below decks. Sailing ships are wind-bound
(adj.) when prevented from proceeding by
contrary winds.

A wind-egg (n.) is an addled, unfertile,
or shell-less egg. The word windfall (n.)
means an apple or other fruit shaken down
by the wind, a tree blown down, or an
area of forest flattened by a storm. Figura-
tively, a piece of unexpected good fortune,
such as a legacy, is described as a windfall.
The kestrel's habit of hovering over a
spot with quivering wings while searching
for prey has given it the names of wind-
fanner (n.) and windhover (wind' huv er,
«.). The wood-anemone is called also the
wind-flower (n.). A wind-gall (n.) is a soft
tumour on the fetlock joint of a horse.

The space between a shell and the sides
of the bore through which it. passes is called
windage (wind' ij, n.\. In another sense
windage means both the sideways effect of
a wind on a bullet or shell in flight, and the
allowance in aiming which must be made
to counteract this.

Any musical instrument in which sound
is produced by an air current is a wind-
instrument («.). Usually this term is applied
to the wood -wind and the brass instruments
of an orchestra. The former class includes
flutes, clarinets, oboes, and bassoons ; the
latter comprises horns, trumpets, and trom-
bones. The wind-chest (n.) of an organ,
which is, of course, a wind-instrument, is
the reservoir into which air is pumped.

One form of wind-gauge («.) is an instru-
ment, also called an anemometer, which
measures the speed of the wind. Another
form is the pressure gauge on the wind-chest
of an organ. A third is a device used in
sighting a gun, which makes allowance for
the effect of windage on a projectile. A
windmill (n.) is a mill driven by the pressure
of the wind on revolving sails.

The passage called the windpipe (n.)
connects the mouth and nose with the
lungs or trachea.

A row of hay, corn sheaves, or peat raked
together or set up to dry is called a windrow
(wind" ro, n.).

The wind-screen (n.) of a motor-car is
a glass panel in front of the driver's seat
to protect the occupants of the car from
the wind and rain. A row of trees planted
to shelter a house or land from winds is
also called a wind-screen.

Windmill.— A peculiar windmill (top) at Havering,
Essex. It has many small vanes arranged in a
large circle ; an old-style windmill on a dike in
Holland ; and the kind of windmill still widely used
in the island of Malta.

4577

WIND

WINDLASS

Weather is windless (wind' les, adj.) when
no wind blows. Days on which strong
winds blow are windy (wind' i, adj.). A
windy situation is one exposed to the winds ;
wordy and empty talk is described as windy
talk. A wind-tight (adj.) door or window
is one which keeps out the wind. Windily
(wind7 i li, adv.) means in a windy manner,
and windiness (wind' i nes, n.) is the quality
or state of being windy.

A.-S. wind ; cp. O.H.G. wint, G. wind, O.
Norse vind-r, L. ventus, Sansk. vdta, properly
pres. p. from vd to blow, akin to A.-S. wdwan
to blow ; cp. Dutch waaijen, G. wehen. See
weather. SYN. : n. Breeze, gale.

Winding-tackle. — The powerful winding-tackle in the white salt

hills of Rumania, where upwards of eighty thousand tons of salt

are mined every year.

wind [2] (wind), v.i. To go in or follow
a spiral, circular, curved, or twisting course ;
to meander ; to make a way or go circuit-
ously ; to insinuate oneself (into, etc.) ; to
be coiled, twisted, or wrapped closely
(round, etc.). v.t. To cause to wind ; to
coil ; to twine ; to encircle ; to wrap
closely ; to twist or coil round ; to follow (a
course) in a twisting or circuitous way ;
to hoist, draw, or move with a capstan,
winch, or windlass, p.t. and p.p. wound
(wound), n. Coil ; bend ; turn ; twist.
(F. tourner, serpenter, meandre, s'insinuer,
s'enrouler; tourner, retordre, entourer, en-
velopper, hisser ; repli, coude, torsion.)

Most streams and rivers wind, or meander,
about on their course to the sea, as a glance
at a map will show. The Thames makes its
way windingly (wind' ing li, adv.) through
London.

Thread is wound on to reels by the makers,
and the users wind off, or unwind it, again
as needed. In English fusee clocks the
spring as it uncoils winds on to its barrel
the gut or chain from the fusee. To wind
such a clock one turns the fusee and so
winds back on to it the gut or chain, thus
winding up or coiling up tightly the spring.
A gradually diminishing spiral groove winds
round the fusee, which is cone-shaped, so
as to equalize the pull of the spring.

winds up, or ends, his speech with a perora-
tion. People are said to be wound up
when they are in a state of excitement and
tension. A company sometimes winds up
because it is trading at a loss. A business
is wound up when it goes into liquidation.
Its winding-up (n.) is the act or process of
bringing the business to an end by selling
any assets and settling with creditors.

A winder (wind' er, n.) is a person who
winds, or an apparatus used for winding,
such as a silk-winder or wool-winder. A
winding (wind' ing, adj.) road is one that
twists and turns, and every twist in it is
a wind, or winding (n.).

Coal is raised from a coal-
mine, and the miners go up and
down in a cage worked by a
winding-engine (n.), which winds
on to a large drum the cables
carrying the cage. An indicator
tells the engine-man when he
has wound up the cage suffici-
ently, and by law he must have
a clear and unobstructed view
of the pit-head. Ploughing is
done sometimes by means of two
engines, one each side of the
field, which wind the plough to
and fro by winding in a cable to
which it is attached. Capstans
and windlasses are kinds of
winding-tackle («.), or apparatus
used for winding or hoisting.
The sheet in which a corpse is wrapped for
burial is called a winding-sheet (n.). In his
poem on the battle of Hohenlinden, Campbell
has the line " The snow shall be their wind-
ing-sheet."

A.-S. windan ; cp. Dutch and G. winden,
O. Norse vinda. See wend [i]. SYN. : v.
Coil, entwine, meander, twist, wreathe. ANT. :
v. Uncoil, untwist, unwind.

windage (wind7 ij). For this word,
windhover, wind-instrument, etc., see under
wind [i].

Windlass. — The windlass, fixed forward on a deck,
is used for getting up the anchor.

windlass (wind' las), n. A machine
used for hauling or hoisting, consisting of

A lawyer winds up an estate when he a cylinder fastened on an axle and turned
completes the disposal of it;

a speaker by a crank, v.t. To hoist or haul with a
4578

WINDLESS

WINE

windlass. (F. vindas, - treuil, guindeau;
guinder, touer.}

M.E. windelas, probably a corrupt form of
earlier windas, O. Norse vinddss, from vinda to
wind and -ass a thick pole, beam. Cp. O.F.
guindas.

windless (wind' les). For this word
and for windmill see under wind [i].

windle-straw (wind' 1 straw), n. The
old dry stalks of certain grasses.

A.-S. windelstreaw dry grass for plaiting, from
windel plaited basket, and straw.

window (win' do), n. An opening in
the wall or roof of a building, vehicle, etc.,
for the admission of light and .air, etc.,
usually filled by a framework fitted with
glass ; one of the sashes of a window. (F.
Jenetre, glace, croisee, chdssis de fenetre.)

Window. — A group of historical figures, including Louis XVI of
France and his consort Marie Antoinette, exhibited in a shop window.

Our houses would be very dark and un-
comfortable places without their many
windows to let in the light and provide
for ventilation. In the Middle Ages windows
were few and small. A. window-tax (n.)
was introduced in 1695, all windows over
six in a house being taxed. The tax led
to many windows being bricked up, and
these relics of its imposition may be seen
in some old houses to-day. The window
tax was repealed in 1851.

A window- curtain (n.) excludes light when
desired, as does a window-blind («.). A
window-rbar (n.) is an iron " bar put across
a window to prevent 'anyone' falling or
'•getting out. Such bars are used to protect
the windows in schools and "nurseries.

jA window consists of a window-frame (».),
or window-sash (n. ), glazed with -window-
glass (n.). The sash is often made to slide
up and down in grooves, to admit air. A
seat fixed in the recess of a window is called
a window-seat (n.). Many people take
pleasure in window-gardening (n.),' which
is the growing of plants in pots inside a
window, or in pots or a window-box (n.) on
the window-sill. * Modern bye-laws and
regulations will not tolerate windowless

(win' dd les, adj.) chambers,- in which there
are no windows ; all rooms must be win-
dowed (win' dod, adj.) ones, fitted with
windows opening into the outer air.

M.E. windowe, windage, from O. Norse vind-

auga, lit. wind-eye, from vind-r wind, auga eye.

windpipe (wind7 pip). For this

word and for windrow see under wind [i].

Windsor (win' zor), n. A brown

scented soap formerly made at Windsor,

in Berkshire, adj. Of or relating to the

town of Windsor.

The name of Windsor, or Windsor soap
(n.), is now given to any scented soap of
the same type as that originally made
in the town. Besides the brown kind a
white. Windsor is manufactured.

A Windsor chair (n.) is a strong, plain,
wooden chair with a curved
support for the back and some-
times witii arm-rests.

Windsor Castle, the principal
royal palace in England, was at
first a fortress, built -by "William
the Conqueror. His' successors
strengthened and embellished
the building, which later became
a palace and the chief royal resi-
dence. A very large sum was
expended on the castle in the
reigns of George III and IV, and
Queen Victoria had further works
carried out.

windward (wind' ward). For
this word, windy, etc., see under
wind [i].

wine (win), n. The fermented
juice of grapes ; a fermented
liquor resembling this made
from the juice of other fruits,
vegetables, etc. ; at universities, a party
for wine drinking ; a drug dissolved in
wine, used as medicine ; intoxication. (F.
via.)

A kind of wine can be made from fruit
or vegetable juice containing a good quantity
of sugar, and from mixtures of sugar with
other materials used as flavourings. The
currant, elderberry, gooseberry, raspberry,
blackberry, orange, rhubarb, and parsnip
are each made into wine.

The chief wine, however, is that of the
grape, a fruit which has been used for this
purpose from remote antiquity. Modern
grape wines are of many different colours
and flavours, each great wine-growing dis-
trict producing a distinctive kind. As
regards colour, wines are called either red
or white. A wine is in some cases sweet,
in others dry, that is, not sweet. Some
wines, too, are bottled before fermentation
is ended and become sparkling, or gassy ;
others are still, that is, not sparkling.

Pure alcohol is called spirits of wine
because it was originally distilled from
grape-juice. In some countries wine is
still carried in a winebag (n.), or wineskin
(n.); which is the skin of a goat or other

4579

WING

WING

animal sewn up and used to contain the
liquor. In a figurative sense winebag
has the same meaning as a wine-bibber
(n.) — a person given to wine-bibbing (n.),
which is the drinking of wine to excess.

A wine-bottle (n.) is a glass bottle made
specially for holding wine. Decanters and
wine-bottles are sometimes passed round a
table in a wheeled wine-carriage (n.).

A wine-cask (n.) is a cask used for wine,
and a wine-cellar (n.) is a cellar in which
wine is stored. Some kinds of wines are
cooled by being placed with ice inside a
vessel called a wine-cooler (n.). Wine is
now seldom drunk from a metal wine-cup
(n.), or wine-bowl (n.), the wineglass (n.)
having taken its place. As an approximate
measure a wineglassful (n.) of liquid means
about two fluid ounces. Medicines are
sometimes directed to be taken in a wine-
glassful of water.

The winepress (n.) is an apparatus or
place in which the juice is squeezed from

G. wein, O. Norse vln ; akin to Gr. (w}oinos wine,
(w}oine vine, perhaps from the root of L. viere to
twist, wind, E. withe.

wing (wing), n. One of the limbs or
organs of flight of a bird, insect, or bat ;
anything resembling this in shape or func-
tion ; a supporting surface of an aeroplane ;
in the Royal Air Force, a division consisting
of three squadrons ; winged flight or motion ;
a more or less separate projecting part of
anything, such as a fortification, building,
army, etc. ; a studding-sail ; (pi.) the sides
of a stage, or scenery placed there, v.t. To
furnish with wings ; to cause to fly ; to send
in flight ; to give speed to ; to make (one's
way) on or as on wings ; to wound (a bird)
in the wing or (a person) in the arm. v.i.
To fly. (F. aile, vol, coulisses; garnir
d'ailes, preter des ailes, parcourir en volant,
frapper a I'aile; voler.)

A bird's wing corresponds to the arm in
man and the fore-limb in a quadruped.
Insects are grouped in two classes, those that

grapes. The liquid measure called wine- are winged (wingd adj.) and the wingless

measure (n.) is made up of gills, pints,
quarts, gallons, hogsheads, pipes, and tuns

Wine. — Grapes for making wine being unloaded from an old-
fashioned grape cart at a Hungarian store.

A wine-grower (n.) cultivates vines or
makes wine from their grapes. This he
sells to the wine-merchant (n.), whose
business is the selling of wine to the public.
A wine-palm (n.) is one of several kinds of
palm from the sap of which a fermented
liquor is made, called palm-wine and palm-
toddy.

The substance named wine-stone (n.) or
drgol is a hard deposit left in vessels in
which wine is fermented. By wine-vault
(n.) is usually meant a vault for the storage
of wine, but the word is used also of a
place in which wine is retailed by the glass.

No wine is drunk at a wineless (win' les,
adj.) feast. Some grapes have a distinctly
winy (win7 i, adj.) flavour, that is, one
resembling that of wine.

A.-S. win, from L. vinum, whence Dutch wijn,

(wing' les, adj.) ones, and the former class is
again subdivided into groups according to
the character and number of
the wings. The wings of the
bat are membranes attached to
the fore-limbs and the greatly
developed fingers, and to the
back legs and tail.

Swifts, swallows, and many
other birds spend the greater
part of their lives on the wing,
that is, flying about. The ex-
pression to take under one's
wing is derived from a hen's
mothering of her chickens, and
means to protect. Birds take
wing when they begin flying ;
hopes and riches take wing
when they disappear.

A fore-and-aft rigged ship is
said to run wing and wing
before the wind when her main-
sail is hauled out on one side
and her foresail on the other.
Insects of the order called Coleoptera
have a hinged, horny wing-case (n.), or
wing-sheath (n.) — really a modified wing — •
on each side, which closes over the folded
wing. A wing-beat (n.), or wing-stroke (n.),
is a complete stroke of a bird's wing 'in flight.
A wing-covert (n.) is a small feather near
the insertion of a bird's flight feather. A
winglet (wing7 let, n.) is a small or un-
developed wing.

Mercury, the son of Jupiter and the herald
and messenger of the gods, is represented
as wing-footed (adj.), that is, with wings
on his feet. Figuratively, the word means
swift. Poetically birds are said to wing
their way, and an archer to wing his
arrows at a mark. Fear lends wings to
the feet of a fugitive ; rumour travels
swiftly or, as we say, on the wings of the

4580

WINGS OF BIRDS AND OTHER FLYING CREATURES

Wing.— The wings shown above are as follows: 1. Redshank. 2. Cicada. 3. Common tern.

4. Scamandra polychroma. 5. Troides paradiseus. 6. Wasp. 7. Goldfinch. 8. Papilio

ulysses. 9. Tsetse-fly. 10. Humming-bird hawk-moth. 11. Clouded yellow butterfly. 12. Kestrel.

13. Widgeon. 14. Six-spotted burnet-moth. 15. Pipistrelle.

WINK

WINNOW

wind. Words are said to be winged when
they reach their mark or rouse their hearers
to action. A winged partridge is one
wounded in the wing and unable to leave
the ground ; a person wounded in the
arm is said to be winged.

The wings of an aeroplane are the metal or
fabric-covered horizontal planes or surfaces
which support it in the air. Ailerons, or mov-
able portions at the tips of the wings, serve
to maintain the balance. Wing is the name
given in the Royal Air Force to a division
consisting of a varying number of squadrons.
A land squadron is composed of three flights,
each flight having five aeroplanes.

A wing-commander (n.) is an officer of
the Royal Air Force ranking below a group
captain and above a squadron leader. His
rank is equal to that of a lieutenant-colonel
in the army.

In Rugby football a forward who takes
no part in the scrum is called a wing-forward
(n.), a term applied in Association football
to both the outside-left and the outside-right.
The two outside three-quarter backs in
Rugby are called the wing three-quarters
(n.pL). The play of a wing forward in
Rugby is called winging (wing' ing, n.).

M.E. wenge, of Scand. origin ; O. Norse vaeng-r,
cp. Dan. and Swed. vinge, akin to Sansk. t^to
blow. SYN. : n. Pinion.

wink (wingk), v.i. To close and open
the eyes quickly ; to blink ; to close and
open (of an eye) ; to give a signal by mo-
mentarily closing and opening one eye ;
of a star, etc., to twinkle ; to give an inter-
mittent light, v.t. To close and open (the
eye), n. The act of winking ; a signal
given thus. (F. clignoter, cligner de I' ceil,
etinceler ; cligner; clignotement, din d' ceil.)

A nap or a short sleep is often called
" forty winks." One who makes a state-
ment of a facetious or extravagant nature
for the benefit of one person in a company
may wink at others to signal that . his
remark is not intended for them, or is not
to be taken literally. In another sense of
the expression, to wink at somebody's
omission or blunder is to take no notice of
it ; a dishonest official might wink at, or
connive at, some breach of a law or a
regulation.

The beam emitted by some buoys and
lighthouses shines intermittently, or wink-
ingly (wingk' ing li, adv.), and is thus
distinguished from a fixed light.

A.-S wincian ; cp. Dutch wenken, G. winken
to beckon, nod, Icel. vanka to wink. See winch.
SYN. : v. and n. Blink, flicker.

winkle (wing' kl), n. A shortened form
<of periwinkle, the edible sea-snail. (F.
bigoreau.)

See periwinkle.

winning (win' ing). For this word,
winningly, etc., see under win.

winnow (win' 6), v.t. To separate
and remove the chaff from (grain) by a
blast of air ; to fan away (chaff, etc.) thus ;

Wing. — A mammal with wings, the flying-fox or
fruit-bat (top) ; the barn owl with wings out-
stretched ; the buff-tip moth, so called from the
buff tip on its wings ; the dreaded locust, an
insect which is allied to the grasshopper, and has
beautiful wings ; an aeroplane with a double pair
of wings or planes.

4581

WINSOME

WINTER

to fan (away) ; to sift ; to separate ; to
examine ; to free from inferior elements or
deleterious matter ; to clear or drive (these)
out or away ; to beat (the air) with wings ;
to flap (wings) ; to stir (hair, etc.). (F.
vanner, eventer, sender, battre, agiter.)

Grain after threshing must be winnowed,
and the chaff winnowed away by an air
current. Anciently a fan was used to
blow away the chaff. A winnower (win7
6 er, n.) — one who winnows — who lacked
any other means might do his winnowing
(win7 6 ing, n,) in primitive fashion by
throwing the grain into the air, for the
wind to winnow. The modern threshing-
machine has a winnowing apparatus which
winnows the chaff from the grain as the
latter is threshed.

To a magistrate sometimes falls the
difficult task of winnowing out the truth
from a mass of false and conflicting
testimony.

A.-S. windwian, from wind wind [i] ; cp.
O.H.G. winton, L. ventildre to fan, ventilate, from
ventus wind. SYN. : Fan, separate, sift, sort.

Winnow. — A scene in Malaya. Natives winnowing rice by means
of swinging a sieve.

winsome (win' sum), adj. Charming
attractive ; winning ; engaging. (F
charmant, mignon, joli, seduisant.)

A girl is described as winsome when she
is bright and attractive ; perhaps she has
a winsome smile or winsome manners.
Winsomeness (win' sum nes, n.) is the quality
of being winsome. Healthy and unspoiled
children generally are winsome in appearance,
and act winsomely (win' sum li, adv.).

A.-S. wynsum, from wynn joy, delight, and
suffix -sum (-some) ; cp. O.H.G. wunna, G. wonne.
See ween, wish, wont. SYN. : Attractive, charm-
ing, engaging, graceful, winning.

winter (win' ter), n. The season
between autumn and spring ; the period
embracing the coldest months of the year ;
old age ; a year of life. adj. Of or relating
to the winter ; used or occurring in or
lasting through the winter, v.i. To spend
the winter (in or at), v.t. To keep or feed
through the winter. (F. hiver, vieillesse,
annee ; hiemal, hibernal, hivernal ; hiverner ;

conserver dans I'hiver, nourrir pendant
I'hiver.)

During the winter the sun's course lies
nearest to the horizon, the sun's rays strike
the earth most slantingly, and days are at
their shortest. Astronomically, winter in
the Northern Hemisphere lasts from
the December solstice to the March
equinox, but, generally speaking, December,
January, and February are regarded as the
winter months. The cold period of the
year sometimes lasts longer, and, as
Goldsmith writes in " The Traveller,"
" winter lingering chills the lap of May."

During this season some animals winter,
or hibernate, in caves and burrows ; many
people in the colder countries winter at
resorts in the south of France, or in
Egypt or other warm parts. During much
of the cold weather beasts are unable
to be grazed, and farmers winter their
stock in sheds on hay, roots, etc. In poetry,
one's declining years are often called the
winter of life. A person sixty years of age
may be said to have lived sixty winters, or
.. ._, years of life.

In a large conservatory called
a winter-garden (n.) one finds
many plants which would not
be able to endure the winter's
cold in the open air. The name
is also applied to a large glass-
covered building used as a lounge,
or for concerts, etc., during the
cold months.

A winter-apple (n.) is one that
ripens during the winter or one
that keeps well ; winter-barley
(n.) is barley sown before the
winter, in late autumn.

The winterberry (n.), or black
alder, is a North American shrub
bearing red berries resembling
those of the holly, to which it
is related. Winter-cress (n.) is
of mustard grown for salad in the

a kind
winter.

The name of wintergreen (n.) is given to
plants of the genus Pyrola, which remain
green through the winter. From a North
American evergreen heath plant (Gaultheria
procumbens), bearing the name of winter-
green, is obtained an aromatic volatile
essential oil — called oil of wintergreen or
wintergreen-oil (n.) — used as a flavouring
and in medicine. Salicylic acid is prepared
from the oil.

A winter- lodge (n.) is a bud on a tree or
plant containing the germ of a shoot which
will develop when spring comes. It is
protected by strong scales. That of a
chestnut is covered with a sticky, varnish-
like liquid.

The winter aconite (n.) is a plant (Eran-
this) belonging to the order Ranunculaceae,
found in thickets. It has a tuberous root,
and produces yellow flowers year after
year.

4582

WINY

WIRE

The name of winter-cherry (n.) is given to
several plants bearing cherry-like fruit that
ripens in winter, especially the herb Phy salts
alkekengi.

Many people visit Switzerland and Norway
in winter to take part in winter sports (n.pl.},
which include skiing, tobogganing, skating,
and other open-air sports on ice or snow.

A winterless (win' ter les, adj.) region is
one having no cold season corresponding
to a northern winter. In old times cam-
paigning armies did not fight during the
winter, but went into winter-quarters (n.pl.),
a camp or other place in which they remained
till the winter was over. To-day, in some
cold latitudes, a campaign may be held up
during many months, until less winterly
(win' ter li, adj.), or wintry (win' tri, adj.),
conditions prevail. Wintriness (win' tri
nes, n.) is the state or quality of being
wintry. A cold, cheerless day is described
as a wintry one ; a greeting or a smile that
lacks warmth or cordiality is said to have
wintriness.

Common Teut. A.-S. winter ; cp. Dutch, G.
winter, O. Norse vittr, Goth, wintr-us ; perhaps
akin to wet, water. ANT. : n. Summer.

Winter. — The Swiss ceremony of " burning " a snow man, by way
of saying; farewell to winter, attracts a great crowd.

winy (win' i), adj. Resembling wine.
See under wine.

winze (winz), n. In mining, a small
shaft sunk from one level to another to
establish communication, or provide venti-
lation. (F. descenderie.)

Perhaps from wind [i], cp. O. Norse vinza to
winnow, ventilate, from vind-r wind.

wipe (wip), v.t. To clean or dry by
rubbing with something soft ; to remove,
clear (away), or get rid of thus ; to apply
solder to (a joint) with a cloth or pad. n.
The act of wiping. (F. essuyer, nettoyer,
ebarber un joint; nettoiement.}

Dishes are wiped to dry them after
washing and rinsing. A mother tells a
weeping child to wipe her eyes, that is,
to stop crying. Perhaps she will use her
own handkerchief to wipe away, or get

rid of, the tears on the child's face. To
wipe off a debt means to pay it.

An army is said to be wiped out when it
suffers such heavy losses that it ceases to
exist as an organized force. In January, 1842,
the British garrison of Kabul capitulated
to the Afghan tribesmen and was promised
a safe-conduct to India. Actually, however,
the whole army was wiped out by massacre,
or died of hunger and privation on the
journey, only one white man, Dr. Brydon,
surviving. Sometimes a badly beaten force
is able later to gain a victory that effaces,
or wipes out, the stigma of the earlier defeat.
One who wipes, or anything used for wiping,
is a wiper (wip' er, n.). Large quantities
of wipers are used to clean machinery and
the inking mechanism of printing-presses.
A plumber wipes a joint by applying melted
metal to the pipes, holding this in place
and smoothing it to shape with a cloth pad.
A.-S. wlpian, from assumed wip wisp ; cp.
Low G. wiep (n.), O.H.G. wlfan to wind round,
Goth, waip-s a wreath. See whip.

wire (wlr), n. Metal drawn out into a
thin rod or thread of uniform diameter ;
a piece of this ; the electric telegraph ; a
telegram. v.t. To furnish with
I wire or wires ; to cover, enclose,
bind, or stiffen with wire ; to
| send (a message) by telegraph ;
to send such a message to (a
person), v.i. To send a telegram.
(F. fil, fil de metal, tttegraphe
electrique,. telegramme ; poser des
fils dans, assurer ayec . un. fil
metallique, envoy er un Ulegramme ;
telegraphier.}

Wires as small as ^ inch in
diameter can be rolled out from
bars. Smaller sizes are made
by pulling large wires through., a
number of dies, each smaller
than that preceding it, so that
the wire gradually becomes
thinner, while its length increases.
Very small wires are drawn
through holes made in diamonds
or rubies.

Puppets are moved by working hidden
wires fastened to their limbs. To pull
the wires has come to mean to exercise
control in hidden ways, as, for instance, in
political matters. A person is called a
wire-puller (n.), and is said to indulge in wire-
pulling (n.), if he exercises control or influence
behind the scenes.

Fine wire is woven into wire-cloth (n.)
and wire-gauze (n.) used for sieves and
screens ; thicker wire is twisted into wire-
netting (n.), a coarse fabric used for fencing.
A wire-rope (n.) is made by twisting wires
into strands, and then twisting three or
more strands together. Wire is cut with an
implement called a wire-cutter (n.) which has
sharp-edged jaws. A wire-dancer (n.) is a
person who walks or does feats on a tightly
stretched wire.

4583

WIRELESS

WIRELESS

To wiredraw (wir' draw, v.t.) a piece of
metal is to draw it out into wire. An argu-
ment is said to be wiredrawn if spun out
too finely, or if its propounder splits hairs.
A wire-drawer (n.) is a manufacturer of
wire, or a workman engaged in drawing it.
When a tool is sharpened on a grindstone
a wire-edge (n.), or false edge, may be formed
on it ; this is a very thin edge which turns
back on one side or the other. The wire-
edge is removed by honing or stropping.

Wire. — Washing hung out to dry on a barbed wire defence erected
by coolies at Shanghai.

A military trench is defended from sudden
attacks by a wire-entanglement (n.), made
by stringing barbed-wire between supports
in front of it. A wire-gun (n.) is a large
gun formed of a tube having a very large
quantity of steel wire coiled round it, this
being further strengthened and held to-
gether by a jacket.

Wireworm. — Wireworms, grubs of a click-beetle,
are very injurious farm pests.

The roots of many kinds of plants are
attacked by the wireworm (n.), which is
the larva of a click-beetle. Colloquially,
to wire a person, or wire to him, means to
send him .a telegram — often called a wire.
Ladies' hats are wired, or stiffened with
wire. Houses are wired for electric light
or for bells.

The wire-haired (n.) terrier possesses a
coat of short, stiff wiry (wir' i, adj.) hairs,
which stand upwirily (wir' i li, adv.). Fibres
are wiry if strong and flexible like wire. A
wiry man is one who is spare, sinewy, and
strong, or not easily tired. The state or
quality of being wiry in any sense is
called wiriness (wir' i nes, n.).
_ A.-S. wfr ; cp. Low G. wir(e), O.H.G. wiara
hne gold, gold ornament, O. Norse vlr-r, Swed.
vira to twist, L. viriae armlets, viere to plait.
See withe.

wireless (wir' les),adj. With-
out wires; of, transmitted by,
connected with, or used in wire-
less telegraphy, n. A system of
telegraphy or telephony in which
no conductor wires are used to
connect stations; radiotele-
graphy. v.t. To send (a message,
etc.) by wireless - transmission.
'v.i. To send out wireless signals
or messages. (F. sans fil; tele-
graphie sans fil, telephonic sans
fil ; raiotelegraphie, radiotele-
phonie ; radiotelegraphier!)

No wires are used to connect
the sending station and that
which receives wireless signals.
Oscillations of the ether set up
by the instruments of the former
are made to work the apparatus
at the latter. A wireless station
(n.) is a place equipped for
sending and receiving messages
and signals by wireless telegraphy (n.), or

wireless, as it is often rr. ...

abbreviated — the system
which uses the electro-
magnetic waves produced
by Hertz in 1888.

Marconi in 1896
patented the system from
which later methods are
largely derived. He then
used an oscillator of the
type devised by Hertz. Impulses from an
induction coil traversed a spark-gap, and set
up wireless waves radiating from the trans-
mitter in all directions. Similar impulses
are produced in any electrical conductor
with which the waves come in contact. At
Marconi's receiving station the oscillations
were detected by a magnetic device called
a coherer.

Since those early days immense strides
have been made, and a chain of high-
powered wireless stations now girdles the
earth, messages being flashed by wireless
from one end of the Empire to another
in a few seconds. One of the greatest boons
of wireless telegraphy is that it enables
ships in mid-ocean to communicate with
each other or with the shore. All vessels
of a certain tonnage are required to have a
wireless operator (n.) continually on duty,
so that several are carried, who take turns

Wireless.— Badge of

wireless staff in the

Royal Navy.

4584

WIRY

WISE

in the wireless- room
(n.} or wireless-cabin
(n.). A ship in distress
can wireless calls for
help, and a captain
of a vessel which
carries no surgeon can
wireless for instruc-
tions in an emergency.

Aeroplanes receive
weather reports, bear-
ings, or landing in-
structions by wireless,
and in foggy weather
are guided home by
its aid. Police cars in
pursuit of criminals
carry a wireless in-
stallation by means of
which they keep in
touch with head-
quarters. By a won-
derful extension of the
system we may speak
from London to New
York on the wireless
telephone (n.)', pictures,
too, are wirelessed, and daily newspapers
are able to print photographs of events
which took place in Berlin or New York a
few hours previously.

Music and speech are broadcast from our
cities to a world-wide audience by wireless,
using the thermionic valve and a micro-
phone developed to a degree of sensitivity
undreamt of by earlier experimenters.

Wireless-cabin. — A wireless operator receiving a

message in the wireless-cabin of the S.S.

" Franconia."

Wireless. — British troops passing a mobile wireless station, which
is a motor-van fitted with wireless apparatus.

Most wireless stations send out signals
in the form of waves which travel in all
directions, somewhat like the ripples on the
surface of water into which a stone is flung.
A station using beam-wireless (n.), however,
emits a " beam " of waves in one selected
direction only, like the beam of rays from
a searchlight.

From E. wire and suffix -less.

•wiry (wir' i). For
this word see under
wire.

wis (wis) . For this
word, in the false
form I wis, see under
iwis.

wisdom (wiz'dom),
n. The quality or
state of being wise ;
knowledge, together
with the experience
and capacity to make
right use of it ;
sagacity ; discretion ;
prudence ; common
sense. (F. sagesse,
savoir, prudence.}

Milton in "Paradise
Lost " writes : —

Beauty is excelled by

manly grace,
And wisdom, which
alone is truly fair.
One of the books
of the Apocrypha is
called the " Wisdom
of Solomon," or the " Book of Wisdom."
It exhorts all in authority to exercise
justice and wisdom, and discourses on the
excellence of wisdom.

A wisdom-tooth (n.) is one of the last four
teeth of the full set to appear ; that is, it
is a third molar. Wisdom-teeth are so
called because they do not appear until
the age of eighteen to twenty, when one
may be supposed to have acquired
' a certain amount of wisdom. To
cut one's wisdom-teeth means
figuratively to attain to dis-
cretion. A great library may be
said to contain in its volumes the
accumulated wisdom of the ages.
From wise and suffix -dom. See
freedom. SYN. : Discretion, pru-
dence, sagacity. ANT. : Error, folly,
foolishness.

•wise [i] (wlz), adj. Having,
showing, or characterized by
knowledge and experience, with
ability to apply them rightly or
judiciously; sagacious; sensible;
"experienced; discreet; prudent.
(F. sage, experimente, sagace,
perspicace.}

One of Christ's parables is the
story of the wise and foolish
virgins (Matthew xxv, 2). The
former wisely (wiz' li, adv.], or in
a wise manner, replenished their lamps. A
man who knows a great deal is not always
a wise man, for to be really wise he must
do more than possess knowledge ; he must
know how to use it rightly and to the best
advantage. The three wise men of the East
are also called the Magi.

Sayings and actions in harmony with or
showing wisdom are said to be wise ones.

026

4585

i R 7

WISE

WISTFUL

There are times and occasions when it is
wiser to remain silent than to speak.
One who pretends to have foreseen some
contingency which has really taken him
unawares is said to be wise after the event.
One who did not understand a lecture or
discussion would probably come away none
the wiser, knowing no more than before.

In olden days people referred to a supposed
witch as a wise woman (n.). A wiseacre (wiz '
a ker, n.) is a person who pretends to learning
he does not possess. Some people get a
reputation for wisdom by uttering even
commonplace remarks in a wise manner.

A.-S. wis ; cp. Dutch wijs, G. weise, O. Norse
vls-s ; akin to wit. SYN. : Circumspect, en-
lightened, judicious, prudent, sagacious. ANT. :
Foolish, imprudent, unwise.

•wise [2] (wiz), n. Manner ; mode ;
guise ; way. (F. fa^on, mode, guise.)

This word is not often used now. It is
found in such phrases as "in any wise,"
" in. no wise," and, as a suffix, in such words
as crosswise and lengthwise.

A.-S. wise, manner, arrangement, direction,
akin to wise [i] ; cp. Dutch wijs; G: weise (h.),
O. Norse vis, also A.-S. wisian to point out.
See guise. SYN. : Guise, manner, way. -

wiseacre (wiz' a ker), n. One who
pretends to learning or wisdom. See under
wise [ij.

M. Dutch wijssegher, O.H.G. wlzago prophet.

wish, (wish), v.t. To want,;very much ;
to long for ; to have as a desire, craving,
or aspiration ; to express a wish or desire
about ; to bid ; to invoke ; to be (well or
ill) disposed to. v.i. To have a
strong desire (for), n. A desire
or aspiration ; an expression of
this ; a request ; a thing desired.
(F. souhaiter, desirer ; soupirer
apres ; desir, souhait, demande.)

The verb is often followed by
a clause introduced by "that,"
although the conjunction may be
omitted. We often wish for a
fine day, wish it wouldjstop rain-
ing, or wish that .the sun would
come out. On a rainy day, too,
one is apt to wish the time away,
or wish for bed-time. A visitor
to London may wish to visit
the Zoo, and his friends will
doubtless see that the wish is
granted.

In superstitious ages it was
thought that certain people, by
wishing ill to others, could bring
disaster or misfortune upon the latter. In
wishing someone good-bye, a person who
wishes him well may offer good wishes for
his health or happiness. A boy may be
wishful (wish' ful, adj.) to become an
engineer. To enter this profession may be his
dearest wish or aspiration. A hungry child
gazes wishfully (wish' ful li, adv.) or with
'

The wish-bone (n.), or wishing-bone (n.),
of a bird is a forked bone situated between
its neck and breast. Another name for it
is merrythought. When two persons break
this between them, the one who retains the
longer part is playfully supposed to be able
to have some wish fulfilled. The wishing-
cap (n.) of the fairy tales is a kind of magic
cap that grants to the wearer the power of
realizing his or her wishes.

A.-S. wyscan ; cp, Dutch wenschen, G wun-
schen, properly to hold dear, desire. See ween,
win, wont. SYN. : v. Covet, crave, desire,
invoke, n. Aspiration, desire, request.

wish-wash, (wish' wosh), n. Any
weak, thin liquor or drink ; figuratively,
foolish talk. (F. lavasse, fadaises, banalites.)

Very weak tea is said to be wishy-washy
(wish' i wosh' i, adj.), and in a figurative
sense the word is often used of a person
who has a weak character.

Reduplication of wash; cp. G. wischwasch
tattle, foolish talk.

wisp (wisp), n. A small bunch or handful
ef straw, hay, hair, or similar substance.
(F. poigne'e, touffe.)

A wisp of hair is a few strands. Hair that
grows father scantily and irregularly may be
said to be wispy (wisp' i, adj.).

M.JL.-wisp, wi-ps, perhaps connected with wipe ;
cp. Low G. wiep, Swed. visp, G. wippen to move
. up and down. See whip, wipe.

•wist (wist). This is the past tense of
wit. See wit [ij.

•wistaria, (wis tar' i a), n. A genus
of climbing, shrubs with drooping clusters

Wistaria.— Lovely hanging blooms of the wistaria in the far
Japanese tea-gardens at Kameido Park, Tokyo.

wishfulness (wish' ful nes, n.) at a plate of
cakes.

of lilac-coloured flowers, natives of China
and North America, belonging to the
bean family ; a plant of this genus. (F.
glycine.)

Named after C. Wistar, an American anatomist
(died 1818).

wistful (wist' ful), adj. Full of vague
yearnings, especially for that which cannot
be obtained ; pensive ; contemplative. (F.
desireux, pensif, contemplatif.)

4586

WIT

WITENAGEMOT

i. To know.
second person

A dog left at home when its master sets
out on a walk will generally gaze after
him with a wistful expression. A crippled
child often watches wistfully (wist' ful li,
adv.], that is, with wistfulness (wist' ful
nes, n.}, while his more fortunate friends are
playing games.

Probably from obsolete E. wistly intently, for
whistly silently ; associated with wishful. See
whist [i]. SYN. : Contemplative, dreamy,
meditative, thoughtful.

•wit [i] (wit), v.t. and
first person sing, wot (wot)
sing, wettest (wot' est).
p.t. wist (wist). (F. savoir.)

The infinitive " to wit "
is employed instead of
" namely/' as in the
sentence: "He had two
sons, to wit, Henry and
John." The past tense
occurs in the New Testa-
ment, as (Luke ii, 49) :
"wist ye not that I must
be about my Father's
business?" Witting (wit'
ing, adj.) means knowing,
but occurs chiefly in the
form wittingly (wit' ing li,
adv.). To do something
wittingly means to do it
knowingly or intention-
ally.

A.-S. witan (pres. wdt, past
wiste) to know, wot ; cp.
Dutch weten, G. wissen, O.
Norse vita, L. videre, Gr.
(w)idein, (w)oida, Sansk. veda
to perceive, know, the original
meaning being see.

wit [2] (wit), n.
Understanding ; superior
intelligence ; sense ; the
power of perceiving or of
giving neat and happy
analogies, etc., between ideas apparently
unconnected or incongruous ; a person who
has wit ; one who talks wittily. (F. esprit,
finesse, personne spirituelle.)

We may say that 'one person has not
sufficient wit or intellect to be trusted with
a certain job, .and that: another should be
selected because . he : has all his wits about
him. Wit, in another- sense, means a facile
or happy turn of speech.

A person thus gifted is sometimes called
a wit, and one of his sayings a witticism (wit'
i sizm, n.}. Such a one is witty (wit' i,
adj.] ; he speaks wittily (wit' i li, adv.),
and often becomes renowned for the witti-
ness (wit' i nes, n.), or quick humour, of his
remarks. The word witted (wit' ed, adj.)
is only used in combination, for instance,
quick-witted, slow-witted.

We may be said to be at our wit's end
if we are at a complete loss what to do
next. A witless (wit' les, adj.) fellow is
one who is stupid, foolish, or careless ; he

Witch-doctor. — Performers in a play
dressed as African witch-doctors.

expression to

acts witlessly (wit' les li, adv.), that is, as
if he has no sense, and his witlessness (wit'
les nes, n.) may lead him into danger.

A.-S. wit(t) ; cp. G. witz, Dan. vid, Swed. vett,
O. Norse vit. See wit [i]. SYN. : Humour, in-
telligence, sense.

•witan (wit' an), n. The members of
a witenagemot ; the witenagemot itself.
A.-S. plural of wita wise man, from witan.

wit [i].

•witch [i] (wich), n. A woman prac-
tising the black art ; a fascinating woman ;
an ugly old woman, v.t.
To bewitch or enchant.
A (F. sorciere, sirene, vieille

femme laide ; charmer, en-
chanter, ensorceler.)

Belief in evil spirits and
the black art of sorcery
has persisted through the
ages, and even to-day there
may be found ignorant
people who believe in the
supernatural power of
witches. At one time
people in England believed
firmly in witchcraft
(wich' kraft, n.), that is,
sorcery or the practices of
witches. A witch- finder
(n.) used to be employed
to discover witches and to
aid in their prosecution.
Women found guilty of
witchcraft were nearly
always put to death.

Savages still have
faith in the ability of a
witch-doctor (n.), or
medicine-man, to cure sick-
ness by sorcery. Witching
(wich' ing, adj.) means
having the power to
enchant, or lending itself to enchantment,
but the word is often used figuratively in
the sense of fascinating. A pretty woman
may be said to smile witchingly (wich' ing
li, adv.), or to charm with a witching smile.
Witchery (wich' er i, n.) means witchcraft,
but more usually charm or fascination.

On the branches of the elm, birch, horn-
beam, and other trees we sometimes see
clumps of small twiggy branches called
witch-knots (n.pl.) ; these look something
like a rook's nest and are caused by fungi.

A.-S. wicce, from wiccian to practise magic,
perhaps properly to turn away (misfortune, like
a witch-doctor) ; cp. Norw. vikja to drive away,
to conjure away ; O. Norse vikja to turn aside,
a'so M. Dutch wicker a soothsayer. See weak,
week. SYN. : n. Enchantress, hag, siren,
sorceress.

witch [2] (wich). This is another form
of wych. See wych.

witenagemot (wit' e na ge mot), n.
In Anglo-Saxon times a council, with whom,
in conjunction with the king, lay the decision

I

4587

WITH

WITHER

in all important matters. The more usual alone with his bicycle and camera on

form to-day is witan (wit7 an). (F. a half - holiday. A leisurely ride with

witenagemot.} occasional stops at places of interest

In early Saxon times each small independ- doubtless seems to him a pleasant change

ent kingdom had its own witenagemot, and from afternoon school. Another boy may

there is considerable doubt as to whether prefer to spend his holiday with, that is,

this assembly consisted of the entire body m the company of, a number of comrades,

of freemen or whether, even at. this early They will probably get up a scratch team

stage it was a body of individuals specially and P^Y a game of cricket with, that is,

selected for their ability in council. During against, another set of boys. With, or in

the Heptarchy, and later, when Wessex had the case of, these boys, company is preferable

absorbed the lesser ' kingdoms! there is no to solitude ; when the holiday is over they

doubt that the witenagemot, or witan, was will be contented with themselves and ready

composed only of the athelings, the ealdor- to return to work.

men, and the national officers, both civil A.-S. with, a shortened form of wither against ;

and ecclesiastical, together with a certain cp. Dutch weder, G wider against, O. Norse vith

number of royal nominees. A powerful against, with, by. In M.E. with replaced obsolete

king increased the number of the last in E- mtd (CP- G- »»*0- ANT- : Without,

order to obtain a preponderating influence, -withal (with awl7), adv. Together with ;

for, following the tradition of the Teutonic with the rest ; in addition ; at the same

time ; moreover ; also.

From M.E. with with, alle, dative of al ( = all).

withdraw (with draw7), v.t. To draw
back or aside ; to take away or remove ;

The witan was also the supreme court to retract or recall, v.i. To retire from a

of justice ; besides hearing appeals it acted place ; to go apart or aside, p.t. withdrew

races, the consent of the council was neces-
sary to give validity to legislation and to
treaties, and also to the raising of levies for
war and emergencies.

as a court of first instance, where otherwise (with droo7), p.p. withdrawn (with drawn7),
it would have been difficult to bring offenders (F. retirer, retracter; se retirer, partir.)

to justice.

We withdraw money from a bank when

A.-S. witena, gen. pi. of wita wise man, gemot we need cash for some purpose or other ;
assembly. See wit [i]/moot. an offer is withdrawn when it is retracted.

We withdraw from a' room when
we leave it. A general may have
to withdraw troops from one
position in order to strengthen
another part of the line ; in
another case he may withdraw
to prevent his force from being
surrounded by the enemy.

Each of these actions is a
withdrawal (with draw7 al, n.).
Cries of " Withdraw " are raised
in Parliament when a member
uses unparliamentary language,
and the shouts continue until the
offending remark is withdrawn.
One who withdraws in any
sense in which the word is used
is a withdrawer (with draw7
er, n.).

From with (against, back, towards
oneself), and draw. SYN. : Depart,
recant, recede, relinquish, retract.

with (with), prep. In or into the com- ANT. : Advance, confirm, maintain,
pany of ; in relation to ; agreeably to ; withe (with ; with ; with), n. A twig

in harmonious relation to ; having, possess- of osier or willow ; a band made of twisted
ing, or characterized by ; in the care or osiers or twigs, withy (with' i) has the
charge of ; by the use or instrumentality same meaning. (F. osier, brin d'osier,
of ; by the possession, supply, or addition hart.)

of ; in the same way or direction as ; at A.-S. withthe, akin to wlthig willow twig ;
the same time as ; in the same degree as ; cp. G. weide willow, O. Norse vith willow, withy,
owing to ; in regard to ; as a consequence Gr. (w)itea, and perhaps L. vltis, vlmen vine,
of ; in separation from ; in addition to ; from viere to plait. See vine, wine,
despite ; against ; in opposition to. (F. -wither (with' er). v.t. To cause to fade

avec.) or shrivel ; to deprive of bloom, freshness.

A boy with, that is, in possession of, or vigour ; to blight with scorn, etc. v.i. To
some pocket-money, may enjoy himself become dry and wrinkled ; to shrivel (up) ;

4588

Witenagemot. — "Trial by Jury." From the painting by Charles
W. Cope, R.A., the subject being an Anglo-Saxon witenagemot.

WITHERS

WITHSTAND

to lose freshness, vigour, etc. ; to droop or
decay. (F. fletrir, faner ; se faner, deperir.)

Plants wither when deprived of moisture,
the flesh of a person's arm may wither
through disease. Vegetation is withered
by hot sunshine and we may notice the
witheredness (with' erd nes, n.) of meadows,
trees,, and flowers during a drought. We
show scorn or contempt for a person by
giving him a withering (with' er ing, adj.)
or blighting look, or by glancing witheringly
(wi^'eringli, adv.) at him.

M.E. wideren (v.i) to be exposed to weather
(weder). See weather. SYN. : Droop, dry, fade,
shrink, wilt. ANT : Bourgeon, develop, flourish,
grow, increase.

withers (wi^' erz), n.pl. The ridge
at the junction of the shoulder-bones of a
horse. (F. garrot.)

If a horse injures its withers, as by jump-
ing heavily on hard ground, it is said to
be wither- wrung (adj.).

From A.-S. . withre resistance, from wither
against ; cp. Dutch weder \ G. wider, O. Norse
vith(r] against ; literally the parts resisting
the collar ; cp. G. widerrist withers, from wider
against, rist wrist, instep, highest part of a
horse. See wrist.

withershins (with' er shinz), adv. In
a direction contrary to the apparent course
of the sun. Another form is widdershins
(wid' er shinz).

This is an old Scottish word. To walk
withershins, or in this direction, was con-
sidered unlucky or likely to bring misfortune.

Sc., from M. Low G. weddersin(ne)s, from
wider against, sin(d) way, direction. ANT. :
Deiseal.

withhold (with hold'), v.t. To keep
back ; to refuse to grant ; to keep from
action ; to refrain, p.t. and p.p. withheld
(with held'). (F. retenir, refuser, arreter.)

We are said to withhold information if
we do not disclose facts within our know-
ledge to others interested. Reinforcements
are withheld from a general when they are
kept back and not allowed to reach him. The
act of withholding is withholdment (wi^
hold' ment, n.), and one who withholds is
a withholder (wi^ hold' er, n.), but these
words are seldom met with to-day, either
in conversation or writing.

From with (= back) and hold. SYN. : Check,
refrain, refuse, restrain.

•within (wi thin'), adv. Inside ; in or to
the inside ; indoors ; in the inner or interior
parts ; internally, n. The inside, prep. In
or to the inner or interior parts of ; inside ;
not beyond or outside of ; in the range or
compass of ; not farther off than ; in a time
no longer than. (F. en dedans, a I'inte'rieur,
interieurement ; I'interieur, le dedans; dans,
en, dans I'interieur de, au-dessous de, dans
I'espace de.)

The words " apply within," often dis-
played on notices, invite us to apply for
further particulars inside the house or

building in question. Those who are pure
in heart or spirit are said to be pure within.
An easy task is one within our capabilities.
Brighton is within easy reach of London.

From with- and -in ; cp. A.-S. withinnan
within, from within. SYN. : adv. and prep.
Inside. ANT. : adv. and prep. Outside.

.,;

Within.— Within the cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris :
an impressive view of the nave.

•without (with out'), adv. Outside
on or to or at the outside ; externally ; out
of doors, n. The outside, prep: Not having
not with ; free from ; lacking ; outside o
beyond. (F. hors, dehors, a I'exterieur; le
dehors ; sans, hors de.)

A penniless person is without money.
One who is impetuous acts without due
thought. We try to fill a bottle without
spilling the liquid. If we cannot afford a
thing we do without it or go without it,
that is, dispense with it.

From with- and -out ; cp. A.-S. withutan on
the outside of. SYN. : adv. Outside. ANT. :
prep. with.

withstand (with stand'), v.t. To
resist ; to oppose ; to stand up against
successfully, v.i. To make a stand, p.t.
and p.p. withstood (with stud'). (F. tenir
tete a, s'opposer a; faire opposition.)

A person in good health is better able to
withstand hardship than a sickly one. The
French troops at Verdun in 1917-18
withstood many fierce attacks by the
German forces. Many old trees, such as
oaks, have withstood the storms of cen-
turies. Anybody who or anything which

4589

WITHY

WOBBLE

withstands something or somebody may be
called a withstander (with stand' er, n.), but
this word is rare in ordinary speech and
writing.

From with- against, and -stand. SYN. :
Oppose, prevent, resist. ANT. : Assist, con-
cede, grant, submit. .

withy (with' i). This is another form
of withe. See withe. -

witless (wit' les). For 'this word,
witlessly, etc., see under wit [2].,

witness (wit' nes), n. Attestation of
a fact ; testimony ; proof ; one who has
seen an accident or has knowledge of a fact ;
in law, one who signs his own name as
evidence of the genuineness of the signature
of another ; one who gives evidence on
oath in a court, v.t. To see or know by

Magical ; enchanting. (F. sorcier, thauma-
turge; magique, enchanteur .}

We arc too wise nowadays to believe in
wizards or wizard powers, but Marconi
might be said to be a wireless wizard, and
clever conjurers delight us with the wizardry
(wiz' ard ri, n.} of their performances.

From E. wise and suffix -ard. SYN. : n.
Magician, sorcerer.

wizen (wiz' n), v.i. To wither or dry
up. v.t. To wither (a thing), adj. Wizened
or dried up. (F. se dessecher ; ratatiner,
rabougrir ; ratatine, rabougri.)

M.E. wisenen, A.-S. wisnian to dry up, wither ;
cp. O.H.G. wesanen to grow dry, G. ver-weisen
to waste away, decay, rot, O. Norse visna to
wither, visinn withered, perhaps also L. virus
poison, Sansk. visha-. SYN. : v. Shrivel, wither.

wo (wo). This is another form of whoa.
See whoa.

woad (wod), n. A plant, I satis tinctoria,
yielding a blue dye ; the dye itself. (F,
pastel, guede.)

The ancient Britons coloured their bodies
with woad. This blue dyestuff is ob-
tained from the pulped and fermented
leaves of Isatis tinctoria, and, although it
has long since been displaced by indigo,
it is still used to improve the colour of
indigo and other blue dyes. A dye treated
with woad is said to be woaded (wod' ed,

personal experience; to attest; to testify; wirier (^i zer'). This is another form

in law, to subscribe one's signature to a of Vlzier- See Vlzier-

document as proof of its genuineness, v.i.

To bear testimony. (F. temoignage, temoin ;

temoigner, etre itmoin de, attester, signer;

porter temoignage.}

A person who witnesses an accident may
be called on to witness, or give evidence, as
to what actually happened, from the witness-
box (n.) in a court of law, where cases are
decided after the evidence of witnesses
has been heard. - ^"

If we affix our name to a friend's ,will
and thereby testify to the genuineness of
his signature we are said to have witnessed
his will. If we say that anything is witness-
able (wit' nes abl, adj.), we usually mean
that it can be seen or j^^^^^^^^^^
recognized easily.

A.-S. witnes, from witan
to know, with suffix -nes. U 1
SYN. : n. . Attestation, .
spectator, testimony, v.
Attest, see, testify.

witticism (wit/ i
sizm). For this word,
wittily, etc., see under
wit [2].

wittingly (wit ' ing li) .
For this word see under
wit [i].

•witty (wit' i). For
this word see under
wit [2].

•wive (wiv), v.t. To
furnish with a \vife.
v.i. To take a wife.

A.-S. ivlfian, from wif
wife.

wivern (wi' vern).
This is another form of
wyvern. See wyvern.

•wives (wivz). This
is the plural form of
wife. See wife.

•wizard (wiz' ard), n. A magician ; a
sorcerer ; an enchanter ; popularly, any-

one who works wonders ; a conjurer.

A.-S. wad ; cp. Dutch weede, G. waid.

•wobble (wob' 1), v.i.
To incline first to one
side and then to the
other ; to stagger or
go unsteadily; to waver
or be inconstant or
inconsistent, n. A sway-
ing or uneven motion ;
a stagger ; hesitation
or inconsistency. An-
other spelling is wabble
(wob' 1). (F.' tituber,
vaciller ; titubation,
vacillation.)

A person learning to
ride a bicycle generally
wobbles from side to
side. A rickety table
causes the objects on
it to wobble.' Anything
that wobbles is wobbly
(wob'li, adj.). Wheth6r
in business or pleasure,
most of us dislike to
be associated with a
wobbler (wob' ler, «.),
a person who cannot
make up his mind, or
one who, having made

it up, changes it again without good reason.
Wabble is the earlier form, a frequentative;
adj. cp. G. dialect wab(b)eln to wobble, M.H.G.

4590

Wizard. — "A Lapland Wizard Bargaining for

Wind." From an old engraving published

in 1797.

WOE

WOLF

wabelen to move restlessly, O. Norse vafla to
waver ; akin to wave (v.), waver, quaver, and
perhaps squab a squat fat person, with the idea
offlabbiness. SYN. : n. Vacillation, v. Oscillate,
rock, vacillate.

woe (wo), n. Great sorrow ; affliction ;
distress ; (pi.) misfortunes ; calamities. (F.
peine, affliction, malheurs.}

The phrase, in weal and woe, means in
prosperity and adversity. A person who
has many woes, or sorrows, is woeful (wo'
full adj.], and probably speaks woefully (wo'
ful li, adv.] of his troubles. Woeful tidings
are sad ones. We say colloquially that a
dunce is woefully, or deplorably, dense.
Woefulness (wo' ful nes, n.}, is a woeful state
or quality. A sorrowful-looking or dismal
person has a woebegone (wo' be gawn ;
wo' be gon, adj.] appearance.

A.-S. wea ; cp. Dutch wee, G. weh, O. Norse
vei, Goth, wai, L. vae (inter.), Gr. ouai (inter.).
SYN. : Adversity, sorrow, tribulation. ANT. :
Delight, felicity, joy, pleasure, prosperity.

woiwode (woi' wod). This is another
form of voivode. See voivode.

wold (wold), n. A tract of open, uncul-
tivated country, usually a down or moor.
(F. campagne, plaine onduleuse, lande.}

A.-S. w(e}ald forest, wood ; cp. Dutch woud,
G. wold, O. Norse voll-r, Gr. alsos.

•wolf (wulf), n. A carnivorous animal with
a lank body, long snout, erect ears, oblique
eyes, straight tail, and grey, white, or tawny
fur, closely allied to the dog, and often hunt-
ing in packs ; a cruel or ravenous person ;
in music, a discord heard in certain keys
on an organ not tuned in equal tempera-
ment ; a jarring noise produced by certain
notes and due to a defect in a string or in
the construction of a violin or similar
instrument. pi. wolves (wulvz). v.t. To
gulp down (food) ravenously. (F. loup ;
gober, devorer.)

The three chief kinds of wolf are the
common or European wolf (Canis lupus], the
grey or timber wolf, and the small prairie
wolf or coyote.

To cry wolf means to give a false alarm.
Many poor people have to work very hard
to keep the wolf from the door, that is, to
escape starvation. A wolf-dog (n.}, or wolf-
hound (n.), is either a powerful dog used for
hunting wolves, or else a kind of dog
believed to be descended from a cross between
a wolf and a dog.

The wolf-fish (n.) — Anarrichas lupus — is
a large, voracious sea fish allied to and
resembling the blenny. It has powerful
teeth adapted for crushing the shell-fish
and crustaceans on which it feeds.

The plant called wolf's-bane (n.) — Aconitum
lycoctonum — is a species of aconite ; wolf's-
claw (n.), or wolf's-foot (n.), is the club-moss.
A young wolf may be called a wolf-cub (n.),
which is also the official name for a member
of the junior branch of the Boy Scout move-
ment. A troop of boy wolf-cubs is known as
a pack.

4591

Wolf. — The prairie wolf, or coyote, a native of
North America.

Wolf-cub. — Wolf-cubs saluting the chief-scout as
they pass by.

IF

Wolf-fish. — The wolf-fish, a large, voracious sea fish.

WOLFRAM

WONDER

Some colts are born with a little bone, called effeminate that he seemed to act womanishly

a wolf-tooth (n.), in front of each grinder
tooth. It has no root and is merely set in the
gum

(wum' an ish li, adv.), or to play the woman.
To womanize (wum' an iz, v.t'.} a boy is to
make him womanish or effeminate 'in his

A spider of the family Lycosidae is some- tastes.

times called a wolf-spider (n.) from its habit
of hunting for and springing on its prey.

Starving people have a wolfish (wulf ' ish,
adj.), that is, a wolf-like or ravenous,
appetite. When food is put before them,
they eat it wolfishly (wulf' ish li, adj.), that
is, in the manner of a wolf. Wolfishness
(wulf' ish nes, n.) is the quality of being
wolfish or wolf-like.

A.-S. wulf ; cp. Dutch, G. wolf, O. Norse ulf-r
= vulf-r, L. lupus, Gr. lykos, Sansk. vrika, per-
haps akin to Gr. helkein to pull, rend. The
original meaning may be the tearer.

wolfram (wul' fram), n. A native
tungsten ore containing iron and manganese ;
the metallic element tungsten obtained
from this ore. Another name for the ore
is wolframite (wul,
fram it). (F. wolfram,
wolframite.}

G. wolfram, possibly
from the personal name
Wolfram. -

•wolverine (wul' ver
en). This is another
name for the carca-
jou. See carcajou.
Another form is wol-
verene (wul' ver en).

An invented dim. of I
wolf, from the animal's |
habits.

wolves (wulvz) .
This is the plural form
of wolf. See wolf.

woman (wum' an),
n. The human female
grown to adult years ;
qualities or feelings considered appropriate
to the female sex ; a man displaying these.
pi. women (wim' en), adj. Female, v.t.
To cause to act or behave like a woman ;
to address or speak of as " woman." (F.
femme; femelle ; effeminer, amollir, trailer
de femme.}

Recent years have witnessed the entry
of woman into many spheres formerly
reserved to man. The woman barrister,
doctor, member of parliament, and the
police-woman, for example, were all unknown
a few years ago. Womankind (n.) means
the female part of the human race, women
generally, the female sex, or the women of
a household, family, etc. It is more usual,
however, for a man to describe the women
of his family as his womenfolk (n.).

The term womanish (wum' an ish, adj.),
as applied to a man or his ways, is rather
contemptuous, because women are supposed
to be the weaker sex. A man might be said
to show womanishness (wum' an ish nes,
Wi) if he were afraid of burglars, or was so

Wombat. — The hairy-nosed wombat, an Australian
animal which lives in a burrow.

the female sex

A girl is said to reach womanhood
(wum' an hud, n.) when she grows up.
Occasionally we may meet a woman-hater
(n.), that is, a man who dislikes having to
do with women, either in work or games.
We speak of womanly (wum' an li, adj.)
sympathy and tact, because these qualities
are supposed to befit women more than
men ; we may also refer to the womanliness
(wum/ an li nes, n.), that is, the womanly
quality of a person's character. A settlement
or community without women is womanless
(wum' an les, adj.). A girl who is old for her
years is said to be womanlike (wum' an Ilk,
adj.) in her ways. The words womanlike
(adv.) and womanly (adv.), meaning in the
manner of a woman, are rarely used.

A.-S. wlfman, from
wlf wife, and man
(originally used for
both male and female
persons) . This passed
through various forms,
finally wumman, whence
woman.

wombat (worn'
bat), n. An Australian
marsupial mammal, of
the genus Phasco-
lomys. (F. wombat,
phascolome.}

The wombat is a
burrowing animal,
twenty to thirty inches
in length, somewhat
resembling a bear in
appearance. It is
clumsily built, with
short, stout legs, and a broad, flattened head ;
and is herbivorous, living on plants,
especially the roots, which it digs up with
its strong claws. Wombats are found only
in Australia and Tasmania.

Native Australian wom(b)at, womback.
•women (wim' en). This is the plural
of woman. See woman.

won (wun). This is the past tense and
past participle of win. See win.

wonder (wun' der), n. A strange or
remarkable thing, happening, or action ;
a miracle ; a prodigy ; a marvel ; the
emotion or state of mind caused or excited
by something surprising, bewildering, or
inexplicable ; surprise or amazement
mingled with curiosity or admiration, v.i.
To be filled with wonder or astonishment ;
to be amazed (at) ; to feel doubt or surprise
(at) ; to be curious. (F. merveille, prodige,
etonnement, emerveillement ; s'emerveiller,
s'etonner, se demander, etre curieux de savoir.}
Christ's miracles were wonders, or doings
at which people wondered. When faced
with something we do not understand we

4592

WONT

WOOD

wonder about it, or are puzzled. Children
at a conjuring performance express wonder
by exclamations and wide-open eyes.

A nine days' wonder (n.) is an event
which makes a great stir at the time but is
soon forgotten. For the so-called Seven
Wonders of the World see under seven.

If plants are not tended and watered, it*
is no wonder, or not surprising, that they
die. The magicians at Pharaoh's court
were wonder-struck (adj.] or wonder-
stricken (adj.] — filled with wonder — at the
grievous plagues which came upon the
country. No wonder-worker (n.), however,
came forward to free the Egyptians from
these scourges.

One who watches minute pond animal-
cules through a microscope cannot fail to
become a wonderer (wun' der er, n.} — one
who wonders — so wonderful (wun' der ful,
adj.) are these tiny
creatures. Our bodies
are wonderfully (wun'
der ful li, adv.) con-
structed, and the
more they are studied
the greater appears
their wonderfulness
(wun' der ful nes, n.),
or quality of arousing
wonder and causing
wonderment (wun' der
ment, n.), the state
of wonder.

We watch the feats
of a conjurer wonder-
ingly (wun' der ing
li, adv.), that is, in a
way which shows
wonder. We listen
wonderingly to a
strange story. For
the wonderberry (wun'
der ber i, n.), a cross
between the raspberry
and the dewberry, see
under plumcot. When
Alice, in Lewis Carroll's
story, went down
the rabbit-hole' she
entered a fairyland, or
wonderland (wun' der land, n.} — a land of
wonders. We describe a country of mar-
vellous fertility, or one full of wonderful
scenery and sights, as a wonderland.

In poetry, wondrous (wun' drus, adj.) is
often used for wonderful ; wondrous (adv.)
and wondrously (wun' drus ]i, adv.) for
wonderfully ; and wondrousness (wun' drus
nes, n.) for wonderfulness.

A.-S. wundor ; cp. Dutch wonder, G. wunder,
O. Norse undy. Doubtfully connected with
A.-S. wandian to stand in awe, or Gr. athiein to
gaze at with amazement. SYN. : n. Astonish-
ment, amazement, surprise.

wont (wont), adj. Used or accustomed
(to do), n. Use ; habit ; custom, v t. To
accustom, v.i. To be accustomed, p.t.

Wood. — A scene in winter time : a track through
a wood after a fall of snow.

wood (wud), n.

and p.p wont (wont), wonted (wont' ed). (F.
habitue, accoutume ; habitude, coutume ; ac-
coutumer ; s'accoutumer.)

The verb is very rare in the present tense.
Some people are wont to stay up late,
while it is the wont of others to retire early.
Wonted (wont' ed, adj.) means customary
or habitual to a person. A polite person
addresses another with his wonted courtesy ;
a tolerant and lenient one deals patiently
with the mistakes of others, as is his wont.

A.-S. wunod, p.p. of wunian to dwell, to be
used to, from ge-wuna custom ; cp. I eel. van-r
accustomed, G. gewohnt accustomed, wohnen
to dwell. From a root wen- to desire, strive
after ; cp. E. win, wish, venerate, L. Venus, G.
wonne joy.

won't (wont). This is a contraction
for will not. See under will [ij.

woo (woo), v.t. To ask in marriage ;
to pay court to ; to
solicit the love of ;
to seek to win or
attain ; to importune.
v.i. To make love ;
to go wooing. (F.
rechercher, courtiser,
solliciter : se faire la
cour.)

A lover woos his
sweetheart, paying
court to her wooingly
(woo' ing li, adv.),
or in a wooing manner,
hoping to win her in
marriage. From a
country town people
often go to London
or some other big
town to woo wealth
and fortune. We may
call such a person a
wooer (woo' er, n.), or
suitor, of success.

M.E. wowen, woghen,
A.-S. wogian, perhaps
to bend (oneself towards
another, or another
towards oneself) , from
woh bent. SYN. : Court,
invite.

A large collection of

growing trees ; a forest ; the hard fibrous
part of a tree between bark and pith ; this,
cut for fuel or timber ; trees ; that which
is made of wood ; in an orchestra, the
wood-wind ; (pi.) the balls used in bowls.
(F. foret, bois, bois de construction, bois de
charpente, bois de chauffage, arbres, menuiserie,
les bois, boules.)

Speaking generally, a wood is smaller in
area than a forest. We often use the word
in the plural. Wood, the inner substance of
a tree, extending from the pith to the bark,
is made up of bundles of fibres, which are
added year by year, on the outside, in the
form of rings. The inner wood of a trunk
is called heartwood ; and the softer outer

4593

WOOD

WOOD

part, in which sap circulates, is known as
sapwood. Trees are felled for fire-wood or
for timber. Deal or pine is a soft wood,
oak and teak being hard woods, or hard-
wood.

Wine in the cask is said to be in the
wood. When a person is unable to get a
broad or general view of a matter because
of its details, we say that he cannot see the
wood for the trees.

Woodpecker. — The spotted woodpecker. It feeds on
insects, which it pecks from the bark of trees.

Land covered with woods is woodland
(wud' land, n.). A woodland (adj.) stream
is one flowing through woods. The wood-
cock (n.) is a game-bird, related to the
snipe, which breeds in this country. It
lives in woods, especially those which are
marshy. Wood-grouse (n.) is another name
for the capercailzie. The wood-ibis (n.), or
tantalus, is a genus of wading birds related
to the stork. The wood-lark (n.) — Alauda
arborea — which is rather smaller than the

Wood-pigeon. — The wood-pigeon. It is also called
cushat and ring-dove.

skylark, gets its name from its habit of
perching and singing in trees.

The name of wood-swallow (n.) is given
to a genus of birds found in Australia
and eastern Asia, which are like swallows

in their habits, and are thought to be
related to the shrikes.

There are three British species of wood-
pecker (n.), a bird with powerful claws,
beak and neck, which bores a deep hole in
a tree for its nest. It climbs the trunks of
^trees hunting for insects, and while doing
*so makes a tapping noise which can be heard
far away. The great spotted woodpecker
(Dendrocopus major] is a handsome bird,
its plumage being black above, with white
markings which give it its other name of
wood-pie (n.}. The wood-pigeon (n.} is the
commonest of our wild pigeons. It is also
called cushat and ring-dove. The wood-
warbler (n.) or wood-wren (n.) — Phylloscopus
sibilatrix — is a small migrant song-bird
resembling the chiffchaff . It spends most of
its time on the top of high trees, but makes
its nest in the ground.

In spring many marshy woods are
whitened by the flowers of the wood-anemone
(n.) — Anemone nemorosa — often called the
wind-flower. The woodbine (n.) is the
honeysuckle ; the woodruff (n.) — Asperula
odorata — is a hardy woodland plant, bearing
tiny white flowers ; its dried leaves have a
pleasant scent. The wood-sorrel (n.) is a
creeping plant (Oxalis acetosella) found in
woods. Its small white flowers are veined
with purple, and its juice has an acid taste.
The wood- vetch (n.)
— Vicia sylvatica —
has trailing stems,
two to four feet long,
and bears blue-veined
white flowers. The
woody- nightshade
(n.) is a poisonous
hedge plant, also
called bittersweet,
b_earing white or
purple flowers fol-
lowed by berries,
green at first, which
turn a vivid red when
ripe. Certain peren-
nial plants of the
genus Luzula are named wood-rush (n.}.
They have grass-like leaves and bear clusters
of brown flowers.

Wood -agate (n.) or wood-opal (n.) is
s'ilicified fossil wood — changed in composi-
tion by impregnation with water containing
silica. The wood-agate shows traces of the
woody structure in its grain.

A wood-block (n.) is a block of wood —
usually boxwood — on the end grain of which
an engraving, called a woodcut (n.) or wood-
engraving (n.) is made by a wood-engraver
(n.), who first draws or transfers the lines
of the design on to the wood, and then cuts
away the material between them, leaving
the design in relief. Both wood-cut and
wood-engraving may also mean a print
or an impression taken from an engraved
block.

Woodruff .— Sprigs and
blooms of the woodruff,
a hardy woodland plant.

4594

WOOD

WOOD

The word wood-coal (n.) means either
charcoal or lignite. Wood-craft (n.), the
knowledge of woods and forests, and of
things living in them, makes a man a
successful hunter and guide.

The woodchuck (n.)
is a North American
species of marmot.
The names of wood-
engraver, wood-fretter,
(n.), and wood-worm
(n.) are given to the
larvae of various kinds
of beetle, which bore
under the bark or in
the wood of trees.
The wood-leopard (n.),
or leopard-moth, is a
large white moth with
spotted wings, the caterpillar of which bores
into the branches and stems of fruit trees.
A wood-louse (n.) is a small crustacean
which lives in rotten wood and under stones,
bricks, etc., in damp places. The wood-
wasp (n.) burrows into rotten wood and
there lays its eggs. The name is given also
to a wasp that hangs its nest to a tree.

Wood is composed largely of wood-fibre
(n.), also called woody fibre (n.) and woody
tissue (n.).

A woodman (wud' man, n.), or woodsman
(wudz' man, n.), is a man who fells or looks
after trees. The second word is used more
especially of one who lives as well as works
in forests. When wood is heated in a
retort it gives off carburetted hydrogen,
known as wood-gas (n.). A wood-hole (n.
or wood-house (n.) is
firewood is stored.

When a hedge is
planted, a wood-layer
(n.), which is a young
oak or other timber
tree, may be set here
and there, among the
quick-growing bushes,
to grow into a hedge
tree.

In its literal sense
a wood-note (n.) is the
note of a woodland
bird. Milton uses it
as meaning fresh,
unrestrained poetry
when he alludes, in
" L' Allegro," to the
wild" of Shakespeare.

The wood-nymph (n.) of Greek and Roman
mythology was a dryad, or goddess, of the
woods. The word is now applied to various
kinds of brilliantly coloured moths, and to
certain species of humming-birds, which
frequent woods. A wood-offering (n.) was
wood burned on the altar as an offering
to God (Nehemiah x, 34). Newspapers are
printed on wood-paper (n.) or paper made
chiefly from wood-fibre. Large quantities
•of wood-pulp (n.) are imported into Great

Wood-sorrel. — The wood-sorrel, a creeping plant
whose flowers are white, veined with purple.

The wood-wind

a place in which

Wood-louse. — The wood-louse, a. small crustacean,

surrounded by its young. It finds a home in rotten

wood and also under stones, etc., in damp places.

native wood-notes

Britain from Finland, Scandinavia, and North
America, to be mixed with other ingredients
and made into paper at our mills.

A wood-pavement (n.) is one made of
wood-bloclis laid on a foundation of con-
crete. A wood- reeve
(n.) is an official
appointed to look
after woods or forests.
A wood-screw (n.), also
called a carpenter's
screw, is a metal screw
us6d for fastening
pieces of wood to-
gether, or for screwing
metal parts to wood.
The tar obtained from
wood is called wood-
tar (n.).

.) of an orchestra com-
prises all the wooden wind instruments —
flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, etc., used in
it. Fine narrow shavings of wool, called
wood-wool (n.) are used for packing fragile
articles. Things made of wood are called
wood-work (n.). The floors, beams, rafters,
doors, window-frames, staircases, etc., make
up the woodwork of a house. A wood-
worker (n.) is one who prepares, shapes, or
assembles wood parts.

By wood- carving (n.) is meant the decor-
ating of wood with carved designs, or the
shaping of it into statues, etc. Some of the
finest wood-carving in Britain was executed
by Grinling Gibbons (1648-1721), whose
work may be seen in St. Paul's Cathedral
and other places.

Troy, according to legend, was captured
by the stratagem of
the wooden (wud' en,
adj.) horse, a large
one made of wood, in
which soldiers were
concealed. A wooden
movement is a stiff,
clumsy, or ungainly
movement ; a face
with little expression
is sometimes said to
be wooden. A wooden-
headed (adj. ) person is
one who is dense or
stupid; wooden-
headedness (n.) means
stupidity.

A pianist is said to play woodenly (wud'
en li, adv.) if his playing is expressionless
and mechanical. In this instance, wood-
enness (wud' en nes, n.) means the quality
or state of being lifeless or spiritless.
Country is wooded (wud' ed, adj.)' if covered
with woods. Some counties of England
are well wooded ; others are almost
woodless (wud' les, adj.), containing few
woods. Birds abound in woody (wud' i,
adj.), or wooded, districts. Some garden
flowers have woody stems, of hard wood-
like structure. A fuchsia stem, for example,

4595

WOODBURY-TYPE

WOOL

has woodiness (wucT i nes, n.), the quality
of being woody.

M.E. wode, wude, A.-S. wudu, widu ; cp. Swed.
ved, O. Norse vith-r, M.H.G. wit(h) firewood,
and perhaps Irish and Gaelic fiodh wood, Welsh
gwydd.

Woodbury-type (wud' ber i tip), n. A
photographic process of engraving in which
a gelatine film is transferred to a metal
plate ; a print from a plate produced thus.

In this process, invented by Sir W.
Woodbury in 1864, a positive image of the
subject is printed on a film of bichromated
gelatine. The film is then hardened and
pressed against a plate of soft metal, to
obtain an indented copy, which is printed
from in much the same way as an etched or
engraved plate.

wopdchuck (wud' chuk). For this word,
woodcut, woodman, etc., see under wood.

Woodsia (wud' zi a), n. A genus of
ferns with feathery fronds belonging to the
order Polypodiaceae.

Forms of the genus Woodsia grow in the
Arctic and Northern temperate zones, the
Andes, and South Africa. Two kinds, W.
hyperborea, and a sub-species, W. ilvensis,
occur in our own country.

Modern L. from the name of an English
botanist, J. Woods.

wooer (woo" er) n. One who woos.
See under woo.

woof (woof), n. The weft ; the cross
threads woven into the warp of a textile
fabric to make the web. (F. trame.)

M.E. oof, A.-S. owef, dwef, from 6- ( = a-) on,
and wef web, from we/an to weave. See abb.
The initial w is due to the influence of E. weave.

wooingly (woo' ing li), adv. In a wooing
manner. See under woo.

Wool. — The Australian wool trade : shearing sheep
of power clippers.

wool (wul), n. The fine, soft, curly hair
of sheep and certain other animals," used
for spinning into thread and making into
felt ; soft short hair, fur, or under-down ;
woollen yarn ; worsted ; garments made
of wool ; any of various fleecy or fibrous

substances resembling wool. (F. laine, poll,
duvet.}

Wool, obtained chiefly from the sheep,
goat, and alpaca, differs from other kinds
of hair in being covered with numbers of
tiny sharp scales. These cause the fibres to
grip tightly when twisted and so make a
strong thread. Clothes made of wool are
warmer than cotton clothes of equal weight.
Hence people usually wear wool, or garments
made of wool, next the skin.

Human hair, especially if thick and curly,
is facetiously called wool, this term often
being applied to the hair of a negro. The
expression " much cry and little wool,"
means a great fuss made over a very small,
or ridiculously disappointing, result.

The llama, and camel, as well as the sheep
and goat, are wool-bearing (adj.) animals,
that is, animals which have a woolly (wul' i,
adj.) coat. Anything downy, fluffy, or wool-
like in texture or appearance, is said to be
woolly. An outer garment made of wool,
such as a jersey, is sometimes called a woolly
(n.). Wood-wool and slag-wool are prepared
from wood and from molten slag respectively.
The soft fur of some kinds of rabbits, called
rabbit-wool, is spun into yarn and woven
into fabrics.

A picture or photograph is said to be
woolly if it lacks definition or sharpness.
The hairy caterpillar of the tiger-moth is
called the woolly-bear (n.) ; woolly-butt
(n.) is the name of two Australian trees of
the eucalyptus family which have a soft
fibrous bark. Negroes are sometimes said
to be woolly-haired (adj.) or woolly-headed
(adj.) since their curly hair has a woolly
appearance. The state or quality of being
woolly is woolliness (wul' i nes, «.).

Before wool can be spun, it
goes through processes called
wool-carding (n.) and wool-
combing (n.) which straighten
out the fibres. Raw wool con-
tains a large amount of wool-fat
(n.) and wool-oil (n.) which, when
refined, is called lanolin. A
sheep-skin with the wool on it is
a wool-fell (n.).

The epithet wool-gathering
(adj.) is sometimes used of a
person in a brown study, or
one given to fits of absent-
mindedness or inattention, this
state being called wool-gathering
(n.). A wool-grower (n.) is a
sheep-farmer who raises sheep
chiefly for their wool. A wool-
hall (n.) is a market or exchange
by means where brokers and dealers in

wool meet to do business. A
wool-pack (n.) is a pack or bale of raw
wool, formerly one weighing two hundred
and forty pounds.

The Lord Chancellor's seat in the House of
Lords is a large square cushion stuffed with
wool and called the Woolsack (n.). This is

4596

WOOLLEN

WORD

regarded as being outside the precincts of
•the Chamber, so that, when the Lord
Chancellor desires to speak in a debate,
he must leave the Woolsack and address
the House as a peer.

A woolsorter (n.) is a person whose occupa-
tion is the sorting of wool into grades.
Woolsorter's disease (n.) is a form of anthrax.
The fibre of wool, considered specially as
regards its length, is wool-staple (n.). The
wool-trade (n.) comprises the raising, trans-
porting, buying and selling of raw wool
generally.

Blankets are woollen (wul' en, adj.),
if made of wool. Any fibre or garment made
of wool is a woollen (n.) ; a woollen-draper
(n.) is a person who sells woollens — woollen
goods of all kinds.

A hard, firmly impacted mass of wool is
sometimes found in the stomach of a sheep,
caused by the animal swallowing wool
licked off in cleaning itself. This is called
a wool-ball (n.).

M.E. wolle, wulle, A.-S. wul(l) ; cp. Dutch
wol, G. wolle, O. Norse and Swed. ull, Gr.
(w}lenos, L. vellus fleece, and Idna wool.

Wool. — A team of camels in the interior of Australia drawing a
wagon laden with bales of wool.

woollen (wur en). For this word,
woolly, wool-pack, etc., see under wool.

woolsey (wul' zi). This is a shortened
form of linsey-woolsey. See linsey-woolsey.

woorari (woo ra' ri). This and wourali
(woo ra' li) are other names for curare.
See curare.

wootz (wootz), n. A kind of steel of fine
quality made in India and imported into
Europe and America for edge-tools. (F.
acier wootz, acier indien.)

Perhaps from South Indian ukku (pronounced
wuk' ku) steel.

•word (werd), n. A sound, or combina-
tion of sounds, forming a part of speech,
expressing an idea or ideas, and able to
serve as a part or the whole of a sentence, or
as a substitute for a sentence ; a written
or printed symbol for such a sound ; speech ;
a remark ; a thing said ; conversation ;
news ; a message ; a command ; a pass-
word ; one's promise, assurance, or affirma-
tion ; a motto ; a watchword ; a short

sentence ; (pi.) angry or contentious words ;
a dispute, v.t. To put into or express in
words ; to phrase ; to choose words to
express. (F. parole, mot, nouvelle, ordre,
mot d'ordre, promesse, assurance, devise,
differ end ; enoncer, exprimer.}

Every word of our language belongs to
one of eight parts of speech, each having
its own particular purpose. By the use of
a number of articulate sounds — or signs
representing them on paper — put together
in a certain way, a person is able to express
his thoughts so that others can understand
what he feels or thinks. People of different
races use different sounds for the same ideas,
and so have different systems of words,
called languages.

It is always unwise to use big words,
that is, boastful speech, or exaggerated
statements. A message is sent by word of
mouth when delivered orally and not in
writing. A good word about a person is
a favourable mention of him ; a recom-
mendation is a good word for him.

A matter is said to be stated in a word, or
in one word, when summed up very shortly.
The true Christian is Christian
in word and deed, that is, in
what he does and not merely
in profession. In St. John's
Gospel, the Word means Christ
as the manifestation of God to
man, or as a mediator between
God and man. The Scriptures
are commonly called the Word,
or God's Word.

A word-book (n.) is a vocab-
ulary or a glossary — a collection
of words together with their
meanings. Some people are
afflicted with word - blindness
(n.), a mental or nervous
complaint which prevents them
reading printed words, though
they have good sight and can speak and under-
stand spoken words. Others suffer frotn
word-deafness (n.), and cannot understand
spoken words, though their hearing is good.
A word-painter ..(n.) is a writer who can
describe a scene in words that bring it
vividly before the mind of the reader. The
use of words in this way is word-painting (n.),
and the effect produced by them is a word-
picture (n.).. '•"•

The term word-play (n.) means a dispute
or discussion turning on the meanings of
words; in another sense it means a 'play
on words, or a pun. A word-square (n.)
may best be explained by an example :

LAME
ARID
MINE
EDEN

It will be seen that the letters spell the same
words both across and downwards. The
wording (werd' ing, n.) of a telegram means
the words used in it, or the process of putting

4597

WORE

WORK

it into words. Usually a cablegram is care-
fully and briefly worded, since its cost per
word may be high.

Dumb crambo is a wordless (werd' les,
adj.) game, one in which rhymes are expressed
in dumb-show, no words are used. Des-
criptions are wordy (werd' i, adj.) if given
in many words or if unnecessarily long. A
heated argument may be described as wordy
warfare — that is, a dispute carried out
wordily (werd' i li, adv.) — with many words.
Wordiness (werd' i nes, adv.) is the state or
quality of being wordy or verbose.

A.-S ; cp. Dutch woord, G. wort, O. Norse orth,
Dan., Swed. ord, L. verbum, Gr. eirein, from root
ver to speak. SYN. : n. Expression, news,
order, promise, tidings.

wore (wor). This is the past tense of
wear. See wear [i].

Work. — Masons at work in the cathedral of
St. John the Divine, New York.

•work (werk), n. The exertion of energy
or the application of effort to accomplish
something ; in physics, the exertion of
force in overcoming resistance, or in the
production of molecular change ; labour ;
an undertaking ; a task ; materials used
in a task ; one's business or daily occupa-
tion ; employment ; that which is done ;
an achievement ; a thing made or produced ;
manner of doing a thing ; treatment ; a
book or musical composition ; a part of a
defence or fortification ; a large engineer-
ing structure ; in cricket, the spin given to
a ball by a bowler ; (pi.) building operations
on a large scale ; (pi., often construed as a
singular) a factory or manufacturing estab-
lishment ; (pi.) the mechanism of a watch,
clock, or machine ; (pi.) moral duties or the
doing of righteous acts. v.i. To exert energy

for some purpose ; to be engaged in work ;
to make efforts ; to labour ; to be em-
ployed (at) ; to operate ; to act ; to go ;
to be effective ; to be in continuous opera-
tion ; to go through regular motions ; to
have influence; to move with effort; to
make a way (out, off, etc.) ; to become
(loose, etc.) as the result of motion ; to
ferment ; to be agitated, v.t. To do work
on ; to cause to work ; to keep at work ;
to manage or control ; to effect ; to accom-
plish ; to make (a way) ; to execute or
make ; to shape with tools ; to fashion ;
to knead ; to forge ; to solve (a sum or
problem) mathematically ; . to procure or
purchase by labour ; to rouse ; to excite ;
to get rid of ; p.t. and p.p. worked (werkt),
wrought (rawt). (F. travail, labeur, entre-
prise, tdche, affaire, emploi, ceuvve, ouvrage,
fortification, fabrique, usine, mouvement, ac-
tions; travailler, fonctionner, oiler, jouer,
avoir de I'effet, desserrer, fermenter, s'agiter;
travailler, exploiter, operer, executer, fa$onner,
petrir, forger, accomplir, resoudre.)

In mechanics work means the overcoming
of resistance through a distance. Work
must not be confused with power, which
is the rate at which work is done. The
lifting of a ton through a height of, say, ten
feet requires the same amount of work
whether its performance occupies a day or
a minute, but the quicker the work is done
the greater is the power needed. The
amount of work done by a machine is
measured by British and American
engineers in foot-pounds.

We speak of a thing done well as good
work, and of a great achievement as a
great work. Woodwork, stonework, and
metalwork mean things made of or work
carried out in the materials specified. An
earthwork is a bank, entrenchment or other
work constructed of earth. An iron-works
or glass-works is a manufactory where these
materials are dealt with. A works manager
is in charge of the works, or manufacturing
side, of an industrial concern. Public works
are those carried out by government or by
municipal authorities, such as the construc-
tion of roads or the building of bridges. The
Forth Bridge is a great engineering work.

Rolled or forged iron is known as wrought
iron — it is worked, and not merely cast into
the desired shape in a mould. Wrought
iron is malleable, and may be worked when
heated ; cast iron is brittle and cannot be
worked, that is, hammered, forged, or
shaped. Joseph wrought or worked as a
carpenter ; Christ wrought many miracles.

A rusty hinge works stiffly ; if we oil it
the hinge will work more freely. Wine is
said to work when it ferments ; roots work
their way slowly through the ground.
Bolts or nuts on machinery work loose
with vibration. Employers set people to
work when they give them work to do ; we
set to work when we start working. To
work in a visit is to fit it in among other

4598

WORK

WORK

Works.— An aerial view of a great steel-works at Landore. Swansea, South Wales, a hive of industry with
which the prosperity of the nation is linked up.

things that one has to do, if it will work in,
that is, allow of being introduced. We
work off, which means get rid of, stiffness,
by exercise ; unscrupulous people try to
work off, or palm off, shoddy articles as
good ones. Feathers in a mattress are
apt to work out through the cover or tick.
Arithmetic enables us to work out or solve
problems. The cost of a dozen articles at
£5 8s. per gross works out at nine shillings.
Plans work out well if they succeed. Con-
stant cropping without manuring works out
land — that is, exhausts it. Prisoners work
out their sentences in jail.

Sculptors work up, that is, shape, clay into
models ; an orator who uses fiery words
may work up his audience, gradually ex-
citing his hearers to enthusiasm or rousing
them to action. Pupils work up, or study
hard at, subjects in preparation for
examinations.

^Though anybody who does work is a
working (werk' ing, adj.] person, the word
is most commonly applied to people engaged
in manual labour. Some of us have diffi-
culty in understanding the working (n.) of
intricate machinery — that is, the way in which
it operates. A working of a quarry or mine
is a part of it in which work is being done.

A day on which ordinary work is done
is a work-day (n.) or working-day (n.), as
opposed to a Sunday or Bank Holiday.
When we speak of an eight-hour working-
day we mean the length of time for which a
person has to work on any one day. We
wear our work-a-day (adj.) clothes for our
daily work. The work-a-day world is the
common, everyday life and its affairs.

By workfolk (n.pl.), workfolks (n.pl.), and
work-people (n.pl.) are meant people of the
working-class (n.), that is, those who earn
their living by doing work. A workman

(werk' man, n.) or a workwoman (werk'
wum an, w;) is a person employed in manual
labour, especially one engaged in some
particular trade. A good workman does
things in a workmanlike (werk' man Ilk,
adj.) manner, and is proud of his workman-
ship (werk' man ship, n.), which means the
good finish of his work and the skill of which
it gives evidence. Anyone who works is a
worker (werk'er, n.).

An engineer or builder is provided with
a working-drawing (n.) or working-plan (n.),
which is a drawing showing the details 6f
the work to be executed. The act or process
of calculating the dimensions and arrange-
ments of parts — called working-out (n.}—
is done by the designer of a structure.

The operatives at a factory do their
work in a chamber called a workroom (n.)
or workshop (nv). The second term is used
specially of a place fitted with machinery.

A scheme is workable (werk' abl, adj.),
and has workability (werk a bil' i ti, n.) or
workableness (werk' abl nes, n.) if it is
practicable and likely to succeed. A mine
is workable if worth developing.

A worker-bee (n.) is an imperfect female
bee which takes part in building the combs,
gathering the honey, and in the other work
of the hive. A work-table (n.) is a table
fitted up with drawers to hold sewing
materials. A woman keeps her needles,
cottons, and other materials for sewing or
to be sewn in a work-bag (n.), work-basket
(n.), or work-box (n.). A workhouse (werk'
hous, n.) is a parish institution maintained
at the public expense for housing destitute
people. Those who are able are required
to do useful work. To be workless (werk'
les, adj.) is to be without work — out-of-work.
A work-shy (adj.) person is one who dislikes
and avoids doing work.

4599

WORLD

WORM

A.-S. we(o]rc ; cp. Dutch and G. werk, O. Norse
verk, Gr. (w) ergon ; (v.) A.-S. wyrcan, Dutch
werken, G. wirken, O. Norse verka. SYN. : n.
Employment, labour, task, toil, undertaking.
v. Accomplish, effect, labour, perform, toil.
ANT. : n. Play, recreation, rest. v. Idle, rest.

world (werld), n. The universe ; the
whole system of things ; everything ; all
creation ; a time or place or sphere of
existence ; this life ; a cosmos ; secular
occupations and interests ; the temptations
of this life ; all that exists outside oneself ;
the earth, with its lands and seas ; any
heavenly body supposed to resemble this ;
the countries and inhabitants of the earth ;
a region or part of the earth ; all people ;
mankind ; human interests or affairs ;
fashionable or representative society, or its
opinions and doings ; the course of life ;
a particular aspect of life ; a particular
class, domain, realm, or sphere ; all that
concerns this ; things or individuals which
belong to this ; a vast amount, extent, or
quantity. (F. monde, univers, terre, infinite.}

The telegraph has made it possible to
flash a message to any part of the world
in a few minutes, and there is, perhaps,
nothing in the world of more entrancing
interest than the story of the march of
invention which has made it possible to
send wireless signals to the ends of the
world, or to speak over the wireless tele-
phone from London to New York — from
the Old World to the New World.

We speak of the religious world, the
world of science, the animal world, the
fashionable world, and so on. We come
into the world — that is, mortal life — at
birth, and leave it at death. The world to
come is the future life, after the end of this
world. We get our knowledge of the
external world — the world outside us —
through our senses. We call a man of wide
experience a man of the world, and term
a cosmopolitan a citizen of the world.

Ambitious monarchs of centuries ago had
dreams of world conquest, and planned to
conquer the world — the known world, that
is, since the world of to-day far transcends
in magnitude the world envisaged by
Darius or Alexander ; Columbus discovered
a new world hitherto undreamt of.

There is a world of difference — as appear-
ances go — between a piece of carbon and
a diamond, yet chemically they are not
dissimilar. A person who awaits news eagerly
desired may say that he would give the
world to know this or that.

A thing familiar to everybody is said to
be known to all the world. There is no
reason in the world — no reason whatever —
for doubting a statement which is demon-
strably true. Twins are sometimes for all
the world — that is, exactly — alike. One
should not break one's word for the world,
which means on any account. The restora-
tion to health of an ailing child means all the
world — everything — to its mother. The

words " world without end " mean for ever
and ever, everlastingly.

Some legends go back to the dim and
remote past of the world and are said
poetically to be world-old (adj.], or as old
as the world. Trouble and sorrow may
make some people world-wearied (adj.]
or world-weary (adj.}. Many great writers
have a world-wide (adj.} reputation — one
extending over the civilized world.

A worldly (werld' li, adj.} person — also
called a worldling ( werld ' ling, n.} — is one
who is primarily concerned with matters
of this world, so that he neglects his spiritual
welfare. He is worldly-minded (adj.), since
his thoughts centre on worldly matters,
and his conduct shows worldly-mindedness
(n.), the state or quality of being worldly-
minded. Worldly wisdom means wisdom
in the advancing of one's own interests.
The unjust steward of the parable (Luke
xvi, 8) was worldly-wise (adj.). Worldliness
(werld' li nes, n.) is neglect of the spiritual
side of life.

A.-S. w(e)orold ; cp. Dutch wereld, G. welt,
O. Norse verold, O.H.G. weralt. The meaning is
literally " the age of man," from A.-S. wer man,
akin to L. vir, and eld age. SYN. : Cosmos,
earth, realm, sphere, universe.

Worm. — A species .of worms called earthworms.

They aerate the soil, burrowing through it and

bringing portions to the surface.

worm (werm), n. An invertebrate and
usually limbless . creeping animal, with a
long . body 'divided into many annular
segments; any one of various .animals para-
sitic', in .the. intestines or 'tissues of the
animal body ; a larva ; a caterpillar ; a
grub ; a worm-like reptile ; a miserable,
insignificant, or contemptible person ; the
thread of a screw ; a spiral part or imple-
ment ; the spiral pipe of a still in which
the vapour is cooled and condenses ; a
ligament under a dog's tongue, v.i. To
crawl ; to creep ; to wriggle ; to work
stealthily or secretly, v.t. To insinuate
(oneself) ; to make (one's way) in a creep-
ing or worm-like fashion ; to extract
(information) craftily or by persistence ; to
cut the worm of (a dog) ; to rid (a lawn,
etc.) of worms ; to wind spun-yarn, etc.,
round (a rope or cable) so as to fill in the

4600

WORMUL

WORRY

grooves between strands. (F. ver, filet, vis
sans fin, serpentin ; ramper, se tortiller,
se glisser ; s'insinuer, se glisser, sender,
iourner, congreer.)

The earthworms are of great service to
man, since by eating their way through soil
they loosen and aerate this and bring the
subsoil to the surface. An earthworm,
when it empties itself, forms a little mound
of earthy matter called a worm-cast (n.).
Many widely differing creatures are popu-
larly known as worms, such as for instance, the
silkworm and glowworm, which are insects.

The ship-worm or teredo is a mollusc,
and the slow-worm or blind worm is a
legless lizard. A swindler sometimes worms
his way into the confidence of people,
the better to rob them. One who wishes
to approach others unseen may worm a
way through bushes or undergrowth.

To protect ropes and cables the groove
between the strands is filled in with a
worming (werm' ing, n.} consisting of spun-
yarn or thin rope. Over this is placed a
strip of tarred canvas called a parcelling,
the rope then being served or bound round
with a layer of hemp yarn.

Worm-fishing (n.} is fishing with worms —
earthworms or lobworms — as bait. In the
form of gearing called worm-gear (n.) a
pinion with a spiral thread engages with
the teeth of a cog-wheel called a worm-wheel
(n.). This is used in machinery where a
reduction of speed is desired, the worm being
used as a driver. The worm or spiral of
a cork-screw is forced into a cork and affords
a purchase to the tool, so -that the cork may
be extracted. A like implement used to
extract a cartridge is called a worm. Wood
is said to be worm-eaten (adj.) when riddled
by the larva of the death-watch beetle,
which bores a worm-hole (n.) or tunnel in
which it rests by day, continuing its task
at night. Timbers and beams are frequently

Worm. — A typical marine worm, of which there
are several species.

so worm-holed (adj.), that is, pierced by
worm-holes, that a roof or other structure
is made unsafe. Old furniture, too, is often
worm-holed, and fruit may show worm-
holes caused by other kinds of insect. Golf
greens and lawns are kept as wormless
(werm' les, adj.) — free from worms — as
possible. Many creatures that are not
worms are worm-like (adj.) in appearance.
Flour is said to be wormy (werm' i, adj.)

if full of meal-worms. The state or quality
of being infested with worms is worminess
(werm' i nes, n.).

A.-S. wyrm ; cp. Dutch worm, G. wurm,
O. Norse ormr, L. vermis, Gr. (w)romos. .

Wormwood. — Wormwood is a perennial herb with
feathery leaves, small yellow flowers, and a bitter taste.

wormul (wor' mul), n. A warble.
Another spelling is wormil (wor' mil). See
warble [ij.

wormwood (werm' wud), n. Any one
of various kinds of herb with bitter, tonic
and aromatic properties, used in medicine
and for flavouring. (F. armoise, absinthe.}

The plant usually known as wormwood
belongs to the genus Artemisia; it is a
perennial growing one to three . feet in
height with feathery silky leaves and small
yellow flowers. Absinthe is flavoured with
wormwood, which has a very, bitter . taste.
Figuratively, wormwood means, bitterness,
or any intensely bitter substance. .

A.-S. wermod ; cp. Dutch wermoet, G. vermuth,
corrupted to wormwood, from the false idea that
it was a remedy for worms.

worn (worn). This is the past participle
of wear. See wear [i].

worry (wur' i), v.t. (Of dogs) to bite or
keep on biting ; to pull about or shake with
the teeth ; to tease ; to bother greatly ;
to importune ; to trouble persistently ; to
cause anxiety to ; to allow no rest or remis-
sion to ; to wear out thus. v.i. (Of dogs) to
bite, shake or pull (at) ; to fret ; to be
needlessly or unduly anxious to take un-
necessary trouble. n. The act of worrying ;
the state of being worried ; undue anxiety ;
perplexity ; care ; that which causes or
occasions solicitude or anxiety. (F. dechirer,

D86

4601

I S 7

WORSE

WORT

harceler, vexer, taquiner, ennuyer ; tracasser ;
tracasserie.}

Our changeable climate is a worry to
farmers, who during a drought may worriedly
(wur' id li, adv.] inspect their parched crops.
Worriment (wur7 i ment, n.), which means
the act of worrying, the state of being
worried, or something that worries, is a word
seldom used.

When children behave worryingly (wur'
i ing li, adv.), the task of looking after them
becomes a worrisome (wur' i sum, adj.) one.
The Prime Minister, or any person in a very
high position, must envy those who enjoy a
worriless (wur' i les, adj.) existence.

M.E. wurghen, wirien, A.-S. wyrgan ; cp. Dutch
worgen, G. wurgen, all meaning to strangle, choke.
Perhaps akin to E. wring, wry. SYN. : v. Bother,
fret, harass, importune,
trouble. n. Anxiety,
fretting, perplexity,
solicitude, uneasiness.

worse (wers), adj.
More bad ; in a
poorer state of health ;
in a less favourable
state or position, adv.
More badly ; in a
poorer or less favour-
able state, condition,
etc. ; less. n. A worse
thing or worse things ;
loss or defeat. (F.
plusmauvais,pire, plus
mat, mains avance ;
plus mal, mains; le
pire, le dessous.)

Worse is the com-
parative degree of
' ' bad . " A sick person
may get worse instead
of better. A boy who
falls into a pond may
be none the worse if
he dries himself and
changes his clothes.
We put to . the worse
someone whom we
defeat in a contest or
argument. Misfortune may worsen (wers'
en, v.t.) a man's position, and his circum-
stances are then said to worsen (v.i.).

A.-S. wyrsa, wirsa (adj.), wyrs (adv.) ; cp.
M.H.G. wirs (adv.), wirser (adj.), Goth, wairs
(adv.), wairsiza (adj.), O. Norse very (adv.),
verri (adj.), perhaps ultimately akin to O.H.G.
werran to entangle, reduce to confusion, G.
wirren to twist, entangle, embroil, L. verrere to
sweep along, E. war. ANT. : adj. and adv.
Better.

worship (wer' ship), n. Respect;
honour ; deference ; reverent homage or
service given to God ; adoration or devotion
shown to a person ; respect or devotion
towards a principle, etc. v.t. To adore as
divine ; to pay religious homage and
veneration to ; to idolize ; to reverence.
v.i. To take part in a religious service. (F.

culte, reverence, hommage ; adorer, rendre
hommage a ; assister a I 'office divin.)

This word originally meant merit, worthi-
ness, or the respect due to these qualities.
It is used as a title of respect in certain
cases. A magistrate is addressed as " your
worship," a mayor is referred to as " his
worship the Mayor," and in the language
of ceremony we apply the term worshipful
(wer' ship ful, adj.) to people holding such
offices.

Some schoolboys idolize, or worship, a
famous cricketer. They will regard him
worshipfully (wer' ship ful li, adv.) as he
goes out to bat, and he may find their
worshipfulness (wer' ship ful nes, n.) em-
barrassing.

A church or chapel is a place of worship,
where the worshipper
(wer' ship er, n.)
attends to take part
in services of prayer
and praise. Among
pagans or savages
idols, animals, or the
heavenly bodies are
worshipped.

For worth-ship, A.-S.
weorthscipe, from weorth
worthy, and suffix
-scipe (E. -ship). SYN. :
n. Adoration, deference.

homage,
veneration.

Worship. — A Japanese in an attitude of worship
before a stone image of Buddha.

reverence,
v. Adore,

honour, idolize, revere,
venerate.

worst (werst), adj.
Most bad. adv. Most
badly, n. That which
is most bad ; the worst
possible part, result,
event, state, or issue
of anything, v.t. To
get the better of ; to
defeat ; to best. (F.
pire ; le plus mal ; le
pire; I'emporter sur.)

Worst is the super-
lative of bad.
A.-S. wyrsta (adj.), wyrst (adv.) ; cp. O.H.G.
wirst (adj.), O. Norse verst-r (adj.), verst (adv.),
Dan. vaerst, Swed. vaerst (adj. and adv.). The
v.t. may come from worse with appended /.
ANT. : adj. and adv. Best.

worsted [i] (wus' ted), n. Yarn made
of long staple wool spun in such a way as
to make the fibres lie parallel ; fabric or
stuff made of this. adj. Made of worsted.
(F. etamine ; d'etamine.}

From Worstead, A.-S. Wurthestede a village in
Norfolk, where it was made.

worsted [2] (werst' ed). This is the past
tense and past participle of worst. See
worst.

wort (wert), n. A plant ; a herb ; an
infusion of malt for fermenting into beer.
(F. herbe, mo lit.)

4602

WORTH

WOUND

This word is most often used combined
with another, as in stitchwort, lungwort,
spleenwort, liverwort, and so on, plants
regarded as useful in curing various diseases.

In the manufacture of beer malt is infused
with hot water in a mash-tun, the liquor
being called the wort.

A.-S. wyrt ; cp. G. wurz, wurze, O. Norse urt,
akin to E. root.

Wort. — The stitchwort, a familiar example of a
plant whose name contains the word "wort."

worth [i] (werth), adj. Equal in
value to ; deserving ; worthy of ; having
possessions to the value of. n. That whicli
a thing or person is worth ; value ; merit ;
excellence ; the equivalent of anything,
especially in money. (F. equivalent, volant,
qui merite, riche de ; richesses, valeur,
merite, equivalent.)

As an adjective worth is predicative and
governs the noun. We say that an article
is worth a shilling if it is good value for
that sum. Twenty shillings are worth, or
equivalent in value to, a pound in currency,
but since the amount of metal in the coin
is not a shilling's worth, twenty shillings,
sold as alloyed silver, would be worth much
less.

A spurious banknote is worthless (werth-
les, adj.), and a worthless cheque is one
which would not be cashed by a bank.
Nelson might well have bewailed his worth-
lessness (werth' les nes, n.) to his country
after losing his arm, but his remaining years
were not spent worthlessly (werth7 les li,
adv.) by any means, and he snowed that he
was still a man of great worth.

A.-S. weorth, wurth (adj. and n.) ; cp. Dutch
waard, G. wert(h), O.Norse verth-r (adj.), waarde,
wert(h), verth (n.). Akin to L. vererl to respect,
E. ware [i] and [2], perhaps from root werto look
after. SYN. : n. Excellence, merit, value.

worth [2] (werth), v.i. To befall.

This word occurs in such phrases as woe
worth the day, meaning cursed be the day.

M.E. worthen, A.-S. weorthan- to become ;
common Teut., cp. Dutch warden, G. werden,
O. Norse vertha, Goth, wairthan to become ;
akin to L. vertere to turn.

worthless (werth' les). For this word,
worthlessness, etc., see under worth [i].

worthy (wer' thi), adj. Estimable ;
having worth or merit ; respectable ; de-
serving (of, to be, etc.) ; fit ; suitable ;
adequate ; of sufficient merit ; appropriate ;
equal or corresponding to the worth (of).
n. A worthy person ; a person of distinction.
(F. digne, conv enable ; notable.}

Queen Alexandra, the consort of
Edward VII, who so worthily (wer' thi li,
adv.] upheld the dignity and prestige of
the British throne, will long be remembered
in connexion with Rose Day, observed every
year towards the end of June. On this day
artificial roses are sold in aid of the hospitals.
It is a charity worthy to be supported by all,
and most people show their appreciation
of the worthiness (wer' thi nes, n.} of the
cause by giving generously.

Every town has its worthies, people of
note or distinction. The group of ancient
and mediaeval heroes known as the Nine
Worthies (n.pl.) consists of Hector of Troy,
Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Joshua,
David, Judas Maccabaeus, King Arthur,
Charlemagne, and Godfrey of Bouillon.

From worth (n ) and adjectival suffix -y ; cp.
O. Norse verthug-r, Dutch waardig, G. wuvdig.
SYN. : adj. Adequate, deserving, estimable,
meritorious. ANT. : adj. Unworthv.

Worthy.— Charlemagne (742-814), one of the Nine
Worthies of olden time.

wot (wot). This is the first person
singular of wit. See wit [i].

would (wud). This is the past tense and
conditional of will. See will [i].

wound [i] (woond), n. An injury to
the soft parts of the body caused by external

4603

WOUND

WRAP

violence, usually by a cut, stab, or blow ;
a like injury to the tissues of a plant ;
damage, hurt, or pain caused to a person's
feelings; the pangs of love; injury to one's
reputation, v.t. To inflict a wound on ; to
hurt. (F. blessure, dommage ; blesser.)

The good Samaritan tended the wounds
of the unfortunate wayfarer, who had been
wounded by robbers and might otherwise
have died of his wounds, or injuries. Wounds
of another sort are caused by unkind words
and actions ; these cannot be seen, but
they are very real. Woundless (woond' les,
adj.) means unwounded. The plant gener-
ally called woundwort (woond' wert, n.) is a
labiate perennial, S tacky s sylvatica ; it grows
about three feet high, and has heart-shaped
leaves and tubular crimson or purplish
flowers. This and other plants named
woundwort were supposed to have healing
properties.

A.-S. wund ; cp. Dutch wonde, G. wunde,
O. Norse und a wound, Goth, wund-s hurt,
possibly related to the v. which appears in
A.-S winnan to labour, fight, suffer, E. win.
SYN. : n. Damage, injury, v. Damage, hurt, pain.

wound [2] (wound). This is the past
tense and past participle of wind. See
wind [i] and [2].

wourali (woo ra' li). This is another
name for curare. See curare.

wove (wov). This is the past tense,
and woven (wov' en) the past participle, of
weave. See weave.

Wrack. — Bladder-wrack, a seaweed which floats
by means of air-bladders.

wrack (rak), n. Seaweed cast up by the
tide and' used for manure ; rack ; wreck ;
ruin ; destruction. (F. varech, debris.}

M.E. wrak wreck, A.-S. wraec misery, exile,
what is driven. See wreck, wreak.

wraith (rath), n. The phantom or
double of a person seen shortly before or
after his death. (F. ombre, spectre.}

It is related that people sometimes see
the figure of one they love — although he
or she is actually hundreds of miles away —
afterwards learning of the death of the
person about the time of the appearance
of the wraith.

Originally Sc., an Ayrshire dialect form being
warth. Perhaps from O. Norse vorth-r warder,
guardian, akin to E. ward, the idea being that of
a guardian angel. Cp. Norw. vardyvle (ward-
evil) an attendant spirit or guardian angel.
SYN. : Double, phantom.

wrangle (rang' gl), v.i. To argue or
dispute noisily or angrily ; to brawl. «.
A noisy argument ; an altercation ; an
angry dispute; a brawl. (F. se disputer, se
quereller ; dispute, querelle.}

Children sometimes wrangle, or dispute,
about their games, but unless one of them
is bad-tempered or a persistent wrangler
(rang' gler, n.}, such a wrangle usually soon
comes to an end and peace and harmony
prevail again.

Wrangler was a name that was given
specially to a graduate of the University
of Cambridge who had taken first-class
honours in the first part of the mathematical
tripos. Formerly the candidates were
ranked as wranglers, senior optimes and
junior optimes, the graduate securing the
first place in the higher class being known
as the senior wrangler. Now the names of
the successful candidates are set down
alphabetically, and there is no indication
of the order of merit in a class. The
wranglership (n.) was discontinued in 1909.

M.E. wranglen, frequentative, ultimately con-
nected with wring. SYN. : v. Brawl, dispute.
n. Altercation, brawl, dispute.

wrap (rap), v.t. To fold or arrange so
as to cover or enclose something ; to cover
by folding ; to envelop, surround, or pack
in some soft material ; to muffle (up) thus ;
to disguise ; to absorb ; to engross ; to
comprise, v.i. To twine or wreathe (round) ;
to overlap, n. An article of dress, etc.,
wrapped over ordinary clothes, especially
a shawl, a rug, a neckerchief, etc. (F.
envelopper, entourer, cacher, absorber, en-
rouler ; manteait, fichu.}

The shepherds were told by the angel
(Luke ii, 12) that they would find the
infant Christ " wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger." In the early morning,
mountain tops are often wrapped in mist.
It is advisable to wrap fragile articles in
cotton-wool or other soft material before
storing them away.

In the senses of "to engross " and " to
comprise," the verb is used only as a past
participle with the word " up." We may
say that a boy is wrapped up, or absorbed,
in a book, or that a country's welfare is
wrapped up, or included, in its oversea
trade. When a mother advises her children
to wrap up well she means that they should
put on their thickest outer garments, or
their mufflers, etc.

A wrapper (rap' er, n.} is either a person
who wraps up something in encircling
material, or else that in which something
is wrapped. In the latter sense the word
denotes especially a detachable paper jacket
used to protect 'the cover of a new book ;

4604

WRASSE

WREATH

an outer covering of paper in which a news-
paper, etc., is sent through the post ; and
a paper container in which certain com
modities, such as tea, sugar, etc., are specially
packed for sale by the manufacturer. A
woman's loose outer garment for indoor
wear is also known as a wrapper. A
wrapper of any kind may be termed a
wrapping (rap' ing, n,}. In particular,
wraps such as travelling rugs, mufflers,
shawls, etc., are sometimes described as
wrappings. The less common word wrap-
page (rap' ij, n.} denotes a wrapper, wrap-
ping, or wrap. It is used chiefly in a figura-
tive sense. For instance, Carlyle described
the body as the wrappage of the soul.

M.E. wrappen ; cp. wlappen = E. lap ; cp.
envelope. Perhaps akin to warp. SYN. : v.
Cover, enfold, envelop, muffle, wind. ANT. : v.
Expose, reveal, uncover, unwind, unwrap.

•wrasse (ras), n. Any sea-fish of the
family Labridae, or the genus Labrus,
distinguished by their beautiful colouring
and their thick fleshy lips ; these fish
collectively. (F. labre de mer.)

Most of the wrasses are of moderate size.
Their brilliant coloration renders them less
conspicuous among the coral reefs and
bright seaweeds of the shores they frequent.
Their strong teeth are adapted for crushing
the shell-fish and crustaceans on which
they feed. A few species of wrasse are
found near British shores. The remarkable
parrot-fish of the Mediterranean is one of
the wrasses.

Corrrsh wrach ; cp. Welsh gwrach.

Wrasse. — The rainbow wrasse, a. brilliantly coloured
member of the wrasse family.

wrath, (rawth), n. Rage ; indignation ;
extreme or violent anger. (F. courroux,
cole.re, indignation, fureur.)

This word is chiefly used in poetry and
poetical prose. In ordinary language it is
now employed generally in a jocular sense.
In the Bible there are many references to
the wrath of God, that is, His righteous
indignation. A wrathful (rawth' ful, adj.)
person is one who is full of wrath. A
wrathful sunset is a threatening one.
Wrathf ulness (rawth' ful nes, n.) is the
state, quality, or condition of being wrath-
ful or of behaving wrathfully (rawth' ful li,
adv.), or in a wrathful manner.

M.E. wrat(h)the, A.-S. wraeththu, -o, from
wrath wroth ; cp. O. Norse reithi, Swed. vrede,
from reith-r, vred (adj.). SYN. : Anger, fury,
rage. ANT. : Calmness, composure, serenity.

wreak (rek), v.t. To carry out : to
inflict ; to give satisfaction to (anger, etc.) ;
to execute (vengeance upon). (F. execute?,
satisfaire, infliger.}

A person wreaks his anger on another
when he gives vent to it.

M.E. wreken to avenge, wreak, A.-S. wrecan,
originally meaning to drive, impel, urge on ;
cp. Dutch wreken, G. rachen, O. Norse reka to
drive, compel, take vengeance for, L. urgere
to press, Gr. eirgein, for assumed ewergein, to
shut in.

Wreath.— A beautiful wreath placed by the Duke

of Gloucester on the Remembrance Stone at

Edinburgh.

wreath, (reth), n. A ring of flowers or
leaves, strung, tied, or woven together, for
decorating a coffin, statue, etc., or for
wearing on the head ; a representation of
this in stone, wood, etc. ; a similar ring of
twisted silk, etc. ; a curl or coil (of smoke,
cloud, etc.) ; in poetry, a circle (of dancers,
spectators, etc.). (F. guirlande, couronne,
chapelet.)

On Armistice Day, November n, many
wreaths are brought to the Cenotaph in
Whitehall, and placed there in remembrance
of soldiers who fell in the World War. In
ancient Greece the victor of the Olympic
Games was awarded a wreath of wild olive,
and the victor of the Pythian Games received
a laurel wreath.

People wreathe (reth, v.t.) holly and ivy,
that is, entwine them into wreaths, at
Christmas time. Mountain tops are often
wreathed in, or encircled with, clouds. In
a figurative sense we say that a person's
face is wreathed in smiles when he wears
a smiling expression. Honeysuckle and ivy
wreathe (v.i.) round trees and other plants,
that is, they coil about them. A wreathless
(reth' les, adj .) grave is one without a wreath
on it.

4605

WRECK

WREN

A.-S. writha, band, bandage, from wrlthan to
twist, tie. See writhe. SYN. : Chaplet, circlet,
garland.

wreck (rek), n. Disablement, destruc-
tion, or ruin, especially of a ship ; the loss of
a ship by striking rocks, foundering, etc. ;
a vessel that has been disabled, shattered,
or otherwise greatly damaged thus ; the
ruins or shattered hull of such a ship ; the
remains of anything that has been greatly
damaged or shattered ; a disabled person ;
goods, etc., thrown up by the sea ; wreck-
age, v.t. To cause the wreck of (a ship,
etc.) ; to involve in shipwreck ; to destroy
or ruin. v.i. To undergo wreck. (F. mine,
debacle, naufrage, epaves, debris; faire
naufrage a, jeter a la cote, ruiner, perdre ;
faire naufrage, sombrer.)

Ships sometimes come to grief by being
wrecked on reefs or stranding on the shore.
When a vessel runs aground she may become
a total wreck if there is a high sea running,
or she may be floated off more or less un-
damaged, by shifting or removing part of
her cargo. Wreck, in the sense of goods
cast ashore by the sea, belongs to the
Crown.

Journalists often describe railway col-
lisions as train wrecks. An explosion or a
fire may wreck a building. In a figurative
sense, we say that our hopes or plans are
wrecked when they are completely shattered
by some occurrence. In Parliament a
measure is wrecked when it is opposed and
fails to pass through the House. A man's
career may be wrecked by some serious
blunder, or by a long illness that reduces
him to a physical wreck or a wreck of his
former self.

The broken parts of a wrecked vessel,

or wreck, when washed ashore or floating
on the sea, are known as wreckage (rek' ij,
n.). A wrecking-car (n.) is a special railway
truck carrying a crane and other appliances
for removing the wreckage of trains.

A wreck-master (n.} is an officer ap-
pointed by the Board of Trade, when neces-
sary, to take charge of a wreck or the material
and goods cast ashore from it. A landsman
who endeavours to cause a shipwreck by
displaying misleading lights, etc., from the
shore and so luring a ship to destruction
in order that he may plunder the wreck, is
known as a wrecker (rek' er, n.) ', so also is
anyone who steals from a wreck. At one
time wreckers were common on the Cornish
and other rocky coasts. A person or ship
engaged in recovering a wreck or the cargo
from a wrecked vessel is a wrecker.

M.E. wrak wreck, A.-S. wraec misery, exile,
what is driven, from wrecan to drive ; cp. Dutch
wrak, Icel. rek anything drifted ashore, from
reka to drive, Swed. vrak refuse, wreck. See
wrack, wreak. SYN. : n. Destruction, disable-
ment, ruin, wreckage, v. Destroy, ruin, shatter.

•wren (ren), n. The name given to a
group of small birds with short rounded
wings and tail often turned up belonging
to the family Troglodyidae, especially
Troglodytes parvulus, and also to various
members of the warbler tribe, etc. (F.
roitelet.)

The wren, often called affectionately the
jenny wren, has inconspicuous brown plum-
age, " and builds a roomy domed nest. It
feeds on insects, and is a hardy, alert, and
cheerful little bird, familiar in English
hedgerows. The word " wren " is used
with a distinguishing word, in the formation
of the names of other small birds, resembling

Wreck.— The wreck of a passenger-carrying aeroplane, which crashed to earth near a large town in Kent

during a dense fog.

4606

WRENCH

WRETCH

The tiny golden-
willow wren are

the wren in appearance,
crested wren and the
examples.

A.-S. wrenna, akin to O. Norse rindil-l.

Wren. — The wren, a jaunty little haunter of British
hedgerows.

•wrench (rench), n. A violent twist,
or sideways pull ; an injury caused by
twisting ; a sprain ; the pain or distress
caused by parting, loss, etc. ; a tool made to
grip and turn bolts, nuts, screws, etc. v.t.
To twist, pull, or force round or sideways
with violence ; to pull (off or away) vio-
lently ; to sprain ; to strain ; to distort ;
to pervert. (F. torsion, angoisse, clef;
tordre, arracher, fouler, fausser.}

A motorist carries in his tool-
box a set of wrenches, by
means of which he can tighten
or remove any nuts on his car.
A tennis player may slip and
wrench, or sprain, his ankle. We
feel the wrench of parting with
some well-loved friend. It is
also a wrench to leave a house
in which we have lived happily
for many years.

N. from v. ; cp. G. ran k trick,
crookedness, from renken to bend,
twist, M.E. wrenchen to wrench,
twist, A.-S. wrencan to twist, weave
plots. See wring, wrinkle. SYN. :
n. Pull, sprain, twist, v. Force,
pull, sprain, strain, wrest.

wrest (rest), v.t. To twist
or turn aside, especially by
violence ; to pull or force away
from a person's grasp ; to
pervert ; to distort, n. A key used in
tuning a harp, etc. ; a violent twist , a
wrench. (F. arracher, enlever, fausser, dena-
turer ; clef, torsion.}

At Rugby football a player who has been
tackled endeavours to wrest himself away
from his opponent. Lawyers question the
witnesses on the opposing side in the hope

of wresting from them some admission
which will benefit their own clients.

Each string of a pianofoite is attached to
a pin known as a wrert-pin (n.), which is
set in a part of the instrument called the
wrest-block (n.). The strings are tuned by
twisting their wrest-pins.

A.-S. wrdestan to bend, twist, from wrdest
firm, strong (twisted securely), probably from
wrlthan to twist. See wreath, writhe, wrist.
SYN. : v. Distort, twist, wrench.

wrestle (res' 1), v.i. To contend by
grappjing with and trying to overthrow an
adversary, especially in a sporting match
in which certain definite rules are recognized
and followed ; to strive earnestly ; to
struggle, v.t. To contend with, as in a
wrestling-match, n. A contest of wrestling ;
a wrestling-match ; a hard struggle. (F.
hitter; lutte.}

When two athletes wrestle in the Cumber-
land and Westmorland style, they take a
hold before the bout starts. The victor is
the wrestler (res' ler, n.} who succeeds in
causing any part of his opponent's body,
other than his feet, to touch the ground.
In the catch-as-catch-can and some other
styles of wrestling (res' ling, n.} the aim
is to cause both shoulders of one's opponent
to touch the ground at the same moment.
A slow but diligent scholar may be said to
wrestle with his lessons.

Frequentative of wrest. A.-S. wrdestlian,
frequentative of wrdestan to wrest, bend ; cp.
M. Dutch wrastelen, Low G. wrosseln. SYN. . v.
Strive, struggle.

Wrestling.

-Policemen engaged in a wrestling-match in the
Cumberland and Westmorland style.

wretch (rech), n. A miserable or very
unfortunate person ; a wicked, cruel, or
contemptible person. (F. malheureux, miser-
able )

This word is often used in an ironical
way to express pity, contempt, or even
compassion and tenderness. It is also
used as a jocular term of abuse. A wretch,

4607

WRICK

WRINKLE

in the literal sense of the word, is a wretched
(rech' ed, adj.), or miserable, person. People
in slums live in wretched, or pitiable, con-
ditions. They are wretchedly (rech' ed li,
adv.) housed, "that is, they are housed in a
wretched way.

In a colloquial sense, we say that a very
unsatisfactory or badly-written book is a
wretched piece of work, or that the accommo-
dation at an hotel is wretched, or uncomfort-
able. Wretchedness (rech' ed nes, n.) is
the quality of being wretched.

A.-S. wrecca fugitive, outcast, exile, from
wrecan to drive out, banish, avenge. See wreak.

wrick (rik), v.t. To twist or strain (the
back, etc.), n. A twist or strain. Another
spelling is rick (rik). (F. fouler; foulure.)

An athlete sometimes wricks a muscle in
his neck or his back, that is, he overstrains it.

M.E. wrikken to move jerkily ; cp. Dutch
wrikken to shake, wriggle, Swed. vricka to
twist, sprain. See wriggle. SYN. : n. and v.
Sprain, strain.

•wriggle (rig' 1), v.i. To turn or move
the body to and fro with short twists, like
an eel or a worm ; to
move (along, in, out,
etc.) with such twist-
ings ; to act or proceed
in a sly or despicable
manner, v.t. To move
(one's body, etc.) with
a wriggling motion ;
to make (one's way)
by wriggling. n. A
wriggling movement.
(F. se toYdre, fretiller,
s'insinuer; sedemener,
se faufiler ; tortille-
ment.)

A worm wriggles
along the ground. An
eel, when it is caught,
wriggles about vio-
lently for a time. In
a figurative sense, we
say that an adroit, and
none too honest, busi-
ness man wriggles out
of his difficulties by
means of evasions and
subterfuges. Any one
person or thing that
wriggles is called a
wriggler (rig' ler, n.),
especially certain
wriggly (rig' li, adj.) fishes and reptiles,
which are given to wriggling, or squirming.

Frequentative of obsolete wrig, a variant of
wrick. Cp. M.E. wrikken to move to and fro.
Low G. wriggeln, Dutch wriggelen. Original
meaning to bend or turn. SYN. : v. and n.
Squirm, twist, writhe.

wright (rit), n. A workman or maker,
especially one engaged in mechanical work.
(F. artisan, ouvrier, fabricant.)

This word is now rare, except when used

in combination with another word which
describes the nature of the work, as, ship-
wright, wheelwright, playwright.

A.-S. wyrhta, wryhta, agent n. from wyrcan
to work.

wring (ring), v.t. To squeeze and twist
or compress ; to twist, turn, or strain
forcibly ; to press or squeeze (water, etc.)
out in this manner ; to get out by pressure ;
to extort, n. A spell of wringing ; a
squeeze, p.t. and p.p. wrung (rung). (F.
tordre, pressurer, extorquer ; torsion, serre-
ment.)

After clothes have been washed, most of
the water is wrung out before they are
hung on the line to dry. Articles of clothing
are said to be wringing (ring' ing, adj.) wet
when they are drenched, or so wet that
moisture can be wrung out. A wringer
(ring' er, n.), or wringing-machine (n.), is an
apparatus consisting of rollers set close
together and revolving in opposite directions.
Washing is wrung by being passed between
the rollers. A person who uses this machine,
or who wrings something by some other
means, is also a
wringer.

In a figurative sense,
we say, for instance,
that a harsh creditor
wrings every possible
penny out of the un-
fortunate people who
owe him money. A
person in great distress
sometimes shows the
intensity -of his
emotion by wringing
his hands together, or
pressing them together
convulsively. When
we say that consent
was wrung out of a
person, we mean
that his consent was
obtained with diffi-
culty, by pressure or
importunity. To wring
the neck of a
chicken is to kill the
chicken by dislocating
its neck.

A.-S. wringan ; cp.
Dutch wringen, G. ringen
to wring, struggle, wrest,
Dan. vringle to twist,
See wrong. SYN. : v.

Wringer. — Students of laundry work receiving a
lesson in the use of the wringer.

Goth, wrungo a snare.
Squeeze, strain, twist.

wrinkle [i] (ring' kl), n. A small
ridge, furrow, or crease formed in a flexible
surface by folding, shrinkage, or expansion.
v.t. To make or produce wrinkles in. v.i.
To have a wrinkled appearance ; to assume
wrinkles. (F. ride, pli ; rider, plisser, sil-
lonner ; se rider.)

When an apple is kept until the pulp
dries, the skin contracts and wrinkles, or
becomes wrinkly (ring' kli, adj.), that is,

4608

WRINKLE

WRITE

full of wrinkles. Old people usually have
wrinkled faces.

M.E. wrinkil a twist ; cp. A.-S. gewrinclod
twisted, a dim. probably akin to wring, wrench ;
cp. M. Dutch wrinkel, G. runzel (= wrunzel],
akin to L. ruga furrow, wrinkle. See ruck,
wrench. SYN. : v. Crease, pucker.

wrinkle [2] (ring' kl), n. A useful
piece of information or advice that is not
widely known ; a trick of the trade ; a
tip ; a bright idea. (F. le mot, artifice.)

Originally trick, dodge, that is, something
twisted or crooked. See wrinkle [i].

wrist (rist), n. The joint uniting
the hand with the forearm ; the part of
the arm round this joint ; a wrist-pin. (F.
poignet, tourillon de crosse.)

A wristband (risf band ; riz' band, n.)
is a band of material attached to or con-
cealing the end of a sleeve, especially a
shirt-sleeve. A paralysis of the muscles of
the forearm, due to lead poisoning, is known
as wrist-drop (n.) because the hand drops
powerlessly at the wrist. In cricket, a
stroke that is effected largely by
means of a turn of the wrists is
known as a wrist-stroke (n.). A
batsman is sometimes praised
for his wrist- work (n.), or use of
the wrists.

A bracelet is one kind of
wristlet (rist' let, n.). Another
is a band of leather, etc., some-
times worn round the wrist to
support and strengthen it, or
else to carry a wrist-watch (n.)
or wristlet- watch (n.), that is, a
small watch worn on the wrist. HI
Handcuffs are sometimes referred
to jokingly as wristlets.

In mechanics a wrist, or wrist-
pin (n.), is a crank-pin, or any
projecting pin, serving as an
attachment for a connecting-
rod.

From writhe with suffix -t. A.-S.
(generally in compounds) from
wrlthan to twist ; cp. G. rist back of the hand,
instep, wrist, O. Norse fist instep (rltha to twist).
See writhe.

•writ [i] (rit), n. That which is written ;
a written command or order issued by a
court, in the name of the sovereign or state,
commanding some person or persons to
do, or refrain from doing, some specified
act ; a document issued by the crown
instructing a sheriff to hold a parliamentary
election. (F. ecrit, mandat, ordonnance, lettre
de convocation.}

The Holy Scriptures are sometimes termed
Holy Writ, but the word usually denotes
a document in the name of the King, issued
to a subject, and ordering him to do or
refrain from doing some particular act. An
example is the writ of habeas corpus (see
habeas corpus).

A.-S. gewrit something written, akin to write.

writ [2] (rit). This is an archaic form
of the past tense and past participle of
write. See write.

write (rit), v.t. To trace, form, or
record (words, sentences, etc.) in letters
or symbols, with a pen, pencil, etc., on
paper or other material, so that they may
be read ; to set (down) thus ; to state or
convey by writing ; to depict in writing ;
to compose or produce (prose, poetry, or
music, etc.), as an author ; to cover or fill
with writing ; to style or term in writing ;
to impress or stamp (a quality or condition)
on a person's face ; to send a letter to ;
to communicate in writing, v.i. To trace
letters or symbols representing words or
figures, on paper or other material ; to
write or send a letter ; to compose or
produce articles, books, or other literary
works ; to compose music ; to produce
writing (of a specified kind), p.t. wrote
(rot) ; p.p written (rit' en) ; an archaic
form of both the p.t. and p.p. is writ (rit).
(F. 6cYire, inscrire, composer, imprimer, dire
par ecrit; ecrire, faire la correspondance.)

Writ<

aussa, one of a negroid race of Nigeria, writing a
letter in the open air.

Nowadays there are few people in civilized
countries who are unable to write their
names ; but not so very long ago, writing
(rit' ing, n.), that is, the penning or forming
of symbols so as to form words and sentences,
was a less general accomplishment. A
matter is in writing when it is written down,
or recorded. The writings of an author
are the books, articles, etc., that he has
written. We say that a person's writing
is ugly or careless when we mean that the
style of his handwriting is bad, etc.

We write a letter when we wish to com-
municate with a person in writing. In
colloquial language we are said to write
him, or write to him. In a figurative sense,
any thought that is unrecorded, or is
recorded in an impermanent form, may
be said to be written in water. Anger is
written on a scowling, bad-tempered face.

4609

WRITE

WRITE

It is a far cry from the picture - writing letter we may find some such expression as

of prehistoric man, which was scratched
on the wall of a cave, to the sky-writing
done for advertisement purposes by means
of a trail of smoke emitted from an aero-
plane. In this latter and very modern
method of writing, the words spelt out
by the movements of the aeroplane are
writ large, that is, recorded in immense
letters, measuring some hundreds of feet
in length. In a figurative sense, we say
that an event of far-reaching importance is
writ large in a nation's history.

We write down dictated 'words when
we put them into writing. A critic writes
down a pretentious work of art when he
disparages it. An author is said to write
down to the public when he lowers his
literary standard, in order to win popu-
larity or because he underestimates the
intelligence of his readers. To write down
the value of a company's assets is to reduce
them to a lower amount in the balance-
sheet, etc.

To write off debts is to record the fact
that they have been cancelled. A news-
paper reporter must be able to write off
a news item, or compose it quickly and
easily. Schoolboys are given lines to write
out, that is, copy, as a punishment. A
novelist may write himself out, or exhaust
his ideas and freshness, if he writes too
many books.

The master of a ship writes up his log
when he writes details in it so as to bring
it up to date. A journalist is said collo-
quially to write up something, or give it
a write-up (n.), when he praises it in print,
and, in effect, advertises it.

in the opinion of the writer." Here the
word writer means the one who is writing.
Various officials having clerical or secretarial
duties have been given the title of writer.

Write. — The characters of the Chinese written language are very
complicated. Above are the instruments required in writing them.

Anyone engaged in writing is a writer
(rif er, n.). He may be a legible writer,
an indefatigable letter - writer, or a sign-
writer. If, however, a person is described
simply as a writer, we conclude that he is
an author or a journalist. In a book or a

British Museum

Write. — Ivory writing-tablets carved in the fourteenth
century, representing ch:ss-playing, hawking, etc.

Before Robert Clive (1725-74) became
known for his military abilities he was
a writer, or junior clerk, in the old East
India Company, in which his uncle had
obtained for him a writership (n.), that is,
an office or position as writer. In Scotland
a writer is an attorney or solicitor. A
writer to the signet (n.) is a Scottish solicitor
who is a member of an Edinburgh law
society and has certain privileges.

People who write a great deal are liable
to writer's cramp (n.). This is a
sudden contraction of some of
the muscles of the fingers and
hand ; it causes great pain
whenever the sufferer tries to
write. It can be cured by rest
and massage.

Writing materials are carried
in a writing-case (n.). Many
people write on a writing-desk
\n.}, or writing-table (n.}, that
is, an article of furniture designed
for this purpose and usually
furnished with drawers in which
paper and other writing mate-
rials may be kept.

An ink made specially for
writing purposes is known as
writing-ink (n.), as opposed to
printer's ink. The writing-
master (n.) of old was a teacher of
penmanship. Paper with a
smooth surface suitable for
writing on is called writing-paper (n.).

The original meaning is to scratch, score,
engrave, inscribe. A.-S. wrltan ', cp. Dutch
rijten, G. reissen to tear, cut, split, O. Norse
nta to scratch, cut, write. SYN. : v. Indite,
inscribe, pen, scribble.

4610

WRITHE

WROTH

•writhe (rith), v.i. To turn or twist the
body about as if in pain ; to shrink or
squirm (with shame, embarrassment, etc.).
v.t. To twist or distort (the body, etc.)
thus. n. An act of writhing. (F. se tordre ;
tordre ; contorsion.}

A person may be said to writhe with
agony when his physical sufferings cause
him to roll or twist his body about. In a
figurative sense, we writhe under an insult
when we are hurt mentally by it. The
archaic word writhen (ri^7 en, adj.] means
twisted, distorted, coiling, or intertwined.
A snake may be said to move writhingly
(rith' ing li, adv.], or in a coiling way.

A.-S. wrlthan to twist ; cp. O.H.G. rldan,
O. Norse rltha ( = writha). SYN. : v. Coil, squirm,
twist.

•writing (rif ing). For this word,
written, etc., see under write.

•wrong (rong), adj. Not according to
truth or reality ;. incorrect ; false ; in-
accurate ; mistaken ; erroneous ; out of
order ; unsuitable ; not according to rule ;
in bad condition ; disordered ; not the
right (one, etc.) ; not that which is required,
intended, etc. ; not morally right ; contrary
to conscience or law. adv. Amiss ; astray.
n. That which is wrong ; a wrong act.
v.t. To do wrong to ; to treat unjustly ;
to impute bad motives to without good
reason. (F. errone, faux, inexact, mauvais ;
mal, en mal, mat a propos, egare ; tort,
injustice, erreur, dommage ; faire du tort a,
etre injuste pour, nuire a.}

A book cannot be read very easily if it
is held the wrong way up. A stranger will
not be able to find his way if he is given
the wrong directions. When we meet a
friend who does not look well we sometimes
ask what is wrong with him. A sum is
wrong when it is not correct. We wrong a
generous person when we make the mistake
of assuming that he is acting self -interestedly.
If we put on a garment wrong side out, or
inside out, the wrong side will be visible.

In printing, a letter that is not of the
right fount, and is therefore of the wrong
size or pattern compared with the rest of the
type used, is said to be of the wrong fount (n.),
and is described as a wrong fount (adj.) letter.
The proof-reader underlines such letters
and writes the abbreviation w.f. in the
margin of the proof, so that they may be
replaced by type from the right fount.

The police force exists to prevent wrong-
doing (rong' doo ing, n.), that is, evil-doing,
or transgression of the law. Any offence
against what is right or lawful is a wrong-
doing. A wrongdoer (rong7 doo er, n.) is
one who does wrong, or is guilty of a wrong-
ful (rong7 ful, adj.) act, that is, an illegal,
injurious, harmful, or unjust one. Goods
are said to be wrongfully (rong7 ful li, adv.)
seized when they are taken unlawfully. A
person is wrongfully suspected of a crime
when he is not guilty of it, and the suspicion

is therefore wrong or erroneous. Wrong-
fulness (rong' ful nes, n.) is the state of being
wrongful. In Scots law, the word wrongous
(rong7 us, adj.) means contrary to the law,
illegal.

An obstinate or perverse person who
cannot be persuaded to change his mind
although he is clearly in the wrong, may be
described as a wrong-headed (rong7 hed ed,
adj.) person, or one acting with wrong-
headedness (rong7 hed ed nes, n.).

Wrong. — A statue of T. Fontane, the novelist,
showing the coat-buttons on the wrong side.

Bandages will not stay in position if
they are put on wrongly (rong7 li, adv.),
that is, in a wrong manner. The whale is
sometimes wrongly, or inaccurately, de-
scribed as a fish. It is distressing to be
wrongly, or unfairly, accused of some error
or wrong act. Wrongness (rong7 nes, n.)
is the character or quality of being wrong,
especially morally wrong.

Late A.-S. wrang (only as n.), really an adj.
meaning crooked, awry, wrung, twisted, from
wring an to wring; cp. Dutch wrang bitter,
harsh, Dan. vrang (adj.), O. Norse rang-r crooked,
wrong. SYN. : adj. Erroneous, faulty, illegal,
incorrect, mistaken. ANT. : adj. Accurate, fair,
just, right, true.

wrote (rot). This is the past tense of
write. See write.

•wroth (roth ; roth), adj. Angry; incensed;
wrathful. (F. courrouce, irrite.)

This word is now used only in poetry,
in rhetorical prose, or else in a jocular
manner in ordinary speech.

A.-S. wrath perverted, angry, from wrlthan
to twist, writhe ; cp. Dutch wreed cruel, O.H.G.
reid twisted, O. Norse reith-r angry.

4611

WROUGHT

WYVERN

•wrought (rawt). This is a form of
the past tense and past participle of work.
See work.

•wrung (rung). This is the past tense
and past participle of wring. See wring.

•wry (ri), adj. Twisted; distorted;
crooked ; turned to one side ; showing
disgust, distaste, etc. (F. tors, distors, de
tr avers.}

Most people make wry faces, or grimaces
showing dislike, when they take medicine
with an unpleasant taste. The word wry
is used in combination with other words
to form the names of certain animals and
birds. The wrybill (n.) is a New Zealand
variety of plover (A narhynchus frontalis) , so
named from the fact that its beak is
turned to one side. The wryneck (n.) is a
small bird of the genus lynx, allied to the
woodpeckers. It is able to twist and turn
its neck like a snake.
Wryneck is also a
name for stiffneck and
similar affections.

The wrymouth (n.)
is an eel-like fish of
northern seas which
has a vertical mouth.
Its scientific name is
Cryptacanthodes macu-
latus. A person may
be wry-mouthed (adj.]
owing to a facial de-
formity, or because he
is smiling wryly (ri'
li, adv.], that is, in
a wry manner. The
wryness (rl'nes, «.), or
wry character, of his
expression is then
probably due to the
fact that he is not
really in a mood for
smiling, but is actually
displeased or unhappy.

M.E. wrien to twist,
bend, A.-S. wrlgian to
drive, turn, twist, bend,
perhaps akin to wrick,
wriggle. SYN. : Con-
torted, distorted, skew.

wyandotte (wl' an dot), n. A hardy
variety of domestic fowl, of medium size,
noted for its egg-laying qualities.

The silver-laced wyandotte, which has
silvery white feathers, each with a distinct
black edging, is the original variety of this
breed. It was first produced in America.
There are now many other kinds, including
the black, the white, and the golden-laced
wyandottes.

Named from a section of the Huron tribe of
North American Indians.

wycli-. A prefix which forms part of
the names of certain trees having pliant
branches. Other spellings are wich- and
witch-.

The wych-elm (wich' elm, n.}, or witch-elm
(wich7 elm, n.} — Ulmus montana — also called
the Scotch or mountain elm, is a species of
elm tree native to Scotland and the north
of England. It has more tapering leaves,
more drooping branches, and a less upright
trunk than the common English elm. There
are many varieties, some of which are
used as ornamental trees. Its wood, also
known as wych-elm, is valued in cabinet-
making.

The name of wych-hazel (wich' haz 1, n.}, or
witch-hazel (wich' haz 1, n.}, is sometimes
given to the wych-elm, but more usually
denotes a yellow-flowered North American
shrub (Hamamelis virginicd), which has
several crooked, branching trunks. From
its leaves and bark an astringent medicinal
substance, also called wych-hazel, is
obtained.

A.-S. wice (from wlcan to bend), akin to
wicker.

Wyclifite (wik' lif
it), adj. Of or relating
to John Wyclif or
Wycliffe the English
religious reformer,
his teachings, or his
followers, n. A follower
of Wyclif; a Lollard.
Another form is
Wycliffite (wik7 lif it)..
(F. wiclefiste.}

John Wyclif was
a forerunner of the
Reformation. He en-
deavoured to remove
certain abuses in the
Church of his day, and
made a translation
of the Scriptures into
English, which was
adopted as the basis
of later translations.

wye (wl), n. The
letter Y ; a Y-shaped
object. See under Y.

Wykehamist (wik7
am ist), n. A past or
present m -mber of
Winchester college, an

English public school founded by William
of Wykeham in 1382. adj. Of or pertaining
to this college.

wynd (wind), n. A narrow passage or
street turning out of a main thoroughfare ;
an alley. (F. allee, sentier.}

This word is used chiefly in Scotland.
Probably a verbal n. from wind [2].
wyvern (wl7 vern), n. In heraldry, a
representation of a two-legged dragon \vith
erect wings, the feet of an eagle, and a long
forked tail. (F. guivre.)

O.F. wivre, givre, from L. viper a viper. The
w is probably due to the influence of O.H.G.
wipera, and n is excrescent, as in bittern, probably
due to some mistaken analogy.

4612

Wych-elm. — The wych-elm, or witch-elm, also called
the Scotch or mountain elm.

XANTHO-

X, x (eks). The twenty-fourth letter
of the English alphabet, and the twenty-
first of the Latin. All the English words
beginning with this letter are of foreign,
and mostly of Greek, origin, but it occurs
in some native English words, as axe, ox, six.
It was used in Anglo-Saxon for cs and by
metathesis for sc.

Its usual pronunciation is
ks, and the letter is there-
fore phonetically superflu-
ous. At the beginning of a
word it is generally pro-
nounced z, but some
speakers pronounce it gz
in certain words of Greek
origin, such as compounds
with xeno-, xero-, xylo-. In
some words with the prefix
ex-, in which that syllable
does not bear the main
accent, and is followed
by a vowel or h mute,
x is pronounced gz, as
in exist, exhaust, exhibit,
exaltation (egz ist', egz
awst', egz ib' it, egz awl
ta' shun). This rule is
not absolute, for we say
execution, exhibition (eks
e kii' shim, eks i bish' un),
and ex, in the sense of
" formerly but no longer,"
prefixed with a hyphen to
English words, is always
pronounced eks, as in
ex-officer.

In French plurals in -aux, -eaux, -eux,
-oux, x is silent, except when the next word
begins with a vowel, and this pronunciation
is sometimes retained in English, as in
chevaux-de-frise, beaux. The consonants
xc before e or i have the sound of ks, as in
except, excite.

In the abbreviations Xmas, Xt, Xtian
(Christmas, Christ, Christian), X represent
the Greek letter chi, that is, kh or ch. As
a Roman numeral X indicates ten, IX
nine, XL forty, etc. It is thought that the
numeral X represented the two hands
with the closed fingers tip to tip. See V.
X is ten thousand, and the same with a
vertical stroke on each side is a million.
XX (double x) and XXX (triple x) indicate
strong and very strong beer. In mathe-
matics, x is the symbol for an unknown
quantity, or the first of several such. Hence

British Museum.

Xanthian. — The headless statue of a

nereid, or sea-nymph, one of the

Xanthian marbles.

it sometimes signifies something unknown,
incomprehensible, or mysterious. The X-
rays are the same as the Rontgen rays.
As a motor-car index letter x stands for
Northumberland. In finance, x is an abbre-
viation for ex in the sense of " not including
the right to," as in x-cp. ex coupon, x-d,

ex dividend, x-i ex

interest. The history of
the letter is related on
page xix.

xanthate (zan' that).
For this word, xanthein,
etc., see under xantho-.

Xanthian (zan' thi an),
adj. Of or relating to
Xanthus, the chief city of
Lycia, an ancient country
of Asia Minor. (F. de
Xantho s.}

The sculptures known as
the Xanthian marbles
(n.pl.) were found on the
site of Xanthus in the
nineteenth century. They
may be seen in the British
Museum.

From Xanthus and -ian.
Xanthippe (zan thip' e ;
zan tip' e), n. (F.
Xanthippe*}

A shrewish, bad-tempered
wife. Another spelling is
Xantippe (zan tip' e).

The original Xanthippe
was the wife of the phil-
osopher Socrates. • Her
scolding treatment of her husband has made
her name a synomyn for an ill-tempered wife.
xantho-. This is a prefix meaning
yellow. Another form is xanth-. (F.
xantho-.}

The soluble part of the yellow colouring
matter of flowers is known as xanthein
(zan' the in, n.}, and the insoluble part as
xanthin (zan' thin, n.}. Xanthine (zan'
thin, n.} is a substance occurring in the
serum of the blood, and in other fluids of
the body. It forms a light yellow com-
pound with nitric acid. Some things that
are slightly yellow, or yellowish, are said
to be xanthic (zan' thik, adj.}, as, for ex-
ample, xanthic acid («.), an oily liquid with
a powerful odour, a salt of which is a xan-
thate (zan' that, «.)• A xanthic flower (n.}
is one that is typically yellow, only passing
into red or white but never into blue.

461 :

XANTIPPE

XYSTUS

Anthropologists sometimes speak of the
Xanthochroi (zan thok' ro I, n.pl.), meaning
the fairest of the fair-haired, blue-eyed races
which spread across from central Asia and
settled in north-west Europe. It is this
type that is now often called the Nordic
Blond. The Mongolians and other races
having yellow skins are said to be xanthous
(zan' thus, adj.).

Combining form of Gr. xanthos tawny-yellow,
chestnut, auburn.

Xebec. — A xebec, a vessel once used by the pirates
of the Barbary coast.

Xantippe (zan tip' e). This is another
form of Xanthippe. See Xanthippe.

xebec (ze' bek), n. A small three-masted
vessel with lateen and square sails, and
overhanging bow and stern, used for coasting
voyages in the Mediterranean. (F. che'bec.)

Altered from chebec (F.), Span, xabeque,
(modern jabeque).

xeno-. A prefix meaning having to
do with strangers or guests. Another form
is xen-. (F. xeno-.)

What are sometimes called by writers on
Greek antiquities xenial (zen' i al ; ze" ru
al, adj.) relations are such as exist between
a host and his guests, or between people
of different nations. The process known
as xenogamy (ze nog' a mi, n.), or cross-
f ei tilization, is the fertilization of a flower
by the pollen from a flower on another plant
of the same species. A heavy gas present
in small quantities in the air, first isolated
by Sir William Ramsay in 1898, is known as
xenon (ze' non ; zen' on, n.).

Combining form of Gr. xenos guest, host,
stranger.

xero-. A prefix meaning dry, parched.
Another form is xer-. (F. xero-, xer-.}

The xeranthemum (zer an' the mum, n.)
is better known as the everlasting flower.
It has composite flowers, and is used
for funeral wreaths. The cactus, ice-plant,
and house-leek are all xerophilous (zer
of i his, adj.), that is, able to live in hot dry
climates, and in places where there is very
little moisture. Such a plant is termed a
xerophyte (zer' 6 fit, n.).

Combining form of Gr. xeros dry, withered.

xipho-. A prefix meaning sword -like.
Other forms are xiph- and xiphi-. (F. xipho-,
xiph-, xiphi-.}

In anatomy, an organ that is sword-
shaped is said to be xiphoid (zif oid, adj.) ;
xiphoid appendage (n.), xiphoid cartilage (n.),
and xiphoid process (n.) are terms for the
lower end of the breast -bone, or xiphisternum
(zif i ster' num, n.).

Combining form of Gr. xiphos sword.

xoanon (zo' a non), n. A primitive
image or idol rudely carved out of wood or
stone, pi. xoana (z5' a na).

Gr., from xein to carve.

X-rays (eks' raz). This is another name
for the Rontgen rays. See X, Rontgen rays.

xylo-. A prefix meaning made from
wood, or of the nature of wood. Another
form is xyl-. (F. xylo-, xyl-.}

Xylem (zi7 lem, n.) is the substance in
in a tree which develops into wood. Xylene
(zi' len, n.) or xylol (zi' lol, n.) is a colour-
less, inflammable liquid, similar to benzene,
obtained from coal-tar or wood-tar. A
decoction called xylobalsamum (zi 16 bawl'
sa mum, n.) is made by boiling the dried
twigs of the balm of Gilead tree.

A xylocarp (zi7 16 karp, n.) is a hard,
woody fruit, or a tree which bears such
fruit, such a tree being a xylocarpous '(zl 16
kar' pus, adj.) tree.

A xylograph (zi' 16 graf, n.) is a wood-
engraving, especially the woodcuts done by
this process in the fifteenth century, or a
print taken from a wood-block. The art
of the xylographer (zi log' ra fer, n.), that
is, of wood-engraving, preceded that of
printing from separate type. The earliest
books not written by hand were xylographic
(zi 16 graf ik, adj.), that is, produced by
xylography (zi log' ra fi, n.). In this process
a piece of paper was rubbed against a block,
on which a picture and words had been
engraved in relief, and picked up colouring
matter from the block.

Xylophone. — A diagram showing the arrangement of
the note-bars of the xylophone.

The material sometimes named xylonite
(zi7 16 nit, n.) is the same as celluloid. The
xylophone (zi7 16 fon, n.) is a musical instru-
ment consisting of a series of wooden bars,
each tuned to a note of the musical scale.

Combining form of Gr. xylon wood.

xystus (zis' tus), n. In ancient Greece,
a long covered portico or open court used
as a practice-ground by the athletes ; in
ancient Rome, a garden walk or terrace.
pi. xysti (zis' tl). (F. xyste.}

Gr. xystos in same sense.

4614

YACHT

Yacht. — A British sailing yacht
class in full sail.

Y, y (wl). The twenty-fifth letter of
the English alphabet, and the twenty-
second of the Latin. This is one of the
four letters derived from the Greek u, or
ypsilon, the others being u, v, and w. It
is both a vowel and a consonant in English,
but only a vowel in most of the languages
which use it.

The Romans adopted
v to express the Greek
sound of u, which,
like the French u and
the German u, was a
thin u intermediate
between u (oo) and i
(e). We have lost
this sound in English,
but the Anglo-Saxons
had it, and spelt it
v, as in cyn, kin. The
name by which we
still call the letter (wl,
that is, ui) was origin-
ally an attempt to in-
dicate this lost sound.
When it changed into
the sound of i, no dis-
tinction was made
between i and y, and they were freely inter-
changed. Later, y came to be used instead
of i chiefly at the end of words, as in apply,
dry (cp. appliance, drier), and before i, as
in flying. In very short words (except by,
my) ie is used, as in
die, lie, pie.

The consonant or ,

semivowel y is really
a form of g, which
in Anglo-Saxon had
before e or i a pal-
atal sound something
like j. This later
passed into a softer
spirant, the modern y
(as in yet), with the
mouth almost in the
position of i (i, e), but
with a slight audible
friction as the voice
passed between the
tongue and palate
(cp. the other semi-
vowel w). For this
sound a variety of g
was used which was open at the top, rather
like 3. The next stage was to use the very
similar letter y. So Anglo-Saxon gear

>f the 15 metre

Yacht. — The Norwegian royal steam yacht "Prins
Olav " on the River Dart, Devonshire.

has become year, and geolu yellow. In
old writings we often find the and that
written ye and y1. Here y is a corruption
of the old letter for th, called thorn.

Y is the chemical symbol for yttrium,
and in mathematics it represents the second
unknown quantity. It is the motor-car
index letter for Somer-
set. Y is also the ab-
breviation for year(s) ;
Yorkshire, in Y.L.I.,
Yorkshire Light In-
fantry; and Young, as
in Y.M.C.A., Young
Men's Christian Asso-
ciation.

A Y-shaped (adj.)
appliance or arrange-
ment is called a Y.
Surveyors use a Y
level (n.), which is
mounted on Y's. There
are Y cartilages (n.pl.)
in the human body,
with three points of
attachment. AY cross
(n.) is a figure on a
chasuble. There are
several kinds of Y moth (n.) of the genus
Plusia, with Y-shaped marks on the fore-
wings, such as the silver Y or gamma moth.
A Y track (n.) on a railway is a short track
with two branches, which connect in opposite
directions with an other
track.

The further history
of this letter will be
found on page xx.

yacht (yot), n. A
light fast-sailing vessel
built and rigged for
racing ; a light vessel
propelled by some
means other than oars
and used for cruises,
pleasure-trips, etc. ; a
vessel of state used to
convey royal person-
ages or Government
officials from one place
to another. v.i. To
cruise about or to
race in a yacht. (F.
yacht.)

A yacht may be so small that it can be
sailed by a single yachtsman (yots' man,
n.) or yachtswoman (yots' wum an, «.), or

4615

YAGER

YAPON

it may be a luxurious vessel with a large
crew. Yachting races are held in the
summer at Cowes and other places, and the

Dioscorea and grown in the West Indies,
South Africa, and China for their long,
thick roots, which are eaten as a vegetable ;

yachtsmen, who probably all belong to a the edible root of these plants. (F. iename.)

yachting-club (n.), display considerable
yachtsmanship (yots' man ship, n.), or skill

The fleshy root of the yam is peeled and
boiled or baked like a potato, and the flour

, in sailing a yacht. A delightful holiday is made into bread and pastry.
, may be spent in yachting (yof ing, n.) either Port, inhame, Span iname ; cp.JF. igname ;
"on the sea or on a broad expanse of river. further derivation obscure.
A boat built on the graceful lines of a yacht
may be described as yacht-built (adj.}.
'. From Dutch jaght a ship for chasing (short-
ened for. jaghtschip) ; cp. G. jagd chase, hunt.

yager (ya' ger). This is another form
of jaeger. See jaeger. (F. chasseur.)

yah (ya), intey. An exclamation of
derision or defiance.

Yahoo (ya hoo'), n. A brutal or very
ill-mannered person.

• This word was invented by Jonathan Swift
; (1667-1745) and occurs in his " Gulliver's
Travels." The Dean there describes a
kingdom where horses endowed with reason
are the ruling race and are served by Yahoos,
a" degraded race of brutes in human form.

Yahveh (ya' va). This is another
spelling of Jahveh. See under Jah and
Jehovah.

yak (yak), n. The wild or grunting
,ox (Bos grunniens) of Central Asia ; a
domesticated species of this animal. (F.
yak, yack.)

Yak.— The yak is

species of ox with short legs and a shaggy coat.
It is found in Central Asia.

The yak is a long-haired ruminating
animal found in Tibet and other very high
parts of Central Asia. It is specially fitted
for its cold dwelling-place by its shaggy
coat, the long hairs of which hang from
its shoulders, sides, and hips to the ground.
The wild yak is generally black, but the
domestic varieties are most commonly
black and white ; these are used for draught
and for dairy purposes.

Tibetan gyak.

yam (yam), n. One of a number of
climbing plants belonging to the genus

4616

Yama (ya' ma), n. The Hindu god of
the dead who judges the souls of the
departed. (F. Yama.)

yamen (ya' men), n. The office or
official residence of a Chinese mandarin ;
a department of the Chinese public service.
Another form is yamun (ya' mun). (F.
yamen.)

The Chinese Foreign Office was called the
T'sung li yamen.

Chinese ya general's tent, mun gate.
yank [i] (yangk), v.t. To jerk ; to pull
away sharply and unexpectedly ; to twitch
quickly, n. A sharp jerk or twitch. (F.
tirailler ; tiraillement.)

A man seeing another about to step off
the pavement in front of a heavy lorry
might unceremoniously yank him out of
the way of danger.

Probably American slang.
Yank [2] (yangk). This is an abbrevia-
tion of Yankee. See Yankee.

Yankee (yang' ki), n. An inhabitant
of New England ; a soldier or
member of the Federal party
during the Civil War (1861-65) ;
looselv, any inhabitant of
the United States, adj. Of or
relating to the Yankees. (F.
Yankee.)

In America the term Yankee
is applied to an inhabitant of
New England and sometimes
to any Northerner, but some
people in Europe speak of all
Americans as Yankees. Yankee
doodle (n.) is an old air, dating
perhaps- from the middle of the
eighteenth century, which has
been adopted as a national air
of the United States.

Americans, like the English,
have their own idioms . and
slang, and we may often use a
yankeeism (yang' ki izm, n.), that
is, an American colloquial phrase, without
realizing that it is not of national origin.

Perhaps Yengees, Indian corruption of English,
or Dutch Janke little John

yap (yap), v.i. To bark snappishly ;
to speak snappishly or irritably, n. A bark
or remark of this kind. (F. japper, glapir;
glapissement.)

Imitative word ; applied especially to small
dogs.

yap on (ya' pon ; ya' pon), n. An
evergreen shrub, Ilex vomitoria, growing in
the extreme south of the United States,

YARBOROUGH

YASHMAK

the leaves of which are used medicinally
by the Indians. Another form is yaupon
(yaw' pon). (F. houx du Paraguay.}
" Origin doubtful, apparently comes from
North Carolina.

yarborough (yar' bo ro), n. In
bridge or whist, a hand that contains no
card higher than a nine.

This hand is named after an Earl of
Yarborough, who used to lay 1,000 to one
against the possibility of being dealt such
a hand.

Yard. — A sailing ship showing yards across the
masts, with the sails furled on th?m.

yard [i] (yard), n. The British and
American standard of length, three feet or
thirty-six inches; the equivalent measure of
area and volume ; that which measures a
yard ; nautically, a long spar, almost
cylindrical in shape and tapering towards
each end from the middle, which is slung
either horizontally or slantwise on a mast
to support and extend a sail. (F. yard.}

The yard is supposed to have been
originally a natural measure, varying with
the length of the king's arm, but the British
standard yard to-day is the distance between
two lines engraved on two gold plugs in
a bronze bar, kept by the Board of Trade at
Westminster. A plot of ground measuring
twelve square yards is twelve yards long and
twelve yards broad.

A draper uses a yard-measure (n.) to
measure material, that is, either a yard-
stick (n.), or a yard-tape (n.}, marked off
in feet and inches.

Each half of a ship's yard is known as
a yard-arm (n.), and to man the yards is to
place sailors at short intervals along the
yards, as for the salute at reviews.

A.-S. gyrd stick, measuring rod ; cp. G. gerte.

yard [2] (yard), n. A small piece of
enclosed ground, especially one adjoining
a house or other building ; an enclosed piece
of ground where some work or business is
carried on or which is reserved for some
special purpose, v.t. To confine or collect
(cattle, etc.) in a yard. (F. cour, pare,
chant ier ; parquer.)

A yard adjoining a house may be at the
front, side, or back ; it differs from a garden
in that it is usually uncultivated and sur-
rounded on all sides by walls and buildings.
A dockyard, a graveyard and the courtyard

of an inn or castle are examples of yards or
enclosed spaces reserved for a special use.

The manager of a railway goods yard is
known as the yard-master (n.), and any
man employed in the yard as a yard-man
(n.). Coal-miners are paid according to
the amount of coal they cut, and both this
amount and the money received for the
work are known as yardage (yard' ij, «.).

A.-S. geard ; cp. Dutch gaard, G. garten,
L. hortus. See garden, garth, gird [i].

yarn (yarn), n. Any textile fibre pre-
pared for weaving, knitting, rope-making,
and similar operations ; colloquially, a
story of which the truth or accuracy is
doubtful, especially a tale of adventure told
by a sailor, v.i. To spin a yarn ; to tell
yarns. (F. fil, conte ; filer, confer.)

Wool, cotton, silk, f. .._„_..
jute, and flax are
spun into yarn in
the first part of the
manufacturing pro-
cess. Sir John
Millais' picture,
" The Boyhood of
Raleigh," shows the
young explorer
listening engrossed
to a yarn spun by a
sailor.

A.-S. gearn ; cp.
Dutch garen, G. garn.

yarrow (yar' 6).
This is another name for the milfoil. See
milfoil.

A.-S. gaerwe ; cp. Dutch gerw, G. garbe.

Yarn. — Yarn is loosely

twisted string used for

making rope.

Yashmak. — A Turkish woman wearing a yashmak,
which hides the face from the eyes downwards.

yashmak (yash' mak), n. A double
veil, which hides the face from the eyes
downwards, worn by Mohammedan women
in public. (F. yachmak.)

Liberal ideas have caused the yashmak
to disappear in European Turkey, but it

D86

4617

I T7

YATAGHAN

YEANLING

is still worn generally by Mohammedan
women in less progressive countries.

Arabic yashmaq.

yataghan (yaf a gan), n. A dagger-
like sword, with a double curved blade and
no guard or cross-piece, used in Mohamme-
dan countries. (F. yatagan.)

Turkish yataghan.

yaupon (yaw' pon). This is another
form of yapon. See yapon.

yaw (yaw), v.i. Of a ship, to edge from
side to side ; to move unsteadily, n. A
temporary deviation of a ship from her
straight course ; an unsteady motion of a
ship. (F. embarder ; embardee.)

Origin obscure ; possibly akin to O. Norse
jag a to flap or swing to and fro.

yawl [i] (yawl), v.i. To howl ; to yell.
n. A howl or yell. (F. hurler ; hurlenient.}

In some parts of the country a child
or a dog that cries in a mournful strident
wa}' is said to yawl.

Imitative. SYN. : v. and n. Bawl.

yawl [2] (yawl), n. A small ship's boat,
especially a jolly-boat ; a small sailing
vessel having a main-mast rather far for-
ward and a smaller jigger-mast far aft. (F.
yole.)

Low G. jolle, or Dutch jol. See jolly-boat.

Yawl. — A yawl sailing under a foresail,
and mizen.

lainsail.

yawn (yawn), v.i. To open the mouth
wide, especially involuntarily through drows-
iness, boredom, dullness, or fatigue ; to
gape ; to stand, lie, or be wide open.
v.t. To utter with a yawn. n. The act of
yawmng or gaping. (F. bdiller, s'ouvrir
largement ; bdillement.)

A yawn is infectious. If a person in a
crowded tram-car yawns openly, within a
few seconds four or five other people will
also yawn. A hot, close atmosphere may
make us speak yawningly (yawn' ing li,
adv.). A traveller over mountains may find
himself held up by a yawning (yawn' ing,
adj.) abyss.

A.-S. ginian ; cp. M. Dutch genen, G. gdhnen,
O. Nor e glna, L. hidre.

Yawn. — A lion indulging in a yawn after having
eaten a good dinner.

yaws (yawz), n.pl. This is another
name for framboesia.

Possibly a native African word = raspberry ;
cp. synonymous framboesia.

yclept (i klept'), adj. Called, named,
or styled.

This archaic word is sometimes used
jocularly or for the sake of quaintness.

M.E. ycleped, A.-S. geclypod, p.p. of clipian
to call, name. The prefix y-, A.-S. ge- (cp.
Dutch, G. ge-, Goth, ga-) was used in forming
the p.p., verbal n., and for other purposes, with
no definite meaning. It survives in an altered
form in e-nough, a-ware.

ye (ye ; ye), pron., second person pi. The
nominative of you, used by poets and also
colloquially instead of you. (F. vous.)

A.-S. ge, ge ; cp. Dutch gij, G. ihr, Goth, jus,
Gr. hymeis.

yea (ya), adv. Yes ; indeed ; truly ;
verily ; but also ; not only so. n. An
acceptance ; an affirmative ; an affirmative
vote ; a person who votes in the affirmative.
(F. oui, en effet, vraiment, en vdrite, et meme ;
affirmation, vote affirmatif.}

This is an older form of yes which we still
come across in poetry. To-day it is often
used rhetorically in the sense of " indeed "
or " moreover " or to amplify what has
gone before, as in the phrase " a period of
prosperity, yea, of glorious prosperity."

A.-S. gea ', cp. Dutch and G. ja.

yeanling (yen' ling), n. A young
lamb ; a kid. (F. agneau, chevreau.)

A.-S. ge-eanian; cp. E. ewe, L. agnis lamb.

4618

YEAR

YELLOW

year (yer ; yer), n. The period of one
revolution of the earth round the sun ;
a period of twelve months from January i
to December 31 ; (pi.) age ; old age ; a
long time. (F. an, anntfe.)

The solar or tropical year, reckoned
from one spring equinox to the next, is
365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 45^
seconds long ; but the sidereal year, as
measured between two successive moments
at which the sun appears to be in the same
position relatively to the fixed stars, is 20
minutes, 23 seconds longer. The first is
used as the basis of the civil days, with an
extra day added every fourth year, or leap
year, as a 29th day of February. Every
40oth year this extra day is omitted, to
cancel a slight accumulated excess of time.

From time to time Mount Vesuvius, on
the Bay of Naples, becomes active, but
after one such eruption another may not
occur for years, that is, for a very long time.
People who are well on in years, that is,
growing old, who live close to the mountain
may not remember when the last eruption
took place because at the time they were
only a few years old.

We should become wiser year by year,
that is, with every new year, or as the years
go by. The expression year of grace (n.)
means year of the Christian era, that is,
what we call Anno Domini. The generators
in a power-station run year in year out,
that is, continuously through the year. A
reference book published yearly (yer' li ;
yer' li, adv.), or every year, so as to keep
information up to date, is called a year-book
(n.) ; its publication is a yearly (adj.), or
annual, occurrence.

A year-long (adj.) illness is one lasting a
year. A sheep, cow, or horse is a yearling
(yer' ling ; yer' ling, n.) in its second year.
A person interested in horse-racing, speak-
ing of a yearling (adj.) colt, means one that
is a year old, counting from January ist
of the year of its birth.

A.-S. ge(a)r ; cp. Dutch jaar, G. jahr, O. Norse
ar ', akin to Gr. horos season, L. Rus. jar spring.

yearn (yern), v.i. To feel desire, pity,
or tenderness (for, after, etc.). (F. soupirer,
aspirer, s'apitoyer, s'attendrir.}

A mother yearns for news of her absent
son when she has had no letters from him
for months. She waits yearningly (yern'
ing li, adv.] for news of him. In Genesis
(xliii, 30) we read that Joseph yearned upon
his brother Benjamin. He had a yearning
(yern-' ing, n.}, or a yearning (adj.) desire,
to see him.

A.-S. giernan ; cp. O. Norse girna. SYN. :
Desire, long, wish.

yeast (yest), n. A yellowish adhesive
substance consisting of a mass of fungous
cells germinated in contact with saccharine
fluids. (F. levure, levain.)

Yeast converts the sugar of the liquids
in which it grows into alcohol, and is used
in the manufacture of beer and other

alcoholic beverages. It is also used in
baking, the carbon dioxide gas produced
causing the dough to rise.

A baking-powder which is used as a
substitute for yeast is sometimes called
yeast-powder (n.). The action of such a
baking powder is purely chemical.

The yeasty (yest' i, adj.) mass which
develops during fermentation may rise to
the top or sink to the bottom of the fer-
menting liquor, the two varieties being
known as top-yeast and bottom-yeast
respectively. Anything of a frothy, un-
substantial, or superficial nature, or that
causes some kind of ferment, may be
described as yeasty. Yeastiness (yest' i nes,
n.) is the character or quality of being
yeasty.

A.-S. gist ; cp. Dutch gesi, G. gischt ; akin to
Gr. zein to boil, seethe.

yelk (yelk). This is an unusual form
of the word yolk. See yolk.

yell (yel), v.i. To shriek ; to cry out
with a loud, sharp, hideous, or inarticulate
cry ; to laugh uproariously, v.t. To utter or
express thus. n. A cry of the above kind,
uttered in rage, terror, agony, etc. ; a
characteristic shout, such as a savage's war-
cry ; in the United States and Canada, a
distinctive cheer used by college students.
(F. hurler ; hurlement.)

A child who falls and is badly hurt may
yell until the pain subsides. The yells of
a crowd at an important football match
can sometimes be heard miles away.

A.-S. gellan ; cp. Dutch gillen, G. gelhn. See
nightingale. SYN. : v. and n. Cry, shout, shriek.

Yellow-hammer. — The yellow-hammer, a species of
bunting. It is about the size of a sparrow.

yellow (yel' 6), adj. Of a hue like
that of gold, mustard, sulphur, lemon,
etc. ; of the colour like that coming in the
spectrum between orange and green ; figura-
tively, jealous or suspicious, n. The colour
between orange and green in the spectrum ;
a yellow paint or dye ; a yellow butterfly
or moth ; (pi.} jaundice, especially in cattle

4619

YELP

YEOMAN

and horses, v.t. To colour yellow, v.i. To
turn yellow. (F. jaune; jaunir.)

Yellow is the brightest of all colours
except white. In painting, it is one of the
three primary colours, used also in the three-
colour process of printing. Jaundice yellows
the skin and eyeballs ; the leaves of trees
yellow in the autumn. A yellow flag is
flown by a vessel with infectious disease
aboard.

Towards the end of the nineteenth
century, a cheap edition of a novel, usually
bound in yellow paper, for light reading,
was called a yellow-back (n.). Various
birds, beasts, fishes, reptiles, and plants
have the name of yellow-bill (n.), yellow-
head (n.), yellow-belly (n.), yellow-legs (n.),
yellow-poll (n.), yellow-rump (n.), yellow-
seed (n.), etc., on account of their being
yellow-billed (adj.), yellow-headed (adj.),
etc.

By yellow-bird (n.) may be meant either
the North American goldfinch, or the
American yellow warbler, also called summer
yellow-bird. The primrose, broom, gorse,
and many other plants are yellow-
blossomed (adj.), that is, bear yellow flowers.

A yellow-book (n.) corresponds to a
British blue-book ; it is an official report
issued by the French or Chinese Govern-
ment, and is so called because it usually
has a yellow paper cover.

The yellow cartilage (n.) or yellow tissue
(n.) of the body is elastic, tough cartilage
or tissue. A yellow clay, coloured with
oxide of iron, and called yellow earth
(n.), or yellow ochre (n.), is used as a
pigment.

The protozoa which cause yellow fever (n.),
or yellow jack (n.), a dangerous fever preva-
lent in Central America, the West Indies, and
tropical Africa, are carried by a species of
mosquito. The disease is accompanied by
jaundice, which turns the skin
yellow.

The yellow-hammer (n.), or
yellow-ammer (n.), is a species
of bunting common in Britain,
with a shortish tail and yellow
and brown plumage. Its scien-
tific name is Emberiza citrinella.
The alloy of copper and zinc
called yellow-metal (n.) is a brass
containing a somewhat high pro-
portion of zinc. It is also
named Muntz metal.

Newspapers which report
news sensationally are collec-
tively termed the Yellow Press

(*.)•

The Chinese, Japanese, and
Mongols, all of

large numbers to countries inhabited by the
white races.

The yellow-rattle (n.) is a wild plant
with yellow flowers, the seeds of which
rattle loosely in the capsule when ripe.
The yellow-wort (n.) is a wild plant of the
gentian family. Its flowers are used in
dyeing and in medicine. A number of trees
and shrubs are called yellow-wood (n.),
from the yellow colour of their timber.
Some yellow-woods, including fustic (Madura
tinctoria), yield a yellow dye, and others,
including members of the genus Xanthoxy-
lum, are used in cabinet-work — their timber
also being called yellow- wood.

Biliousness makes the complexion yellowish
(yel' 6 ish, adj.) or yellowy (yel' 6 i, adj.),
that is, somewhat yellow. Buttercups gleam
yellowly (yel' 6 li, adv.), that is, with a yellow
colour, in the fields. Lemons and many
apples and other fruits have yellowness (yel '
6 nes, n.), the quality of being yellow, when
ripe.

A.-S. geolu ; cp. Dutch geel, G. gelb ; akin to
L. helvus tawny, dun. See gall [2].

yelp (yelp), v.i. To give out a sharp
cry, as a dog in fear, pain, or anticipation.
n. Such a cry. (F. glapir ; glapissement.)

A dog yelps with pain, and may yelp,
too, when expecting a whipping. The
yelps of delight or eagerness uttered by
the animal when we unleash it for a run are
of quite a different character.

A..-S.gielpan to brag ; cp. Low G. galpen, Icel.
gjdlpa to yelp.

yen (yen), n. The monetary unit of Japan.
(F. yen.)

The yen is normally worth about two
shillings. One hundred sen equal one yen.
Gold pieces of five, ten, and twenty yen are
coined. The word is unchanged in the
plural.

Japanese, from Chinese yuan round, circle,
dollar.

Yeomen of the Guard. — Yeomen of the Guard saluting
colour at the opening of the Houses of Parliament.

the Mongols, all of whom
have skins tinged with yellow,
are sometimes called the yellow races (n.pl.). yeoman (yo' man), n. A small land-
When we speak of the yellow peril (n.) owner ; a farmer ; a member of a body of
we mean the danger that may arise if volunteer cavalry. (F. yeoman, fermier-
the Chinese and Japanese immigrate in proprittaire, cavalier des milices nationales.)

4620

YERBA

YEW

Formerly, yeoman meant a freeholder of
land worth £2 per annum, who was qualified
to serve on a jury and to vote in various
ways. Later, tenant farmers, as well as
those farming their own land, came to be
called yeomen. Finally, the word was used
to describe that class intermediate between
the labourer or artisan and the gentry.

So noted was the yeoman for his sturdiness
and honesty that to-day a man who gives
faithful and hearty service is said to perform
yeoman or yeoman's service.

A Yeoman of the Guard (n.) is one of a
royal bodyguard of veteran soldiers (founded
1485), now having duties of a ceremonial
nature in the royal household. In the Navy,
a petty officer in charge of signalling is known
as a yeoman of signals. Yeomen, or small
landowners, etc., collectively are sometimes
termed the yeomanry (yo' man ri, n.), a
name specially given to a body of volunteer
cavalry, originally consisting mainly of such
yeomen, which was raised in the late
eighteenth century. Regiments of yeomanry
attached to various counties remained as part
of Britain's second line of defence, and were
absorbed, in 1907, into the Territorial Force.

M.E. yoman, perhaps = young man, or from
A.-S.gea village, and man ; cp. O. Frisian gaman.

yerba (yer' ba), n. Mate, Paraguay
tea. ' See mate. (F. mate.}

Span. = herb ; shortened from yerba mat&
the mate herb.

yes (yes), adv. Expressing affirmation,
agreement, or consent ; it is true ; it is
so ; it is as I have said ; as you say ; your
wish or order will be obeyed ; (in answer to
a call or summons), I am here ; I hear ;
I am attending to you. n. An affirmative
reply ; the word " yes." pi, yeses (yes7 ez).
(F. oui, oui-da, certes ; affirmation, oui.)

Yes is used as an affirmative ~^|
sentence, equivalent to " It is so,"
" It is true," " It will be done,"
etc. " Yes ? " as a question may
mean " I am listening, or attend-
ing. What is it you want ? "
"What else have you to tell
me?" " Indeed ? " A taciturn
man says little more than " Yes "
or " no." To say " yes " to a
request is to agree to it.

A.-S. gese, probably = gea yea
si let it be. ANT. : adv. and n. No.

yesterday (yes' ter da), n.
The day before to-day ; the
day just past. adv. On or
during yesterday. (F. hier.)

Wordsworth, in " The Ex-
cursion," describes someone as
" a man ... of cheerful yesterdays
and confident to-morrows." Antony, in
Shakespeare's " Julius Caesar" (iii, 2), says:

But yesterday the word of Caesar might
Have stood against the world ; now lies he

there,
And none so poor to do him reverence.

In poetry, yester-morn (yes' ter morn,
n. and adv.) is used for yesterday morning ;
yester-night (yes' ter nft, n. and adv.) for
last night, and yester-year (yes' ter yer,
n. and adv.) for last year. Yestreen (yes
tren, n. and adv.), now used chiefly in
poetry and poetical writing, means yester-
day evening.

A.-S. geostvan daeg (day), from geostra, akin to
Dutch gisteren, G. gestern, L. hesternus.

yet (yet), adv. Up to this or to that
time ; as late as now or then ; still ; hither-
to ; besides ; further ; in addition ; so far ;
by this or that time ; eventually ; in the
near future ; before all is over ; (with
comparative) even ; at any rate ; neverthe-
less, conj. Nevertheless ; however ; but ;
notwithstanding ; but still. (F. encore,
jusqu'd present, jusqu'ici, d'ailleurs, toute-
fois; neanmoins, pourtant.}

A brief generation ago the air was yet
unconquered, and man had not yet learned
to fly in aeroplanes. Though much has
been accomplished, aerial navigation is yet
fraught with danger and uncertainty. The
elephant of to-day is a mighty beast, but
those of prehistoric times were yet larger
animals.

In John (xx) we read that Mary Magdalene
went early to the sepulchre " when it was
yet dark." She called Peter and the
" disciple whom Jesus loved." The latter
came first to the grave and looked in and
" saw the linen clothes lying : yet went he
not in." To Thomas, doubting, the risen
Christ said " blessed are they that -have
not seen, and yet have believed."

A.-S. glet ; cp. O. Frisian ieta, G. jetzt now.
SYN. : adv. Further, hitherto, nevertheless,
still, conj. But, however, nevertheless, not-
withstanding.

Yew. — The yew, or yew-tree. The long-bows of
made of wood of the yew.

yew (ii), n. A slow-growing, dark-
leaved, evergreen tree, belonging to the
genus Taxus, especially T. baccata ; the
wood of the yew, especially as a material
for bows ; a bow of this wood ; a branch
or spray of yew as a symbol of mourning.

4621

YGGDRASIL

YOGA

The yew, or yew-tree (n.), yields a choice
cabinet wood ; but is more famous as the
tree which supplied the wood for the English
long-bow. For many centuries the yew has
been planted in graveyards. The stiff needles
of the feathery leaves are poisonous, so also
are the seeds, golden in colour, which are con-
tained in the pulpy scarlet fruit. The Irish
yew (T. fastigiald) has a more erect growth.

A.-S. iw ; cp. G. eibe, O. Norse y-r.

Yggdrasil (ig' dra sil), n. In Norse
mythology, the great ash-tree which
bore up the universe and united earth,
heaven, and hell with its roots and branches.
Another form is Ygdrasil (ig' dra sil).

Yggdrasil, according to the legend,
covered the whole earth with its boughs.
One of its three roots reached to the realm
of the gods and was guarded by the Fates ;
another reached to the well of wisdom, and
a third to the realms of death, where it was
gnawed by the spirits of darkness.

O. Norse ask-r Yg(g)drasils ash of the horse
(drasil-l) of Yggr, that is, Odin.

Yiddish (yid' ish), n. A dialect or
modified form of German used by German
and other Jews. adj. Of, relating to, or
expressed in this. (F. judeo-allemand.}

Yiddish is written in Hebrew characters ;
it consists very largely of German and
Polish words, and of Hebrew ones which
have been Germanized.

Corruption of G. jildisch Jewish.

Yield. — A typical pumpkin field in Lithuania, showing a yield of
monster pumpkins.

yield (yeld), v.t. To produce, bear, or
bring forth as fruit or result ; to give in
return for work carried out or money
invested, etc. ; to deliver up ; to sur-
render ; to relinquish ; to give ; to resign ;
to concede ; to grant, v.i. To produce,
bear, or bring forth (well, etc.) ; to repay
labour in cultivation (well, etc.) ; to give
way ; to submit ; to surrender ; to give
place or precedence (to) ; to make submis-
sion (to) ; to admit inferiority (to) ; n.
which is yielded or produced ; out-

put ; return. (F. produire, rapporter, cdder,
accorder; porter fruit, se soumettre ; produit,
rapport.}

A farmer hopes to secure a good yield
from the seed he sows ; a business man
hopes that his investments will yield a high
rate of interest. When, during the Franco-
German war of 1870, Metz yielded to
the Germans, nearly 180,000 officers and
men yielded up their arms and were made
prisoners of war. For yielding up this
fortress and garrison, Marshal Bazaine was
tried and sentenced to death. The sentence
was reduced to one of twenty years'
imprisonment, but the marshal escaped
within a year and fled across the frontier. A
yielding (yeld' ing, adj.] substance is one
not stiff or rigid, which yields, or gives way
to pressure yieldingly (yeld' ing li, adv.}.
In the disease called rickets the bones of
the limbs are soft and yielding, and tend to
become distorted. It is a blow to one's
pride to be obliged to yield pride of' place
to another, but a boy at the head of his
form who neglects his lessons must expect to
yield up his coveted position.

A.-S. gieldan to pay; cp. Dutch gelden, G.
gelten to be worth. SYN. : v. Bear, concede,
produce, submit, surrender. ANT. : v. Deny,
resist, struggle.

ylang-ylang (e' lang e' lang ; i lang'
i lang), n. A Malayan tree (Canangium
odoratum) with very fragrant flowers ; a
perfume distilled from its
flowers. Other forms include
ihlang-ihlang (e' lang e' lang ;
i lang' i lang).

Native name alang-llang, in the
Philippines.

Y level (wl' lev el). For this
word, and Y moth, see under Y.

Ynca (ing' ka) . This is another
form of Inca. See Inca.

yodel (yo' dl), v.i. To sing,
or make melodious shouting
sounds, by rapidly alternating
the natural and the falsetto
voice, v.t. To sing (a song, etc.)
or shout (a call, etc.) in this
manner. n. A song or refrain
sung in this way ; a yodelling
call ; a contest or competition in
yodelling. Another spelling is
jodel (yo' dl).

The mountaineers of Switzer-
land and Tyrol use the peculiar method of
singing known as yodelling, when rendering
their national songs, which have many high
notes that can be produced only with a
falsetto voice. Yodels, or competitions in
yodelling are held with great ceremony in
those countries, and the winning yodeller
(yod' ler, n.} is highly esteemed.
G. jodeln to utter the syllable jo.
yoga (yo' ga), n. A system of Hindu
philosophy which employs meditation and
asceticism. (F. yoga.}
4622

YO-HEAVE-HO

YON

By the practice of yoga, which involves
the mortification of the body and long
meditations on the central truths, the yogi
(yo' gi, n.), or devotee of this philosophy,
hopes to effect the union of his soul with
the universal Spirit. The philosophy or
practice of yoga is also called yogism (yo'
gizm, n.}.

Hindi, from Sansk. yuga-m union ; cp. E. yoke.

yo-heave-ho (yo hev ho'), inter. A
cry used by sailors while heaving
the anchor, etc.

Cries such as this and yoho
(yo ho', inter.) go with a swing,
and help sailors hauling on a
rope to heave or pull together.

yoicks (yoiks), inter, and n. i i(pv
A fox-hunter's cry to urge on
hounds; an exclamation of ex-
citement or triumph. v.i. To
cry yoicks. v.t. To urge on
(hounds) with this cry. Another
form of the verb is yoick (yoik).

A married couple are said to be yoked or
linked together, and each of the pair is
sometimes said to be yoke-mate (n.) to the
other. They are united by the yoke of
mutual affection. A yoke of land formerly
denoted the area that a yoke of oxen coulcl
plough in a day.

A yoke-bone (n.) is a cheek-bone ; a
yoke-fellow (n.) is a person closely associated
with one in work, etc. When the rudder of

yoke (yok), n. A wooden bar
or frame passing over the necks
of a pair of oxen, and fastening
them to a plough or vehicle to
be drawn ; anything resembling
this in shape or function ; a
bond; a link; a tie; bondage;
servitude ; domination ; a pair
of oxen or other draught animals
yoked together ; a bar shaped to fit
a person's shoulders, used to carry pails
hanging from its ends ; the beam on which
a bell swings ; the cross-bar of a rudder,
moved by ropes ; a separately made part
of a garment, fitting the shoulders or hips,
from which the rest is suspended, v.t.
To harness with a yoke ; to couple ; to
join ; to unite ; to enslave, v.i. To go
or work together (well, etc.). (F. joug,
lien, esclavage, attelage, barre de gouv email ;

aiteler, unir, asservir.

Yoke. — A shaped steer-
ing bar called a yoke.

s'accorder.}

Since very early
times the ox has
been yoked to plough
or cart, or to a
primitive threshing
or grinding machine.
Figuratively, "yoke"
has come to be as-
sociated with toil,
servitude, and bon-
dage. When the
ancient Romans took
prisoners in battle
they made them pass
under an arch formed

of an uplifted yoke, or of two upright spears
with a third spear tied horizontally across
them. To pass under the yoke was a
symbol of enslavement. To-day we still
speak of a land groaning under the foreign
yoke, that is, domination by a foreign
oppressor.

Yoke. — An Egyptian ploughing his land. The plough is being drawn
by a pair of oxen which are harnessed to it by means of a yoke.

a rowing-boat is fixed some distance behind
the rear seat it is worked by two ropes,
each called a yoke-line (n.), or yoke-rope
(n.), attached to the ends of a yoke on the
rudder-head.

A.-S. geoc, Dutch juk, G. joch ; cp. L. jugum
(jungere to join), Gr. zygon. See yoga. SYN. :
n. Bondage, servitude, tie. v. Couple, unite.

yokel (yo'kel), n. A country bumpkin ;
a rustic. (F. rustre, campagnard.}

Possibly from yoke, thus meaning ploughman,
one who drives a yoke of oxen.

yolk (yok), n. The yellow part of an
egg ; the vitellus ; the oily secretion of
the sheep's skin. Another form, now seldom
used, is yelk (yelk). (F. jaune d'ceuf,
vitellus, suint.)

The yolk of an egg is that part which
contains the living germ, together with a
quantity of food material on which the
young bird or other animal lives when it
first begins to grow from the germ. The
yolk is contained in a thin, membranous
bag or sac, called the yolk-sac (yok' sak, n.).
Yolked (yokt, adj.), used generally in com-
bination, means containing a yolk, as in
double-yolked, large-yolked. Yolky (yok' i,
adj.) means abounding in yolk. This word
is used also of a fleece, the hairs of which
are covered with yolk, the sebaceous secretion
from the skin of the sheep.

A.-S. geolca, from geolu yellow.

yon (yon), adj. and adv. Yonder.
pron. That person, place, or thing yonder.
(F. la-bas, celui la. ce Id.)

4623

YONDER

YOUNG

Yon is now used mainly in poetical lan-
guage, and as a dialect and Scottish word.

A.-S. geon ; cp. G. jener, O. Norse en-n that.

yonder (yon' der), adj. Situated over
there ; being at a distance, but within
view ; situated in the direction towards
which one is looking or pointing, adv.
At or in that place ; over there ; in or
towards the direction looked at or indicated.
(F. ce la, Id bas, dans le lointain.)

Yonder tree is the one yonder, towards
which we look or point. Speaking of a
boggy meadow, one might say : " Here the
ground is firm, but yonder one sinks to the
ankle in mud and water."

From yon and suffix of direction -der = -ther.

yore (yor), n. Long ago ; old times.
(F. antan, temps jadis, autrefois.)

This is an old-fashioned word now met
with only in the phrase " of yore," meaning
formerly, in old days, or of old times. Poets
and painters often .endeavour to depict for
us the days of yore.

A.-S. geara formerly, perhaps gen. pi . of gear
year, used as adv.

yorker (york' er), n. In cricket, a
ball bowled so as to pitch within three or
four feet of the wicket, and immediately
in front of the block.

A yorker may be medium or fast in speed.
It 'is perhaps so called because a member
of a Yorkshire team was the first to bowl
such balls. Another suggestion is that the.
word is a variant of jerk — " yahk " in
Yorkshire dialect — from the idea of pulling
out by the roots. In a yorker the ball hits
the stumps low down, near the roots. To
york (york, v.t.) a batsman is to bowl him
out with a yorker, and to york a stump or
the wicket is to strike it with a yorker.

Yorkist (york' 1st), adj. Of or relat-
ing to the family descended from Edmund,
Duke of York, son of Edward III, or the
White Rose party which supported it in the
Wars of the Roses, n. A member or adher-
ent of this house or party. (F. yorkiste ;
partisan de la maison d'York.}

The House of York occupied the English
throne from 1461 to 1485. The Wars of
the Roses (1455-85) were fought between
the Yorkists, who took for their badge the
white rose, and the Lancastrians, whose
emblem was the red rose. The Yorkist
party was defeated at the battle of Bosworth,
Richard III being killed, and Henry VII,
the first of the Tudor line, came to the
throne. By his marriage to the daughter
of Edward IV, Henry shortly afterwards
united the claims of both houses.

Yorkshire (york' shir), adj. Of or
derived from Yorkshire, a county in the
north-east of England. (F. d'York.)

Yorkshire is the largest county in England,
having an area of over 6,000 square miles.
It has great mineral deposits, and there are
wide areas given over mainly to agriculture.

Its industries include the manufacture of
textiles, cutlery, heavy iron goods, the
raising of coal, and the smelting of iron.

The adjective is used to describe a number
of things made or grown in Yorkshire.
Yorkshire flannel (n.) is a flannel made of
undyed wool. A Yorkshire terrier (n.) is
a breed of toy terrier derived from the
Scotch terrier. It resembles the Skye
terrier, but is rather smaller, and has a
silkier coat. Yorkshire pudding (n.) is a
batter pudding which is baked under the
meat, and Yorkshire pie (n.) is a meat or
game pie which is baked in a raised crust. A
kind of stone used in polishing marble is
known as Yorkshire grit (n.).

Yorkshire terrier. — The Yorkshire terrier, a small
terrier with a long silky coat.

you (u ; yu). Second personal pronoun
singular and plural. The person or persons
addressed ; (indefinite) one, anyone, or
people, possessive case, your (ur ; yur ; yor)
and yours (urz ; yurz ; yorz). (F. vous, on.)

In English, as in several other languages,
" thou," the singular form of the second
personal pronoun, is seldom used, and the
plural pronoun "you" with a plural verb
does duty for both numbers. In greeting
one person we say " How are you ? " and in
addressing a number we say " you." The
word is now rarely employed reflexively
in place of " yourself," but this sense still
lingers in such phrases as " sit you down ! "
or " get you gone ! " sometimes met with.
In its indefinite use the word is common, as
in " You never know," " What can you
say ? " " You never can tell," etc.

A.-S. low ace. and dative of ge ye, which it
has practically ousted from ordinary use.

young (yung), adj. Being in an early
stage of life, growth, or existence ; of
recent origin ; newly formed ; not yet
old ; youthful ; vigorous ; fresh ; inex-
perienced ; immature. Comparative younger
(yung'ger), superlative youngest (yung' gest)/-

4624

YOUNKER

YOUR

n.pl. Offspring, especially of animals. (F.
jeune; petits.)

A cat is most attentive to its young, and
guards the tiny kittens from any danger.
Puppies and other young animals are
very interesting to observe. The young
of many birds are without feathers when
hatched. The young growth of a plant
may be recognized by its fresher colouring
and more pliant nature. During the fore-
noon we say the day is young.

In the regulations which govern factories
and workshops a young person means a
boy or girl under the age of 18, one under 14
being classed as a child. Many institutions
exist for the care of the young and the
protection of young people from moral or
physical dangers.

A society, club, or board of directors is
sometimes strengthened by the introduction
of young blood, that is, by the admission
of new and younger members. The names
Young England, Young Ireland, Young
Italy, Young Turks, etc., have been given
at different times to political parties of
younger people anxious to advance with the
times, to reform abuses, and to try new
methods of government.

A person or thing is youngish (yung' ish,
adj.) if rather young — young rather than
old. A young person or animal is poetically
called a youngling (yung' ling, n.}. By
youngness (yung7 nes, n.} we mean the state
or quality of being young, which in the case
of human beings is called youth. A young-
ster (yung' ster, n.) is a young fellow, a lad,
a child, or even a young animal.

A.-S. geong ; cp. Dutch Jong, G. Jung,
L. juvenis young, juvencus young bull. SYN. :
adj. Inexperienced, juvenile, new, vigorous,
youthful. ANT. : adj. Aged, mature, old, senile,
sophisticated.

younker (yung' ker), n. A 37-outh ; a
youngster.

This word, formerly applied to a fashion-
able young man, is now used colloquially
for a youngster.

Dutch jonkheer, cp. G. junker.

your (iir ; yur ; ycr), adj. Of or
belonging to you ; spoken of or by you ;
done by or to you. (F. votre, d vous.)

Your hat is the one belonging to you ;
your dog knows your voice ; your mistake
is a blunder you make ; your misfortune
is one which happens to you. Your word
(or promise) should be your bond ; your
words are those you utter. Used indefin-
itely, your sometimes has a sense of dis-
paragement. Your expert is not always so
clever as he pretends to be.

Your is used only in an attributive sense.
It becomes yours (urz ; yurz ; yorz, adj.)
when used predicatively, as in the sentences
" Here are two umbrellas, which of them
is yours ? " " It is yours if you care to keep
it." Yours is used as an adjective in the

Young. — Young barn owls, as yet only clothed in
down, but having their claws well developed, giving
promise of their future prowess as birds of prey
(top) ; a young giraffe, one of the most precocious
of young animals, for it can trot by the side of its
mother when only three days old ; and (bottom)
an African rhinoceros, three and a half months old.

4625

YOUTH

YWIS

expressions " Yours faithfully," " Yours
obediently," " Yours truly," etc., with which
we end letters. It here means " at your
service."

As a pronoun yours means the thing or
things belonging" to you. " You and
yours " stands for you and your family.
Friends of yours are those belonging to
you ; sayings of yours are those uttered
by you. " Yours of the 2oth " means your
letter of that date.

The pronoun yourself (ur self ; yiir self' ;
yor self') — pi. yourselves (ur selvz' ; yiir
selvz' ; yor selvz') — is employed reflexively
in " take care not to hurt yourself."
But in " you will do it yourself " it has
the meaning of " you and no one else."
In "by yourself " it means " alone " or
" without help." In
" you don't look
quite yourself to-
day" it signifies " in
your usual health or
normal state."

A.-S. lower gen. of
ge ye ; cp. G. euer.

youth (uth), n.
The state or con-
dition of being
young ; adolescence ;
early times ; the
period of life be-
tween childhood and
manhood or woman-
hood ; the attri-
butes characteristic
of this period ; in-
experience ; weak-
ness; freshness;
vigour ; enthusiasm ;
a young man ; (pi.}
youths (u/Az) ; young
men and women
collectively. (F.
jeunesse, jeune
homme, jeunes gens.}

Youth, the time
of a boy's or girl's
growth and develop-
ment, both mental
and physical, is a
period of enthu-
siasm and vigour.
It is also one during which j^outh has much
to learn and prove by experience — a time
of weakness and vulnerability The rash-
ness and thoughtlessness of youth are
proverbial.

A youth is a young fellow between about
1 6 and 21 years of age. The youth of a
nation comprises its young men and women ;
the youth of a movement is the time of its
youth, or early development. Yugo-Slavia
is a youthful (uth' ful, adj.} nation, created
by treaty after the World War (1914-18).

Many no longer young preserve an
appearance of youth, and others retain a
youthfulness (uth' ful nes, n.) of spirit —

Yucca. — The yucca, an evergreen plant, some species
of which are grown in Britain.

they live and act youthfully (uth' ful li,
adv.), or as young people might do.

A.-S. geoguth, from young ; cp. G. jugend, L.
juventus. SYN. : Juvenility, lad. ANT. : Age.

yowl (youl). This is another form of
yawl. See yawl [i].

ytterbium (i tef bi um), n. A rare
metallic element found in gadolinite, etc.
(F. ytterbium.}

Ytterbium closely resembles yttrium (if
ri um, n.}, another rare metallic element.
Yttrium also is procured from gadolinite,
and from other rare earths, and can be
separated only with extreme difficulty from
such yttriferous (i trif er us, adj.) ores, or
ores containing the elements in question.
Yttria (if ri a, n.} is a natural peroxide of

yttrium.

From Ytterby in

Sweden (where found)

and -ium.

yuca (yoo'ka),w.
Cassava. (F.cassave.)
Span. See yucca.

yucca (yiik' a),
n. A genus of ever-
green plants belong-
ing to the order
Liliaceae. (F. yucca.)
The yuccas are
found in the hotter
parts of North
America and also
in Central America.
The plant bears a
crown of long, stiff,
pointed leaves, from
the centre of which
rises a long cluster
| or panicle of bell-
I shaped flowers —
I white, whitish-
I green, or cream-
I coloured.

Span, yuca, of Carib
I origin.

yuga(yoo'ga), n.
Any one of the four
ages or cycles into
which the Hindu

religious writings
divide the duration of the world ; the period
covered by the four ages.

Hindi yug, Sansk. yugd- age of the world, era.

yule (yool), n. Christmas time ; the
Christmas festival. (F. noel.)

Formerly at yule, or yule-tide («.), it was
the custom to burn on the fire a large log
called a yule-log (n.}. This was cut, dragged
home, and burned with much ceremony on
Christmas eve. This word yule is archaic,
except in Scotland and the north of England.

A.-S. geol. gehol ; cp. O. Norse jol. SYN. :
Christmas.

ywis (i wis'). This is another form of
iwis. See iwis.

4626

ZAREBA

Z, z (zed). The twenty-sixth and last
letter of the English alphabet, and the
twenty-third and last of the Latin. In
early Latin, as in early Greek, it was the
seventh letter, but, not being required in
Latin, was replaced by g. At a later date,
when a letter was needed for the Greek z
in words borrowed by Latin from that
language, it was restored and placed at the
end of the alphabet.

The name zed is ultimately
derived from the Greek zeta.
The letter was formerly often
called izzard. In the U.S.A.
it is called zee. In English,
as in Greek and Latin, z is
normally a voiced or sonant
sibilant, corresponding to the
voiceless or surd s. It is
mainly used in learned words,
especially words of Greek origin.

The letter became common in
English through Old French.
The Anglo-Saxons had used 5
for the z sound, as in rlsan to
rise. In some words we can
still use either s or z, as in
realise or realize, Elisabeth or
Elizabeth, Sion or Zion.

In Late Latin z was often
pronounced dz, which in Old
French was spelt j. Thus from
the Latin zelosiis we have the
earlier form jealous and the
later zealous. In Italian z = ts
and dz. Thus among words
borrowed from Italian we have
zucchetta (tsu kef a) and
mezzo (med' zo). In words
from the German we keep
the German sound ts, as in
Zeitgeist, zollverein, Zwinglian
(tsif gist, tsor fe rfn, tsving'
gli an).

In English words in which an
unaccented u follows z, the
latter often has the sound
zh (voiced sh), as in azure, seizure (azh' ur,
sezh' ur). In Scottish proper names the
old palatal g or consonantal y is sometimes
written z, merely because the two letters
were similar in appearance. Examples are
Gilzean (gil' yan), Cadzow (kad' yo).

The phrase from A to Z means from
beginning to end. Cp. alpha and omega.
In magnetism, z is the symbol for reluctance,

Zaptieh. — A zaptieh native

Turkish policeman, standing

at attention.

and in mathematics for the third unknown
quantity. It is the abbreviation for Zoo-
logical, as in F.Z.S. Fellow of the Zoological
Society. An account of the origin of this
letter will be found on page xx.

Zabian (za' bi an). This is another
form of Sabian. See Sabian.

zaffre (zaf er), n. An impure oxide of
cobalt. Other forms include zaffer (zaf ' er).
(F. safre.)

Zaffre is used to make the
pigment known as cobalt-blue
and is employed also in
enamelling and painting on
glass, etc.

From F. zafre, safre (Ital.
zaffer a, Span, zafre, G. zaffer),
said to be of Arabic origin ; other-
wise to be a corruption of sap-
phire.

zany (za/ ni), n. A buffoon;
a simpleton, a foolish person ;
one who is half-witted. (F.
zanni.)

In old theatrical entertain-
ments in Italy there was some-
times an assistant clown whose
duty it was to burlesque or
imitate in a ridiculous manner
the actions of his principal.
Nowadays the word is used
sometimes of a foolish jester
or a simpleton.

From Zani Venetian form
of Gianni = Giovanni John, name
of clownish servant in old Italian
farces.

zapotilla (zap 6 til' a). This
is another spelling of sapodilla.
See sapodilla.

zaptieh (zap' ti a), n. A
Turkish policeman. (F. zaptie.)
Turkish, from Arabic daft
regulation.

Zarathustrian (zar a thus'
tri an) . This is another form of
Zoroastrian. See Zoroastrian.
zaratite (za' ra tit), n. A
hydrous carbonate of nickel, which usually
occurs as a vitreous, emerald-green incrusta-
tion. (F. zaratite , texasite.)

From Span, zaratita, named after Sefior
Zarate, with suffix -ite.

zareba (za re" ba), n. A stockade,
hedge, or other enclosure to protect a camp
or village in the Sudan. (F. zareba.}

Arabic zariba pen.

4627

ZEAL

ZEITGEIST

zeal (zel), n. Ardour, fervour, or earnest
endeavour to advance a cause or achieve an
object. (F. zele, ardeur, enthousiasme.)

Paul, the apostle, before his conversion,
showed great zeal or ardour in persecuting
the followers of Christ. Later his zealous-
ness (zel' us nes, n.} in converting Jews to
Christianity was unbounded. Speaking of
his own early life as a Jew, he says that
he was zealous (zel' us, adj.] towards God
(Acts xxii, 3).

Our voluntary hospitals depend on the
zeal of man}' who give their services freely
as physicians or surgeons, and a host of
others who zealously (zel' us li, adj.] collect
funds for these institutions.

Any one who engages zealously in a
cause and works strenuously for it may be
described as a zealot (zel' 6t, n.}, but the
word also means a fanatical adherent or
partisan. Zealotry (zel' 6 tri, n.} means
bigoted partisanship. The name of Zealots
was borne by a Jewish sect which resisted
the Romans in the first century A.D.

From O.F. zele through L. from Gr. zelos
rivalry, zeal. SYN. : Ardour, devotion, fervour.
ANT. : Apathy, coolness, indifference.

zebec (ze' bek). This and zebeck (ze'
bek) are forms of xebec. See xebec.

zebra (ze' bra), n. A hoofed mammal
(Eqims zebra] or an allied species, related and
resembling the ass, boldly marked with
black stripes on a whitish ground. (F. zebre.)

Zebra. — The zebra, a hoofed animal resembling
the ass, which is found in South Africa.

The zebra is found in South Africa.
There are three surviving species — Equus
zebra, E. Burchelli, and E. Grevyi — of which
several varieties exist, but all are becoming
very rare. Zebras are swift of foot, shy,
keen scented, and very difficult to tame.

Various other animals marked with stripes
are named after the zebra, including the
zebra-antelope (n.), the zebra-caterpillar (n.),
the zebra-mouse (n.}, the zebra-wolf («.),
and the zebra-woodpecker (n.}. They may
be said to have zebrine (ze' brin, adj.), or

zebra-like, markings. The zebra-wolf of
Tasmania is the thylacine.

Several kinds of tropical timber are
popularly named zebra-wood (n.) from their
striped grain of light and dark colours.

Port, from the Congolese.

^'Wiii'ltep"

Zebu. — The zebu or humped ox of India. It is
immune from tropical diseases.

zebu (ze7 bu), n. The humped ox (Bos
indicus) of India. (F. zebu.)

This ox, considered by some as only a
variety of the common ox, has a large hump
on its shoulders. The dewlap is prominent
and the eyes have the characteristic almond
shape of the Oriental. Some breeds are pure
white in colour. The bulls are regarded as
sacred animals. They are free from all
labour and wander at will in the bazaars.

Ordinarily, zebus are used as draught
animals and for riding. Their flesh is not
so tender as beef, but the hump is considered
a great delicacy.

F. zebu, apparently derived ultimately from
Tibetan mdzopo.

zed (zed), n. The letter Z.

zedoary (zed' 6 a ri), n. A substance
made from the rhizome or root-stock of
some species of Curcuma, especially Curcuma
zedaaria, used in medicine, perfumery, and
dyeing. (F. zedoaire.)

From L.L. zedoarium, from Arabic, Pers.
zadwar.

Zeitgeist (tsif gist), n. The spirit
of an age ; the tendency, moral or in-
tellectual, of a particular period.

Every period has its own particular
tendencies. The Zeitgeist of the Reforma-
tion period was an impulse towards personal
liberty in deciding theological matters. The
Zeitgeist of the last half of the nineteenth
century was a tendency to settle finally the
causes of things in a spirit of optimism or
idealism. Perhaps we may say that the
Zeitgeist of the present age is a reaction
against the confidence of those days — a
tendency to question all authorities and
conventions.

G. — spirit of the age, contemporary ten-
dencies, from zeit time, period, geisl spirit.

4628

ZELANIAiSi

ZEOLITE

Zenana. — A special carriage in which inmates of a zenana are taken for a drive. The covering of ths

carriage completely hides the occupants.

Zelanian (ze la' ni an), adj. In zoo-
geography, concerning or relating to New
Zealand. (F. neo-zelandais.)

From. Modern L. (Nova) Zeldnia New Zealand,
E. adj. suffix -an.

zeloso (tsa 16' so), adj. In music,
ardent, energetic. (F. dnergique.)

Ital. = zealous.

zemindar (zem' in dar), n. A native
landed proprietor in India, especially Bengal,
who pays a land-tax direct to the British
government. (F. zemindar.)

Originally, a zemindar was an official
under the Mogul Empire who paid to the
government a fixed sum of money for his
district, and in return was allowed to collect
what revenues he could from the cultivators
occupying it. The system of dividing out
the land and farming its revenues among
zemindars is known as zemindary (zem' in
dar i, n.). This word also denotes the
territory held by a zemindar.

Anglo-Indian, Pers., from zamln land, dar
holder.

zemstvo (zemsf fo), n. A former Russian
assembly elected to deal with the economic
affairs of a district. (F. zemstvo.}

Rus., from zemlya land.

zenana (ze na' na), n. That part of a
dwelling-house in a high -caste Indian family
which is reserved for the women. (F. zenana.}

A mission, the object of which is to carry
religious, medical, or educational knowledge
to the secluded inmates of zenanas, is known
as a zenana mission (n.}.

Hindustani, Pers. zandna, from zan woman.

Zend (zend), n. The ancient Iranian
language cognate with Sanskrit and named
after the Zend-Avesta. (F. zend, zend-
avesta.)

Zend is the name now often given to the
language in which the holy writings of the
Zoroastrians are written. These sacred
scriptures, known as the Zend-Avesta (zend
a ves' ta, n.) contain the teachings of the
Parsee religion, as interpreted by Zoroaster.

O. Pers. = commentary.

zenith (zen' ith), n. The point in the
heavens exactly above an observer at
any given place ; the culminating point (in
a career, fortune, etc.). (F. zenith.)

An imaginary line drawn from the centre
of the earth through the observer reaches
to the zenith, just as one produced in the
opposite direction passes through the nadir.
We say that a nation reached its zenith
when it was at the height of its power and
development.

The zenith-distance (n.) of a star is the
angular distance between it and the zenith.
This is measured by an astronomical instru-
ment called a zenith-sector (n.). Those
stars are zenithal (zen' ith al, adj.) which
are in or near the zenith.

O.F. cenith, O. Span, zenith, Arabic samt
way, path. SYN : Acme, summit. ANT. : Nadir.

zeolite (ze' 6 lit), n. Any of a group
of hydrous silicates which occur in the
cavities of lava and other eruptive rocks.
(F. zeolithe.)

From Gr. zeein to boil up and E. -lite.

4629

ZEPHYR

ZERO

zephyr (zef ' ir), n. The west wind
as personified in Greek mythology ; poeti-
cally, a soft wind or breeze ; a light
gauzy vest such as is worn by athletes ; a
thin cotton fabric akin to gingham, used
for women's and children's dresses. (F.
zephyr, zephire.}

From Gr. Zephyros, west wind ; cp. zophos
darkness or gloaming.

•

Zeppelin. — A Zeppelin, a rigid airship of the type

invented by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin

(1838-1917). England was frequently bombed

by Zeppelins during the World War.

Zeppelin (zep' e lin), M. A rigid airship
of the type invented by the German, Count
Ferdinand von Zeppelin (1838-1917).

On retiring from the German army in
1891, Count von Zeppelin devoted himself
to designing an airship which would in
general principles resemble a sea ship more
closely than any airship yet built.

The first Zeppelin, which was tested in
1900, was far larger than any previous
airship. It had a length of 420 feet and
contained 400,000 cubic feet of gas. The
gas was enclosed in sixteen large bags, or
balloons, carried in the cigar-shaped metal
framework of the vessel, over which was
stretched a covering fabric. The employ-
ment of a rigid framework kept the airship
from collapsing if one or more of the gas-
bags leaked, and also made it easier to steer
and propel than a non-rigid craft.

During the World War naval and military
Zeppelins carried out numerous bombing
raids on French and British cities. Aero-
planes firing incendiary bullets were used
with such great effect against the raiders
that the Germans largely gave up using
Zeppelins during the latter part of the war.

Although the Zeppelin has been proved
less suitable than the aeroplane for war
purposes, it may yet be of value for long-
distance transport under peace conditions.
In October, 1928, the huge "Graf Zeppelin,"
having a gas capacity of 4,000,000 cubic
feet, flew from Germany to New York in
118 hours and returned in 71 hours. Ger-
many, Britain, and the United States are
building even larger craft, all embodying
the principles first applied by Count Zeppelin,
and now recognized as the correct ones for
air liners.

zero (zer' 6), n. Nothing ; a cipher ;
the figure O ; the point on any scale which
is adopted as the starting-point for reckoning
positive and negative quantities ; the tem-
perature corresponding to the point zero
on a thermometer ; the lowest point in
any standard of comparison; nothingness;
nullity, pi. zeroes (zer' 6z). (F. zero.}

The temperature at which water freezes
is zero on a Centigrade or Reaumur ther-
mometer. This temperature corresponds to
32° on the Fahrenheit scale, the zero point
of this being originally taken as the tem-
perature of a freezing mixture of snow and
salt. The absolute zero (n.) is a. temperature
which has nearly, but not quite, been
attained, at which all bodies would be
absolutely devoid of heat. This tempera-
ture is estimated to be —273° C or— 460° ]

A man who has made his way in the world
from an insignificant beginning may be
said to have started from zero. In a military
offensive, a fixed time from which the times
for the various operations are calculated is
called the zero-hour (n.).

O.F., from Ital. contracted from assumed
zefiro, L.L. zephym. See cipher.

4630

ZEST

ZING

zest (zest), n. That which gives a plea-
sant taste to something else or which makes
it more enjoyable; piquancy; keen en-
joyment. (F. gout, saveur, ardeur, zele,
piquarit.}

Mustard gives a zest
to cold beef, and
mint sauce to lamb.
An ardent .theatre-
goer attends a first
performance with
zest, and big game
hunters tell us that
the element of danger
adds zest to the
sport.

F. zeste orange or
lemon peel. SYN. :
Gusto, piquancy, relish,
savouriness. ANT.:
Distaste.

zetetic (ze tet' ik),
adj. Proceeding by
inquiry, n. A seeker
after truth ; investi-
gation. (F. zetetique.}

Any philosophy or
science which proceeds
by inquiry and seek-
ing after the causes
of things is said to
be zetetic, and a
zetetic is one who
follows such a system.
The followers of the
Greek philosopher
Pyrrho were known as
zetetics.

In the sense of in-
quiry the plural form
with singular con-
struction is also used
— zetetics, as well as
zetetic.

Gr. zetetikos, from
zetein to seek. SYN.
tive, interrogative, searching,
vestigator, querist, sceptic.

zeugma (zug' ma), n. A figure of
speech in which a single verb or adjective
is made to refer to two nouns to only one
of which it logically applies. (F. zeugma,
zeugme.)

In zeugma a sentence is abbreviated by
the omission of the verb or adjective which
is required to govern or qualify the second
noun. An example of zeugmatic (zug
mat' ik, adj.) construction is found in
Psalm cxxi, 6 — " The sun shall not smite
thee by day, nor the moon by night,"
in which the verb following moon should not
be smite, as implied, but injure.

Gr. = union, bond, from zeugnynai to yoke.

Zeus (zus), n. The chief god of the
ancient Greeks. (F. Zeus.)

Zeus corresponded to the Roman Jupiter.
He was the son of Cronos, and the husband

Zeus.— A statue of Zeus, the chief god of the
ancient Greeks, in the British Museum.

of Hera. Zeus was worshipped as the
god of thunder, lightning, and storms, and
is frequently represented in art holding
thunderbolts in his hands.

zeuxite (zuks' it),
n. A pale brown
variety of tourmaline
found in Cornwall.

From Gr. zeuxis junc-
ture, connexion, and -He.

zibet (zib' et), n.
The Asiatic or Indian
civet. See civet. (F.
zibeth.)

Ital. zibetto civet. See
civet.

zigzag (zig' zag),
adj. Turning sharply
at angles to left and
right. n. A zigzag
road, path, line, pat-
tern, etc. adv. In a
zigzag manner, course,
or direction, v.i. To
move thus. v.t. To
cause to move thus ;
to form or do in a
zigzag way. Another
form of the adj. is
zigzaggy (zig' zag i).
(F. zigzague; zigzag;
en zigzag; zigzaguer.)

A mountain or cliff
is usually scaled by
a zigzag road or
path. Zigzaggery (zig'
zag er i, n.) means
a zigzag course or
the quality of being
zigzag.

F., perhaps from G.
zickzack, reduplicative
of zacke prong, tine.

zillah (zil' a), n.
A district in British

adj. Analytic, inquisi-
n. Inquirer, in-

India, usually under the control of a collector
or deputy commissioner.

Hindustani dilah.

zinc (zingk), n. A hard bluish- white
malleable and ductile metallic element.
v.t. To coat with zinc. (F. zinc; zinguer.)

Zinc is used largely for roofing, for making
brass and other alloys, and in the manu-
facture of printing blocks. The metal
does not occur separately in nature, but is
obtained. chiefly from zinc-blende (n.), which
is sulphide of zinc, and from calamine. It
is little affected by damp, and when deposited
on iron goods by the process called galvaniz-
ing, protects them from the weather.

The powdery oxide of zinc and zinc-white
(n.) is used as a pigment. Three colourless
liquids, zinc-amyl (n.), zinc-ethyl (n.), and
zinc-methyl (n.), are produced by the action
respectively of mercuric amylate, ethyl
iodide, and methyl iodide on zinc. Zinc-
amyl fuses, and the other two take fire, if

4631

ZINGALO

ZIRCON

exposed to the atmosphere. Zinc-methyl
has a very unpleasant smell. The carbonate
and oxide of zinc are widely used in treat-
ing skin affections.

A zinc-worker (».) is one who makes
articles out of zinc, especially sheet zinc.
The adjectives zincoid (zing7 koid, adj.) and
zincous (zing' kus, adj.) mean respectively,
resembling zinc in properties and containing
zinc. Zincode (zing' kod, n.) is the name
which used to be applied in electricity to the
zinc element of a primary cell or other
negative element corresponding to this.

A zinciferous (zing kif er us, adj.) ore is
one containing or yielding zinc. To zincify
(zing' ki fi, v.t.) iron is to coat it with zinc.
The process of doing this, or the state of
being coated thus, as in galvanizing, is
termed zincification (zing kif i ka' shun, n.}.

The translucent
mineral named zincite
(zing' kit, n.} is a
native oxide of zinc,
of a deep red or orange
colour, otherwise
known as red oxide
of zinc.

The prefix zinco- is
used to signify the
presence of zinc in a
chemical compound.
The word zinco (zing'
ko, n.} — pi. zinco s
(zing' koz) — is a
shortened form of
zincograph (zing' ko
graf, n.} and zinco-
type (zing' ko tip, n.},
both of which mean
either a plate of zinc
on which a photo-
graphic picture or
design has been etched
in relief by acid, or
a print made from
this. A zincographer
(zing kog' ra fer, «.),
that is, an engraver on zinc, strengthens the
zincograph ic (zing ko graf ik, adj.] image by
cutting away with a tool some of the metal
between the parts not affected by the acid.
The process of making zincographs, called
zincography (zing kog' ra fi, n.}, is employed
for reproducing black-and-white illustra-
tions in which there are no half-tones, but
merely black lines on a white background.

G. zink, of obscure origin.

Zincalo (zing' ka 16). This is another
form of Zingaro. pi. Zincali (zing' ka li).
See Zingaro.

zincify (zing' ki fi). For this word,
zincoid, etc., see under zinc.

Zingaro (zing7 ga ro), n. A gypsy.
pl. Zingari (zing' ga re). (F. zingaro, gitane,
bohdmien.)

Italian name ; cp. G. Zigeuner, Hungarian
Czigany, from A tzigan a word of obscure origin.

Zinnia. — The zinnia is a native of America. Many
varieties are cultivated in Great Britain.

zinke (tsing' ke), n. An old wood-
wind musical instrument having a slightly
conical tube, covered with leather, pl.
zinken (tsing ' ken).

This is the German name for an instrument
much used in Tudor and Stuart England.

zinnia (zin' i a), n. A genus of com-
posite plants bearing brilliantly coloured,
rayed flowers. (F. zinnia.)

Zinnias are natives of America ; many
varieties are cultivated in our gardens
for their showy flowers, which are borne
singly, like those of the aster. They are
sometimes called " Youth and old age "
because the few stiff, brightly-coloured ray
florets retain their colours for a long time,
while the numerous disk florets are opening.
Named after F. G. Zinn, German botanist.

Zion (zL'on), n. A
hill forming part oi
ancient Jerusalem,
where King David and
h i s successors had
their palace. (F. Sion.)
The citadel of
Jerusalem stood on
Mount Zion. The
name Zion is most
often used figuratively
to represent the ancient
Hebrew theocracy, or
its successor, the
Church of Christ. Zion
also means the
Heavenly Jerusalem,
and is also used as a
name for a Noncon-
formist chapel. Zion-
ism (zi' on izm, n.)
is the name of a
movement for re-
peopling Palestine with
Jews. An advocate
of this policy is called
a Zionist (zi' on ist,
n.). Zionwards (zl'on
towards Zion, or,

wardz, adv.) means
figuratively, heavenwards.
Gr. seion, Heb. tslyon.

zip (zip), n. A light, sharp sound, as
of a bullet whizzing through the air ; force ;
energy, v.i. To make such a sound.

Imitative.

zircon (zer' kon), n. A transparent oi
semi-transparent coloured silicate of zir-
conium, some varieties of which are used
as gems. (F. zircon.)

Hyacinth and jargon are two gems which
are cut from this silicate. The first is
yellowish red, and the second orange, smoky
blue, or colourless. Zirconium (zer ko' ni urn,
n.) is a rare metallic element which can be
prepared from zircon and other zirconic
(zer kon' ik, adj.) ores.

From Arabic zarcun cinnabar, Pers. zargun
gold-hued. See jargon [2].

4632

ZITHER

ZOLLVEREIN

zither (zith' er),
n. A simple musical
instrument, consist-
ing of a number of
strings stretched over
a flat resonance box,
^and played by pluck-
ing with the thumb
and fingers of the
right hand. (F.
cithare.)

G., from L. cithara,
cither.

Zodiac (zo'di ak)
M. A belt of .the
heavens extending
about eight degrees
each side of the
ecliptic, traversed by
the sun during the
year. (F. zodiaque.}
The belt of the sky

bordering the ecliptic — the apparent path of
the sun through the heavens — was divided
by the ancients into twelve parts each called
a Sign, and named after one of twelve star-
groups or constellations located in this
region ; these together form the Signs of
the Zodiac.

The zodiacal (zo di' a kal, adj.] constella-
tions are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer,
Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius,
Capricornus, Aquarius, and Pisces ; their
popular names are given in similar order in
the familiar rhyme : — •

The Ram, the Bull, the Heavenly Twins,
And next the Crab, the Lion shines,

The Virgin, and the Scales ;
The Scorpion, Archer, and the Goat,
The Man who holds the Watering-pot,

And Fish with glittering scales.
The first six are north of the equator,
the remaining constellations lying to the
south.

Each of the twelve divisions, or signs, of
the Zodiac originally contained the star-
group bearing a corresponding name. The
series begins with Aries, and the sun for-
merly entered the first point of this Sign
at the spring equinox ; owing, however, to
the precession of the equinoxes, the spring
equinox now occurs when the sun enters the
sign Pisces, so that the zodiacal signs and
constellations no longer correspond.

After sunset, a cone of faint, soft light,
called the zodiacal light (n.}, is sometimes
seen at about the time of the vernal equinox,
especially in the tropics. Later in the year,
near the autumnal equinox, this luminous
cone is again seen, this time just before
sunrise. The light is believed by some to
be due to the reflection of the sunlight from
a swarm of tiny meteors revolving round
the sun. According to another theory, the
zodiacal light is an electrical phenomenon.
F. zodiaque, through L. from Gr. zodiakos
from zo(i}dion dim. of zo(i}on animal (zoos living,
from zein to live) and E. suffix -ac.

086

zoetrope (zo' e trop), n. The wheel
of life, a toy consisting of a rotating
cylinder containing a series of pictures,
which, when viewed in turn through slits in
the cylinder, are seen as a single picture in
apparent motion. (F. zoolrope.)

Each picture in the zoetrope represents
the same figure but in different stages of
movement. There are as many slits as
pictures, so that a momentary glimpse of
each picture is seen as the cylinder is rotated,
and one gets an optical illusion of a figure
dancing, running, and so on.

Irregularly formed from Gr. zoe life, tropos
turn.

Zoetrope. — In a moving zoetrope the pictures are

viewed in turn through slits in the rotating cylinder,

thus causing them to appear in motion.

zoic (zo' ik), adj. Of or relating to
animals or animal life ; in geology, con-
taining fossils or other evidence of animal
life. (F. animal, fossile.)

From Gr. zoikos of animals, from zoon living
thing.

zoisite (zoi' sit), n. A translucent
silicate of calcium and alumina. (F. zoisite.}

Zoisite, which was first found in Carinthia,
occurs in prismatic crystals of many differ-
ent colours — brown, green, rose, and grey,
etc. It resembles epidote in composition.

Named after the discoverer, Baron von
Zois.

Zollverein (tsol' fe rin; tsol' fe rin),
n. A customs union between states. (F.
union douaniere.}

This is a German word, and is the name
given to a combination in which certain
states unite to form a customs union among
themselves, imposing taxes on imports
from other countries and usually maintain-
ing free trade between those which constitute
the Zollverein. Such a union was made
between a number of German states under
the leadership of Prussia in 1834.

G. zoll impost, tax, duty, verein union, associa-
tion.

4633

u 7

ZONE

ZOOLOGY

(zon), n. A belt ; a stripe or band
encircling an object, and differing in char-
acter or appearance from the remainder of
the object ; any one of the five great
climatic divisions of the globe bounded
by certain parallels of latitude ; any well-
defined belt or tract of land distinguished
by climate, the character of its fauna and
flora, or some other characteristic ; any
tract or region having definite limits ; the
area enclosed between two circles having the
same centre ; a part of a cone, cylinder, or
sphere lying between two parallel planes
intersecting the axis at right angles, v.t.
To encircle with or as with a zone. (F.
zone.)

This word formerly meant a girdle worn
about the waist, and is still sometimes
used poetically in this sense. Among the
Romans, the wearing of a zone, or girdle,
by a woman denoted that she was un-
married. She ceased to wear the zone on
the day of her marriage. In this way the
zone came to be a symbol of maidenhood.

The surface of the earth is regarded as
divided into five climatic zones. These are
the torrid zone, lying between the tropic
of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn ; the
north and south temperate zones, between
the tropic region and the Arctic or the
Antarctic circles ; and the two
frigid zones, each lying between
one of the polar circles and the
North or South Pole, as the
case may be.

The zone of fire of a cannon
is that area within its range of
effective fire. Outside a zone of
hostilities there may be a neutral
zone. The markings on an
archery target are zonal (zo'
nal, adj.), appearing in the form
of zones or belts. A variety of
pelargonium is called the zonal
pelargonium (n.), because its
leaves are zoned (zond, adj.) —
marked with dark bands of
colour running zonally (zo' nal
li, adv.) — like zones — parallel to
the edges. A poet might describe
a woman as being zoned by a
girdle she wears.

From Gr. zdne girdle, belt. SYN :
M. Belt, girdle.

zoo (zoo), n. This is an abbreviation
used colloquially for a zoological garden,
or collection of wild animals, especially
that at Regent's Park, London. See under
zoology. (F. jardin d'acclimatation, jardin
zoologiquc.)

zoo-. A prefix meaning of or relating
to animals, or to animal life. (F. zoo-.)

The branch of chemistry, called zoo-
chemistry (zo 6 kem' is tri, n.), deals with
the substances which are found in, and
compose, the animal body. The study of

the distribution of various kinds of living
creatures over the lands and oceans of the
world is zoogeography (zo 6 je og' ra ft, «.).
A zoogeographer (zo 6 je og' ra fer, n.) is
one who devotes himself to this subject,
and makes zoogeographical (zo 6 je 6 graf ik
al, adj.) researches.

In the colony of organisms which compose
a compound animal such as the Hydra,
each individual member is called a zooid
(zo' oid, n.). In some such colonies certain
zooids become parted from the parent
animal by gemmation, or budding, and start
a separate existence.

Combining form of Gr. zoon living creature,
from zeein to live.

zoolatry (zo ol' a tri), n. The religious
worship of animals. (F. zooldtrie.)

The religion of ancient Egypt furnishes
many examples of zoolatry. The bull, cat,
ibis, serpent, scarabaeus beetle, and many
other animals were regarded as sacred, each
to some particular god. While the priests
and more educated people may have re-
garded these animals merely as symbols,
the mass of the people worshipped the
animals as divinities. Such worship is
zoolatrous (zo or a trus, adj.) \ one who
practises it is a zoolater (zo ol' a ter, n.}.

From Gr. zoon animal, latreia worship.

Zoological.— Polar bears in the Zoological Gardens. Regent's Park,
London, being watched by an interested crowd.

zoology (zo ol' 6 ji), n. The branch
of the science of biology dealing with the
structure, physiology, classification, habits,
and distribution of animals. (F. zoologie.)

Zoology is the natural history of animals,
as distinguished from botany, the science
of plants, which is the other main division
of biology. The zoologist (zo ol' 6 jist, «.) is
a person engaged in the study of zoology.
His subject is a very large one, with many
subdivisions. The word zoological (zo 6 loj '
ik al, adj.] means of or relating to zoology.

4634

ZOOMORPHIG

ZUCGHETTA

or the study of animals. For instance, a
zoological society is an association of people
for studying or making researches into
animal life and habits, etc. A public park
or garden where animals are kept in cap-
tivity so that their habits may be watched
is called a zoological garden. One of the
most famous is the London Zoo. It was
opened by the Zoological Society of London
in 1828. An island may be said to belong
zoologically (zo 6 loj' ik al li, adv.), that is,
as regards zoology, to a neighbouring
continent, if it contains similar fauna or
animal life.

From Gr. zoon animal and E. -logy.

zoomorpliic (zo 6 mof fik), adj.
Representing or imitating the forms of
animals ; represented under the form of
an animal or animals.

In zoomorphic symbolism the forms of
animals are used as symbols. In many
pagan religions there
are zoomorphic gods,
that is, gods imagined
or represented as
having the forms of
the lower animals.
The giving of an ani-
mal shape to a deity
is known as zoomor-
phism (zo 6 mof fizm,
n.), a word also mean-
ing the introduction
of zoomorphic charac-
teristics into symbol-
ism, or decorative
art, such as that of
ancient Egypt.

From E. zoo-, Gr.
.morphe form, shape, and
E. suffix -ic.

zoophyte (zo' 6 fit), n. A name
formerly used for various low forms of
animal life, having a branched or radiating
structure, and so resembling plants or
flowers. (F. zoophyte.)

This term was formerly used by scientists,
and is still used loosely, to denote various
invertebrate animals that were once re-
garded as belonging to a class placed mid-
way between plants and animals. Ex-
amples of zoophytic (zo 6 fit7 ik, adj.)
creatures, or ones having the nature of
zoophytes, are sea-anemones, jelly-fishes,
starfishes, and holothurians.

Gr. zoophyton animal-plant, from zo-os living,
and phyton a plant, from phyein to produce.

zoospore (zo' 6 spor), n. A spore
capable of independent motion. (F.
zoospore.}

The motion of a zoospore is generally
accomplished by means of cilia, or vibrating
hair-like filaments. Some algae and fungi
are zoosporous (zo os' por us, adj.], that is,
they produce zoospores. Zoosporous also
means having the nature of a zoospore.

From E. zoo- and spore.

Zoophyte. — Flustra, or sea mat, a zoophyte
resembling seaweed in appearance.

zootomy (zo of 6 mi), n. The scientific
dissection, or cutting up, of animals
other than man, in order to learn their
construction. (F. zootomie.)

From E. zoo- and Gr. -tomia a cutting.
zoril (zof il), n. A small carnivorous
animal (Zorilla striata) allied to the skunks
and polecats. Another spelling is zorille
(zof il). (F. zorille.)

The zoril is found in Africa and Asia
Minor. It has a black coat boldly striped
with broad white bands running from end
to end, and is able to emit an evil smell
when attacked. The Boers tame zorils
to catch rats and mice in their houses.
From Span, zorrilla dim. of zorra vixen.
Zoroastrian (zor 6 as' tri an), adj.
Pertaining to Zoroaster, or to the religion
of ancient Persia which he founded, n.
A follower of Zoroaster ; a believer in
Zoroastrianism. Another form is Zarathus-
trian (zar a thus' tri
an). (F. zoroastrien.)
Little is known
about Zoroaster, or, as
he is sometimes called,
Zarathustra. He is
believed to have been
born some time before
660 B.C. The Zoro-
astrian religion, or
Zoroastrianism (zor 6
as' tri an izm, n.),
named after him as its
founder or prophet,
is popularly known
as fire-worship. It is
based upon the conflict
between the forces of
good or light, and
evil or darkness, per-
sonified respectively by the gods Ormuzd
and Ahriman. The Zoroastrian scriptures
are known as the Zend-Avesta. Zoroastri-
anism was partly extinguished by the rise
of Mohammedanism, but the Parsees of
modern Persia are still Zoroastrians.

Zouave (zoo av'), n. A soldier belong-
ing to a French light infantry corps, origin-
ally composed of Algerians, and still wearing
an" oriental uniform. (F. zouave.)

The regiments of Zouaves now consist
only of Frenchmen. Their uniform includes
baggy red trousers and a short blue jacket.
A similar, but usually sleeveless, jacket
formerly worn by women was known as a
zouave jacket (n.).

Arabic Zouaoua native Arab name of a
Kabyle tribe.

zounds (zoundz), inter. An archaic
exclamation of anger, etc. (F. morbleu !
parbleu !)

Euphemistic abbreviation of God's wounds.
zucchetta (tsu kef a), n. In the
Roman Catholic Church, the skull-cap of
an ecclesiastic. Another form is zucchetto
(tsu kef 6). (F. calotte.)

4635

ZUFFOLO

ZYMOTIC

The Pope's zucchetta is white, a cardinal's
red, a bishop's purple, and a priest's is black.
Ital. dim. of zucca gourd.

Zucchetta.— Pope Leo X— Giovanni de Medici (1475-
1521) — wearing a zucchetta.

zuffolo (tsoo' fo 16 ; zoo' fo 16), n. A
small whistle or flageolet, especially one
used by fanciers when training song-birds.
(F. flageolet.}

Ital. zufulo a whistle.

Zulu (zoo' loo), n. A member of a
warlike negroid people of South Africa ;
the language of these people. (F. Zoulou.)

Zuh

•A Zulu woman displaying her
including an ancient umbrella.

finery,

The Zulus belong to the Bantu race and
are closely related to the Kafirs. In the
early part of the nineteenth century they
had considerable power in South Africa,
owing to their remarkable military
organization.

Zulu. — The zulu is a

type of Scottish fishing

boat.

A type of Scottish
fishing boat, designed
in 1878, was named
zulu because it came
into use about the
time of the Zulu War.

Native name.

zwieback (tsve"
bak), n. A kind of
sweet, spiced, wheaten
bread or biscuit rusk
that has been long
and slowly toasted.

G., akin in meaning
to biscuit ( = twice
baked).

Zwinglian (tsving' gli an ; tswing' gli
an), adj. Of or relating to Ulrich Zwingli
(1484-1531), the Swiss religious reformer, or
to his teaching, n. A follower of Zwingli.
(F. zwinglien.)

The Zwinglian teachings or doctrines are
known as Zwinglianism (tsving' gli an izm ;
tswing ' gli an izm, n.).

zygapopliysis (zi ga pof ' i sis ; zig a
pof i sis), n. In anatomy and zoology,
each of the processes of a vertebra connect-
ing it with the next vertebra, pi. zyga-
pophyses (zi ga pof i sez ; zig a pof i sez).

Modern L., from Gr. zygon a yoke and apophysis .
See apophysis.

zygo-. This is a prefix meaning joined
or linked, or arranged in pairs. Another
form used before vowels is zyg-. (F. zygo-.)

This prefix is used in the formation of a
number of scientific words. For instance,
a zygodactyl (zi go dak' til ; zig 6 dak' til,
adj.), bird, or zygodactyl (n.), is one having
its toes arranged in pairs, two projecting
forward and two backward. Climbing birds
such as the woodpecker and parrot are
zygodacrylous (zi go dak' til us ; zig 6 dak'
til us, adj.).

Combining form of Gr. zygon yoke.

zygoma (zi go' ma ; zi go' ma), n. In
anatomy, the cheek-bone and its con-
nexions forming the bony arch between
the facial and cranial bones, pi. zygomata
(zi go' ma ta ; zi gd' ma ta). (F. zygoma.}

The zygoma forms the zygomatic (zi gd
mat' ik ; zig 6 mat' ik, adj.) arch.

Modern L. and Gr., from Gr. zygon yoke.

zymase (zi' mas), n. The alcoholic
ferment formed by the yeast cell.

Gr. zyme leaven, E. chemical suffix -ase.

zymotic (zi mot' ik), adj. Pertaining
to or caused by fermentation, n. A zymotic
or infectious disease. (F. zymotique.)

It was once thought that infectious
diseases were due to a process resembling
fermentation. This gave rise to the term
zymotic disease (n.), which is still used to
denote a contagious disease occurring as an
epidemic, although it is now known that
such diseases are caused by bacteria.

From Gr. zymotikos relating to fermentation,
from zymoun to leaven, from zyme leaven.

4636

A-

AT-

PREFIXES AND COMBINING FORMS

Letters, Syllables, and Words that Modify the Meanings of Words

In the following list the prefix or combining form is given first, then its meaning, next one or more words
of which it forms a part, and finally the source from which it is derived

a- [i]. In, on : abed, aboard, afoot,

asleep, a-coming. A.-S. an, on.
a- [2]. Off, from: adown, athirst. A.-S.

af, of.
a~ [3]- Attainment, completion : abide,

arise, awake. A.-S. a-, cp. G. BY-.
a- [4]. Over against : along. A.-S. and-,

cp. G. ent-.

a~ [5]- Away from : avert. L. a = ab.
a- [61. To : achieve, ascend, avalanche.

F. a, L. ad.
a- [7]. Not : agnostic, apathy, atcm. Gr.

a- = an-. See an- [7].
ab- [i]. From, out of, off, away : abdicate,

abrade, abound. L. ab.
ab- [2]. To : abbreviate. L. ab- = ad

before b.
abs-. From, away : abscond, abstain,

abstract. L. abs- = ab- [i].
ac-. To : accede; acquire. L. ac- = ad

before c, q. In accursed, ac- = a- [3] ;

in acknowledge, a- [i].
aero-. On the top, tip, or end : acrobat,

acrolith, acropolis, acrostic. Gr. akros

on the top.
ad-. To : adapt, address, adhere, admit.

L. ad.
aero-. Air : aeronaut, aeroplane. L., Gr.

aer.
af-. To : affirm, affix. L. af- = ad

before /. In afford, af- = A.-S. ge- (see

y-) ; in affright = a- [3] ; in affray = ef-.
after-. After : aftermath, afternoon.

A.-S. aefter.

ag-. To : aggrandize, aggravate, aggres-
sion. F. a, L. ag- = ad before g.
al- [i]. All : almost, alone, always.

A.-S. (e}al.
al- [2]. The : albatross, alchemy, alcohol,

alcove, algebra. Arabic al.
all-. Other : alias, alibi, aliquot. L.

alius.
allo-. Other : allograph, allopathy,

allotropy. Gr. allos.
amb-, ambi-. Round about, on both

sides : ambient, ambidextrous, amb-
iguous, ambition. L. ambi- round about,

ambo both.
amphi-. On both sides : amphibious,

amphitheatre. Gr. amphi. See ambi-.
an- [i]. On, in : anneal, anon. A.-S. an.

. See a- [i].
an- [2]. Against : answer. A.-S. and-.

See a.- [4].
an- [3]. To : annex, announce, annul.

L. an- — ad before n.
an- [4]. Before : ancestor. L. ante-.

an~ [5]- On both sides : ancipital. L.
an- = ambi-.

an- [6]. In, on : anoint. F. en-, L. in-.

an- [7]. Not : anarchy, anaemia, an-
omaly, anhydrous, anodyne. Gr. an- ;
cp. a- [i].

an- [8]. Up : aneurism, anode. Gr.an- =
ana-.

ana-. Up : anadromous, anatomy ;
back : anachronism, analyse ; again :
Anabaptist, anagram ; according to,
analogy. Gr. am

andro-. Male : andropetalous. Gr. aner
(ace. andra] man, male.

Anglo-. English, British : Anglo-Catholic,
Anglo-Indian, Anglophobe. L. Anglus
Englishman.

angusti-. Narrow : angustifoliate. L.
angustus.

ant-. Against, opposed to : antagonist,
Antarctic. Gr. ant- = anti before a
vowel.

ante-. Before : antechapel, antedate,
anteroom. L. ante.

anth-. Against : anthelion. Gr. anth- =
anti before h.

antnropo-. Human being : anthropo-
centric, anthropophagous. Gr. anthropos.

anti-. Against, opposed to, opposite :
anti-aircraft, . anticlimax, antipathy,
antipodes. Gr. anti-. In anticipate the
prefix = ante-.

ap-. To : appeal, applaud. L. ap. = ad
before p.

aph-. From, off : aphelion, aphorism.
Gr. aph- = apo before aspirate.

apo-. From, off, away : apology, Apocry-
pha, apostasy, apostle, apothecary ;
utterly : apoplexy. Gr. apo.

ar-. To : arbiter, arraign, arrange, array,
arrear, arrest, arrive. L. ar- = ad be-
fore b and r,,also F. a, from L. ad.

arch-. Chief, of highest rank : archangel,
archbishop ; extreme, utter : arch-
knave. Gr. arkh-, from arkhein to be
the first, lead. See archi-.

archaeo-. Ancient : archaeology, archaeo-
pteryx. Gr. arkhaios.

archi-. Chief: archiepiscopal, archipelago,
architect. Gr. arkhi-, as arch-.

as-. To : assail, assent, assume. L. as- —
ad before s.

astro-. Star : astrolabe, astrology, astro-
nomer. Gr. astron.

at- [i]. At : atone. A.-S. aet.

at- [2]. To : attack, attain, attend,
attorney. L. at- = ad before t, also
F. a, from L. ad.

4637

AUTH-

CYCLO-

autli-. Self : authentic. Gr. auth- =
auto- before aspirate.

auto-. Self : autobiography, autocar,
automaton, autosuggestion. Gr. autos.

back-. Back, backward : back-fire, back-
slider. A.-S. baec.

be-. About, around (forming transitive
verb) : bedeck, before, belie, beset,
bespeak ; denoting making or treating
as : bedim, befool, belittle ; affecting
or supplying with : bedew, beflag ;
treating in the manner of : bedevil,
befriend ; depriving of : behead ; in-
tensive : bedazzle, belaud. A.-S. be-,
weak form of bl by.

bene-. Well : benediction, benefit. L.
bene.

bi-. Twice, doubly : bicentral, bigamy,
bipinnate ; having two : biceps, bicycle,
biplane ; in chemistry, having twice
the amount of : bicarbonate ; into two :
bifurcate, bisect ; lasting for two,
appearing every two : biennial ; ap-
pearing twice in : bi-monthly. L. bi-
for dui- ; cp. bis twice.

biblio-. Of books : bibliography, biblio-
mania ; of the Bible : bibliolater. Gr.
biblion book, pi. biblia Bible.

bin-. Two together : binocular. L. blni.

bio-. Life : biography, biology, bioplasm.
Gr. bios course of life.

bis-. Twice : biscuit, bistort. L. bis.

blasto-. Germ, bud : blastoderm. Gr.
blastos sprout.

brachy-. Short : brachycephalic, brachy-
logy. Gr. brakhys.

by-. By, at the side : bystander ; past :
bygone ; subordinate, secondary : by-
product, by-road, by-play ; sly, secret :
by-end ; reproachful : byword. A.-S.
bi, E. by.

caco-. Evil : cacodemon, cacophony.
Gr. kakos.

calc-, calci-. Lime : calc-spar, calci-
ferous. L. calx (ace. calc-em).

calli-. Beautiful : calligraphy, calli-
sthenic. Gr. hallos beauty.

calyci-. Calyx : calyciform, calycifloral.
Gr. kalyx covering.

carb-, carbo-. Carbon : carbolic, car-
buret, carbo-hydrate. L. carbo (ace.
-on-em] charcoal.

cardi-, cardio-. Heart : cardialgy,
cardiograph. Gr. kardia.

cat-, cata-, cath-. Down : cataclysm,
catapult, catarrh, catechize, cathedral,
cathode ; against : catallactic, cate-
gory, catoptric ; entirely : catalepsy,
catalogue, catalysis ; in respect of :
catholic ; wrongly : catachresis. Gr.
kata, before a vowel kat-, before the
aspirate hath-.

centi-. A hundred : centigrade, centi-
metre, centipede. L. centum.

centri-. Centre : centrifugal, centripetal.
Gr. kentron.

cerebro- . Brain : cerebro-spinal. L.
cerebrum.

cheiro-. Hand : Cheiroptera, Cheirothe-
rium. See chiro-.

chili-. A thousand : chiliagon. Gr.
khllioi. See kilo-.

chiro-. Hand : chirograph, chiromancy,
chiropodist. Gr. kheir. See cheiro-.

chlor-, chloro-. Yellowish green :
chlorine, chlorophyll, chlorosis ; chlor-
ine : chloral, chloride, chloroform ;
chloroform : chlorodyne. Gr. khloros.

chromato-, chromo-. Colour : chroma -
toscope, chromolithograph. Gr. khroma
(gen. khromat-os).

chrono-. Time : chronology, chrono-
meter. Gr. khronos.

chrys-, chryso-. Gold : chrysanthemum,
chrysolite. Gr. khrysos.

circu-, circum-. Around : circuit, cir-
cumference, circumlocution, circum-
spect ; near : circum-meridian. L.
circum.

cis-. On this side: cisalpine. L. cis.

clavi- [i]. Club : clavicorn, claviform.
L. clava.

clavi- [2]. Key : clavichord. L. clavis.

co- [i]. With, together : co-belligerent,
coefficient, cohere, cohort, copartner ;
very much : coerce, cogent. L. co- =
con- before a vowel or h, in E. com-
pounds also used before any consonant.

co- [2]. Complement : colatitude, cosine.
E. complement.

col-, com-. With, together: collapse,
college, collide, combat, companion ;
very much : comestible, compel, com-
plain. L. col- = con- before / ; com- =
con- before a vowel, b, m, or p.

con-. With, together : concur, conduct,
confer, congest, conjecture, connect,
contract, convey ; very much : con-
quer, consequence. L. con- = cum
with. See co- [i1, col-, com-, cor-, coun-.

contra-, contro-. Against, contrary :
contradict, controvert. L. contra,
contro-.

cor-. With, together : correlate, cor-
respond ; very much : correct, corrupt.
L. cor- = con- before r .

cosmo-. World : cosmogony, cosmopolitan.
Gr. kosmos.

coun-. With, together : council, counsel,
countenance. F. con-, L. con-.

counter-. Against, contrary : counterfeit,
countermand, counterpart. F. contre-,
L. contra. See contra-.

cranio-. Skull : craniometry, craniology.
Gr. kranion.

crypto-. Hidden, secret : cryptogam,
cryptogram. Gr. kryptos.

curvi-. Curved : curvirostrate. L.
curvus.

cyano-. Dark blue : cyanometer, cyano-
gen. Gr. kyanos.

cyclo-. Circle : cyclorama, cyclostyle.
Gr. kyklos.

4638

DE-

GALLO-

de- [i]. Down : depend, descend ; off,
away : defend, deprecate ; fully, en-
tirely : declare, desolate ; depriving of
or reversing : decapitate, deform, de-
humanize, dethrone. L. de.

de- [2]. Undoing or reversing : deploy,
derange, detach. F. dd-, L. dis-. See
dis-.

deca-. Ten : decalogue, decalitre. Gr,
deka-.

deci-. Tenth part of : decimetre. F.
deci-, L. decimus.

demi-. Half • demigod, demilune. F.
demi-.

dendri-, dendro-. Tree : dendriform,
clendroiatry. Gr. dendron.

denti-. Tooth, teeth : dentiform, denti-
frice. L. dens (ace. dent-em).

derm-, dermat-, dermato-, dermo-.
Skin : dermalgia, dermatoid, derma-
tophyte, dermoskeleton. Gr. forma
(gen. dermatos).

des-. Apart : descant, deshabille, dessert.
F. des-, L. dis-. See dis-.

dextro-. To the right : dextroglucose,
dextro-rotary. L. dexter on the right.

di- [i]. Apart, separate : digest, dilute,
divorce. L. di- = dis-. See dis-.

di- [2]. Double, two : dilemma, dimethyl,
dipterous, disyllabic. Gr. di-.

di- l~3]. Through, across : dielectric,
dioptric. Gr. di — dia before vowel.

dia-. Through, across : diagram, diameter ;
between : diagnose ; apart : diastole ;
thoroughly : diaper, diatonic. Gr. dia.

dif-. Apart : differ, diffuse ; not : diffi-
cult, diffident. L. dif- = dis- before /.

dis-. Apart, asunder: disjoin, dispel;
reversing or negative : disapprove,
dishonour, disoblige ; completely : dis-
annul. L. dis-.

dodeca-. Twelve : dodecapetalous. Gr.
dodeka.

du-, duo-. Two : duologue, duplicate.
L. duo.

dolicho-. Long : dolichocephalic. Gr.
dolikhos.

dynamo-. Power : dynamo - electric,
dynamometer. Gr. dynamis.

dy-, dyo-. Two : dyarchy, dyothelete.
Gr. dyo.

dys-. Badly, ill : dyslogistic, dyspepsia.
Gr. dys-.

e- [i]. Out of, out, from : emend, evade.
L. e = ex.

e- [-2]. Euphonic prefix in F. : especial,
esquire, estate.

ec-. Out of : eccentric, ecclesiastic,
eclogue, ecstasy. Gr. ek — ex before a
consonant.

ecto-. Outside : ectoblast. Gr. ekto.

ef-. Out of, out, from : effect, effusion.
L. ef- — ex before /.

el-. In : ellipse. Gr. el- = en before /.

electro-. Electric : electro-plate, electro-
therapy. Gr. elektron amber.

em- [i]. In, into : embank, embed,
empanel. F. em- = en before b, m, p.

em- [2]. In: emblem, emphatic. Gr.
em- = en before b, m, p.

en- [i]. In: engine, engross; into: en-
join, enter ; to put into : enamour,
encase, encircle ; on : endue, envoy ;
concerning : entreat. F. en, L. in.

en- [2]. Not : enemy. F. en, L. in-.

en~ [3]- In : energy ; into : encaustic ;
on : enclitic. Gr. en.

endo-. Within, inner : endocarp, endo-
genous. Gr. endo.

enne-, ennea-. Nine : enneandrous,
enneahedral. Gr. ennea.

enter-. Between, among : enterprise,
entertain. F. entre, L. inter.

ento-. Internal : entozoon, entophyte.
Gr. entos within.

ep-, eph-, epi-. Upon, over : eparch,
ephebe, episcopal, epidemic, epoch ; in
addition : epact, epilogue ; on the
occasion : epistle ; after : epigone,
epode ; resembling : epidiorite. Gr.
epi, before a vowel ep-, before the
aspirate eph-.

equ-, equi-. Equal : equanimity, equinox,
equivocal. L. aequus.

es-. Out of: escape; out: escheat, essay ;
completely : escort. O.F. es-, L. ex.

eu-, ev-. Well, good : eucalyptus,
eugenic, euphony, evangelist. Gr. en.

ex-. Out, out of : exact, except, exorcize,
export ; forth : exhibit, expect ; with-
out, free from : exalbuminous, excul-
pate ; greatly, very much : exaggerate,
exasperate, exhilarate ; formerly, no
longer : ex -champion, ex- Kaiser. L.
and Gr. ex. See e- (es-), ec-.

exo-. Outside : exogamy, exogen, exo-
skeleton. Gr. exo.

extra-. Outside, beyond : extraordinary,
extra-parochial, extravagant. L. extra.

ferri-. Iron : ferriferous ; containing
iron in its highest combining power :
ferri-cyanic. L. ferrum.

ferro-. Iron : ferro-concrete, ferromag-
netic ; containing iron in its lowest
combining power : ferro-cyanic. L.
ferrum.

fissi-. Cloven : fissidactyl, fissirostral.
L. fissus.

for- [i]. Away, off: forget, forgive; nega-
tive : forbear, forbid, forgo, forsake,
forswear ; with bad effect, excessively :
fordo, forlorn, forworn. A.-S./or-; cp.
G. ver-.

for- [2]. Outside, beyond : forclose, for-
feit, for judge. L. forts out of doors.

fore-. Beforehand : forebode, foresight ;
in front, at the head : forecourt, fore-
man, foreshadow. A.-S. fore-.
gain-. Against : gainsay. O. Norse gegn.
allo-. Gaulish : Gallo-Roman ; French :
Gallophobe. L. Gallus a Gaul.

4639

GAMO-

INTRO-

gamo-. United : gamopetalous. Gf.
gamos marriage.

gastero-, gastr-, gastro-. Stomach,
belly : gasteropod, gastralgia, gas-
tronomy. Gr. gaster.

geo-. The earth : geocentric, geology.
Gr. ge.

glosso-, glotto-. Language : glossology,
glottology. Gr. glossa, glotta tongue.

glyco-. Sweet : glycogen. Gr. glykys.

grapho-. Writing : graphology, grapho-
phone. Gr. graphein to write.

gutturo-. Throat : gutturo-nasal. L.
guttur.

gymno-. Naked : gymnocarpous, gymno-
sophist. Gr. gymnos.

gyn-, gynaeco-. Female : gynandrous,
gynaecocracy. Gr. gyne (ace. gynaik-a]
woman.

gyro-. Revolution, revolving : gyro-
compass, gyroscope. Gr. gyros.

haema-, haemal-, haemato-, haemo-.
Blood : haemabarometer, haematemesis,
haematocyte, haemoglobin. Gr. haima
(gen. -at-os).

hagio-. Holy : hagiographa, hagioscope ;
saints : hagiology. Gr. hagio s.

hect-, hecto-. A hundred : hectare,
hectograph, hectometre. Gr. hekaton.

held-. Sun : helianthus. See helio-.

helico-. Spiral : helicograph, helicopter.

Gr. helix (ace. helik-a).
helio-. Sun : heliocentric, heliostat,

heliotrope. Gr. helios.
helminth-, helmintho-. Parasitic worm :

helminthagogue, helminthology. Gr.

helmins (ace. -inth-a) worm.
hema-, hemat-, hemato- = haema-,

haemat-, haemato-.
hemi- . Half : hemiopic, hemihedral,

hemisphere. Gr. hemi-.
heno-. One : henotheism. Gr. heis

(ace. hen-a}.
hept-, hepta-. Seven : heptachord,

heptarchy. Gr. hepta.
heter-, hetero-. Other, different : hetero-

dont, heterodox, heteromorphic ; ir-
regular : heteroclite, heterography.

Gr. heteros.
hex-, hexa-. Six : hexagon, hexameter,

Hexandria. Gr. hex, hexa-.
hier-, hiero- . Sacred : hierarch, hiero-
glyph. Gr. hieros.
hipp-, hippo-. Horse : hippodrome,

hippopotamus, Hippuris. Gr. hippos.
histo-. Organic tissue : histology. Gr.

histos web.
holo-. Entire : holocaust, holograph.

Gr. holos.

horn-. Same : homatropine. See homo-.
homeo- = homoeo-.

homo-. Same : homogeneous, homo-
ousian, homophone. Gr. homos.

homoeo-, homoio-. Similar : homoeo-
pathy, homoiousian. Gr. homoios.

horo-. Hour: horoscope. Gr. hora.

hydr-, hydro-. Water : hydrangea,
hydraulic, hydrogen, hydrophobia ;
hydrogen : hydracid, hydrochloric.
Gr. hydor, hydr-.

hyeto-. Rain : hyetograph, hyetometer.
Gr. hyetos.

hygro-. Moisture : hygrodeik, hygro-
scope. Gr. hygros moist.

hylo-. Matter : hylotheist, hylozoism.
Gr. hyle.

hyp-. Under : hypaethral, hypallage.
See hypo-.

hyper-. Above, beyond : hyperbaton,
Hyperborean ; excessive, to excess :
hyperbole, hypercritical. Gr. hyper.

hyph-. Under : hyphen. Gr. hyph- =
hypo before the aspirate.

hypno-. Sleep : hypnogenetic, hypnology.
Gr. hypnos.

hypo-. Under, below : hypoblast, hypo-
crite, hypothesis ; less oxidized : hypo-
phosphate. Gr. hypo.

hypso-. Height : hypsography, hypso-
meter. Gr. hypsos.

i-. Not : ignoble, ignominy, ignorant.
L. i- = in- not, before g.

ichno-. Footstep, track : ichnography,
ichnolite. Gr. ikhnos.

ichthyo-. Fish : ichthyology, ichthyo-
saurus. Gr. ikhthys.

icono-. Image : iconoclast, iconography.
Gr. eikon.

ideo-. Idea : ideograph, ideo-motor.
L., Gr. idea.

idio-. Own, private, peculiar : idiograph,
idiosyncrasy. Gr. idios.

il- [i]. In, on, into : illation, illuminate,
illusion. L. il- = in in, before /.

il- [2 . Not: illegal, illogical. L. il- =
in- not, before /.

im- [i]. n, on, into: imbibe, imminent,
impair, impasto. Ital., L. im- = in
in, before b, m, p.

im- [2]. Not : immense, immortal, im-
passe. F., L. im- = in- not, before
m, p.

in- [i]. In : income, inland, instep.
A.-S. or Teut. in.

in- [2]. In, on, into : incursion, inherit,
insect. L. in-, sometimes F. en-.

in- [3]. Not : infidel, insane, invincible.
L. in-.

In do-. Indian : Indo-China, Indo-
European. Gr. Indos.

infra-. Below, after : infralapsarian. L.
infra.

intel-. Between : intellect, intelligent.
L. intel- = inter before /.

inter-. Between, among : intercede,
interdict, interloper, interpret ; mutu-
ally : interact, intermarry. L. inter.

intra-. Inside, within : intracellular,
intramural. L. intra.

intro-. Inward, to the inside : introit,
introspect. L. intro.

4640

IR-

NOSO-

ir- [i]. In, on, into : irradiate, irruption.

L. ir- = in in, before r.
ir- [2]. Not : irremediable, irresolute.

L. ir- = in- not, before r.
iso-. Equal : isobar, isodynamic, isosceles.

Gr. isos.

juxta-. Near : juxtaposition. L. juxta.
kata-. Down : katabolism, kation. Gr.

kata. See cata-.

kilo-. A thousand : kilogramme, kilo-
meter, kilowatt. Through F. from Gr.

khllioi. See chili-.
kineto-. Motion, movement : kineto-

genesis, kinetophone. Gr. kinetos

moved.
labio-. Lip : labiodental, labiomancy.

L. labium.

lacti-, lacto-. Milk : lactiferous, lacto-
meter. L. lac (gen. lact-is}.
laevo-. On the left hand : laevo-gyrate.

L. laevus.
lepido-. Scaly : Lepidoptera, lepi-

dosiren. Gr. lepis (ace. -id-a) scale.
leuco-. White : leucocyte, leucophyl.

Gr. leukos.

ligni-. Wood : lignivorous. L. lignum.
lith-, litho-. Stone : litharge, litho-

genous, lithograph. Gr. lithos.
log-, logo-. Word, speech : logomachy,

logomania ; prose : logoaedic ; ratio :

logarithm, logometer. Gr. logos.
long-, long!-. Long : longaeval, longi-

corn. L. longus.
lopho-. Crest, crested : lophobranclrate,

lophodont. Gr. lopho s.
lye-, lyco-. Wolf : lycanthrope, lycopod.

Gr. lykos.
macro-. Long: macropod, macropterous ;

great : macrocosm, macroscopic. Gr.

makros.
magn-. See magni-.

magneto-. Magnetic, magnetism : mag-
neto-electric, magnetometer. L. magnes
(ace. -et-em) magnet.

magni-, magn-. Great : magnanimous,
magnificent. L. magnus.

man-, maha-. Great : maharajah,
mahatma. Sansk. maha.

mal-. Badly, ill : malodorous, maltreat ;
bad, wrong, faulty : maladministration,
malformation ; not : malapropos, mal-
content. F. mal, L. male. See male-.

malaco-. Soft : malacoderm, malacology.
Gr. malakos.

male-. Badly, ill : malefactor, malevo-
lent. L. male.

man-, mani-. Hand : mancipate, man-
ciple, mandate, manicure, manifest,
manipulate. L. manus.

matri-. Mother : matriarch, matricide,
matrimony. L. mater (ace. matr-em).

medi-, medio-. Middle, in the middle :
mediaeval, medio-depressed, mediter-
ranean. L. medius.

meg-, mega-, megalo-. Great: megohm,
megaphone, megalosaur. Gr. megas
(stem megal-).

mela-, melam-, melan-, melano-.

Black : Melanesian, melampyre,
melancholy, Melanochroi. Gr. melas
(stem melan-).

meli-. Honey : melilite, melilot. Gr.
meli.

melli-. Honey : melliferous, mellifluous.
L. mel (gen. mell-is).

melo-. Song, music : melodrama, melody.
Gr. melos.

meso1-. Middle : mesolithic, mesophloeum,
mesozoic. Gr. mesos.

met-, meta, meth-. Change, transposi-
tion : metabolism, metonymy, metalep-
sis ; beyond : metacentre, metacar-
pus ; after : metaphysics, method ;
over : metaphrase ; in anatomy, etc.,
hindmost, subsequent, more developed :
metathorax, metazoa. Gr. meta.

micro-. Small : microcosm, microscope,
microphone. Gr. mikros.

milli-. Thousand : milligram, millimetre.
L. mille.

mis- [i]. Wrongly : misapply, misdeed ;
ill : misbehave. A.-S. mis-.

mis- [2]. Badly : mischief, miscreant ;
negative or depreciatory : mischance.
O.F. mes-, L. minus less.

mis- [3], miso-. Hate : misanthrope,
misogynist. Gr. mlsein to hate.

mon-, mono-. Single : monocle, mono-
mial, Monophysite ; alone : mono-
logue, monarch. Gr. monos alone.

muci-, muco-, mucoso-. Mucus : muci-
vorous, mucosaccharine, mucoso-
saccharine. L. mucus.

mult-, multi-. Many : multangular,
multiply, multicoloured. L. multus
much, many.

myco-. Fungus : mycology. Gr. mykes
mushroom.

myo-. Muscle : myocardium, myotomy.
Gr. mys (gen. my-os).

mytho-. Myth : mythology, mythopoeic.
Gr. mythos.

ne-, neg-. Not : nefarious, neglect,
neuter. L. ne or neg- (nee).

necro-. Dead body : necromancy, necro-
polis. Gr. nekros.

neg-. See ne-.

nemat-, nemato-, nemo-. Thread :
nemathelminth, nematode, nemocerous.
Gr. nema.

neo-. New, recent : neophyte, neoteric,
Neoplatonism. Gr. neos.

nephr-, nephro-. Kidney : nephritis,
nephrology. Gr. nephros.

neur-, neuro-. Nerve : neuralgia,
neurology. Gr. neuron.

nitro-. Nitre : nitrogen, nitroglycerine.
Gr. nitron.

noct-, nocti-. Night : nocturnal, nocti-
florous. L. nox (ace. noct-em).

non-. Not : nondescript, nonsense. L.
non.

noso-. Disease : nosology. Gr. nosos.

4641

NOTO-

PHYLLO-

noto-. Back : notochord, notonecta. Gr.

noton.
nyct-, nycta-, nycti-. Night : nyctalopia,

nyctitropic. Gr. nyx (ace. nyct-a).
o-. Form of ob-: omit,
ob-. In front of, in the way of: object;

against, near : obnoxious, obsession,

observatory ; away : obliterate. It

takes the forms o-, oc-, of-, op-, (omit,

occupy, offend, oppress). L. ob.
oc-. Form of ob- : occupy, occur.
oct-, octa-, octo-. Eight : octuple,

octagon, octopus. L. octo, Gr. okto.
odont-, odonto-. Tooth : odontoid,

Odontoglossum. Gr. odous (gen.

odont-os).

of- [i]. Form of ob- : offend, offer.
of- [2]. Off : offal. E. off.
oleo-. Oil : oleograph, oleomargarine.

L. oleum.
olig-, oligo-. Few : oligarch, Oligocene.

Gr. oligos little, in pi. (oligoi) few.
omni-. All : omnipotent, omniscient.

L. omnis.
on-. On, in various adverbial senses :

onlooker, onset. E. on.
oneiro-. Dream : oneiromancy. Gr.

oneiros.

oo-. Egg : oolite, oology. Gr. don.
op-. Form of ob- : opportune, oppose.
ophi-, ophio-. Snake : ophiology, ophio-

morphic. Gr. ophis serpent.
ophthaim-, ophthalmo-. Eye : ophthal-
mia, ophthalmoscope. Gr. ophthalmos.
opto-. Sight : optometer, optophone.

Gr. optos seen.
or-. Out, thorough : ordeal. A.-S. or-.

ori-. Mouth : orifice, orinasal. L. os (gen.
ons).

ornitho-. Bird : ornithology, ornitho-
rhynchus. Gr. ornis (ace. ornith-a).

oro-. Mountain : orography, orometer.
Gr. oros.

ortho-. Straight : orthognathous, Orthop-
tera ; correct, right : orthodox, ortho-
epy, orthopaedics. Gr. orthos.

os- [ij. Bone : osprey. L. os.

os- [2]. In front : ostentation. Early L.
ops-, akin to ob.

osteo-. Bone : osteology, osteoplasty.
Gr. osteon.

out-. Out : outbreak, outcast ; beyond :
outbid, outboard ; surpassing : out-
strip. A.-S. ut.

over-. Over : overarch, overbalance ;
above : overcanopy ; across : over-
land, overpass ; beyond : overleaf ; in
excess : over-nice, over-officious, over-
pay. A.-S. ofer.

ovi- [i]. Egg : oviferous, ovipositor. L.
ovum.

ovi- [2]. Sheep : ovibovine. L. ovis.

oxy-. Sharp : oxygen, oxytone ; in
chemistry, denoting the presence of
oxygen in a compound : oxy hydrogen.
Gr. oxys.

paedo-. Child : paedobaptism. Gr. pais
(ace. paid-a).

palae-, palaeo-, paleo-. Ancient : palae-
ontology, palaeolith. Gr. palaios.

palim-, palin-. Again, back again :
palimpsest, palinode. Gr. palin.

pan-, panto-. All, every : panacea, Pan-
American, panoply, pantograph, pan-
theon. Panta- is an alternative spell-
ing in pantagraph. Gr. pas (gen. pant-
os), neuter pan, neuter pi. panta.

par- [i]. Beside : parody, parhelion.
Gr. par- = para- [i ; before a vowel
whether aspirated or not.

par- [2]. By, through : paramount, par-
venu. F. par = L. per.

para- [i]. Beside : parable, paragraph ;
wrong : paradox. Gr. para.

para- [2]. Shielding : parapet ; sheltering
from : parasol ; warding off, preventing :
parachute. Ital. parare (imperative
para] shelter, ward off ; L. parare pre-
pare, make ready (a protection).

pari-. Equal : paripinnate, pari- syllable.
L. par.

pel-. Form of per- [i]. Through, thor-
oughly : pellucid.

pen-. Almost : peninsula, penultimate.
L. paene.

pent-, pent a-. Five : pentarchy, penta-
gon. Gr. penta- = pente five.

per- [i]. Through, throughout : percolate,
perceive, perennial, perorate ; thor-
oughly, completely : percuss, perfect,
persuade, perturb ; exceedingly : per-
spicuous ; to the bad : pervert ; in
chemistry, denoting the presence of an
element in its highest degree of com-
bination : peroxide. L. per.

per- [2]. By : perad venture, perhaps.
O.F. per = par [2], per- [i].

peri-. Around, about : pericarp, peri-
meter, periscope ; thorough : peri-
clase. Gr. peri.

petro-. Rock : petrology, petroleum.
Gr. petra.

pharmaco-. Medicine : pharmacology,
pharmacopoeia. Gr. pharmakon, drug,
poison.

phen-, pheno-. Derived from coal-tar :
phenacetin. Gr. phaino- shining ;
phainein to show : in allusion to coal-
gas.

phil-, philo-. Loving, fond of: philan-
thropy, Philhellene, philosophy. Gr.
philos, from philein to love.

phlebo-. Vein : phlebolite, phlebotomy.
Gr. phlebs (ace. phleb-a).

phon-, phono-. Sound : phonautograph,
phonograph ; voice : phonology. Gr.
phone.

phot-, photo-. Light : photography,
photophone ; by means of photography,
photographic : photomaton, photo-
process. Gr. phos (gen. photos}.

phyllo-. Leaf, leaves: phyllomania ;
leaf -like : phyllopod. Gr. phyllon.

4642

PHYLO-

SINE-

phylo-. Phylum, primary group of animals

or plants in biology : phylogeny. Gr.

phylon race, stock.
physio-. Nature : physiology, physio-

latry ; natural : physiocracy. Gr.

physis, from phyein to produce.
phyto-. Plant : phytogeography, phyto-
phagous ; plant-like : phytozoon. Gr.

phyton.
plani-, piano-. Flat : planipetalous,

planimetry, piano - concave. L.

pi anus.
platy-. Broad and flat : platyrrhine,

platypus. Gr. platys.
pleuro-. Side : pleuronectid ; ribs :

pleurodynia ; pleura, membrane of

the lungs : pleuro - pneumonia. Gr.

pleura rib.
pluri-. Several : pluricentral, plurilateral.

L. plus (ace. plur-em] more.
pluto-. Wealth : plutocracy, plutonomy.

Gr. ploutos.
pneumato-. Air : pneumatocyst ; breath :

pneumatometer ; spirit : pneumato-

logy. Gr. pneuma (gen. pneumat-os)

breath, spirit, wind.
pneumo-. Lung : pneumogastric. Gr.

pneumon.
pol-. Over: pollute. L. pol- = pro-.

poly-. Many ; polyglot, polygon, poly-
technic ; more than one : polybasic,
polyphony ; more than two : poly-
chrome, polycotyledon ; more than
three : polyptych. Gr. polys.

por- [i]. Before, forth : portend. L.
por- = pro-.

por- [2]. Forth : portrait. O.F. por- =
pour for, L. pro.

prae-. Before : praemunire, praetor. L.
prae- = pre-, the usual form in modern

-ti*.

pre-. Before in time : pre-Christian, pre-
dict, pre-war ; before in place or order :
preamble, precipice, prefix, preside ;
before in degree or importance : pre-
eminent. L. prae.

preter-. Beyond, more than : preter-
human, preternatural ; past : pre-
terite ; by : pretermit.

pro- [i]. In front of : propose, pro-
scenium, protect ; forward : proceed,
procumbent, promontory, protrude ; in
the place of, as a substitute for : pro-
cathedral, pronoun ; in relation to :
proportion ; in favour of, siding with :
pro-British, pro- German. In provost
pro- = pre-. L. pro.

pro- [2], Before in time : prochronism,
prodrome, prognosis ; before in place
or order : proboscis, prognathous. Gr.
pro.

prod-. Forth : prodigal ; before : prodigy.
L. prod- old form of pro- [i] retained
before a vowel.

pros-. To, besides, in addition to : prose-
lyte, prosenchyma, prosthesis. Gr.
pros.

prot-, proto-. First, original, primary :
protagonist, protomartyr, prototype,
protoplasm. Gr. protos.

pseud-, pseudo-. False, spurious : pseudo-
graph, pseudepigraph , closely resem-
bling : pseudomorph. Gr. pseudes
false.

psych-, psycho-. Mental, psychical :
psychology, psychiatry, psychogram.
Gr. psykhe soul.

pter-, ptero-. Winged, wing-like : pter-
aspis, pterodactyl. Gr. pteron wing.

pur-. Before purvey. O.F. pur-, pour,
= L. por-, pro [i].

pyr-, pyro-. Fire, heat : pyracanth,
pyromania, pyrometer. Gr. pyr (gen.
pyr-os) .

quadr-, quadri, quadru-. Four : quad-
riga, quadrilateral, quadruped. L.
quadr (i)-, from quattuor four.

quasi-. Almost, as if, virtually : quasi -
historical, quasi-public. L. quasi as if.

quinqua-, quinque, quinqu-. Five,
fivefold : quinquagesima, quinquecos-
tate, quinquennial. L. quinque.

r-. Again, back : rally. F. r- = re-.

radio-. Ray, radiation : radiograph,
radiolite, radiomicrometer, radioactive ;
in anatomy, radius : radiocarpal.
L. radius ray.

re, red-, ren-. Back : recall, recur,
return ; again, anew : rearm, refill ; in
opposition : reluctant, resist ; in re-
turn : repay, revenge ; behind, used
as an intensive : rejoice ; after : relic ;
frequentative : research ; negative :
reprove, reveal. Before vowels in words
of L. origin re- becomes red-, this being
changed to ren- in O.F., whence rent,
render, etc. In hyphenated words re-
emphasizes the sense of again, as
re-mark = mark again. L. re-.

retro-. Back, backward, in return :
retropulsion, retrograde. L. retro.

rhino-. Nostril : rhinoceros, rhinoscope.
Gr. this (ace. rhin-a).

rhizo-. Root : rhizocarp. Gr. rhiza.

sans-. Without : sans-seriph, sans-
culotte. F. sans, from L. sine.

sarco-. Flesh : sarcophagus. Gr. sarx
(ace. sark-a) flesh.

se-, sed-. Aside, apart, without : secede,
sedition, seduce, secure. L. se-, sed- by
oneself.

seismo-. Earthquake : seismography,
seismology. Gr. seismos.

semi-. Half, in part : semicircle^ semi-
conscious. L. semi-.

sept-, septa-, septem-, septi-. Seven :
septfoil, septangular, September, septi-
syllable. F. sept, L. septem.

sesqui-. One and a half : sesquipedalian.
L. sesqui-, from semis half, -que and.

sex-, sexi-. Six : sexpartite, sexisyllable.
L. sex.

sine-. Without : sinecure. L. sine without,

literally if not.
4643

SOMATO-

ZYGO-

somato- Body : somatology. Gr. soma
(gen. somat-os}.

sphygmo-. Pulse : sphygmograph,
sphygmoscope. Gr. sphygmos.

spiro-. Breath : spirograph, spirometer.
L. spirdre to breathe.

stereo- Solid : stereography, stereoscope,
firm : stereochromy, stereotype. Gr.
stereos.

sub-. Under : subject ; somewhat, less
than : subacute ; inferior : sublieuten-
ant ; beneath : subaxillary. It has
the forms sue-, suf-, sug-, sum-, sup-,
sur-, sus- (succinct, suffix, suggest,
summon, suppose, surrogate, suspend).
L. sub.

subter-. Underneath : subterposition.
L. = beneath, comparative form of sub.

sue-, suf-, sug, sum-, sup. Forms of
sub-.

super-. Over, above : superjacent, super-
terrestrial ; beyond : supernatural ; in
excess : superfluous.

supra-. Above : supracostal, supra-
liminal, supramundane. L. supra.

sur- [i]. Form of sub-.

sur- [2]. Over, above : surface, surmount,
surplice, survey ; upon : surprise ; be-
yond : survive ; in addition : sur-
charge, surtax. F. sur- from L. super.

sus-. Form of sub-.

sy-, syl-, sym-. Forms of syn- : system,
syllable, sympathy.

syn-. With : symbion ; together : syn-
chronous ; at the same time : syn-
anthous. Gr. syn.

tauto-. Same : tautology. Gr. tauto, to
auto the same.

tele-. Far : telegraphy, telescope. Gr.
tele.

terato-. Wonder : teratology ; monster :
teratogenic. Gr. teras (gen. terat-os}.

tetra-. Four : tetragon, tetrachord. Gr.
tetra-, from tetora four.

theatro-. Theatre : theatromania. Gr.
theatron.

theo-. God : theogony, theology, theo-
sophy. Gr. theos.

therio-. Beast : Theriodonta, theriomor-
phism. Gr. therion, dim. of ther.

thermo-. Warm, hot : thermodynamics,
thermometer. Gr. thermos.

tibio-. Shin-bone : tibiofemoral, tibio-
tarsus. L. tibia.

to-. To, at, on : to-day, to-night, to-
morrow. A.-S. to.

tra-, tran-, trans-. Across : traverse,
transcontinental, transilient, transmit ;
beyond, on the other side of : tramon-
tane, transatlantic, transcend, trans-
frontier ; to the other side of : trans-
atlantic ; through : transfix ; into a
different state or substance : transub-
stantiation, transform. L. trans.

tres-. Across : trespass, trestle. O.F.
ires- = L. trans.

tri- [i]. Three : triangle, trivial ; three
times : trifid, triplicate. L. tri- = tres
three.

tri- [2]. Three : trilogy, trimeter, tri-
pod. Gr. tri- = treis (neuter pi. trio).

tubi-. Tube : tubiform. L. tubus.

twi-. Two, double : twilight, twifold.

A.-S. twi-.
typo-. Type : typography. Gr. typos.

ultra-. Beyond : ultramarine, ultramon-
tane, ultra-violet ; excessively : ultra-
critical, ultra-fashionable. L. ultra.

un- [i]. Not : unaware, unofficial, untrue ;
denoting complete negation : unchris-
tian, unprofessional. A.-S. un-, akin
to L. in-, Gr. an-.

un- [2]. Denoting a reversal of an action
or process : undo, unlearn, untie :
separating or taking away from : un-
gum, unshell ; freeing or displacing
from : uncage, unhorse, unthrone ;
removing from the position of : unking.
In unloose, un- has merely an intensive
force. A.-S. on-, akin to G. ent-.

A number of words with the prefix
un- can be used in both the senses of
un- [i] and un- [2], Examples are :
unbridled, undoable, unwound.

un~ [Si- One, single : unanimous. L.
un- ~ uni- before a vowel.

under-. Below : underfoot, underground,
underswell ; situated beneath : under-
garment, undergrowth ; lower than :
underbid ; too low, not sufficient or
complete : underestimate, underrate,
understate ; subordinate : under-secre-
tary. A.-S. under.

uni-. One, single : unicorn, uniform,
unison. L. units.

up-. To a higher place or position : up-
growth, upheaval, uphill. A.-S. up.

vermi-. Worm : vermiform, vermifuge.
L. vermis.

vice-. Acting or qualified to act in the
place of : vice-chairman, viceroy ; next
in rank beneath : vice-admiral, vice-
dean. L. vice.

vini-. Vine : viniculture ; wine : vini-
facteur. L. vlnum wine.

with-. Against : withstand ; back, away :
withdraw, withhold. A.-S. with.

xanth-, xantho-. Yellow : xanthophyll,
Xanthochroi. Gr. xanthos.

xen, xeno-. Strange : xenogamy, xeno-
mania. Gr. xenos.

xer-, xero-. Dry : xeranthemum, xero-
philous. Gr. xeros.

xyl-, xylo-. Wood, xylocarp, xylophone.
Gr. xylon.

y-. Indicating p.p. : yclept. A.-S. ge-.

zoo-. Living thing, animal : zoology, zoo-
phyte. Gr. zoon.

zyg-, zygo-. Joined or arranged as a
pair, or in pairs : zygapophysis, zygo-
dactyl. Gr. zygon yoke.

4644

-ABILITY

-ANA

SUFFIXES AND THEIR MEANINGS

Letters and Syllables that are Formative Endings oi English Words

In the following list the suffix is given first, next the part of speech which it forms, then its meaning, with
one or more words of which it forms the ending, and finally the source from which it is derived. Suffixes
are often combined ; thus in educationally we find -at(e), -ion, -al, -ly, in anatomical, ~tom(y), -ic, -al.
An ending regarded as a suffix often begins with a vowel really belonging to the stem of the Word to which
it is affixed, as ~able, ~ible, -ate [1], and [2], -etc [2], -He [2], -ial, -ian

naiad, dryad ; epic poem : Iliad,
Dunciad. Gr. -as (ace. -ad-a).

-ad [2], n. = -ade : ballad, salad. F. -ade.

-ade, n. Thing made of : arcade, barricade ;
lemonade ; body or collection : caval-
cade ; action : fusillade, promenade.
F. -ade, L. -ata (fern, of -atus, p.p. of
verbs in -are}. See -ad [2].

-ado, n. Person in specified condition :
desperado. It is sometimes changed
to -ade in English, as renegade. Span.,
Port., from L. atus. See -ade.

-ador, -adour, n. Agent : matador,
troubadour. Span, -ador and Prov.
-adour, L. -ator. See -ator.

-aemia, n. Blood : anaemia, septicaemia.
Gr. haima.

-age, n. Collection, aggregate : baggage,
cellarage ; condition, function : bond-
age, peerage ; action : cleavage ; fee,
or cost incurred : cartage, demurrage,
porterage. F., from L.L. -dticum, some-
thing belonging to. See -ate [i], -ic.

-ain, n. and adj. Belonging to : captain,
certain, riverain, villain. F., from L.
-anus, -dneus.

-aine, n. Woman belonging to : chatelaine.
F., fern, of -ain.

-aire, n. Person concerned with : com-
missionaire, millionaire ; thing con-
nected with : secretaire, solitaire. F.,
from L. -drius. See -ary [2].

-al [i], adj. and n. Pertaining to, doing,
or suffering : animal, annual, brutal,
colossal, criminal ; betrayal, bestowal.
Through F., or directly from L. -alis,
neuter -ale ; with E. words by analogy.

-al [2], n. Action : burial. A.-S. -els.

-al [3], n. Chemical suffix denoting deriva-
tion from an alcohol : chloral. E.
alcohol.

-ality, -alty, n. Condition or quality, or
an instance of it : generality, person-
ality ; specialty. F. -alite, L. -dlitas.
See -al [i] and -ty.

-an, adj. and n. Belonging to; added to
place names, or names used in zoology :
median, Anglican, Italian, Spartan,
batrachian, human ; denoting a follower
or adherent of : Lutheran, Wesley an.
Through F. -ain or directly from L.
-anus. See -ain, -ane [i], -ean, -ian.

-ana, n. Added to names to denote a
collection of sayings of, anecdotes
about, or publications dealing with the

-ability, -ibility, -bility, n. Used to form
abstract nouns from adjectives in -able,
-ible, -ble : suitability, feasibility,
nobility. F. -abilite, -ibilite, -bilite,
L. -abilitds, -ibilitds, -bilitds.

-able, -ible, -ble, adj. Capable of ; able
or fit to be ; suitable for ; sometimes
in active sense : capable, comfortable,
but now generally used in a passive
sense : movable, eatable, defensible,
noble, honourable. F. -able, -ible,
-ble, L. -abilis, -ibilis, -bilis.

— ac, n. and adj. ; acal, adj. Pertaining to :
cardiac, demoniac, elegiac, iliac, maniac,
demoniacal, maniacal. Adjectives in
-ac are often used as nouns. The com-
pound suffix -acal is used to distinguish
adjectives, or, as in cardiacal, to show
a less close connexion with the noun.
See -al [i]. L. -acus, Gr. -akos, after
stems with i-.

-ace, n. Depreciatory suffix : populace ;
thing made of : pinnace, pomace,
terrace. F., usually = Ital. accio, -accia,
-azzo, -azza.

-acea, «. Plural, designating classes or
orders of animals : Crustacea, Cetacea.
L. neuter pi. of -aceus.

-aceae, n. Plural, used to form names of
families or orders of plants : Rosaceae,
Ranunculaceae. L. fern, pi., as -acea,
qualifying n. plantae.

-acean, n. and adj. Forming singular nouns
or adjectives corresponding to the
collective nouns in -acea : crustacean,
cetacean. L. -acea and E. -an.

-aceous, adj. Of the nature of ; forming
adjectives from nouns used in zoology,
botany, and other sciences : diatom-
aceous, farinaceous, liliaceous, rosace-
ous. L. -acea and E. -ous.

-acious, adj. Full of, abounding in, given
to : audacious, loquacious, pugnacious.
Added to verbal stems. L. -ax (stem
-aci-} and E. -ous.

-acity, n. Forming abstract nouns from
adjectives in -acious : audacity, lo-
quacity: pugnacity. F. -acite, L. -acitas
(ace. -tat-em).

-acy, n. Forming nouns of state, condition,
quality, or office : primacy, magistracy,
supremacy. O.F. -acie, L. -alia.

-ad [i], n. Member of a group of specified
number : monad, triad ; in chemistry,
denoting valency : dyad, pentad ; in
mythology : nymph of a special class :

4645

•ANGE

person or place in question : Baconiana,
Shakespeariana, Tunbrigiana, Johnsoni-
ana. In these i is euphonic. In F.
originally denoting the sayings of ;
widened in later E. use. Neuter pi. of
L. -anus. See -an.

-ance, n. Forming abstract nouns of action,
state, or quality : assistance, persever-
ance, abundance. F. -ance, originally
from L. -antia, from verbs in -are (pres.
p. -ans, -ant-em] but extended to other
verbs. Also a living suffix added to
E. verbs, as furtherance.

-ancy, n. Forming abstract nouns as -ance,
but generally indicating only quality
or state, and not action : constancy,
buoyancy, infancy, vacancy. E. modi-
fication of F. -ance, L. -antia. Sec -y [4].

-and, n. Fit to be, intended to be : deo-
dand, multiplicand. L. -andum, form-
ing neuter gerundive of verbs in -are.

-androus, adj. Having a husband or hus-
bands; in botany, having a free stamen
or stamens : monandrous, polyandrous.
Gr. aner (ace. andr-a), man, husband,
male, and E. -ous.

-ane [i], adj. Pertaining to : mundane ;
used instead of -an to give a different
meaning : humane, urbane. L. -anus.

-ane [2], n. In chemistry, denoting a certain
series of hydrocarbon types. Arbitrarily
formed. See -ene, -ine [4], -one.

-aneity, n. Forming abstract n. from adj.
in -aneous : spontaneity. F. -aneite,
L. type -aneitds. See -ity.

-aneous, adj. Pertaining to : extraneous,
instantaneous. L. -aneits and E. -ous.

-ant, adj. and n. As adj., acting, existing :
distant, elegant, errant, trenchant ; in
heraldry, describing action of animal :
couchant, passant, rampant ; as n.,
agent : accountant, litigant, merchant ;
thing producing effect : stimulant. F.
-ant pres. p., or L. -ans (ace. -ant-em)
pres. p. of verbs in -are.

-ar [i], n. Agent : beggar, liar. Variant
of E. -er [i], in beggar altered from -ard.

-ar [2], adj. and n. Pertaining to, of the
nature of : angular, consular, lunar,
popular ; person or thing connected
with : altar, pillar, scholar. L. -am,
neuter -are, partly through O.F. -er
(F. -aire, -ier). See -ary [i].

-ar [3], n. Person or thing connected with :
bursar, cellar, mortar, vicar. L. -arius,
neuter -arium, partly through F. -aire,
-ier. See -ary [2].

-arch, n. Ruler : monarch, patriarch,
tetrarch. Gr. -arkhes, from arkhein to
rule.

-ard, -art, n. Of persons, expressing
contempt or censure : braggart, coward,
drunkard, sluggard ; of things, instru-
ment, etc. ; brassard, placard, standard,
O.F. -ard, -art, G. -hart, hard hardy, bold,
common in proper names.

-ATILE

-arian, adj. and n. Denoting occupation,
pursuit, adherence to a sect or party :
antiquarian, Unitarian, vegetarian ;
denoting age : octogenarian. L. -arius
and E. -an. See -ary [2],

-arium, n. Thing or place connected with :
aquarium, honorarium, planetarium,
vivarium. L. -arium. See -ary [2].

-art. n. Variant of -ard.

-ary [i], adj. Variant of -ar [2] : exem-
plary, military, salutary. L. -am.

-ary [2], adj. and n. Pertaining to : arbi-
trary, contrary, elementary ; of the
specified class : primary ; person occu-
pied with : actuary, apothecary ; place
connected with, receptacle for : aviary,
fritillary, granary, stannary ; things
regarded collectively : statuary. L.
-arius, -aria, -arium ; in some words
through F. -aire. See -ar [3].

-ase, n. In chemistry : enzyme or fer-
ment : zymase. Arbitrarily formed
after diastase.

-asis, n. Disease : elephantiasis, psoriasis.
Gr. -dsis, from verbs in -an.

-asm, n. State or result : chasm, enthu
siasm, phantasm, spasm. Gr. -asma,
-asmos, forming nouns from verbs in -an,
-dzein. See -ism.

-ast n. Agent, person occupied with :
enthusiast, fantast, iconoclast. Gr.
-astes, forming agent nouns from verbs
in -an, -azein. See -ist.

-aster, n. Diminutive : pilaster ; denot-
ing depreciation or contempt : criticaster,
poetaster. L. -aster, diminutive.

-astic, adj. Forming adj. from words in
-asm, -ast : ecclesiastic, enthusiastic,
pleonastic. Gr. -astikos. See -ic.

-ata, n.pl. In zoology, denoting a sub-
kingdom or other large division : Chor-
data, Tunicata, Vertebrata. L. neuter
pi. -ata, as -ate [i].

-ate [i], adj. and n. Forming adjs. from
p.p. of L. verb : desolate, sedate, tem-
perate ; similarly forming nouns :
legate, mandate ; forming adjs. and
nouns, furnished with : caudate, candi-
date ; shaped like : cordate, ovate.
L. -atus, p.p. of verbs in -are.

-ate [2], v. Forming verbs from L. p.p.
in -atus, as in -ate [i] : aggravate, fas-
cinate, separate ; forming other verbs
by analogy : assassinate, camphorate,
incapacitate, isolate. From -ate [ij.

-ate [3], n. Office, function, body of
officers : directorate, episcopate, syndi-
cate, tribunate ; salt from an acid
in -ic : carbonate, nitrate. L. -atus.

-atic, adj. and n. Pertaining to : aquatic,
erratic, fanaticj lunatic. L. -dticus.
See -ate [i] and -ic. In dramatic,
emphatic the suffix is -ic.

-atile, adj. = -He following L. p.p. suffix
-atus : volatile. See -ate [i], -ile.

4646

-ATILITY

-EL

-atility, n. Abstract n. from adj. in -atile :
versatility. See -atile, -ity.

-ation, n. Nouns denoting action or
resulting state, or instance of either,
formed from or on the analogy of L.
nouns in -atio (ace. -ation-em], from
verbs in -are, also from F. nouns in
-ation from verbs in -er. For examples
see -tion.

-ative, adj. ; -ator, n. ; -atory, adj. and n.
Suffixes from or on the analogy of L.
verbal stems in -a- (infinitive -are) with

E. suffixes -five, -tor, -tory. See -tive,
-tor, -tory.

-bility, n. Abstract nouns. See -ability.

-blast, n. In biology, a formative cell-
tissue : epiblast, mesoblast. Gr.
blastos bud, shoot.

-ble [i], adj. See -able.

-ble [2], adj. -fold : double, treble. F.
-ble, from L. -plus.

-bund, adj. Ready or tending to : mori-
bund. L. -bundus.

-carp, n., -carpous, adj. Fruit : epicarp,
gymnocarpous. Gr. karpos.

-ce, adv. Forming E. adverbs : once,
since, thence. A.-S. gen. sing, -es,
extended by analogy.

-cephalic, -cephalous, adj. Head, -headed:
dolichocephalic, hydrocephalous. Gr.
kephale head.

— cide, n. Slayer : tyrannicide ; act of slay-
ing : parricide. L. -clda slayer, -cidium
a slaying.

-cle, n. Diminutive : corpuscle, particle,
uncle. F. -cle, L. -culus, -cula, -culum.
See -cule, -uncle.

-coele, n. In biology, cavity : mesocoele.
Gr. koilon hollow place.

-cracy, n. Rule : aristocracy, bureaucracy,
ochlocracy. O.F. -cracie, Gr. -kratia.

-craft, n. Skill, knowledge : handicraft,
witchcraft, woodcraft. A.-S. craeft
strength, skill.

-crat, n. Ruler : autocrat ; person favour-
ing specified form of rule : democrat.

F. -crate, Gr. -krates.

-cratic, adj. Forming adj. from -crat.
See -ic.

-cula, n. Diminutive : auricula. L. -cula.
See -cule.

-cular, adj. Relating to dim. n. : particu-
lar, vascular. L. -cularis, -cularius.
See -cule, -ar [2] and [3].

-cule, n. Diminutive : animalcule, reti-
cule, ridicule. L. -culus, -cula, -culum,
in some words through F. -cule.

-culous, adj. Slightly : meticulous, ridi-
culous. L. -culosus, or L. -culus, etc.,
forming dim. adj., with E. -ous.

-culum, n., -culus, n. Diminutive : fasci-
culus, homunculus, loculus, vasculum.
L. -culus, masc., -culum, neuter.

-cund, adj. Forming adj. from L. verbal
stem : fecund, rubicund. L. -cundus.

-cy, n. Abstract n. of very various origin ;
corresponding to participial adjs. in
-ant, -ent, -ient : vacancy, decency,
leniency ; corresponding to adjs. and
nouns in -ate, -et, -ot : curacy, piracy,
secrecy, prophecy, idiocy ; from L.
abstract nouns from adjs. in -ax (see
-acious) : fallacy ; from L., L.L. and
Gr. nouns in -tia, or Gr. in -teia : papacy,
policy. It often denotes rank or office :
captaincy, chaplaincy, colonelcy, on
the analogy of lieutenancy, etc. F.-cie,
-tie, L. -tia, -da, Gr. -tia, -teia, etc.

-cyte, n. Cell ; used to form biological
words : leucocyte, phagocyte. Gr.
kytos vessel.

-d, n. Forming nouns with passive sense
from verbal stems : deed, flood, seed.
A.-S. -d.

-dom, n. Rank, office, domain, power, or
condition : dukedom, kingdom, freedom,
martyrdom, wisdom ; collective singular :
officialdom, Christendom. A.-S. dom
doom, jurisdiction ; cp. G. -turn.

-drome, n. Place for running : aerodrome,
hippodrome. Gr. dromos course, from
dramein to run.

-ean, n and adj. Of, pertaining to, similar :
empyrean, Periclean, Menippean, Gali-
lean. L. -aeus, Gr. -aios, with E. -an.

-ed, adj. Ending of the p.p. of weak verbs :
helped, and of analogous adjectives,
meaning provided with : cultured,
honeyed, feathered. A.-S. -ed, -od,
ultimately corresponding to L. -tus ;
in adjs. A.-S. -ede.

-ee, n. Chiefly legal, denoting the recipient
or the object of an action : addressee,
legatee, lessee, payee, vendee ; in a more
general sense : refugee. F. and A.-F. -e,
from L. p.p. -atus ; correlative with
agent nouns in -er, -or. Words like
Pharisee, Sadducee, jubilee, are from
L. -aeus. Absentee, bargee, devotee,
are arbitrary ; -ee is also a rare
diminutive, as in goatee, settee.

-een, n. Irish diminutive : colleen,
potheen, squireen. Irish -In.

-eer, n. and v. Nouns denoting occupation,
or person concerned with : charioteer,
muleteer, mutineer ; in bombardier the
F. -ier is retained. New nouns are
freely formed, as auctioneer, pamph-
leteer, profiteer, pulpiteer, sonneteer,
the word often expressing the idea of
contempt. Verbs (as electioneer, pro-
fiteer, etc.) are formed by back-forma-
tion, or are borrowed from Dutch -even :
commandeer. F. -ier, from L. -idrius
or -drius.

-el [i], n. Diminutive, in words of Teut.
origin : kernel. A.-S. -el. See -le [i].

-el [2], n. Instrument : shovel, teasel.
A.-S. -/, -el.

-el [3], v. Diminutive or frequentative :
drivel, shrivel, snivel. A.-.S. -lian.
See -le [2].

4647

-EL

-ESS

-el [4], n. Diminutive, in words of Romance
or L. origin : chapel, colonel, kennel,
libel, squirrel, vessel. O.F. -el (F. -eau)
masc., -elle fern., L. -ellus, -ella, -ellum.
See -elle.

-elle, n. Diminutive (originally fern.) :
bagatelle, chanterelle. F. -elle. See
-el [4],

-en [i], p.p and adj. Forming p.p. of
strong verbs : broken, spoken. This
form often survives only in adjectival
use, as drunken, rotten. A.-S. -en.

-en [2], adj. Forming adjs. from nouns.
Made of, resembling, pertaining to :
earthen, golden, woollen. A.-S. -en,
akin to -ine [i]. Olden is perhaps an
oblique case of old.

-en [3], v.t. and i. Forming verbs, often
causative, from adjs. and nouns :
deepen, fasten, frighten, happen,
hearten, whiten. A.-S. -nan, -nian.

-en [4], n. Diminutive : chicken, maiden.
A.-S. -en.

-en [5], n. • Forming the feminine : vixen —
the only example in modern English.
A.-S. -en (G. -in). See -ina [i].

-ence, -ency, n. Abstract n. : compet-
. ence, competency, consistence, consist-
. ency. L. -entia, forming verbal nouns
from verbs in -ere, -ere. See -afrce.

-end [i], n. Originally forming present
participle : fiend, friend, A.-S. -ond.

-end [2], adj. and n. Meet to be treated
in specified way : reverend ; thing
intended to be similarly treated : divi-
dend. L. -end-us, -a, -um, gerundive
of verbs in -ere, -ere.

-endum, n. As -end [2], n. : addendum,
corrigendum, referendum. L. -endum
neuter of gerundive.

-ene, n., adj. In chemistry, denoting a
compound of hydrogen and carbon :
benzene, naphthene ; of, pertaining to :
Nicene. L. -enus, adj. suffix.

-ent, adj., n. = -ant : apparent, dependent,
transient. L. pres. p. in -ens (ace.
-ent-em) of verbs in -ere, -ere, -ire.

-ecus, adj. Of the nature of : aqueous,
arboreous, ligneous. In righteous,
-eous = -wise. L. -e-us, with E. -ous.
See -ous.

-er [i], n. Originally agent suffix with
native E. words, especially of trades
and occupations : baker, player, singer ;
person concerned with : hatter ; denot-
ing an instrument concerned with some-
thing : knocker, poker ; belonging to,
born, or residing in : Laplander,
Londoner. Extended to form nouns
with words of foreign origin : astrono-
mer, geographer ; used colloquially for
person or thing connected with : fiver,
header, out-and-outer. This suffix is
doubled in caterer, poulterer,
upholsterer. A.-S. -ere, akin to L.
-drius.

-er [2], n. With words of Romance origin,
denoting agent: butler, carpenter,
farmer ; thing connected with : border,
sampler. Of various origins : O.F. -ier,
L. -drius ; O.F. -er, L. -dris, -are ;
O.F. -eure, L. -dtura.

-er [3], n. In law terms, etc., denoting an
action, or . document authorizing it :
cesser, disclaimer, user ; denoting a
single example of an action : dinner,
misnomer, supper. F. -er, -re, indi-
cating infinitive, L. -are, -ere, -ere.

-er [4], v. and n. Forming a verb, or
verbal noun, expressing frequent repeti-
tion of an action, intensity (often with
imitative sound) : flicker, flutter,
shimmer, slumber, wander. A.-S. -rian.

-erel, n. Diminutive : cockerel, doggerel,
dotterel, pickerel. O.F. -erel. See -rel.

-erie, n. Collective = -ery : coterie,
menagerie. F. -erie.

-ern [i], adj. Denoting direction : eastern,
western. A.-S. -ern.

-ern [2], n. and adj. Forming names of
things : cavern, cistern, lantern,
tavern ; belonging to : modern. F.
-erne, L. -erna, n., -ern-us, adj.

-ery, n. Place of work : bakery, brewery ;
occupation or conduct : archery, fish-
ery, foolery, knavery ; kind of goods
dealt in : drapery, grocery ; every-
thing that has to do with : jobbery,
popery. F. -erie, L. -aria neuter pi. of
-drius (-ary [2]) ; or O.F. -ere (F. -eur, L.
-dtor] and -ie (E. -y). Extended in E.
to many new formations, to form ab-
stract and collective nouns, especially
corresponding to agent nouns in -er [i].
See -ory [2], -ry.

-esce, v. To begin to (inceptive) : ac-
quiesce, convalesce, effervesce. L.
-escere.

-escence, n. Denoting a beginning to :
convalescence, efflorescence. F.

escence, L. -escentia. See -esce.

-escent, adj. Having the quality of begin-
ning to ; convalescent, effervescent,
excrescent ; becoming, tending to be-
come, slightly : alkalescent ; denoting
a play of colours, or colours of the
nature of : fluorescent, iridescent, opal-
escent. L. -escens (ace. -ent-em) pres.
p. See -esce.

-ese, adj. and n. Of, pertaining to, or
an inhabitant, the inhabitants, or the
language of : Chinese, Genoese, Sudan-
ese ; denoting the literary style of :
Johnsonese, journalese. O.F. -eis,
Ital. -ese, L. -ensis.

-esque, adj. Resembling in style or mat-
ter : arabesque, Dantesque, grotesque,
picturesque, Romanesque, statuesque.
F. -esque, Ital. -esco, L.L. -iscus, akin
to E. -ish.

-ess [i], n. Denoting the feminine : baron-
ess, giantess, goddess, lioness, waitress.
F. -esse, L. -issa.

4648

-ESS

-IBLE

-ess [2], n. Forming abstract nouns from
adjectives : duress, largess, prowess.
The prefix is disguised in laches and
riches, now taken for plurals. O.F.
-esse (Ital. -ezza), L. -itia. See -ice.

— et [i], n. Forming diminutives in words
from French : billet, bullet, hatchet,
islet, sonnet. O.F. -et, -ette, Ital. -etto,
-etta, L. -itta (fern.).

-et [2], -ete [i], -etes, n. Originally form-
ing agent nouns, the sense now being
often lost : athlete, comet, diabetes,
poet. Gr. -etes, affixed to verbal stems.

-et [3]» -ete [2], adj. and n. Passive :
quiet, secret, complete, replete. L. -et
-us, forming p.p. of verbs in -ere,. -ere.

-ette, n. Diminutive (originally fern.) :
cigarette, serviette, statuette ; popu-
larly used to form a fern. : suifragette.
F. -ette. See -et [i].

-facient, adj. Making : calefacient, rube-
facient. L. faciens (ace. -ent-em], pres.
p. of facere to make.

-faction, n. A making : calefaction,
petrifaction, satisfaction. L. -factio
(ace. -on-em) from factus p.p. of facere
to make.

-fare, n. Passage, way, journey : thor-
oughfare, welfare. A.-S. faru a going,
from faran to go, travel.

-fast. adj. Firm, fixed, fast : steadfast-
In shamefaced, -faced = -fast. A.-S. faest-

-fer, n. Producer or bearer of : conifer,
lucifer. L. -fer, from ferre to bear.

-ferous, adj. Producing, bearing : calcr
ferous, coniferous, glandiferous. E-
-fer, and -cms.

-fie, adj., -ficate, n., -fication, n. Mak-
ing, producing : beatific, malefic, mor-
bific, soporific ; thing made : certifi-
cate ; a making : acidification, certi-
fication, glorification, specification. L.
-ficus, adj., -ficat-us p.p., -ficatio (ace.
-on-em) verbal n., from -ficare, weakened
form of facere to make. See -fy.

-ficence, -ficiency, n., -ficent, -ficient,
adj. Being: magnificence, proficiency;
having : magnificent, proficient. F.
-ficence, etc., L. -ficentia (ace. -ficent-em) ,
-ficientia, -ficiens (ace. -ficient-em], all
from facere to make.

-fid, adj. Cleft : bifid. L. -fidus (findere
to cleave).

-florous, adj. Having a flower or flowers :
multiflorous, uniflorous. L. -florus,
from flos (ace. flor-em), and E. -ous.

-fold, adj. and adv. Multiplied a specified
number of times : fourfold, manifold.
A.-S. -feald, akin to fealdan to fold.

-form, adj. Having the form of : cruci-
form, uniform, vermiform. L. -formis,
from forma form.

-fuge, n. Thing that expels : febrifuge,
vermifuge. F. -fuge, from L. fugare
to put to flight.

-ful, adj. and n. Full of : artful, beauti-
ful, harmful ; quantity that will fill :
handful, spoonful. A.-S. ful full.

-fy, v. To make, to bring into a certain
state : beautify, petrify. F. -fier, L.
-ficdre, from facere to make.

-gam, n. In botany, plant having seed
vessels of specified character : phanero-
gam. Gr. gamos marriage.

-gamous, adj. Marrying : bigamous, poly-
gamous ; in botany (also -gamic),
having seed vessels of specified char-
acter : cryptogamous. Gr. gamos
marriage.

-gamy, n. Marriage : bigamy, polygamy.
Gr. -gamia, from gamos marriage.

-gen, n. Producer : exogen, hydrogen.
Gr. root gen- to produce.

-genie, -gen ous, adj. Producing, pro-
duced, connected with production :
eugenic, indigenous. See -gen, -ic, -ous.

-geny, n. Production : anthropogeny.
Gr. -geneia. See -gen.

-gon, n. Angle : pentagon, octagon. Gr.
gonia angle.

-gram, n. Something written or drawn :
cryptogram, telegram ; weight it, metric
system : kilogram. Gr. gramma thing
written, from graphein to write.

-graph, n. That which writes or is written :
telegraph, autograph. Gr. graphein to
write.

-graphy, n. Writing, description : bio-
graphy, geography. Gr. graphein to
write.

-gynous, adj. Relating to women ; in
botany, denoting position, nature, or
number of pistils : polygynous. Gr.
gyne woman, female, and E. -ous.

-head, -hood, n. Condition, quality,
group : Godhead, brotherhood, child-
hood, likelihood. A.-S. -had person,
condition, quality. Cp. G. -heit:

-ia [i], n. Nouns in L. or Gr. form : militia,
sepia ; name of a country : Australia,
Prussia ; disease : malaria, neuralgia ;
in chemistry, alkaloid : morphia ; in
botany, genus : dahlia, fuchsia. L.
and Gr. -ia, forming fern, nouns.

-ia [2], n. Collective pi. nouns in L. or
Gr. form : bacteria, regalia ; in zoo-
logy, class: Mammalia, Reptilia; festi-
val : Saturnalia. L. and Gr. -ia, form-
ing pi. of neuter nouns.

-ial, adj. Forming adjs. from L. adjs.
in -is, -ius : celestial, dictatorial. L.
-ialis, -iale. See -al [i].

-ian, adj. and n. Belonging to, person
belonging to : Bostonian, Christian,
Etonian, Italian, Miltonian, Rumanian.
L. -ianus = -anus (E. -an) after -i-, or
with connecting -i-, extended in E.
with proper names.

-ible, adj. Capable of being : avertible,
edible, flexible, legible. L. -ibilis. See
-able.

086

4649

i x 7

-ISH

-ic, adj. and n. Of, belonging to, con-
nected with, like : alcoholic, algebraic,
critic, domestic, physic, rustic ; caus-
ing : emetic ; forming names of sciences
and arts : arithmetic, epic, logic, music ;
in chemistry, denoting a compound
containing more oxygen, and less of
the element named in the stem, than
-ous : chloric, ferric, sulphuric. In
names of sciences and practical occupa-
tions, the pi. is often used, treated
either as sing, or pi. : acoustics, ath-
letics, dynamics, metaphysics, politics.
L. -icus, Gr. -ikos.

-ical, adj. Forming adjs. as ic-, sometimes
having a less close connexion with
stem, or where the word in -ic is used
as a noun : algebraical, comical, mathe-
matical, musical. E. -ic, and -al [i].

-ice, n. Abstract nouns : avarice, coward-
ice, justice, notice. In bodice -ice is
a pi. termination. O.F. -ice, L. -itia,
-itium.

-ician, n. One who is skilled in an art or
science the name of which ends in -ic,
-ics : arithmetician, musician, optician,
tactician. F. -icien ; E. -ic and -ian.

-icious, adj. = -itious : avaricious, mali-
cious. From -ice and -ous.

-id [i], n. Patronymic : Seleucid, Nereid ;
zoological terms : felid. F. -ide, L.,
Gr. -ides, fern, -is (stem -id-].

-id [2], adj. Having a quality: acid, frigid,
tepid. F. -ide, from L. -idus.

-ida, n. Zoological. Used to form names
of groups usually larger than a family.
Annelida. See -idae.

-idae, n. Zoological. Denoting kinship ;
used to designate families. The suffix
is added to the name of the type genus
(Felis, Lemur] : Felidae, Lemuridae.
L. pi. of -ides. See -id [i].

-ide, n. Chemical, forming names of com-
pounds of an element with another
element or with a radical : bromide,
chloride, oxide. See -id [i].

-ie, n. Diminutive : bogie, brownie ; in
familiar forms of names : Annie,
Charlie. M.E. -ie = y [3], now chiefly Sc.

-ier, n. Denoting occupation : collier,
financier. F. -ier, from L. -drius. See
-eer.

-iff, n. See -ive.

-il, -ile, n. and adj. Capable of being, per-
taining to, that may be : agile, civil,
fragile, puerile, servile. L. -His or -His
able to be, tending to.

-in, n. Chemical, forming names of neutral
substances : albumin, casein, fibrin ;
-ine is used for alkaloid and basic sub-
stances, though certain words popu-
larly spelt with -ine, such as gelatine,
denote neutral substances. See -ine.

-ina [i], n. Feminine titles and names :
czarina, Georgina, Paulina. From Ital.,
partly from G. fern, suffix -in, as in grdfin
countess, fromgra/ count. See -ine [3].

-ina [2], n. Zoological. Added to the
name of a type genus to form the name
of a group : Bombycina (genus Bom-
byx}. L. neuter pi. agreeing with
animalia. See -ine [i].

-inae, n. Zoological. Used to form names
of subfamilies : Bovinae. L. fern. pi.
See -ina [2].

-ine [i], adj. and n. Pertaining to, like :

asinine, bovine, clandestine, divine,

feminine, Florentine, lupine, marine,

L. -inus, -inus.

-ine [2], adj. Made of: adamantine,

hyacinthine. L. -inus from Gr. -inos.
-ine [3], n. Feminine names and titles :
Caroline, heroine, margravine. F. -ine,
from L. -ina, Gr. ine, or G. -in.
-ine [4], n. Forming abstract nouns :
doctrine, medicine ; used in names of
derivative products, as dentine, brilli-
antine ; in chemistry used generally in
names of alkaloids and basic substances :
aconitine, cocaine, quinine ; also in
the names of some elements : bromine,
chlorine, fluorine, iodine. L. -ina.
-ing [i], n. Verbal noun : eating ; verbal
action, material used for : banking,
stuffing, washing. A.-S. -ung.
-ing [2], n. Belonging to, forming diminu-
tives and patronymics : farthing, stock-
ing, atheling, king. A.-S. -ing, origin-
ally person or thing belonging to.
-ion, n. Denoting action, condition : com-
munion, legion, oblivion. F. -ion, from
L. -id (ace. -ion-em). See -tion.
-ior [i], n. Later form of -iour : warrior.
-ior [2], n. and adj. Equivalent to L.
comparative ending -ior : junior, senior,
ulterior.

-iour, n. Agent : saviour. O.F. eor, L. -dtor.
-ious, adj. Full of, having the character
of : ambitious, curious, rebellious. F.
-ieux, from L. -iosus.

-ique, adj. and n. Same as -ic : antique,
physique. F. -ique from L. -iquus and
-icus. See -ic.

-ise [i], n. Denoting condition or quality :
franchise, merchandise. In words in
which -ise has become -ice in F. the
same has generally happened in E., as
justice, service. O.F. -ise, L. -itia,
-itium. See -ice.
-ise [2], v. See -ize.

-ish [i]. adj. Denoting the quality indi-
cated by the stem ; like, of the nature
of : babyish, boyish, heathenish ; also
in national names : English, Spanish ;
used also in a depreciatory sense :
foppish, monkish ; denoting a dimin-
ished resemblance, or modification of
the quality : brownish, stiffish, squar-
ish. A.-S. -ise, G. -isch, akin to Gr.
-iskos diminutive ending.
-ish [2], v. Make, render : Abolish, ad-
monish, establish, finish, lavish. F.
-issant, pres. p. termination of verbs
in -ir, from L. -esc, -ise- in inceptive
verbs.

4650

-ISK

-LOGIST

-isk, n. Diminutive : asterisk, obelisk.
Gr. -iskos.

-ism, n. Forming abstract nouns denoting
action : baptism ; state or condition :
barbarism, heroism, schism ; system,
principle, or doctrine : atheism, Calvin-
ism, Conservatism ; peculiarity, especi-
ally of manner or language : archaism,
Americanism,- colloquialism, solecism;
in pathology, a morbid condition due
to excess in the use of a drug, etc. :
alcoholism, morphinism. L. -ismus,
-isma, Gr. -ismos, -isma, from verbs
in -izein. See -sm.

-1st, n. Denoting one who pursues a cer-
tain line of conduct : bigamist, plagiar-
ist ; one concerned with a subject or
following an occupation : anatomist,
artist, botanist, dentist, tobacconist,
violinist ; an adherent of a doctrine or
creed : atheist, Calvinist, fatalist, social-
ist. L. -ista, -istes, Gr. -istes, from
verbs in -Izein.

-it, n. and v. Forming nouns and verbs :
audit, credit, debit, habit, merit. L.
it-us, -it-um, -it-us, -It-um, forming p.p.
of verbs in -ere, -ere, Ire.

-ita, n. See -ito.

-ite [i], n. and adj. A party, sometimes
contemptuous : Benthamite, Puseyite,
Preraphaelite, Shelleyite ; a native or
descendant of : Canaanite, Israelite ;
used to form many scientific terms, as"
names of fossil animals : ammonite ;
minerals : anthracite ; biological words :
somite ; names of explosives : dyna-
mite ; names of artificial substances :
vulcanite ; in chemistry denoting salts
of acids, corresponding to adj. forms
in -ous : nitrite. L. -ita, Gr. -ites.

-ite [2], adj. and v. Forming adjectives
and verbs : definite, excite, exquisite,
extradite, ignite. L. p.p. in -it-us, -it-
us, of verbs in -ire, -ere -ere.

-ition, n. Verbal n., formed from p.p.
stem : monition, munition, perdition.
L. -itio, -itio (ace. -on-em), from verbs
in -ire, -ere, -ere. See -tion.

-itious, adj. = -ous after L. stems in
-iti- : ambitious, factitious. See -ition,
-icious.

-itis, n. Denoting inflammation or disease
of : arthritis, bronchitis, nephritis. L.,
from Gr. -itis.

-ito, n. Diminutive : bonito, mosquito.
The fem. is -ita : senorita. Span, -ito =
F. -et.

-itous, adj. = -ous after L. stems in -it- :
calamitous. L. -itos-us for -itatos-us.

-ity, n. See -ty.

-mm, n. Forming the names of metals :
iridium, sodium, potassium. Modern L.

-ive, adj. Connected with, of the nature
of , tending to : fugitive, missive, native,
pensive, votive. L. -ivus, added to
p.p. stem in -tus, -sus. From F. masc.
adjs. in -if (fem. -ive) are derived the
nouns bailiff, caitiff, plaintiff.

4651

•ize, v. To make, render, practise : bap-
tize, civilize, equalize, tyrannize. The
spelling -ize is preferable to -ise, which
is, however, common. The suffix does
not occur in such words as advertise,
excise, practise, surprise. F. -iser, L.L.
-izdre, Gr. -izein.

•kin, n. Diminutive : firkin, lambkin,
manikin ; common in formation of
proper names : Hawkin[s], Jenkin,
Tomkin[s]. Flem. or Low G. -ken ;
cp. G. -chen.

•later, n. -latrous, adj., -latry, n. Wor-
shipper, worshipping, worship : idola-
ter, bibliolatrous, Mariolatry. Gr.
-latres servant, -latreia service.

•le [i], n. Instrument : girdle, handle,
saddle, thimble ; agent : beadle • dim-
inutive : bramble, middle, nettle. A.-S.
-el, -ele.

•le [2], adj. Apt, inclined : brittle, fickle,
idle, nimble. A.-S. -ol, -el.

-le [3], v. Frequentative or diminutive :
nestle, rattle, sparkle, twinkle, wrestle ;
causative : startle. A.-S. -Han.

•le [4], n. and v. Diminutive : angle, bottle,
buckle, castle, circle. F. -le, -el, etc.,
from L. -ellus, -[ic]ulus (-a -um.) In
battle the suffix represents F. -aille, L.
-alia.

•ledge, n. Abstract noun : knowledge.
A.-S. -laecan v. from lac sport, gift. See
lock.

•lence, lency, n. Abstract nouns cor-
responding to adjs. in -lent : flatulence,
leniency, opulence, virulence. F. -lence,
L. -lentia. See -lent.

•lent, adj. Implying excess or fullness :
opulent, pestilent, turbulent, virulent.
L. -lentus.

•less, adj. Free from, without : childless,
godless, harmless, homeless. A.-S.
-leas, cp. G. -los, not connected with
less, the comparative adjective.

•let, n. Diminutive : inlet, kinglet,
streamlet. Partly double dim. from
-el (-le} and -et ; partly on analogy of
words in -l(e) with dim. -et as tablet.

•like, adj. More common than -ly in
modern words : warlike, workmanlike.
A.-S. -lie like. See -ly.

•ling [i], n. Diminutive : darling, duckling,
sapling, yearling ; in a depreciatory
sense : groundling, hireling, lordling,
witling. A.-S. -ling ; cp. G. -ling.

•ling [2], adv. State, condition, or direc-
tion : grovelling, darkling. A.-S. -ling,
suffix of direction. See -long.

•lite, lith, n. Stone : monolith ; forming
names of minerals, usually preceded by
o : chrysolite. Gr. lithos stone.

•lock, n. Forming abstract nouns : wed-
lock. A.-S. lac gift.

•loger, n. One learned in : astrologer.
L. -logus, Gr. -logos. See -logy, -er [i].

•logic, logical. See -logy.

•logist, n. One versed in a science (-logy) :
biologist. See -logy.

-LOGUE

-OR

-logue n. Speech, discourse : dialogue,
monologue ; person skilled or versed in :
ideologue, Sinologue. Gr. logos.

-logy, n. The science of : biology, geology,
theology (in compounds with nouns
the suffix is usually preceded by -o-} ;
speech, discourse : analogy, dyslogy,
eulogy, tautology, trilogy. Gr. -logia,
from logos speech, discourse.

-long, adv. Direction : headlong, sidelong.
Akin to -ling [2],

-ly [i], adj. Like, having the qualities of,
connected with : cowardly, scholarly,
sickly ; denoting recurrence : daily,
monthly. A.-S. lie body, form.

-ly [2], adv. Expressing time, place, degree
or manner : recently, locally, entirely,
wholly, badly. A.-S. -lice, akin to lie

= -ly [i].

-lysis n. Loosing, dissolution : analysis,
electrolysis, paralysis. Gr. from lyein
to loose.

-m [i], n. With native E. and other Teut.
words, forming nouns denoting the
result of the action of a verb : blossom,
doom, gloom, helm. A.-S. -m.

— m [2], -ma, -me, n. With words of Gr.
origin, denoting the result of the action
of the verb : comma, dogma, drama,
enigma, phlegm, poem, psalm, scheme.
Gr. -ma, forming nouns with passive
sense from verbs. See -om [2].

-mancy, n. Divination by means of :
chiromancy, necromancy. O.F. -man-
cie, L.L. mantla, Gr. manteia divination.

-mania, n. Madness, insane passion for :
bibliomania, dipsomania, kleptomania.
Gr. mania madness.

-meal, adv. At a time, only in the hybrid
piecemeal and archaic limbmeal. A.-S."
maelum at times.

-men, n. Expressing state or condition,
often with passive sense, in words bor-
rowed from L. : acumen, regimen,
specimen. L. -men. E. crime is from
L. crimen.

-ment, n. That which is done or made ;
an act, the result of an act ; state or
condition : abridgment, development,
firmament, fragment, nourishment, odd-
ment. O.F. -ment, L. -mentum.

-merous, adj. Denoting the number of
parts into which a thing is divided :
pentamerous. Gr. -meres, from meros
part.

-meter. That by which a thing is mea-
sured : ammeter, barometer, chrono-
meter ; denoting poetical measure :
trimeter, hexameter. L. metrum, Gr.
metron, measure.

-metre, n. Metre, as unit of measure :
kilometre, millimetre. F. -metre, Gr.
metron.

-metry, n. System of measuring : geo-
metry, trigonometry. Gr. -metria mea-
surement, from metrein to measure.

-mony, n. In words, mostly abstract,
borrowed from L. : ceremony, alimony,
parsimony, testimony. Through F., or
directly from L. -mania, -monium.

-most, adj. and adv. Superlative from
certain ad vs., etc. : hindmost, topmost,
uppermost. A.-S. -mest, a double super-
lative from Indo-European -mo- and
-isto-, not the same as most.

-ness, n. Denoting state or condition :
bitterness, blackness, lovingness, wil-
derness. A.-S. -nes, -ness, cp. G. -nis.

-nomy, n. A giving or making of laws or
rules : astronomy, autonomy, economy.
Gr. -nomia from nomos law.

-ock, n. Diminutive : bullock, hillock.
A.-S. -oc, -uc.

-ode [i], n. A thing resembling the form
or having the nature of : geode, phyl-
lode. Gr. -odes like, from eidos form,
appearance. See -oid.

-ode [2], n. A thing serving as a way :
cathode, electrode. Gr. hodos way.

-oid adj. and n. Like, resembling, or a
thing resembling : alkaloid, asteroid,
cycloid, rhomboid, thyroid. F. -olde,
Modern L. -o'ides, Gr. -(o}eides, from
eidos, form the o properly belonging to
first element.

-oidal, adj. Forming adj. from n. in -oid :
cycloidal. See -oid, -al [i].

-ol [i], n. Oil : menthol, petrol. L.
oleum.

-ol [2], n. In chemistry, denoting an
alcohol : glycerol, phenol. Abbrevia-
tion of alcohol.

-ole, n. Diminutive : nucleole, petiole.
F. -ole, L. -olus, -ola, -olum.

-ology, n. See -logy.

-om [i], adv. Of time : seldom, whilom.
A.-S. -um dative pi. inflexion.

-om [2], -oma, -ome, n. With words of
Gr. origin, denoting the result of the
action of the verb : axiom, idiom,
symptom, diploma, rhizome. In patho-
logy, -oma denotes a morbid growth :
carcinoma, sarcoma. Gr. -oma forming
nouns with passive sense chiefly from
verbs in -oein.

-on, n. Originally augmentative : baron,
cannon, salmon ; diminutive : pigeon.
F. -on, L. -o (ace. -on-em}.

-one, n. In chemistry, distinguishing one
of various types of hydrocarbon com-
pounds : acetone, ketone. In ozone,
-one has not this sense. Gr. -one fern,
patronymic.

-oon, n. Usually augmentative, formerly
used when borrowing, from F. and Ital.,
words ending in -on, -one respectively :
balloon, bassoon, cartoon, poltroon,
saloon. F. -on or Ital. -one, from L.
-o (ace. -on-em}. See -on.

-opia, n. Sight, vision : amblyopia, my-
opia. Gr. dps (ace. op-d) eye.

-or [i], n. Condition : error, terror ; usually
-our (favour, honour) in England, always

4652

-OR

-SHIP

-or (favor, honor) in U.S.A. F. -eur,
L. -or (ace. -or-em).

or [2], n. Agent, instrument : donor,
tailor, razor. O.F. -or, F. -eur, L. -or,
and O.F. -eor, F. -eur, L. -dtor, -itor,
-Itor. Where a form in -er also exists,
the form in -or is usually legal : granter,
grantor.

-ory [i], adj. Relating to, having the
nature of : amatory, illusory. L.
-onus. See -or [i].

-ory [2], n. Place : factory, purgatory.
L. -orium, neuter of -orius. See -ory [i].

-ose, adj. and n. Abounding in, like :
verbose, globose ; in chemistry, forming
names of the carbohydrates and iso-
meric substances, on the analogy of
glucose. L. -osus.

-osis, n. Condition or process, especially
diseased state : hypnosis, narcosis,
neurosis, tuberculosis. Gr. -osis.

-osity, n. Forming nouns from adjectives
ending in -ose and -ous : curiosity,
verbosity. F. -osite, L. -ositas (ace.
-tat-em).

-ot [i], n. Originally a diminutive : ballot,
pivot. F. -ot.

-ot [2], adj. and n. Denoting birth or origin
in places in or near Greece : Cypriot.
A variant is -ote : Suliote. n. Various
words derived from" Gr. : idiot, zealot.
F. -ote, L. -ota, Gr. -dies.

-otic, adj. Forming adjectives from nouns
ending in -osis : narcotic, neurotic.
Gr. -dtikos.

-our, n. Condition : ardour, vigour. O.F.
-our (F. -eur}, L. -or (ace. -or-em). See
-or [i].

-ous, adj. Full of, like : dubious, glorious,
bulbous ; in chemistry, denoting a
compound having a larger proportion
of the element indicated by the stem
than the corresponding one ending in
-ic : nitrous. Where, forms in both -ous
and -ose exist, that in -ose is usually
more technical : venous, venose. L. -osus.

-parous, adj. Bringing forth, giving birth :
oviparous, viviparous. L. -parus, from
par ere to give birth to, and E. -ous.

-path, n. One in favour of treating disease
in a certain way : allopath, homoeo-
path. Gr. pathos suffering.

-pathy, n. Feeling, mode o' treating
disease : sympathy, antipathy, homoeo-
pathy, hydropathy. Gr. -patheia, from
pathos suffering.

-ped, -pede, n. That which has (a certain
number of) feet : biped, centipede,
quadruped ; thing employing the feet :
velocipede. L. pes (ace. ped-em] foot.

-phagous, adj. Feeding on : anthropo-
phagous. Gr. phagein to eat.

-phagy, n. From adjectives ending in
-phagous : anthropophagy. Gr. phagein
to eat.

-phil, -phile, n. and adj. A lover of :
bibliophile ; loving : Turcophil. Gr.
philos friend from philein to love.

-phobe, n. and adj. One who fears or
dislikes : Anglophobe ; fearing or dis-
liking : Russophobe. Gr. phobos fear.

-phobia, n. Fear, dislike, dread : agora-
phobia, hydrophobia, Anglophobia. Gr.
-phobia, from phobos fear.

-phore, n. Bearer : semaphore. Gr.
-phoros, from p herein to bear.

-phorous, adj. Bearing, producing, used
in scientific words from Greek : pyro-
phorous. Gr. -phoros, as -phore.

-phyllous, adj. In botany, having leaves
or leaflets : heterophyllous, polyphyl-
lous. Gr. phyllon, leaf.

-phyte, n. Plant : aerophyte, neophyte,
protophyte, zoophyte. Gr. phyton.

-plasm, n. Something formed or moulded,
especially a living substance : ecto-
plasm, endoplasm, protoplasm. Gr.
plasma, from plassein to mould.

-plast, n. Denoting an original or primary
organism : bioplast, protoplast. Gr.
plastos formed, from plassein to form.

-pie, adj. Denoting number of parts in a
thing, or number of times a quantity
is taken : multiple, quadruple, triple.

F. -pie, L. -plus -fold.

-plex, adj. Having parts or elements :
multiplex, triplex. L. -plex, from root
plec- plait, fold.

-pod. adj. and n. ; -poda, n.pl. Footed,
animal having specified feet : arthro-
pod, decapod, gasteropod ; kind of
foot : pseudopod. The pi. -poda is
used in zoological classification : Arthro-
poda. Gr. pous (ace. pod-a) foot.

-red, n. Condition, state : hatred, kin-
dred. A.-S. raed condition, rule, law.
In hundred, -red = Goth, -rath number.

-rel, n. Diminutive, sometimes deprecia-
tory : kestrel, scoundrel, wastrel, whim-
brel. O.F. -erel, L.L. -rellus. See -erel.

-rhine, adj. and n. Having a nose of a
specified kind, animal with such a
nose : catarrhine, platyrrhine. Gr.
rhis .nose, rhlnes nostrils.

-ric, n. Authority, dominion : bishopric.
A.-S. rice power ; cp. G. -reich.

-ry, n. = -ery : jewelry, poultry. See -ery.

-scope, n. Instrument for looking or
looking at : laryngoscope, microscope,
periscope, telescope ; instrument for
showing : gyroscope, stethoscope.
Corresponding nouns in -scopy denote
the use of the instrument. Gr. skopos
watcher, from skopein to look.

-se, v. Making : cleanse, rinse. A.-S. -sian ;
O. Norse -sa.

-ship, n. State, condition, quality of
being : friendship, hardship, lordship,
worship : status, office, or tenure of
this : apprenticeship, judgeship ; skill
in some capacity : horsemanship, pen-
manship, scholarship. A.-S. -scipe,
shape, from scieppan to create, shape ;
akin to Dutch -schaap (cp. landscape),

G. -schaft.

4653

-SIGN

-YL

-sion, n. Denoting action or state: ap-
prehension, derision, tension. From
-s- of L. p.p. stems and -ion. See
-ation, -ion, -tion.

-sm, n. Forming nouns of Greek origin,
denoting result of the action of a verb :
cataclysm, chasm, spasm. See -ism.

-some [i], adj. Possessing adapted to :
gamesome, handsome, mettlesome,
toothsome ; causing to be : fulsome,
wholesome ; given to, apt to, caus-
ing to : irksome, meddlesome, weari-
some ; set of, game played by : four-
some, twosome, -som in lissom, buxom
(M.E. buksum) — -some. A.-S. -sum,
akin to Dutch -zaam, G. -sam, E. same.

-some [2], n. Body, cell : chromosome,
merosome. Gr. soma.

-sor, n. Agent : confessor, professor.
From -s- of L. p.p. and -or. See -or [2].

-sory, adj. and n. Relating to, of the
nature of, thing of the nature of :
accessory, promissory. L. -sori-us, as
-sor with adj. suffix -i-us.

-stead, n. Place, position, or support for :
bedstead, farmstead, homestead. A.-S.
stede.

-ster, n. Agent, denoting trade, occupa-
tion, etc., often depreciatory : brewster,
gamester, maltster, punster, youngster ;
originally, feminine : spinster. A.-S.
-estre, -istre.

-stress, n. Feminine : seamstress, song-
stress. From -ster, and -ess [i].

-t [i], n. Abstract : height, light, weight.
A.-S. -t, -th, -tho. See -th.

-t [2], n. Thing done : debt, fact, point.
L. p.p. neuter -turn.

-te, adj., n., and v. Forming words from
L. p.p. : Minute, promote. See -ate
[i] and [2], -ete [2], -ite [2].

-teen, n. Denoting the addition of ten :
thirteen. A.-S. -tene, pi. of ten ten.

-ter, n. Agent or instrument, also abstract
nouns : slaughter, laughter. A.-S. -tor
and O. Norse -tr.

-th [i], n. Forming abstract nouns of state
or condition : breadth, health, truth,
wealth. A.-S. -th, -tho. See -t [i].

-th. [2], n. Denoting numerical order :
fourth. A.-S. -tha ; cp. L. -tus, Gr. -tos.

-ther, n. Indicating distinction or com-
parison : other, hither. The same suffix
is found in after. A.-S. -der, -ther, com-
parative suffix ; cp. L. -ter.

-tion, n. Denoting action or state : atten-
tion, imagination, solution, traction.
From L. p.p. in -tus, with suffix of
verbal n. -id. See -ion.

-tomy, n. Cutting, separation, used in
names of surgical operations, etc. :
anatomy, dichotomy, phlebotomy. Gr.
-tomia act of cutting.

-tor, n. Forming agent nouns : conductor,
director, inspector. L. -tor from p.p.
stems. See -or [2], -sor.

-tre, n. Instrumental : sceptre, theatre.
L. -trum, Gr. -Iron.

-trix, n. Feminine agent corresponding to
masculines ending in -tor, chiefly in legal
terms : executrix, testatrix. L. -trix.

-tude, n. Forming abstract nouns : alti-
tude, aptitude, gratitude. L. -tudo (ace.
-din-em).

-tudinous, adj. Forming adjs. from nouns
in -tude : multitudinous. L. -tudin-
stem of -tudo -tude and E. -ous.

-ty [i], n. Multiplication by ten, a ter-
mination of numerals : forty, sixty.
A.-S. -tig, cognate with ten.

-ty [2], n. Forming abstract nouns :
bounty, fealty, plenty. F. -te, from
L. -tas (ace. -tat-em). See -ity.

-ule, n. Diminutive, in words of L. origin :
globule, pustule. L. -ulus, -ula, -ulum.

-uncle, -unculus, n. Diminutive : ped-
uncle, ranunculus. L. -unculus, origin-
ally from stems in -on, -in- with -culus
(whence carbuncle, homuncle), extended
to others.

-ure, n. Denoting action, result or product
of action, agency : capture, tenure,
verdure, legislature, judicature. F.
-ure, from L. -ura, forming abstract n.
with p.p. stem ; also F. -ir infinitive.

-vora, n.pl. Collective names of animals
classified according to their food :
carnivora, herbivora. See -vorous.

-vore, n. An individual of a group oi
animals classified according to their
food : carnivore. See -vorous.

-vorous, adj. Feeding on : carnivorous,
herbivorous, insectivorous. L. -vorus,
from vorare to swallow, and -ous.

-ward(s), adj., adv., and prep. Denoting
direction to : backward (s), forward (s),
homeward (s), toward (s). A.-S. weard,
from weorthan to become, turn to.

-way, -ways, adv. Denoting position,
direction, manner : always, sideways,
•straightway. E. way.

-•wise, adv. Denoting manner : clockwise,
crosswise, nowise, otherwise. E. wise [2],

-y [i], adj. Used freely to form adjs.
from nouns and verbs, originally from
native E. words : bony, happy, heavy,
pretty, rosy. A.-S. -ig ; cp. G. -ig.

-y [2], v. Forming verbs from Teut. stems :
harry, tarry, worry. A.-.S. -ian, -gan.

~y [3]> n- Forming familiar names : Johnny,
Polly ; affectionate or diminutive :
dicky, dolly, piggy. Perhaps extended
from proper names like Davy (O.F.
Dave}. See -ie.

-y [4]. n- Forming abstract nouns from F.
and L. : fury, glory, joy, monarchy,
progeny, remedy ; names of countries :
Barbary, Italy. F. -ie, L. -ia, -ies, -ium.

-y [5]» n- Forming names of persons or
things from L. verbs : army, deputy.
F. -e, ee, L. -atus, -ata ending of p.p. of
verbs in -are.

-yer, n. Agent : bowyer, lawyer, saw-
yer. Partly from A.-S. verbs in -ian,
partly extended from agent nouns in -er.

-yl, n. Chemical suffix of radicals : ethyl.

4654

Al.

B.R.

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS

Shortened Forms of Familiar Terms in Frequent Use

Certain abbreviations in the following list, although not now in general use, are included on
account of their frequent occurrence in historical and other works of reference.

Al. First-class (ship in Lloyd's
register).

A.A , Associate in Arts ; Auto-
mobile Association.

A. A. A., Amateur Athletic As-
sociation.

A.A.G., Assistant - Adjutant -
General.

A.B. (L. Artium Baccalaureus),
Bachelor of Arts ; able-
bodied seaman.

abl., Ablative.

A.C., Aero Club ; Alpine Club ;
(L. ante Christum), before
Christ.

A.C.A., Associate of the Insti-
tute of Chartered Account-
ants.

ace., Accusative ; account.

accel. (It. accelerando], (Music)
With increasing velocity.

acct., Account, accountant.

A.C.G.B.I., Automobile Club of
Great Britain and Ireland.

A.C.I., Army Council Instructor.

A.C.P., Associate of the College
of Preceptors.

A.C.U., Auto-Cycle Union.

A.D. (L. anno Domini), In the
year of our Lord.

adag., (Music] Adagio.

A.D.C., Aide-de-camp.

ad int. (L. ad interim), In or for
the meantime.

Adj., Adjutant.

adj., Adjective.

Adj.-Gen., Adjutant-General.

ad lib. (L. ad libitum), At
pleasure.

Adm., Admiral, Admiralty.

adv., Adverb, adverbally ; (L.
adversus], against ; advocate;

ad vol. (L. ad valorem], Accord-
ing to the value.

act., aetat. (L. aetatis], In the
— year of his age, aged — .

A.F.A., Amateur Football As-
sociation.

A.F.C., Air Force Cross.

A.F.R.Ae.S., Associate Fellow
Royal Aeronautical Society.

A.G., Adjutant-General.

A.G.S.M., Associate of the
Guildhall School of Music.

A.I. A., Associate of the Institute
of Actuaries.

A.I.C.E., Associate of the Insti-
tute of Civil Engineers.

A.K.C., Associate of King's
College, London.

A.L.C.M., Associate of the
London College of Music.

Aid., Alderman.

A.M. (L. Artium Magister),
Master of Arts (also M.A.) ;
Albert Medal.

A.M. (L. anno mundi), In the

year of the world.
a.m. (L. ante meridiem), Before

noon.

A.M.C., Army Medical Corps.
A.M.I. C.E., Associate Member

of the Institution of Civil

Engineers.
A.M.I. E.E., Associate Member

of the Institution of Electrical

Engineers.

amp., Ampere, electrical unit.
Anon., Anonymously.
A.O.F., Ancient Order of Fores-
ters.

A.P.D., Army Pay Department.
app., Appendix.

appro., Approbation, approval,
approx., Approximately.
aq. (L. aqua), Water.
A.R. (L. anno regni), In the

year of the reign.
A.R. A., Associate of the Royal

Academy.
A.R. A.M., Associate of the

Royal Academy of Music.
A.R.C., Automobile Racing Club.
A.R.G.A., Associate of the Royal

College of Art.
A. R.C.I., Associate of the Royal

Colonial Institute.
Archbp., Archbishop.
Arehd., Archdeacon ; Archduke.
A.R.C.M., Associate of the Royal

College of Music.
A.R.C.O., Associate of the Royal

College of Organists.
A.R.C.S., Associate of the Royal

College of Science.
A.R.H.A., Associate of the

Royal Hibernian Academy.
A.R, I.E. A., Associate of the

Royal Institute of British

Architects.
A.R.R. (L. anno regni regis or

reginae), In the year of the

King's (or Queen's) reign.
A.R.S.A., Associate of the Royal

Scottish Academy ; Associate

of the Royal Society of Arts.
A.R.S.L., Associate of the Royal

Society of Literature.
A.R.S.M., Associate of the Royal

School of Mines (now the

Royal College of Science).
A.S.A., Amateur Swimming

Association.
A.S.E., Amalgamated Society

of Engineers.
A.S.G.B., Aeronautical Society

of Great Britain.
assoc., Associate, association.
Assoc.Sc., Associate in Science.
asst., Assistant.
A.T.C.L., Associate of Trinity

College (of Music), London.

4655

At.-Gen., Attorney-General.

A.U.C. (L. ab urbe condita, or
anno urbis conditae], From the
year of the foundation of the
City (Rome, in 754 B.C.).

A.V. (Bible], Authorized version.

avdp., Avoirdupois.

B.A., Bachelor of Arts ; British
Association.

B.A.R.C., Brooklands Automo-
bile Racing Club.

B.Arch., Bachelor of Architec-
ture.

Bart., Baronet ; Bartholomew.

batt.. Battalion ; battery.

B.B.C., British Broadcasting
Corporation.

B.C., Before Christ; British
Columbia.

B.Ch. (L. Baccalaureus Chirur-
giae), Bachelor of Surgery.

B.Ch.D., Bachelor of Dental
Surgery.

B.Chir. (B.CH.).

B.C.L. (L. Baccalaureus Civilis
Legis), Bachelor of Civil Law.

B.Comm., Bachelor of Com-
merce.

B.D., Bachelor of Divinity.

B.D.S., Bachelor of Dental
Surgery.

B.E., Bachelor of Engineering ;
Board of Education.

b.e., Bill of exchange.

Beds. Bedfordshire.

B.E.F., British Expeditionary
For e.

B.Eng., Bachelor of Engineering.

Berks, Berkshire.

B. es L. (F. Bachelier es Lettres),
Bachelor of Letters.

B<,L., Bachelor of Law.

B.Litt., Bachelor of Letters.

B.LL., Bachelor of Laws.

B.M., Bachelor of Medicine ;
(L. Beata Maria], the Blessed
Virgin ; (L. beatae memoriae),
of blessed memory ; Brigade
Major ; British Museum.

B.M.A., British Medical Associa-
tion.

B.M.E., Bachelor of Mining
Engineering.

B.Mus., Bachelor of Music.

B. of E., Board of Education.

B. Of T., Board of Trade.

Bom.C.S., Bombay Civil Service.

Bom.S.C., Bombay Staff Corps.

bor., Borough.

b.p., Bills payable.

B.P.B., Bank post bills.

B.Q. (L. bene quiescat], May he
(or she) rest well.

b.r., Bills receivable

B.R.G.S.

D.V.

B.R.C.S., British Red Cross

Society.
brev., Brevet,
brig., Brigade, brigadier.
B.S., Bachelor of Surgery.
b.s., Bill of sale.
B.S.A., Birmingham Small

Arms Co. ; British South

Africa.

B.S.C., Bengal Staff Corps.
B.Sc., Bachelor of Science.
B.S.L., Botanical Society of

London.

Bt., Baronet ; bought.
Bucks, Buckinghamshire.
bus., Bushel.
B.V.M. (L. Beata Virgo Maria],

The Blessed Virgin Mary.
B.W.T.A., British Women's

Temperance Association.

C.A., Chartered Accountant ;
Controller of Accounts.

Cal., California.

Camb., Cambridge.

can., Canon ; (Music) canto.

Cant., Canterbury ; (Bible) Can-
ticles.

Cantab. (L. Cantabrigiensis), Of
Cambridge.

Cantuar : (L. Cantuariensis), of
Canterbury (signature of the
Archbishop of Canterbury) .

Capt., Captain.

car., Carat.

Card., Cardinal.

C.B., Cape Breton ; Chief Baron ;
Companion of the Bath.

C.B.E., Commander of (the
Order of) the British Empire.

C.C., Chamber of Commerce ;
County Councillor.

C.C.P., Code of Civil Procedure ;
Court of Common Pleas ,

C.E., Church of England ; Civil
Engineer.

cent., Centigrade ; century.

cet. par. (L. ceteris paribus),
Other things being equal.

c.f.i., Cost, freight, and insur-
ance.

C.G., Coast-Guard ; Captain-
General ; Captain of the
Guard ; Commissary-General ;
Consul-General.

C.G.M., Conspicuous Gallantry
Medal.

C.G.S., C e n t i m etre-gramme-
second (combined unit of
length, mass and time).

C.H., Companion of Honour
Custom House.

Chanc. Ex., Chancellor of the
Exchequer.

Ch.B. (L. Chirurgiae Baccalau-
reus), Bachelor of Surgery.

C.H.L., Cambridge Higher Loca
(Examination Certificate) .

C.I., Channel Isles ; (Imperia
Order of the) Crown ol
India.

Cicestr. (L. Cicestriensis), O
Chichester (the Bishop o
Chichester's signature).

C.I.D., Criminal Investigation

Department.
C.I.E., Companion (of the Order)

of the Indian Empire,
c.i.f., Cost, insurance, and

freight.

C.I.V., City Imperial Volunteers.
class., Classical, classification.
C.L.R., Central London Rail-
way.

C.M., Certificated Master or
Mistress ; (L. Chirurgiae
Magister), Master of Surgery ;
common metre (of hymns) ;
Corresponding Member.
cm., Centimetre.
C.M.G., Companion of (the
Order of) St. Michael and St.
George.

C.M.S., Church Missionary So-
ciety.

C.O., Colonial Office ; Crown
Office ; Commanding Officer.
Co., Company ; County.
C.O.D., Cash on delivery.
C. of E., Church of England.
Col., Colonel ; Colossians.
col., Colonial, colony ; column.
Col.-Sergt., Colour-Sergeant.
Com., Commander ; commission,

committee.
Comdr., Commander.
Con., Consul.
con. (L. contra), In opposition

to.
con. esp. (Ital. con expressione),

(Music) With expression.
conj., conjunction.
Conn., Connecticut.
cons., Consonant.
Consols, Consolidated (Funds).
Cor., (Bible) Corinthians.
Corp., Corporal.
Corr. Mem., Corresponding

Member.
C.O.S., Charity Organisation

Society.

Coss. (L. consules), Consuls.
Cox, Coxswain.
C.P., Clerk of Peace ; Common

Pleas.

ep., Compare.
C.P.C., Clerk of the Privy

Council.
Cpl., Corporal.
C.P.S. (L. Gustos Privati Sigilli),

Keeper of the Privy Seal.
Cr., Credit, creditor ; Crown.
cresc., Crescendo.
C.S., Civil Service ; Civil Ser-
vant ; Clerk to the Signet ;
Court of Session ; (L. Gustos
Sigilli), Keeper of the Seal.
C.S.A., Confederate States of

America.
C.S.C., Conspicuous Service

Cross.
C.S.I., Companion of (the Order

of) the Star of India.
C.T., Certificated Teacher.
C.T.C., Cyclists' Touring Club.
cto., (Music) Concerto,
cts., Centimes, cents.
cub., Cubic.

4656

cum. div., With dividend.

cur., Current.

C.V.O., Commander of (the

Royal) Victorian Order.
c.w.o., Cash with order.
cwt., Hundredweight.

dat., Dative.

D.B.E., Dame Commander of
(the Order of) the British
Empire.

D.C.L., Doctor of Civil Law.

D.C.L.I., Duke of Cornwall's
Light Infantry.

D.C.M., Distinguished Conduct
Medal.

D.D. (L. Divinitatis Doctor).
Doctor of Divinity.

D.D.S., Doctor of Dental Sur-
gery.

Dec., December.

dec., Declaration ; deceased.

def., Definition.

deg., Degree.

Dem., Democrat.

D.Eng., Doctor of Engineering.

dep., Deputy.

dept., Department.

Deut., Deuteronomy.

Devon, Devonshire.

D.F.C., Distinguished Flying
Cross.

D.F.M., Distinguished Flying
Medal.

D.G., (L. Dei gratia), By the
grace of God.

Dir., Director.

dis., Discount ; distributed (of
type).

div., Dividend ; division.

D.L., Deputy-Lieutenant.

D.Litt., Doctor of Literature.

D.L.O., Dead Letter Office (Re-
turned Letter Office).

D.M., Doctor of Music.

do., Ditto, the same.

dol., Dollar, dollars.

D.O.R.A., Defence of the Realm
Act.

doz., Dozen.

D.P.H., Department of, or Dip-
loma in, Public Health.

D.Ph., Doctor of Philosophy.

D.P.O., Distributing Post Office.

Dr., Debtor ; Doctor.

dr., Drachma, dram ; drawer.

dram, pers., Dramatis personae,
characters of the play.

D.S.C., Distinguished Service
Cross.

D.Sc., Doctor of Science.

D.S.M., Distinguished Service
Medal.

D.S.O., Distinguished Service
Order.

d.s.p. (L. decessit sine prole),
Died without issue.

D.Th., Doctor of Theology.

Dunelm. (L. Dunelmensis), Of
Durham (signature of the
Bishop of Durham).

D.V. (L. Deo volente), God will-
ing.

D.V.P.

F.R.S.E.

d.v.p. (L. decessit vita patris),
Died during his (or her)
father's life.

dwt. (L. denarius), Pennyweight,
24 grains troy.

D.Z., Doctor of Zoology.

E., Eastern (London postal
district) ; Edward.

ca., Each.

E. & 0. E., Errors and omissions
excepted.

Ebor. (L. Eboracum), York ;
(L. Eboracensis) , of York
(signature of the Archbishop
of York).

E.G., Eastern-Central (London
postal district).

Eccles., Ecclesiastes. eccles.,
ecclesiastical.

E.C.U., English Church Union.

edit., Edited, edition.

E.E. & M.P., Envoy Extra-
ordinary and Minister Pleni-
potentiary.

e.g. (L. exempli gratia), For
example.

E.H.P., Electrical horse-power.

E.I., East India, East Indies.

E.I.C., East India Company.

E.I.C.S., East India Company's
Service.

ejusd. (L. ejusdem), Of the same.

E.M.D.P., Electromotive differ-
ence of potential.

E.M.F., Electromotive force.

Emp., Emperor, Empire, Em-
press.

E.N.E., East-north-east.

Eng., England, English.

Ent. Sta. Hall, Entered at
Stationers' Hall.

Env. Extr., Envoy extraordin-
ary.

Eph., Ephesians.

episc., Episcopal.

eq., Equal.

equiv., Equivalent.

E.R. (L. Eduardus Rex), King
Edward.

E.R. et I. (L. Eduardus Rex et
Imperator), Edward, King and
Emperor.

E.S.E., East-south-east.

Esq., Esquire.

est., Established.
; et. al. (L. et alibi), And elsewhere.

E.T.C., Eastern Telegraph Com-
pany.

etc. (L. et cetera], And the rest.

et seq. (L. et sequens), (pi.) et
sqq. (et sequentes or sequentia),
And the following.

ex., Examined ; example ; ex-
changed ; executed.

Exc., Excellency.

exc., Excepted.

Exch., Exchange ; Exchequer.

ex. gr. (L. exempli gratia), For
example.

Exod., Exodus.

Exon. (L. Exoniensis), Of Exeter
(signature of the Bishop of
Exeter).

exp., Export.
Ezek., Ezekiel.

F., Fahrenheit.

f (It&\. forte), (Music) loud.

F.A., Football Association.

fac., facs., Facsimile.

Fahr., Fahrenheit.

F.B.A., Fellow of the British

Academy.
F.B.S., Fellow of the Botanical

Society.

F.B.S.E., Fellow of the Botani-
cal Society of Edinburgh.
F.C., Football Club ; Free

Church of Scotland.
F.C.A., Fellow of the Chartered

Accountants.
fcap., Foolscap.
F.C.G.I., Fellow of the City and

Guilds of London Institute.
F.C.I., Fellow of the Institute

of Commerce.
F.C.I.S., Fellow of the Chartered

Institute of Secretaries.
F.C.P., Fellow of the College of

Preceptors.
F.C.S., Fellow of the Chemical

Society.
F.D. (L.fidei defensor), Defender

of the Faith.
Feb., February.
fee. (L. fecit), He (or she) made

it.

F.E.I.S., Fellow of the Educa-
tional Institute of Scotland.
fern., Feminine.

F.E.S., Fellow of the Entomo-
logical Society.
ff., Following pages.
ff (Ital. fortissimo), (Music)

Louder than forte, very loud.
F.F.A., Fellow of the Faculty

of Actuaries.
fff (Ital. fortissimo), (Music]

As loud as possible.
F.F.P.S., Fellow of the Faculty

of Physicians and Surgeons.
F.G.O., Fellow of the Guild of

Organists.
F.G.S., Fellow of the Geological

Society.
F.I.A., Fellow of the Institute

of Actuaries.
F.I.C., Fellow of the Institute

of Chemistry.

Fid. Def. (L. fidei defensor), De-
fender of the Faith
fig., Figurative, figuratively ;

figure.
F.I.Inst., Fellow of the Imperial

Institute.
F.I.O., Fellow of the Institute

of Ophthalmic Opticians.
F.J.I., Fellow of the Institute

of Journalists.

F.K.C., Fellow of King's College.
F.L.A., Fellow of the Library

Association.
flor. (L. floruit), He (or she)

flourished.
F.L.S., Fellow of the Linnean

Society.
F.M., Field-Marshal.

4657

Royal

F.O., Field Officer : Foreign
Office ; (Music) full organ.

fo., Folio.

f.o.b., Free on board.

f.o.r., Free on rail.

fp. (Ital. forte piano), (Music)
Loud and soft.

F.P.S., Fellow of the Philo-
sophical Society ; Fellow oi
the Philharmonic Society.

F.Phys.S., Fellow of the Physi-
cal Society.

F.R.A.I., Fellow of the Royal
Anthropological Institute.

F.R.A.M., Fellow of the Ro
Academy of Music.

F.R.A.S., Fellow of the Royal
Astronomical Society : Fel-
low of the Royal Asiatic
Society.

F.R.Ae.S., Fellow of the Royal
Aeronautical Society.

F.R.B.S., Fellow of the Royal
Botanic Society.

F. R.C.I., Fellow of the Royai
Colonial Institute.

F.R.C.M., Fellow of the Royai
College of Music.

F.R.C.O., Fellow of the Royal
College of Organists.

F.R.C.P., Fellow of the Royal
College of Physicians.

F.R.C.P.E., Fellow of the Royal
College of Physicians, Edin-
burgh.

F.R.C.P.I., Fellow of the Royal
College of Physicians, Ireland,

F.R.C.S., Fellow of the Royal
College of Surgeons.

F.R.C.S.E., Fellow of the Royal
College of Surgeons, Edin-
burgh.

F.R.C.S.I., Fellow of the Royal
College of Surgeons, Ireland,

F.R.C.S.L., Fellow of the Roya!
College of Surgeons, London

F.R.C.V.S., Fellow of the Royai
College of Veterinary Sur-
geons (London) .

F.R.Econ.S., Fellow of the Roya
Economic Society.

F.R.F.P.S., Fellow of the Roya:
Faculty of Physicians and
Surgeons.

F.R.G.S., Fellow of the Roya
Geographical Society.

F.R.H.S., Fellow of the Roya:
Horticultural Society.

F.R.Hist.S., Fellow of the Roya:
Historical Society.

F.R.Hort.8., Fellow of the Royal
Horticultural Society.

F.R.I.B.A., Fellow of the Royal
Institute of British Archi-
tects.

F.R.Met.Soe., Fellow of the
Royal Meteorological Society.

F.R.S., Fellow of the Royal
Society.

F.R.S.A., Fellow of the Royal
Society of Arts.

frs., Francs.

F.R.S.E., Fellow of the Royal
Society of Edinburgh.

F.R.S.L.

I.Y.

F.R.S.L., Fellow of the Royal

Society of Literature ; Fel-
low of the Royal Society of

London (F.R.S.).
F.R.S.S., Fellow of the Royal

Statistical Society.
F.S.A., Fellow of the Society

of Antiquaries.
F.S.A.A., Fellow of the Society

of Incorporated Accountants

and Auditors.
F.S.I., Fellow of the Sanitary

Institute ; Fellow of the

Surveyors' Institute.
F.S.SC.A., Fellow of the Society

of Science and Art of London.
F.T.C.D., Fellow of Trinity

College, Dublin.
F.T.C.L., Fellow of Trinity

College of Music, London.
fur , Furlong.
F.Z,S., Fellow of the Zoological

Society.

Gal., Galatians.

gal., Gallon, gallons.

G.B., Great Britain.

G.B. & I., Great Britain and
Ireland.

G.B.E., Knight (or Dame) Grand
Cross of (the Order of) the
British Empire.

G.C., Grand Chapter.

G.C.B., Knight Grand Cross of
(the Order of) the Bath.

G.C.H., Knight Grand Cross of
Hanover.

G.C.I.E., Grand Commander of
(the Order of) the Indian
Empire.

G.C.L.H., Knight Grand Cross
of the Legion of Honour.

G.C.M.G., Knight Grand Cross
of St. Michael and St. George.

G.C.R., Great Central Railway.

G.C.S.I., Knight Grand Com-
mander of the Star of India.

G.C.V.O., Knight Grand Cross
of the Royal Victorian Order.

gen., Gender ; genus.

geog., geographical.

geol., Geology.

geom., Geometry.

G.E.R., Great Eastern Railway.

g.gr., Great gross (144 dozen).

G.H.Q., General Headquarters.

Glam., Glam organ hire.

GlOS., Gloucestershire.

G.M., General Manager ; Gold
Medallist (Bisley) ; Grand
Master.

gm., Gram.

G.M.I.E., Grand Master of (the
Order of) the Indian Empire.

G.M.S.L, Grand Master of (the
Order of) the Star of India.

G.M.T., Greenwich Mean Time

G.N.R., Great Northern Rail-
way.

gov., Governor.

Gov.-Gen., Governor-General

G.P., (Medicine) General prac-
titioner ; (L. Gloria Patri)
Glory to the Father.

G.P.O., General Post Office.

G.R. (L. Georgius Rex), King
George.

Gr., Greek.

gs., Guineas.

G.W.R., Great Western Rail-
way.

hab. corp. Habeas corpus.

H.A.C., Honourable Artillery
Company.

h. & c., Hot and cold (water).

Hants, Hampshire.

H.B.C., Hudson Bay Company.

H.B.M., His (or Her) Britannic
Majesty.

B.C., Heralds' College ; House
of Commons.

H.C.M., His (or Her) Catholic
Majesty.

Heb., Hebrews.

H.E.I.C.S., Honourable East In-
dia Company's Service.

Herts, Hertfordshire.

H.G., His (or Her) Grace ;
Horse Guards.

H.H., His (or Her) Highness ;
His Holiness (the Pope) .

hhd., Hogshead.

H.I.H., His (or Her) Imperial
Highness.

H.I.M., His (or Her) Imperial
Majesty.

H.K., House of Keys, Isle of
Man.

H.M., His (or Her) Majesty.

H.M.C., His (or Her) Majesty's
Customs.

H.M.I., His (or Her) Majesty's
Inspector.

H.M.P. (L. hoc monumentum
posuit), He erected this monu-
ment.

H.M.S., His (or Her) Majesty's
Service ; His (or Her) Majes-
ty's Ship.

Hon., Honourable, Honorary.

Honble. (India), Honourable.

hort., Horticultural, horticul-
ture.

H.P., High pressure ; house-
physician.

h.p., Horse-power.

h.p.n., Horse-power nominal.

H.R., House of Representatives.

H.R.E., Holy Roman Empire ;
Holy Roman Emperor.

H.R.H., His (or Her) Royal
Highness.

H.R.I.P. (L. hie requiescit in
pace), Here rests in peace.

H.S., Honorary Secretary ;

house-surgeon ; (L. hie sepul-

tus or situs), Here is buried ;

(L. hoc sensu), in this sense.

H.S.E. (L. hie sepultus (or situs)

est), Here lies buried.
H,S.H., His (or Her) Serene

Highness.
H.S.M., His (or Her) Serene

Majesty.

H.S.S. (L Historiae Societatis
Socius), Fellow of the His-
torical Society.

4658

h.t., (Elec.) High tension.
Hunts, Huntingdonshire.
hypoth., Hypothetical.

ib., ibid. (L. ibidem), In the

same place.
I. C. (L lesus Christus) Jesus

Christ.

I.C.E., Institute of Civil Engin-
eers.
I.C.N. (L. in Christ^ nomine), In

the name of Christ.
I.C.S., Indian Civil Service.
I.D., Intelligence Department.
id. (L. idem), The same.
I.D.B., (S. Africa) Illicit diamond

buyer, or buying.
I.D.N. (L. in Dei nomine), In

God's name.
i.e. (L. id est), That is.
I.E.E., Institute of Electrical

Engineers.

ign. (L. ignotus), Unknown.
IHS, Gr. monogram for Jesus.
111., Illinois.
I.L.P., Independent Labour

Party.
imp., Imperative ; imperfect ;

imperial ; impersonal.
I.M.S. Indian Medical Service.
I.N.A., Institute of Naval

Architects.
incog., Incognito.
incor., Incorporated.
inf., Infantry ; infinitive.
infra dig. (L. infra dignitatem),

Beneath one's dignity. '
in lim. (L. in limine), At the

outset.
in pr. (L. tn principio), In the

beginning.

I. N.R.I. (L. lesus Nazarenus Rex
ludaeorum), Jesus of Nazar-
eth, King of the Jews.
Ins.-Gen., Inspector-General.
inst., Instant (of this month).
Inst.C.E., Institute of Civil

Engineers.
Inter. Arts, Intermediate in

Arts.
Inter. Sc., Intermediate in

Science.
in trans. (L. intransitu), On the

passage.

introd., Introduction.
I.O., India Office.
I.O.F., Independent Order of

Foresters.

I. of M., Isle of Man.
I.O.G.T., Independent Order of

Good Templars.
I.O.O.F., Independent Order of

Oddfellows.
IOU, I owe you.
i.q. (L. idem quod), The same as.
Is., Isaiah.

I.S.C., Indian Staff Corps.
I.S.M., Incorporated Society of

Musicians.

I.S.O., (Companion of the) Im-
perial Service Order.
ital., Italics.
I.W., Isle of Wight.
I.Y., Imperial Yeomanry.

JAN.

MEGH

Jan., January.

J.C., (L. Juris-Consultus) , Juris-
consult ; Justice-Clerk.

J.C.D. (L. Juris Civilis Doctor] ,
Doctor of Civil Law.

J.D., (L. Jurum Doctor], Doctor
of Laws.

JHS. See ms.

jnr,. Junior.

Jos., Joseph.

J.P., Justice of the Peace.

jr., Junior.

J.U.D. (L. Juris utriusque
Doctor], Doctor of both Civil
and Canon Law.

Jul., July.

Kal. (Kalendae] Kalends.

Kan., Kansas.

K.B., King's Bench ; Knight
Bachelor.

K.B.E., Knight Commander of
(the Order of) the British
Empire.

K.C., King's College ; King's
Counsel ; Knight of the Cres-
cent (Turkey) ; Kennel Club.

K.C.B., Knight Commander of
(the Order of) the Bath.

K.C.I.E., Knight Commander of
(the Order of) the Indian
Empire.

K.C.M.G., Knight Commander
of (the Order of) St. Michael
and St. George.

K.C.S I., Knight Commander of
the Star of India.

K.C.V.O., Knight Commander
of the Royal Victorian Order.

K.G., Knight of (the Order of)
the Garter.

kg.. Kilogram.

K.G.C., Knight Grand Cross.

K.G.C,B., Knight of the Grand
Cross of the Bath.

K.H., Knight pf the Hano-
verian Guelphic Order.

kilo, Kilogram.

K.K.K., Ku-Klux-Klan.

K.L.H., Knight of the Legion
of Honour.

K.M., Knight of Malta.

Knt., Knight.

K.O.S.B., King's Own Scottish
Borderers.

K.O.Y.L.I., King's Own York-
shire Light Infantry.

K.PV Knight of (the Order of)
St. Patrick.

K.R.R., King's Royal Rifles.

K.S., King's scholar.

K.S.I., Knight of the Star of
India.

K.T., Knight of the Order of
the Thistle ; Knight Templar.

Kt. Bach., Knight Bachelor.

kw., Kilowatt.

L.A., Law Agent ; Literate in
Arts.

La., Louisiana.

L.A.C., Licentiate of the Apothe-
caries' Company ; London
Athletic Club.

Lam.> Lamentations.

Lanes, Lancashire.

L. & N.W.R., London and

North-Western Railway.
L. & Y.R., Lancashire and

Yorkshire Railway. .
Lat., Latin.
lat., Latitude.
I.e. (L. loco citato], In the place

cited ; lower case (of type).
L.C.B., Lord Chief Baron.
L.C.C., London County Council.
L.Ch., L.Chir., Licentiate in

Surgery.

L.C.J., Lord Chief Justice.
L.C.P., Licentiate of the College

of Preceptors.
L. Cpl., Lance-corporal.
Ld., Lord.

L.Div., Licentiate in Divinity.
Ldp., Lordship.
L.D.S., Licentiate in Dental

Surgery.
Leg.Hpn.Fr., (Member of the)

Legion of Honour, France.
Leics, Leicestershire.
Lev., Leviticus.
L.F.P.S., Licentiate of the Royal

Faculty of Physicians and

Surgeons.
L.G.B., Local Government

Board.
L.I., (Military] Light Infantry ;

Long Island.

lib. cat., Library catalogue.
Lie. Med., Licentiate in Medicine.
Lieut., Lieutenant.
Lieut. -Col., -Gen., -Gov., Lieut-
enant -Colonel, -General,

-Governor.
Litt.D. (L. Liter arum Doctor],

Doctor of Letters.
L.L.A., Lady Literate in Arts

(St. Andrews).
LL.B. (L. Legum Baccalaureus],

Bachelor of Laws.
LL.D. (L. Legum Doctor], Doctor

of Laws.
L.M.S., Licentiate in Medicine

and Surgery ; London Mis-
sionary Society.
L.M.S.R., London, Midland, and

Scottish Railway.
L.N.E.R., London and North

Eastern Railway.
L.N,U., League of Nations

Union.
loe. cit. (L. loco citato], In the

place cited.
Lond., London.
long., Longitude.
log. (L. loquitur), He (or she)

speaks.

L.P., Lord Provost.
L.P.S., Lord Privy Seal.
L.R.C.P., Licentiate of the Royal

College of Physicians.
L.R.C.P.E., Licentiate of the

Royal College of Physicians,

Edinburgh.
L.R.C.S., Licentiate of the Royal

College of Surgeons.
L.R.C.V.S., Licentiate of the

Royal College of Veterinary

Surgeons.

4659

L.R.F.P.S., Licentiate of the
Royal Faculty of Physicians
and Surgeons.

L.S.A., Licentiate of the Society
of Apothecaries.

L.S.B., London School Board.

l.s.c. (L. loco supra citato), In the
place above cited.

L. s. d, (L. librae, solidi, denarii],
Pounds, shillings and pence.

l.t., (Electricity], Low tension

Lt., Lieutenant.

L.T. A., Lawn Tennis Associa-
tion ; London Teachers' As-
sociation.

L.T.C.L., Licentiate of Trinity
College (of Music), London.

Lt.-Col., Lieutenant-Colonel.

Lt.-Com., Lieutenant-Command-
ant.

Ltd., Limited.

Lt.-Gen., Lieutenant-General.

Lt. Inf., Light Infantry.

M., Monsieur.

m., masculine.

M.A. (L. Magister Artium),
Master of Arts ; Military
Academy.

Mace , Maccabees.

Magd., Magdalen College, Oxford;
Magdalene College, Cambrid ge .

Maj., Major.

Maj.-Gen., Major-General.

Mai., Malachi.

Man., Manitoba ; Manila.

masc., Masculine.

Mass., Massachusetts.

math., mathematics.

Matric., Matriculation.

Matt., St. Matthew.

max., Maxim ; maximum.

M.B. (L. Medicinae Bacca-
laureus], Bachelor of Medi-
cine.

M.B.E., Member of (the Order
of) the British Empire.

M.B.T.A., Metropolitan Board
Teachers' Association.

M.C., Master Commandant ;
Master of the Ceremonies ;
Member of Congress ; Mem-
ber of Council ; the Military
Cross.

M.C.C., Marylebone Cricket
Club ; Middlesex County
Council.

M.C.P., Member of the College
of Preceptors.

M.C.S., Madras Civil Service.

M.D. (L. Medicinae Doctor],
Doctor of Medicine ; (F.
main droite, Ital. mano destra),
(Music] with the right hand.

Md., Maryland.

m.d.; Month's date.

Mdlle. See MLLE.

Mdme. See MME.

M.D.S.> Master of Dental Sur-
gery.

Me., Maine.

M.E.C., Member of the Execu-
tive Council.

meeh., Mechanics.

MED.

N.S.I.G.

med., Medical ; mediaeval ;
medium ; medallist.

Medit., Mediterranean.

mem., memorandum.

mer., Meridian, meridional.

Messrs.., Messieurs.

Met. R., Metropolitan Railway.

Mex., Mexico.

mf (Ital. mezzo-forte), (Music]
Moderately loud.

M.F.B., Metropolitan Fire Bri-
gade.

mfd., Manufactured.

M.F.H., Master of Foxhounds.

mfr., manufacturer.

Mgr. Monsignor.

M.H.R., Member of the House
of Representatives.

M.I.C.E. See M.INST.C.E.

Mich., Michigan.

micros., Microscopy.

mid., Middle ; Midlands.

M.I.E.E., Member of the Insti-
tute of Electrical Engineers.

M.I.E.I., Member of the Insti-
tution of Engineering Inspec-
tion.

M.I.J., Member of the Institute
of Journalists (M.J.I.)

M.I.M.E., Member of the Insti-
tute of Mining Engineers.

M.I.Mech.E., Member of the
Institute of Mechanical
Engineers.

min., Minimum ; Minute.

Min. Plen., Minister Plenipo-
tentiary.

M.Inst.C.E., Member of the
Institute of Civil Engineers.

misc., Miscellaneous, miscellany.

M.J.I. See M.I.J.

M.L.A., Member of the Legis-
lative Assembly ; Modern
Language Association.

M.L.C., Member of the Legis-
lative Council.

Mile., Mademoiselle.

Miles, Mesdemois.elles.

MM., Majesties ; messieurs.

M.M., Military Medal.

Mme., Madame.

Mmes., Mesdames.

M.N.S., Member of the Numis-
matical Society.

M.O., Money Order ; Medical
Officer.

mo., Month, months.

mod., Moderate ; modern.

mod. (Ital. moderate), (Music)
In moderate time.

M.O.H., Medical Officer of
Health.

mol. wt., Molecular weight.

MOD., Monday ; Monmouth-
shire.

M.P., Member of Parliament ;
Metropolitan Police.

tnp (Ital. mezzo-piano], (Music]
Rather softly.

m.p.h., Miles per hour.

M.P.S., Member of the Phar-
maceutical Society ; Member
of the Philological Society

M.R., Master of the Rolls ; Mid-
land Railway. •
Mr., Mister.
M.R.A.S., Member of the Royal

Asiatic Society ; Member of

the Royal Academy of

Science.
M.R.C.C., Member of the Royal

College of Chemistry.
M.R.C.O., Member of the Royal

College of Organists.
M.R.C.P., Member of the Royal

College of Physicians.
M.R.C.S., Member of the Royal

College of Surgeons.
M.R.C.V.S., Member ol the

Royal College of Veterinary

Surgeons.
M.R.G.S., Member of the Royal

Geographical Society.
M.R.I., Member of the Royal

Institution.
M.R.I. A., Member of the Royal

Irish Academy.
Mrs., Mistress.
M.R.S.A., Member of the Royal

Society of Arts.
M.R.S.L., Member of the Royal

Society of Literature.
MS. (pi. MSS.) Manuscript.
M.S., Master of Science ; Master

of Surgery ; (L. memoriae

sacrum], sacred to the me-
mory ; (Ital. mane sinistra],

(Music] the left hand,
m.s., Month's sight (commerce).
M.S. A., Member of the Society

of Arts ; Member of the

Society of Architects.
M.S.C., Madras Staff Corps ;

Medical Staff Corps.
M.Sc., Master of Science.
m.s.l., Mean sea-level.
M.T., Motor Transport.
Mt. Rev., Most Reverend,
mus., Museum ; musician.
Mus B., Mus.Bac. (L. Musicae

Baccalaureus], Bachelor of

Music.
Mus.D., Mus. Doc. (L. Musicae

Doctor], Doctor of Music.
Mus.M. (L. Musicae Magister],

Master of Music (Cambridge).
M.V.O., Member -of the Royal

Victorian Order.
M.W., Most Worshipful ; Most

Worthy.
myth., Mythological, mythology.

N., North ; Northern (London

postal district).

n., Neuter ; nominative ; noun.
Nat., Nathaniel ; national.
N.A., North America.
nat., Natural, naturalist.
nat. hist., Natural history.
nat. ord., Natural Order.
nat. phil., Natural philosophy.
naut , Nautical.
nav., Naval ; navigation.
N.B., New Brunswick ; North

Britain (Scotland).
N.B. (L. not a bene], Mark well.
N.B.R.. North British Railway.

4660

N.C., North Carolina.

N.C.O., Non - commissioned
officer.

N.C.U., National Cyclists' Union.

n.d., No date.

N.Dak., North Dakota.

N.E., New England ; north-
east ; North-Eastern (London
postal district).

Nebr., Nebraska.

Neh., Nehemiah.

n.e.i. (L. non est inventus], He
has not been found.

mm. con. (L. nemine contra-
dicente], No one contradict-
ing.

nem. diss. (L. nemine dissen-
tiente), No one dissenting.

N.E.R., North-Eastern Railway.

neut., Neuter.

N.F., Newfoundland ; Norman
French.

N.H., New Hampshire.

N.Heb., New Hebrides.

Nicar., Nicaragua.

N.I.D., Naval Intelligence De-
partment.

ni. pri.t (L. nisi prius], Unless
before.

N.J., New Jersey.

N.L., Navy League ; New Latin.

N. lat., North latitude.

N.L.F., National Liberal Feder-
ation.

N.L.I., National Lifeboat Insti-
tution.

N.L.R., North London Railway.

N. Mex., New Mexico.

N.N.E., North-north-east.

N.N.W., North-north-west.

N.O., Natural Order ; New
Orleans.

No. (Ital. Numero], (pi. Nos.)
Number.

no/, pros. (L. nolle prosequi], To
be unwilling to prosecute.

nom., Nominative.

non-com., Non-commissioned.

Noncon., Nonconformist.

non-con., Non-content.

non. obst. (L. non obstante], Not-
withstanding.

non pros. (L. non prosequitur],
He does not prosecute.

non seq. (L. non sequitur], It
does not logically follow.

Northants, Northamptonshire.

Northumb., Northumberland.

Norvic. (L. Norvicensis], Of
Norwich (Bishop of Nor-
wich's signature).

Nos. (see No.), Numbers.

Notts, Nottinghamshire.

Nov., November.

N.P.D., North Polar distance.

N.R., North Riding (of Yorks).

nr., Near.

N.R.A., National Rifle Associa-
tion.

N.S., NQW style ; Nova Scotia.

n.s., Not specified.

N.S.I.C., (L. Noster Salvator
lesus Christus]. Our Saviour
Jesus Christ.

N.S.L

P.T.

N.S.L., National Sunday League.
N.S.P.C.C., National Society

for the Prevention of Cruelty

to Children.

N.S.W., New South Wales.
N.T., New Testament.
n.U., Name unknown.
Num. (Bible) Numbers.
N.U.R., National Union of Rail-

way men.
N.U.T., National Union of

Teachers.

N.V., New Version.
N.V.M., Nativity of the Virgin

Mary.
N.W., North-west ; North -

Western (London postal dis-

trict).
N.W.Piovs., North-West Pro-

vinces (India).
N.W.T., North-Western Terri-

tory.

N.Y., New York (City or State).
N.Y.C., New York City.
N.Z., New Zealand.

Ob. (L. obiit), He (or she) died.
066., (Music] Obbligato.
O.8.E., Officer of (the Order of)

the British Empire.
obj., Objection, objective.
obs. Obsolete.
ob. s. p. (L. obiit sine prole),

Died without issue.
Oct., October.
O.E., Old English.
O.F., Odd Fellows ; Old French ;
off., Official, officinal.
O.H.B.M.S., On His (or Her)

Britannic Majesty's Service.
O.H.L., Oxford Higher Local

(Examinations) .
O.H.M.S., On His (or Her)

Majesty's Service.
O.K., All correct.
O.M. (Member of the) Order of

Merit.

Ont., Ontario (Upper Canada).
0. & 0., Oriental & Occidental

(Steamship Company).
O.p., Out of print (of books).
op. cit. (L. opere citato), In the

work cited.

O.R.C., Order of the Red Cross.
ord., Ordinary.
ornith., Ornithological, ornitho-

O.S., Old style, Old Saxon.
O.S.A., Order of St. Augustine.
O.S.B., Order of St. Benedict.
O.S.F., Order of St. Francis.
O.S.N.C., Oriental Steam Navi-

gation Company.
o.s.p. (L. obiit sine prole), Died

without issue.
O.T., Old Testament.
O.T.C., Officers' Training Corps.
Oxon, Oxfordshire ; (L. Oxonia),

Oxford; Oxon. (L.Oxoniensis),

of Oxford (Bishop of Oxford's

signature) .
oz., Ounce, ounces.

p (Ital. piano], (Music) Soft.

Pa., Pennsylvania.

p.a. (L. per annum), Yearly.

p.ae. (L. paries aequales), Equal
parts.

P. & 0., Peninsular and Oriental
(Steam Navigation Com-
pany).

par., Paragraph ; parallel ; par-
enthesis ; parish.

Parl., Parliament, parliament-
ary.

P.B. (L. Pharmacopoeia Britan-
nica), British Pharmacopoeia ;
Plymouth Brethren ; Primi-
tive Baptists.

P.O., Parish Council ; Parish
Councillor ; Police Constable ;
Privy Councillor.

p.c., Post card ; per cent.

P.C.S., Principal Clerk of Ses-
sion (Scotland).

pd.: Paid.

P.E., Protestant Episcopal.

P.E.I., Prince Edward Island.

per cent (L. per centum), By the
hundred.

perf., Perfect.

per proe. (L. per procurationem) ,
On behalf of.

pers., Person, personal.

Petriburg. (L. Petriburgensis), Of
Peterborough (signature of
Bishop of Peterborough).

p. ex. (F. par exemple), For in-
stance.

P.G.M., Provincial Grand
Master.

phar., Pharmacopoeia.

pharm., Pharmaceutical, phar-
macy.

Ph.D. (L. Philosophiae Doctor),
Doctor of Philosophy.

Phil., Philadelphia ; (Epistle to
the) Philippians.

phil., Philosophy.

Phil. Trans., Philosophical
Transactions.

phon., Phonetics.

pinx. (L. pinxit), He (or she)
painted it.

pk., Peck, pecks.

P.L. (L. Pharmacopoeia Londin-
ensis) , London Pharmacopoeia.

pi., Plural.

Plen., Plenipotentiary.

plup., Pluperfect.

P.M., Pacific Mail; Past Master ;
Paymaster ; Postmaster ;

post-mortem.

p.m. (L. post meridiem), After-
noon.

P.M.G., Paymaster - Genera! ;
Postmaster-General .

P.M.O., Principal Medical
Officer.

p.n., Promissory note.

pnxt. (L. pinxit), He (or she)
painted it.

P.O., Petty Officer ; postal or-
der ; post office.

P.O.D., Pay on delivery.

poet., Poetic, poetical, poetry.

pol. eeon., Political economy.

P.O.O., Post office order.

4661

P.O.P., (Photography) Printing
out paper.

pop., Popular, population.

pos., Positive.

poss., Possession, possessive.

P.P., Parish priest ; Past Pre-
sident.

P.P.S., Additional postscript.

pp., Pages.

pp (Ital. pianissimo), (Music)
Very soft.

p.p., Pas.t participle ; per pro-
curationem, on behalf of ;
post paid.

p.p. (Ital. piii piano), (Music)
More softly.

p.p.c. (F. pour prendre cong£)>
To take leave.

ppp (Ital. pianissimo), (Music)
As softly as possible.

pr., Pair, pairs.

P.R. (L. populus Romanus), the
Roman people

P.R. A., President of the Royal
Academy.

P.R.C. (L. post Romam condi-
tam), After the foundation of
Rome, 754 B.C.

Preb., Prebend, Prebendary.

pref «,, Preface ; preference ; pre-
fix.

prelim., Preliminary.

prep., Preparatory ; preposi-
tion.

Pres., President.

Presb., Presbyterian.

P.R.I., President of the Royal
Institute (of Painters in
Water-colours).

P.R.I.B.A., President of the
Royal Institute of British
Architects.

Prin., Principal.

p.r.n. (L. pro re nata), As occa-
sion may require.

pro, Professional.

Prof., Professor.

pron., Pronoun.

propr., Proprietor ; proprietary.

pro tern. (L. pro tempore), For
the time being.

Proy. (Bible) Proverbs ; pro-
vince ; Provost.

prox. (L. proximo), Next month.

P.R.S., President of the Royal
Society.

P.R.S.A., President of the Royal
Scottish Academy.

P.R.S.E., President of the
Royal Society of Edinburgh.

P.S., Permanent Secretary ; (L.
postscriptum) postscript ;
Privy Seal ; (Theatre) prompt
side.

P.S.A., Pleasant Sunday After-
noons ; Private Schools' As-
sociation.

pseud., Pseudonym.

P.S.N.C., Pacific Steam Navi-
gation Company.

psych., Psychic, psychical.

psychol., Psychological, psycho-
logy.

P.T., Post town ; pupil teacher.

PT.

R.W.G.M.

pt., Part ; payment ; pint.
Pte., (Military) Private.
P.T.O., Please turn over.
pub., Public ; published.
pub. doc., Public document.
pwt. See DWT.

q., Quasi ; query ; quintal.

Q.A.B., Queen Anne's Bounty.

Q.A.I. M.N.S., Queen Alexan-
dra's Imperial Military Nurs-
ing Service.

Q,B., Queen's Bench.

Q.C., Queen's Counsel.

q.d. (L. quasi dicat), As if one
should say ; (L. quasi dictum} ,
as if said.

q.e. (L. quod est), Which is.

Q.E.D. (L. quod erat demon-
strandum), Which was to be
proved.

Q.E.F (L. quod erat faciendum) ,
Which was to be done.

Q.E.I. (L. quod erat invenien-
dum], Which was to be found
out.

qj, (L. quantum libel), As much
as you please.

Q.M., Quartermaster.

qm. (L. quomodo), By what
means.

Q.M.A.A.C., Queen Mary's
Army Auxiliary Corps.

Q. Mess., Queen's Messenger.

Q.M.G., Quartermaster-General .

Q.M.S., Quartermaster-Sergeant.

q.pl. (L. quantum placet), As
much as you please.

qq.v. (L. quae vide), Which
(things, etc.) see.

qr., Quarter ; quire.

Q.S., Quarter-Sessions.

q.s. (L. quantum sufficit), A
sufficient quantity.

qt., Quantity ; quart, quarts.

Qto., Quarto (folded in four).

quant, stiff. See Q.S.

q.v, (L. quod vide], Which see ;
(L. quantum vis), as much as
you will.

qy., Query.

R., (L. rex), King ; (Theatre)
right side ; river.

R.A., Rear- Admiral ; Road As-
sociation ; Royal Academy ;
Royal Academician ; Royal
Artillery.

R.A.A., Royal Academy of Arts.

R.A.C., Royal Agricultural Col-
lege , Royal Automobile
Club.

rad. (L. radix), Root.

R.-Adm., Rear-Admiral.

R.A.F., Royal Air Force.

R.A.G.C., Royal and Ancient
Golf Club (St. Andrews).

R.A.M., Royal Academy of
Music.

R.A.M.C., Royal Army Medical
Corps.

R.A.S., Royal Agricultural,
Asiatic or Astronomical So-
ciety.

R.A.S.C., Royal Army Service
Corps.

R.B.A., Royal (Society of)
British Artists.

R.C., Roman Catholic.

r.-c., Right of centre (of stage).

R.C.A., Royal College of Art.

R.C.I., Royal Colonial Institute.

R.C.M., Royal College of Music
(London).

R.C.O., Royal College of Organ-
ists.

R.C.P., Royal College of Phy-
sicians or of Preceptors.

R.C.S., Royal College of Sur-
geons.

R.C.V.S., Royal College of Veter-
inary Surgeons.

R.D., Royal Dragoons ; Rural
Dean ; Royal Naval Reserve
Decoration.

Rd., Road.

R.D.C., Rural District Council.

R.D.S., Royal Drawing Society ;
Royal Dublin Society.

R.D.Y., Royal Dockyard.

R.E., Royal Engineers.

rec., Recipe.

reed., Received.

reet., Rectified.

ref., Reference ; reformed.

regd., Registered.

Reg. Prof., Regius Professor.

regt., Regiment.

Rev., (Bible) Revelation ;
Reverend ; review.

rev., Revenue ; revise ; re-
volution.

Revs., The Reverends.

Rev. Ver., Revised Version (of
the Bible).

R.F.A., Royal Field Artillery.

R.F.C., Royal. Flying Corps. -~*

R.G.A., Royal Garrison Artil-
lery.

R.G.G., Royal Grenadier Guards.

R.G.S., Royal Geographical So-
ciety.

R.H., Royal Highness.

r.h., Right-hand.

R.H.A., Royal Hibernian
Academy ; Royal Horse Ar-
tillery. •

rhet., Rhetoric, rhetorical.

R.H.G., Royal Horse Guards.

R.H.S., Royal Horticultural
Society ; Royal Humane So-
ciety.

R.Hist.S., Royal Historical So-
ciety.

R.I., Rhode Island ; Royal In-
stitute (of Painters in Water-
colours) ; Royal Institution.

R.I. A., Royal Irish Academy.

R.I.B.A., Royal Institute of
British Architects.

R.I. P. (L. Requiescat or -cant in
pace), May he (she) or they
rest in peace.

Rly., Railway.

R.M., Resident Magistrate ;
Royal Mail ; Royal Marines.

R.M.A., Royal Marine Artil-
lery ; Royal Military Academy

4662

(Woolwich) ; Royal Military
Asylum.

R.Met.S., Royal Meteorological
Society.

R.M.L.I., Royal Marine Light
Infantry.

R.M.S., Royal Mail Service;
Royal Mail Steamer ; Royal
Microscopical Society ; Royal
Society of Miniature' Painters.

R.N., Royal Navy.

R.N.A.S., Royal Naval Air
Service.

R.N.A.V., Royal Naval Artil-
lery Volunteers.

R.N.D., Royal Naval Division.

R.N.R., Royal Naval Reserve.

R.N.V.R., Royal Naval Volun-
teer Reserve.

R.O., Receiving office, receiving
officer ; recruiting officer ;
relieving officer ; returning
officer.

Roffen. (L. Roffensis), Oi Roch- •
ester (the Bishop of Roch-
ester's signature).

R.O.I., Royal Institute of Oil
Painters.

Rom., Roman ; (Bible) Romans.

R.P.D., Regius Professor of
Divinity ; (L. Rerum Poli-
ticarum Doctor), Doctor of
Political Science.

r.p.ra., Revolutions per minute.

R.R.C., Royal Red Cross.

Rs., Rupees.

R.5. A., Royal Scottish Academy;
Royal Scottish Academician.

R.S.D., Royal Society of Dub-
lin.

R.S.E., Royal Society of Edin-
burgh.

R.S.L., Royal Society of Litera-
ture ; Royal Society of Lon-
don.

R.S.M., Regimental Sergeant-
Mai or ; Royal School of
Mines ; Royal Society of
Medicine.

R.S.O., Railway sub- or sorting-
office.

R.S.P.C.A., Royal Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals.

R.S.S. (L. Regtae Societatis So-
cius), Fellow of the Royal
Society.

R.S.V.P. (F. repondez s'il vous
plait], Please reply.

R.S.W.S., Royal Scottish Water-
Colour Society.

Rt. Hon., Right Honourable.

Rt. Rev., Right Reverend.

R.T.S., Religious Tract Society ;
Royal Toxophilite Society.

R.V., Revised Version (of the
Bible) ; Rifle Volunteers.

R.W., Right Worshipful ; Right
Worthy.

R.W.D.G.M., Right Worshipful
Deputy Grand Master.

R.W.G.M., Right Worshipful
Grand Master.

R.W.G.S

T.R.H

R.W.G.S,, Right Worthy Graud

Secretary.
R.W.G.T., Right Worthy Grand

Templar ; Right Worthy

Grand Treasurer.
R.W.G.W., Right Worthy

Grand Warden.
R.W.S., Royal Society of

Painters in Water-colours.
R.W.S.G.W., Right Worshipful

Senior Grand Warden.
Ry., Railway.
R.Y.S., Royal Yacht Squadron.

S., South ; Southern (London
postal district).

S., Second ; shilling ; singular ;
substantive.

S.A., Salvation Army ; South
Africa ; South America ;
South Australia.

s.a. (L. sine anno), Without date.

S.A.C., Scottish Automobile
Club.

S.A.I. (F. Son Altesse Imperiale),
His (or Her) Imperial High-
ness.

Salop, Shropshire.

Sam., Samuel.

Sansk., Sanskrit.

S.A.R., South African Republic.

Sarum., Of Salisbury (the
Bishop of Salisbury's signa-
ture).

Sat., Saturday.

S.B., Simultaneous broadcast
(wireless).

S.C. (L. Senatus Consultum),
Decree of the Senate.

sc. (L. sculpsif), He (or she) en-
graved it ; (L. scilicet] namely.

S. caps., Small capital letters.

Se.B. (L. Scientiae Baccalau-
reus), Bachelor of Science.

Sc.D. (L. Scientiae Doctor),
Doctor of Science.

sci, fa. (L. scire facias), That
you cause to know.

sell. (L. scilicet), Namely, being
understood.

S.C.L., Student of Civil Law.

sculp., Sculptor, sculpture.

sculps. (L. sculpsit), He (or she)
engraved it.

S.D., Senior Deacon.

s.d. (L. sine die), Indefinitely.

S. Dak., South Dakota.

S.E., South-east ; South-East-
ern (London postal district).

sec., second ; secretary.

sec. (L. secundum), According
to.

sec. reg. (L. secundum regulam),
According to rule.

Sen., Senate, senator ; senior.

Sept., September ; Septuagint.

seq. (L. sequens), The following.

Serg-, Sergeant.

Serj., Serjeant.

S.F.A., Scottish Football As-
sociation.

sfz. (Ital.), (Musical) Sforzando,
sforzato.

S.G., Solicitor-General.

S.H.S. (L. Societatis Histonae
Socius), Fellow of the His-
torical Society.

s.h.v (L. sub hac voce or hoc
vet-bo), Under this word.

sig., Signature.

sing., Singular.

S.J., Society of Jesus (Jesuits).

S.M., Sergeant -Major ; silver
medallist (Bisley).

S.M.I. (F. Sa Majesty Imperiale)
His (or Her) Imperial Majesty.

$M.Lon&.Soc.(Societalis Medicae
Londoniensis Socius) , Mem-
ber of the London Medical
Society.

S.M.M. (L. Sancta Mater Maria),
Holy Mother Mary.

S.M.O., Senior Medical Officer.

s.m.p. (L. sine mascula prole),
Without male issue.

s.n. (L. secundum naturam),
According to nature.

S.O., Sub-office.

so., Seller's option.

Soc., Society.

Sol., Solomon.

Sol. -Gen., Solicitor-General.

sop., Soprano.

s.p. (L. sine prole], Without
issue.

S.P.C.A. See R.S.P.C.A.

S.P.C.C. See N.S.P.C.C.

S.P.C.K., Society for the Pro-
motion of Christian Know-
ledge.

spec., Special ; specification.

S.P.G., Society for the Propaga-
tion of the Gospel.

sp. gr., Specific gravity.

S.P.Q.R. (L. Senatus populusque
Romanus), The Senate and
People of Rome.

s.p.s. (L. sine prole super stite),
Without issue surviving.

S.P.S.P., St. Peter and St.
Paul (papal seal).

sq. ft., Square foot or feet.

sq. in., Square inch or inches.

sq. m., Square mile or miles ;
square metre or metres.

sq. yd., Square yard or yards.

S.R., Southern Railway.

S.R.I., (L. Sacrum Romanum
Imperium), The Holy Roman
Empire.

S.R.S. (L. Societatis Regiae
Socius), Fellow of the Royal
Society.

S.S. (F. Sa Saintete), His Holi-
ness ; Secretary of State ;
steamship ; Straits Settle-
ments ; Sunday School.

SS., Saints ; (L. Sanctissimus) ,
Most Holy.

s.s., Screw steamer.

S.S.G., Solicitor before the Su-
preme Court ; (L. Societas
Sanctae Crucis), Society oJ
the Holy Cross.

SS.D. (L. Sanctissimus Domin-
us), Most Holy Lord (the
Pope).

S.S.E..: South-south-east.

4663

S.S.U., Sunday School Union.

S.S.W., South-south-west.

St., Saint : strait ; straits ;
street.

St., Stanza ; (Printing) stet ;
stone (weight).

Staffs, Staffordshire.

stat, Statuary ; statute.

S.T.D. (L. Sacrae Theologiae
Doctor), Doctor of Theology.

Ste. (F. sainte], Female saint

stg., Sterling.

Sth., South.

Stn., Station.

S.T.P. (L. Sacrae Theologiae
Professor], Professor of Sacred
Theology.

sub., Subaltern ; subscription ;
substitute ; suburb.

subj., Subject, subjective, sub-
jectively ; subjunctive.

suf., suff., Suffix.

Sun., Sunday.

sup. (L. supra], Above.

supt., Superintendent.

surg., surgical.

Surg.-Gen., Surgeon-General.

surv., Surveyor ; surviving.

S.V. (L. Sancta Virgo), Holy
Virgin ; (L. Sanctitas Vestra),
Your Holiness ; Sons of
Veterans.

S.V. (L. sub voce), Under the
word, heading, etc.,

S.W., Senior Warden; south-
west ; South-Western (London
postal district) .

S.W.G., Standard wire gauge.

sym., Symbol.

syn., Synonym, synonymous.

tal. qual. (L. talis qualis], Just

as they come.
T.C., Town Councillor.
T.C.D., Trinity College, Dublin.
T.D., Territorial Decoration,
tech., Technical, technically.
technol., Technological, techno-
logy.

tei., Telephone.
telg., Telegram.
temp. (L. tempore), In the time

of.

Tenn., Tennessee.
Ter., Terrace.
text. rec. (L. textus receptus], The

received text.
Thess., Thessalonians.
Thos., Thomas.
Thurs., Thursday.
T.H.W.M., Trinity high-water

mark.

Tim., Timothy.
tinct., Tincture.
T.O., Telegraph Office ; turn

over.

Toe H , Talbot House.
topog., Topography.
tpr., Trooper.
Tr., Translate, -lated, -lation,

-lator ; trustee.
transf., Transferred.
Treas., Treasurer, treasury.
T.R.H. , Their Royal Highnesses.

TRIG.

Z.S.

trig., Trigonometry.

Trio. H., Trinity Hall, Cam-
bridge.

Trs., Trustees.

Truron. (L. Truronensis) , Of
Truro (signature of the Bishop
of Truro).

T.S.O., Town Sub-Office.

T.U., Trade Union.

T.U.C., Trade Union Congress.

Tues., Tuesday.

typ., Typography.

U. (Politics), Unionist.

U.C., Upper Canada.

U.C.L., University College,
London.

U.D.C., Urban District Council.

U.F.C., United Free Church of
Scotland.

U.K., United Kingdom.

ult. (L. ultimo), Last month.

unabr., (Bibliography) Un-
abridged.

Univ., University.

U.P., United Presbyterian.

U.p., Under proof (of spirits).

U.S., United Service ; United
States.

U.S.A., United States of
America ; United States
Army.

U.S.I., United Service Institu-
tion.

U.S.M., United States Mail ;
United States Marines.

U.S.N., United States Navy.

U.S.S., United States ship ;
United States steamer.

ut diet. (L. ut dictum), As
directed.

ut sup. (L. ut supra), As above.

V., Vice.

v., Verb ; verse.

o., Versus (against) ; (L. vide),

see ; (Music) violin ; voice.
V.A., Vicar-Apostolic ; (Royal

Order of) Victoria and Albert ;

Volunteer Artillery.
Va., Virg^ia.

v.a. (L. vixit annos), Lived (so
many) years.

V.A.D., Voluntary Aid Detach-
ment.

V.-Adm., Vice-Admiral.

V. & A. Mus., Victoria and
Albert Museum.

val., Value.

var., (Mathematics) Variant.

v. aux., Verb auxiliary.

vb., Verb.

V.C., Vice-Chairman ; Vice-
Chancellor ; Vice - Consul ;
Victoria Cross.

V.D., Volunteer Decoration.

Yen., Venerable.

Vert., Vertebrata.

Vet., Veterinary Surgeon.

V.G., Vicar-General.

Vice.-Adm. See V.-ADM.

vid. (L. vide), See.

v.imp. Verb impersonal.

v.irr, Verb irregular.

Visct., Viscount, Viscountess.

viz. (L. videlicet), Namely.

V.I. (L. varia lectio), A variant
reading.

V.n., Verb neuter.

V.O., (Royal) Victorian Order.

VOC., vocative.

VOCab., Vocabulary.

vol., Volume ; volunteer.

V.-P., Vice-President.

V.R. (L. Victoria Regind), Queen
Victoria.

v.r., Verb reflexive.

V.R.C., Volunteer Rifle Corps.

V.R. et I. (L. Victoria Regina et
Imperatrix] , Victoria Queen
and Empress.

V.S., Veterinary Surgeon.

v.s. (L. vide supra), see above ;
(Ital. volta subito), (Music)
turn over quickly.

V.S.C., Volunteer Staff Corps.
V.t., Verb transitive.
vulg., Vulgarly, commonly,
vv., Verses ; (Music) violins.
vv. 11. (L. variae lectiones), Vari-
ant readings.

W., West ; Western (London

postal district).
W.A., Western Australia.
W.A.A.C., Woman's Army

Auxiliary Corps.
War., Warwickshire.
W.B., Way-bill.
W.C., Western Central (London

postal district).
w.c., Water-closet ; without

charge.

Wed., Wednesday.
W.f., (Printing) Wrong fount.
W.I., West Indies, West Indian.
Wilts, Wiltshire.
Winton. (L. Wintoniensis), Of

Winchester (the Bishop of

Winchester's signature).
Wise., Wisconsin.
Wm., William.
W.M.S., Wesleyan Missionary

Society.

W.N.W., West-north-west.
W.O., War Office.
Wor., Worshipful.
W.P.B., Waste-paper basket.
W.R., West Riding (Yorks).
.W.R.A.F., Women's Royal Air

Force.
W.R.N.S., Women's Royal Naval

Service.

W.S., Writer to the Signet.
W.S.P.U., Women's Social and

Political Union.
W.S.W., West-south-west.
W. Va., West Virginia.
Wyo., Wyoming.

Xmas., Christmas.

yd., Yard, yards.
Yorks, Yorkshire.
yr., Year ; younger ; your.

Zech., Zechariah.
Z.G., Zoological Gardens,
zool., Zoological, zoologist, zoo-
logy.
Z.S., Zoological Society.

4664

AG The Waverly pictoriel dictionary]

W36
v.7

PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
LIBRARY