Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary 1908/Pistareen Poison

Pistareen, pis-ta-rēn′, n. in West Indies, the peseta.

Pistil, pis′til, n. (bot.) the female organ in the centre of a flower, consisting of three parts—ovary, style, and stigma.—adjs. ', ', growing on a pistil: pertaining to, or having the nature of, a pistil; ', having a pistil: having a pistil only; ', bearing a pistil without stamens. [Fr.,—L. pistillum, a pestle.]

Pistol, pis′tol, n. a small hand-gun, held in one hand when fired.—v.t. to shoot with a pistol.—ns. ', one armed with a pistol; ', a little pistol; . [O. Fr. pistole—It. pistola, said to be from Pistoja (orig. Pistola), a town in Italy.]

Pistole, pis′tōl, n. a Spanish gold coin=about 16 shillings. [Same as above.]

Piston, pis′tun, n. a circular plate of metal, or other material, used in pumps, steam-engines, &c., fitting and moving up and down within a tube or hollow cylinder.—n. , the rod to which the piston is fixed, and which moves up and down with it. [Fr.,—It. pistone—pesto, to pound—L. pinsĕre, pistum.]

Pit, pit, n. a hole in the earth: a place whence minerals are dug: the bottomless pit: the grave: the abode of evil spirits: a hole used as a trap for wild beasts: the hollow of the stomach, or that under the arm at the shoulder: the indentation left by smallpox: the ground-floor of a theatre: an enclosure in which cocks fight: the shaft of a mine.—v.t. to mark with little hollows: to lay in a pit: to set in competition:—pr.p. pa.t. and pa.p. —ns. ', coal dug from a pit—not charcoal; ', the framework round a mine-shaft; ', the ground at the mouth of a pit, and the machinery, &c., on it; ', a man who works in a coal-pit or a saw-pit, esp. the man who works the pumping machinery in the shaft of a mine: (mach.) a rod connecting a rotary with a reciprocating part.—adj. ', marked with small pits.—ns. ', the act of digging, or of placing in, a pit: a group of pit-marks: a corrosion of the inside of steam-boilers, &c.; , a group of miners' houses near a pit. [A.S. pyt, pytt—L. puteus, a well.]

Pitaka, pit′a-ka, n. a collection of Buddhist scriptures, as made in Tibet. [Sans., 'basket.']

Pitapat, pit′a-pat, adv. with palpitation or quick beating.—adj. fluttering.—n. a light, quick step: a succession of light taps.—v.i. to step or tread quickly.

Pitch, pich, n. the solid black shining substance obtained by boiling down common tar.—v.t. to smear with pitch.—adjs. ', ', dark as pitch: very dark.—ns. ', a black oxide of uranium; ', a kind of bituminous coal: jet; ', state or quality of being pitchy; ', a kind of pine which yields pitch, and is much used in America as fuel; ', a plaster of Burgundy or white pitch; ', an old volcanic-like hardened pitch; ', the kauri pine, the Amboyna pine, or the Norway spruce.—adj. ', having the qualities of pitch: smeared with pitch: black like pitch: dark: dismal. [A.S. pic—L. pix, pic-is.]

Pitch, pich, v.t. to thrust or fix in the ground: to fix or set in array: to fix the rate or price: to fling or throw: (mus.) to set the keynote of.—v.i. to settle, as something pitched: to come to rest from flight: to fall headlong: to fix the choice: to encamp: to rise and fall, as a ship.—n. a throw or cast from the hand: any point or degree of elevation or depression: degree: degree of slope: a descent: the height of a note in speaking or in music: (mech.) distance between the centres of two teeth in a wheel or a saw, or between the threads of a screw measured parallel to the axis.—ns. ', a battle in which the contending parties have fixed positions: a battle previously arranged for on both sides; '; ', chuck-farthing; ', a fork for pitching hay, &c.: a tuning-fork.—v.t. to lift with a pitchfork: to throw suddenly into any position.—ns. ', the act of throwing: a facing of stone along a bank to protect against the action of water; ', a small pipe to pitch the voice or tune with.—Pitch and pay (Shak.), pay down at once, pay ready-money; Pitch and toss, a game in which coins are thrown at a mark, the person who throws nearest having the right of tossing all the coins, and keeping those which come down head uppermost; Pitch in, to begin briskly; Pitch into, to assault. [A form of pick.]

Pitcher, pich′ėr, n. a vessel for holding water, &c.—n. , a plant with leaves shaped like a pitcher or ascidium—Nepenthes, &c.—Pitchers have ears, there may be listeners. [O. Fr. picher—Low L. picarium, a goblet—Gr. bīkos, a wine-vessel, an Eastern word.]

Piteous, pit′e-us, adj. showing or feeling pity: fitted to excite pity: mournful: compassionate: paltry.—adv. '.—n. '. [O. Fr. pitos, piteus. Cf. Pity.]

Pitfall, pit′fawl, n. a pit slightly covered, so that wild beasts may fall into it: any concealed danger.

Pith, pith, n. the marrow or soft substance in the centre of the stems of dicotyledonous plants: force or energy: importance: condensed substance: quintessence.—n. ', a pellet of pith.—adv. '.—n. '.—adj. ', wanting pith, force, or energy.—n. ', a thin sheet cut from pith for paper: rice-paper.—adj. ', full of pith: forcible: strong: energetic. [A.S. pitha; Dut. pit, marrow.]

Pithecus, pi-thē′kus, n. a name formerly used by zoologists for various groups of apes and monkeys.—ns. ', hypothetical ape-men; ', the genus of South American monkeys which includes the Sakis and allied species.—adj. . [L.,—Gr. pithēkos, an ape.]

Pithos, pith′os, n. a large spheroid Greek earthenware vase. [Gr.]

Pit-mirk, pit′-mėrk, adj. (Scot.) dark as pitch.

Pitri, pit′rē, n.pl. the deceased ancestors of a man: in Hindu mythology, an order of divine beings inhabiting celestial regions of their own, and receiving into their society the spirits of those mortals for whom funeral rites have been duly performed. [Sans., 'father,' pl. pitaras.]

Pitsaw, pit′saw, n. a large saw for cutting timber, worked by the pit-sawyer in the pit below the log and the top-sawyer on the log.

Pittacal, pit′a-kal, n. a blue substance obtained from wood-tar oil and used in dyeing. [Gr. pitta, pitch, kalos, beautiful.]

Pittance, pit′ans, n. an allowance of food or drink: a dole: a very small portion or quantity. [Fr. pitance, an allowance of food in a monastery—Low L. pietantea—L. pietas, pity.]

Pituitary, pit′ū-i-tā-ri, adj. mucous—also ', '.—ns. ', ', phlegm.—Pituitary body, a rounded body of the size of a small bean, situated in the sella turcica in the sphenoid bone on the floor of the cavity of the skull. [L. pituitarius—pituita, mucus.]

Pity, pit′i, n. a strong feeling for or with the sufferings of others: sympathy with distress: a cause or source of pity or grief.—v.t. to feel pity with: to sympathise with:—pa.t. and pa.p. —adj. ', deserving pity: affecting: wretched.—n. '.—adv. '.—n. ', one who pities.—adj. ', feeling pity: compassionate: exciting pity: sad: despicable.—adv. '.—n. '.—adj. ', without pity: cruel.—adv. '.—n. '.—adv. , in a pitying manner.—It pitieth me, you, them, &c. (Pr. Bk.), it causeth pity in me, you, them, &c. [O. Fr. pite (Fr. pitié, It. pietà)—L. pietas, pietatis—pius, pious.]

Pityriasis, pit-i-rī′a-sis, n. the term given to certain of the squamous or scaly diseases of the skin, in which there is a continual throwing off of bran-like scales of epidermis.—adj. , bran-like. [Gr. pityron, bran.]

Più, pū, adv. more.—Più allegro, quicker. [It.]

Pivot, piv′ut, n. the pin on which anything turns: the officer or soldier at the flank upon whom a company wheels: that on which anything depends or turns.—adj. ', of the nature of a pivot: acting as a pivot.—n. ', a form of swing-bridge moving on a vertical pivot.—adj. ', furnished with a pivot or pivots.—ns. ', a system of gearing permitting the driving-shaft to be swivelled so as to set the machine in any direction with relation to the power; ', a gun mounted on a pivot, so as to be able to turn in any direction; ', the pivot-work in machines; , the soldier or officer who acts as a pivot (see Pivot). [Fr. dim. of It. piva, a pipe, a peg, a pin—Low L. pipa.]

Pix, piks, n. Same as Pyx.

Pixy, Pixie, pik′si, n. a small Devonshire fairy.—adj. ', bewildered.—ns. ', a fairy-ring, a well-marked ring of a different kind of grass, common on meadows and heaths; , a toadstool or mushroom. [Puck.]

Pize, pīz, n. a term used in execration, like pox.

Pizzicato, pit-si-kä′to, adj. a phrase used in music for the violin or violoncello, to denote that here the strings are to be twitched with the fingers in the manner of a harp or guitar. [It.,—pizzicare, to twitch.]

Pizzle, piz′l, n. the penis of an animal, as a bull. [Low Ger. pesel.]

Placable, plā′ka-bl, or plak′a-bl, adj. that may be appeased: relenting: willing to forgive.—ns. ', '.—adv. '.—v.t. ', to conciliate.—n. ', propitiation.—adj. ', conciliatory. [L. placabilis—placāre, to appease, akin to placēre, to please.]

Placard, plak′ärd, or plā-kärd′, n. a written or printed paper stuck upon a wall as an advertisement, &c.: a public proclamation: the woodwork and frame of the door of a closet and the like.—v.t. Placard or  to publish or notify by placards. [Fr. placard, a bill stuck on a wall—plaque, plate, tablet; acc. to Diez, from Dut. plak, a piece of flat wood.]

Placcate, plak′āt, n. See Placket.

Place, plās, n. a broad way in a city: an open space used for a particular purpose: a particular locality: a town: room to dwell, sit, or stand in: the position held by anybody, employment, office, a situation: a mansion with its grounds: proper position or dignity, priority in such: stead: passage in a book: a topic, matter of discourse: in sporting contests, position among the first three.—v.t. to put in any place or condition: to find a home for: to settle: to lend: invest: to ascribe.—n. ', one who seeks eagerly official position or public office.—adj. ', without place or office.—ns. ', one who has a place or office under a government:—pl. '; ', placing or setting; ', one who traffics in appointments to places; ', the name of a place or locality: a local name; '.—Give place, to make room, to yield; Have place, to have existence; In place, in position: opportune; Out of place, inappropriate, unseasonable; Take place, to come to pass: to take precedence of. [Fr.,—L. platea, a broad street—Gr. plateia, a street—platys, broad.]

Placebo, plā-sē′bo, n. in the R.C. service of vespers for the dead the name of the first antiphon, which begins with the word: a medicine given to humour or gratify a patient rather than to exercise any curative effect. [L., 'I will please'—placēre, to please.]

Placenta, pla-sen′ta, n. the structure which unites the unborn mammal to the womb of its mother and establishes a nutritive connection between them: (bot.) the portion of the ovary which bears the ovules:—pl. '.—adj. '.—n.pl. ', placental mammals.—adjs. '; ', pertaining to, or having, a placenta.—n. a mammal having a placenta.—adjs. ', '.—ns. ', the mode in which the placenta is formed and attached to the womb; , inflammation of the placenta. [L., a flat cake, akin to Gr. plakous, a flat cake, from plax, plak-os, anything flat.]

Placer, plas′er, n. a place where the superficial detritus is washed for gold, &c.: hence any place holding treasures. [Sp.]

Placet, plā′set, n. a vote of assent in a governing body: permission given, esp. by a sovereign, to publish and carry out an ecclesiastical order, as a papal bull or edict. [L., 'it pleases,' 3d sing. pres. indic. of placēre, to please.]

Placid, plas′id, adj. gentle: peaceful.—ns. ', '.—adv. . [Fr.,—L. placidus—placēre, to please.]

Placitory, plas′i-tō-ri, adj. of or relating to pleas or pleading in courts of law.

Placitum, plas′i-tum, n. a public assembly in the Middle Ages, presided over by the sovereign, to consult on affairs of state: a resolution of such an assembly:—pl. . [L., from placēre, to please.]

Plack, plak, n. a small copper coin formerly current in Scotland, equal in value to the third part of an English penny.—adj. , penniless. [O. Fr. plaque, a plate.]

Placket, plak′et, n. (Shak.) the slit in a petticoat: a petticoat—hence, a woman: a placcate or additional plate of steel on the lower half of the breast-plate, or back-plate: a leather jacket strengthened with strips of steel. [Fr. plaquet—plaquer, to clap on.]

Placoderm, plak′o-dėrm, adj. noting an order of fossil fishes having their skin covered with bony plates. [Gr. plax, plakos, anything flat, derma, skin.]

Placoid, plak′oid, adj. plate-like.—Placoid fishes, an order of fishes having placoid scales, irregular plates of hard bone, not imbricated, but placed near together in the skin. [Gr. plax, plakos, anything flat and broad, eidos, form.]

Placula, plak′ū-la, n. a little plate or plaque.—adjs. ', '.

Plafond, pla-fond′, n. the ceiling of a room, any soffit. [Fr.]

Plagal, plā′gal, adj. in Gregorian music, denoting a mode or melody in which the final is in the middle of the compass instead of at the bottom—opp. to Authentic. [Gr. plagios, sidewise—plagos, a side.]

Plagiarise, plā′ji-ar-īz, v.t. to steal from the writings or ideas of another.—ns. ', the act or practice of plagiarising; ', one who plagiarises; , one who steals the thoughts or writings of others and gives them out as his own: the crime of plagiarism.—adj. practising literary theft. [Fr. plagiaire—L. plagiarius, a kidnapper—plaga, a net.]

Plagioclase, plā′ji-ō-klāz, n. a group of triclinic feldspars whose cleavage planes are not at right angles to each other.—adj. . [Gr. plagios, oblique, klasis, a fracture.]

Plagiodont, plā′ji-ō-dont, adj. having the teeth oblique.

Plagiostome, plā′ji-ō-stōm, n. a plagiostomous fish, one of the ', a division of fishes, including sharks and rays.—adjs. ', .

Plagiotropism, plā-ji-ot′rō-pizm, n. a mode of turning of the organs of plants in the direction of gravitation or of the ray of light.—adj. '.—adv. '. [Gr. plagios, oblique, tropos, a turning.]

Plagium, plā′ji-um, n. the crime of kidnapping.

Plague, plāg, n. any great natural evil: a deadly disease or pestilence: a very troublesome person or thing, esp. a malignant kind of contagious fever, prevailing epidemically, characterised by buboes, or swellings of the lymphatic glands, by carbuncles and petechiæ.—v.t. to infest with disease or trouble: to harass or annoy:—pr.p. pa.t. and pa.p. plāgued.—ns. ', ', a mark or spot of plague or foul disease: a place where disease is constantly present; ', one who plagues, vexes, or annoys; '.—adv. , vexatiously.—adj. Plaguy  vexatious: (Shak.) troublesome.—adv. vexatiously.—Plague on, may a curse rest on.—Be at the plague, to be at the trouble. [O. Fr. plague—L. plaga, a blow; Gr. plēgē.]

Plaice, plās, n. a broad, flat fish, in the same genus as the flounder. [O. Fr. plaïs (Fr. plie)—Low L. platessa, a flat fish—Gr. platys, flat.]

Plaid, plad, or plād, n. a loose outer garment of woollen cloth, often of a tartan, or coloured striped pattern, a special dress of the Highlanders of Scotland.—adj. like a plaid in pattern or colours.—adj. ', wearing a plaid: made of plaid cloth.—n. ', a strong woollen twilled fabric. [Gael. plaide, a blanket, contr. of peal-laid, a sheepskin—peall, a skin, cog. with L. pellis, Eng. fell.]

Plain, plān, v.t. and v.i. to complain: to lament.—ns. ', one who complains: a plaintiff; ' (Shak.), complaint. [O. Fr. pleigner (Fr. plaindre)—L. plangĕre, to lament.]

Plain, plān, adj. without elevations, even, flat: level, smooth, without obstructions: free from difficulties, easy, simple: without ornament or beauty, homely: artless: sincere: evident, unmistakable: mere: not coloured, figured, or variegated: not highly seasoned, natural, not cooked or dressed: not trumps at cards.—n. an extent of level land: an open field.—adv. clearly: distinctly.—v.t. (obs.) to make plain.—n.pl. ', clothes worn by an officer when off duty or not in uniform.—ns. ', one able to cook all ordinary dishes; ', one who deals or speaks his mind plainly.—adj. ', speaking or acting plainly, candid.—n. candid speaking or acting, sincerity.—adj. ', having a plain or honest heart: sincere.—n. '.—adv. '.—ns. '; ', the music of a recitative-like character and sung in unison, used in the Christian Church of the West from the earliest times, and still in use in all R.C. churches: a simple air without variations: a plain unvarnished statement; ', straight-forwardness or bluntness of speech.—adj. ', speaking with plain, rough sincerity.—n.pl. ' (Scot.), flagstones, pavement.—n. , plain needlework, as distinguished from embroidery.—Plain as a pikestaff, perfectly plain or clear. [Fr.,—L. plānus, plain.]

Plaint, plānt, n. lamentation: complaint: a sad song: (law) the exhibiting of an action in writing by a complainant.—adj. ', complaining: expressing sorrow.—n. ' (Eng. law), one who commences a suit against another—opp. to Defendant.—adj. ', complaining: expressing sorrow: sad.—adv. '.—n. '.—adj. ', without complaint: unrepining. [O. Fr. pleinte (Fr. plainte)—L. planctus—plangĕre, planctum, to lament.]

Plaise, plās, n. Same as Plaice.

Plaister, plās′tėr, n. an obsolete form of plaster.

Plait, plāt, n. a fold: a doubling over, as of cloth upon itself: a braid.—v.t. to fold: to double in narrow folds: to interweave.—adj. ', folded over in narrow folds: braided: interwoven: intricate.—ns. ', one who plaits or braids: a machine for making plaits, as in cloth; , the act of making plaits. [O. Fr. pleit, ploit (Fr. pli)—L. plicāre, -ātum, to fold.]

Plan, plan, n. a drawing of anything on a plane or flat surface: a drawing of a building as it stands on the ground: a scheme or project for accomplishing a purpose: a contrivance: a method or custom.—v.t. to make a sketch of on a flat surface: to form in design: to lay plans for:—pr.p. pa.t. and pa.p. planned.—adj. '.—ns. ', one who forms a plan: a projector; , a draft on a large scale given to workmen to work from.—Plan of campaign, the method of conducting the struggle of the Irish tenants against the landlords, organised by the National League in 1886, its officers collecting what they considered a fair rent, and offering it to the landlord, and where he refused to accept it spending it on the support of the persons evicted. [Fr.,—L. planus, flat.]

Planarian, plā-nā′ri-an, adj. and n. a term practically coextensive with Turbellarian, applicable to the members of the lowest class of worm-like animals, living in fresh and salt water, and sometimes in damp earth.—adjs. ', '. [L. planarius, flat.]

Planch, planch, v.t. (Shak.) to cover with planks. [Fr. planche—L. planea.]

Planchet, plan′chet, n. a flat piece of metal ready to receive impression as a coin.

Planchette, plan-shet′, n. a small heart-shaped or triangular piece of board resting on three props, two of which are castors and one a pencil-point, which, while a person's fingers are lightly resting on it, sometimes moves, as if of its own accord, and traces with the pencil marks and even words upon a piece of paper below it. [Fr. planchette, a small board.]

Plane, plān, n. (geom.) a surface on which, if any two points be taken, the straight line joining them will lie entirely on the surface: (astron.) a surface thought of as bounded by the line round which a heavenly body moves: any flat or level surface: any incline on which coal is lowered by the effect of gravity: any grade of life or of development.—adj. having the character of a plane: pertaining to, lying in, or forming a plane.—v.t. to make plane or smooth.—adj. ', relating to a plane: flat.—n. ', a topographical instrument used in field-mapping, and having a sighting-telescope for observing objects, whose angles may be noted on a paper on the table of the instrument: an inclined table on which ore is dressed.—v.t. to survey with a plane-table.—ns. ', an instrument for reducing or enlarging drawings; ', an instrument for measuring the area of a plane figure.—adjs. ', '.—n. ', the mensuration of plane surfaces.—adj. ', having flat petals.—ns. ', a thin flat-ended tool used for smoothing tin-plate and brasswork: a workman who planishes, esp. one who prepares copper-plates for engravers; ', a sphere projected on a plane.—adjs. '; ', plane on one side and concave on the other; ', plane on one side and conical on the other; ', plane on one side and convex on the other.—n. ', a map-maker.—adj. ', having a plane horizontal surface or position.—ns. ', a plane surface used in machine-making as a gauge for plane surfaces; ', the measurement of plane surfaces.—adj. , smooth and awl-shaped.—Plane angle, an angle contained by two straight lines in a plane; Plane figure, a figure all of whose points lie in one plane; Plane geometry, the geometry of plane figures; Plane sailing, the calculation of a ship's place in its course, as if the earth were flat instead of spherical: easy work; Plane trigonometry, that branch of trigonometry which treats of triangles described on a plane.—Inclined plane (see Incline); Perspective plane (see Perspective). [Fr.,—L. planus, plain.]

Plane, plān, n. a carpenter's tool for producing a level or smooth surface.—v.t. to make a surface (as of wood) level by means of a plane.—ns. ', a tool or machine for planing: a smooth wooden block used for levelling a form of type; ', a machine for planing wood or metals.—v.t. , to make smooth: to polish. [Fr.,—Low L. planāre, to make level.]

Planet, plan′et, n. one of the bodies in the solar system which revolve in elliptic orbits round the sun.—n. ', a machine showing the motions and orbits of the planets.—adjs. ', pertaining to the planets: consisting of, or produced by, planets: under the influence of a planet: erratic: revolving; ', '.—n. ', a celestial body having the form or nature of a planet: one of a number of very small planets, often called asteroids, moving round the sun between Mars and Jupiter.—adjs. '; ', ' (astrol.), affected by the influence of the planets: blasted.—n. , a little planet.—Minor planets, the numerous group of very small planets which is situated in the solar system between Mars and Jupiter. [Fr. planète—Gr. planētēs, wanderer—planān, to make to wander.]

Plane-tree, plān′-trē, n. any one of the several trees constituting the genus Platanus, esp. the oriental or common plane-tree, with its variety the maple-leaved plane-tree, and the American plane-tree, usually called sycamore or buttonwood or buttonball: in Great Britain, the sycamore maple. [Fr. plane—L. platanus—Gr. platanos—platys, broad.]

Plangent, plan′jent, adj. resounding: noisy. [L. plangens, -gentis—plangĕre, to beat.]

Plank, plangk, n. a long piece of timber, thicker than a board: one of the principles or aims of an associated party.—v.t. to cover with planks.—n. , the act of laying planks: a series of planks: work made up of planks.—Walk the plank, to be compelled to walk along a plank projecting over the ship's edge into the sea. [L. planca, a board; cf. Plain, even.]

Plankton, plangk′ton, n. pelagic animals collectively. [Gr., planktos, wandering.]

Planodia, plā-nō′di-a, n. a false passage, such as may be made in using a catheter.

Plant, plant, n. a something living and growing, fixed on the ground and drawing food therefrom by means of its root, and developing into a stem, leaves, and seed: a sprout: any vegetable production: the tools or material of any trade or business: (slang) a trick, dodge, hidden plunder.—v.t. to put into the ground for growth: to furnish with plants: to set in the mind, implant: to establish.—v.i. to set shoots in the ground.—adj. '.—ns. ' (Shak.), plants in general, or the vegetable kingdom; ', a place planted: a wood or grove: (U.S.) a large estate: a colony: act or process of introduction: (Milt.) the act of planting; ', one who plants or introduces: the owner of a plantation; ', a garden structure designed for the protection and cultivation of the plants of warmer climates than our own; ', a young plant; ', the act of setting in the ground for growth: the art of forming plantations of trees: a plantation.—adj. ', destitute of vegetation.—ns. ', a little plant; ', a small homopterous insect which infests plants; , the embryo of a plant. [A.S. plante (Fr. plante)—L. planta, a shoot, a plant.]

Plantain, plan′tān, n. an important food-plant of tropical countries, so called from its broad leaf: a common roadside plant of several species, with broad leaves and seed-bearing spikes.—Plantain eater, one of a family of African, arboreal, vegetarian Pie-like birds. [Fr.,—L. plantago, plantaginis.]

Plantigrade, plant′i-grād, adj. that walks on the sole of the foot.—n. a plantigrade animal, as the bear.—adj. , pertaining to the sole of the foot. [L. planta, the sole, gradi, to walk.]

Planula, plan′ū-la, n. the locomotory embryo of the cœlenterates.—adjs. '; '; .

Planuria, plā-nū′ri-a, n. the discharge of urine through an abnormal passage, uroplania.—Also .

Plap, plap, v.i. to plash, fall with plashing sound. [Imit.]

Plaque, plak, n. a flat piece of metal or other material, used for ornament, as a brooch, &c., or for painting on, to form a wall-picture.—n. , a small plaque. [Fr.; cf. Plack.]

Plash, plash, v.t. to bind and interweave the branches of.—v.i. to bend down a branch.—n. a small branch of a tree partly cut and bound to or twisted among other branches.—n. , a mode of repairing a hedge by bending the branches and twisting them about each other. [O. Fr. plassier—L. plexus—plectĕre, to twist.]

Plash, plash, n. a dash of water: a puddle: a shallow pool: a splashing sound: a sudden downpour: a flash.—v.i. to dabble in water: to splash.—v.t. to sprinkle with colouring matter, as a wall.—adj. , full of puddles: watery. [Imit.]

Plasm, plazm, n. a mould or matrix: protoplasm—also '.—adjs. ', ', plastic, formative; ', pertaining to plasma, protoplasmic.—ns. ', composite masses of primitive protozoa, in which numerous units are fused, or in rare cases simply combined in close contact; ', true protoplasm; ', the generation of an organism from plasma; ', minute or microscopic anatomy, histology.—v.t. '.—n. ', the contraction of the protoplasm in active cells under the action of certain reagents.—adj. .

Plasma, plas′ma, n. a green variety of translucent quartz or silica.—adj. . [Gr.,—plassein, to form.]

Plaster, plas′tėr, n. something that can be moulded into figures: a composition of lime, water, and sand for overlaying walls, &c.: (med.) a medicinal agent consisting of an adhesive substance spread upon cloth or leather, so as to stick to the part of the body to which it is applied.—adj. made of plaster.—v.t. to cover with plaster: to cover with a plaster, as a wound: to besmear: (fig.) to smooth over.—ns. ', one who plasters, or one who works in plaster; ', the art of covering the internal faces of walls, the partitions and ceiling of a building, with plaster: a covering of plaster: the plasterwork of a building; ', gypsum.—adj. ', like plaster, containing plaster.—Plaster cast, a copy of an object got by pouring a mixture of plaster of Paris and water into a mould formed from the object; Plaster of Paris, a kind of gypsum, originally found near Paris, used in building and in making casts of figures; Porous plaster, a plaster for application to the body, full of small holes, which prevent it from wrinkling. [A.S. plaster—O. Fr. emplastre—L. emplastrum—Gr. emplastron.]

Plastic, plas′tik, adj. having power to give form to: capable of being moulded: of or pertaining to moulding.—ns. ', state or quality of being plastic; ', a modelling clay which remains soft and plastic for a considerable time; , imitation of handwriting. [Gr. plastikos—plassein, to mould.]

Plastron, plas′tron, n. a breast-plate: a detachable part of a woman's dress hanging from the throat to the waist: a man's shirt-bosom: a fencer's wadded shield of leather worn on the breast: the ventral part of the shell of a chelonian or testudinate, the lower shell of a turtle or tortoise: the sternum with costal cartilages attached.—adj. .

Plat, plat, v.t. Same as Plait.

Plat, plat, n. a piece of ground: a piece of ground ornamentally laid out: (obs.) a plan, scheme.—v.t. to make a map or plan of.—n. , a border of flowers in a garden: (archit.) a slightly projecting square moulding, an architrave fascia, a list between flutings. [Plot.]

Platane, plat′ān, n. the plane-tree.—Also . [L. platanus—Gr. platanos—platys, broad.]

Plate, plāt, n. something flat: a thin piece of metal: wrought gold and silver: household utensils in gold and silver: a shallow dish nearly flat: an engraved piece of metal.—v.t. to overlay with a coating of plate or metal: to arm or defend with metal plates: to adorn with metal: to beat into thin plates.—n. ', armour of strong metal plates for protecting ships-of-war, &c.—adj. ', covered with plates of metal for strength, as ships: covered with a coating of a more precious metal: (zool.) covered with hard scales.—ns. ' (Milt.), vessels used for carrying precious metals; ', as much as a plate will hold; ', a fine kind of glass, cast in thick plates, used for mirrors and large shop-windows; ', a workman whose occupation it is to lay the rails of a railway and fix them to the sleepers; ', a mark or stamp on gold or silver plate to indicate its purity and the place where it was made; ', a composition of rouge and prepared chalk used for cleaning gold and silver plate and plated articles; ', the process of printing from engraved plates; ', one who plates articles with a coating of gold or silver; ', a frame for holding plates, &c., when not in use; ', an apparatus in which plates are warmed before the fire; ', the covering of an inferior metal with one of the precious metals: a thin coating of metal on another.—adj. ', like a plate.—, in photography, a size of plate measuring 4¾ by 6½ in. (4¼ by 5½ in U.S.); ', 3¼ by 4¼ in.; ', 6½ by 8½ in. [O. Fr. plate, fem. of plat, flat—Gr. platys, broad.]

Plateau, pla-tō′, n. a broad flat space on an elevated position: a tableland:—pl. Plateaus, Plateaux [Fr.,—O. Fr. platel, dim. of plat.]

Platen, plat′en, n. the flat part of a printing-press which comes down upon the form, and by which the impression is made.

Platform, plat′form, n. a raised level surface: a part of a floor raised above the rest to form a standing-place for speakers, workmen, &c.: (mil.) an elevated floor for cannon: a statement of principles to which a body of men declare their adhesion, and on which they act: (Shak.) a scheme, plan.—v.t. (Milt.) to sketch, plan: (Mrs Browning) to support as on a platform.—ns. ' (Amer.), a movable gangway between the platforms of two railway carriages; ', a railway car open all round and without a roof; ', a crane used on a railway platform, or one mounted on a movable truck; ', a weighing-machine with a flat surface for holding the thing to be weighed.—The platform, the function of public oratory. [Fr. plate-forme, 'flat form.']

Platiasmus, plat-i-as′mus, n. imperfect speech.

Platinum, plat′in-um, n. an important metal of a dim silvery appearance, between gold and silver in value, and very difficult to melt—older name '.—adjs. '; '.—v.t. ', to coat with platinum.—ns. ', one of the metals with which platinum is always found associated—palladium iridium, &c.; ', a method of producing photographs by means of paper coated with a preparation of platinum: a picture so produced.—adj. , containing or consisting of platinum. [Sp. platina—plata, plate.]

Platitude, plat′i-tūd, n. flatness: that which exhibits dullness of thought: an empty remark made as if it were important.—n. ', one who indulges in platitudes.—adj. '. [Fr.,—plat, flat.]

Platonic, -al, plā-ton′ik, -al, adj. pertaining to Plato, the Greek philosopher (about 427-347 B.C.), or to his philosophical opinions.—adv. '.—v.t. and v.i. ', to reason like Plato.—ns. ', the philosophical opinions of Plato; ', , a follower of Plato.—Platonic love, the love of soul for soul, a love into which sensual desire is supposed not to enter at all.

Platoon, pla-tōōn′, n. a number of recruits assembled for exercise—originally a small body of soldiers in a hollow square, to strengthen the angles of a longer formation: a subdivision of a company. [Fr. peloton, a ball, a knot of men—pelote—L. pĭla, a ball.]

Platter, plat′ėr, n. a large flat plate or dish. [M. E. plater—O. Fr. platel—plat, a plate.]

Platting, plat′ing, n. the process of making interwoven work: such work itself.

Platycephalous, plat-i-sef′a-lus, adj. having the vault of the skull flattened.—Also .

Platypus, plat′i-poos, n. the duck-bill (q.v.). [Gr. platys, flat, pous, a foot.]

Platyrhine, plat′i-rin, adj. broad-nosed.—n. a platyrhine monkey.

Plaudit, plawd′it, n. a mark of applause: praise bestowed.—adj. ', applauding.—adj. ', applauding, approving: (Shak.) plausible. [Shortened from L. plaudite, praise ye, a call for applause, 2d pers. pl. imper. of plaudĕre, plausum, to praise.]

Plausible, plawz′i-bl, adj. that may be applauded: seemingly worthy of approval or praise: superficially pleasing: apparently right: fair-spoken: popular.—ns. ', ', an appearance of being right or worthy of approval: that which seems right and true at first sight.—adv. . [L. plausibilis—plaudĕre, to praise.]

Plaustral, plä′stral, adj. of or pertaining to a wagon. [L. plaustrum, a wagon.]

Play, plā, v.i. to engage in some amusing exercise: to take part in a game, or a piece of diversion: to gamble: to sport: to trifle: to move irregularly or (mech.) freely: to operate: to act in a theatre: to perform on a musical instrument: to practise a trick: to act a character: to act with repeated strokes.—v.t. to put in motion: to perform upon: to perform: to act a sportive part: to compete with.—n. amusement: any exercise for amusement: a contending for victory or for a prize: practice in a contest: gaming: action or use: manner of dealing, as fair-play: a dramatic composition: movement: room for action or motion: liberty of action.—ns. ', one who acts a part in a play: an actor; ', the manner or habits of a play-actor; ', a bill or advertisement of a play; ', a book of plays or dramas; ', a wooden-headed golf-club used for driving the ball the longest distances; ', ', a day devoted to play: a holiday; ', one who plays: an actor of plays or dramas: a trifler: a musician: a professional at cricket; ', ', a fellow or mate in play or amusements.—adj. ', given to play: sportive.—adv. '.—ns. '; ', one who habitually attends the theatre; '; ', a ground or place on which to play, esp. that connected with a school; ', a house where dramatic performances are represented: a theatre; ', one of a set of fifty-two cards used in playing games; ', the hobby-horse, one of the chief parts in the ancient morris-dance; ', anything for playing with: a toy; ', ', a writer of plays: one who adapts dramatic compositions for the stage.—Played out, worked to the end: used up: tired; Play fast and loose, to act in a tricky, inconstant way: to say one thing and do another; Play fine, at billiards, to strike the object-ball near the edge—opp. to Play full, to strike it nearer the centre than the edge; Play off, to show or display; Play up, to make a beginning of playing: to play more vigorously; Play upon, to trifle with: to delude.—A play upon words, a use of words so as to give them a double meaning; Bring into play, to bring into exercise or use; Come into play, to come into use; Hold in play, to keep the attention of. [A.S. plegan, to play.]

Plea, plē, n. the defender's answer to the plaintiff's demand or charge: an excuse: an apology: an action in a court of law: urgent entreaty. [O. Fr. plait (Fr. plaid)—Low L. placitum, a decision—L. placet, it pleases, placēre, to please.]

Pleach, plēch, v.t. to intertwine the branches of, as a hedge: (Shak.) to fold, as the arms. [O. Fr. plesser—L. plec-tĕre, plait; Gr. plek-ein, weave.]

Plead, plēd, v.i. to carry on a plea or lawsuit: to argue in support of a cause against another: to seek to persuade: to admit or deny a charge of guilt.—v.t. to discuss by arguments: to allege in pleading or defence: to offer in excuse:—pa.t. and pa.p. or (less correctly and coll.) pled.—adj. ', capable of being pleaded.—n. '.—adj. ', imploring.—n. act of pleading or of conducting any cause: (pl.) the statements of the two parties in a lawsuit (law).—adv. '.—Plead guilty, or not guilty, to admit, or deny, guilt.—Special pleading, unfair argument aiming rather at victory than at truth. [O. Fr. plaider; cf. Plea.]

Please, plēz, v.t. to give pleasure to: to delight: to satisfy.—v.i. to like: to think fit: to choose: to give pleasure: used impers., followed by an object, originally dative, of the person=if it please you.—n. ', merriment: a pleasure garden.—adj. ', pleasing: agreeable: cheerful: gay: facetious.—adv. '.—ns. '; ', anything that promotes pleasure: merriment: lively or humorous talk: a trick:—pl. '; ' (Shak.), an officious fellow, a pick-thank; ', one who pleases or gratifies.—adj. ', giving pleasure: agreeable: gratifying.—n. (Shak.) pleasure given: (B.) approbation.—adv. '.—n. ', the quality of giving pleasure.—adj. ', able to give pleasure: delightful: gratifying.—n. '.—adv. '.—n. Pleasure agreeable emotions: gratification of the senses or of the mind: what the will prefers: purpose: command: approbation.—v.t. (arch.) to give pleasure to.—ns. ', a boat used for pleasure or amusement; ', ground laid out in an ornamental manner for pleasure; ', a house to which one retires for recreation or pleasure.—adj. '.—ns. ', one who seeks pleasure; ', an excursion for pleasure.—At pleasure, whenever and as one pleases. [O. Fr. plaisir (Fr. plaire)—L. placēre, to please.]

Pleat, plēt, v.t. Same as Plait.

Plebeian, plē-bē′an, adj. pertaining to, or consisting of, the common people: popular: vulgar.—n. originally one of the common people of ancient Rome: one of the lower classes.—v.t. '.—ns. ', state of being a plebeian: the conduct or manners of plebeians: vulgarity; ', the act of making plebeian.—v.t. ', to make plebeian: to vulgarise. [Fr. plébéien—L. plebeius—plebs, plebis, the common people.]

Plebiscite, pleb′i-sīt, n. a decree of an entire nation, obtained by an appeal to universal suffrage, as in France under Napoleon III.: a method of obtaining an expression of opinion upon a certain point from the inhabitants of a district—also ':—pl. ', '.—adj. '. [Fr.,—L. plebiscitum, decree of the people—plebs, the people, scitum, a decree—scīre, to know.]

Plebs, plebz, n. the common people. [L.]

Plectognathi, plek-tog′nā-thī, n. an order of bony fishes, including file-fishes, globe-fishes, coffer-fishes, sun-fishes.—adjs. ', '. [Gr. plectos, plaited, gnathos, a jaw.]

Plectrum, plek′trum, n. the quill or other form of instrument by which the strings of the Greek lyre were struck.—Also ', '. [L.—Gr.,—plēssein, to strike.]

Pled, pled, pa.t. and pa.p. of plead.

Pledge, plej, n. something given as a security: one who becomes surety for another: a sentiment of goodwill or friendship expressed by drinking together.—v.t. to give as security: to engage for by promise: to invite to drink by partaking of the cup first: to drink to the health of.—ns. ', the person to whom a thing is pledged; '.—Pledge card, a card given, as a remembrancer, to a person who has signed the total abstinence pledge; Pledge cup, a cup for drinking pledges.—Hold in pledge, to keep as security; Put in pledge, to pawn; Take, or Sign, the pledge, to give a written promise to abstain from intoxicating liquor. [O. Fr. plege (Fr. pleige); prob. L. præbēre, to afford.]

Pledget, plej′et, n. a wad of lint, cotton, &c., as for a wound or sore: an oakum string used in caulking.

Pleiad, plī′ad, n. one of the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione, after death changed into stars:—pl. ', ', (astron.) a group of seven or more stars in the shoulder of the constellation Taurus.

Pleiocene. Same as Pliocene.

Pleiochroism, plī-ok′rō-izm, n. the property in some crystals, such as some species of topaz, where three distinct colours may be observed on looking through them along three rectangular axes.—Also . [Gr. pleiōn, pleōn, more, chroa, colour.]

Pleistocene, plīs′tō-sēn, n. (geol.) the name given to the system comprising the older accumulations belonging to the Quaternary or Post-Tertiary division. [Gr. pleistos, most, kainos, recent.]

Plenary, plē′nā-ri, adj. full: entire: complete: (law) passing through all its stages—opp. to Summary: having full powers.—adv. '.—ns. '; ', the state of a benefice when occupied; ', one who believes all space to be filled with matter; ', fullness: completeness: repletion; ', space considered as in every part filled with matter.—Plenary inspiration, inspiration which excludes all mixture of error. [Low L. plenarius—L. ple-nus, full—plēre, to fill.]

Plenicorn, plen′i-korn, adj. solid-horned, as a ruminant.

Plenilunar, plen-i-lū′nar, adj. pertaining to the full moon.

Plenipotence, plē-nip′o-tens, n. complete power—also '.—adj. ', having full power. [L. plenus, full, potens, -entis, powerful.]

Plenipotentiary, plen-i-po-ten′shi-a-ri, adj. conferring or having full powers.—n. a person invested with full powers, esp. a special ambassador or envoy to some foreign court. [Low L. plenipotentiarius—L. plenus, full, potens, powerful.]

Plenish, plen′ish, v.t. to furnish: to provide, as a house or farm, with necessary furniture, implements, stock, &c.—n.  (Scot.), furniture. [Fr.,—L. plenus, full.]

Plenty, plen′ti, n. a full supply: all that can be needed: abundance.—adj. being in abundance.—adj. ', fully sufficient: abundant: fruitful: well provided: rich: (B.) giving plentifully.—adv. '.—n. '.—adj. ', copious: abundant: yielding abundance.—adv. '.—n. '.—Horn of plenty (see Horn). [O. Fr. plente—L. plenus, full.]

Pleonasm, plē′o-nazm, n. use of more words than are necessary: (rhet.) a redundant expression.—n. ', one who is given to pleonasm.—adjs. ', ', redundant: using too many words.—adv. '. [Gr. pleonasmos—pleiōn, more.]

Pleroma, plē-rō′ma, n. fullness: abundance: in Gnosticism, divine being, including all æons which emanate from it. [Gr.,—plērēs, full.]

Plerophory, plē-rof′ō-ri, n. full conviction.—Also .

Plesh, plesh, n. (Spens.) a plash, a pool of water.

Plesiomorphism, plē-si-ō-mor′fizm, n. the property of certain substances of crystallising in similar forms while unlike in chemical composition—also Isogonism.—adjs. ', '.

Plesiosaurus, plē-zi-o-saw′rus, n. the type or leading genus of a family (Plesiosauridæ) of fossil sea-reptiles, which are characteristic of the Mesozoic systems. [Gr. plēsios, near, sauros, lizard.]

Plethora, pleth′o-ra, n. excessive fullness of blood: over-fullness in any way.—adjs. ', ', ', afflicted with plethora: superabundant: turgid.—adv. '. [Gr. plēthōrē, fullness—pleos, full.]

Pleugh, plūh, n. (Scot.) a plough.—n.  (Scot.), a small spade or 'paddle' for cleaning a plough.

Pleura, plōō′ra, n. a delicate serous membrane which covers the lungs and lines the cavity of the chest:—pl. '.—adj. '.—ns. ', a lateral process of a vertebra, with the morphological character of a rib:—pl. '; ' (bot.), the woody tissue of plants; ', inflammation of the pleura, the investing membrane of the lung; ', a plant common in the United States, of which the root has medicinal repute, the infusion being used as a diaphoretic and expectorant.—adjs. ', ', pertaining to, or affected with, pleurisy: causing pleurisy.—ns. ', pleurisy; ', neuralgia of the chest-wall, which may simulate closely the pain of pleurisy; ', inflammation of the pleura and lungs, a contagious disease peculiar to cattle. [Gr., a rib.]

Pleuronectidæ, plōō-ro-nek′ti-dē, n.pl. a family of flat-fishes, the flounders. [Gr. pleura, the side, nēktēs, a swimmer.]

Pleximeter, pleks-im′e-tėr, n. a small plate of something hard and elastic, placed on the body, to receive the tap of the fingers or of the hammer in examination by percussion—also '.—adj. '. [Gr. plēxis, a striking—plēssein, to strike, metron, a measure.]

Plexure, pleks′ūr, n. the act or process of weaving together: that which is woven together.—adj. ', in the form of network: formed into a plexus.—n. ', a number of things, as veins, nerves, &c., woven together: a network: (anat.) an interlacing of nerves, vessels, or fibres. [L. plexus, a twining—plectĕre, plexum, to twine.]

Pliable, plī′a-bl, adj. easily bent or folded: supple: easily persuaded: yielding to influence.—ns. ', ', quality of being pliable or flexible.—adv. ', in a pliable manner.—ns. ', ', the state of being pliant: readiness to be influenced.—adj. ', bending easily: flexible: tractable: easily influenced.—adv. . [Fr. pliable—L. plicāre, to fold.]

Plica, plī′ka, n. in the phrase Plica Polonica, a disease of the scalp, in which the hairs become matted together by an adhesive and often fetid secretion, occurring in several countries, but esp. in Poland. [L. plicāre, to fold.]

Plicate, -d, plī′kāt, -ed, adj. folded like a fan, as a leaf: plaited.—adv. '.—ns. ', , act or process of folding: state of being folded: a fold. [L. plicatus—plicāre, to fold.]

Pliers, plī′ėrz, n.pl. small pincers for bending.

Plight, plīt, n. something exposed to risk: security: pledge: engagement: promise.—v.t. to pledge: to promise solemnly: to give as security.—n. , one who, or that which, plights. [A.S. pliht, risk, danger—plión, to imperil; cog. with Dut. pligt, Ger. pflicht, an obligation.]

Plight, plīt, n. condition: state (either good or bad). [O. Fr. plite—L. plicitus, plicāre, to fold.]

Plight, plīt, v.t. to plait, to braid, to weave.—n. (Spens.) a plait, a fold. [L. plectĕre, freq. of plicäre, to fold.]

Plim, plim, v.i. (prov.) to swell. [Plump.]

Plimsoll's mark. See Load-line, under Load.

Plinth, plinth, n. (archit.) the square at the bottom of the base of a column: the projecting band at the bottom of a wall. [L. plinthus, Gr. plinthos, a brick.]

Pliocene, plī′o-sēn, n. (geol.) the strata more recent than the Miocene or Second Tertiary. [Gr. pleiōn, more, kainos, recent.]

Pliskie, plis′ki, n. (Scot.) condition or plight: a mischievous trick.

Plod, plod, v.i. to travel slowly and steadily: to study or work on steadily: to toil.—v.t. to get along by slow and heavy walking:—pr.p. pa.t. and pa.p. —n. ', one who plods on: a dull, heavy, laborious man.—adj. ', laborious but slow.—n. slow movement: patient study.—adv. . [Orig. 'to wade through pools,' from Ir. plod, a pool.]

Plonge, plonj, n. the descending part of the path of a bomb: the superior slope of a parapet.—Also .

Plonge, plonj, v.t. to cleanse, as open sewers, by stirring with a pole when the tide is ebbing.

Plop, plop, v.i. to plump into water. [Imit.]

Plot, plot, n. a small piece of ground: a plan of a field, &c., drawn on paper: a patch or spot on clothes.—v.t. to make a plan of:—pr.p. pa.t. and pa.p.  [A.S. plot.]

Plot, plot, n. a complicated scheme, esp. for a mischievous purpose: a conspiracy: stratagem: the chain of incidents which are gradually unfolded in the story of a play, &c.—v.i. to scheme: to form a scheme of mischief: to conspire.—v.t. to devise:—pr.p. pa.t. and pa.p. —adj. '.—adj. ', safe from any danger by plots.—ns. ', one who plots: a conspirator; '.—adv. . [Fr. complot, acc. to Diez, from L. complicitum, pa.p. of complicāre, to fold.]

Plot, plot, v.t. (Scot.) to scald, steep in very hot water.—n. , a kind of mulled wine.

Plotter, plot′ėr, v.i. to plouter (q.v.).

Plough, plow, n. an instrument for turning up the soil to prepare it for seed: tillage: a joiner's plane for making grooves.—v.t. to turn up with the plough: to make furrows or ridges in: to tear: to divide: to run through, as in sailing: (university slang) to reject in an examination.—v.i. to work with a plough.—adj. ', capable of being ploughed: arable.—ns. ', a boy who drives or guides horses in ploughing; '; ' (Scots law), a quantity of land of the extent of 100 acres Scots; '; ', the coulter of a plough; ', land suitable for tillage: as much land as could be tilled with one plough, a hide of land; ', a man who ploughs: a husbandman: a rustic:—pl. '; ', the Monday after Twelfth Day when, according to the old usage, the plough should be set to work again after the holidays; ', the end of a plough where the handles are; ', a plough-handle; , one who makes and mends ploughs.—Put one's hand to the plough, to begin an undertaking.—Snow plough, a strong triangular frame of wood for clearing snow off roads, railways, &c., drawn by horses or by a locomotive; Steam plough, a plough driven by a stationary steam-engine; The Plough, the seven bright stars in the constellation of the Great Bear. [Ice. plógr; perh. Celt., Gael. ploc, a block.]

Ploughshare, plow′shār, n. the part of a plough which shears or cuts the ground in the bottom of the furrow. [Plough, and A.S. scear, a share of a plough, a shearing—sceran, to cut.]

Plouter, plow′tėr, v.i. to paddle in water.—n. (Scot.) a paddling or dabbling in water.

Plover, pluv′ėr, n. a well-known wading bird. [Fr. pluvier—L. pluvia, rain.]

Plow, plow. Old spelling of plough.

Ploy, ploi, n. employment: (Scot.) a frolic. [Employ.]

Pluck, pluk, v.t. to pull off or away: to snatch: to strip, as a fowl of its feathers: (slang) to reject an examinee as inefficient.—n. a single act of plucking.—n. .—Pluck off (Shak.), to abate from the rank; Pluck up, to pull out by the roots: to summon up, as courage. [A.S. pluccian; akin to Dut. plukken, Ger. pflücken.]

Pluck, pluk, n. the heart, liver, and lungs of an animal—hence heart, courage, spirit.—adjs. Plucked, ', having pluck or spirit.—adv. '.—n. .

Pluffy, pluf′i, adj. puffy: blown out.—n. Pluff (Scot.), a puff of smoke or dust.—v.t. to throw out such.

Plug, plug, n. a block or peg used to stop a hole: a bung: a stopper: a branch from a water-pipe to supply a hose: a flat cake of tobacco: any worn-out or useless article: (slang) a silk hat.—v.t. to stop with a plug: to drive plugs into:—pr.p. pa.t. and pa.p. plugged.—ns. ', one who, or that which, plugs, esp. a dentist's instrument for filling a hollow tooth; ', the act of stopping with a plug: the material of which a plug is made; , a street ruffian.—Fire plug, a contrivance by means of which a hose can be fixed to a water-main in case of fire. [Dut. plug, a bung, a peg (Sw. plugg, a peg, Ger. pflock); most prob. Celt., as in Ir., Gael., and W. ploc.]

Plum, plum, n. a well-known stone fruit of various colours, of the natural order Rosaceæ: the tree producing it: the best part of all: a sum of £100,000, a handsome fortune.—ns. ', a cake containing raisins, currants, &c.; ', a flour-pudding boiled with raisins.—adj. ', full of plums: desirable.—ns. ', an antiquated dish, of porridge with plums, raisins, &c.; , a national English dish made of flour and suet, with raisins, currants, and various spices. [A.S. plúme—L. prunum—Gr. prounon.]

Plumage, plōōm′āj, n. the whole feathers of a bird. [Fr.,—plume, a feather.]

Plumb, plum, n. a mass of lead or other material, hung on a string, to show the perpendicular position: the perpendicular direction or position.—adj. perpendicular.—adv. perpendicularly.—v.t. to adjust by a plumb-line: to make perpendicular: to sound the depth of, as water by a plumb-line.—n. ', a conoid-shaped metal weight at the end of a plumb-line.—adjs. ', ', consisting of, or resembling, lead: stupid; ', pertaining to, or obtained from, lead; ', producing lead.—n. ', the art of casting and working in lead, &c.—adj. ', incapable of being sounded.—ns. ', a line to which a mass of lead is attached to show the perpendicular: a plummet; , a narrow board with a plumb-line fastened to the top, used to determine a perpendicular. [Fr. plomb—L. plumbum, lead.]

Plumbagineæ, plum-ba-jin′ē-ē, n.pl. a natural order of oxogenous plants found on seashores and salt-marshes.

Plumbago, plum-bā′go, n. a mineral composed of carbon, iron, and other materials, used for pencils, &c., popularly called 'blacklead:' graphite: a genus of plants with blue or violet flowers.—adj. . [L. plumbum, lead.]

Plumber, plum′ėr, n. one who works in lead, esp. one who fits into buildings the tanks, pipes, and fittings for conveying water, gas, and sewage.—ns. ', a metal frame or case for holding the end of a revolving shaft: a pillow-block; ', articles of lead: the business of a plumber: a place for plumbing.

Plume, plōōm, n. a feather: a tuft of feathers: a feather worn as an ornament: a crest: a token of honour: a prize in a contest.—v.t. to dress the feathers of, as a bird: to adorn with plumes: to strip of feathers: to boast (used reflexively).—ns. Plumassier one who prepares or deals in plumes; ', a term sometimes given to the Epimachidæ or long-tailed birds-of-Paradise.—adjs. Plumed, adorned with feathers; '.—n. ', a down-feather, a plumule: anything resembling a small plume.—adj. ', stripped of plumes: (Shak.) humbled.—n. ', a display of plumes.—adjs. ', plumaged; ', having feathered feet.—n. ', a feather-dresser.—adjs. ', ', feathery: plume-like; , covered or adorned with plumes. [O. Fr.,—L. pluma, a small soft feather.]

Plummer, Plummery. See Plumber, Plumbery.

Plummet, plum′et, n. a weight of lead hung at a string, used for ascertaining the direction of the earth's attraction, and for sounding depths: a plumb-line. [O. Fr. plomet, dim. of plom, lead.]

Plump, plump, adv. falling straight downward (like lead): heavily: suddenly.—adj. downright: unqualified.—v.i. to fall or sink suddenly: to give all one's votes to one candidate where there are more than one to be elected.—v.t. to cause to fall suddenly.—n. (Scot.) a sudden downfall of rain.—n. ', a vote given to one candidate only when more than one are to be elected: one who so votes: (slang) a downright lie.—adv. ', fully, without reserve. [Plumb.]

Plump, plump, adj. fat and rounded: sleek: in good condition.—v.i. to grow fat or plump: to swell.—v.t. to make plump: to fatten.—ns. ', a ball kept in the mouth to give the cheeks a rounded appearance; '.—adj.  (Shak.), plump, fat. [Teut.; Dut. plomp, lumpish, Ger. plump.]

Plump, plump, n. a cluster: a clump (of persons or things).

Plumularia, plōō-mū-lā′ri-a, n. a genus of hydrozoa, belonging to the division hydroidea.—adj. . [L. plumula, a little feather.]

Plumule, plōō′mūl, n. (bot.) the first bud of a plant growing from seed, springing from between the cotyledons or seed leaves: a soft feather: a feathery scale on a butterfly's wing.—Also . [L. plumula, dim. of pluma, a feather.]

Plunder, plun′dėr, v.t. to seize the goods of another by force: to pillage.—n. that which is seized by force: booty: (U.S.) household goods.—ns. ', the stealing of goods on board ship; '.—adj. . [Ger. plündern, to pillage—plunder, trash, baggage; akin to Low Ger. plunnen, rags.]

Plunge, plunj, v.t. to cast suddenly into water or other fluid: to force suddenly (into): to immerse.—v.i. to sink suddenly into any fluid: to dive: to pitch suddenly forward and throw up the hind-legs, as a horse: to rush into any danger: (slang) to gamble recklessly.—n. act of plunging: act of rushing headlong, as a horse.—n. ', one who plunges: a diver: a long solid cylinder used as a forcer in pumps: (mil.) a cavalry-man: one who bets heavily.—adj. ', rushing headlong: aimed from higher ground, as fire upon an enemy.—n. the putting or sinking under water, or other fluid: the act of a horse trying to throw its rider.—Plunge bath, a bath large enough to allow the whole body under water. [O. Fr. plonger—L. plumbum, lead.]

Pluperfect, plōō′pėr-fekt, adj. (gram.) noting that an action happened before some other past action referred to. [A corr. of L. plus-quam-perfectum, (lit.) more than or before perfect.]

Plural, plōō′ral, adj. containing or expressing more than one.—n. (gram.) the form denoting more than one.—n. '.—v.t. ', to make plural.—v.i. to hold two or more benefices simultaneously.—ns. ', the state of being plural: the holding by one person of more than one office at once, esp. applied to ecclesiastical livings; ', one who holds more than one office at one time; ', the state of being plural: a number consisting of more than one: the majority: the holding of more than one benefice at one time: the living held by a pluralist.—adv. '. [Fr.,—L. pluralis—plus, pluris, more.]

Pluriliteral, plōō-ri-lit′ėr-al, adj. containing more letters than three.

Plurilocular, plōō-ri-lok′ū-lar, adj. multilocular.

Pluriparous, plōō-rip′a-rus, adj. having several young at a birth.—n. , one who has borne two or more children.

Pluripresence, plōō-ri-prez′ens, n. presence in more places than one. [L. plus, more, præsentia, presence.]

Plurisy, plōōr′i-si, n. (Shak.) superabundance. [L. plus, pluris, more.]

Plus, plus, adj. more: to be added: positive.—n. the sign (+) prefixed to positive quantities, and set between quantities or numbers to be added together: the sign of addition—opp. to Minus. [L. plus, more.]

Plush, plush, n. a variety of cloth woven like velvet, but differing from it in having a longer and more open pile.—adj. , of or resembling plush. [Fr. peluche, through Low L., from L. pilus, hair. See Pile, a hairy surface.]

Plutocracy, plōō-tok′ra-si, n. government by the wealthy.—n. '.—adj. '.—ns. '; ', the science of wealth: political economy. [Gr. ploutokratia—ploutos, wealth, kratia—kratein, to rule.]

Plutonian, plōō-tō′ni-an, adj. infernal: dark: (geol.) formed by the agency of heat at a depth below the surface of the earth, as granite—also '.—ns. '; .—Plutonic action, the action of volcanic fires under the surface; Plutonic rocks, rocks formed under the surface by the action of fire, as granite, porphyry, &c.; Plutonic theory, the theory that the present state of the earth's crust is the result of the action of fire—opp. to Neptunian theory. [L.,—Gr. Ploutōnios—Ploutōn, Pluto, the god of the nether world.]

Pluvial, plōō′vi-al, adj. pertaining to rain: rainy.—ns. ', a self-recording rain-gauge; ', an instrument for measuring the amount of rain that falls.—adjs. ', '; , rainy. [Fr.,—pluvialis—pluvia, rain.]

Ply, plī, v.t. to work at steadily: to use diligently: to urge: to address with importunity.—v.i. to work steadily: to go in haste: to make regular passages, as a boat, between two ports: (naut.) to make way against the wind:—pa.t. and pa.p. plied.—n. a fold: bent: direction.—n. . [O. Fr. plier, to fold—L. plicāre, to bend.]

Plyers. Same as Pliers.

Plymouth Brethren, plim′uth breth′ren, n.pl. a rigid religious sect, originating at Plymouth about 1830, out of a reaction against High Church principles and against a dead formalism associated with unevangelical doctrine.—n. .

Pneuma, nū′ma, n. breath: spirit, soul. [Gr.]

Pneumatic, -al, nū-mat′ik, -al, adj. relating to air: consisting of air: moved by air or wind.—n. (coll.) a bicycle fitted with pneumatic tires.—adv. '.—n.sing. ', the science which treats of air and other elastic fluids or gases.—adj. '.—ns. ', one versed in pneumatology; ', the science of elastic fluids: pneumatics: the branch of philosophy which treats of spirits or mind: (theol.) the doctrine of the Holy Spirit; ', ', an instrument for measuring the quantity of air inhaled into the lungs at a single inspiration.—adj. ', pertaining to the lungs and the stomach.—n. ', inflammation of the tissues of the lungs—also '.—adj. , pertaining to the lungs.—n. a medicine for lung diseases.—Pneumatic despatch, a method of sending letters, telegrams, and small parcels through tubes by means of compressed air; Pneumatic railway, a railway along which the carriages are driven by compressed air; Pneumatic trough, a trough of wood or iron, filled with water and used for collecting gases for experiment or examination; Pneumatic tire, a flexible air-inflated tube used as a tire on cycles, &c. [L.,—Gr. pneumatikos—pneum-a, -atos, wind, air—pnein, to blow, to breathe.]

Pnyx, niks, n. in ancient Athens, the public place of meeting for deliberation on political affairs: the assembly. [Gr.,—pyknos, crowded.]

Poaceæ, pō-ā′sē-ē, n.pl. a division of the order Gramineæ, the grasses.—n. , a genus of grasses. [Gr. poa, grass.]

Poach, pōch, v.t. to dress eggs by breaking them into boiling water. [Perh. Fr. pocher, to put in a pocket—poche, pouch.]

Poach, pōch, v.i. to intrude on another's preserves in order to steal game.—v.t. to steal game.—ns. ', one who poaches or steals game: the widgeon, from its habit of stealing the prey of other ducks; '. [O. Fr. pocher, orig. to pocket—poche, pouch.]

Poach, pōch, v.t. to stab: poke: to tread on, and make slushy.—n. '.—adj. ', wet and soft. [O. Fr. pocher, to poke.]

Pochard, pō′chard, n. a genus of diving ducks which are marine during the greater part of the year. [Poacher, the widgeon.]

Pock, pok, n. a small elevation of the skin containing matter, as in smallpox.—adjs. Pocked, ', infected with, or marked by, smallpox.—ns. ', ', the mark, pit, or scar left by a pock.—adj. '. [A.S. poc, a pustule; Ger. pocke, Dut. pok. The correct pl. form was pocks, erroneously pox, and treated as singular.]

Pocket, pok′et, n. a little pouch or bag, esp. one attached to a dress or to a billiard table: any cavity in which anything can lie: in mining, an irregular cavity filled with veinstone and ore: money, as being carried in the pocket: a bag of wool, &c., containing about 168 lb.—v.t. to put in the pocket: to take stealthily: to conceal:—pr.p. pa.t. and pa.p. —ns. ', a note-book: a book for holding papers or money carried in the pocket: a book for frequent perusal, to be carried in the pocket; ' (see Borough); ', a pocket-handkerchief; ', as much as a pocket will hold; ', a small looking-glass for the pocket; ', a handkerchief carried in the pocket; ', the opening into a pocket; ', a knife with one or more blades folding into the handle for carrying in the pocket; ', money carried for occasional expenses; ', act or practice of picking the pocket; , a pistol carried in the pocket: a small travelling flask for liquor.—Pocket an insult, affront, &c., to submit to or put up with it; Pocket edition, a small portable edition of a standard book.—In pocket, in possession of money; Out of pocket, to lose money by a transaction; Pick a person's pocket, to steal from his pocket. [Fr. pochette, dim. of poche, pouch.]

Pockmanty, pok-man′ti, n. (Scot.) portmanteau.

Pococurante, pō-kō-kōō-ran′te, n. a careless or inattentive person.—ns. ', carelessness: inaccuracy; '. [It. poco, little, curare, to care.]

Poculiform, pok′ū-li-form, adj. cup-shaped. [L. poculum, cup.]

Pod, pod, n. the covering of the seed of plants, as the pea or bean: a shoal of fishes.—v.i. to fill, as a pod: to produce pods:—pr.p. pa.t. and pa.p.  [Allied to pad, anything stuffed.]

Podagra, pō-dag′ra, n. gout in the feet.—adjs. ', ', ', ', gouty.—n. , pain, esp. neuralgia, in the foot. [Gr. pous, podos, the foot, agra, a catching.]

Podargus, pō-dar′gus, n. a genus of arboreal and nocturnal birds allied to the true Goatsuckers. [Gr. pous, the foot, argos, swift.]

Podesta, pō-des′tä, n. a chief magistrate in the medieval Italian republics: an inferior municipal judge. [It.,—L. potestas, power.]

Podgy, poj′i, adj. short and fat: thick.

Podium, pō′di-um, n. a continuous pedestal, a stylobate: (anat.) a foot: (bot.) a support, as a foot-stalk.—'adj.' '.—ns. ', spasm of the muscles of the foot; ', a limb of a crustacean when ambulatory.—'adj.' '.

Podocarpus, pod-ō-kär′pus, n. a genus of tropical coniferous trees. [Gr. pous, podos, foot, karpos, fruit.]

Podophthalma, pod-of-thal′ma, n.pl. a name often applied to a section of Crustacea. [Gr. pous, foot, ophthalmos, the eye.]

Podophyllum, pod-ō-fil′um, n. a genus of plants of the barberry family, the fruit edible, other parts actively cathartic.—n. ', the resin obtained by means of rectified spirit from its root.—'adj.' ', having compressed leaf-like locomotive organs. [Gr. pous, podos, foot, phyllon, leaf.]

Podura, pō-dū′ra, n. a genus of apterous insects—spring-tails, snow-fleas. [Gr. pous, foot, oura, tail.]

Poe, pō′e, n. the parson-bird of New Zealand.

Poem, pō′em, n. a composition in verse: a composition of high beauty of thought or language, although not in verse.—'adj.' , relating to a poem. [Fr. poème—L. poema—Gr. poiēma, poiein, to make.]

Pœnology. See Penology.

Poephagous, pō-ef′a-gus, adj. eating grass.

Poesy, pō′e-si, n. the art of composing poems: poetry: a poem: poetical compositions. [Fr. poésie—L. poesis—Gr. poiēsis—poiein, to make.]

Poet, pō′et, n. the author of a poem: one skilled in making poetry: one with a strong imagination:—fem. '.—ns. ', a petty poet: a writer of contemptible verses; '.—adjs. ', ', pertaining or suitable to a poet or to poetry: expressed in poetry: marked by poetic language: imaginative.—adv. ', in a poetic manner.—n.sing. ', the branch of criticism which relates to poetry.—n. ', a petty poet.—v.i. ', to write as a poet: to make verses.—ns. ' (see Laureate); ' (Spens.), a poetess; ', the art of expressing in melodious words the thoughts which are the creations of feeling and imagination: utterance in song: metrical composition.—Poetic justice, ideal administration of reward and punishment; Poetic license, a departing from strict fact or rule by a poet for the sake of effect. [Fr. poète—L. poeta—Gr. poiētēs—poiein, to make.]

Pogge, pog, n. the armed bullhead.

Poh, pō, interj. exclamation of contempt.

Poignant, poin′ant, adj. stinging, pricking: sharp: penetrating: acutely painful: satirical: pungent.—n. ', state of being poignant.—adv. '. [O. Fr. poignant, poindre—L. pungĕre, to sting.]

Poind, poind, v.t. (Scot.) to seize.—n.  (Scots law), the seizing and selling of a debtor's goods under process of law, or under the warrant of a heritable security. [Pound.]

Point, point, n. anything coming to a sharp end: the mark made by a sharp instrument: (geom.) that which has position but not length, breadth, or thickness: a mark showing the divisions of a sentence: (mus.) a dot at the right hand of a note to lengthen it by one-half: needle-point lace: a very small space: a moment of time: a small affair: a single thing: a single assertion: the precise thing to be considered: anything intended: exact place: degree: the unit of count in a game: (print.) a unit of measurement for type-bodies: an advantage: that which stings, as the point of an epigram: an imaginary relish, in 'potatoes and point:' a lively turn of thought: that which awakens attention: a peculiarity, characteristic: (cricket) the fielder standing at the immediate right of the batsman, and slightly in advance: a signal given by a trumpet: (pl.) chief or excellent features, as of a horse, &c.: the switch or movable rails which allow a train to pass from one line to another.—v.t. to give a point to: to sharpen: to aim: to direct one's attention: to punctuate, as a sentence: to fill the joints of with mortar, as a wall.—v.i. to direct the finger, the eye, or the mind towards an object: to show game by looking, as a dog.—adj. ', having a sharp point: sharp: intended for some particular person: personal: keen: telling: (archit.) having sharply-pointed arches, Gothic.—adv. '.—ns. '; ', that which points: a dog trained to point out game; ', the act of sharpening: the marking of divisions in writing by points or marks: act of filling the crevices of a wall with mortar; ', a thing to be pointed at, a laughing-stock; ', a fine kind of lace wrought with the needle.—adj. ', having no point: blunt: dull: wanting keenness or smartness; ', a man who has charge of the points or switches on a railway; ', a standard system of sizes for type-bodies, one point being .0138 inch.—Point for point, exactly: all particulars; Point of order, a question raised in a deliberative society as to whether proceedings are according to the rules; Point of view, the position from which one looks at anything; Point out (B.), to assign; Points of the compass, the points north, south, east, and west, along with the twenty-eight smaller divisions, marked on the card of the mariner's compass.—At all points, completely; At, or On, the point of, just about to; Cardinal point (see Cardinal); Carry one's point, to gain what one contends for in controversy; From point to point, from one particular to another; Give points to, to give odds to: to give an advantageous hint on any subject; In point, apposite; In point of, with regard to; Make a point of, to attach special importance to; Stand upon points, to be over-scrupulous; Strain a point, to go beyond proper limits; To the point, appropriate. [O. Fr.,—L. punctum—pungĕre, to prick.]

Point-blank, point′-blangk′, adj. aimed directly at the mark: direct.—adv. directly.—Point-blank shot, a shot fired in a horizontal line towards an object. [Fr. point-blanc, white point.]

Point-device, Point-devise, point′-de-vīs′, n. (orig.) a lace worked with devices: anything uncommonly nice and exact.—adj. (arch.) scrupulously neat. [Fr. point, lace, devisé, with a device.]

Pointel, poin′tel, n. a sharp instrument: any sharp-pointed thing. [O. Fr.,—Low L. punctillum, a little point.]

Poise, poiz, v.t. to balance: to make of equal weight: to examine.—v.i. to hang in suspense.—n. weight: state of balance: equilibrium: a weight which balances another: a regulating power: the weight used in steelyards.—n. , one who, or that which, poises. [O. Fr. poiser (Fr. peser)—L. pensāre, inten. of pendĕre, to hang.]

Poison, poi′zn, n. any substance which, introduced into the living organism, tends to destroy its life or impair its health: anything malignant or infectious: that which taints or destroys moral purity.—v.t. to infect or to kill with poison: to taint: to mar: to embitter: to corrupt.—adj. '.—ns. '; ', one of two large tubular teeth in the upper jaw of venomous serpents, through which poison passes from glands at their roots when the animal bites; ', a gland which secretes poison; ', a shrub-vine of North America, causing a cutaneous eruption; ', the nux vomica.—adj. ', having the quality of poison: destructive: impairing soundness or purity.—adv. '.—n. . [Fr.,—L. potio, a draught—potāre, to drink.]