Page:The Readable Dictionary.djvu/42

6 exceed 200 miles, and may vary from that diameter down to nothing.

The Penumbra is the portion of the earth's surface that is partially shaded in the case of a total eclipse of the sun. (L. pene, almost.)

Egyptian darkness is a figurative expression, denoting the utter absence of moral illumination among a people. The allusion is to the darkness which, in the time of Moses, covered the land of Egypt for the space of three days.

Cimmerian darkness is such as was represented by the ancients as perpetually involving the region of Cimmeria, (now Crimea.)

The are those into which white light is decomposed by means of the prism.

A is some specific color.

A is a degree of any color.

A, or is a slight degree of some color.

A is a slight superadded coloring distinct from the GROUND, or principal color.

is the combination of all the prismatic colors.

, white; as, hoar frost.

Hoary, white; as, hoary hairs.

, to be white. (L.) Hence

Candent, white with heat.

Candy, primarily and properly, refined sugar, from its whiteness.

Candor, a disposition to treat subjects with fairness, this disposition from its peculiar excellence, having been called by a name which signifies pure whiteness.

Candidate, an applicant for office, so called, because in Ancient Rome aspirants for public offices were arrayed in white garments.

Incandescence, a glowing whiteness caused by intense heat.

, white. (Fr.) Hence,