← Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)

List of Abbreviations Used in This Dictionary (part 8)

Coolie, Cooly, kōōl′i, n. an Indian or Chinese labourer who has emigrated under contract to a foreign land: a European's name for a hired native labourer in India and China. [Prob. Kuli, a tribe of Guzerat; or orig. Tamil, cf. kūli, hire.]

Coom, kōōm, n. matter that gathers at the naves of wheels: soot that gathers at the mouth of an oven: coal-dust. [Prob. conn. with Ger. kahm, mould gathered on liquids.]

Coom, kōōm, n. (Scot.) the wooden centering on which a bridge is built: anything arched or vaulted.—adj. Coom′-ceiled, said of a garret with the inside ceiling sloping from the wall. [Origin obscure.]

Coomb, Comb, kōōm, n. a deep little wooded valley: a hollow on the flank of a hill. [A.S. cumb, a hollow.]

Coomb, Comb, kōōm, n. a measure of capacity = 4 bushels. [A.S. cumb, a measure.]

Coon, kōōn, n. the raccoon: a sly fellow.—A gone coon, one whose case is hopeless. [U.S.]

Coontie, Coonty, kōōn′ti, n. the arrowroot plant of Florida.

Coop, kōōp, n. a tub, cask, or barrel: a box or cage for fowls or small animals.—v.t. to confine in a coop: to shut up or confine.—n. Coop′er, one who makes tubs, casks, &c.: a mixture of stout and porter.—v.t. to repair (tubs, &c.): to prepare, patch up.—ns. Coop′erage, the work or workshop of a cooper: the sum paid for a cooper's work; Coop′ering; Coop′ery, the business of a cooper. [A.S. cýpe, a basket; cf. Ger. kufe.]

Cooper, kōōp′ėr, n. a floating grog-shop.—v.i. to supply fishing-boats at sea with liquor. [See Coper.]

Co-operate, kō-op′ėr-āt, v.i. to work together.—n. Co-operā′tion, joint operation; the association of a number of persons for the cheaper purchasing of goods, or for carrying on some branch of industry.—adjs. Co-op′erātive, Co-op′erant, working together.—n. Co-op′erātor.—Co-operating grace (theol.), the R.C., Arminian, and Socinian doctrine that the human will co-operates with the divine in the matter of saving grace. [Co-, together, and Operate.]

Co-opt, kō-opt′, v.t. to elect into any body by the votes of its members.—ns. Co-optā′tion, Co-op′tion.—adj. Co-op′tative. [L. cooptāre, -ātum—co-, together, optāre, to choose.]

Co-ordinate, kō-or′di-nāt, adj. holding the same order or rank.—v.t. to make co-ordinate.—n. a co-ordinate element: each of a system of two or more magnitudes used to define the position of a point, line, or plane, by reference to a fixed system of lines, points, &c.—n. Co-or′dinance, a joint ordinance.—adv. Co-or′dinately.—ns. Co-or′dinateness, the state of being co-ordinate: equality of rank, &c.; Co-ordinā′tion, state of being co-ordinate.—adj. Co-or′dinative, indicating co-ordination.

Coost, küst, a Scotch form of Cast.

Coot, kōōt, n. a short-tailed water-fowl, with a characteristic white spot—an extension of the bill—on the forehead; hence called bald, as in phrase, 'bald as a coot.' [M. E. cote; cf. Dut. koet.]

Coot, küt, n. (Scot.) the ankle.—adj. Coot′ie, having legs clad with feathers. [Scot.; cf. Dut. koot; Flem. keute.]

Cop, kop, n. a conical ball of thread on a spindle—also Cop′pin: (obs.) a top or head of anything.—adj. Copped, rising to a cop or head. [A.S. cop, copp.]

Cop, kop, v.t. (slang) to capture.—ns. Cop, Cop′per (slang), a policeman.

Copaiba, ko-pā′ba, n. a balsam obtained from an American tree, much used in medicine.—Also Copai′va. [Sp.,—Braz.]

Copal, kō′pal, n. a resinous substance used in varnishes. [Sp.,—Mex. copalli, resins generally.]

Copartner, kō-pärt′ner, n. a joint partner.—ns. Copart′nership, Copart′nery, Copar′cener, Copar′cenary. [L. co-, together, and Partner.]

Copatain, kop′a-tān, adj. (Shak.) of a hat, high-crowned like a sugar-loaf.

Copatriot. A form of Compatriot.

Cope, kōp, n. a covering: a cap or hood: anything spread overhead: a coping: an ecclesiastical vestment worn over the alb or surplice in processions, at solemn lauds and vespers, but not by the celebrant at mass, semicircular, without sleeves and with a hood, fastened across the breast with a clasp or morse, the straight edge usually ornamented with a broad orphrey.—v.t. to cover with a cope.—ns. Cope′-stone, Cop′ing-stone, the stone which copes or tops a wall; Cop′ing, the covering course of masonry of a wall. [From root of Cap.]

Cope, kōp, v.t. to barter or exchange. [Cf. Dut. koopen.]

Cope, kōp, v.i. to contend.—v.t. to vie with, esp. on equal terms or successfully: to match.—n. Copes′mate (Shak.), a companion. [Fr. couper—L. colaphus, a blow with the fist.]

Copeck, Kopeck, kō′pek, n. a Russian copper coin, worth from ¼ to ⅓ of a penny English. [Russ.]

Coper, kōp′ėr, n. a ship employed in surreptitiously supplying strong drink to deep-sea fishermen—often spelt Cooper.—v.i. to supply liquor in such a way. [Dut. kooper—koopen, to trade; cf. Ger. kaufen, to buy; A.S. ceápan.]

Copernican, ko-pėr′ni-kan, adj. relating to Copernicus, the famous Prussian astronomer (1473-1543), or to his system.

Cophosis, kō-fō′sis, n. total deafness. [Gr.,—kōphos, deaf.]

Cophouse, kop′hows, n. a tool-house.

Copier. See Copy.

Copious, kō′pi-us, adj. plentiful: overflowing: not concise.—adv. Cō′piously.—n. Cō′piousness. [L. copiosus—copia, plenty—co-, inten., and ops, opis, wealth.]

Copland, kop′land, n. a piece of ground terminating in a cop or acute angle.

Copopsia, kō-pop′si-a, n. fatigue of sight. [Gr. kōphos, dull, opsis, sight.]

Co-portion, kō-por′shun, n. (Spens.) equal portion or share.

Copos, kop′os, n. a morbid lassitude. [Gr.]

Copper, kop′ėr, n. a moderately hard metal of a fine red colour, perhaps the first metal employed by man: money made of copper—e.g. 'a copper' = a penny or halfpenny: a vessel made of copper.—adj. made of copper: copper-coloured.—v.t. to cover with copper.—adj. Copp′er-bott′omed, having the bottom covered with copper, as a ship—n. Copp′er-cap′tain, one who styles himself captain without grounds.—adjs. Copp′er-faced, faced with copper, as type; Copp′er-fas′tened, fastened with copper bolts.—ns. Copp′er-head, a United States snake: (U.S.) a northern sympathiser with the South in the Civil War; Copp′ering, the act of sheathing with copper: a covering of copper.—adjs. Copp′erish, Copp′ery, Cū′preous, containing or like copper.—ns. Copp′er-nick′el, arsenical nickel, niccolite; Copp′er-nose, a red nose caused by intemperance; Copp′erplate, a plate of polished copper on which something has been engraved: an impression taken from the plate; Copp′er-pyrī′tes, a double sulphide of copper and iron of yellow hue; Copp′er-smith, a smith who works in copper; Copp′er-work, a place where copper is wrought or manufactured; Copp′erworm, the ship-worm.—Hot coppers, parched tongue and throat after a bout of drinking. [Low L. cuper—L. cuprum, a contr. of cyprium aes, 'Cyprian brass,' because found in Cyprus.]

Copperas, kop′ėr-as, n. sulphate of iron, used in dyeing black, or making ink. [Fr. couperose (It. copparosa)—L. cupri rosa, rose of copper—so Diez.]

Coppice, kop′is, Copse, kops, n. a wood of small growth for periodical cutting.—n. Copse′wood.—adj. Cop′sy. [O. Fr. copeiz, wood newly cut—Low L. colpāre, to cut—L. colaphus, a blow with the fist.]

Coppin. See Cop (1).

Copple, kop′l, n. (obs.) a crest on a bird's head.—n. Copp′le-crown.—adj. Copp′le-crowned.

Copple-stone, an obsolete form of Cobble-stone.

Copra, kop′ra, n. the dried kernel of the coco-nut, yielding coco-nut oil. [Port., from Malay.]

Co-presence, ko-prez′ens, n. presence together.—adj. Co-pres′ent.

Coprolite, kop′ro-līt, n. fossilised excrement of animals in Palæozoic, Mesozoic, and Tertiary strata.—adj. Coprolit′ic. [Gr. kopros, dung, lithos, a stone.]

Coprology, kop-rol′oj-i, n. the unclean in literature and art. [Gr. kopros, dung, logia, discourse.]

Coprophagan, kop-rof′a-gan, n. a dung-beetle.—n. Coproph′agist, a dung-eater.—adj. Coproph′agous, dung-eating. [Gr. kopros, dung, phagein, to eat.]

Copsewood. See Coppice.

Copt, kopt, n. a Christian descendant of the ancient Egyptians.—adj. Cop′tic.—n. the language of the Copts. [A corr. of Gr. Aigyptios, Egyptian.]

Copula, kop′ū-la, n. that which joins together: a bond or tie: (logic) the word joining the subject and predicate.—adj. Cop′ular.—v.t. and v.i. Cop′ulāte, to unite in sexual commerce.—n. Copulā′tion, act of copulating.—adj. Cop′ulātive, uniting.—n. (gram.) a conjunction that unites ideas as well as words.—adj. Cop′ulātory. [L.,—co-, together, ap-ĕre, to join.]

Copy, kop′i, n. an imitation from an original pattern, a transcript: that which is imitated: a specimen of penmanship to be imitated: the original work from which an imitation or reproduction is made: manuscript for printing.—v.t. to write, paint, &c. after an original: to imitate: to transcribe:—pa.p. cop′ied.—ns. Cop′ier, Cop′yer, one who copies: an imitator; Cop′y-book, a book in which copies are written or printed for imitation; Cop′yhold (Eng. law), a species of estate or right of holding land, for which the owner can only show the copy of the rolls originally made by the steward of the lord's court; Cop′yholder, one who has a tenure of land by copyhold; Cop′ying-press, a machine for copying manuscript letters by pressure; Cop′yism, the practice of the copyist; Cop′yist, one whose business is to copy documents; Copy′right, the exclusive right of an author or his heirs to multiply copies of a written or printed composition, or of a work of art (for books in England the term is forty-two years, or the life of the author and seven years, whichever is longer).—adj. protected by copyright.—v.t. to secure the copyright of.—A copy of verses, a set of verses, esp. a college exercise. [Fr. copie, from L. copia, plenty; in Low L. a transcript.]

Coquelicot, kōk′li-ko, n. (Jane Austen) a brilliant red, the colour of the red poppy. [Fr.]

Coquet, Coquette, ko-ket′, v.i. to excite admiration or love.—v.t. to trifle with in love: to flirt with: to dally with:—pr.p. coquet′ting; pa.p. coquet′ted.—ns. Cō′quetry, act of coquetting: attempt to attract admiration, without serious affection: deceit in love: any kind of prettiness; Coquette′, a vain woman who seeks admiration from mere vanity: a flirt.—adj. Coquet′tish, practising coquetry: befitting a coquette.—adv. Coquet′tishly.—n. Coquet′tishness. [Fr. coqueter—coquet, dim. of coq, a cock.]

Coquilla, kok-il′ya, n. the nut of a Brazil palm, whose mottled, dark-brown endosperm is used by button-makers and turners. [Sp.; dim. of coca, shell.]

Coquimbite, kō-kim′bīt, n. a yellowish hydrous sulphate of iron—also white copperas.

Coquimbo, kō-kim′bō, n. the burrowing owl of South America.

Coquito, kō-kē′tō, n. a beautiful Chilian palm. [Sp., dim. of coco, coco-nut.]

Cor, kor, n. a Hebrew measure, the same as the homer, containing 10 ephahs or baths (10 bushels and 3 gallons).

Coracle, kor′a-kl, n. a small oval rowboat used in Wales, made of skins or oilcloth stretched on wickerwork. [W. corwgl—corwg, anything round; Gael. curach, a wicker-boat.]

Coracoid, kor′a-koid, adj. shaped like a crow's beak.—n. (anat.) an important paired bone in the breast-girdle, forming along with the scapula the articulation for the fore-limb, and always lying ventrally. [Gr. korax, korakos, a crow, and eidos, form.]

Co-radicate, kō-rad′i-kāt, adj. (philol.) of the same root.

Corage. See Courage.

Coraggio, kor-adj′o, interj. courage! [It.]

Coral, kor′al, n. a hard substance of various colours growing on the bottom of the sea, composed of the skeletons of zoophytes: a child's toy made of coral.—adj. made of or like coral.—n. Cor′al-is′land.—adjs. Corallā′ceous, like, or having the qualities of, coral; Corallif′erous, containing coral; Coral′liform, having the form of coral; Corallig′enous, producing coral; Cor′alline, of, like, or containing coral.—n. a limy seaweed of a delicate pinkish or purplish colour, common on British coasts: a coral-like substance.—n. Cor′allite, a petrified substance, in the form of coral.—adjs. Cor′alloid, -al, in the form of coral: resembling coral.—ns. Cor′al-rag, a limestone rock formed chiefly of petrified coral found in the oolite system; Cor′al-reef, a reef or bank formed by the growth and deposit of coral; Cor′al-sea, the part of the Pacific between Australia on the west and the New Hebrides on the east; Cor′al-snake, a small venomous snake, in the same family as the cobra; Cor′al-tree, a small tropical tree or shrub, producing long spikes of beautiful red flowers resembling coral; Cor′al-wood, a hard South American cabinet-wood, first yellow, then red; Cor′al-wort, a cruciferous plant in English woods—called also Tooth-wort or Tooth-violet. [O. Fr.,—L. coralium—Gr. korallion.]

Coranach. See Coronach.

Coranto, ko-rant′o, n. a rapid and lively kind of dance. [Fr. courante—L. currĕre, to run.]

Corb, korb, n. an iron basket used in raising coal. [L. corbis, a basket.]

Corban, kor′ban, n. anything devoted to God in fulfilment of a vow. [Heb. qorbān, an offering, sacrifice.]

Corbe, korb, n. (Spens.). Same as Corbel.

Corbeau, kor-bō′, n. a dark-green colour, almost black. [Fr., 'a raven.']

Corbeil, kor′bel, n. (fort.) a basket filled with earth, and set up as a protection from the fire of the enemy. [Fr. corbeille—L. corbicula, dim. of corbis, a basket.]

Corbel, kor′bel, n. (archit.) a projection of stone or wood from the face of a wall, supporting pillars or other superincumbent weights.—adj. Cor′belled.—ns. Cor′belling; Cor′bel-tā′ble, a row of corbels and the parapet or cornice they support. [O. Fr. corbel—Low L. corvellus, dim. of corvus, a raven.]

Corbiculum, kor-bik′ū-lum, n. the flattened hairy outer surface of the hind-tibia of a bee, used for carrying pollen:—pl. Corbic′ula.—adj. Corbic′ulate. [L., dim. of corbis, a basket.]

Corbie, kor′bi, n. a raven, crow.—Corbie messenger (Scot.), one who returns too late, or not at all; Corbie-steps, the stepped slopes of gables—also Crow-steps. [O. Fr. corbin—L. corvus, a crow.]

Corcass, kor′kas, n. a salt-marsh in Ireland. [Ir.]

Corchorus, kor′ko-rus, n. a genus of tropical plants cultivated for their fibre, which is the jute of commerce. [Gr.]

Corcle, kork′l, n. the embryo in the seed of a plant.—Also Cor′cule. [L. corculum, dim. of cor, heart.]

Cord, kord, n. a small rope or thick kind of string: something resembling a cord, as 'spinal cord,' 'umbilical cord,' &c.: (fig.) anything that binds or restrains: a measure of firewood, originally determined by the use of a cord or string.—v.t. to supply with a cord: to bind with a cord.—n. Cord′age, a quantity of cords or ropes, as the rigging of a ship, &c.—adj. Cord′ed, fastened with cords: furrowed, as with cords: (her.) wound about with cords: piled in 'cords.'—ns. Cord′-grass, a genus of grasses of which one species found in muddy salt-marshes is used for making ropes; Cord′ing, the act of binding: cordage; Cord′ite, an approved smokeless gunpowder, so called from its cord-like appearance; Cord′-wood, wood put up in 'cords.' [Fr. corde—L. chorda. See Chord.]

Cordelier, kor-de-lēr′, n. a Franciscan friar, so named from the knotted cord worn by him as a girdle: (pl.) name of a club in the French Revolution, from its meeting-place being an old convent of the Cordeliers. [O. Fr. cordel, dim. of corde, a rope.]

Cordial, kor′di-al, adj. hearty: with warmth of heart: sincere: affectionate: reviving the heart or spirits.—n. anything which revives or comforts the heart: a medicine or drink for refreshing the spirits.—adjs. Cor′date (bot.), heart-shaped; Cor′dial-heart′ed.—v.i. Cor′dialise, to become cordial, to fraternise.—ns. Cordial′ity, Cor′dialness.—adv. Cor′dially.—adj. Cor′diform, in the form of a heart. [Fr.,—L. cor, cordis, the heart.]

Cordillera, kor-dil-yā′ra, n. a name applied in America to a chain of mountains, as the Andes and Rocky Mountains. [Sp.,—Old Sp. cordilla—L. chorda, cord.]

Cordiner, kor′di-nėr, n. Same as Cordwainer.

Cordon, kor′don, n. a cord or ribbon bestowed as a badge of honour: (fort.) a row of stones along the line of a rampart: in military operations, a line of sentries within sight of each other, guarding a place to prevent the passage of unauthorised persons.—Cordon bleu, originally the blue ribbon which in France supported the insignia of the order of the Holy Ghost—transferred to other first-class distinctions, and playfully to a first-class cook; Cordon sanitaire, a line of sentries to guard a place infected with contagious disease. [Fr.]

Cordovan, kor′do-van, Cordwain, kord′wān, n. goatskin leather, originally from Cordova in Spain.—ns. Cord′wainer, a worker in cordovan or cordwain: a shoemaker; Cord′wainery.

Corduroy, kor′du-roi, n. a ribbed kind of fustian, a cotton stuff made after the fashion of velvet: (pl.) trousers made of corduroy.—adj. made of corduroy. [Perh. Fr. corde du roi, king's cord.]

Core, kōr, n. the heart: the inner part of anything, esp. of fruit.—v.t. to take out the core of fruit.—adjs. Cored, having the core removed; Core′less, without core: pithless: hollow.—n. Cor′er, an instrument for removing the core. [Ety. dub.; perh. conn. with L. cor, the heart.]

Core, kōr, n. a number of people. [See Corps.]

Co-regent, kō-rē′jent, n. a joint-regent.

Coregonus, ko-reg′o-nus, n. a genus of fishes in the salmon family, found esp. near the coast.—adj. Coreg′onine.

Co-relation, Co-relative. See Correlate.

Co-religionist, kō-re-lij′un-ist, n. one of the same religion as another.

Co-respondent, kō-re-spond′ent, n. (law) a man charged with adultery, and proceeded against along with the wife, who is the respondent.

Corf, korf, n. a variant of Corb (q.v.).

Coriaceous, kōr-i-ā′shus, adj. leathery: of or like leather. [L. corium—Gr. chorion, skin, leather.]

Coriander, kōr-i-an′dėr, n. an annual plant, the seeds of which when fresh have an offensive smell, used as a medicine, spice, &c.—n. Corian′der-seed. [Fr.,—L. coriandrum—Gr. koriannon.]

Corinthian, kor-inth′i-an, adj. pertaining to Corinth, a city of Greece: pertaining to an ornate order of Greek architecture, (M. Arnold) to an over-brilliant literary style: profligate.—n. a profligate: a man of fashion, a 'swell.'—n. Cor′inth (obs.), a brothel, from the notorious licentiousness of Corinth.—v.i. Corinth′ianise, to be licentious.—Corinthian brass, bronze, an alloy made in Corinth, much valued in ancient times: assurance or effrontery.

Corium, kō′ri-um, n. the innermost layer of the skin. [L., a hide.]

Co-rival, Co-rivalry, Co-rivalship. See Corrival.

Cork, kork, n. the outer bark of the cork-tree, an oak found in the south of Europe, &c.: a stopper made of cork: any stopper.—adj. made of cork.—v.t. to stop with a cork: to stop up.—ns. Cork′age, corking or uncorking of bottles: a charge made by hotel-keepers for uncorking of bottles when the liquor has not been supplied from the house; Cork′-cut′ter, one employed in cutting corks for bottles, &c.: an instrument used for this.—adj. Corked, stopped by a cork: tainted by the cork, as wine: blackened by burnt cork.—ns. Cork′er, a finisher: (slang) something conclusive; Cork′ing-pin, a large pin, probably from fastening the hair to a pad of cork; Cork′-jack′et, a jacket made of or lined with cork, to aid in swimming; Cork′-leg, an artificial leg, partly of cork; Cork′-screw, a screw for drawing corks from bottles.—adj. like a cork-screw in shape.—v.i. to move in a spiral manner.—v.t. to pull out with difficulty, as a cork: to obtain information from by force or cunning.—n. Cork′-tree, a species of oak from which cork is obtained.—adj. Cork′y, of or resembling cork: (Shak.) withered. [Sp. corcho—L. cortex, bark, rind.]

Corm, korm, Cormus, kor′mus, n. sometimes called a solid bulb—the short, bulb-like subterranean stem of many plants—e.g. crocus. [Gr. kormos, the lopped trunk of a tree.]

Cormophyte, kor′mō-fīt, n. a plant having a true axis of growth—also Cor′mogen.—adj. Cormophyt′ic.

Cormorant, kor′mo-rant, n. a genus of web-footed sea-birds, of great voracity: a glutton. [Fr. cormoran, from L. corvus marinus, the sea-crow.]

Corn, korn, n. a grain or kernel: seeds that grow in ears, as wheat, rye, &c.: grain of all kinds.—v.t. to form into grains; to sprinkle with salt in grains: to salt.—ns. Corn′-ball (U.S.), a ball of popped corn, sweetened, with white of egg; Corn′-brand′y, spirits made from grain; Corn′-bee′tle, a small beetle, the larva of which is very destructive to grain; Corn′brash, a member of the Lower Oolites (see Oolite); Corn′-cake (U.S.), a cake made of Indian-corn meal; Corn′-chand′ler, a dealer in corn; Corn′-cob, the elongated, woody receptacle constituting the ear of maize; Corn′-cock′le, a tall beautiful weed, with large purple flowers, common in corn-fields; Corn′-crake, one of the true rails, with characteristic cry, frequenting corn-fields.—adj. Corned, granulated; salted.—ns. Corn′-exchange′, a mart where grain is sampled and sold; Corn′-fac′tor, a wholesale dealer in corn; Corn′-field, a field in which corn is growing; Corn′-flag, the popular name of plants of genus Gladiolus; Corn′-flour, the name applied to the finely-ground flour of maize or Indian corn; Corn′-flow′er, a well-known composite weed of corn-fields, having a beautiful deep azure flower; Corn′-fly, Corn′-moth, insects very destructive to corn; Corn′ing-house, a place where corn is granulated; Corn′-land, ground suitable for growing corn; Corn′-law, a law made for the restriction and regulation of the trade in corn: esp. in pl. (in England), laws that restricted the importation of corn by imposing a duty, repealed in 1846; Corn′-loft, a granary; Corn′-mar′igold, a chrysanthemum common in corn-fields; Corn′-mē′ter, an official measurer of corn; Corn′-mill, a mill for grinding corn; Corn′-pars′ley, a European grain-field flower (Petroselinum segetum); Corn′-pipe, a pipe made by slitting the joint of a green stalk of corn; Corn′-popp′y, the common red poppy, a troublesome weed growing in corn-fields; Corn′-rent, a fluctuating rent paid in corn, not money; Corn′-rig (Scot.), a ridge in a corn-field; Corn′-sal′ad, a genus of humble annual weeds, found in corn-fields, of which some are used as spring salads; Corn′stone, a kind of mottled limestone, often concretionary, usually occurring in those systems which are largely composed of reddish sandstones; Corn′-van, a machine for winnowing corn; Corn′-weev′il, a small insect very destructive to stored grain.—adj. Corn′y, like corn, produced from corn: (slang) tipsy.—Corn-cob pipe, a tobacco-pipe with the bowl made of the cob of Indian corn.—Corn in Egypt, an expression signifying abundance, in reference to Gen. xlii. 2. [A.S. corn; Goth. kaurn; akin to L. granum.]

Corn, korn, n. a small hard growth chiefly on the toe or foot, resulting from an increase of thickness of the cuticle, caused by excessive pressure or friction on the part.—adj. Cor′neous, horny.—n. Corn′-plas′ter, a remedial plaster applied to a corn.—adj. Corn′y, of or pertaining to corns: horny.—Tread on one's corns, to injure one's feelings. [O. Fr.,—L. cornu, a horn.]

Cornage, korn′āj, n. an ancient tenure of land in the north country, the tenant being bound to blow a horn in case of a Scottish foray.

Cornea, kor′ne-a, n. the transparent horny membrane which forms the front covering of the eye.—adj. Cor′neal.

Cornel, kor′nel, n. the cornelian cherry or dogwood, a small tree native to southern Europe.—Also Cor′nel-tree, Cornē′lian-tree. [O. Fr. cornille—Low L. corniola, cornolium—L. cornus, cornel.]

Cornelian, kor-nē′li-an, n. a precious stone, a variety of chalcedony.—Also Carnē′lian (q.v.). [Fr. cornaline—L. cornu, a horn.]

Corner, kor′nėr, n. the point where two lines meet: a secret or confined place: an embarrassing position, difficulty: (obs.) a point in a rubber at whist: a free kick given to the opposite side when a player in football kicks the ball over his own goal-line: an operation by which the whole of a stock or commodity is bought up, so that speculative sellers are compelled to buy, to meet their engagements, at the corner-men's own price.—v.t. to supply with corners: to put in a corner: to put in a fix or difficulty.—adj. Cor′nered, having corners: put in a difficult position.—n. Cor′ner-stone, the stone which unites the two walls of a building at a corner: the principal stone, esp. the corner of the foundation of a building—hence (fig.) something of very great importance.—n.pl. Cor′ner-teeth, the lateral incisors of a horse, above and below.—adv. Cor′ner-wise, with the corner in front: diagonally.—Cut off a corner, to take a short cut; Done in a corner, done secretly: Drive into a corner, to put in a fix: to bring to bay; Keep a corner, to reserve a place; The Corner (slang), Tattersall's betting-rooms in London, till 1867 at Hyde Park Corner; Turn the corner, to go round the corner: to get past a difficulty; Within the four corners of, contained in (of a document, &c.). [O. Fr. corniere—L. cornu.]

Cornet, kor′net, n. a brass treble wind-instrument, with a cup mouthpiece—also Cor′net-à-pis′ton, -ons: formerly the lowest grade of commissioned officer in the cavalry—the office was abolished in 1871, sub-lieutenant being substituted.—ns. Cor′netcy, the commission or rank of a cornet; Cor′netist, Cor′nist, a solo cornet-player. [Fr. cornet, dim. of corne, a horn, trumpet. See Corn, lit. horn.]

Cornice, kor′nis, n. (classical archit.) the uppermost member of the entablature, surmounting the frieze: plaster mouldings round the ceiling of rooms at its junction with the walls.—v.t. to furnish with a cornice.—p.adj. Cor′niced.—ns. Cor′nice-hook, -pole, -rail, a hook, pole, rail, for hanging pictures, curtains, &c.—n. Cor′nice-ring, a ring or moulding on a cannon next below the muzzle-ring. [Fr.,—It., perh. Gr. korōnis, a curved line; cf. L. corona.]

Corniculate, kor-nik′ū-lāt, adj. horned: shaped like a horn.—n. Cor′nicle, a little horn or horn-like process.—adj. Cornif′ic, producing horn.—n. Cornificā′tion.—adjs. Cor′niform, in the form of a horn; Corni′gerous, bearing horns. [L. cornu, horn, forma, form, gerĕre, to bear.]

Cornish, korn′ish, adj. pertaining to Cornwall.—n. the people or dialect of Cornwall.—n. Corn′ishman.

Corno, kor′no, n. the French horn.—Corno di bassetto, the basset-horn: an organ-stop. [It.,—L. cornu, a horn.]

Cornopean, kor-nō′pe-an, n. Same as Cornet-à-piston. [See Cornet.]

Cornu, kor′nū, n. a horn (a horn-like part or process):—pl. Cor′nua.—adj. Cor′nual.—Cornu ammonis, the hippocampus major. [L.]

Cornubianite, kor-nū′bi-an-īt, n. a dark-blue laminated rock found in Cornwall with granite.

Cornucopia, kor-nū-kō′pi-a, n. the horn of plenty: according to the fable, the horn of the goat that suckled Jupiter, placed among the stars as an emblem of plenty.—adj. Cornucō′pian, plentiful. [L. cornu, and copia, plenty.]

Cornulites, kor-nū-lī′tez, n.pl. a genus of tubicolous annelids.

Cornute, kor-nūt′, v.t. (obs.) to make a cuckold.—adjs. Cornute′, -d, having horns.—n. Cornut′o (obs.), a cuckold. [L. cornutus, horned—cornu, horn.]

Corocore, kor′ō-kōr, n. a Malay form of boat.

Corody. See Corrody.

Corolla, kō-rol′a, n. the inner circle or whorl of the floral envelopes.—adjs. Corollā′ceous; Corollate, -d.—n. Cor′ollet, a floret of an aggregate flower.—adjs. Corollif′erous; Corolli′florous, Corolliflō′ral; Coroll′iform; Coroll′ine. [L. corolla, dim. of corona, a crown.]

Corollary, kor-ol′a-ri, or kor′ol-a-ri, n. an inference or deduction from recognised facts: a consequence or result. [L. corollarium, a garland—corolla.]

Corona, ko-rō′na, n. (archit.) the large, flat, projecting member of a cornice which crowns the entablature: (bot.) the crown-like appendage at the top of compound flowers: (astron.) the luminous circle or halo which surrounds the moon during a solar total eclipse: (anat.) a term used to signify the upper surface of certain parts of the body: a round pendent chandelier:—pl. usually Corō′næ.—n. Cor′onal, a crown or garland: the frontal bone of the skull.—adjs. Cor′onal, Cor′onary, pertaining to a crown, or to the top of the head; Cor′onāte, -d, crowned, applied to shells with a row of projections round the apex.—ns. Coronā′tion, the act of crowning a sovereign; Corō′nis, a sign (′) marking a crasis, as κἄν = καὶ ἄν; Cor′onule (bot.), an appendage like a small crown. [L. corona, a crown.]

Coronach, kor′o-nah, n. a funeral dirge or lamentation. [Ir. coranach, Gael. corranach.]

Coroner, kor′o-nėr, n. an officer whose duty is to hold inquest into the causes of accidental or suspicious deaths. [Late L. coronator—L. corona.]

Coronet, kor′o-net, n. a small crown inferior to the sovereign's, worn by the nobility: an ornamental head-dress: the part of a horse's pastern just above the coffin—also Cor′net.—adj. Cor′oneted. [O. Fr., dim. of corone, crown.]

Coronoid, kor′o-noid, or kor-ō′noid, adj. (anat.) resembling the beak of a crow, as the coronoid process of the lower jaw. [Gr. korōnē, a crow, eidos, form.]

Corozo, kor-ō′zo, n. a South American tree from whose seed is formed vegetable ivory.

Corporal, kor′po-ral, n. in the British army, the grade of non-commissioned officer next in rank to a sergeant; in the navy, a petty officer under a master-at-arms.—n. Cor′poralship. [Fr. caporal—It. caporale—capo, the head—L. caput, the head.]

Corporal, kor′po-ral, adj. belonging or relating to the body: having a body: not spiritual.—n. the cloth used in Catholic churches for covering the elements of the Eucharist—also Cor′porale, Cor′poras (obs.).—n. Corporal′ity, state of being corporal—opp. to Spirituality.—adv. Cor′porally.—adj. Cor′porate, legally united into a body so as to act as an individual: belonging to a corporation: united.—adv. Cor′porately.—ns. Cor′porateness; Corporā′tion, a body or society authorised by law to act as one individual: rotundity of figure, a pot-belly.—adj. Cor′porātive.—n. Cor′porātor, a member of a corporation.—adj. Corpō′real, having a body or substance; material.—v.i. and v.t. Corpō′realise.—ns. Corpō′realism, materialism; Corpō′realist, a materialist; Corporeal′ity.—adv. Corpō′really.—ns. Corporē′ity; Corporificā′tion, act of corporifying.—v.t. Corpor′ify, to embody: solidify.—Corporal punishment, punishment inflicted on the body, as flogging, &c.—Aggregate corporation, a corporation consisting of several persons; Sole corporation, a corporation which consists of one person and his successors. [L. corporalis—corpus, corpŏris, the body.]

Corposant, kor′po-zant, n. St Elmo's fire, a ball of fire sometimes seen about a ship during a storm. [Port.,—L. corpus sanctum, holy body.]

Corps, kōr, n. a division of an army forming a tactical unit—usually Corps d'armée, or army corps:—pl. Corps (kōrz).—Corps de ballet, the company of ballet dancers at a theatre; Corps de garde, the body of soldiers stationed on guard, their station, a guard-house; Corps diplomatique, the whole diplomatic staff at a particular capital. [Fr., from L. corpus.]

Corpse, korps, or kors, n. the dead body of a human being.—ns. Corpse′-can′dle, a light seen hovering over a grave—an omen of death; Corpse′-gate, the lichgate (see Lichgate). [M. E. corps, earlier cors—O. Fr. cors, the body—L. corpus.]

Corpus, kor′pus, n. a body: any special structure or function in the body; the whole body of literature on any subject.—ns. Cor′pulence, Cor′pulency, fleshiness of body; excessive fatness.—adj. Cor′pulent, fleshy or fat.—adv. Cor′pulently.—n. Cor′puscle, a minute particle; a physical atom—also Corpus′cule.—adjs. Corpus′cular, Corpusculā′rian, pertaining to corpuscles.—ns. Corpusculā′rian, one who holds the corpuscular philosophy; Corpuscular′ity.—Corpus Christi, the festival in honour of the Consecrated Host, held on the Thursday after the festival of the Trinity; Corpus delicti, a criminal law term in Scotland to signify the body or substance of the crime charged.—Corpuscular theory of light, or Emission theory (see Emit). [L. corpus, the body.]

Corradiate, kor-rād′ī-āt, v.i. to radiate together.—n. Corradiā′tion.

Corral, kor-al′, n. an enclosure for cattle, &c.—v.t. to form such. [Sp.]

Correct, kor-ekt′, v.t. to make right: to remove faults: to punish: to counterbalance: to bring into a normal state.—adj. made right or straight: free from faults: true.—adjs. Correct′able, Correct′ible.—adv. Correct′ly.—n. Correc′tion, amendment: punishment: bodily chastisement.—adjs. Correc′tional, Correct′ive, tending, or having the power, to correct.—ns. Correc′tioner (Shak.), one who administers correction; Correct′ive, that which corrects; Correct′ness; Correct′or, he who, or that which, corrects: a director or governor.—adj. Correct′ory, corrective.—Under correction, subject to correction—often used as a formal expression of deference to a superior authority. [L. corrigĕre, correctum—cor, inten., regĕre, to rule.]

Correg′idor, ko-rej′i-dōr, n. the chief magistrate of a Spanish town.

Correlate, kor′e-lāt, v.i. to be mutually related, as father and son.—n. Correlā′tion.—adj. Correl′ative, mutually or reciprocally related.—n. a person or thing correspondingly related to another person or thing.—adv. Correl′atively.—ns. Correl′ativeness, Correlativ′ity. [Coined from L. cor, with, and Relate.]

Correligionist. See Co-religionist.

Correption, kor-ep′shun, n. shortening in pronunciation: (obs.) reproof.

Correspond, kor-e-spond′, v.i. to answer, suit, agree (with to, with): to hold intercourse, esp. by sending and receiving letters.—ns. Correspond′ence, Correspond′ency, suitableness, harmony, relation of agreement: friendly intercourse: communication by means of letters: letters which pass between correspondents.—adj. Correspond′ent, agreeing with: suitable.—n. one with whom intercourse is kept up by letters: one who contributes letters to a journal.—adv. Correspond′ently.—adj. Correspond′ing, correspondent: answering: suiting: carrying on correspondence by letters.—adv. Correspond′ingly.—adj. Correspon′sive, corresponding: answering.—Doctrine of correspondences, the theory of Swedenborg that there is a spiritual antitype corresponding to every natural object, and that Scripture contains the key to these correspondences. [Coined from L. cor, with, and respondēre.]

Corridor, kor′i-dōr, n. a passage-way or open gallery communicating with separate chambers.—n. Corr′idor-train, a train in which one can pass along from one carriage to another without having to leave the train. [Fr.,—It. corridore, a runner, a running—It. correre, to run—L. currĕre.]

Corrie, kor′i, n. a term applied in Scotland and Ireland to semicircular recesses or cirques in mountains, generally flanked by steep and lofty hills. [Gael. coire, a cauldron, or large pot.]

Corrigendum, kor-i-jen′dum, n. that which requires correction:—pl. Corrigen′da, corrections to be made in a book. [L., gerundive of corrigĕre, to correct.]

Corrigent, kor′i-jent, adj. corrective.—n. a corrective.

Corrigible, kor′i-ji-bl, adj. that may be corrected: open to correction.—n. Corrigibil′ity.

Corrival, kor-rī′val, n. a fellow-rival: a competitor: an equal.—adj. contending: emulous.—v.i. and v.t. to rival: to vie with.—ns. Corrī′valry; Corrī′valship. [L. con, with, and Rival.]

Corroborate, kor-ob′o-rāt, v.t. to confirm: to make more certain.—adjs. Corrob′orant, Corrob′orative, tending to confirm.—n. that which corroborates.—ns. Corroborā′tion, confirmation; Corrob′orator.—adj. Corrob′oratory, corroborative. [L. cor, inten., and roborāre, -ātum, to make strong. See Robust.]

Corroboree, ko-rob′ō-ri, n. Australian name for a gathering of aborigines, held on moonlight nights, when they engage in dancing and other exercises.

Corrode, kor-ōd′, v.t. to eat away by degrees: to rust.—v.i. to be eaten away.—adj. Corrod′ent, having the power of corroding.—n. that which corrodes.—ns. Corrodibil′ity, Corrosibil′ity, Corrō′sibleness.—adjs. Corrod′ible, Corros′ible, that may be corroded.—n. Corrō′sion, act of eating or wasting away.—adj. Corros′ive, having the quality of eating away.—n. that which has the power of corroding.—adv. Corros′ively.—n. Corros′iveness.—Corrosive sublimate, the popular name of the highly poisonous bichloride of mercury (mercuric chloride). [L. cor, inten., rodĕre, rosum, to gnaw.]

Corrody, Corody, kor′o-di, n. an allowance: pension: originally the right of the lord to claim free lodging from the vassal. [O. Fr. conroi.]

Corrugate, kor′oo-gāt, v.t. to wrinkle or draw into folds.—p.adjs. Corr′ugant; Corr′ugated.—ns. Corrugā′tion, the act of wrinkling or being wrinkled: a wrinkle; Corr′ugator (anat.) one of the two muscles that wrinkle the brow.—Corrugated metal, metal passed between pairs of rollers with ridged surfaces, the ridges of one fitting into the hollows of the other, the plates operated on being bent and compressed into the wavy outline of the rolls. [L. cor, inten., rugāre, -ātum, to wrinkle—ruga, a wrinkle.]

Corrupt, kor-upt′, v.t. to make putrid: to defile: to mar: to debase: to bribe.—v.i. to rot: to lose purity.—adj. putrid: depraved: defiled: not genuine: full of errors.—ns. Corrupt′er; Corruptibil′ity, Corrupt′ibleness.—adj. Corrupt′ible, liable to be corrupted.—adv. Corrupt′ibly.—ns. Corrup′tion, rottenness: putrid matter: impurity: bribery; Corrup′tionist, one who defends or who practises corruption.—adj. Corrupt′ive, having the quality of corrupting.—adv. Corrupt′ly.—n. Corrupt′ness. [L. cor, inten., and rumpĕre, ruptum, to break.]

Corsage, kor′sāj, n. the bodice or waist of a woman's dress. [O. Fr.,—cors—L. corpus, the body.]

Corsair, kor′sār, n. a pirate: a pirate's vessel. [Fr. corsaire, one who makes the course or ranges—L. cursus, a running—currĕre, to run.]

Corse, kors, n. a poetic form of Corpse.

Corselet. Same as Corslet.

Corset, kor′set, n. a closely-fitting inner bodice, stiffened with whalebone, &c., and laced up: stays. [Dim. of O. Fr. cors—L. corpus, the body.]

Corslet, Corselet, kors′let, n. a cuirass, formerly the usual body-covering of pikemen, chiefly of leather, and pistol-proof.—p.adj. Cors′leted. [Fr. corselet, dim. of O. Fr. cors—L. corpus, the body.]

Corsned, kors′ned, n. a kind of ordeal, wherein the accused was required to swallow consecrated bread and cheese; if it stuck in his throat he was pronounced guilty. [A.S. corsnǽd—cor, trial, from coren, pa.p. of céosan, to choose, and snǽd, a piece, from snídan, to cut.]

Cortege, kor-tāzh′, n. a train of attendants: a procession, a funeral procession. [Fr.,—It. corteggio—corte, court.]

Cortes, kor′tes, n. the parliament of Spain and Portugal. [Sp., pl. of corte, a court.]

Cortex, kor′teks, n. the bark or skin of a plant: a covering.—adjs. Cor′tical, pertaining to the cortex: external; Cor′ticate, -d, furnished with bark; Corticif′ėrous, producing bark; Cortic′iform, resembling bark; Cor′ticole, Cortic′olous, growing on bark; Cor′ticose, barky. [L. cortex, corticis, bark.]

Cortile, kor-tē′le, n. an enclosed courtyard within a building, generally roofless. [It.]

Corundum, ko-run′dum, n. a mineral consisting of mere alumina, yet of great specific gravity—about four times that of water—and second in hardness only to the diamond. [Hind. kurund.]

Coruscate, kor′us-kāt, v.i. to sparkle: to throw off flashes of light.—adj. Corus′cant, flashing.—n. Coruscā′tion, a glittering: sudden flash of light. [L. coruscāre, -ātum, to vibrate, glitter.]

Corvée, kor-vā′, n. the obligations on the inhabitants of districts to perform gratuitous labour (such as the maintenance of roads) for the sovereign or feudal lord. [Fr.,—Low L. corrogata—L. corrogāre—cor, together, regāre, to ask.]

Corvet. Same as Curvet.

Corvette, kor-vet′, n. a flush-decked vessel, ship, or barque, rigged, having only one tier of guns, either on the upper or main deck. [Fr.,—Sp. corbeta—L. corbīta, a slow-sailing ship, from corbis, a basket.]

Corvine, kor′vīn, adj. pertaining to the crow.—n. Cor′vus, the typical genus of Corvinæ: a hooked ram for destroying walls: a southern constellation: a grappling-hook in ancient Roman naval warfare. [L. corvinus—corvus, a crow.]

Corybant, kor′i-bant, n. a priest of Cybele, whose rites were accompanied with noisy music and wild dances:—Eng. pl. Cor′ybants; L. pl. Corybantes (kor-i-ban′tēz).—adj. Coryban′tic, wildly excited.—n. Cor′ybantism. [Gr. korybas, korybantos.]

Corydaline, kor′id-a-lin, n. an alkaloid obtained from the root of Corydalis tuberosa.

Corydon, kor′i-don, n. generic name for a rustic. [L. and Gr. proper name applied to a shepherd.]

Corylus, kor′i-lus, n. a genus of small trees, including the common hazel. [L.]

Corymb, kor′imb, n. (bot.) a convex flower-cluster of indefinite inflorescence.—adjs. Corym′biate, -d; Corymbif′erous; Corym′bose, Corym′bous, Corym′bulous. [L. corymbus—Gr. korymbos, a cluster.]

Corymbus, ko-rim′bus, n. the knot on the top of the head into which girls gathered their hair. [Gr.]

Corypha, kor′i-fa, n. a genus of tropical Asian palms with fan-shaped leaves. [Gr. koryphē, the top.]

Coryphæus, kor-i-fē′us, n. the chief or leader, esp. the leader of a chorus.—n. Coryphée (kor-i-fā′), the principal danseuse in the ballet. [L.,—Gr. koryphaios—koryphē, the head.]

Coryphene, kor′i-fēn, n. a fish of the genus Coryphæna, which includes the dolphins. [Gr.]

Corystes, ko-ris′tēz, n.pl. a genus of long-armed crabs, of family Corystidæ. [Gr. korys, helmet.]

Coryza, ko-rī′za, n. a cold in the head. [L.,—Gr.]

Cosaque, kos-ak′, n. a cracker bon-bon.

Coscinomancy, kos′i-no-man-si, n. an ancient mode of divination by a sieve and pair of shears. [Gr. koskinon, a sieve, manteia, divination.]

Cose, kōz, v.i. to make one's self cosy.—adj. Cosh (Scot.), cosy, snug. [See Cosy.]

Cosecant, kō-sē′kant, n. (trig.) the secant of the complement of an angle.

Coseismal, kō-sīs′mal, adj. experiencing an earthquake shock simultaneously at all points.—Also Coseis′mic.

Co-sentient, kō-sen′shi-ent, adj. perceiving together.

Cosh. See Cose.

Cosher, kosh′ėr, v.t. to pamper, to coddle.—v.i. to chat in a friendly way.

Coshery, kosh′ėr-i, n. the ancient right of an Irish chief to quarter himself and his retainers on his tenantry—also Cosh′ering.—v.i. Cosh′er, to live on dependants.—n. Cosh′erer. [Ir. coisir, a feast.]

Cosier. Same as Cozier.

Co-signatory, kō-sig′na-tō-ri, adj. uniting with others in signing: one who does so.—adj. Co-signif′icative, having the same signification.

Cosinage, kus′nāj, n. collateral relationship.—Also Cos′enage.

Co-sine, kō′-sīn, n. the sine of the complement of a given angle (whose co-sine it is).

Cosmetic, koz-met′ik, adj. improving beauty, esp. that of the complexion.—n. a preparation for beautifying the skin and hair.—adj. Cosmet′ical.—adv. Cosmet′ically.—v.t. Cosmet′icise.—n. Cosmet′icism. [Gr. kosmētikos—kosmein—kosmos, order.]

Cosmic. See Cosmos.

Cosmogony, koz-mog′o-ni, n. the theory of the origin of the universe and its inhabitants—also Cosmog′eny.—adjs. Cosmogonet′ic; Cosmog′onal, Cosmogon′ic, -al, relating to cosmogony.—n. Cosmog′onist, one who speculates on the origin of the universe. [Gr. kosmogonia—kosmos, and root of gignesthai, to be born.]

Cosmography, koz-mog′ra-fi, n. a description of the world: the science of the constitution of the universe.—n. Cosmog′rapher.—adjs. Cosmograph′ic, -al. [Gr.,—kosmos, and graphein, to write.]

Cosmology, koz-mol′o-ji, n. the science of the universe as a whole: a treatise on the structure and parts of the system of creation.—adj. Cosmolog′ical.—n. Cosmol′ogist, one versed in cosmology.—adj. Cosmoplas′tic, moulding the universe. [Gr. kosmos, and logia, discourse.]

Cosmopolitan, koz-mo-pol′i-tan, n. a citizen of the world: one free from local or national prejudices—also Cosmop′olite.—adj. belonging to all parts of the world: unprejudiced.—ns. Cosmopol′itanism, Cosmop′olitism, Cosmopol′icy (Shelley).—adjs. Cosmopol′itic, -polit′ical. [Gr. kosmopolitēs—kosmos, and politēs, a citizen—polis, a city.]

Cosmorama, koz-mo-rä′ma, n. a view, or a series of views, of different parts of the world.—adj. Cosmoram′ic. [Gr. kosmos, and horama, a spectacle.]

Cosmos, koz′mos, n. the world as an orderly or systematic whole—opp. to Chaos: order.—adjs. Cos′mic, relating to the cosmos: orderly; Cos′mical, cosmic: (astron.) happening at sunrise: rising with the sun.—adv. Cos′mically.—ns. Cos′mism, the notion of the cosmos as a self-existing whole; Cos′mist, a secularist; Cos′mocrat, ruler of the world.—adj. Cosmocrat′ic.—ns. Cos′molabe, a kind of astrolabe—also Pantocosm; Cosmol′atry, worship paid to the world; Cosmom′etry, the art of measuring the world; Cos′mosphere, an apparatus for showing the position of the earth at any given time with reference to the fixed stars; Cosmothē′ism, the belief that identifies God with the cosmos: pantheism.—adjs. Cosmothet′ic, -al, assuming an external world. [Gr.]

Co-sphered, kō-sfērd′, adj. being in the same sphere.

Coss, kos, n. a measure of distance in India, averaging about 1¾ mile. [Hindi kōs—Sans. kroça, a call.]

Cossack, kos′ak, n. one of a people in south-eastern Russia, forming splendid light cavalry. [Turk.]

Cossas, kos′az, n.pl. plain muslins. [East Ind.]

Cosset, kos′set, n. a lamb reared in the house without a dam: a pet.—v.t. to fondle. [Ety. dub.]

Cost, kost, v.t. to bring a certain price: to require to be laid out or suffered:—pa.t. and pa.p. cost.—n. what is laid out or suffered to obtain anything: (pl.) expenses of a lawsuit.—adj. Cost′-free, free of charge.—n. Cost′liness.—adv. Cost′ly, of great cost: high-priced: valuable.—Cost price, the price which the merchant pays.—Prime cost, the price of production, without regard to profit. [O. Fr. couster (Fr. coûter)—L. constāre, to stand at.]

Costal, kos′tal, adj. relating to the ribs, or to the side of the body.—adjs. Cos′tāte, -d, ribbed: having the appearance of ribs. [L. costa, a rib.]

Costard, kos′tard, n. a large kind of apple: the human head (contemptuously).—ns. Cos′tardmonger, Cos′ter, Cos′termonger, a seller of apples and other fruit: an itinerant seller of fruit: a term of abuse. [Perh. from L. costa, a rib.]

Costean, kos-tēn′, v.i. to try to find a lode by sinking pits down to bed-rock.—ns. Cost′-book, a book containing the names and shares of the joint adventurers in a mine; Costean′ing; Costean′-pit. [Corn. cothas, dropped, stean, tin.]

Costive, kos′tiv, adj. having the motion of the bowels too slow: constipated.—adv. Cos′tively.—n. Cos′tiveness, slowness in the action of the bowels. [Fr. constipé. See Constipate.]

Costmary, kost′mār-i, n. a herbaceous perennial composite of southern Europe, introduced from Italy in 1568, and cultivated in gardens for the fragrance of the leaves. [L. costum—Gr. kostos, an Oriental aromatic plant, and Maria, the Virgin Mary.]

Costrel, kos′trel, n. a kind of bottle with ears, to be hung at the waist. [O. Fr. costerel.]

Costume, kos-tūm′, or kos′tūm, n. the manner of dressing prevalent at a particular period or place: dress, esp. a woman's dress.—v.t. to dress.—p.adj. Costumed′.—ns. Costum′er, Costum′ier, one who makes or deals in costumes. [Fr.,—It.,—Low L. costuma—L. consuetudo, custom.]

Co-supreme, kō-sū-prēm′, n. (obs.) a sharer with another in supremacy.

Co-surety, kō-shōōr′ti, n. one who is surety along with others.

Cosy, Cozy, kō′zi, adj. (Scot.) snug: comfortable.—n. a covering used for a teapot, to keep the tea warm—also Tea′-cō′sy.—adv. Cō′sily. [Ety. dub.]

Cot, kot, n. a small dwelling, a cottage.—ns. Cot′-folk (Scot.), cottars; Cot′-house, a house occupied by a cottar; Cot′-land, land belonging to a cottage; Cot′-quean (Shak.), a man who busies himself with women's affairs.—adj. Cot′ted, lined with cots.—n. Cot′-town, a number of cot-houses. [A.S. cot; cf. Ice. kot, Dut. kot.]

Cot, kot, n. a small bed: a swinging bed of canvas, suspended from the beams of a ship, for the officers: a bed for a child, a crib. [Anglo-Ind.—Hind. khāt.]

Cot, kot, n. a small boat. [Ir.]

Co-tangent, kō-tan′jent, n. the tangent of the complement of an angle.

Cote, kōt, n. a cot: a place for animals, as dove-cote or dove-cot, sheep-cote. [A.S. cote. Cf. Cot (1).]

Cote, kōt, v.t. to pass by: to outstrip, leave behind. [Der. obscure; perh. conn. with Coast.]

Cotemporaneous, -temporary. Same as Contemporaneous, -temporary.

Co-tenant, kō-ten′ant, n. one who is a tenant along with another.—n. Co-ten′ancy.

Coterie, kō′te-rē, n. a number of persons meeting familiarly for social, literary, or other purposes. [Fr.; orig. a number of peasants obtaining a joint tenure of land from a lord—Low L. cota, a hut. See Cot.]

Coterminous. Same as Conterminous.

Cothurn, kō′thurn, Cothurnus, kō-thur′nus, n. a buskin or high boot laced in front, worn in tragic performances. [L. cothurnus—Gr. kothornos.]

Coticular, ko-tik′ū-lar, adj. pertaining to whetstones. [L.]

Co-tidal, kō-tīd′al, adj. noting an equality in the tides, applied to lines on a chart or map passing through places that have high tide at the same time.

Cotillion, ko-til′yun, Cotillon, ko-ti′yong, n. a brisk dance by eight persons. [Fr.,—cotte, a coat—Low L. cotta, a tunic. See Coat.]

Cotinga, kō-ting′ga, n. a genus of passerine birds of bright plumage, represented by six species in central and in tropical South America. [Native name.]

Cotise, Cottise, kō′tis, n. (her.) one of the diminutives of the bend (q.v.).—v.t. to border a bend, &c., with cotises, barrulets, &c. [Fr. cotice; origin obscure.]

Cotoneaster, kō-tō-ni-as′tėr, n. a genus of shrubs or small trees, closely allied to the hawthorn and medlar. [Formed from L. cotonea, quince.]

Cotswold, kots′wold, n. a breed of sheep.—Cotswold lions, sheep.

Cotta, kot′a, n. a surplice. [Low L. cotta.]

Cottabus, kot′a-bus, n. an amusement in ancient Greece among young men, consisting in throwing wine into a vessel, success at which betokened fortune in love. [L.,—Gr. kottabos.]

Cottage, kot′āj, n. a small dwelling-house, esp. of labourers, varying greatly in size, appearance, and comfort: a country residence.—adj. Cott′aged, covered with cottages.—n. Cott′ager, one who dwells in a cottage, esp. of labourers.—Cottage allotments, pieces of land allotted to cottagers to be cultivated as gardens; Cottage piano, a small upright piano. [See Cot.]

Cottar, Cotter, kot′ėr, n. (Scot.) a peasant occupying a cot or cottage for which he has to give labour.—ns. Cott′ier, a cottar: an Irish tenant; Cott′ierism, the cottier system of land tenure.

Cotter, kot′ėr, n. a pin or wedge for fastening and tightening. [Origin obscure.]

Cotton, kot′n, n. a soft substance like fine wool, got from the pods of the cotton-plant: cloth made of cotton.—adj. made of cotton.—v.t. to provide with cotton.—v.i. to agree: to be attached to (the connection of the intransitive meanings is unknown).—ns. Cottonade′, a name given to an inferior kind of cotton cloth; Cott′on-gin, a machine for separating the seeds from the fibre of cotton; Cott′on-grass, a genus of Cyperaceæ in which the perigone or covering of united bracts, which in this order enclose the ripening ovary, is developed into long, silky, or cottony hairs; Cottonoc′racy, the cotton planting or the cotton manufacturing interest; Cott′on-plant, one of various plants of the genus Gossypium, natural order Malvaceæ, yielding the textile substance cotton; Cott′on-press, a press for compressing cotton into bales; Cott′on-seed, the seed of the cotton-plant, yielding a valuable oil; Cott′on-spin′ner, one who spins cotton, or employs those who do; Cott′on-tail, the ordinary United States rabbit; Cott′on-this′tle, a strong thistle covered with a cottony down; Cott′on-tree, the American cotton-wood: the Indian Bombax malabaricum; Cott′on-weed, cudweed or everlasting; Cott′on-wood, any one of several American species of poplar; Cott′on-wool, cotton in its raw or woolly state.—adj. Cott′ony, like cotton: soft: downy. [Fr. coton—Ar. qutun.]

Cotyle, kot′i-lē, n. an ancient Greek drinking-cup: (zool.) a cup-like cavity:—pl. Cot′ylæ, or Cot′yles.—adj. Cotyl′iform. [Gr.]

Cotyledon, kot-i-lē′don, n. (bot.) the term applied to the seed-leaves of the embryo: the seed-leaf.—adjs. Cotylē′donary; Cotylē′donous, pertaining to or having cotyledons or seed-lobes; Cot′yloid, cup-shaped. [L.,—Gr. kotylēdōn—kotylē, a cup.]

Coucal, kōō′kal, n. a genus of common bush-birds in Africa and India.

Couch, kowch, v.t. to lay down on a bed, &c.: to lower: to level: to arrange in language, to express: to depress or remove a cataract in the eye.—v.i. to lie down for the purpose of sleep, concealment, &c.: to bend or stoop in reverence.—n. any place for rest or sleep: a bed: the lair of a wild beast.—adj. Couch′ant, couching or lying down: (her.) of a beast lying down with his head up.—ns. Couch′-fell′ow, Couch′-mate, a bed-fellow; Couching.—Couch a spear, to fix it in its rest at the side of the armour. [Fr. coucher, to lie down—L. collocāre, to place—com, together, locus, a place.]

Couch, kowch, Couch-grass, kowch′-gras, n. a grass of the same genus with wheat, but a widespread and troublesome weed. [A variant of Quitch.]

Couchee, kōō′shā, n. an evening party or reception. [Fr. couché. See Couch.]

Cougar, kōō′gar, n. an American animal, same as the puma. [Fr. couguar, from native name.]

Cough, kof, n. an effort of the lungs to throw off injurious matter, accompanied by a harsh sound, proceeding from the throat.—v.i. to make this effort.—v.t. to expel from the throat or lungs by a cough.—ns. Cough′-drop, -loz′enge, a sweetmeat taken to cure coughing; Cough′er; Cough′ing,—Cough down, to drown a speaker's voice by coughing, so that he must stop. [M. E. coughen; cf. Dut. kuchen, Ger. keuchen, keichen, to gasp.]

Could, kood, pa.t. of Can. [M. E. coude, couth—A.S. cúðe for cunðe, was able; l is inserted from the influence of would and should.]

Coulée, kōō-lā′, or kōō′li, n. a ravine, esp. one worn out by water. [Fr.,—couler, to flow.]

Couleur, kool′ār, n. French word for Colour.—n. Coul′eur-de-rose′, rose colour.—adv. in a favourable light: fanciful.

Coulisse, kōō-lis′, n. a piece of grooved wood, as the slides in which the side-scenes of a theatre run—hence, the side-scene of a theatre. [Fr.,—couler, to glide, to flow—L. colāre, to flow.]

Couloir, kool-wär, n. a gully filled with snow. [Fr.]

Coulomb, koo-lom′, n. the unit of quantity in measuring current electricity: the quantity furnished by a current of one ampere in one second. [From the French physicist, C. A. de Coulomb (1736-1806).]

Coulter. See Colter.

Coumarine, koo′ma-rin, n. a crystalline compound obtained in Tonka beans, &c.—also Cu′marin.—adjs. Cou′maric, Coumaril′ic.

Council, kown′sil, n. an assembly called together for deliberation or advice: the body of men constituting such an assembly: the body of men directing the affairs of the city: an assembly of ecclesiastics met to regulate doctrine or discipline (diocesan, provincial, national, general, or œcumenical).—ns. Coun′cil-board, the board or table round which a council meets for deliberation: the council itself; Coun′cil-cham′ber, the room where a council is held; Coun′cillor, a member of a council, esp. of a common council; Coun′cil-man, a member of a municipal council.—Council of war, a conference of military or naval officers called to meet and consult with the commander.—General council, one called by an invitation to the church at large, also Œcumenical, if received by the Catholic Church in general—as the first seven, 325-787.—In council, in the council-chamber: in giving advice.—Privy-council (see Privy). [Fr. concile—L. concilium.]

Counsel, kown′sel, n. consultation: deliberation: advice: plan: purpose: one who gives counsel, a barrister or advocate.—v.t. to give advice: to warn:—pr.p. coun′selling; pa.p. coun′selled.—n. Coun′sel-keep′er (Shak.), one who can keep counsel or a secret.—adjs. Coun′sel-keep′ing (Shak.), keeping counsel or secrets; Coun′sellable, that may be counselled.—ns. Coun′sellor, one who counsels: a barrister; Coun′sellorship.—Counsel of perfection, a declaration of our Lord's, not absolutely imperative, but commended as the means of reaching greater perfection; Keep counsel, to keep a secret; King's counsel (K.C.), a barrister-at-law appointed by letters-patent—the office is honorary, but gives the right of precedence in all the courts. [Fr. conseil—L. consilium, advice—consulĕre, to consult.]

Count, kownt, n. on the Continent, a title of nobility equal in rank to an English earl:—fem. Count′ess, the wife of a count or earl (fem. of earl).—ns. Count′ship, a count's dignity or domain (also used as a title); Coun′ty, a portion of a country separated for the administration of justice: a shire; Coun′ty-fam′ily, a family of the nobility or gentry (Coun′ty-people), with estates and a seat in the county. [O. Fr. conte—L. comes, comitis, a companion, con, with, īre, itum, to go.]

Count, kownt, v.t. to number, sum up: to ascribe: esteem: consider.—v.i. to add to or increase a number by being counted to it: to depend.—n. act of numbering: the number counted: a particular charge in an indictment.—adj. Count′able, capable of being counted.—ns. Count′er, he who or that which counts: that which indicates a number: a piece of metal, &c., used in reckoning: a table on which money is counted or goods laid; Count′ing-house, Count′ing-room, the house or room in which merchants keep their accounts and transact business.—adj. Count′less, that cannot be counted: innumerable.—n. Count′-wheel, a wheel with notched edge controlling the stroke of a clock in sounding the hours. [O. Fr. cunter (Fr. compter)—L. computāre.]

Countenance, kown′ten-ans, n. the face: the expression of the face: appearance.—v.t. to favour or approve.—n. Coun′tenancer.—Change countenance, to change the expression of the face; His countenance fell, he became dejected or angry; In countenance, unabashed—opp. to Out of countenance. [O. Fr. contenance—L. continentia, restraint, demeanour—L. continēre, to contain.]

Counter, kown′tėr, adv. against: in opposition.—adj. contrary: opposite.—n. that which is counter of opposite: (mus.) the voice-part set in immediate contrast with the air: (fencing) a parry in which one foil follows the other in a small circle: the part of a horse's breast between the shoulders and under the neck: (naut.) the part of a ship between the water-line and the knuckle of the stern.—v.t. Counteract′, to act counter or in opposition to: to hinder or defeat.—n. Counterac′tion.—adj. Counteract′ive, tending to counteract.—n. one who or that which counteracts.—adv. Counteract′ively.—ns. Coun′ter-ag′ent, anything which counteracts; Coun′ter-approach′, a work thrown up outside a besieged place to command or check the approaches of the besieger; Coun′ter-attrac′tion, attraction in an opposite direction.—adj. Coun′ter-attract′ive, attracting in an opposite direction.—v.t. Counterbal′ance, to balance by weight on the opposite side: to act against with equal weight, power, or influence.—ns. Coun′terbalance, an equal weight, power, or agency working in opposition; Coun′terbase (see Contrabass); Coun′ter-batt′ery (mil.), a battery erected to oppose another; Coun′ter-blast, something done in opposition to another thing; Coun′ter-bond, a bond to protect from contingent loss one who has given bond for another.—v.t. Coun′ter-brace (naut.), to brace or fasten (the head-yards and after-yards) in opposite ways.—n. the lee-brace of the fore-topsail-yard.—n. Coun′terbuff, a stroke that stops motion or causes a recoil.—v.t. to drive back by such.—ns. Coun′ter-cast (Spens.), a contrary cast, counterplot, trick; Coun′ter-cast′er (Shak.), one who casts accounts: a book-keeper—used in contempt; Coun′ter-change, (Shak.), exchange, reciprocation.—p.adj. Coun′terchanged′, exchanged: (her.) intermixed or set one against the other, as the colours of the field and charge.—n. Coun′ter-charge, a charge brought forward in opposition to another charge.—v.t. Coun′tercharm, to destroy or dissolve the effects of another charm.—n. that which destroys the effects of another charm.—v.t. Coun′ter-check, to check by some obstacle: to rebuke.—ns. Counter-check′, a check in opposition to another: a rebuke; Counter-claim, kown′tėr-klām, n. a cross-demand brought forward as a partial or complete set-off against another claim.; Coun′ter-curr′ent, a current flowing in an opposite direction; Coun′ter-drain, a drain alongside a canal, &c., to carry off water oozing out.—v.t. Coun′terdraw, to trace on oiled paper or other transparent material.—ns. Coun′ter-ev′idence, evidence brought forward in opposition to other evidence; Coun′terfoil, the corresponding part of a bank cheque, &c., retained by the giver; Coun′ter-force, an opposing force; Coun′ter-fort (fort.), a buttress, or arch behind the revetments or retaining walls of the ditches of permanent fortifications; Coun′ter-gauge, an adjustable scribing gauge for marking the measurements of a mortise on a piece to be tenoned; Coun′ter-guard (fort.), an outwork consisting of two lines of rampart running parallel to the faces of the bastion, to guard the bastion from being breached; Coun′ter-in′fluence, an opposing influence; Coun′ter-irr′itant, an agent or substance applied to the skin so as to redden, to vesicate, or to produce pustules, &c.; Coun′ter-irritā′tion, an artificial irritation produced in one part of the body to act in opposition to and remove already existing irritation; Coun′terlight (paint.), a light opposite to any object, disturbing the effect of its light.—v.i. Coun′termarch, to march back or in a direction contrary to a former one.—n. a marching backward or in a direction different from a former one: (mil.) an evolution by which a body of men change front, and still retain the same men in the front rank: change of measures.—n. Coun′termark, an additional mark put on a bale of goods belonging to several merchants, so that it may not be opened except in the presence of all the owners: a mark put on standard metal by the London Goldsmiths' Company in addition to the artificer's: an artificial cavity made in the teeth of horses to disguise their age.—v.t. Coun′termine, to make a mine in opposition to: to oppose by means of a countermine: (fig.) to frustrate by secret working:—pr.p. countermin′ing; pa.p. countermined′.—ns. Coun′ter-mine (mil.), a mine or chamber excavated by the besieged to counteract or destroy the mines made by the besiegers: (fig.) any means of counteraction; Coun′ter-mō′tion, an opposite motion; Coun′ter-move, -move′ment, a contrary move, movement.—v.t. Coun′termure, to fortify a wall with another wall.—ns. Coun′ter-ō′pening, an aperture or vent on the opposite side, or in a different place; Coun′ter-pace, a step in opposition to another, a contrary measure.—adj. Coun′ter-paled (her.), divided equally, as an escutcheon, first palewise, then by a line fesswise, with two tinctures countercharged.—ns. Coun′ter-parole′, a word in addition to the password; Coun′terpart, the part that answers to another part: that which fits into or completes another, having the qualities which another lacks, and so an opposite.—adj. Coun′ter-pass′ant (her.), denoting two animals in a coat of arms represented as passing each other the contrary way.—n. Coun′terplea, a replication to a plea or request.—v.t. Counterplead′, to plead the contrary of; Coun′terplot′, to plot against in order to frustrate another plot:—pr.p. counterplot′ting; pa.p. counterplot′ted.—n. a plot or stratagem opposed to another plot.—v.t. Coun′terpoise, to poise or weigh against or on the opposite side: to act in opposition to with equal effect.—n. an equally heavy weight in the other scale—(Spens.) Coun′terpoys.—ns. Coun′ter-pois′on, a poison used as the antidote of another; Coun′ter-pres′sure, opposing pressure; Coun′ter-proof, an inverted impression obtained from a newly printed proof of an engraving, by laying it, while the ink is still wet, upon plain paper, and passing it through the press; Coun′ter-revolū′tion, a subsequent revolution counteracting the effect of a previous; Coun′ter-roll, a copy of the rolls relating to appeals, inquests, &c., serving as a check on another's roll; Coun′ter-round, a body of officers which goes to inspect the rounds.—adj. Coun′tersā′lient (her.), salient in opposite directions.—n. Coun′terscarp (fort.), the side of the ditch nearest to the besiegers and opposite to the scarp.—v.t. Counterseal′ (Shak.), to seal along with others.—ns. Coun′ter-secur′ity, security given to one who has become surety for another; Coun′ter-sense, an interpretation contrary to the real sense.—v.t. Countersign′, to sign on the opposite side of a writing: to sign in addition to the signature of a superior, to attest the authenticity of a writing.—ns. Coun′tersign, a military private sign or word, which must be given in order to pass a sentry: a counter-signature; Coun′ter-sig′nal, a signal used as an answer to another; Coun′ter-sig′nature, a name countersigned to a writing.—v.t. Coun′tersink, to bevel the edge of a hole, as for the head of a screw-nail (a a in fig.)—it is usually done by a Countersink-bit (b in fig.) in a brace.—ns. Coun′ter-stand, opposition, resistance; Coun′ter-state′ment, a statement in opposition to another statement; Coun′ter-stroke (Spens.), a stroke given in return for another stroke; Coun′ter-tal′ly, a tally serving as a check to another; Coun′ter-ten′or, name applied to alto when sung by a male voice (so called because a contrast to tenor); Coun′ter-time, the resistance of a horse that interrupts his cadence and the measure of his manège: resistance, opposition; Coun′terturn, a turn in a play different from what was expected.—v.t. Countervail′, to be of avail against: to act against with equal effect: to be of equal value to: to compensate [Counter and Avail].—n. Coun′ter-view, an opposing view: a posture in which two persons face each other: opposition: contrast.—v.t. Coun′ter-vote, to vote in opposition to; Coun′ter-weigh, to weigh against, counterbalance.—ns. Coun′ter-weight, a weight in an opposite scale.—v.i. Coun′ter-wheel, to wheel in an opposite direction.—n. Coun′ter-work, a work raised in opposition to another.—v.t. to work in opposition to.—p.adj. Coun′ter-wrought. [Fr.,—L. contra, against.]

Counter, kown′tėr, n. (Spens.) encounter.—v.t. to encounter: to contradict.

Counterfeit, kown′tėr-fit, -fēt, v.t. to imitate: to copy without authority: to forge.—n. something false or copied, or that pretends to be true and original.—adj. pretended: made in imitation of: forged: false.—n. Coun′terfeiter, one who counterfeits.—adv. Coun′terfeitly, in a counterfeit manner: falsely.—n. Coun′ter-fes′ance (Spens.), act of counterfeiting: forgery. [O. Fr. contrefet, from contrefaire, to imitate—L. contra, against, facĕre, to do.]

Countermand, kown-tėr-mand′, v.t. to give a command in opposition to one already given: to revoke.—n. a revocation of a former order.—adj. Countermand′able. [O. Fr. contremander—L. contra, against, and mandāre, to order.]

Counterpane, kown′tėr-pān, n. a coverlet for a bed, stitched or woven in squares.—Older form Coun′terpoint. [A corr. of O. Fr. contrepointe, which is a corr. of coultepointe—L. culcita puncta, a stitched pillow or cover. See Quilt.]

Counterpoint, kown′tėr-point, n. (mus.) the art of combining melodies: the setting of a harmony of one or more parts to a melody: the art of composition.—adj. Contrapunt′al.—n. Contrapunt′ist. [Fr.,—contre, against, point, a point.]

Country, kun′tri, n. a rural region as distinct from a town: a tract of land: the land in which one was born, or in which one resides.—adj. belonging to the country: rustic: rude.—p.adj. Coun′trified.—v.t. Coun′trify, to make rustic.—ns. Coun′try-box, a country-house; Coun′try-dance, a dance practised by country people: a dance in which an indefinite number of couples can take part, the gentlemen being arranged at the commencement on one side, and the ladies on the other.—n.pl. Coun′try-folk, the inhabitants of the country.—ns. Coun′try-house, -seat, the residence of a country gentleman; Coun′tryman, one who lives in the country: a farmer: one born in the same country with another; Coun′try-side, a district or part of the country; Coun′try-woman, a woman who dwells in the country: a woman born in the same country.—Country cousin, a relative from the country, unaccustomed to town sights or manners; Country gentleman, a landed proprietor who resides on his estate in the country; Country town, a small town in a rural district, depending on the agricultural industry of the surrounding country.—Go to the country, in parliamentary usage, to appeal to the feeling of the community by a general election. [O. Fr., contrée—Low L. contrata, contrada, an extension of L. contra, over against.]

County. See Count (1).

Coup, kōō, n. a blow, stroke, a successful hit: (billiards) the act of putting a ball in a pocket without having hit another ball.—Coup d'état, a sudden or violent stroke of state policy, as that by which Louis Napoleon subverted the constitution (Dec. 2, 1851); Coup de grâce, the finishing blow by which a tortured man is put out of pain, any decisive stroke generally; Coup de main, a sudden and overpowering attack; Coup de maître, a master-stroke; Coup de théâtre, a sudden and sensational turn in a piece: Coup d'œil, a general view of a scene or subject taken in at a glance. [Fr.,—L.,—colaphos, a blow.]

Coup, kowp, v.t. to exchange or barter.—n. Coup′er, a dealer. [Scot., from Ice., kaupa, to buy.]

Coup, kowp, v.t. to overturn. [Scot.; perh. originally the same word as Cope.]

Coupé, kōō-pā, n. the front part of a French stagecoach: a four-wheeled carriage seated for two inside, with a separate seat for the driver: the front compartment of a railway carriage.—adj. Couped (her.), cut evenly off, as the head or limb of an animal. [Fr. couper, to cut.]

Coupee, koo-pē′, n. in dancing, a salute to a partner, while resting on one foot and swinging the other backward or forward. [Fr.,—couper, to cut.]

Couple, kup′l, n. that which joins two things together: two of a kind joined together, or connected: two: one pair at a dance: a pair: esp. of married or betrothed persons: (statics) a pair of equal forces acting on the same body in opposite and parallel directions.—v.t. to join together.—v.i. to pair sexually.—ns. Coup′lement, union: a couple; Coup′ler, one who or that which couples or unites; Coup′let, two lines of verse that rhyme with each other; Coup′ling, that which connects, an appliance for transmitting motion in machinery; Coup′ling-box, the box or ring of metal connecting the contiguous ends of two lengths of shafts; Coup′ling-pin, a pin or bolt used in coupling machinery.—adj. Well-coupled, of a horse, well formed at the part where the back joins the rump. [O. Fr. cople—L. copula.]

Coupon, kōō′pong, n. a billet, check, or other slip of paper cut off from its counterpart: one of a series of tickets which are vouchers that certain payments will be made or services be performed, at various times or places, in consideration of money paid: a dividend or interest warrant presented for payment by holders of debentures. [Fr.,—couper, to cut off.]

Coupure, koo-pūr′, n. an entrenchment made by the besieged behind a breach: a passage cut to facilitate sallies. [Fr.,—couper, to cut.]

Courage, kur′āj, n. the quality that enables men to meet dangers without fear: bravery: spirit.—interj. take courage!—adj. Courā′geous, full of courage: brave.—adv. Courā′geously.—n. Courā′geousness.—Dutch courage, a fictitious courage induced by drinking; Pluck up one's courage, to nerve one's self to something daring; The courage of one's convictions, courage to act up to or consistently with one's opinions. [O. Fr. corage (Fr. courage), from L. cor, the heart.]

Courant, kōō-ränt′, adj. (her.) in a running attitude.—ns. Courante′, Courant′, an old dance with a kind of gliding step. [See Current.]

Courap, koo-rap′, n. an itching skin disease, common in India, with eruptions on face, breast, groin, &c.

Courb, kōōrb, v.i. (Shak.) to bend, stoop to supplicate.—adj. (Shak.) bent. [Fr.,—L. curvāre, to bend.]

Courbaril, koor′ba-ril, n. gum animé.

Courbette. Same as Curvet. [Fr.,—It. corvetta.]

Coure, obsolete form of Cower.

Courier, kōō′ri-ėr, n. a runner: a messenger: a state messenger: a travelling attendant: a frequent title of newspapers. [Fr.,—L. currĕre, to run.]

Course, kōrs, n. the act of running: the road or tract on which one runs: the direction pursued: a voyage: a race: regular progress from point to point: habitual method of procedure: a prescribed series, as of lectures, &c.: each of the successive divisions of a meal, as dinner: conduct: a range of bricks or stones on the same level in building: (naut.) one of the sails bent to a ship's lower yards, as the main-sail, called the main-course, the fore-sail or fore-course, and the cross-jack or mizzen-course: (pl.) the menses.—v.t. to run, chase, or hunt after.—v.i. to move with speed, as in a race or hunt.—ns. Cours′er, a runner: a swift horse: one who courses or hunts; Cours′ing, hunting with greyhounds; Cours′ing-joint, a joint between two courses of masonry.—In course, in regular order: (coll.) of course; Of course, by natural consequence, or by settled rule. [Fr. cours—L. cursus, from currĕre, cursum, to run.]

Court, kōrt, n. a space enclosed: a space surrounded by houses: the palace of a sovereign: the body of persons who form his suite or council: attention: civility, as 'to pay court:' (law) the hall of justice; the judges and officials who preside there: any body of persons assembled to decide causes, whether civil, military, or ecclesiastical.—v.t. to pay attentions to: to woo: to solicit: to seek.—ns. Court′-bar′on, the assembly of freehold tenants of a manor under a lord; Court′-card (see Coat-card); Court′-cup′board (Shak.), a movable cupboard or sideboard on which plate was displayed; Court′-day, a day on which a judicial court sits; Court′-dress, the special regulation costume worn on state or ceremonious occasions; Court′-dress′er, a flatterer.—adj. Courteous (kurt′yus), of court-like manners: polite: respectful: obliging.—adv. Courteously (kurt′-).—ns. Courteousness, (kurt′-); Court′-fool, a fool or jester, formerly kept at court for amusement; Court′-guide, a guide to, or directory of, the names and residences of the nobility in a town; Court′-hand, a modification of the Norman handwriting, as distinguished from the modern or Italian handwriting, in use in the English law-courts from the 16th century to the reign of George II.; Court′-house, a building where the law-courts are held; Court′ier, one who frequents courts or palaces: one who courts or flatters; Court′ierism, the behaviour or practices of a courtier.—adv. Court′ierly.—ns. Court′ing, paying addresses to a woman, wooing; (Spens.) attendance at court; Court′-leet, a court of record held in a manor before the lord or his steward; Court′let, a petty court.—adj. Court′-like, courtly: polite.—ns. Court′liness; Court′ling, a hanger-on at court.—adj. Court′ly, having manners like those at a court: elegant.—ns. Court′-mar′tial, a court held by officers of the army or navy for the trial of offences against military or naval laws:—pl. Courts′-mar′tial; one improvised in time of war round an upturned drum for summary judgment is a Drumhead court-martial; Court′-plas′ter, sticking-plaster made of silk, originally applied as patches on the face by ladies at court; Court′-roll, the record of a court of justice; Court′ship, courtly behaviour: the act of wooing with intention to marry; Court′-sword, a light dress-sword worn as part of court-dress; Court′yard, a court or enclosed ground before a house.—Court holy water, empty compliments: (obs.) flattery. [O. Fr. cort (Fr. cour)—Low L. cortis, a courtyard—L. cors, cohors, an enclosure; akin to Gr. chortos, an enclosed place, L. hortus, a garden. See Yard.]

Courtesan, -zan, kōrt′e-zan, or kurt′e-zan, n. a court-mistress: a woman of the town, a whore. [Fr.,—It. cortigiana.]

Courtesy, kort′e-si, or kurt′e-si, n. courtliness: elegance of manner: an act of civility or respect: a curtsy: (law) the life interest which the surviving husband has in the real or heritable estate of his wife.—v.i. to make a curtsy.—pr.p. court′esying; pa.p. court′esied.—n.pl. Court′esy-tī′tles, titles really invalid, but allowed by the usage of society—as to children of peers. [O. Fr. courtoisie.]

Couscous, kus′kus, n. an African dish of granulated flour steamed over broth. [Ar. kuskus.]

Cousin, kuz′n, n. formerly a kinsman generally; now, the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt: a term used by a sovereign in addressing another, or to one of his own noblemen: something kindred or related to another.—ns. Cous′in-ger′man, a first cousin: something closely related; Cous′inhood, Cous′inship.—adj. Cous′inly, like, or having the relation of, a cousin.—n. Cous′inry, cousins collectively.—First cousins, children of brothers and sisters—also called Cousins-german, Full cousins; First cousin once removed, the son or daughter of a cousin-german—sometimes loosely called Second cousin; Second cousins, the children of first cousins. [Fr.,—L. consobrinus—con, sig. connection, and sobrinus for sororinus, applied to the children of sisters—soror, a sister.]

Couteau, koo-tō′, n. a large knife.—Couteau de chasse, a hunting-knife. [Fr.]

Couter, kōō′tėr, n. (slang) a sovereign. [Said to be from Gipsy cuta, a gold piece.]

Couth, kōōth (Spens.), obsolete pa.t. of Can. [See Could.]

Couthie, kōōth′i, adj. friendly, kindly. [Scot.]

Couvade, kōō-väd′, n. a custom among savages in many parts of the world for the father to take to his bed at the birth of a child, and submit to certain restrictions of food, &c. [Erroneously attributed to the Basques; the O. Fr. couvade, from couver, to hatch, never having had this special meaning.]

Cove, kōv, n. a small inlet of the sea: a bay: a cavern or rocky recess: (archit.) a concave arch or vault.—v.t. to overarch, and thus form a hollow.—adj. Coved, formed with an arch.—n. Cove′let, a small cove. [A.S. cófa, a room; Ice. kofi, Ger. koben.]

Cove, kōv, n. (slang) a fellow, a customer:—fem. Cov′ess—dim. Cov′ey. [Prob. conn. with Chap.]

Coven, kōv′en, n. a muster of witches.—n. Cov′entree, a point of muster before a Scottish mansion.

Covenant, kuv′e-nant, n. a mutual agreement: the writing containing the agreement: an engagement entered into between God and a person or a people—the Old Covenant, the Jewish dispensation; the New Covenant, the new relation to God opened up by Jesus Christ.—v.i. to enter into an agreement: to contract or bargain.—n. Cov′enant-break′er, one who violates a covenant.—adj. Cov′enanted, holding a position under a covenant or contract.—ns. Covenantee′, the person to whom a covenant is made; Cov′enanter (usually in Scot. Covenant′er), one who signed or adhered to the Scottish National Covenant of 1638—the Solemn League and Covenant of 1643 was in effect an international treaty between Scotland and England for securing civil and religious liberty; Cov′enantor, that party to a covenant who subjects himself to the penalty of its breach.—Covenant of grace, redemption, that by which life is freely offered to sinners on condition of faith in Christ; Covenant of works, that made with Adam as federal representative of the human race on condition of obedience. [O. Fr.,—L. con, together, and venīre, to come.]

Covent, kov′ent, n. (Shak.) a convent.

Coventry, kuv′ent-ri, n.—in phrase, To send to Coventry = to shut a man out of any special society.

Cover, kuv′ėr, v.t. to hide: to clothe: to extend over: to brood or sit on: to be sufficient for: to protect: to table a coin of equal value in wagering: to copulate with—esp. of a stallion: to screen: to aim directly at.—v.i. to spread over so as to conceal something: to lay a table for a meal: to put one's hat on.—n. that which protects: undergrowth, thicket, concealing game, &c.: the table requisites for one person—plate, knife, fork, napkin, &c.: deceitfulness: a swindler's confederate.—adj. Cov′ered, intended or used for shelter or concealment: roofed over: with the hat on.—ns. Cover′ed-way; Cov′ert-way (fort.), a path about thirty feet wide outside the ditch of a fort, and so far sunk below the crest of the glacis as to afford cover or shelter to the soldiers; Cover′ing, anything that covers.—adj. Cov′ert, covered: concealed: secret.—n. a place that covers or affords protection.—ns. Cov′ert-coat, a short light overcoat; Cov′ert-coat′ing, cloth for such.—adv. Cov′ertly, in a covered or concealed manner.—n. Cov′erture, covering, shelter: (law) the condition of a married woman as legally under the protection of her husband.—Cover into, to transfer into; Cover shorts, to buy in such stocks as have been sold short, in order to meet one's engagements, &c.; Cover the buckle, to execute a difficult step in dancing. [Fr. couvrir (It. coprire)—L. co-operīre—con, and operīre, to cover.]

Coverlet, kuv′ėr-let, n. a bedcover.—Also Cov′erlid. [Fr. couvrelit, couvre, lit—L. lectum, a bed.]

Covet, kuv′et, v.t. to desire or wish for eagerly: to wish for what is unlawful.—v.i. to desire (with for).—adjs. Cov′etable; Cov′eted.—adv. Cov′etingly.—ns. Cov′etise (obs.), covetousness: ardent desire; Cov′etiveness (obs.), acquisitiveness.—adj. Cov′etous, inordinately desirous: avaricious.—adv. Cov′etously.—n. Cov′etousness. [O. Fr. coveiter (Fr. convoiter)—L. cupiditat-em—cupĕre, to desire.]

Covey, kuv′i, n. a brood or hatch of partridges: a small flock of birds—said of game: a party, a set. [O. Fr. covée—L. cubāre, to lie down.]

Covin, kuv′in, n. a compact: a conspiracy.—adjs. Cov′inous, Cov′enous, deceitful. [O. Fr. covin—Late L. convenium—L. convena, a meeting—con, together, venīre, to come.]

Coving, kō′ving, n. the projection of upper stories over lower: the vertical sides connecting the jambs with the breast of a fireplace. [See Cove.]

Cow, kow, n. the female of the bovine animals: the female of certain other animals, as the elephant, &c.—older plurals, Kine and Kye, the latter now only Scotch.—ns. Cow′-bane, the water-hemlock, often destructive to cattle; Cow′-berr′y, the red whortleberry; Cow′-bird, -bunt′ing, an American starling which accompanies cattle, and drops its eggs into other birds' nests; Cow′-boy, a boy who has the care of cows: (U.S.) a man who has the charge of cattle on a ranch; Cow′-calf, a female calf; Cow′-catch′er (U.S.), an apparatus on the front of railway engines to throw off obstacles; Cow′-cher′vil, -pars′ley, -weed, an umbelliferous European plant of the hedges and woods; Cow′feeder, a dairyman, cowherd; Cow′-grass, the zigzag clover: a variety of red clover; Cow′-heel, an ox-foot stewed to a jelly; Cow′herd, one who herds cows; Cow′hide, the hide of a cow: the hide of a cow made into leather: a coarse whip made of twisted strips of cowhide.—v.t. to whip with a cowhide.—n. Cow′-house, a place in which cows are stalled, a byre.—adj. Cow′ish, like a cow: (Shak.) cowardly.—ns. Cow′-leech, a cow-doctor; Cow′lick, a tuft of turned-up hair on the forehead; Cow′-pars′nip, an umbelliferous plant, used as food for hogs and cattle; Cow′-plant, a perennial plant of Ceylon, with a milky juice; Cow′-pox, a disease which appears in pimples on the teats of the cow, the matter thereof used for vaccination; Cow′-tree, a South American tree that produces a nourishing fluid resembling milk; Cow′-wheat, a genus of annual plants, with yellow flowers and seeds somewhat like grains of wheat. [A.S. cú, pl. cý; Ger. kuh; Sans. go.]

Cow, kow, v.t. to subdue: keep under: to dishearten.—adjs. Cowed, depressed; Cow′ish (Shak.), easily cowed, timorous: mean. [Perh. from Ice. kúga; Dan. kue, to subdue.]

Cowan, kow′an, n. (Scot.) a mason who never served an apprenticeship: one who tries to enter a mason's lodge, or the like, surreptitiously.

Coward, kow′ard, n. a faint-hearted person: one without courage.—v.t. to intimidate.—adjs. Cow′ard, Cow′ardly, afraid of danger: timid: mean.—ns. Cow′ardice, want of courage: timidity.—Cow′ardree (Spens.); Cow′ardliness.—adv. Cow′ardly.—n. Cow′ardship (Shak.), the quality of being a coward. [O. Fr. couard (It. codardo)—L. cauda, a tail.]

Cowdie-gum, -pine; Cowrie-pine. See Kauri.

Cower, kow′er, v.i. to sink down through fear, &c.: to crouch, for protection or in fear.—adv. Cow′eringly. [Cf. Ice. kúra, Dan. kure, to lie quiet.]

Cowhage, kow′āj, n. the hairs of the pods of a tropical climbing plant of the bean family, administered as a mechanical vermifuge, the pods themselves or the plant. [Hind. kawānch, koānch.]

Cowl, kowl, n. a cap or hood: a monk's hood: the badge of monkhood: a monk: a cover for a chimney.—v.t. to make a monk of: to cover like a cowl.—adj. Cowled, wearing a cowl. [A.S. cufle; Ice. cofl; akin to L. cucullus, hood.]

Cowl-staff, kowl′-staf, n. (Shak.) a staff or pole on which a basket or vessel is supported between two persons. [O. Fr. cuvele—L. cupella, dim. of cupa, a cask, and staff.]

Cowrie, Cowry, kow′ri, n. a large genus of Gasteropods, including over a hundred species, some of which are familiar as decorative objects, and as a medium of exchange with uncivilised peoples. [Hindi kaurī.]

Cowslip, kow′slip, n. a beautiful and fragrant species of primrose, common in English pastures.—adj. Cow′slip'd, covered with cowslips. [A.S. cú, cow, slyppe, perh. cow-dung.]

Coxcomb, koks′kōm, n. a strip of red cloth notched like a cock's comb, which professional fools used to wear: a fool: a fop.—adjs. Coxcom′bical, Coxcom′ical, foppish: vain.—n. Coxcombical′ity.—adv. Coxcom′bically.—n. Cox′combry, the manner of a coxcomb. [Cockscomb.]

Coxiness, koks′i-nes, n. state of being cocksy, bumptiousness.

Coxswain, Cockswain, kok′swān, or kok′sn, n. a seaman who steers a boat, and under the superior officer takes charge of it. [Cock, a boat, and Swain.]

Coy, koy, adj. modest: bashful: shy.—v.t. (Shak.) to caress: (Shak.) to disdain.—adj. Coy′ish, somewhat coy.—adv. Coy′ishly.—n. Coy′ishness.—adv. Coy′ly.—n. Coy′ness. [Fr. coi—L. quietus, quiet.]

Coyote, ko-yōt′e, n. a prairie wolf, abundant in Mexico and Texas. [Mex. coyotl.]

Coypu, koi′pōō, n. a large rodent in the porcupine section of the order, common in South America—living in burrows near water, feeding on aquatic plants. [Native name.]

Coystrel, Coystril. Same as Coistril.

Coz, kuz, n. a contraction of Cousin.

Coze, kōz, n. (Jane Austen) a cosy chat.

Cozen, kuz′n, v.t. to flatter: to cheat.—ns. Coz′enage, the practice of cheating: deceit; Coz′ener. [Perh. from Fr. cousiner, to claim kindred for one's own advantage, play the parasite—cousin, a cousin.]

Cozier, Cosier, kō′zi-ėr, n. a cobbler. [O. Fr. cousere—L. consuĕre, to sew together.]

Cozy. See Cosy.

Crab, krab, n. a popular name applied to any of the short-tailed division of decapod crustaceans: a sign in the zodiac: a portable winch: a sour-tempered person: the lowest throw at hazard—two aces.—adj. Crabb′ed, ill-natured: harsh: rough: difficult, perplexing.—adv. Crabb′edly.—n. Crabb′edness.—adj. Crab′-faced, having a sour, peevish countenance.—n. Crab′ite, a fossil crab or crayfish.—adj. Crab′-like, moving like a crab.—n. Crab′-louse, a crab-shaped louse infesting the hair of the pubis, &c.—n.pl. Crab's′-eyes, the scarlet seeds of an East Indian bead-tree: a concretion of carbonate of lime in the stomach of the cray-fish.—v.i. Crab′-sī′dle, to go sideways like a crab.—n.pl. Crab′-yaws, a name applied to the tumours of frambœsia on the soles and palms.—Catch a crab, in rowing, to sink the oar too deeply in the water: to miss the water altogether in making the stroke. [A.S. crabba; Ger. krabbe.]

Crab, krab, Crab-apple, krab′-ap-l, n. a wild bitter apple.—ns. Crab′-stick, a stick made out of the crab-tree; Crab′-tree, the tree that bears crab-apples.—adj. like a crab-tree, crooked. [Perh. conn. with Crabbed.]

Crab-oil, Crab-wood. See Carapa.

Crabro, krā′brō, n. the typical genus of Crabronidæ, a family of fossorial hymenopters: a hornet. [L.]

Crack, krak, v.i. to utter a sharp sudden sound: to split: to boast: to chat.—v.t. to produce a sudden noise: to break into chinks: to split: to break partially or wholly: to open (a bottle).—n. a sudden sharp splitting sound: a chink: a flaw: a blow, a smack: friendly chat: (slang) housebreaking: a craze: one who has a craze: a pert boy.—adj. (coll.) excellent.—n. Crack′-brain, a crazy person.—adjs. Crack′-brained; Cracked, rent: damaged: crazy.—ns. Crack′er, one who or that which cracks: a boaster, a lie: the pin-tail duck: (U.S.) a thin crisp biscuit: a bonbon, or a small firework, exploding when pulled asunder: (U.S.) a poor white; Crack′-halt′er, Crack′-hemp (Shak.), Crack′-rope, one likely to be hanged.—adj. Crack′-jaw, of a word, hard to pronounce.—ns. Cracks′man, a burglar; Crack′-tryst, one who breaks an engagement.—Crack credit, to destroy one's credit; Crack tryst, to break an engagement; Crack up, to praise. [A.S. cracian, to crack; cf. Dut. kraken, Gael. crac.]

Crack, krak, n. (Scot.) a moment, an instant.

Crackle, krak′l, v.i. to give out slight but frequent cracks.—n. the giving out of slight cracks.—ns. Crack′lin, a kind of china-ware, purposely cracked in the kiln as an ornament; Crack′ling, the rind of roast pork: (pl.) skinny parts of suet without tallow: three stripes of velvet worn on the sleeves of students at St John's College, Cambridge.—adj. Crack′ly, brittle.—n. Crack′nel, a light, brittle biscuit: (pl.) pieces of fat pork fried crisp.

Cracovian, kra-kō′vi-an, adj. pertaining to Cracow.—ns. Cracovienne′, a graceful Polish dance, resembling the mazourka: the music for such; Crac′owe, a long-toed boot fashionable under Richard II.

Cradle, krā′dl, n. a bed or crib in which children are rocked: (fig.) infancy: the place where one is born and brought up: a frame in which anything is imbedded: a case for a broken limb: a frame under a ship for launching it: a box on rockers for washing auriferous dirt.—v.t. to lay or rock in a cradle: to nurture.—adj. Crā′dled, laid in a cradle.—ns. Crā′dle-scythe, a broad scythe used in a cradle for cutting grain; Crā′dle-walk, an avenue arched over with trees; Crā′dling.—From the cradle, from birth, from the first. [A.S. cradol; ety. obscure.]

Craft, kraft, n. cunning: artifice: dexterity: art: trade: occupation: small ships.—v.i. to exercise one's craft (Shak., Cor., IV. vi. 118).—adv. Craft′ily.—n. Craft′iness.—adj. Craft′less, free from craft.—ns. Crafts′man, one engaged in a craft; Crafts′manship, Craft′manship; Crafts′master, one skilled in a craft.—adj. Craft′y, having skill: cunning: deceitful. [A.S. cræft; Ger. kraft, power.]

Crag, krag, n. a rough steep rock or point: (geol.) a bed of gravel mixed with shells.—adjs. Crag′ged, Crag′gy, full of crags or broken rocks: rough: rugged.—ns. Crag′gedness, Crag′giness; Crags′man, one skilled in climbing rocks. [W. craig, a rock, car-eg, a stone; Gael. creag, carraig.]

Crag, Cragge, krag, n. the neck.—Scotch forms, Craig, Craig′ie. [Cf. Dut. kraag, Ger. kragen, the neck.]

Crake, krāk, v.i. to utter a cry like a crow, &c.—n. Crake′-berr′y, the crow-berry.

Crake, krāk, n. a crow, raven, corncrake: (obs.) a boast. [See Corncrake.]

Cram, kram, v.t. to press close: to stuff: to fill to superfluity: (slang) to make believe false or exaggerated tales: to teach for a special examination, only giving instruction useful for passing that examination.—v.i. to eat greedily: to get up a subject by cram:—pr.p. cram′ming; pa.p. crammed.—n. a crush: (slang) a lie: information that has been crammed: the system of cramming.—adjs. Cram′-full; Cram′mable; Crammed.—n. Cram′mer, one who prepares students for examination by cramming them. [A.S. crammian; Ice. kremja, to squeeze; Dan. kramme, to crumple.]

Crambo, kram′bo, n. a game in which one gives a word to which another finds a rhyme: rime.—ns. Cram′boclink, -jingle, riming. [Prob. from L. crambe repetita, cabbage served up again.]

Crambus, kram′bus, n. a genus of pyralid moths, the veneers or grass-moths—family Crambidæ, subfamily Crambinæ. [Gr. krambos, dry.]

Crame, krām, n. (Scot.) a booth for selling goods.

Cramoisy, kram′oiz-i, Cramesy, kram′ez-i, adj. and n. crimson. [See Crimson.]

Cramp, kramp, n. an involuntary and painful contraction of a voluntary muscle or group of muscles: restraint: a piece of iron bent at the ends, for holding together wood, stone, &c.: a tool used by carpenters and others, having a movable part which can be screwed tight so as to press things together.—adj. hard to make out (used of handwriting): cramped: narrow.—v.t. to affect with spasms: to confine: to hinder: to fasten with a cramp-iron.—ns. Cramp′bark, the popular American name of the medicinal Viburnum Oxycoccus; Cramp′-bone, the patella of the sheep, an old charm for cramp; Cramp′-fish, the electric ray or torpedo; Cramp′-ī′ron, a piece of metal bent at both ends for binding things together; Cramp′on, a grappling-iron: a pointed plate for the foot in hill-climbing; Cramp′-ring, a ring formerly blessed by the sovereign on Good-Friday against cramp and the falling sickness.—adj. Cramp′y, affected or diseased with cramp: producing cramp.—Bather's cramp, the popular name for paralysis attacking a person while bathing; Writer's cramp, or Scrivener's palsy, a common disease affecting those in the habit of constant writing, the muscles refusing to obey only on attempting to write. [O. Fr. crampe; cf. Dut. kramp, Ger. krampf.]

Cran, kran, n. a measure of capacity in Scotland for herrings when just taken out of the net. It amounts to 37½ imperial gallons, and comprises about 750 herrings on an average.—Coup the cran (Scot.), to be upset. [Prob. from Gael. crann, a measure.]

Cranberry, kran′ber-i, n. a genus of small evergreen shrubs growing in peaty bogs and marshy grounds: the berry much used for tarts. [For crane-berry; a late word; origin obscure; cf. Ger. kranbeere or kranich-beere.]

Cranch. Same as Craunch.

Crane, krān, n. a large wading bird, with long legs, neck, and bill: a bent pipe for drawing liquor out of a cask: a machine for raising heavy weights—both named from their likeness to the bird.—v.t. to raise with a crane.—v.i. to stretch out the neck: to pull up before a jump.—ns. Cran′age, the use of a crane: the price paid for the use of it; Crane′-fly, a genus of dipterous insects, nearly allied to the gnats, with very long legs.—adj. Crane′-necked.—n. Crane's′-bill, the Geranium, from a lengthened appendage of the seed-vessel. [A.S. cran; Ger. kranich, W. garan.]

Crane. Same as Cranium.

Cranium, krā′ni-um, n. the skull: the bones enclosing the brain.—adj. Crā′nial, pertaining to the cranium.—n. Craniog′nomy, cranial physiognomy.—adj. Craniolog′ical.—ns. Craniol′ogist, one skilled in craniology; Craniol′ogy, the study of skulls: phrenology; Craniom′eter, an instrument for measuring the skull; Craniom′etry, the measurement of skulls; Craninos′copist, a phrenologist; Cranios′copy, phrenology; Craniot′omy (obstetrics), the act of breaking down the head of the fœtus. [Low L. cranium—Gr. kranion, from karē, the head.]

Crank, krangk, n. a crook or bend: a conceit in speech: a whim: (mach.) a lever or arm on a shaft, driven by hand or by a connecting-rod, its object being to convert reciprocating motion into rotary motion.—v.i. to move in a zizag manner.—v.t. to shape like a crank: to provide with a crank.—adj. crooked: crabbed: loose or slack.—adv. Crank′ily.—n. Crank′iness.—adj. Crank′y, crooked: infirm: full of whims: cross. [M. E. kranke—A.S. crincan, to yield; cf. Ger. krank.]

Crank, krangk, adj. brisk: merry. [Origin unknown.]

Crank, krangk, Crank-sided, krangk-sī′ded, adj. (naut.) liable to be upset—n. Crank′ness, liability to be upset. [Ety. uncertain.]

Crankle, krangk′l, Crinkle, kringk′l, n. a turn, winding, or wrinkle, an angular protuberance.—v.t. to bend: to twist.

Crannog, kran′og, n. the name given in Scotland and Ireland to a fortified island (partly natural and partly artificial) in a lake, once used as a dwelling-place and place of refuge. [Gael. crann, a tree.]

Cranny, kran′i, n. a rent: a chink: a secret place.—v.i. to enter crannies.—adj. Crann′ied, having crannies, rents, or fissures. [Fr. cran, a notch.]

Cranreuch, kran′ruh, n. (Scot.) hoar-frost. [Gael.]

Crants, krantz, n. (Shak.) the garland carried before the bier of a maiden and hung over her grave. [From Ger. kranz, a wreath, a garland.]

Crape, krāp, n. a thin silk fabric, tightly twisted, without removing the natural gum—usually dyed black, used for mournings.—adj. made of crape.—v.t. to clothe with crape: to frizzle (hair).—adj. Crap′y. [O. Fr. crespe (Fr. crêpe)—L. crispus, crisp.]

Crappit-head, krap′it-hed, n. a haddock's head stuffed with a compound of oatmeal, suet, onions, and pepper. [Crappit, from a Scotch word, crap, to cram.]

Crapulence, krap′ū-lens, n. sickness caused by an overdose of drink.—adjs. Crap′ulous, Crap′ulent. [Fr. crapule—L. crapula, intoxication.]

Crare, Crayer, krār, n. a trading vessel. [O. Fr. craier—Late L. craiera; origin dub.]

Crase. Obsolete form of Craze.

Crash, krash, n. a noise as of things breaking or being crushed by falling; the shock of two bodies meeting: the failure of a commercial undertaking.—v.i. to fall to pieces with a loud noise: to move with such a noise.—v.t. to dash in pieces. [From the sound.]

Crash, krash, n. a coarse strong linen.

Crasis, krā′sis, n. the mixture of different elements in the constitution of the body: temperament: (gram.) the mingling or contraction of two vowels into one long vowel, or into a diphthong. [Gr. krasis—kerannynai, to mix.]

Crass, kras, adj. gross: thick: dense: stupid.—ns. Crassament′um, the thick part of coagulated blood: the clot; Crass′itude, coarseness: density: stupidity.—adv. Crass′ly.—n. Crass′ness.—n.pl. Crassulā′ceæ, an order of herbaceous or shrubby, succulent plants—including the Stone-crop and House-leek. [O. Fr. cras—L. crassus.]

Cratægus, kra-tē′gus, n. a genus of thorny shrubs, of the rose family, in north temperate regions. [Gr.]

Cratch, krach, n. a crib to hold hay for cattle, a manger.—n.pl. Cratches, a swelling on a horse's pastern, under the fetlock. [Fr. crèche, a manger; from a Teut. root, whence also crib.]

Crate, krāt, n. a wicker-work case for packing crockery in, or for carrying fruit. [L. cratis, a hurdle. See Cradle.]

Crater, krāt′ėr, n. the bowl-shaped mouth of a volcano.—adjs. Crat′eriform, or Crater′iform, shaped like a crater; Crat′erous. [L.,—Gr. kratēr, a large bowl for mixing wine, from kerannynai, to mix.]

Craunch, kranch. A form of Crunch.

Cravat, kra-vat′, n. a kind of neckcloth worn chiefly by men.—v.t. to dress in a cravat.—adj. Cravat′ted, wearing a cravat. [Fr. cravate—introduced in 1636 from the Cravates or Croatians.]

Crave, krāv, v.t. to beg earnestly: to beseech: to demand or require: to long for.—ns. Crav′er, one who craves: a beggar; Crav′ing, desire: longing. [A.S. crafian, to crave; Ice. krefja.]

Craven, krāv′n, n. a coward: a spiritless fellow.—adj. cowardly: spiritless.—v.t. to render spiritless.—adv. Crav′enly.—n. Crav′enness.—To cry craven, to surrender. [M. E. cravant—O. Fr. participle cravanté, corresponding to L. crepant-em, crepāre, to rattle, to break; some explain M. E. cravant as O. Fr. creant, as in recreant.]

Craw, kraw, n. the crop, throat, or first stomach of fowls: the stomach of animals generally. [M. E. crawe; not found in A.S.; cf. Dut. kraag, neck.]

Crawfish. See Crayfish.

Crawl, krawl, v.i. to move slowly along the ground, as a worm: to creep: to move feebly, stealthily, or sneakingly: to be covered with crawling things.—n. the act of crawling.—ns. Crawl′er, one who or that which crawls: a reptile; Crawl′ing.—adv. Crawl′y (coll.), with a creepy feeling. [Scand.; Ice. krafla, Dan. kravle; Ger. krabbeln, to creep.]

Crawl, krawl, n. a pen for keeping fish: a kraal.

Crax, kraks, n. the typical genus of birds of family Cracidæ.

Crayfish, krā′fish, Crawfish, kraw′fish, n. a large fresh-water crustacean in the long-tailed division of the order Decapoda: the small spiny lobster. [M. E. crevice—O. Fr. crevice (Fr. écrevisse, a crayfish)—Old High Ger. krebiz, a Crab.]

Crayon, krā′on, n. a pencil made of chalk or pipeclay, variously coloured, used for drawing: a drawing done with crayons.—v.t. to draw with a crayon.—In crayons, of a picture, made by crayons. [Fr. crayon—craie, chalk, from L. creta, chalk.]

Craze, krāz, v.t. to weaken: to derange (applied to the intellect): (obs.) to break.—v.i. to become mad.—n. a crack or flaw: insanity.—adj. Crazed, deranged.—adv. Craz′ily.—ns. Craz′iness; Craz′ing-mill, a mill for crushing tin-ore.—adj. Craz′y, frail: insane: demented. [Scand.; Sw. krasa, Dan. krase, to crackle; whence also Fr. écraser, to crush.]

Creagh, Creach, kreh, n. a foray, raid: booty. [Gael.]

Creak, krēk, v.i. to make a sharp, grating sound, as of a hinge, &c.—n. a grating noise, as of an unoiled hinge.—adv. Creak′ily.—adj. Creak′y. [From the sound, like crake and croak.]

Cream, krēm, n. the oily substance which forms on milk, yielding butter when churned: the best part of anything: any cream-like preparation, as cold cream for the skin, &c., or any dish largely made of cream, or like cream, as chocolate-cream, ice-cream, whipped-cream, &c.—v.t. to take off the cream.—v.i. to gather or form cream.—ns. Cream′-cake, a kind of cake filled with custard made of cream, &c.; Cream′-cheese, cheese made of cream.—adj. Cream′-col′oured, of the colour of cream, light yellow.—n. Cream′ery, an establishment where butter and cheese are made from the milk supplied by a number of producers: a shop for milk, butter, &c.—adj. Cream′-faced, pale-faced.—ns. Cream′-fruit, the fruit of a creeping West African plant of the dogbane family, yielding a cream-like juice; Cream′iness.—adj. Cream′-laid, of a cream-colour and laid, or bearing linear water-lines as if laid.—ns. Cream′-nut, the Brazil nut; Cream′-slice, a wooden blade for skimming cream from milk.—adjs. Cream′-wove, woven of a cream-colour; Cream′y, full of or like cream: gathering like cream.—Cream of tartar, a white crystalline compound made by purifying argol, bitartrate of potash. [O. Fr. cresme, creme—L. chrisma.]

Creance, krē′ans, n. the cord which secures the hawk while being trained. [Fr.]

Creant, krē′ant, adj. creating: formative.

Crease, krēs, n. a mark made by folding or doubling anything: (cricket) a line indicating the boundaries of a particular space, as the position of a batter and bowler.—v.t. to make creases in anything.—v.i. to become creased.—adj. Creas′y, full of creases. [Prob. Celt., as Bret. krīz, &c.]

Crease. See Creese.

Creasote. See Creosote.

Create, krē-āt′, v.t. to bring into being or form out of nothing: to beget: to form: to invest with a new form, office, or character: to produce.—adj. Creāt′able.—n. Creā′tion, the act of creating, esp. the universe: that which is created, the world, the universe.—adj. Creā′tional.—ns. Creā′tionism, the theory of special creation, opp. to Evolutionism: the theory that God immediately creates a soul for every human being born—opp. to Traducianism; Creā′tionist.—adj. Creā′tive, having power to create: that creates.—adv. Creā′tively.—ns. Creā′tiveness; Creā′tor, he who creates: a maker:—fem. Creā′trix, Creā′tress; Creā′torship.—adjs. Crea′tural, Crea′turely, pertaining to a creature or thing created.—ns. Creature (krē′tūr), whatever has been created, animate or inanimate, esp. every animated being, an animal, a man: a term of contempt or of endearment: a dependent, instrument, or puppet; Crea′tureship.—The Creator, the Supreme Being, God.—Creature comforts, material comforts, food, &c.: liquor, esp. whisky. [L. creāre, -ātum; Gr. krain-ein, to fulfil.]

Creatine, krē′a-tin, n. a constant and characteristic constituent of the striped muscle of vertebrates—also Kre′atine.—adj. Creat′ic, relating to flesh.—n. Cre′atinine, dehydrated form, a constant constituent of urine, found also in fish muscles. [Gr. kreas, kreatos, flesh.]

Crèche, kresh, n. a sort of public nursery for children, while their mothers are at work. [Fr.]

Credence, krē′dens, n. belief: trust: the small table beside the altar on which the bread and wine are placed before being consecrated.—n. Creden′dum, a thing to be believed, an act of faith:—pl. Credenda.—adjs. Crē′dent, easy of belief; Creden′tial, giving a title to belief or credit.—n. that which entitles to credit or confidence: (pl.) esp. the letters by which one claims confidence or authority among strangers.—ns. Credibil′ity, Cred′ibleness.—adj. Credible (kred′-), that may be believed.—adv. Cred′ibly.—n. Cred′it, belief: esteem: reputation: honour: good character: sale on trust: time allowed for payment: the side of an account on which payments received are entered: a sum placed at a person's disposal in a bank on which he may draw to its amount.—v.t. to believe: to trust: to sell or lend to on trust: to enter on the credit side of an account: to set to the credit of.—adj. Cred′itable, trustworthy: bringing credit or honour.—n. Cred′itableness.—adv. Cred′itably.—ns. Cred′itor, one to whom a debt is due:—fem. Cred′itrix; Crē′do, the Creed, or a musical setting of it for church services; Credū′lity, credulousness: disposition to believe on insufficient evidence.—adj. Cred′ulous, easy of belief: apt to believe without sufficient evidence: unsuspecting.—adv. Cred′ulously.—ns. Cred′ulousness; Creed, a summary of articles of religious belief, esp. those called the Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian: any system of belief. [Fr.,—Low L. credentia—L. credent-, believing, pr.p. of credĕre.]

Creek, krēk, n. a small inlet or bay of the sea, or the tidal estuary of a river: any turn or winding: in America and Australia, a small river.—adj. Creek′y, full of creeks: winding. [Prob. Scand., Ice. kriki, a nook; cf. Dut. kreek, a bay.]

Creel, krēl, n. a basket, esp. an angler's basket. [Prob. Celt; cf. Old Ir. criol, a chest.]

Creep, krēp, v.i. to move on the belly, like a snake: to move slowly: to grow along the ground or on supports, as a vine: to fawn or cringe: to have the physical sensation of something creeping over or under the skin: to shudder at from fear or repugnance: to drag with a creeper, as a river-bottom:—pr.p. creep′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. crept.—ns. Creep′er, a creeping plant: a genus of small climbing birds; Creep′-hole, a hole into which to creep: a subterfuge; Creep′ie, a low stool, the old Scotch stool of repentance.—adv. Creep′ingly.—adj. Creep′y. [A.S. creópan; Dut. kruipen.]

Creese, Crease, krēs, n. a Malay dagger with a wavy blade—also Kris.—v.t. to stab with a creese.

Creesh, krēsh, v.t. (Scot.) to grease.—n. grease.—adj. Creesh′y. [O. Fr. craisse—L. crassus, fat.]

Cremaillere, kre-mal-yār′, n. a line of fortification built zigzag to give wider range in firing. [Fr.]

Cremation, krem-ā′shun, n. act of burning, esp. of the dead.—v.t. Cremate′.—ns. Cremā′tionist, one who advocates cremation; Cremat′or, Crematōr′ium, Crem′atory, a place where cremation is done.—adj. Crematōr′ial. [L.,—cremāre, to burn.]

Cremona, krem-ō′na, n. a superior kind of violin made at Cremona in Italy.—adj. Cremonese′.

Cremor, krē′mor, n. thick juice.

Cremosin, krem′ō-zin, n. crimson (Spens.).

Crenate, -d, krē′nāt, -ed, adj. (bot.) having the edge notched.—ns. Crē′na, a furrow or notch; Crenā′tion; Cren′ature.—adjs. Cren′ulate, -d, finely notched or crenate. [L. crena, a notch.]

Crenel, kren′el, Crenelle, kre-nel′, n. (archit.) an opening in a parapet for shooting through: a battlement—dim. Cren′elet.—n. Crenaux (krē′nō), crenellations or loopholes in a fortress.—v.t. Cren′ellate.—adjs. Crenellāt′ed, furnished with battlements: indented.—n. Crenellā′tion.—adjs. Crenelle′ (her.), embattled; Crenelled′, having embrasures. [Fr.,—Low L. crena, a notch.]

Creole, krē′ōl, n. and adj. strictly applied in the former Spanish, French, and Portuguese colonies of America, Africa, and the East Indies to natives of pure European blood (sangre azul), in opposition to immigrants themselves born in Europe, or to the offspring of mixed blood, as mulattoes, quadroons, Eurasians, &c.: (U.S.) applied only to the native French stock in Louisiana: a negro born in the West Indies—earlier Creō′lian. [Fr. créole—Sp. criollo, contr. of criadillo, 'a little nursling,' dim. of criado—criar, lit. to create, also to bring up, to nurse—L. creāre.]

Creophagous, krē-of′a-gus, adj. flesh-eating. [Gr. kreas, flesh, phagein, to eat.]

Creosote, krē′o-sōt, Creasote, krē′a-sōt, n. an oily, colourless liquid obtained from the tar produced by the destructive distillation of wood. [Gr. kreas, flesh, sōtēr, saviour—sōz-ein, to save.]

Crepance, krē′pans, n. a wound on a horse's hind ankle-joint, caused by striking with the shoe of the other hind-foot.—Also Crē′pane. [L. crepāre, to break.]

Crêpe, krāp, v.t. to frizz, as hair. [See Crape.]

Crepitate, krep′i-tāt, v.i. to crackle, snap.—adj. Crep′itant, crackling.—n. Crepitā′tion, the characteristic sound detected in the lungs by auscultation.—adj. Crep′itātive.—n. Crep′itus. [L. crepitāre, -ātum, freq. of crepāre, to crack, rattle.]

Crepon, krep′on, n. a woollen or silk crapy stuff. [Fr.]

Crept, krept, pa.t. and pa.p. of Creep.

Crepuscular, kre-pus′kū-lar, adj. of or pertaining to twilight—also Crepus′culous.—ns. Crepus′cule, Crepus′cle, twilight. [L. crepusculum—creper, dusky, obscure.]

Crescendo, kres-en′dō, adv. (mus.) gradually increasing in force or loudness.—n. a passage marked by this.—Often cres., cresc., or .

Crescent, kres′ent, adj. increasing: shaped like the new or old moon.—n. the moon as she increases towards half-moon: a figure like the crescent moon, as that on the Turkish standard: the standard itself: the Turkish power: a range of buildings in curved form.—n. Cres′centade, a religious war for Islam.—adjs. Cres′cented, Crescent′ic, formed like a crescent; Cres′cive (Shak.), increasing. [L. crescens, crescent-is, pr.p. of crescĕre, to grow.]

Cress, kres, n. the name of several species of plants like the water-cress, which grow in moist places, and have pungent leaves used as salads and medicinally.—adj. Cress′y, abounding in cresses. [A.S. cresse, cerse; cf. Dut. kers, Ger. kresse.]

Cresset, kres′et, n. an iron basket, jar, or open lamp filled with combustible material, placed on a beacon, lighthouse, wharf, &c.: a torch generally. [O. Fr. cresset, crasset (Fr. creuset)—Old Dut. kruysel, a hanging lamp.]

Crest, krest, n. the comb or tuft on the head of a cock and other birds: the summit of anything, as a roof-ridge, hill, wave: the mane of a horse, &c.: (anat.) a ridge along the surface of a bone: a plume of feathers or other ornament on the top of a helmet: (her.) an accessory figure originally surmounting the helmet, placed on a wreath, &c., also used separately as a personal cognisance on plate, &c.—v.t. to furnish with, or serve for, a crest, to surmount.—p.adj. Crest′ed, having a crest: (bot.) having an elevated appendage like a crest.—adjs. Crest′fallen, dejected: heartless; Crest′less, without a crest: not of high birth.—ns. Crest′-marine′, rock samphire; Crestol′atry, toadyism. [O. Fr. creste (mod. crête)—L. crista.]

Cretaceous, krē-tā′shus, adj. composed of or like chalk.—adj. Crē′tāted, rubbed with chalk.—n. Cretifac′tion.—v.i. Crē′tify, to become impregnated with salts of lime. [L. cretaceus, from creta, chalk.]

Cretic, krē′tik, adj. and n. Cretan, belonging to Crete: a metrical foot consisting of one short syllable between two long.—n. Crē′tism, a lie.

Cretinism, krē′tin-izm, n. a state of defective mental development, associated with bodily deformity or arrested growth, occurring esp. in connection with enlargement of the thyroid gland or goitre in the lower Alpine valleys.—n. Crē′tin, one affected with cretinism.—adjs. Crē′tinous, Crē′tinised. [Fr. crétin—Swiss crestin—L. christian-us, prob. implying that, after all, they are human, or that they are (from their fatuousness) incapable of sin—cf. the frequent use of innocent.]

Cretonne, kret-on′, or kret′on, n. a strong printed cotton fabric used for curtains or for covering furniture. [Fr., prob. from Creton in Normandy.]

Cretose, krē′tōs, adj. chalky.

Creutzer. Same as Kreutzer.

Creux, krė, n. the reverse of relief in sculpture, intaglio. [Fr.]

Crevasse, krev-as′, n. a crack or split, esp. applied to a cleft in a glacier: (U.S.) a breach in a canal or river bank.—v.t. to fissure with crevasses. [Fr.]

Crevet, krev′et, n. a variant of Cruet, a goldsmith's melting-pot.

Crevice, krev′is, n. a crack or rent: a narrow opening. [O. Fr. crevace—L. L.,—L. crepāre, to creak.]

Crew, krōō, n. a company, squad, or gang, often in a bad or contemptuous sense: a ship's company. [O. Fr. creue, increase—croistre, to grow.]

Crew, krōō, pa.t. of Crow.

Crewe, krōō, n. (Spens.) a cruse. [O. Fr. crue.]

Crewel, krōō′el, n. a fine worsted yarn used for embroidery and tapestry: work in crewels.—v.t. to work in such.—ns. Crew′elist; Crew′ellery. [Orig. a monosyllable, crule, crewle; ety. dub.]

Crewels, krōō′elz, n.pl. (Scot.) the king's evil, scrofula. [Fr. ēcrouelles.]

Crib, krib, n. the rack or manger of a stable: a stall for oxen: a child's bed; a small cottage or hovel, a confined place: (coll.) a translation of a classic baldly literal, for lazy schoolboys.—v.t. to put away in a crib, confine: to pilfer: to plagiarise:—pr.p. crib′bing; pa.p. cribbed.—n. Crib′-bit′ing, a vicious habit of horses, consisting in biting the manger. [A.S. crib; Ger. krippe.]

Cribbage, krib′āj, n. a game at cards played by two, three, or four persons, so called from crib, the name given to certain cards laid aside from his hand by each player, and which belong to the dealer.—n. Cribb′age-board, a board with holes for keeping by means of pegs the score at cribbage.

Cribble, krib′l, n. a coarse screen or sieve used for sand, gravel, or corn: coarse flour or meal.—v.t. to sift or riddle.—adjs. Crib′rāte, Crib′rose, perforated like a sieve.—n. Cribrā′tion, act of sifting.—adj. Crib′riform, shaped like a sieve. [L. cribellum, dim. of cribrum, a sieve.]

Cribellum, kri-bel′um, n. an accessory spinning-organ of certain spiders—also Cribrell′um:—pl. Cribell′a.

Criblé, krē-blā, adj. punctured like a sieve, dotted. [Fr.]

Cricetus, kri-sē′tus, n. the typical genus of Cricetinæ, a sub-family of muroid rodents with cheek-pouches.

Crick, krik, n. a spasm or cramp of the muscles, esp. of the neck. [Prob. onomatopœic.]

Cricket, krik′et, n. a saltatory, orthopterous insect, allied to grasshoppers and locusts. [O. Fr. criquet; cf. Dut. krekel, Ger. kreckel.]

Cricket, krik′et, n. an outdoor game played with bats, a ball, and wickets, between two sides of eleven each.—v.i. to play at cricket.—ns. Crick′eter, one who plays at cricket; Crick′et-match, a match at cricket. [Fr. criquet; further ety. dub. Not the A.S. crycc, a stick.]

Cricket, krik′et, n. (Scot.) a low stool.

Cricoid, krī′koid, adj. (anat.) ring-shaped. [Gr. krikos, a ring, and eidos, form.]

Cried, krīd, pa.t. and pa.p. of Cry.—n. Crī′er, one who cries or proclaims, esp. an officer whose duty is to make public proclamations.—Cried down, or Decried, denounced, belittled; Cried up, extolled.

Crime, krīm, n. a violation of law: an act punishable by law: offence: sin.—adjs. Crime′ful, criminal; Crime′less, without crime, innocent; Criminal (krim′-), relating to crime: guilty of crime: violating laws.—n. one guilty of crime.—ns. Crim′inalist, one versed in criminal law; Criminal′ity, guiltiness.—adv. Crim′inally.—v.t. Crim′ināte, to accuse.—n. Criminā′tion, act of criminating: accusation.—adjs. Crim′inātive, Crim′inātory, involving crimination or accusation.—ns. Criminol′ogist; Criminol′ogy, that branch of anthropology which treats of crime and criminals.—adj. Crim′inous, criminal—now chiefly in the phrase 'a criminous clerk.'—n. Crim′inousness.—Criminal conversation, often Crim. con., adultery. [Fr.,—L. crimen.]

Crimine, Crimini, krim′i-ne, interj. an ejaculation of surprise or impatience.

Crimp, krimp, adj. made crisp or brittle.—v.t. to wrinkle: to plait: to make crisp: to seize or decoy sailors or soldiers.—n. one who presses or decoys.—ns. Crimp′age, act of crimping; Crimp′er, one who or that which crimps or corrugates; Crimp′ing-ī′ron, an iron instrument used for crimping hair; Crimp′ing-machine′, a machine for forming crimps or plaits on ruffles.—v.t. Crimp′le, to contract or draw together: to plait: to curl. [A dim. of cramp; Dut. krimpen, to shrink.]

Crimson, krim′zn, n. a deep red colour, tinged with blue: red in general.—adj. deep red.—v.t. to dye crimson.—v.i. to become crimson: to blush. [M. E. crimosin—O. Fr. cramoisin; from Ar. qermazi, the cochineal insect, from which it is made.]

Crinal, krī′nal, adj. of or belonging to the hair.—adjs. Crin′ate, -d, having hair; Crinicul′tural, relating to the culture or growth of the hair; Crinig′erous, hairy; Crī′nite, hairy: (bot.) resembling a tuft of hair. [L. crinalis—crinis, the hair.]

Crine, krīn, v.i. (Scot.) to shrink or shrivel. [Gael. crìon, dry.]

Cringe, krinj, v.i. to bend or crouch with servility: to submit: to fawn: to flatter with mean servility.—n. a servile obeisance.—ns. Cringe′ling, Crin′ger, one who cringes.—adv. Crin′gingly, in an obsequious manner. [Related to A.S. crincan, cringan, to shrink. Cf. Crank, weak.]

Cringle, kring′gl, n. a small piece of rope worked into the bolt-rope of a sail, and containing a metal ring or thimble. [Teut.; cf. Ger. kringel.]

Crinite. See Crinal, Crinoidea.

Crinkle, krink′l, v.t. to twist, wrinkle, crimp.—v.i. to wrinkle up, curl.—n. a wrinkle.—adj. Crink′ly, wrinkly.—n. and adj. Crink′um-crank′um, a word applied familiarly to things intricate or crooked.

Crinoidea, krī-noid′ē-a, n.pl. a class of Echinodermata, sometimes called feather-stars or sea-lilies, and well known in fossil forms as encrinites or stone-lilies.—n. Cri′nite, a fossil crinoid.—adjs. and ns. Crinoid′, Crinoid′ean.—adj. Crinoid′al. [Gr. krinon, a lily, and eidos, form.]

Crinoline, krin′o-lin, n. a name originally given by the French modistes to a stiff fabric of horse-hair, employed to distend women's attire: a hooped petticoat or skirt made to project all round by means of steel-wire: a netting round ships as a guard against torpedoes.—n. Crin′olette, a small crinoline causing the dress to project behind only—akin to the bustle and dress-improver.—adj. Crin′olined. [Fr., crin—L. crinis, hair, and lin—L. linum, flax.]

Crinose, krī′nōs, adj. hairy. [L. crinis, hair.]

Crio-sphinx, krī′ō-sfingks, n. a ram-headed sphinx. [Gr. krios, a ram, sphingx, a sphinx.]

Cripple, krip′l, n. a lame person.—adj. lame.—v.t. to make lame: to lame: disable, impair the efficiency of.—ns. Cripp′ledom; Cripp′ling, a prop set up as a support against the side of a building. [A.S. crypel; conn. with Creep.]

Crisis, krī′sis, n. point or time for deciding anything, the decisive moment or turning-point:—pl. Crises (krī′sēz). [Gr. krisis, from krinein, to separate.]

Crisp, krisp, adj. curling closely: having a wavy surface: so dry as to be crumbled easily: brittle, or short, as 'crisp cakes,' &c.: fresh and bracing, as 'crisp air:' firm, the opposite of limp or flabby, as a 'crisp style' in writing.—v.t. to curl or twist: to make crisp or wavy.—adjs. Cris′pāte, -d, having a crisped or wavy appearance.—ns. Crispā′tion; Crisp′ature, a curling; Crisp′er, one who or that which crisps; Crisp′ing-ī′ron, -pin, a curling-iron.—adv. Crisp′ly.—n. Crisp′ness.—adj. Crisp′y. [A.S.,—L. crispus.]

Crispin, kris′pin, n. a shoemaker, from Crispin of Soissons, the patron saint of shoemakers, martyred 25th October 287.

Criss-cross, kris′-kros, n. a mark formed by two lines in the form of a cross, as the signature of a person unable to write his name: a child's game played on a slate, the lines being drawn in the form of a cross.—v.i. to intersect frequently.

Cristate, kris′tāt, adj. crested.—n. Cris′ta, a crest.—adjs. Cris′tiform; Cristim′anous, having crested claws.

Criterion, krī-tē′ri-on, n. a means or standard of judging: a test: a rule, standard, or canon:—pl. Critē′ria. [Gr., from kritēs, a judge.]

Crith, krith, n. a chemical unit of mass for gases, the mass of one litre of hydrogen. [Gr. krithē, barley.]

Crithomancy, krith′o-man-si, n. divination by the meal strewed over the victims of sacrifice. [Gr. krithē, barley, and manteia, divination.]

Critic, krit′ik, n. one skilled in estimating the quality of literary or artistic work: a professional reviewer: one skilled in textual or biblical criticism, literature, the fine arts, &c.: a fault-finder.—adj. Crit′ical, relating to criticism: discriminating: captious: decisive.—adv. Crit′ically.—ns. Crit′icalness, Critical′ity; Crit′icaster, Crit′ickin, a petty critic.—adj. Criticīs′able.—v.t. Crit′icise, to pass judgment on: to censure.—ns. Crit′icism, the art of judging, esp. in literature or the fine arts: a critical judgment or observation; Critique (kri-tēk′), a critical examination of any production: a review.—Critical angle, the least angle of incidence at which a ray is totally reflected; Critical philosophy, that of Kant as based on a critical examination of the faculty of knowledge; Critical point, that temperature below which a substance may, and above which it cannot, be liquefied by pressure alone.—Higher or Historical criticism, as distinguished from Textual or Verbal criticism, the inquiry into the composition, date, and authenticity of the books of Scripture, from historical and literary considerations. [Gr. kritikos—krinein, to judge.]

Croak, krōk, v.i. to utter a low hoarse sound, as a frog or raven: to grumble: to forebode evil: to utter croakingly: (slang) to die.—n. the sound of a frog or raven.—n. Croak′er.—adv. Croak′ily.—n. Croak′ing.—adj. Croak′y. [From the sound. Cf. Crake, Crow.]

Croat, krō′at, n. a native of Croatia, esp. one serving as a soldier in the Austrian army.

Croceous, krō′shi-us, adj. saffron-coloured.

Croche, krō′she, n. one of the buds or knobs at the top of a deer's horn. [Fr.]

Crochet, krō′shā, n. a kind of handiwork in fancy worsted, cotton, or silk—an extensive system of looping, by means of a small hook.—v.i. to do such work. [Fr. crochet—croche, croc, a hook.]

Crocidolite, kro-sid′o-līt, n. a mineral consisting mainly of silicate of iron, in asbestos-like fibres. [From Gr. krokis, -idos, cloth, and lithos, stone.]

Crock, krok, n. a pot or jar.—n. Crock′ery, earthenware: vessels formed of baked clay. [A.S. croc; Ger. krug; perh. of Celt. origin, as in W. crochan, a pot, Gael. krogan, a pitcher.]

Crock, krok, n. dirt, smut.—v.i. to dirty.

Crock, krok, n. an old ewe: an old horse. [Cf. Norw. and Sw. krake, a poor beast.]

Crocket, krok′et, n. (archit.) an ornament on the angles of spires, canopies, &c., like curled leaves or flowers.

Crocodile, krok′o-dīl, n. a genus of large amphibious saurian reptiles, including the crocodile of the Nile, and also the alligators and gavials.—adj. and n. Crocodil′ian.—n. Crocodil′ity, captious arguing.—Crocodile tears, affected tears, hypocritical grief—from the old story that crocodiles (which have large lachrymal glands) shed tears over the hard necessity of killing animals for food. [O. Fr. cocodrille—L. crocodilus—Gr. krokodeilos, a lizard.]

Crocus, krō′kus, n. a bulbous plant with brilliant yellow or purple flowers: (slang) a quack doctor. [L. crocus—Gr. krokos; prob. of Eastern origin, as Heb. karkom, and Ar. kurkum, saffron.]

Croft, kroft, n. a small piece arable land adjoining a dwelling: a kind of small farm.—ns. Croft′er; Croft′ing. [A.S. croft; perh. cog. with Dut. kroft, or with Gael. croit.]

Croissant. Same as Crescent.

Croma, krō′ma, n. (mus.) an eighth note, or quaver.—Also Crome.

Crome, krōm, Cromb, krōōm, n. a hook or crook.—v.t. to draw with such. [Cf. Dut. kram.]

Cromlech, krom′lek, n. a term applied in Brittany to a group of standing stones, a stone circle: formerly applied to a dolmen, with which it is still sometimes confounded in England (see Dolmen). [W. cromlech—crom, curved, circular, and llech, a stone.]

Cromorna, krō-mor′na, n. a clarinet-like reed-stop in an organ. [Fr.,—Ger. krummhorn.]

Crone, krōn, n. an old woman, usually in contempt—sometimes an old man. [Perh. O. Fr. carogne, a crabbed woman; or Celt., as in Ir. crion, withered.]

Cronet, krō′net, n. the hair growing over the top of a horse's hoof.

Crony, krōn′i, n. an old and intimate companion. [Ety. unknown.]

Croodle, krōōd′l, v.i. to cower down, or cling close to anything. [Prob. related to Cuddle.]

Croodle, krōōd′l, v.i. (Scot.), to coo like a dove, to coax.

Crook, krōōk, n. a bend, anything bent: a curved tube used to lower the pitch of a cornet, &c.: the bending of the body in reverence: a staff bent at the end, as a shepherd's or bishop's: an artifice or trick: (Spens.) gibbet.—v.t. to bend or form into a hook: to turn from the straight line or from what is right.—v.i. to bend or be bent.—n. Crook′back (Shak.), a hunchback.—adj. Crook′backed; Crook′ed, bent like a crook: not straight: deviating from rectitude, perverse.—adv. Crook′edly.—n. Crook′edness.—adjs. Crook′-kneed; Crook′-shoul′dered.—A crook in the lot, any trial in one's experience. [Prob. Scand.; cf. Ice. krókr, Dan. krog.]

Crool, krool, v.i. to mutter. [Imit.]

Croon, krōōn, v.t. (Scot.) to utter a low, monotonous, inarticulate sound like a baby: to sing or hum in an undertone.—n. Croon′ing, a low murmuring sound. [Cf. Dut. kreunen, to groan.]

Crop, krop, n. all the produce of a field of grain: anything gathered or cropped: an entire ox-hide: the craw of a bird: (archit.) a finial: a whip-handle: the cutting the hair short.—v.t. to cut off the top or ends: to cut short or close: to mow, reap, or gather.—v.i. to yield:—pr.p. crop′ping; pa.p. cropped.—n. Crop′-ear, one having cropped or cut ears.—adj. Crop′ful (Milt.), satiated.—ns. Crop′per, one who or that which crops: a plant which furnishes a crop: one who raises a crop for a share of it: a kind of fancy pigeon remarkable for its large crop; Crop′ping, act of cutting off: the raising of crops: (geol.) an outcrop; Crop′py, one of the Irish rebels of 1798 who cut their hair short in imitation of the French Revolutionists.—adj. Crop′-sick, sick of a surfeit.—Crop out, to appear above the surface; Crop up, to come up incidentally. [A.S. crop, the top shoot of a plant, the crop of a bird; Dut. crop, a bird's crop.]

Cropper, krop′ėr, n. a fall; failure.—Come a cropper, to have a fall, perhaps from phrase 'neck and crop.'

Croquet, krō′kā, n. a game in which two or more players try to drive wooden balls, by means of long-handled mallets, through a series of arches set in the ground. [North Fr. croquet, a dial. form of crochet, dim. of croc, croche, a crook.]

Croquette, krok-et′, n. a ball of minced meat or fish, seasoned and fried. [Fr. croquer, to crunch.]

Crore, krōr, n. the sum of ten millions, or one hundred lacs. [Hind.]

Crosier, Crozier, krō′zhėr, n. a cross mounted on a staff, borne before archbishops and patriarchs—often confounded with the pastoral staff.—adj. Crō′siered. [O. Fr. crocier—Late L. crociarius—L. crux, a cross.]

Cross, kros, n. a gibbet on which malefactors were hung, consisting of two pieces of timber, one placed crosswise on the other, either thus or : the instrument on which Christ suffered, and thus the symbol of the Christian religion: the sufferings of Christ: the atonement effected by these: a representation of the cross, a staff surmounted by a cross, a monument, model, or ornament in the form of a cross, esp. that in this form in the centre of a town at which proclamations are made, &c.: (Scot.) a signal or call to arms sent throughout a district, being a cross of two sticks charred and dipped in blood (Fiery cross): the transverse part of an anchor, or the like: a surveyor's cross-staff: anything that crosses or thwarts: a crossing or crossway: adversity or affliction in general.—v.t. to mark with a cross, or to make the sign of the cross.—ns. Cross′-aisle, a transept aisle of a cruciform church; Cross′-bear′er, one who carries a cross in a procession; Cross′-bun, a bun marked with the form of a cross, eaten on Good-Friday; Cross′ing, the making the sign of the cross; Cross′-stitch, a double stitch in the form of a cross; Cross′let, a little cross.—Crost, obsolete pa.p. of Cross.—Cross-and-pile, the obverse and reverse side of a coin, head and tail; Cross of Calvary, the Latin cross or cross of crucifixion elevated on three steps; Cross of Jerusalem, one having each arm capped by a cross-bar; Cross of Lorraine, a cross with two horizontal arms, combining the Greek and Latin crosses; Cross of St James, a Latin cross figured as a sword; Cross of St Patrick, the saltier cross of Ireland (red on a white ground).—Cross one's mind, to flash across the mind; Cross the path of any one, to thwart him.—Ansate cross (crux ansata), a common symbol of immortality in ancient Egypt; Archiepiscopal cross, the pastoral staff surmounted by a cross; Buddhist cross, the gammadion or fylfot, with returned arms, a symbol found in prehistoric remains in Italy and elsewhere; Capital cross, a Greek cross having each extremity terminated in an ornament like a Tuscan capital; Capuchin-cross, a cross having each arm terminated by a ball; Celtic cross, a type of cross found in Ireland and in the north and west of Scotland, varying from a cross incised on a flat slate to an elaborate cruciform monument—some crosses of this type show Scandinavian workmanship, and hence are often called Runic crosses; Greek cross, an upright cross with limbs of equal length—the well-known Cross of St George (red on a white ground); Latin cross (crux immissa), an upright cross having the lower limb longer than the others; Maltese cross, the badge of the knights of Malta, converging to a point in the centre, with two points to each limb; Norman cross, an elaborate memorial cross like a Gothic turret set on the ground, or on the base of a few steps, with niches for figures and pinnacles; Patriarchal cross, a cross with two horizontal bars; Rouen cross, a cross in fretwork, as a brooch or pendant; St Andrew's cross (crux decussata), or Cross saltier, a cross of two shafts of equal length crossed diagonally at the middle—the saltier cross of Scotland (white on a blue ground); St Anthony's cross (crux commissa), shaped like a ; Southern cross, a constellation in the Antarctic region where the stars are in the form of a cross. [O. Fr. crois (Fr. croix)—L. cruc-em, orig. an upright post to which latterly a cross-piece was added.]

Cross, kros, adj. lying across: transverse: oblique: opposite: adverse: ill-tempered: interchanged: dishonest: balancing, neutralising.—adv. across.—n. a crossing or mixing of breeds, esp. of cattle: something intermediate in character between two other things: dishonest practices, esp. in a sporting contest when one of the parties corruptly allows himself to be beaten.—v.t. to lay one body or draw one line across another: to cancel by drawing cross lines: to pass from side to side: to write across a bank-cheque the name of a banking company, or simply '& Co.' between the lines, to be filled up with the name of a banking company, through whom alone it may be paid: to obstruct: to thwart: to interfere with.—v.i. to lie or be athwart: to move or pass from place to place.—n. Cross′-ac′tion (law), an action brought by the defender against the pursuer in the same cause.—adjs. Cross′-armed, having the arms crossed: (bot.) brachiate; Cross′-band′ed, having the grain of the veneer run across that of the rail—of a hand-rail.—n. Cross′-bar, a transverse bar: a kind of lever.—adj. Cross′-barred.—ns. Cross′-beam, a large beam stretching across a building and serving to hold its sides together; Cross′-bench, in the House of Lords, certain benches so placed, on which independent members sometimes sit; Cross′-bill, a bill brought by the defendant in a Chancery suit against the plaintiff; Cross′-bill, a genus of birds resembling bullfinches, linnets, &c., with the mandibles of the bill crossing each other near the points; Cross′-birth, a birth in which the child lies transversely in the uterus.—v.t. Cross′bite, to bite the biter.—n.pl. Cross′-bones, a figure of two thigh-bones laid across each other—together with the skull, a conventional emblem of death.—ns. Cross′bow, a weapon for shooting arrows, formed of a bow placed crosswise on a stock; Cross′bower, -bowman, one who uses a crossbow.—adj. Cross′-bred.—ns. Cross′-breed, a breed produced by the crossing or intermixing of different races; Cross′-breed′ing; Cross′-butt′ock, a particular throw over the hip in wrestling; Cross′-cheque (see Cheque).—adj. Cross′-coun′try, across the fields rather than by the road.—n. Cross′-cut, a short road across from one point to another.—v.t. to cut across.—ns. Cross′cut-saw, a large saw worked by two men, one at each end, for cutting beams crosswise; Cross′-divi′sion, the division of any group into divisions that cut across each other and produce confusion.—adj. Crossed, marked by a line drawn crosswise, often denoting cancellation: folded: cruciate.—n. Cross′-examinā′tion.—v.t. Cross′-exam′ine, to test the evidence of a witness by subjecting him to an examination by the opposite party.—adj. Cross′-eyed, having a squint.—ns. Cross′-fertilisā′tion, the fecundation of a plant by pollen from another; Cross′-fire (mil.), the crossing of lines of fire from two or more points; Cross′-gar′net, a T-shaped hinge.—adjs. Cross′-gar′tered (Shak.), wearing the garters crossed on the leg; Cross′-grained, having the grain or fibres crossed or intertwined: perverse: contrary: intractable.—ns. Cross′-grain′edness; Cross′-guard, the bar, at right angles to the blade, forming the hilt-guard of a sword; Cross′-hatch′ing, the art of shading by parallel intersecting lines; Cross′-head, a beam across the head of something, esp. the bar at the end of the piston-rod of a steam-engine; Cross′ing, act of going across: the place where a roadway, &c. may be crossed: intersection: act of thwarting: cross-breeding.—adj. Cross′-legged, having the legs crossed.—adv. Cross′ly.—ns. Cross′ness; Cross′-patch, an ill-natured person; Cross′-piece, a piece of material of any kind crossing another: (naut.) a timber over the windlass, with pins for belaying the running rigging; Cross′-pur′pose, a contrary purpose: contradictory conduct or system: an enigmatical game; Cross′-quar′ters, an ornament of tracery like the four petals of a cruciform flower: a quatrefoil.—v.t. Cross′-ques′tion, to question minutely, to cross-examine.—ns. Cross′-ref′erence, a reference in a book to another title or passage; Cross′-road, a road crossing the principal road, a bypath; Cross′-row (same as Christ-cross-row); Cross′-sea, a sea that sets at an angle to the direction of the wind; Cross′-sill, a railroad sleeper lying under the rails transversely as a support to the stringer; Cross′-spring′er, a cross-rib in a groined vault; Cross′-staff, a surveying instrument consisting of a staff surmounted with a brass circle divided into four equal parts by two intersecting lines; Cross′-stone, chiastolite: staurolite: harmotome; Cross′-tie, in a railroad, a timber placed under opposite rails as a support; Cross′-tin′ing, a mode of harrowing crosswise.—n.pl. Cross′trees, pieces of timber placed across the upper end of the lower-masts and top-masts of a ship.—ns. Cross′-vault′ing, vaulting formed by the intersection of two or more simple vaults; Cross′way, a way that crosses another; Cross′-wind, an unfavourable wind, a side-wind.—adv. Cross′wise, in the form of a cross: across.—Cross as two sticks, particularly perverse and disagreeable.—Cross the path of any one, to thwart him; Cross one's mind, to flash across the mind.

Crosse, kros, n. the implement used in lacrosse.

Crossette, kro-set′, n. a small projecting part of an impost-stone at the extremity of an arch: a shoulder in an arch-stone fitting into the stone next to it. [Fr.]

Crotalaria, krō-ta-lā′ri-a, n. a genus of Leguminosæ, the rattlewort. [Gr. krotalon, a rattle.]

Crotalidæ, krō-tal′i-dē, n.pl. a family of venomous serpents, including rattlesnakes, copper-heads, &c.

Crotalo, krō′ta-lō, n. a Turkish musical instrument, like the ancient cymbalum.

Crotch, kroch, n. a fork, as of a tree: the bifurcation of the human body.—adj. Crotched. [Ety. obscure.]

Crotchet, kroch′et, n. a hook: a note in music, equal to half a minim, : a crooked or perverse fancy: a whim, or conceit.—adjs. Crotch′eted, Crotch′ety, having crotchets or peculiarities: whimsical.—n. Crotch′eteer, a crotchety person. [Fr. crochet, dim. of croche, a hook. See Crochet.]

Croton, krō′ton, n. a genus of tropical plants, producing a brownish-yellow oil, having a hot, biting taste.—ns. Crō′tonate, a salt formed by the union of crotonic acid with a base; Crō′ton-oil, a powerful purgative oil, expressed from the seeds of the Croton tiglium, also used externally.—Croton′ic acid, an acid obtained from croton-oil. [Gr. krotōn, a tick or mite, which the seed of the plant resembles.]

Crottles, krot′ls, n.pl. lichens used for dyeing. [Gael. crotal.]

Crouch, krowch, v.i. to squat or lie close to the ground: to cringe: to fawn. [Possibly crook.]

Crouched-friars = Crutched-friars. See Crutch.

Crouch-ware, krowch′-wār, n. a finely finished pottery made with an admixture of pipe-clay in Shropshire: the famous salt-glazed stoneware made at Burslem.

Croup, krōōp, n. a severe disease in the throat of children, accompanied by a hoarse cough.—v.i. to cry or speak hoarsely.—n. Croup′iness.—adjs. Croup′ous, Croup′y. [A.S. kropan, to cry; Scot. roup, croup, hoarseness; from the sound.]

Croup, krōōp, n. the rump of a horse: the place behind the saddle.—n. Croup′on (obs.), the croup: the human buttocks. [Fr. croupe, a protuberance; allied to Crop.]

Croupade, kroo-pād′, n. in the manège, a leap in which the horse draws up his hind-legs toward the belly. [Fr.]

Crouper, krōōp′ėr, n. obsolete form of Crupper.

Croupier, krōō′pi-ėr, n. one who sits at the lower end of the table as assistant-chairman at a public dinner: a vice-president: he who watches the cards and collects the money at the gaming-table. [Fr., 'one who rides on the croup.']

Crouse, krōōs, adj. (Scot.) lively, pert.—adv. boldly, pertly.—adv. Crouse′ly. [M. E. crūs; cf. Ger. kraus, Dut. kroes, crisp, cross.]

Crout, krowt, n. See Sauer-kraut.

Crow, krō, n. a large bird, generally black, of the genus Corvus, which includes magpies, nut-crackers, jays, choughs, &c.: the cry of a cock: a crow-bar.—v.i. to croak: to cry as a cock, in joy or defiance: to boast, swagger (with over):—pa.t. crew (krōō) or crowed; pa.p. crowed.—ns. Crow′-bar, a large iron bar mostly bent at the end, to be used as a lever; Crow′-berr′y, a small creeping shrub, producing small black berries; Crow′-flow′er (Shak.), perhaps the same as Crow′foot, a common weed, the flower of which is like a crow's foot, the buttercup: crow's-foot: a number of lines rove through a long wooden block, supporting the backbone of an awning horizontally; Crow′-keep′er (Shak.), a scarecrow; Crow′-quill, a pen made of the quill of a crow, &c., for fine writing or etching; Crow's′-bill, Crow′-bill (surg.), a kind of forceps for extracting bullets, &c., from wounds; Crow's′-foot, one of the wrinkles produced by age, spreading out from the corners of the eyes: (mil.) a caltrop; Crow's′-nest (naut.), a shelter at the top-gallant mast-head of whalers for the man on the lookout.—n.pl. Crow′-steps (see Corbie).—n. Crow′-toe (Milt.), probably the same as Crowfoot.—As the crow flies, in a straight line; Eat crow, or boiled crow, to be forced to do something very disagreeable; Have a crow to pluck with, to have something to settle with some one. [A.S. crawe, a crow, crawan, to cry like a cock; imit.]

Crowd, krowd, n. a number of persons or things closely pressed together, without order: the rabble: multitude.—v.t. to gather into a lump or crowd: to fill by pressing or driving together: to compress.—v.i. to press on: to press together in numbers: to swarm.—p.adj. Crowd′ed.—Crowd sail, to carry a press of sail for speed. [A.S. crúdan, to press.]

Crowd, krowd, n. (obs.) an ancient musical instrument of the nature of the violin.—n. Crowd′er (obs.), a fiddler. [W. crwth, a hollow protuberance, a fiddle; Gael., Ir. cruit.]

Crowdie, krowd′i, n. a mixture of meal and water: (Scot.) brose. [Der. unknown.]

Crown, krown, n. the diadem or state-cap of royalty: regal power: the sovereign: honour: reward, as the 'martyr's crown:' the top of anything, esp. of the head: completion: accomplishment; a coin stamped with a crown, esp. the silver 5s. piece—used also as the translation of the old French écu, worth from six francs (or livres) to three francs: a size of paper, because originally water-marked with a crown: (archit.) a species of spire or lantern, formed by converging flying-buttresses.—v.t. to cover or invest with a crown: to invest with royal dignity: to adorn: to dignify: to complete happily.—ns. Crown′-ag′ent, a solicitor in Scotland who prepares criminal prosecutions; Crown′-ant′ler, the uppermost antler of the horn of a stag; Crown′-col′ony, a colony whose administration is directly under the home government; Crown Derby porcelain (see Porcelain).—p.adj. Crowned, having or wearing a crown: rewarded: consummated.—ns. Crown′er (Shak.), a corruption of coroner; Crown′et, a coronet: (Shak.) that which crowns or accomplishes; Crown′-glass, a kind of window-glass formed in circular plates or discs; Crown′-impē′rial, a plant, a species of fritillary; Crown′ing.—n.pl. Crown′-jew′els, jewels pertaining to the crown or sovereign.—ns. Crown′-land, land belonging to the crown or sovereign; Crown′-law′yer, the lawyer who acts for the crown in criminal cases.—adj. Crown′less.—ns. Crown′let, a small crown; Crown′-liv′ing, a church living in the gift of the crown; Crown-office, the office for the business of the crown side of the King's Bench: the office in which the great seal is affixed; Crown′-pā′per, in England, a printing-paper of the size 15 × 20 in.: in America, a writing-paper 15 × 19 in.; Crown′-post, the same as King-post (q.v.); Crown′-prince, the prince who succeeds to the crown; Crown′-saw, a circular saw made by cutting teeth round a cylinder; Crown′-wheel, a wheel resembling a crown, with teeth or cogs set at right angles to its plane; Crown′-wit′ness, a witness for the crown in a criminal prosecution instituted by it; Crown′work (fort.), an outwork composed of a bastion between two curtains, with demi-bastions at the extremes.—Crown of the causeway, the middle of the street. [O. Fr. corone (Fr. couronne)—L. corona; cf. Gr. korōnos, curved.]

Croze, krōz, n. the groove in the staves of a cask in which the edge of the head is set.

Crozier. See Crosier.

Crucial, krōō′shi-al, adj. testing, searching, from the practice of marking a testing instance with a cross to draw attention to it.—adj. Cru′ciāte (bot.), arranged in the form of a cross, as leaves or petals. [Fr. crucial, from L. crux, crucis, a cross.]

Crucian, Crusian, kroo′shi-an, n. the German carp, having no barbels.

Crucible, krōō′si-bl, n. an earthen pot for melting ores, metals, &c. [Low L. crucibulum, most prob. from L. crux.]

Cruciferæ, kroo-sif′ėr-ē, n. a natural order of exogenous plants (many edible), having a corolla of four petals arranged in the form of a cross.—n. Cruc′ifer, a cross-bearer in a procession.—adj. Crucif′erous (bot.), bearing four petals in the form of a cross. [L. crux, crucis, a cross, ferre, to bear.]

Crucify, krōō′si-fī, v.t. to put to death by fixing the hands and feet to a cross: to subdue completely: to mortify: to torment:—pa.p. cru′cified.—ns. Crucifī′er, one who crucifies; Cru′cifix, a figure or picture of Christ fixed to the cross; Crucifix′ion, death on the cross, esp. that of Christ.—adjs. Cru′ciform, in the form of a cross; Crucig′erous, bearing a cross. [O. Fr. crucifier—L. crucifigĕre, crucifixum—crux, and figĕre, to fix.]

Crude, krōōd, adj. raw, unprepared: not reduced to order or form: unfinished: undigested: immature.—adv. Crude′ly.—ns. Crude′ness; Crud′ity, rawness: unripeness: that which is crude.—adj. Crud′y (Shak.), crude, raw. [L. crudus, raw.]

Cruel, krōō′el, adj. disposed to inflict pain, or pleased at suffering: void of pity, merciless, savage: severe.—adj. Cru′el-heart′ed, delighting in cruelty: hard-hearted: unrelenting.—adv. Cru′elly.—ns. Cru′elness (obs.); Cru′elty. [Fr. cruel—L. crudelis.]

Cruet, krōō′et, n. a small jar or phial for sauces and condiments.—n. Cru′et-stand, a stand or frame for holding cruets. [Acc. to Skeat, prob. formed from Dut. kruik, a jar = Eng. crock; and acc. to E. Müller, dim. of O. Fr. cruye (mod. Fr. cruche, cruchette, a jar), from root of crock.]

Cruise, krōōz, v.i. to sail to and fro: to rove on the sea.—n. a sailing to and fro: a voyage in various directions in search of an enemy, or for the protection of vessels.—n. Cruis′er. [Dut. kruisen, to cross—kruis, a cross.]

Cruisie. See Crusie.

Cruisken, kroos′ken, n. (Ir.) a small bottle.—Also Cruis′keen.

Cruive, Cruve, krōōv, n. (Scot.) a sty, hovel: a wattled hedge built on tidal flats for catching fish.

Cruller, krul′ėr, n. a cake cut from rolled dough made of eggs, butter, sugar, flour, &c., fried crisp in boiling lard. [Cf. Dut. krullen, to curl.]

Crumb, krum, n. a small bit or morsel of bread: a small particle of anything: the soft part of bread.—v.t. to break into crumbs: to fill with crumbs.—ns. Crumb′-brush, a brush for sweeping crumbs off the table; Crumb′-cloth, a cloth laid under a table to keep falling crumbs from the carpet.—adjs. Crumb′y, Crum′my, in crumbs: soft. [A.S. cruma; Dut. kruim; Ger. krume; allied to crimp.]

Crumble, krum′bl, v.t. to break into crumbs: to scatter in crumbs.—v.i. to fall into small pieces: to decay.—n. a crumb: that which crumbles easily.—adj. Crumb′ly, apt to crumble, brittle. [Orig. dim. of Crumb; Dut. kruimelen; Ger. krümeln.]

Crumenal, krōō′me-nal, n. (Spens.) a purse. [From L. crumena, a purse.]

Crump, krump, adj. crooked: wrinkled.—ns. Crum′my, a cow with a crumpled horn; Crump′et, a kind of crumby or soft cake or muffin.—adj. Crump′y, crump: easily broken. [A.S. crump—crumb, crooked; Ger. krumm. Cf. Cramp, Crimp.]

Crumple, krump′l, v.t. to contort: to mark with or draw into folds or wrinkles: to crease.—v.i. to become wrinkled: to contract or shrink.—adj. Crump′led.—n. Crump′ling. [Formed from Crump.]

Crunch, krunsh, v.t. to crush with the teeth: to chew anything hard, and so make a noise.—n. the act of crunching. [From the sound; cf. Fr. grincer.]

Crunkle, krunk′l, v.i. to crumple.

Crunt, krunt, n. (Scot.) a blow on the head.

Cruor, krōō′or, n. coagulated blood.—n. Cru′orine, the red colouring matter of blood corpuscles.

Crup, krup, adj. (prov.) brittle.

Crupper, krup′ėr, n. a strap of leather fastened to the saddle and passing under the horse's tail to keep the saddle in its place: the hind part of a horse. [Fr. cropière—crope, the croup.]

Crural, krōō′ral, adj. belonging to or shaped like a leg. [L. cruralis, from crus, cruris, the leg.]

Crusade, kroo-sād′, n. a military expedition under the banner of the cross to recover the Holy Land from the Turks: any daring or romantic undertaking.—v.i. to go on a crusade.—n. Crusad′er, one engaged in a crusade. [Fr. croisade—Prov. crozada—croz, a cross—L. crux, a cross.]

Crusado, kroo-sā′do, n. a Portuguese coin, so called because marked with a cross. [Port. cruzado.]

Cruse, krōōz, n. an earthen pot: a small cup or bottle. [Cf. Ice. krus; Dan. kruus; Ger. krause.]

Cruset, krōō′set, n. a goldsmith's crucible. [Fr. creuset.]

Crush, krush, v.t. to break or bruise: to squeeze together: to beat down or overwhelm: to subdue: to ruin.—v.i. to become broken under pressure.—n. a violet squeezing: a vast crowd of persons or things.—adj. Crushed, broken by pressure: subdued: oppressed.—ns. Crush′er, he who, or that which, crushes or subdues: (slang) a policeman; Crush′-hat, a hat so constructed as to collapse and become flat: an opera-hat.—adj. Crush′ing, bruising: overwhelming.—adv. Crush′ingly.—n. Crush′-room, a room in a theatre, &c., where the audience may promenade during the intervals of the entertainment.—Crush a cup, to empty a cup: to quaff.—Crushed strawberry, of the colour of strawberries that have been crushed. [O. Fr. croissir; per. cog. with Mid. High Ger. krosen, to crunch.]

Crusie, Crusy, krōōz′i, n. (Scot.) a lamp which burns oil. [From Cruset.]

Crust, krust, n. the hard rind or outside coating of anything: the outer part of bread: covering of a pie, &c.: (geol.) the solid exterior of the earth.—v.t. to cover with a crust or hard case.—v.i. to gather into a hard crust.—adj. Crustāt′ed, covered with a crust.—n. Crustā′tion, an adherent crust.—adv. Crust′ily.—n. Crust′iness.—adj. Crust′y, of the nature of or having a crust, as port or other wine: having a hard or harsh exterior: hard: snappy: surly. [O. Fr.,—L. crusta, rind.]

Crusta, krus′ta, n. something, as a gem, prepared for inlaying: a hard coating: a cocktail served in a glass, its rim encrusted in sugar:—pl. Crustæ (ē).

Crustacea, krus-tā′shi-a, n.pl. a large class of Arthropod animals, almost all aquatic, including crabs, lobsters, shrimps, sand-hoppers, wood-lice, water-fleas, barnacles, acorn-shells, &c.—n. Crustā′cean, one of the crustacea.—adj. Crustaceolog′ical.—ns. Crustaceol′ogist; Crustaceol′ogy, the science which treats of the crustacea.—adjs. Crustā′ceous, Crustā′cean, pertaining to the crustacea, or shellfish.

Crut, krut, n. (prov.) a dwarf.

Crutch, kruch, n. a staff with a cross-piece at the head to place under the arm of a lame person: any support like a crutch.—v.t. to support: to prop.—v.i. to go on crutches.—adj. Crutched, marked by the sign of or wearing a cross.—n.pl. Crutched′-frī′ars, an order of friars so called from the sign of the cross which they wore—Crouched- or Crossed-friars. [From root of Crook; perh. modified by L. crux.]

Crux, kruks, n. a cross: (fig.) something that occasions difficulty. [L. crux, a cross.]

Crwth, kröth, n. an old Welsh stringed instrument, four of its six strings played with a bow, two twitched by the thumb. [W.]

Cry, krī, v.i. to utter a shrill loud sound, esp. one expressive of pain or grief: to lament: to weep: to bawl.—v.t. to utter loudly: to proclaim or make public:—pa.t. and pa.p. cried.—n. any loud sound, esp. of grief or pain: a fit of weeping: a pack of hounds, hence of people: particular sound uttered by an animal: bawling: lamentation: prayer: clamour:—pl. Cries.—ns. Crī′er; Cry′ing, act of calling loudly: weeping.—adj. calling loudly: claiming notice: notorious.—Cry against, to protest against; Cry down, to condemn: to decry; Cry off, to withdraw from a bargain; Cry on, to call upon: to invoke; Cry up, to praise: extol.—A far cry, a great distance; Great cry and little wool, appearance without reality: much ado about nothing; Hue and cry (see Hue); In full cry, in full pursuit, used of dogs in hunt; Within cry of, within hearing distance. [Fr. crier—L. quiritāre, to scream—freq. of L. queri, to lament.]

Cryolite, krī′o-līt, n. a mineral found on the coast of Greenland, consisting mainly of a fluoride of aluminium in combination with fluoride of sodium. [Gr. kryos, frost, and lithos, a stone.]

Cryophorus, krī-of′o-rus, n. an instrument for showing the decrease of temperature in water by evaporation. [Gr. kryos, frost, and pherein, to bear.]

Crypt, kript, n. an underground cell or chapel, esp. one used for burial.—adjs. Cryp′tic, -al, hidden: secret: unseen. [L. crypta—Gr. kryptē—kryptein, to conceal. Doublet of Grot.]

Cryptogamia, krip-to-gā′mi-a, n. the class of flowerless plants, or those which have their fructification concealed.—n. Cryp′togam.—adjs. Cryptogā′mian, Cryptogam′ic, Cryptog′amous.—ns. Cryptog′amist; Cryptog′amy. [Gr. kryptos, concealed, and gamos, marriage.]

Cryptogram, krip′tō-gram, n. a cryptograph.—ns. Cryptad′ia, things to be kept secret; Cryptol′ogy, secret language; Cryp′tonym, a secret name.

Cryptography, krip-tog′ra-fi, n. the art of secret writing: the character or cipher so used.—ns. Crypt′ograph; Cryptog′rapher.—adjs. Cryptograph′ic, -al. [Gr. kryptos, secret, and graphein, to write.]

Crystal, kris′tal, n. a superior kind of quartz, clear like ice: (chem.) a piece of matter which has assumed a definite geometrical form, with plane faces.—adjs. Crys′tal, Crys′tallīne, consisting of or like crystal in clearness, &c.; Crys′talform; Crys′tallīsable, capable of being crystallised or formed into crystals.—n. Crystallīsā′tion, the act of crystallising.—v.t. Crys′tallīse, to reduce to the form of a crystal.—v.i. to assume a crystalline form.—ns. Crys′tallite; Crystallogen′esis.—adj. Crystallogen′ic.—n. Crystallog′rapher, one skilled in crystallography.—adj. Crystallograph′ic—n. Crystallog′raphy, the science of crystallisation.—adj. Crys′talloid, having the form of a crystal.—n. a name given by Graham to a class of substances which when in solution pass easily through membranes.—n. Crys′tallomancy, a mode of divination by means of transparent bodies. [O. Fr. cristol—L. crystallum—Gr. krystallos, ice—kryos, frost.]

Ctenoid, tē′noid, adj. comb-shaped, applied by Agassiz to the scales and fins of certain fishes, as the perch, &c.—adj. and n. Ctenoid′ean. [Gr. kteis, ktenos, a comb, eidos, form.]

Ctenophora, ten-of′o-ra, n.pl. a sub-class of Cœlenterates—beautifully delicate, free-swimming marine organisms, generally globular, moving by means of comb-like plates. [Gr. kteis, ktenos, a comb, pherein, to carry.]

Cub, kub, n. the young of certain animals, as foxes, &c.: a whelp: a young boy or girl (in contempt).—v.i. to bring forth young:—pr.p. cub′bing; pa.p. cubbed.—adjs. Cub′bish, like a cub: awkward; Cub′-drawn (Shak.), drawn or sucked by cubs.—n. Cub′hood.—adj. Cub′less, without cubs. [Prob. Celt., as Ir. cuib, a whelp, from cu, a dog.]

Cub, kub, n. a cattle-pen: chest.

Cuban, kū′ban, n. a native of the island of Cuba in the West Indies.—adj. pertaining to Cuba.

Cube, kūb, n. a solid body having six equal square faces, a solid square: the third power of a number, as—2 × 2 × 2 = 8.—v.t. to raise to the third power.—ns. Cū′bage, Cubā′tion, Cū′bature, the act of finding the solid or cubic content of a body: the result thus found.—adjs. Cū′bic, -al, pertaining to a cube: of the third power or degree: solid.—adv. Cū′bically.—n. Cū′bicalness, state or quality of being cubical.—adjs. Cū′biform; Cū′boid, Cuboid′al, resembling a cube in shape.—Cube root, the number or quantity that produces a given cube by being raised to the third power—thus 2 is the cube root of 8. [Fr.,—L. cubus—Gr. kybos, a die.]

Cubeb, kū′beb, n. the dried berry of Piper cubeba, a climbing shrub, native to Sumatra—useful as a stomachic and carminative in indigestion, for piles and for sore throats.—n. Cubeb′in, a crystallising substance in cubebs. [Fr. cubèbe—Ar. kabābah.]

Cubica, kū′bi-ka, n. a fine worsted for linings.

Cubicle, kū′bi-kl, n. a bedroom.

Cubit, kū′bit, n. a measure employed by the ancients, equal to the length of the arm from the elbow to the tip of the middle-finger, from 18 to 22 inches—also Cū′bitus.—adj. Cū′bital, of the length of a cubit. [L. cubitum, the elbow; cf. L. cubāre, to lie down.]

Cucking-stool, kuk′ing-stōōl, n. a stool in which scolds and other culprits were placed, usually before their own door, to be pelted by the mob. [Mentioned in Domesday Book as in use in Chester, and called cathedra stercoris. From an obs. word cuck, to ease one's self; cf. Ice. kúka.]

Cuckold, kuk′old, n. a man whose wife has proved unfaithful.—v.t. to wrong (a husband) by unchastity.—v.t. Cuck′oldise, to make a cuckold.—adv. Cuck′oldly (Shak.).—ns. Cuck′old-mak′er; Cuck′oldom, state of a cuckold: act of adultery; Cuck′oldry, adultery. [O. Fr. cucuault—cucu, cuckoo.]

Cuckoo, kook′kōō, n. a bird which cries cuckoo, remarkable for laying its eggs in the nests of other birds.—ns. Cuck′oo-bud (Shak.), name of a plant; Cuck′oo-clock, a clock in which the hours are told by a cuckoo-call; Cuck′oo-flow′er, a species of Cardamine—called also Lady's Smock; Cuck′oo-pint, the Wake-robin, Arum maculatum; Cuck′oo-spit, -spit′tle, a frothy spittle, made by many insects parasitic on plants, surrounding the larvæ and pupæ.

Cucullate, -d, kū′kul-lāt, -ed, adj. hooded: shaped like a hood. [L. cucullatus—cucullus, a hood.]

Cucumber, kū′kum-bėr, n. a creeping plant, with heart-shaped leaves, rough with bristly hairs, and large oblong fruit used as a salad and pickle—a native of southern Asia.—adj. Cucum′iform. [L. cucumis, cucumeris.]

Cucurbit, kū′kur-bit, n. a chemical vessel used in distillation, originally shaped like a gourd.—adjs. Cucur′bital, Cucurbitā′ceous, pertaining to the Cucurbitaceæ, mostly herbaceous climbers, as the gourd, melon, &c.; Cucur′bitive, like a gourd-seed. [Fr. cucurbite—L. cucurbita, a gourd.]

Cud, kud, n. the food brought from the first stomach of a ruminating animal back into the mouth and chewed again.—n. Cud′weed, the popular name for many species of plants covered with a cottony down.—Chew the cud, to meditate. [A.S. cwidu.]

Cudbear, kud′bār, n. a purple or violet coloured powder prepared from a lichen, used in dyeing. [A corr. of Cuthbert—from Dr Cuthbert Gordon, who first made it an article of commerce.]

Cuddle, kud′l, v.t. to hug: to embrace: to fondle.—v.i. to lie close and snug together.—n. a close embrace. [Perh. a freq. of M. E. couth, cosy.]

Cuddy, kud′i, n. a small cabin or cookroom, in the fore-part of a boat or lighter: in large vessels, the officers' cabin under the poopdeck. [Origin uncertain; cf. Fr. cahute; Dut. kajuit; Ger. kajüte.]

Cuddy, kud′i, n. the right of a lord to entertainment from his tenant: rent: (Spens.) Cuddeehih. [Corr. of Ir. cuid oidhche—cuid, a share, oidhche, night.]

Cuddy, Cuddie, kud′i, n. a donkey: (Scot.) a stupid person. [Perh. formed from Cuthbert.]

Cudgel, kud′jel, n. a heavy staff: a club.—v.t. to beat with a cudgel:—pr.p. cud′gelling; pa.p. cud′gelled.—ns. Cud′geller; Cud′gelling.—adj. Cud′gel-proof, not to be hurt by beating.—Take up the cudgels, to engage in a contest. [A.S. cycgel.]

Cue, kū, n. the last words of an actor's speech serving as a hint to the next speaker: any hint: the part one has to play. [Acc. to some from Fr. queue, tail, as the ending words of the last speech; in 17th cent. written Q, and derived from L. quando, 'when,' i.e. when the actor was to begin.]

Cue, kū, n. a twist of hair at the back of the head: a rod used in playing billiards.—v.t. of the hair, to form in a cue. [Fr. queue—L. cauda, a tail.]

Cuff, kuf, n. a stroke with the open hand.—v.t. to strike with the open hand: to beat. [Origin obscure; cf. Sw. kuffa, to knock.]

Cuff, kuf, n. the end of the sleeve near the wrist: a covering for the wrist: a handcuff (q.v.). [Prob. cog. with Coif.]

Cuff, kuf, n. Scotch form of Scruff.—Cuff of the neck. See Scruff.

Cuffin, kuf′in, n. a man: a justice of the peace. [Thieves' slang.]

Cufic, kūf′ik, adj. of or pertaining to Cufa, esp. applied to the kind of writing of the scholars of Cufa in Asiatic Turkey, seat of the most expert copyists of the Koran.

Cuirass, kwi-ras′, or kū-, n. a defensive covering for the breast and back, of leather or iron fastened with straps and buckles, &c.—v.t. to furnish with such.—n. Cuirassier′, a horse-soldier armed with such. [Fr. cuirasse—cuir, leather—L. corium, skin leather.]

Cuir-bouilli, kwēr-bōō′lyi, n. leather softened by boiling, then dried, retaining the impressions made on it.—Also Cuir-bouilly.

Cuisine, kwe-zēn′, n. a kitchen or cooking department: cookery.—n. Cuisin′ier, a cook. [Fr. (It. cucina)—L. coquina—coquĕre, to cook.]

Cuisse, kwis, Cuish, kwish, n. armour for the thighs, consisting of iron plates laid horizontally over each other and riveted together. [Fr. cuisse (It. coscia, the thigh)—L. coxa, the hip.]

Cuiter, küt′ėr, v.t. (Scot.) to fondle, pamper.

Cuittle, küt′l, v.t. to curry: (Scot.) to cajole.

Culch, kulch, n. (prov.) rubbish.

Culdee, kul′dē, n. one of a fraternity of monks living in Scotland in the 8th century in groups of cells. [Acc. to Reeves and Skene, the old Ir. céle dé, 'servants of God,' or 'companions of God'—Latinised by Boece into Culdei, as if cultores Dei.]

Cul-de-four, kōō-de-foor, n. (archit.) a sort of low spherical vault, oven-like.—ns. Cul-de-lampe, an ornamental design used in filling up blank spaces in a book; Cul-de-sac, a street, &c., closed at one end: a blind alley. [Fr. cul, bottom—L. culus; Fr. four, furnace, lampe, lamp, sac, sack.]

Culet, kū′let, n. the small flat surface at the back or bottom of a brilliant: the part of armour protecting the body behind, from the waist downwards—also Culette. [O. Fr., cul—L. culus, the rump.]

Culex, kū′leks, n. the typical genus of Culicidæ or gnats—adj. Culic′iform, gnat-like. [L.]

Culinary, kū′lin-ar-i, adj. pertaining to the kitchen or to cookery: used in the kitchen. [L. culinarius—culina, a kitchen.]

Cull, kul, v.t. to select, pick out.—ns. Cull′er; Cull′ing. [Fr. cueillir, to gather—L. colligĕre—col, together, legĕre, to gather. Doublet of Collect.]

Cullender. See Colander.

Cullet, kul′et, n. refuse glass.

Cullion, kul′yun, n. a wretch: a cowardly fellow.—adj. Cull′ionly (Shak.), mean, base. [Fr. couillon, a poltroon (It. coglione)—L. coleus, a leather bag.]

Cullis, kul′is, n. a gutter in a roof: a groove, as for a side-scene in a theatre. [Fr. coulisse.]

Cully, kul′i, n. a mean dupe.—v.t. to deceive meanly:—pa.p. cull′ied.—ns. Cull, a dupe; Cull′yism, state of being a cully. [Prob. a contr. of Cullion.]

Culm, kulm, n. the stalk or stem of corn or of grasses.—v.i. to form a culm.—adj. Culmif′erous, having a culm. [L. culmus, a stalk.]

Culm, kulm, n. coal-dust: name given in some parts of England to anthracite or stone-coal.—adj. Culmif′erous, producing culm. [See Coom.]

Culmen, kul′men, n. highest point: the median length-wise ridge of a bird's upper mandible. [L.]

Culminate, kul′min-āt, v.i. (astron.) to be vertical or at the highest point of altitude: to reach the highest point (with in).—adj. Cul′minant, at its highest point.—n. Culminā′tion, act of culminating: the top: (astron.) transit of a body across the meridian or highest point for the day. [Low L. culmināre, from L. culmen, properly columen, a summit.]

Culottic, kul-ot′ic, adj. wearing trousers: (Carlyle) respectable. [Fr. culotte, breeches.]

Culpable, kul′pa-bl, adj. faulty: criminal.—ns. Culpabil′ity, Cul′pableness, liability to blame.—adv. Cul′pably.—adj. Cul′patory, expressive of blame. [O. Fr. coupable—L. culpabilis—culpa, a fault.]

Culprit, kul′prit, n. one in fault: a criminal: (Eng. law) a prisoner accused but not yet tried. [From the fusion in legal phraseology of cul. (culpable, culpabilis), and prit, prist (O. Fr. prest), ready. Not culpate—law L. culpatus, a person accused.]

Cult, kult, n. a system of religious belief, worship.—Also Cult′us. [L. cultus—colĕre, to worship.]

Culter, kul′tėr, n. obsolete form of Coulter.—adjs. Cultiros′tral, Culturos′tral; Cul′trate, -d, shaped like a pruning-knife; Cul′triform, in the form of a pruning-knife: sharp-edged.

Cultism, kult′ism, n. a style of writing after the manner of Luis de Góngora y Argote (1561-1627), a Spanish lyric poet—estilo culto, being florid, pedantic, often obscure.—ns. Cult′ist, Cult′orist. [Sp. culte, elegant—L. cultus.]

Cultivate, kul′ti-vāt, v.i. to till or produce by tillage: to prepare for crops: to devote attention to: to civilise or refine.—adjs. Cul′tivable, Cultivat′able, capable of being cultivated.—ns. Cultivā′tion, the art or practice of cultivating: civilisation: refinement; Cul′tivator.—Cultivate a person's friendship, to endeavour to get his good-will. [Low L. cultivāre, -ātum—L. colĕre, to till, to worship.]

Culture, kul′tūr, n. cultivation: the state of being cultivated: refinement the result of cultivation.—v.t. to cultivate: to improve.—adjs. Cul′turable; Cul′tural.—p.adj. Cul′tured, cultivated: well educated: refined.—adj. Cul′tureless. [L. cultūra—colĕre.]

Cultus. See Cult.

Culver, kul′vėr, n. a dove: a pigeon.—n. Cul′ver-key, an herb, probably the columbine, having key-shaped flowerets.—adj. Cul′vertailed, dovetailed. [A.S. culfre, prob. from L. columba.]

Culverin, kul′vėr-in, n. one of the earlier forms of cannon of great length, generally an 18-pounder, weighing 50 cwt.—ns. Cul′verineer; Dem′i-cul′verin, a 9-pounder, weighing 30 cwt. [Fr. coulevrine, from couleuvre, a serpent.]

Culver's physic, root, n. popular name of a kind of speedwell, the rhizome of Veronica virginica, used medicinally. [Prob. from one Dr Culver.]

Culvert, kul′vėrt, n. an arched channel of masonry for carrying water beneath a road, railway, &c. [Perh. from Fr. couler, to flow—L. colāre.]

Culvertage, kul′ver-tāj, n. degradation of a vassal to the position of a serf. [O. Fr. culvert, a serf.]

Cumbent, kum′bent, adj. lying down; reclining. [L. cumbens, -entis, pr.p. of cumbĕre, to lie down.]

Cumber, kum′bėr, v.t. to trouble or hinder with something useless: to retard, trouble.—n. encumbrance: cumbering.—adj. Cum′bered, hampered: obstructed.—ns. Cum′berer; Cum′ber-ground, a useless thing, from Luke, xiii. 7.—adj. Cum′berless, unencumbered.—ns. Cum′berment, Cum′brance, encumbrance.—adjs. Cum′bersome, unwieldy: heavy; Cum′brous, hindering: obstructing: heavy.—adv. Cum′brously.—n. Cum′brousness. [O. Fr. combrer, to hinder—Low L. cumbrus, a heap; corr. of L. cumulus, a heap.]

Cumbrian, kum′bri-an, adj. (geol.) of or pertaining to a system of slaty rocks best developed in Cumberland and Westmorland, now merged in the Cambrian or Silurian system.

Cumin, Cummin, kum′in, n. an umbelliferous plant, common in Egypt, and cultivated in southern Europe and India—its seeds, resembling the caraway, valuable as carminatives. [L. cuminum—Gr. kyminon, cog. with Heb. kammôn.]

Cummer, kum′ėr, Kimmer, kim′ėr, n. a gossip: a woman: (Scot.) a girl. [Fr. commère—L. con, with, mater, mother.]

Cummerbund, kum′ėr-bund, n. a waist-belt, a sash. [Anglo-Ind.—Pers. kamarband, a loin-band.]

Cumshaw, kum′shaw, n. a gift, a tip. [Pidgin-English.]

Cumulate, kūm′ū-lāt, v.t. to heap together: to accumulate.—adjs. Cum′ulate, -d, heaped up.—n. Cumulā′tion (= Accumulation).—adj. Cum′ulative, increasing by successive additions.—adv. Cum′ulatively. [L. cumulāre, -ātum—cumulus, a heap.]

Cumulus, kū′mū-lus, n. a heap; a kind of cloud common in summer, consisting of rounded heaps with a darker horizontal base.—adjs. Cū′muliform; Cū′mulose.—n. Cū′mulo-strā′tus, a cloud looking like a combination of the cumulus and stratus. [L. cumulus, a heap, and stratus.]

Cunabula, kū-nab′ul-a, n.pl. a cradle. [L.]

Cunarder, kūn-ard′ėr, n. one of a certain line of steamships between England and America. [Founded by Sir Samuel Cunard (1787-1865).]

Cunctator, kungk-tā′tor, n. one who delays or puts off.—n. Cunctā′tion, delay.—adjs. Cunctā′tious, Cunctā′tive, Cunctā′tory, inclined to delay. [L.,—cunctāri, to delay.]

Cuneal, kū′ne-al, Cuneate, kū′ne-āt, adj. of the form of a wedge.—adjs. Cunē′iform, Cū′niform, wedge-shaped—specially applied to the old Babylonian and Assyrian writing, of which the characters have a wedge-shape. [L. cuneus, a wedge.]

Cunette. See Cuvette.

Cunning, kun′ing, adj. knowing: skilful: artful: crafty.—n. knowledge: skill: faculty of using stratagem to accomplish a purpose: artifice.—adv. Cunn′ingly.—n. Cunn′ingness, quality of being cunning: artfulness, slyness. [A.S. cunnan, to know.]

Cup, kup, n. a vessel used to contain liquid: a drinking-vessel: the liquid contained in a cup: that which we must receive or undergo: afflictions: blessings.—v.i. to extract blood from the body by means of cupping-glasses: (Shak.) to make drunk:—pr.p. cup′ping; pa.p. cupped.—ns. Cup′-bear′er, one who attends at a feast to fill out and hand the wine; Cupboard (kub′urd), a place for keeping victuals, dishes, &c.—v.t. to store.—ns. Cup′board-love, -faith, love or faith indulged in for a material end; Cup′ful, as much as fills a cup:—pl. Cup′fuls; Cup′-gall, a cup-shaped gall in oak-leaves; Cup′-lī′chen, or -moss, a species of Cladonia; Cup′man, a boon companion; Cup′per, a cup-bearer: one professionally engaged in cupping; Cup′ping, the application of cups from which the air has been exhausted to a scarified part of the skin for the purpose of drawing blood; Cup′ping-glass, a glass used in the operation of cupping; Dry′-cup′ping, the application of cups without previous scarification; Lov′ing-cup, a cup (from which all drink) passed round at the close of a feast.—Cry cupboard, to cry for food; In his cups, under the influence of liquor; Many a slip between the cup and the lip, a proverb signifying that something adverse may occur at the last moment. [A.S. cuppe (Fr. coupe, It. coppa, a cup, the head); all from L. cupa, cuppa, a tub.]

Cupel, kū′pel, n. a small vessel used by goldsmiths in assaying precious metals.—v.t. to assay in a cupel.—n. Cupellā′tion, the process of assaying precious metals. [L. cupella, dim. of cupa. See Cup.]

Cupidity, kū-pid′i-ti, n. covetousness.—n. Cū′pid, the god of love. [L. cupiditas—cupĕre, to desire.]

Cupola, kū′po-la, n. a spherical vault, or concave ceiling, on the top of a building: the internal part of a dome: a dome.—v.t. to furnish with such. [It.; dim. of Low L. cupa, a cup—L. cupa, a tub.]

Cupreous, kūp′rē-us, Cupric, kūp′rik, adj. of or containing copper.—adj. Cuprif′erous, producing copper.—n. Cū′prite, the red oxide of copper. [L. cuprum, copper, ferre, to bear.]

Cupressus, kū-pres′us, n. the cypress genus of coniferous trees. [L.]

Cupule, kū′pūl, n. (bot.) a shortened axis with a number of more or less cohering bracts enclosing the ripening fruit—also Cū′pula.—adj. Cupulif′erous, bearing cupules. [L. cupula, dim. of cupa, a tub, and ferre, to carry.]

Cur, kur, n. a worthless dog, of low breed: a churlish fellow.—adj. Cur′rish.—adv. Cur′rishly.—n. Cur′rishness. [M. E. curre; cf. Old Dut. korre, Dan. kurre, to whir.]

Curaçoa, koo-ra-sō′a, n. a liqueur so named from the island of Curaçao in the West Indies, where it was first made.—Also Curaça′o.

Curari, koo-rä′ri, n. a poison used by South American Indians for their arrows—also Cura′ra.—n. Cura′rine, a highly poisonous alkaloid extracted from curari. [From the native name.]

Curassow, kū-ras′ō, n. a large turkey-like South American bird.

Curate, kūr′āt, n. one who has the cure of souls: an inferior clergyman in the Church of England, assisting a rector or vicar.—ns. Cur′acy, Cur′ateship, the office, employment, or benefice of a curate. [Low L. curatus, from L. cura, care.]

Curator, kūr-ā′tor, n. one who has the charge of anything: a superintendent: one appointed by law as guardian: a member of a board for electing university professors and the like:—fem. Curā′trix.—n. Curā′torship, the office of a curator. [L. curator, an overseer—curāre, to cure.]

Curb, kurb, v.t. to bend to one's will: to subdue: to restrain or check: to furnish with or guide by a curb.—n. that which curbs: a check or hinderance: a chain or strap attached to the bit of a bridle for restraining the horse.—adjs. Curb′able; Curb′less.—ns. Curb′-roof, a roof whose upper rafters have a less inclination than the lower ones; Curb′stone, Kerb′stone, a stone placed edgeways against earth or stone work to check it. [Fr. courber, from L. curvus, crooked, bent.]

Curch, kurch, n. a covering for the head, a kerchief.

Curculio, kur-kū′li-o, n. the fruit-weevil. [L.]

Curcuma, kur′kū-ma, n. a genus of plants yielding turmeric.—n. Cur′cumine, the colouring matter of turmeric. [Fr.,—Ar. kurkum, saffron.]

Curd, kurd, n. milk thickened or coagulated: the cheese part of milk, as distinguished from the whey.—n. Curd′iness.—v.i. Curd′le, to turn into curd: to congeal: to thicken.—v.t. to congeal.—adj. Curd′y, like or full of curd. [Prob. Celt.; Gael. gruth, Ir. cruth.]

Cure, kūr, n. care of souls or spiritual charge: care of the sick: act of healing: that which heals: a remedy, or course of remedial treatment.—v.t. to heal: to preserve, as by drying, salting, &c.:—pr.p. cūr′ing; pa.p. cūred.—adj. Cur′able, that may be cured.—ns. Cur′ableness, Curabil′ity, quality of being curable; Cure′-all, a panacea.—adjs. Cur′ative, Cur′atory, tending to cure; Cure′less, that cannot be cured.—ns. Cur′er, one who cures: a physician; Cur′ing-house, a house or place in which anything is cured, esp. a building in which sugar is drained, as in the West Indies. [O. Fr. cure—-L. cura, care; not the same as Care.]

Curé, kū′rā, n. a parish priest in France.

Curfew, kur′fū, n. in feudal times the ringing of a bell at eight o'clock, as a signal to put out all fires and lights. [O. Fr. covrefeu; couvrir, to cover, feu, fire—L. focus.]

Curia, kū′ri-a, n. one of the ten divisions of a Roman tribe: a building in which the senate met, a provincial senate: a court, legislative or judicial: the court of the papal see.—ns. Cū′rialism; Cū′rialist.—adj. Curialist′ic. [L.]

Curiet, kū′ri-et, n. (Spens.) a cuirass.

Curio, kū′ri-o, n. any article of virtu or bric-à-brac, or anything considered rare and curious.—n. Curiō′so, a collector or admirer of curios.

Curious, kū′ri-us, adj. anxious to learn: inquisitive: showing great care or nicety: skilfully made: singular: rare.—n. Curios′ity, state or quality of being curious: inquisitiveness: that which is curious: anything rare or unusual.—adv. Cū′riously.—n. Cū′riousness.—Curious arts (B.), magical practices. [Fr. curieux—L. curiosus—cura.]

Curl, kurl, v.t. to twist into ringlets: to coil.—v.i. to shrink into ringlets: to rise in undulations: to writhe: to ripple: to play at the game of curling.—n. a ringlet of hair, or what is like it: a wave, bending, or twist.—adjs. Curled; Curled′-pate (Shak.), having curled hair.—ns. Curl′er, one who, or that which, curls: a player at the game of curling; Curl′icue, a fantastic curl; Curl′iewurlie (Scot.), any fantastic round ornament; Curl′iness; Curl′ing, a game, common in Scotland, consisting in hurling heavy smooth stones along a sheet of ice.—ns.pl. Curl′ing ī′rons, Curl′ing-tongs, an iron instrument used for curling the hair.—n. Curl′ing-stone, a heavy stone with a handle, used in curling.—adjs. Curl′y, having curls: full of curls; Curl′y-head′ed. [M. E. crull; Dut. krullen, Dan. krolle, to curl.]

Curlew, kur′lū, n. one of the wading-birds, having a very long slender bill and legs, and a short tail. [O. Fr. corlieu; prob. from its cry.]

Curmudgeon, kur-muj′un, n. an avaricious, ill-natured fellow: a miser.—adj. Curmud′geonly. [Earlier corn-mudgin; mudge, mooch; M. E. muchen—O. Fr. mucier, to hide.]

Curmurring, kur-mur′ing, n. a rumbling sound, esp. that made in the bowels by flatulence. [Imit.]

Curr, kur, v.i. to cry like an owl, to purr like a cat, &c. [Imit.]

Currach, -agh, kur′ach, n. a coracle. [Gael.]

Currant, kur′ant, n. a small kind of raisin or dried grape imported from the Levant: the fruit of several species of ribes.—ns. Curr′ant-jell′y; Curr′ant-wine. [From Corinth.]

Current, kur′ent, adj. running or flowing: passing from person to person: generally received: now passing: present.—n. a running or flowing: a stream: a portion of water or air moving in a certain direction: course.—n. Curr′ency, circulation: that which circulates, as the money of a country: general estimation.—adv. Curr′ently.—n. Curr′entness, state of being current: general acceptance.—Pass current, to be received as genuine. [L. currens, -ent-is—currĕre), to run.]

Curricle, kur-i′kl, n. a two-wheeled open chaise, drawn by two horses abreast: a chariot.—n. Curric′ulum, a course, esp. the course of study at a university. [L. curriculum, from currĕre.]

Currish, Currishly, &c. See Cur.

Curry, kur′i, n. a kind of sauce or seasoning much used in India, compounded of pepper, ginger, and other spices: a stew mixed with curry-powder.—n. Curr′y-pow′der. [Tamil kari, sauce.]

Curry, kur′i, v.t. to dress leather: to rub down and dress a horse: to beat: to scratch:—pr.p. curr′ying; pa.p. curr′ied.—ns. Curr′ier, one who curries or dresses tanned leather; Curr′y-comb, an iron instrument or comb used for currying or cleaning horses; Curr′ying.—Curry favour (corruption of Curry favell, to curry the chestnut horse), to seek favour by flattery. [O. Fr. correier (mod. corroyer), conrei, outfit, from a supposed Low L. form conredāre, con-, with, rēdāre, seen in Array.]

Curry, Currie, obsolete forms of Quarry.

Curse, kurs, v.t. to invoke or wish evil upon: to devote to perdition: to vex or torment.—v.i. to utter imprecations: to swear.—n. the invocation or wishing of evil or harm upon: evil invoked on another: torment: any great evil.—adj. Curs′ed, under a curse: blasted by a curse: hateful.—adv. Curs′edly.—ns. Curs′edness; Curs′er; Curs′ing.—adj. Curst, cursed: deserving a curse: ill-tempered: shrewish: froward.—n. Curst′ness, state of being curst: peevishness: frowardness. [A.S. cursian—curs, a curse; ety. dub.; not conn. with Cross.]

Cursitor, kur′si-tor, n. a clerk or officer in the Court of Chancery who makes out original writs. [Low L. cursitor, from the words 'de cursu,' applied in the statute to ordinary writs.]

Cursive, kur′siv, adj. written with a running hand, of handwriting: flowing.—adv. Cur′sively. [Low L. cursivus—L. currĕre, to run.]

Cursorial, kur-sō′ri-al, adj. adapted for running.—n.pl. Cursō′res, an order of birds variously limited.

Cursory, kur′sor-i, adj. hasty: superficial: careless.—adj. Cur′sorary (Shak.), cursory.—adv. Cur′sorily.—n. Cur′soriness. [L. currĕre, cursum, to run.]

Curst. See Curse.

Cursus, kur′sus, n. a race-course: a form of daily prayer or service; an academic curriculum. [L.]

Curt, kurt, adj. short: concise: discourteously brief or summary.—adj. Curt′āte, shortened or reduced; applied to the distance of a planet from the sun or earth reduced to the plane of the ecliptic.—n. Curtā′tion.—adv. Curt′ly.—n. Curt′ness. [L. curtus, shortened.]

Curtail, kur-tāl′, v.t. to cut short: to cut off a part: to abridge:—pr.p. curtail′ing; pa.p. curtailed′.—ns. Curtail′ment; Curtail′-step, the rounded step at the bottom of a stair. [Old spelling curtal, O. Fr. courtault (It. cortaldo)—L. curtus.]

Curtain, kur′tin, n. drapery hung round and enclosing a bed, &c.: the part of a rampart between two bastions.—v.t. to enclose or furnish with curtains.—n. Cur′tain-lec′ture, a lecture or reproof given in bed by a wife to her husband.—Behind the curtain, away from public view; Draw the curtain, to draw it aside, so as to show what is behind, or in front of anything so as to hide it. [O. Fr. cortine—Low L. cortina; prob. L. cors, cortis, a court.]

Curtal, kur′tal, n. a horse with a curt or docked tail: anything docked or cut short.—adj. docked or shortened.—n. Cur′tal-frī′ar (Scott), a friar with a short frock. [Fr. courtaud—court. See Curtail.]

Curtal-ax, kur′tal-aks, Curt-axe, kurt′aks, n. (Spens.), a short, broad sword. [A corr. of the earlier forms coutelas, curtelas. See Cutlass.]

Curtilage, kur′til-āj, n. a court attached to a dwelling-house. [O. Fr. courtillage. See Court.]

Curtsy, Curtsey, kurt′si, n. an obeisance, made by bending the knees, proper to women and children.—v.i. to make a curtsy. [See Courtesy.]

Curule, kū′rōōl, adj. applied to a chair in which the higher Roman magistrates had a right to sit. [L. curulis—currus, a chariot.]

Curve, kurv, n. anything bent: a bent or curved line: an arch.—v.t. to bend: to form into a curve.—adjs. Cur′vāte, -d, curved or bent in a regular form.—n. Curvā′tion.—adj. Cur′vative.—n. Cur′vature, a curving or bending: the continual bending or the amount of bending from a straight line.—adjs. Curved; Cur′vicaudate, having a crooked tail; Curvicos′tate, having curved ribs; Curvifō′liate, having curved leaves; Cur′viform; Cur′ving; Curviros′tral, with the bill curved downward; Cur′vital, of or pertaining to curvature.—n. Cur′vity, the state of being curved. [L. curvus, crooked.]

Curvet, kur′vet, kur-vet′, n. a light leap of a horse in which he raises his forelegs together, next the hindlegs with a spring before the forelegs touch the ground: a leap, frolic.—v.i. (kur-vet′, kur′vet) to leap in curvets: to frisk:—pr.p. curvet′ting, curvet′ing; pa.p. cur′veted. [It. corvetta, dim. of corvo—L. curvus.]

Curvilinear, kur-vi-lin′i-ar, Curvilineal, kur-vi-lin′i-al, adj. bounded by curved lines.—n. Curvilinear′ity. [L. curvus, and linearis—linea, a line.]

Cuscus, kus′kus, n. the grain of the African millet. Same as Couscous. [Fr. couscou.]

Cuscus, kus′kus, n. the fibrous root of an Indian grass, used for making fans, &c. [Pers. khas khas.]

Cushat, koosh′at, n. the ringdove or wood-pigeon. [A.S. cúscute, the former part of dub. origin, the latter derived from scéotan, to shoot.]

Cushion, koosh′un, n. a case filled with some soft, elastic stuff, for resting on: a pillow: the 'pillow' used in making bone-lace: an engraver's pad: the rubber of an electrical machine: a pad supporting a woman's hair: the elastic lining of the inner side of a billiard-table: a body of steam remaining in the cylinder of a steam-engine, acting as a buffer to the piston.—v.t. to seat on or furnish with a cushion.—p.adj. Cush′ioned, furnished with a cushion, padded: having cushion-tires.—ns. Cush′ionet, a little cushion; Cush′ion-tire, a bicycle tire made of india-rubber tubing, with india-rubber stuffing.—adj. Cush′iony, like a cushion, soft. [O. Fr. coissin—L. coxinum, coxa, hip.]

Cusk, kusk, n. the torsk: the burbot.

Cusp, kusp, n. a point: the point or horn of the moon, &c.: (archit.) a small projecting ornament common in Gothic tracery.—adjs. Cus′pidāte, -d (bot.), having a sharp end, as the canine teeth. [L. cuspis, cuspid-is, a point.]

Cuspidor, kus′pi-dor, n. a spittoon.—Also Cus′pidore. [Port.,—L. conspuĕre, to spit upon.]

Cuss, kus, n. (slang) a fellow: an expletive.—adj. Cuss′ed, cursed.—n. Cuss′edness, contrariness. [Obviously Curse; prob. in the personal sense with a supposed reference to Customer.]

Custard, kus′tard, n. a composition of milk, eggs, &c., sweetened and flavoured.—ns. Cus′tard-app′le, the fruit of a West Indian tree, having an eatable pulp, like a custard; Cus′tard-coff′in (Shak.), the paste or crust which covers a custard. [Earlier custade, a corr. of crustade, a pie with crust. See Crust.]

Custody, kus′to-di, n. a watching or guarding: care: security: imprisonment.—adj. Custō′dial.—ns. Custō′dian, Cus′tode, Custō′dier, Cus′tos, one who has care, esp. of some public building. [L. custodia, from custos, custodis, a keeper.]

Custom, kus′tum, n. what one is wont to do: usage: frequent repetition of the same act: regular trade or business: a tax on goods: (pl.) duties imposed on imports and exports.—adj. Cus′tomable, customary: common.—adv. Cus′tomarily.—n. Cus′tomariness.—adjs. Cus′tomary, according to use and wont: holding or held by custom; Cus′tomed, accustomed: usual.—ns. Cus′tomer, one accustomed to frequent a certain place of business: a buyer: (slang) a person; Cus′tom-house, the place where customs or duties on exports and imports are collected.—adj. Cus′tom-shrunk (Shak.), having fewer customers than formerly. [O. Fr. custume, costume—L. consuetud-inem, consuescĕre, to accustom.]

Custrel, kus′trėl, n. attendant on a knight: a villain. [O. Fr. coustillier, coustille, a dagger.]

Cut, kut, v.t. to make an incision in: to cleave or pass through: to divide: to carve, hew, or fashion by cutting: to wound or hurt: to affect deeply: to shorten: to break off acquaintance with, to pass intentionally without saluting: to renounce, give up: to castrate: to perform or execute, as 'to cut a caper.'—v.i. to make an incision: to pass, go quickly: (slang) to run away, to be off: to twiddle the feet rapidly in dancing:—pr.p. cut′ting; pa.t. and pa.p. cut.—n. a cleaving or dividing: a stroke or blow: an act of unkindness: the card obtained by cutting or dividing the pack: an incision or wound: a piece cut off: an engraved block, or the picture from it: manner of cutting, or, fashion: (pl.) a lot.—n. Cut′away′, a coat with the skirt cut away in a curve in front—also adj.—ns. Cut′-off, that which cuts off or shortens, a straighter road, a shorter channel cut by a river across a bend: a contrivance for saving steam by regulating its admission to the cylinder; Cut′purse (Shak.), one who stole by cutting off and carrying away purses (the purses being worn at the girdle): a pickpocket; Cut′ter, the person or thing that cuts: in a tailor's shop, the one who measures and cuts out the cloth: a small vessel with one mast, a mainsail, a forestaysail, and a jib set to bowsprit-end, any sloop of narrow beam and deep draught; Cut′-throat, an assassin: ruffian; Cut′ting, a dividing or lopping off: an incision: a piece cut off: a paragraph from a newspaper: a piece of road or railway excavated: a twig; Cut′-wa′ter, the fore-part of a ship's prow.—Cut a dash, or figure, to make a conspicuous appearance; Cut-and-come-again, abundant supply, from the notion of cutting a slice, and returning at will for another; Cut-and-cover, a method of forming a tunnel by cutting out, arching it over, and then covering in; Cut-and-dry, or Cut-and-dried, ready made, without the merit of freshness—from the state of herbs in the shop instead of the field; Cut and run, to be off quickly; Cut down, to take down the body of one hanged by cutting the rope: to reduce, curtail; Cut in, to strike into, as to a conversation, a game at whist; Cut it too fat, to overdo a thing; Cut off, to destroy, put to an untimely death: intercept: stop; Cut off with a shilling, to disinherit, bequeathing only a shilling; Cut one's stick, to take one's departure; Cut out, to shape: contrive: debar: supplant: to take a ship out of a harbour, &c., by getting between her and the shore; Cut short, to abridge: check; Cut the coat according to the cloth, to adapt one's self to circumstances; Cut the teeth, to have the teeth grow through the gums—of an infant; Cut the throat of (fig.), to destroy utterly; Cut up, to carve: eradicate: criticise severely: turn out (well or ill) when divided into parts; Cut up rough, to become quarrelsome.—A cut above (coll.), a degree or stage above; Short cut, or Near cut, a short way. [Prob. W. cwtau, shorten.]

Cutaneous. See Cutis.

Cutch, kuch, n. the commercial name for catechu, from the Indian name kut.

Cutcherry, kuch′ėr-i, n. an office for public business, a court-house.—Also Cutch′ery. [Hind.]

Cute, kūt, adj. an aphetic form of Acute.

Cuthbert, kuth′bert, n. the apostle of Northumbria (635-687), whose name lives in (St) Cuthbert's Beads, a popular name for the perforated joints of encrinites found on Holy Island; (St) Cuthbert's duck, the eider-duck.

Cutikins, kōō′ti-kinz, n.pl. (Scot.) spatterdashes—also Cuitikins.

Cutis, kū′tis, n. the skin: the true skin, as distinguished from the cuticle.—adj. Cutān′eous, belonging to the skin.—n. Cū′ticle, the outermost or thin skin.—adj. Cutic′ular, belonging to the cuticle. [L.]

Cutlass, kut′las, n. a short, broad sword, with one cutting edge, used in the navy. [Fr. coutelas, augmentative of couteau, knife, from L. cultellus, dim. of culter, a ploughshare, a knife.]

Cutler, kut′lėr, n. one who makes or sells knives.—n. Cut′lery, the business of a cutler: edged or cutting instruments in general. [Fr. coutelier, coutel, knife.]

Cutlet, kut′let, n. a slice of meat cut off for cooking, esp. of mutton or veal—generally the rib and the meat belonging to it. [Fr. côtelette, dim. of côte, from L. costa, a rib.]

Cuttle, kut′l, n. a kind of mollusc, remarkable for its power of ejecting a black inky liquid—also Cutt′le-fish.—n. Cutt′le-bone, the internal shell or bone of the cuttle-fish, used for making tooth-powder and for polishing the softer metals. [A.S. cudele.]

Cutto, Cuttoe, kut′o, n. a large knife.

Cutty, kut′i, adj. (Scot.) short, curtailed.—n. a short clay pipe: a short, dumpy girl: applied to a woman, a term of reprobation, serious or playful.—n. Cutt′y-stool, the stool of repentance in old Scotch church discipline. [Cut.]

Cuvette, küv-et′, n. a trench sunk along the middle of a dry ditch or moat.—Also Cunette′. [Fr.]

Cyanogen, sī-an′o-jen, n. a compound of carbon, obtained by decomposing the cyanide of mercury by heat, so called from being an essential ingredient in the formation of Prussian blue.—n. Cy′anate, a salt of cyanic acid.—adj. Cyan′ic, of or belonging to cyanogen.—ns. Cy′anide, a direct compound of cyanogen with a metal; Cy′anine, the blue colouring matter of violets, &c.; Cy′anite, a mineral composed of alumina and silica, generally sky-blue; Cyanom′eter, an instrument for measuring the degrees of blueness of the sky or ocean; Cyanō′sis, morbid lividness of the skin, blue jaundice.—adj. Cyanot′ic.—ns. Cyan′otype, a photograph on paper sensitised by a cyanide; Cyan′uret, a cyanide.—Cyanic acid, an acid composed of cyanogen and oxygen. [Gr. kyanos, blue.]

Cyar, sī′ar, n. the internal auditory meatus.

Cyathiform, sī′a-thi-form, adj. like a cup a little widened at top.

Cycad, sī′kad, n. an order allied to Coniferæ, but in appearance rather resembling ferns and palms.—adj. Cycadā′ceous. [Formed from Gr. kykas, an erroneous form of koikas, koiks, the doom-palm.]

Cyclamen, sik′lä-men, n. a genus of Primulaceæ, native to southern Europe. [Formed from Gr. kyklamis, -inos.]

Cycle, sī′kl, n. a period of time in which events happen in a certain order, and which constantly repeats itself: an imaginary circle or orbit in the heavens: a series of poems, prose romances, &c., centring round a figure or event—also Cy′clus: an abbreviation for bicycle and tricycle.—v.i. to move in cycles: to ride or take exercise on a bicycle or tricycle.—adjs. Cy′clic, -al, pertaining to or containing a cycle.—ns. Cy′clist, for bicyclist or tricyclist; Cy′clograph, an instrument for describing the arcs of circles that have too large a curvature for compasses; Cy′cloid, a figure like a circle: a curve made by a point in a circle, when the circle is rolled along a straight line.—adj. Cycloid′al.—ns. Cycloid′ian, one of the fourth order of fishes, according to the classification of Agassiz, having cycloid scales with smooth edges, as the salmon; Cyclom′eter, an instrument for measuring circular arcs: an apparatus attached to the wheel of a cycle for registering the distance traversed; Cy′clorn, a cycle-horn. [Gr. kyklos, a circle.]

Cyclone, sī′klōn, n. a circular or rotatory storm.—adj. Cyclon′ic. [Coined from Gr. kyklōn, pr.p. of kykloein, to whirl round—kyklos.]

Cyclopædia, Cyclopedia, sī-klō-pē′di-a, n. the circle or compass of human knowledge: a work containing information on every department, or on a particular department, of knowledge, usually arranged alphabetically.—adjs. Cyclopæ′dic, Cyclope′dic. [Gr. kyklos, a circle, and paideia, learning.]

Cyclops, sī′klops, n. one of a fabled race of giants who lived chiefly in Sicily, with one eye in the middle of the forehead: a genus of minute freshwater copepods with an eye in front:—pl. Cyclō′pes.—adjs. Cyclopē′an, Cyclop′ic, relating to or like the Cyclops: giant-like: vast: pertaining to a prehistoric style of masonry with immense stones of irregular form. [Gr. kyklōps—kyklos, a circle, and ōps, an eye.]

Cyclorama, sī-klo-rä′ma, n. a circular panorama painted on the inside of a cylindrical surface appearing in natural perspective. [Formed from Gr. kyklos, circle, horama, view.]

Cyclosis, sī-klō′sis, n. circulation, as of blood.

Cyclyolostomous, sī-klos′tō-mus, adj. round-mouthed, as a lamprey.

Cyclostyle, sī′klo-stīl, n. an apparatus for multiplying copies of a writing. [Formed from Gr. kyklos, circle, and Style.]

Cyder. Same as Cider.

Cygnet, sig′net, n. a young swan. [Acc. to Diez, a dim. of Fr. cygne, whose old form cisne (Sp. cisne, a swan) is from Low L. cecinus, not conn. with L. cygnus, Gr. kyknos, a swan.]

Cylinder, sil′in-dėr, n. a solid circular or roller-like body, whose ends are equal parallel circles: (mech.) applied to many cylindrical parts of machines, as any rotating cylindrical portion of a printing-press.—adjs. Cylindrā′ceous, somewhat cylindrical; Cylin′dric, -al, having the form or properties of a cylinder.—n. Cylindric′ity.—adj. Cylin′driform, in the form of a cylinder.—n. Cyl′indroid, a body like a cylinder, but having its base elliptical. [Gr. kylindros, kylindein, to roll.]

Cyma, sī′ma, n. a moulding of the cornice, an ogee.—ns. Cym′agraph, an instrument for tracing the outline of mouldings; Cymā′tium, a cyma. [Gr. kyma, a billow.]

Cymar, si-mär′, n. a loose light dress worn by ladies. [See Chimer.]

Cymbal, sim′bal, n. a hollow brass, basin-like, musical instrument, beaten together in pairs.—ns. Cym′balist, a cymbal-player; Cym′balo, the dulcimer.—adj. Cym′biform, boat-shaped. [L. cymbalum—Gr. kymbanon—kymbē, the hollow of a vessel.]

Cyme, sīm, n. a young shoot: (bot.) term applied to all forms of inflorescence which are definite or centrifugal.—adjs. Cym′oid, Cym′ose, Cym′ous. [L. cyma—Gr. kyma, a sprout.]

Cymophane, sī′mō-fān, n. chrysoberyl.—adj. Cymoph′anous, opalescent. [Formed from Gr. kyma, wave, phainein, to show.]

Cymric, kim′rik, adj. Welsh.—n. Cym′ry, the Welsh, [W. Cymru, Wales.]

Cynanche, si-nang′kē, n. a name of various diseases of the throat or windpipe, esp. quinsy. [Gr., kyōn, a dog, anchein, to throttle.]

Cynic, -al, sin′ik, -al, adj. dog-like: surly: snarling: austere; misanthropic.—ns. Cynan′thropy, lycanthropy; Cyn′ic, one of a sect of philosophers founded by Antisthenes of Athens (born c. 444 B.C.), characterised by an ostentatious contempt for riches, arts, science, and amusements—so called from their morose manners: a morose man: a snarler; Cyn′icism, surliness: contempt for human nature: heartlessness, misanthropy.—adv. Cyn′ically.—n. Cyn′icalness. [Gr. kynikos, dog-like—kyōn, kynos, a dog; cf. L. can-is.]

Cynocephalus, sī-no-sef′al-us, n. the dog-faced baboon: a race of men with dogs' heads. [Gr. kyōn, kynos, dog, kephalē, head.]

Cynosure, sin′o-shōōr, or sī′, n. the dog's tail, a constellation (Ursa minor) containing the north-star; hence anything that strongly attracts attention or admiration. [Gr. kyōn, kynos, a dog, oura, a tail.]

Cyperus, sip-ē′rus, n. a tropical genus of Cyperaceæ.—adj. Cyperā′ceous, belonging to, or like, sedge plants. [From Gr. kypeiros, sedge.]

Cypher. Same as Cipher.

Cy pres, sē prā, in the law of charitable trusts in England, the principle of applying the money to some object as near as possible to the one specified, when this has become impracticable. [O. Fr.]

Cypress, sī′pres, n. an evergreen tree whose branches used to be carried at funerals; hence a symbol of death.—adj. Cyp′rine. [O. Fr. ciprès (Fr. cyprès)—L. cupressus—Gr. kyparissos.]

Cyprian, sip′ri-an, adj. belonging to the island of Cyprus: lewd, licentious—Cyprus being the place where Venus was worshipped.—n. a native of Cyprus—also Cyp′riot: a lewd woman.

Cyprus, sī′prus, n. a thin, transparent, black stuff, a kind of crape.—n. Cy′prus-lawn (Milt.). [Prob. named from the island of Cyprus.]

Cyrenaic, sī-rin-ā′ik, adj. pertaining to Cyrene, or to the hedonism of its philosopher Aristippus, a pupil of Socrates.

Cyrillic, sir-il′ik, adj. pertaining to the alphabet attributed to St Cyril (9th cent.), distinguished from the other Slavonic alphabet, the Glagolitic.

Cyst, sist, n. a bag in animal bodies containing morbid matter.—adjs. Cyst′ic, Cyst′iform, Cystoid′, having the form of, or contained in, a cyst or bag.—ns. Cys′ticle, a small cyst; Cystī′tis, inflammation of the bladder; Cys′tocele, a hernia formed by the protrusion of the bladder; Cystō′ma, a tumour containing cysts; Cystot′omy, the operation of cutting into the bladder to remove extraneous matter. [Low L. cystis—Gr. kystis, a bladder.]

Cytherean, sith-e-rē′an, adj. pertaining to Venus. [L. Cythereus—Cythera, an island in the Ægean Sea (now Cerigo), celebrated for the worship of Venus.]

Cytisus, sit′i-sus, n. a group of hardy leguminous shrubby plants, with yellow, white, or purple flowers, chiefly in the warmer temperate parts of the Old World. [Gr. kytisos.]

Cytoblast, sī′to-blast, n. the nucleus or germinal spot of a cellule, from which the organic cell is developed.—n. Cytogen′esis, cell-formation. [Gr. kytos, a vessel, blastanein, to bud.]

Czar, Tsar, tsär, or zär, n. the emperor of Russia:—fem. Czari′na, Tsari′na.—ns. Czar′evitch, Tsar-, a son of a czar.—Cesar′evitch is the title of the eldest son, and Cesarev′na, of his wife.—ns. Czarev′na, Tsarev′na, a daughter of a czar. [Russ. tsari, a king; conn. with Ger. kaiser, ult. from L. cæsar, a king or emperor.]

Czardas, zär′das (Hung. pron. chär′dosh), n. a Hungarian national dance, consisting of two sections—a slow movement called a lassu or lassan, and a quick step, the friss or friska.

Czech, tshek, n. a member of the most westerly branch of the Slavic family of races, the term including the Bohemians, or Czechs proper, the Moravians, and the Slovaks: the language of the Czechs, Bohemian, closely allied to Polish.—adj., also Czech′ic.


the fourth letter in our alphabet, as well as in the Phœnician, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, from which last it was immediately derived—its sound the soft dental mute: (mus.) the second note in the natural scale.

Dab, dab, v.t. to strike gently with something soft or moist, to smear:—pr.p. dab′bing; pa.p. dabbed.—n. a gentle blow: a small lump of anything soft or moist: a species of flounder of light-brown colour, with small dark spots and rough, close-set scales.—ns. Dab′ber, a sort of pad for dabbing ink on engraved wood blocks or plates; Dab′chick, a small water-fowl, a kind of grebe. [First about 1300; cf. Old Dut. dabben, to pinch; Ger. tappe, a pat. Confused with Daub and Tap.]

Dab, dab, n. an expert person.—n. Dab′ster (coll.). [Prob. a corr. of Adept.]

Dabble, dab′l, v.t. to spatter with moisture.—v.i. to play in water with hands or feet: to do anything in a trifling way.—n. Dabb′ler, one who does things superficially.—adv. Dabb′lingly. [Freq. of Dab.]

Da capo, dä kä′pō, a term in music, frequently placed at the end of a movement, indicating that the performer must return to the beginning of the music—usually written D.C. [It., 'from the beginning'—L. de, from, caput, head.]

Dace, dās, Dare, dār, Dart, därt, n. a small river fish of the carp family, and of the same genus as the roach, chub, minnow, &c. [M. E. darce—O. Fr. dars—Low L. dardus, a dart or javelin—of Teut. origin. So called from its quickness.]

Dachshund, daks′hoond, n. a badger-dog. [Ger. dachs, a badger, hund, dog.]

Dacker, dak′ėr, Daker, dā′kėr, v.i. (Scot.) to lounge, saunter.—Also Daik′er.

Dacoit, da-koit′, n. one of a gang of robbers in India and Burma—also Dakoit′.—ns. Dacoit′y, Dacoit′age, robbery by gang-robbers, brigandage. [Hind. dākāīt, a robber.]

Dacryoma, dak-ri-ō′ma, n. stoppage of the tear duct. [Formed from Gr. dakry, a tear.]

Dactyl, dak′til, n. in Latin and Greek poetry, a foot of three syllables, one long followed by two short, so called from its likeness to the joints of a finger; in English, a foot of three syllables, with the first accented, as mer'rily, vi'olate.—adjs. Dac′tylar, Dactyl′ic, relating to or consisting chiefly of dactyls.—ns. Dactyl′iomancy, divination by means of a finger-ring; Dac′tylist; Dactylog′raphy, the science of finger-rings; Dactylol′ogy, the art of talking with the fingers, like the deaf and dumb. [L. dactylus—Gr. daktylos, a finger.]

Dad, dad, Daddy, dad′i, n. father, a word used by children.—n. Dadd′y-long-legs, the crane-fly, a familiar insect with long body, legs, and antennæ. [Prob. Celt., W. tad, Bret, tad, tat; cf. Gr. tata.]

Dad, dad, v.t. to throw against something: to dash.—n. a lump: a piece: a blow. [Der. unknown.]

Daddle, dad′l, v.i. to walk in an unsteady manner, as a child or very old person: to totter:—pr.p. dadd′ling; pa.p. dadd′led. [Perh. conn. with Dawdle.]

Daddle, dad′l, n. (slang) the hand.

Daddock, dad′ok, n. (prov.) the heart of a rotten tree.

Dado, dā′do, n. in classical architecture, the cubic block forming the body of a pedestal: a skirting of wood along the lower part of the walls of a room, often represented merely by wall-paper, painting, &c. [It.,—L. datus (talus, a die, being understood), given or thrown forth—dāre, to give.]

Dædal, dē′dal, Dædalian, de-dā′li-an, adj. formed with art: displaying artistic skill: intricate. [From L. Dædalus, Gr. Daidalos, the mythical artist who constructed the Cretan labyrinth.]

Dæmon, dē′mon, n. a spirit holding a middle place between gods and men, like the dæmon or good genius of Socrates.—adj. Dæ′monic, supernatural: of power or intelligence more than human. [L. dæmon—Gr. daimōn, a spirit, a genius, and later a devil. See Demon.]

Daff, daf, v.i. to play, to play the fool.—n. Daff′ing (Scot.), foolery, gaiety. [M. E. daf, deaf, prob. Ice. dawfr (Sw. döf, Dan. döv), deaf.]

Daff, daf, v.t. (Shak.) to put off. [A variant of Doff.]

Daffodil, daf′o-dil, Daffodilly, daf′o-dil-i, Daffodowndilly, daf′o-down-dil′i, n. a yellow flower of the lily tribe—also called King's spear. [M. E. affodille—O. Fr. asphodile—Gr. asphodelus; the d is prefixed accidentally.]

Daft, daft, adj. (Scot.) silly, weak-minded, insane, unreasonably merry.—adv. Daft′ly.—n. Daft′ness. [See Daff.]

Dag, dag, n. a dagger: a hand-gun or heavy pistol, used in the 15th and 16th centuries.—Also Dagge. [Fr. dague; Celt.; cf. Bret. dag.]

Dagger, dag′ėr, n. a short sword for stabbing at close quarters: (print.) a mark of reference , the double dagger being another.—At daggers drawn, in a state of hostility; Look daggers, to look in a hostile manner. [M. E. dagger—W. dagr (Ir. daigear); cf. Fr. dague.]

Daggle, dag′l, v.t. and v.i. to wet or grow wet by dragging on the wet ground.—n. Dagg′le-tail, a slattern.—adj. slatternly. [Freq. of prov. Eng. dag, to sprinkle, from a Scand. root seen in Sw. dagg.]

Dago, dā′go, n. (U.S.) a name applied loosely to Spanish- and Italian-born men. [Prob. a corr. of Sp. Diego—L. Jacobus.]

Dagoba, dag′o-ba, n. in Ceylon, a dome-like structure of solid masonry, containing relics of a Buddhist saint. [Singh. dāgaba.]

Dagon, dā′gon, n. the national god of the Philistines, half-man, half-fish. [Heb. dāgōn—dag, fish.]

Daguerreotype, da-ger′o-tīp, n. a method of taking pictures on metal plates by the light of the sun: a photograph fixed on a plate of copper by a certain process.—adj. Daguer′rēan.—n. Daguerrē′otypy, the art of daguerreotyping. [Fr., from Louis Daguerre (1789-1851).]

Dagwood. See Dogwood.

Dahabeeah, da-ha-bē′a, n. a Nile-boat with oars, one or two masts, and lateen sails.—Also Dahabi′eh, Dahabi′yeh. [Ar. dahabīya.]

Dahlia, dāl′i-a, n. a genus of garden plants with large flowers. [From Dahl, a Swedish botanist.]

Daidle, dā′dl, v.i. a Scotch form of daddle: also to draggle.—adj. Daid′ling, feeble: dawdling.

Daiker, dā′ker, v.i. (prov.) to deck out.

Daily, dā′li, adj. and adv. every day.—n. a daily paper.

Daimio, dī′myo, n. a Japanese territorial noble under the old feudal system. [Jap.]

Dainty, dān′ti, adj. pleasant to the palate: delicate: fastidious: (Spens.) elegant.—n. that which is dainty, a delicacy.—adj. Daint (Spens.).—adv. Dain′tily.—n. Dain′tiness. [M. E. deintee, anything worthy or costly. O. Fr. daintié, worthiness—L. dignitat-em—dignus, worthy.]

Dairy, dā′ri, n. the place where milk is kept, and butter and cheese made: an establishment for the supply of milk.—ns. Dai′ry-farm; Dai′rying; Dai′rymaid; Dai′ryman. [M. E. deye.—Ice. deigja, a dairymaid; orig. a kneader of dough.]

Dais, dā′is, n. a raised floor at the upper end of the dining-hall where the high table stood: a raised floor with a seat and canopy: the canopy over an altar, &c. [O. Fr. dais—Low L. discus, a table—L. discus, a quoit—Gr. diskos, a disc.]

Daisy, dā′zi, n. a common wild-flower, growing in pastures and meadows—the name given also to other plants, as the Ox-eye daisy, which is a chrysanthemum.—adj. Dai′sied, covered with daisies.—n. Dai′sy-cut′ter, a fast-going horse that does not lift its feet high: a cricket-ball skimmed along the ground. [A. S. dæges eáge, day's eye, the sun.]

Dak, däk, Dawk, dawk, n. in India, the mail-post: travelling in palanquins carried by relays of bearers. [Hind. dāk, a relay of men.]

Dakoit. See Dacoit.

Dalai-lama. See Lama.

Dale, dāl, Dell, del, n. the low ground between hills: the valley through which a river flows.—n. Dales′man, specifically, an inhabitant of the dales of the Lake District. [Ice. dalr, Sw. dal; Ger. thal.]

Dali, dä′li, n. a timber-tree of Guiana, its wood used for staves, &c.

Dalila. See Delilah.

Dall, dal, n. a tile with incised surface: (pl.) rapids.

Dallop, dal′op, n. (prov.), a tuft of grass.

Dally, dal′i, v.i. to lose time by idleness or trifling: to play: to exchange caresses:—pa.p. dall′ied.—ns. Dall′iance, dallying, toying, or trifling: interchange of embraces: delay; Dall′ier, a trifler. [M. E. dalien, to play; prob. from A.S. dweligan, to err; cf. Ice. dvala, to delay, Dut. dwalen, to err; prob. conn. with dwell.]

Dalmahoy, dal′ma-hoi, n. a bushy bob-wig, worn in the 18th cent. by chemists, &c.

Dalmatian, dal-mā′shun, adj. belonging to Dalmatia, a strip of Austrian territory along the Adriatic.—Dalmatian dog, the spotted coach-dog, resembling the pointer in shape.