Historical source · 1908

Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 106

Thomas Davidson (editor). Read this edition’s full extracted entries and its original proposals. Publication here preserves a source; it does not endorse every claim.

35,730 entries179 browse pagesPublic-domain-USOriginal source ↗

Read the edition and extraction limits

Historical scholarship from 1908; not current consensus or editorial verification.
Historical text may contain offensive, obsolete or inaccurate language and classifications.
Public-domain determination applies to the United States; other jurisdictions require separate confirmation.
Chambers consulted earlier dictionaries including Skeat and the New English Dictionary; overlapping claims are not independent scholarly votes.

Coverage: the complete A–Z main-entry clusters and dictionary Addenda. Derivative words remain within their original entry clusters. Non-dictionary appendices and standalone illustrations are excluded.

United States Publisher marks these historical texts public domain in the USA. Transformed book text excludes Gutenberg branding; source attribution is a bibliographic acknowledgment. No non-US public-domain determination is made. Rights statement ↗

Browse the original entries

Page 106 of 179

Pedobaptism

Pedobaptism, pē-dō-bap′tizm, n. infant baptism.—n. Pedobap′tist, one who believes in infant baptism. [Gr. pais, paidos, a child, baptism.]

English · e-38699-2412

Pedometer

Pedometer, pē-dom′et-ėr, n. an instrument, somewhat like a watch, by which the number of the steps of a pedestrian are registered, from which the distance he has walked is measured.—adj. Pedomet′ric. [L. pes, pedis, a fo

English · e-38699-2413

Pedomotor

Pedomotor, ped-ō-mō′tor, n. a means for applying the foot as a driving power.—adj. Pedomō′tive.

English · e-38699-2414 · brief source record

Pedotrophy

Pedotrophy, pē-dot′rō-fi, n. the rearing of children.—adj. Pedotroph′ic.—n. Pedot′rophist. [Gr. pais, paidos, a child, trephein, to nourish.]

English · e-38699-2415

Pedum

Pedum, pē′dum, n. a shepherd's crook. [L.]

English · e-38699-2416 · brief source record

Peduncle

Peduncle, pē-dung′kl, n. the stalk by which a cluster of flowers or leaves is joined to a twig or branch—sometimes same as pedicel—also Pedun′culus.—adjs. Pedun′cular, Pedun′culate, -d. [Fr. pedoncule—Low L. pedunculus—L

English · e-38699-2417

Peece

Peece, pēs, n. (Shak.) a fabric, a fortified place.

English · e-38699-2418 · brief source record

Peeced

Peeced, pēsd, adj. (Spens.) imperfect.

English · e-38699-2419 · brief source record

Peek

Peek, pēk, v.i. to peep.—n. Peek′aboo, a children's game, from the cry made when hiding one's eyes.

English · e-38699-2420 · brief source record

Peel

Peel, pēl, v.t. to strip off the skin or bark: to bare.—v.i. to come off as the skin: to lose the skin: (slang) to undress.—n. the skin, rind, or bark: (print.) a wooden pole with short cross-piece for carrying printed s

English · e-38699-2421

Peel

Peel, pēl, n. a small Border fortress.—Also Peel′-tow′er. [Pile.]

English · e-38699-2422 · brief source record

Peel

Peel, pēl, n. a baker's wooden shovel: a fire-shovel. [O. Fr. pele—L. pāla, a spade.]

English · e-38699-2423 · brief source record

Peel

Peel, pēl, v.t. to plunder: to pillage. [Pill (v.).]

English · e-38699-2424 · brief source record

Peeler

Peeler, pēl′ėr, n. a policeman, from Sir R. Peel, who established the Irish police (1812-18) and improved those in Britain (1828-30).—n. Peel′ite, a follower of Peel in the reform of the Corn-laws in 1846.

English · e-38699-2425

Peen

Peen, pēn, n. the end of a hammer-head, usually shaped for indenting.—v.t. to strike with such. [Ger. pinne.]

English · e-38699-2426 · brief source record

Peenge

Peenge, pēnj, v.i. (Scot.) to complain childishly.

English · e-38699-2427 · brief source record

Peep

Peep, pēp, v.i. to chirp, or cry as a chicken.—n. the cry of a young chicken. [Fr. piper—L. pipāre.]

English · e-38699-2428 · brief source record

Peep

Peep, pēp, v.i. to look through a narrow opening: to look out from concealment: to look slyly or cautiously: to begin to appear.—n. a sly look: a beginning to appear, a glimpse: a narrow view, a slit.—ns. Peep′er, one th

English · e-38699-2429

Peer

Peer, pēr, n. an equal in rank, ability, character, &c.: an associate: a nobleman: a member of the House of Lords:—fem. Peer′ess.—n. Peer′age, the rank or dignity of a peer: the body of peers: a book containing a descrip

English · e-38699-2430

Peer

Peer, pēr, v.i. to look narrowly or closely: to peep: to appear:—pa.t. and pa.p. peered.—adj. Peer′y, prying, sly. [M. E. piren—Low Ger. piren, orig. pliren, to draw the eyelids together.]

English · e-38699-2431

Peerie

Peerie, Peery, pēr′i, n. a top spun with a string.

English · e-38699-2432 · brief source record

Peevers

Peevers, pēv′ers, n. (Scot.) the game of hop-scotch.

English · e-38699-2433 · brief source record

Peevish

Peevish, pēv′ish, adj. habitually fretful: easily annoyed: hard to please: showing ill-nature: childish.—adv. Peev′ishly.—n. Peev′ishness. [Prob. imit. of the puling of fretful infants.]

English · e-38699-2434

Peewit

Peewit. Same as Pewit.

English · e-38699-2435 · brief source record

Peg

Peg, peg, n. a wooden pin for fastening boards, or the soles of shoes: one of the pins on which the strings of a musical instrument are stretched: a reason or excuse for action: a drink of soda-water with brandy, &c.: a

English · e-38699-2436

Pegasus

Pegasus, peg′a-sus, n. a winged horse which arose from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa, when she was slain by Perseus: a genus of small fishes with large, wing-like, pectoral fins: one of the constellations in the norther

English · e-38699-2437

Peggy

Peggy, peg′i, n. one of several small warblers, the whitethroat, &c. [Peggy, from Peg=Meg—Margaret.]

English · e-38699-2438 · brief source record

Pegmatite

Pegmatite, peg′ma-tīt, n. coarsely crystallised granite.—adj. Pegmatit′ic.

English · e-38699-2439 · brief source record

Pehlevi

Pehlevi, pā′le-vē, n. an ancient West Iranian idiom during the period of the Sassanides, largely mixed with Semitic words, and poorer in inflections and terminations than Zend (235-640 A.D.): the characters used in writi

English · e-38699-2440

Peignoir

Peignoir, pēn-wär′, n. a loose wrapper worn by women during their toilet. [Fr.]

English · e-38699-2441 · brief source record

Peinct

Peinct, pāngkt, v.t. (Spens.) to paint.

English · e-38699-2442 · brief source record

Peine

Peine, pān, n. a form of punishment by pressing to death—usually Peine forte et dure. [Fr.]

English · e-38699-2443 · brief source record

Peirastic

Peirastic, pī-ras′tik, adj. tentative.—n. Peiram′eter, an instrument for measuring the resistances of road-surface to traction. [Gr. peira, a trial.]

English · e-38699-2444

Peise

Peise, pāz, v.t. (Spens., Shak.) to poise, to weigh.—n. a weight. [Poise.]

English · e-38699-2445 · brief source record

Pejoration

Pejoration, pē-jō-rā′shun, n. a becoming worse: deterioration.—v.i. Pē′jorāte.—adj. and n. Pē′jorātive.—n. Pējor′ity. [L. pejor, worse, comp. of malus, bad.]

English · e-38699-2446

Pekan

Pekan, pek′an, n. an American species of Marten—called also Wood-shock, Fisher, and Black-fox.

English · e-38699-2447 · brief source record

Pekoe

Pekoe, pē′kō, n. a scented black tea. [Chinese.]

English · e-38699-2448 · brief source record

Pelage

Pelage, pel′āj, n. the hair or wool of a mammal. [Fr.]

English · e-38699-2449 · brief source record

Pelagian

Pelagian, pē-lā′ji-an, n. one who holds the views of Pelagius, a British monk of the 4th century, who denied original sin.—adj. pertaining to Pelagius.—n. Pelā′gianism, the doctrines of Pelagius.

English · e-38699-2450

Pelagic

Pelagic, pē-laj′ik, adj. inhabiting the deep sea, marine, oceanic. [Gr. pelagos, the sea.]

English · e-38699-2451 · brief source record

Pelargonium

Pelargonium, pel-ar-gō′ni-um, n. a vast genus of beautiful flowering plants of order Geraniaceæ.—adj. Pēlar′gic, stork-like. [Gr. pelargos, stork, the beaked capsules resembling a stork's beak.]

English · e-38699-2452

Pelasgic

Pelasgic, pē-las′jik, adj. pertaining to the Pelasgians or Pelasgi, a race spread over Greece in prehistoric times, to whom are ascribed many enormous remains built of unhewn stones, without cement—the so-called Pelasgic

English · e-38699-2453

Pêle-mêle

Pêle-mêle. See Pell-mell, adv.

English · e-38699-2454 · brief source record

Pelerine

Pelerine, pel′ėr-in, n. a woman's tippet or cape with long ends coming down in front. [Fr., a tippet—pèlerin, a pilgrim—L. peregrinus, foreign.]

English · e-38699-2455

Pelf

Pelf, pelf, n. riches (in a bad sense): money. [O. Fr. pelfre, booty; allied to pilfer.]

English · e-38699-2456 · brief source record

Pelican

Pelican, pel′i-kan, n. a large water-fowl, having an enormous distensible gular pouch: an alembic with tubulated head from which two opposite and crooked beaks extend and enter again the body of the vessel—used for conti

English · e-38699-2457

Pelike

Pelike, pel′i-kē, n. a large vase like the hydria, double-handled. [Gr.]

English · e-38699-2458 · brief source record

Pelisse

Pelisse, pe-lēs′, n. a cloak of silk or other cloth, with sleeves, worn by ladies: a garment lined with fur, a dragoon's jacket with shaggy lining. [Fr.,—Low L. pellicea (vestis)—L. pellis, a skin.]

English · e-38699-2459

Pell

Pell, pel, n. a skin or hide: a roll of parchment. [O. Fr. pel (Fr. peau)—L. pellis, a skin or hide.]

English · e-38699-2460 · brief source record

Pell-mell

Pell-mell, pel-mel′, adv. in great confusion: promiscuously: in a disorderly manner—also written Pêle-mêle.—n. Pell-mell′ (same as Pall-mall). [O. Fr. pesle-mesle (Fr. pêle-mêle), -mesle being from O. Fr. mesler (Fr. mêl

English · e-38699-2465

Pellagra

Pellagra, pe-lā′gra, n. a loathsome skin disease supposed to be common in the rice-producing part of the north of Italy.—n. Pellā′grin, one afflicted with pellagra.—adj. Pellā′grous, like or afflicted with pellagra. [Gr.

English · e-38699-2461

Pellet

Pellet, pel′et, n. a little ball, as of lint or wax: a small rounded boss: a small pill: a ball of shot.—adj. Pell′eted, consisting of pellets: pelted, as with bullets. [O. Fr. pelote—L. pila, a ball.]

English · e-38699-2462

Pellicle

Pellicle, pel′i-kl, n. a thin skin or film: the film or scum which gathers on liquors.—adj. Pellic′ular.

English · e-38699-2463 · brief source record

Pellitory

Pellitory, pel′i-tor-i, n. a genus of plants found most commonly on old walls and heaps of rubbish: the feverfew.—n. Pell′itory-of-Spain, a plant which grows in Algeria, the root of which causes in the hands first a sens

English · e-38699-2464

Pellucid

Pellucid, pe-lū′sid, adj. perfectly clear: letting light through: transparent.—ns. Pellūcid′ity, Pellū′cidness.—adv. Pellū′cidly. [Fr.,—L. pellucidus—per, perfectly, lucidus, clear—lucēre, to shine.]

English · e-38699-2466

Pelma

Pelma, pel′ma, n. the sole of the foot.—n. Pelmat′ogram, the impression of the foot. [Gr.]

English · e-38699-2467 · brief source record

Pelopid

Pelopid, pel′ō-pid, adj. pertaining to Pelops.—n. one of his descendants.

English · e-38699-2468 · brief source record

Peloponnesian

Peloponnesian, pel-ō-po-nē′zi-an, adj. of or pertaining to the Peloponnesus or southern part of Greece.—n. an inhabitant or a native of the Peloponnesus.—Peloponnesian war, a war between Athens and Sparta (431-404 B.C.).

English · e-38699-2469

Peloria

Peloria, pē-lō′ri-a, n. the appearance of regularity in flowers normally irregular—also Pel′orism.—adjs. Pēlor′iate, Pēlor′ic. [Gr. pelōr, a monster.]

English · e-38699-2470

Pelt

Pelt, pelt, n. a raw hide: the quarry or prey of a hawk all torn.—ns. Pelt′monger, a dealer in skins; Pelt′ry, the skins of animals with the fur on them: furs. [M. E. pelt, peltry—O. Fr. pelleterie—pelletier, a skinner—L

English · e-38699-2471

Pelt

Pelt, pelt, v.t. to strike with something thrown: to cast.—v.i. to fall heavily, as rain.—n. a blow from something thrown.—ns. Pel′ter, a shower of missiles, a sharp storm of rain, &c.: a storm of anger; Pel′ting, an ass

English · e-38699-2472

Pelta

Pelta, pel′ta, n. a light buckler.—n. Pel′tast, a soldier armed with this.—adjs. Pel′tāte, -d, shield-shaped; Peltat′ifid, Pel′tiform. [L.,—Gr. peltē.]

English · e-38699-2473

Pelting

Pelting, pel′ting, adj. (Shak.) paltry, contemptible.—adv. Pelt′ingly. [Paltry.]

English · e-38699-2474 · brief source record

Pelvis

Pelvis, pel′vis, n. the bony cavity at the lower end of the trunk, forming the lower part of the abdomen.—adjs. Pel′vic, of or pertaining to the pelvis; Pel′viform, openly cup-shaped.—ns. Pelvim′eter, an instrument for m

English · e-38699-2475

Pemmican

Pemmican, Pemican, pem′i-kan, n. a North American Indian preparation, consisting of lean venison, dried, pounded, and pressed into cakes, now made of beef and used in Arctic expeditions, &c.

English · e-38699-2476

Pemphigus

Pemphigus, pem′fi-gus, n. an affection of the skin with pustules.—adj. Pem′phigoid. [Gr.]

English · e-38699-2477 · brief source record

Pen

Pen, pen, v.t. to shut up: to confine in a small enclosure:—pr.p. pen′ning; pa.t. and pa.p. penned or pent.—n. a small enclosure: a fold for animals: a coop. [A.S. pennan, to shut up, in comp. on pennan, to unpen. Prop.

English · e-38699-2478

Pen

Pen, pen, n. one of the large feathers of the wing of a bird: an instrument used for writing, formerly made of the feather of a bird, but now of steel, &c.: style of writing: a female swan—opp. to Cob.—v.t. to write, to

English · e-38699-2479

Pen-fish

Pen-fish, pen′-fish, n. a sparoid fish of genus Calamus.

English · e-38699-2497 · brief source record

Pen-gun

Pen-gun, pen′-gun, n. a pop-gun.

English · e-38699-2500 · brief source record

Pen-name

Pen-name, pen′-nām, n. a name, other than his real one, by which an author is known to the public: a nom de plume.

English · e-38699-2510 · brief source record

Penal

Penal, pē′nal, adj. pertaining to, incurring, or constituting punishment: used for punishment.—v.t. Pē′nalise, to lay under penalty.—adv. Pē′nally.—Penal laws, laws prohibiting certain actions under penalties; Penal serv

English · e-38699-2480

Penalty

Penalty, pen′al-ti, n. punishment: suffering in person or property for wrong-doing or for breach of a law: a fine or loss which a person agrees to pay or bear in case of his non-fulfilment of some undertaking: a fine.—Un

English · e-38699-2481

Penance

Penance, pen′ans, n. repentance: external acts performed to manifest sorrow for sin, to seek to atone for the sin and to avert the punishment which, even after the guilt has been remitted, may still remain due to the off

English · e-38699-2482

Penang-lawyer

Penang-lawyer, pe-nang′-law′yėr, n. a walking-stick made from the stem of a Penang palm. [Prob. a corr. of Penang liyar, the wild areca.]

English · e-38699-2483

Penannular

Penannular, pē-nan′ū-lar, adj. shaped almost like a ring. [L. pæna, almost, annularis, annular.]

English · e-38699-2484 · brief source record

Penates

Penates, pē-nā′tēs, n.pl. the household gods of ancient Rome who presided over and were worshipped by each family. [L., from root pen- in L. penitus, within, penetralia, the inner part of anything.]

English · e-38699-2485

Pence

Pence, pens, n. plural of penny (q.v.).

English · e-38699-2486 · brief source record

Penchant

Penchant, päng′shäng, n. inclination: decided taste: bias. [Fr., pr.p. of pencher, to incline, through a form pendicāre, from L. pendēre, to hang.]

English · e-38699-2487

Pencil

Pencil, pen′sil, n. a small hair brush for laying on colours: any pointed instrument for writing or drawing without ink: a collection of rays of light converging to a point: the art of painting or drawing.—v.t. to write,

English · e-38699-2488

Pend

Pend, pend, n. (obs.) an enclosure: (Scot.) a narrow close leading off a main street.

English · e-38699-2489 · brief source record

Pend

Pend, pend, v.i. to hang, as in a balance, to impend.—adj. Pend′ing, hanging: remaining undecided: not terminated.—prep. during.

English · e-38699-2490

Pendant

Pendant, pen′dant, n. anything hanging, esp. for ornament: an earring: a lamp hanging from the roof: an ornament of wood or of stone hanging downwards from a roof: a long narrow flag, at the head of the principal mast in

English · e-38699-2491

Pendragon

Pendragon, pen-drag′on, n. a chief leader: an ancient British chief.—n. Pendrag′onship. [W. pen, head, dragon, a chief.]

English · e-38699-2492

Pendulum

Pendulum, pen′dū-lum, n. any weight so hung from a fixed point as to swing freely: the swinging weight which regulates the movement of a clock: a lamp, &c., pendent from a ceiling: a guard-ring of a watch by which it is

English · e-38699-2493

Peneian

Peneian, pē-nē′yan, adj. relating to the river Peneus in the famous Vale of Tempe in Thessaly.

English · e-38699-2494 · brief source record

Penelopise

Penelopise, pē-nel′o-pīz, v.i. to act like Penelope, the wife of Ulysses, who undid at night the work she did by day, to gain time from her suitors.

English · e-38699-2495

Penetrate

Penetrate, pen′ē-trāt, v.t. to thrust into the inside: to pierce into: to affect the mind or feelings: to enter and to fill: to understand: to find out.—v.i. to make way: to pass inwards.—ns. Penetrabil′ity, Pen′etrablen

English · e-38699-2496

Penfold

Penfold. Same as Pinfold.

English · e-38699-2498 · brief source record

Penguin

Penguin, pen′gwin, n. an aquatic bird in the southern hemisphere, unable to fly, but very expert in diving—also Pin′guin.—n. Pen′guinery, a breeding-place of penguins. [Ety. dub.; a corr. of pen-wing, or from W. pen, hea

English · e-38699-2499

Penicil

Penicil, pen′i-sil, n. a brush of hairs: a pledget for wounds, &c.—adjs. Pen′icillate, Penicil′liform.—n. Penicil′lium, one of the blue-moulds.

English · e-38699-2501

Peninsula

Peninsula, pē-nin′sū-la, n. land so surrounded by water as to be almost an island.—adj. Penin′sular, pertaining to a peninsula: in the form of a peninsula: inhabiting a peninsula.—n. Peninsular′ity, state of being, or of

English · e-38699-2502

Penis

Penis, pē′nis, n. the characteristic external male organ.—adj. Pē′nial. [L., a tail.]

English · e-38699-2503 · brief source record

Penistone

Penistone, pen′i-stōn, n. a coarse frieze.—Penistone flags, a kind of sandstone for paving and building, brought from Penistone in Yorkshire.

English · e-38699-2504

Penitent

Penitent, pen′i-tent, adj. suffering pain or sorrow for sin: contrite: repentant.—n. one who is sorry for sin: one who has confessed sin, and is undergoing penance.—ns. Pen′itence, Pen′itency, state of being penitent: so

English · e-38699-2505

Penknife

Penknife, pen′nīf, n. a small knife, originally for making and mending quill pens.

English · e-38699-2506 · brief source record

Penman

Penman, pen′man, n. a man skilled in the use of the pen: an author:—pl. Pen′men.—n. Pen′manship, the use of the pen: art or manner of writing.

English · e-38699-2507

Penna

Penna, pen′a, n. a feather, esp. one of the large feathers of the wings or tail.—adj. Pennā′ceous. [L.]

English · e-38699-2508 · brief source record

Pennal

Pennal, pen′al, n. a freshman at a German university—so called from their pennales or pen-cases.—n. Penn′alism, a system of fagging once in vogue at German universities.

English · e-38699-2509

Pennant

Pennant, pen′ant, n. a flag many times as long as it is wide: a streamer: a long narrow piece of bunting at the mast-heads of war-ships.—Also Penn′on. [Pennant is formed from pennon, with excrescent t; pennon is Fr. penn

English · e-38699-2511

Pennate

Pennate, -d, pen′āt, -ed, adj. winged: (bot.) same as Pinnate.—adj. Pennatif′id (see Pinnatifid).—n. Penne (Spens.), a feather.—adj. Penned, having wings: winged: written with a pen.—n. Pen′ner, a case for holding pens:

English · e-38699-2512

Pennill

Pennill, pen′il, n. a kind of Welsh verse, in which the singer has to change words and measure according to the variations of his accompanist on the harp. [W. 'a verse,' pl. pennillion.]

English · e-38699-2513

Pennon

Pennon, pen′on, n. a flag, a medieval knight-bachelor's ensign: a long narrow flag: a pinion or wing.—ns. Penn′oncelle, a small flag like a pennon; Penn′oncier, a knight-bachelor.—adj. Penn′oned, bearing a pennon. [Cf. P

English · e-38699-2514

Penny

Penny, pen′i, n. a copper coin (bronze since 1860), originally silver=1⁄12 of a shilling, or four farthings: a small sum: money in general: (N.T.) a silver coin=7½d.: pound, in fourpenny, sixpenny, tenpenny nails=four, s

English · e-38699-2515

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal, pen′i-roi-al, n. a species of mint, much in use in domestic medicine, in the form of a warm infusion, to promote perspiration and as an emmenagogue. [Corr. from old form pulial, which is traced through O. Fr.

English · e-38699-2516

Penology

Penology, Pænology, pē-nol′ō-ji, n. the study of punishment in its relation to crime: the management of prisons.—n. Penol′ogist. [Gr. poinē, punishment, logia, description.]

English · e-38699-2517

Pensée

Pensée, pang-sā′, n. a thought. [Fr.]

English · e-38699-2518 · brief source record

Penseroso

Penseroso, pen-se-rō′so, adj. melancholy: thoughtful:—fem. Penserō′sa. [It.]

English · e-38699-2519 · brief source record

Pensile

Pensile, pen′sīl, adj. hanging: suspended.—ns. Pen′sileness, Pensil′ity. [Fr.,—L.,—pendēre, hang.]

English · e-38699-2520 · brief source record

Pension

Pension, pen′shun, n. a stated allowance to a person for past services performed by himself or by some relative: a payment made to a person retired from service on account of age or weakness: a boarding-school or boardin

English · e-38699-2521

Pensive

Pensive, pen′siv, adj. thoughtful: reflecting: expressing thoughtfulness with sadness.—adj. Pen′sived (Shak.), thought over.—adv. Pen′sively.—n. Pen′siveness, state of being pensive: gloomy thoughtfulness: melancholy. [F

English · e-38699-2522

Penstock

Penstock, pen′stok, n. a trough conveying water to a water-wheel.

English · e-38699-2523 · brief source record

Pensum

Pensum, pen′sum, n. an extra task given a scholar in punishment.

English · e-38699-2524 · brief source record

Pent

Pent, pa.t. and pa.p. of pen, to shut up.

English · e-38699-2525 · brief source record

Pentacapsular

Pentacapsular, pen-ta-kap′sū-lar, adj. having five capsules.

English · e-38699-2526 · brief source record

Pentachord

Pentachord, pen′ta-kord, n. a musical instrument with five strings: a diatonic series of five tones.

English · e-38699-2527 · brief source record

Pentacle

Pentacle, pent′a-kl, n. a figure formed by two equilateral triangles intersecting regularly so as to form a six-pointed star: properly a five-pointed object, the same as Pentagram (q.v.), a defence against demons.—adj. P

English · e-38699-2528

Pentacoccous

Pentacoccous, pen-ta-kok′us, adj. (bot.) having five grains or seeds.

English · e-38699-2529 · brief source record

Pentacrostic

Pentacrostic, pen-ta-kros′tik, adj. containing five acrostics of the same name.—n. a set of such verses.

English · e-38699-2530 · brief source record

Pentact

Pentact, pen′takt, adj. five-rayed.—Also Pentac′tinal.

English · e-38699-2531 · brief source record

Pentad

Pentad, pen′tad, n. the number five, a group of five things: a mean of temperature, &c., taken every five days.

English · e-38699-2532 · brief source record

Pentadactylous

Pentadactylous, pen-ta-dak′ti-lus, adj. having five digits—also Pentadac′tyl.—n. Pentadac′tylism.

English · e-38699-2533 · brief source record

Pentadelphous

Pentadelphous, pen-ta-del′fus, adj. (bot.) grouped together in five sets.

English · e-38699-2534 · brief source record

Pentaglot

Pentaglot, pen′ta-glot, adj. of five tongues.—n. a work in five languages.

English · e-38699-2535 · brief source record

Pentagon

Pentagon, pen′ta-gon, n. (geom.) a plane figure having five angles and five sides: a fort with five bastions.—adj. Pentag′onal.—adv. Pentag′onally. [Gr. pentagōnon—pente, five, gōnia, angle.]

English · e-38699-2536

Pentagram

Pentagram, pen′ta-gram, n. a five-pointed star: a magic figure so called.—This is the proper pentacle.—adj. Pentagrammat′ic. [Gr. pente, five, gramma, a letter.]

English · e-38699-2537

Pentagraph

Pentagraph=Pantograph.

English · e-38699-2538 · brief source record

Pentagynia

Pentagynia, pent-a-jin′i-a, n. (bot.) a Linnæan order of plants, characterised by their flowers having five pistils.—n. Pent′agyn (bot.), a plant having five styles.—adjs. Pentagyn′ian, Pentag′ynous. [Gr. pente, five, gy

English · e-38699-2539

Pentahedron

Pentahedron, pen-ta-hē′dron, n. (geom.) a solid figure bounded by five plane faces.—adj. Pentahē′dral. [Gr. pente, five, hedra, base.]

English · e-38699-2540

Pentalpha

Pentalpha, pen-tal′fa, n. a five-pointed star: a pentacle. [Gr. pente, five, alpha.]

English · e-38699-2541 · brief source record

Pentameron

Pentameron, pen-tam′e-ron, n. a famous collection of fifty folk-tales (Naples 1637) written in the Neapolitan dialect by Giambattista Basile, supposed to be told during five days by ten old women, for the entertainment o

English · e-38699-2542

Pentamerous

Pentamerous, pen-tam′ėr-us, adj. (bot.) consisting of or divided into five parts.—Pentamerus beds (geol.), a name applied to the upper and lower Llandovery rocks, full of the brachiopods called Pentamerus. [Gr. pente, fi

English · e-38699-2543

Pentameter

Pentameter, pen-tam′e-tėr, n. a verse of five measures or feet.—adj. having five feet.—Elegiac pentameter, a verse of six dactylic feet, the third and sixth with the first member only; Iambic pentameter, in English, hero

English · e-38699-2544

Pentandria

Pentandria, pen-tan′dri-a, n. (bot.) a Linnæan order of plants, characterised by their flowers having five stamens.—n. Pentan′der, a plant of the class Pentandria.—adjs. Pentan′drian, Pentan′drous. [Gr. pente, five, anēr

English · e-38699-2545

Pentangular

Pentangular, pen-tang′gū-lar, adj. having five angles.

English · e-38699-2546 · brief source record

Pentapetalous

Pentapetalous, pen-ta-pet′a-lus, adj. having five petals.

English · e-38699-2547 · brief source record

Pentaphyllous

Pentaphyllous, pen-ta-fil′us, adj. having five leaves. [Gr. pente, five, phyllon, a leaf.]

English · e-38699-2548 · brief source record

Pentapody

Pentapody, pen-tap′o-di, n. a measure of five feet.

English · e-38699-2549 · brief source record

Pentapolis

Pentapolis, pen-tap′o-lis, n. a group of five cities.—adj. Pentapol′itan, esp. of the ancient Pentapolis of Cyrenaica in northern Africa. [Gr. pente, five, polis, a city.]

English · e-38699-2550

Pentarchy

Pentarchy, pen′tär-ki, n. government by five persons. [Gr. pente, five, archē, rule.]

English · e-38699-2551 · brief source record

Pentasepalous

Pentasepalous, pen-ta-sep′a-lus, adj. having five sepals.

English · e-38699-2552 · brief source record

Pentaspermous

Pentaspermous, pent-a-spėr′mus, adj. (bot.) containing five seeds. [Gr. pente, five, sperma, seed.]

English · e-38699-2553 · brief source record

Pentastich

Pentastich, pen′ta-stik, n. a composition of five verses.—adj. Pentas′tichous, five-ranked.

English · e-38699-2554 · brief source record

Pentastyle

Pentastyle, pen′ta-stīl, adj. having five columns in front.—n. (archit.) a building with a portico of five columns. [Gr. pente, five, stylos, a pillar.]

English · e-38699-2555

Pentasyllabic

Pentasyllabic, pen-ta-si-lab′ik, adj. having five syllables.

English · e-38699-2556 · brief source record

Pentateuch

Pentateuch, pen′ta-tūk, n. a name used to denote the Jewish Thorah, the first five books of the Old Testament.—adj. Pen′tateuchal. [Gr. pente, five, teuchos, a book—teuchein, to prepare.]

English · e-38699-2557

Pentathlon

Pentathlon, pen-tath′lon, n. a contest consisting of five exercises—wrestling, throwing the discus, spear-throwing, leaping, and running—also Pentath′lum.—n. Pentath′lēte, one who contests in the pentathlon. [Gr. pente,

English · e-38699-2558

Pentatonic

Pentatonic, pen-ta-ton′ik, adj. consisting of five tones.

English · e-38699-2559 · brief source record

Penteconter

Penteconter, pen′tē-kon-tėr, n. an ancient Greek ship having fifty oars.

English · e-38699-2560 · brief source record

Pentecost

Pentecost, pen′tē-kost, n. a Jewish festival held on the fiftieth day after the Passover, in commemoration of the giving of the law: the festival of Whitsuntide, held in remembrance of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon

English · e-38699-2561

Pentegraph

Pentegraph=Pantograph.

English · e-38699-2562 · brief source record

Pentelic

Pentelic, -an, pen-tel′ik, -an, adj. describing a kind of marble found at Mount Pentelicus near Athens.

English · e-38699-2563 · brief source record

Penteteric

Penteteric, pen-te-ter′ik, adj. occurring every five years. [Gr., pente, five, etos, a year.]

English · e-38699-2564 · brief source record

Penthemimeral

Penthemimeral, pen-thē-mim′e-ral, adj. belonging to a metrical group of 2½ feet. [Gr. pente, five, hēmi, half, meros, a part.]

English · e-38699-2565

Penthouse

Penthouse, pent′hows, n. a shed projecting from or adjoining a main building: a protection from the weather over a door or a window: anything resembling a penthouse.—v.t. to provide with a penthouse, shelter by means of

English · e-38699-2566

Pentice

Pentice, pen′tis, n. See Penthouse.

English · e-38699-2567 · brief source record

Pentile

Pentile=Pantile.

English · e-38699-2568 · brief source record

Pentroof

Pentroof, pent′rōōf, n. a roof with a slope on one side only. [A hybrid word, from Fr. pente, a slope—pendre, to hang, and Eng. roof.]

English · e-38699-2569

Pentstemon

Pentstemon, pent-stē′mon, n. a genus of perennial herbs of the order Scrophularineæ, common in California. [Gr. pente, five, stēmōn, warp, stamen.]

English · e-38699-2570

Pentzia

Pentzia, pent′si-a, n. a genus of South African shrubs, having yellow flowers in small heads, usually in corymbs.—The chief species is Pentzia virgata or the 'sheep-fodder bush.' [Named after C. J. Pentz, a student under

English · e-38699-2571

Penult

Penult, pē-nult′, or pē′nult, Penult′ima, n. the syllable last but one.—adj. Penult′imāte, last but one.—n. the penult: the last member but one of any series. [L. penultima—pæne, almost, ultimus, last.]

English · e-38699-2572

Penumbra

Penumbra, pē-num′bra, n. a partial or lighter shadow round the perfect or darker shadow of an eclipse: the part of a picture where the light and shade blend into each other.—adjs. Penum′bral, Penum′brous. [L. pæne, almos

English · e-38699-2573

Penury

Penury, pen′ū-ri, n. want: absence of means or resources: great poverty.—adj. Penū′rious, showing penury: not bountiful: too saving: sordid: miserly.—adv. Penū′riously.—n. Penū′riousness. [Fr.,—L. penuria; Gr. peina, hun

English · e-38699-2574

Peon

Peon, pē′on, n. a day-labourer, esp. in South America, one working off a debt by bondage: in India, a foot-soldier, a messenger, a native policeman.—ns. Pē′onage, Pē′onism, this kind of agricultural servitude. [Sp.,—Low

English · e-38699-2575

Peony

Peony, pē′o-ni, n. a genus of plants of the natural order Ranunculaceæ, with large showy flowers, carmine, in some white. [O. Fr. pione (Fr. pivoine)—L. pæonia, healing—Gr. Paiōn.]

English · e-38699-2576

People

People, pē′pl, n. persons generally: the men, women, and children of a country or a nation: the mass of persons as distinguished from the rulers, &c.: an indefinite number: inhabitants: the vulgar: the populace:—pl. Peop

English · e-38699-2577

Peotomy

Peotomy, pē-ot′ō-mi, n. the amputation of the penis. [Gr. peos, the penis, temnein, to cut.]

English · e-38699-2578 · brief source record

Peperin

Peperin, pep′e-rin, n. a volcanic tufa found in the Alban Hills near Rome. [It. peperino—pepe, pepper—L. piper, pepper.]

English · e-38699-2579

Pepita

Pepita, pe-pē′ta, n. a nugget of gold. [Sp.]

English · e-38699-2580 · brief source record

Peplum

Peplum, pep′lum, n. an upper robe worn by women in ancient Greece.—Also Pep′lus. [L.,—Gr. peplos.]

English · e-38699-2581 · brief source record

Pepo

Pepo, pē′pō, n. a fruit like that of the gourd. [Gr.]

English · e-38699-2582 · brief source record

Pepper

Pepper, pep′ėr, n. a pungent aromatic condiment consisting of the dried berries of the pepper-plant, entire or powdered: any plant of genus Piper: a plant of genus Capsicum, or one of its pods, whence Cayenne pepper.—v.t

English · e-38699-2583

Pepper's Ghost

Pepper's Ghost, pep′ėrs gōst, n. a device for associating on the same stage living persons and phantoms to act together—the phantom produced by a large sheet of unsilvered glass on the stage, practically invisible to the

English · e-38699-2584

Pepsin

Pepsin, Pepsine, pep′sin, n. one of the essential constituents of the gastric juice: the active agent in fermenting food in the stomach—a hydrolytic ferment.—adj. Pep′tic, relating to or promoting digestion: having a goo

English · e-38699-2585

Pepysian

Pepysian, pep′is-i-an, adj. pertaining to Samuel Pepys (1633-1703), his inimitable diary, or the collection of prints, books, ballads, &c. he bequeathed to Magdalene College, Cambridge.

English · e-38699-2586

Per

Per, pėr, prep. through, by means of, according to.—Per annum, year by year: for each year; Per capita, by heads, implying equal rights to two or more persons; Per cent., per hundred; Per contra, on the contrary: as a se

English · e-38699-2587

Peracute

Peracute, per-a-kūt′, adj. very sharp or violent.

English · e-38699-2588 · brief source record

Peradventure

Peradventure, per-ad-vent′ūr, adv. by adventure: by chance: perhaps.—n. uncertainty: question.

English · e-38699-2589 · brief source record

Perambulate

Perambulate, per-am′bū-lāt, v.t. to walk through or over: to pass through for the purpose of surveying: to survey the boundaries of.—ns. Perambulā′tion, act of perambulating: a survey or inspection by travelling through:

English · e-38699-2590

Percale

Percale, per-käl′, n. a closely woven French cambric.—n. Per′caline, a glossy cotton cloth. [Fr.]

English · e-38699-2591 · brief source record

Percase

Percase, per-kās′, adv. (Bacon) perchance, perhaps. [L. per, through, by, casus, a chance.]

English · e-38699-2592 · brief source record

Perceable

Perceable, pėrs′a-bl, adj. (Spens.)=Pierceable.

English · e-38699-2593 · brief source record

Perceant

Perceant, pėrs′ant, adj. piercing, penetrating.—v.t. Perc′en (Spens.), to pierce. [Fr. perçant, pr.p. of percer, to pierce.]

English · e-38699-2594

Perceive

Perceive, per-sēv′, v.t. to become aware of through the senses: to get knowledge of by the mind: to see: to understand: to discern.—adj. Perceiv′able (same as Perceptible).—adv. Perceiv′ably (same as Perceptibly).—ns. Pe

English · e-38699-2595

Percentage

Percentage, per-sen′tāj, n. rate per hundred: an allowance of so much for every hundred.—adj. Percen′tile. [Cf. Cent.]

English · e-38699-2596 · brief source record

Percept

Percept, pėr′sept, n. that which is perceived by means of the senses.—n. Perceptibil′ity, quality of being perceptible.—adj. Percep′tible, that can be perceived: that may be known by the senses: discernible.—adv. Percep′

English · e-38699-2597

Perch

Perch, pėrch, n. a genus of fresh-water fishes.—adjs. Perch′-backed, shaped like a perch's back; Per′ciform, percoid; Per′cine, perciform; Per′coid, like the perch: pertaining to the perch family. [Fr. perche—L. perca—Gr

English · e-38699-2598

Perch

Perch, pėrch, n. a rod on which birds roost: any high seat or position: a measure=5½ yards: a square measure=30¼ square yards: a pole joining the fore and hind gear of a spring carriage: a frame on which cloth is examine

English · e-38699-2599

Perchance

Perchance, per-chans′, adv. by chance: perhaps.

English · e-38699-2600 · brief source record

Percheron

Percheron, per-she-rong′, n. a horse of the Percheron breed, large strong draught-horses, usually dapple-gray—also Norman and Norman Percheron.—adj. pertaining to the foregoing. [Fr.,—Perche, in southern Normandy.]

English · e-38699-2601

Perchloric

Perchloric, per-klō′rik, adj. pertaining to an acid, a syrupy liquid obtained by decomposing potassium perchlorate by means of sulphuric acid.—n. Perchlō′rate, a salt of perchloric acid.

English · e-38699-2602

Percipient

Percipient, per-sip′i-ent, adj. perceiving: having the faculty of perception.—n. one who perceives or who has the power of perceiving.—ns. Percip′ience, Percip′iency.

English · e-38699-2603

Perclose

Perclose, per-klōz′, n. an enclosed place: (archit.) a railing separating a tomb or chapel from the rest of the church: (her.) the lower half of a garter with the buckle.—Also Par′aclose, Parclose′. [O. Fr.,—L. præ, in f

English · e-38699-2604

Percoct

Percoct, per-kokt′, adj. well-cooked. [L. percoctus, percoquĕre, to cook thoroughly.]

English · e-38699-2605 · brief source record

Percoid

Percoid, per′koid. See Perch (1).

English · e-38699-2606 · brief source record

Percolate

Percolate, pėr′kō-lāt, v.t. to strain through pores or small openings, as a liquid: to filter.—v.i. to pass or ooze through very small openings: to filter.—n. a filtered liquid.—ns. Percolā′tion, act of filtering; Per′co

English · e-38699-2607

Percurrent

Percurrent, per-kur′ent, adj. running through the whole length.—adj. Percur′sory, running over slightly or in haste (same as Cursory). [L. percurrens, pr.p. of percurrĕre, percursum, to run through.]

English · e-38699-2608

Percuss

Percuss, per-kus′, v.t. to strike so as to shake: to tap for purposes of diagnosis.—adj. Percus′sant (her.), bent round and striking the side, as a lion's tail—also Percussed′.

English · e-38699-2609

Percussion

Percussion, per-kush′un, n. the forcible striking of one body against another: collision, or the shock produced by it: impression of sound on the ear: (med.) the tapping upon the body to find the condition of an internal

English · e-38699-2610

Percutaneous

Percutaneous, per-kū-tā′nē-us, adj. done or applied through or by means of the skin.—adv. Percutā′neously. [L. per, through, cutis, the skin.]

English · e-38699-2611

Jump to a source dictionary page

Keep the source and the verdict separate

A historical dictionary can preserve useful evidence and superseded analyses at the same time. These records retain their source identity; no parent edge, sound law, first-use date or confidence score is generated from a sentence’s position.

Inspect acquisition and rights →