Historical source · 1908

Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 110

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Page 110 of 179

Pirn

Pirn, pirn, n. anything that revolves or twists: a reel, bobbin, &c.: the amount of thread wound on a shuttle or reel.

English · e-38699-3212 · brief source record

Pirnie

Pirnie, pir′ni, n. (Scot.) a striped woollen nightcap.

English · e-38699-3213 · brief source record

Pirogue

Pirogue, pi-rōg′. See Periagua.

English · e-38699-3214 · brief source record

Pirouette

Pirouette, pir-ōō-et′, n. a wheeling about, esp. in dancing: the whirling round of a horse on the same ground.—v.i. to execute a pirouette. [Fr.]

English · e-38699-3215

Pisces

Pisces, pis′ēz, n. the Fishes, the twelfth sign of the zodiac.—ns. Pis′cary, right of fishing in another man's waters; Piscatol′ogy, the scientific study of fishes; Piscā′tor, an angler:—fem. Piscā′trix.—adj. Piscatō′ria

English · e-38699-3216

Piscina

Piscina, pis-ī′na, n. a basin or tank, esp. one for holding fishes or for growing water-plants: a fish-pond: (archit.) a basin or sink on the south side of the altar in old churches, into which is emptied water used in w

English · e-38699-3217

Pisé

Pisé, pē-zā′, n. stiff earth or clay rammed down to form walls or floors. [Fr.]

English · e-38699-3218 · brief source record

Pish

Pish, pish, interj. expressing contempt. [Imit.]

English · e-38699-3219 · brief source record

Pisiform

Pisiform, pī′si-form, adj. pea-shaped. [L. pisum, pea, forma, shape.]

English · e-38699-3220 · brief source record

Pismire

Pismire, pis′mīr, n. an ant or emmet. [Piss, from the strong smell of the ant-hill, A.S. mire, ant.]

English · e-38699-3221 · brief source record

Pisolite

Pisolite, pī′sō-līt, n. a coarse oolite or concretionary limestone in large globules.—adj. Pisolit′ic. [Gr. pisos, pea, lithos, stone.]

English · e-38699-3222

Piss

Piss, pis, v.i. to discharge urine or make water.—ns. Piss′-a-bed (prov.), the dandelion; Piss′asphalt, Pis′ophalt, a variety of bitumen; Piss′-pot, a chamber-pot. [Fr. pisser; imit.]

English · e-38699-3223

Pistachio

Pistachio, pis-tā′shi-ō, n. the almond-flavoured pistachio-nut, the fruit of the Pistā′chia, a small genus of trees of the cashew family, native to western Asia. [It.,—L. pistacium—Gr. pistakion—Pers. pistā.]

English · e-38699-3224

Pistareen

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

English · e-38699-3225 · brief source record

Pistil

Pistil, pis′til, n. (bot.) the female organ in the centre of a flower, consisting of three parts—ovary, style, and stigma.—adjs. Pistillā′ceous, Pis′tillary, growing on a pistil: pertaining to, or having the nature of, a

English · e-38699-3226

Pistol

Pistol, pis′tol, n. a small hand-gun, held in one hand when fired.—v.t. to shoot with a pistol.—ns. Pistoleer′, one armed with a pistol; Pis′tolet, a little pistol; Pis′tol-shot. [O. Fr. pistole—It. pistola, said to be f

English · e-38699-3227

Pistole

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

English · e-38699-3228 · brief source record

Piston

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. Pis′ton-rod, the rod to which the piston is fixed,

English · e-38699-3229

Pit

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

English · e-38699-3230

Pit-mirk

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

English · e-38699-3241 · brief source record

Pitaka

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

English · e-38699-3231 · brief source record

Pitapat

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.

English · e-38699-3232

Pitch

Pitch, pich, n. the solid black shining substance obtained by boiling down common tar.—v.t. to smear with pitch.—adjs. Pitch′-black, Pitch′-dark, dark as pitch: very dark.—ns. Pitch′-blende, a black oxide of uranium; Pit

English · e-38699-3233

Pitch

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 f

English · e-38699-3234

Pitcher

Pitcher, pich′ėr, n. a vessel for holding water, &c.—n. Pitch′er-plant, 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 g

English · e-38699-3235

Piteous

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

English · e-38699-3236

Pitfall

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

English · e-38699-3237 · brief source record

Pith

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. Pith′-ball, a pellet of pith.—adv. Pith′ily.—n. Pith′ine

English · e-38699-3238

Pithecus

Pithecus, pi-thē′kus, n. a name formerly used by zoologists for various groups of apes and monkeys.—ns. Pithecanthrō′pi, hypothetical ape-men; Pithē′cia, the genus of South American monkeys which includes the Sakis and a

English · e-38699-3239

Pithos

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

English · e-38699-3240 · brief source record

Pitri

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 funera

English · e-38699-3242

Pitsaw

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.

English · e-38699-3243

Pittacal

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

English · e-38699-3244

Pittance

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.]

English · e-38699-3245

Pituitary

Pituitary, pit′ū-i-tā-ri, adj. mucous—also Pit′ūital, Pit′ūitous.—ns. Pitūī′ta, Pit′uite, phlegm.—Pituitary body, a rounded body of the size of a small bean, situated in the sella turcica in the sphenoid bone on the floo

English · e-38699-3246

Pity

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. pit′ied.—adj. Pit′iable, dese

English · e-38699-3247

Pityriasis

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. Pit′yroid, bran-like. [Gr. pityron

English · e-38699-3248

Più

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

English · e-38699-3249 · brief source record

Pivot

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. Piv′otal, of the nature of a pivot: acting as a pivot.—n. P

English · e-38699-3250

Pix

Pix, piks, n. Same as Pyx.

English · e-38699-3251 · brief source record

Pixy

Pixy, Pixie, pik′si, n. a small Devonshire fairy.—adj. Pix′y-led, bewildered.—ns. Pix′y-ring, a fairy-ring, a well-marked ring of a different kind of grass, common on meadows and heaths; Pix′y-stool, a toadstool or mushr

English · e-38699-3252

Pize

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

English · e-38699-3253 · brief source record

Pizzicato

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.]

English · e-38699-3254

Pizzle

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

English · e-38699-3255 · brief source record

Placable

Placable, plā′ka-bl, or plak′a-bl, adj. that may be appeased: relenting: willing to forgive.—ns. Placabil′ity, Plā′cableness.—adv. Plā′cably.—v.t. Plā′cāte, to conciliate.—n. Placā′tion, propitiation.—adj. Plā′catory, co

English · e-38699-3256

Placard

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 (plā-kärd′, or p

English · e-38699-3257

Placcate

Placcate, plak′āt, n. See Placket.

English · e-38699-3258 · brief source record

Place

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

English · e-38699-3259

Placebo

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.

English · e-38699-3260

Placenta

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. Placen′tæ.—

English · e-38699-3261

Placer

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

English · e-38699-3262

Placet

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 pla

English · e-38699-3263

Placid

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

English · e-38699-3264

Placitory

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

English · e-38699-3265 · brief source record

Placitum

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. Plac′ita. [L., from placēre, to please.]

English · e-38699-3266

Plack

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

English · e-38699-3267

Placket

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

English · e-38699-3268

Placoderm

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.]

English · e-38699-3269

Placoid

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 broa

English · e-38699-3270

Placula

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

English · e-38699-3271 · brief source record

Plafond

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

English · e-38699-3272 · brief source record

Plagal

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.]

English · e-38699-3273

Plagiarise

Plagiarise, plā′ji-ar-īz, v.t. to steal from the writings or ideas of another.—ns. Plā′giarism, the act or practice of plagiarising; Plā′giarist, one who plagiarises; Plā′giary, one who steals the thoughts or writings of

English · e-38699-3274

Plagioclase

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

English · e-38699-3275

Plagiodont

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

English · e-38699-3276 · brief source record

Plagiostome

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

English · e-38699-3277

Plagiotropism

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. Plagiotrop′ic.—adv. Plagiotrop′ically. [Gr. plagios, oblique, tropos, a turning.

English · e-38699-3278

Plagium

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

English · e-38699-3279 · brief source record

Plague

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 th

English · e-38699-3280

Plaice

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.]

English · e-38699-3281

Plaid

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. Plaid′ed, wea

English · e-38699-3282

Plain

Plain, plān, v.t. and v.i. to complain: to lament.—ns. Plain′ant, one who complains: a plaintiff; Plain′ing (Shak.), complaint. [O. Fr. pleigner (Fr. plaindre)—L. plangĕre, to lament.]

English · e-38699-3283

Plain

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

English · e-38699-3284

Plaint

Plaint, plānt, n. lamentation: complaint: a sad song: (law) the exhibiting of an action in writing by a complainant.—adj. Plaint′ful, complaining: expressing sorrow.—n. Plaint′iff (Eng. law), one who commences a suit aga

English · e-38699-3285

Plaise

Plaise, plās, n. Same as Plaice.

English · e-38699-3286 · brief source record

Plaister

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

English · e-38699-3287 · brief source record

Plait

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. Plait′ed, folded over in narrow folds: braided: interwoven: intricate.—ns. Plait′er,

English · e-38699-3288

Plan

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 sket

English · e-38699-3289

Planarian

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

English · e-38699-3290

Planch

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

English · e-38699-3291 · brief source record

Planchet

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

English · e-38699-3292 · brief source record

Planchette

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 m

English · e-38699-3293

Plane

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 m

English · e-38699-3294

Plane

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. Plā′ner, a tool or machine for planing: a smooth wooden block used for levell

English · e-38699-3295

Plane-tree

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 sy

English · e-38699-3297

Planet

Planet, plan′et, n. one of the bodies in the solar system which revolve in elliptic orbits round the sun.—n. Planetā′rium, a machine showing the motions and orbits of the planets.—adjs. Plan′etary, pertaining to the plan

English · e-38699-3296

Plangent

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

English · e-38699-3298 · brief source record

Plank

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. Plank′ing, the act of laying planks: a series of planks: work made up of

English · e-38699-3299

Plankton

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

English · e-38699-3300 · brief source record

Planodia

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

English · e-38699-3301 · brief source record

Plant

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 materia

English · e-38699-3302

Plantain

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

English · e-38699-3303

Plantigrade

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

English · e-38699-3304

Planula

Planula, plan′ū-la, n. the locomotory embryo of the cœlenterates.—adjs. Plan′ular; Plan′uliform; Plan′uloid.

English · e-38699-3305 · brief source record

Planuria

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

English · e-38699-3306 · brief source record

Plap

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

English · e-38699-3307 · brief source record

Plaque

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. Plaquette′, a small plaque. [Fr.; cf. Plack.]

English · e-38699-3308

Plash

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. Plash′ing, a mode of repairing a hedge by ben

English · e-38699-3309

Plash

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. Plash′y, full of pudd

English · e-38699-3310

Plasm

Plasm, plazm, n. a mould or matrix: protoplasm—also Plas′ma.—adjs. Plasmat′ic, -al, plastic, formative; Plas′mic, pertaining to plasma, protoplasmic.—ns. Plasmō′dium, composite masses of primitive protozoa, in which nume

English · e-38699-3311

Plasma

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

English · e-38699-3312 · brief source record

Plaster

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 leathe

English · e-38699-3313

Plastic

Plastic, plas′tik, adj. having power to give form to: capable of being moulded: of or pertaining to moulding.—ns. Plastic′ity, state or quality of being plastic; Plastilī′na, a modelling clay which remains soft and plast

English · e-38699-3314

Plastron

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 shel

English · e-38699-3315

Plat

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

English · e-38699-3316 · brief source record

Plat

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. Plat′-band, a border of flowers in a garden: (archit.) a slightly projecting square moul

English · e-38699-3317

Platane

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

English · e-38699-3318 · brief source record

Plate

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 me

English · e-38699-3319

Plateau

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

English · e-38699-3320

Platen

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

English · e-38699-3321

Platform

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

English · e-38699-3322

Platiasmus

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

English · e-38699-3323 · brief source record

Platinum

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 Plat′ina.—adjs. Platin′ic; Platinif′erous.—v.t. Plat′inise, to coat with pl

English · e-38699-3324

Platitude

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

English · e-38699-3325

Platonic

Platonic, -al, plā-ton′ik, -al, adj. pertaining to Plato, the Greek philosopher (about 427-347 B.C.), or to his philosophical opinions.—adv. Plāton′ically.—v.t. and v.i. Plā′tonise, to reason like Plato.—ns. Plā′tonism,

English · e-38699-3326

Platoon

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,

English · e-38699-3327

Platter

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

English · e-38699-3328 · brief source record

Platting

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

English · e-38699-3329 · brief source record

Platycephalous

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

English · e-38699-3330 · brief source record

Platypus

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

English · e-38699-3331 · brief source record

Platyrhine

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

English · e-38699-3332 · brief source record

Plaudit

Plaudit, plawd′it, n. a mark of applause: praise bestowed.—adj. Plaud′itory, applauding.—adj. Plaus′ive, applauding, approving: (Shak.) plausible. [Shortened from L. plaudite, praise ye, a call for applause, 2d pers. pl.

English · e-38699-3333

Plausible

Plausible, plawz′i-bl, adj. that may be applauded: seemingly worthy of approval or praise: superficially pleasing: apparently right: fair-spoken: popular.—ns. Plausibil′ity, Plaus′ibleness, an appearance of being right o

English · e-38699-3334

Plaustral

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

English · e-38699-3335 · brief source record

Play

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

English · e-38699-3336

Plea

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, p

English · e-38699-3337

Pleach

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.]

English · e-38699-3338

Plead

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

English · e-38699-3339

Please

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. Pleas′an

English · e-38699-3340

Pleat

Pleat, plēt, v.t. Same as Plait.

English · e-38699-3341 · brief source record

Plebeian

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. Plebei′anise.—ns. Plebei′anism, state

English · e-38699-3342

Plebiscite

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 inhabit

English · e-38699-3343

Plebs

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

English · e-38699-3344 · brief source record

Plectognathi

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

English · e-38699-3345

Plectrum

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

English · e-38699-3346

Pled

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

English · e-38699-3347 · brief source record

Pledge

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 d

English · e-38699-3348

Pledget

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

English · e-38699-3349 · brief source record

Pleiad

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

English · e-38699-3350

Pleiocene

Pleiocene. Same as Pliocene.

English · e-38699-3351 · brief source record

Pleiochroism

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 Pol′ychrōism. [Gr. ple

English · e-38699-3352

Pleistocene

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.]

English · e-38699-3353

Plenary

Plenary, plē′nā-ri, adj. full: entire: complete: (law) passing through all its stages—opp. to Summary: having full powers.—adv. Plen′arily.—ns. Plen′ariness; Plē′narty, the state of a benefice when occupied; Plē′nist, on

English · e-38699-3354

Plenicorn

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

English · e-38699-3355 · brief source record

Plenilunar

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

English · e-38699-3356 · brief source record

Plenipotence

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

English · e-38699-3357

Plenipotentiary

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,

English · e-38699-3358

Plenish

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

English · e-38699-3359

Plenty

Plenty, plen′ti, n. a full supply: all that can be needed: abundance.—adj. being in abundance.—adj. Plen′tēous, fully sufficient: abundant: fruitful: well provided: rich: (B.) giving plentifully.—adv. Plen′tēously.—n. Pl

English · e-38699-3360

Pleonasm

Pleonasm, plē′o-nazm, n. use of more words than are necessary: (rhet.) a redundant expression.—n. Plē′onast, one who is given to pleonasm.—adjs. Pleonas′tic, -al, redundant: using too many words.—adv. Pleonas′tically. [G

English · e-38699-3361

Pleroma

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

English · e-38699-3362

Plerophory

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

English · e-38699-3363 · brief source record

Plesh

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

English · e-38699-3364 · brief source record

Plesiomorphism

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. Plesiomor′phic, Plesiomor′phous.

English · e-38699-3365

Plesiosaurus

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.]

English · e-38699-3366

Plethora

Plethora, pleth′o-ra, n. excessive fullness of blood: over-fullness in any way.—adjs. Plethore′tic, Plethor′ic, -al, afflicted with plethora: superabundant: turgid.—adv. Plethor′ically. [Gr. plēthōrē, fullness—pleos, ful

English · e-38699-3367

Pleugh

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

English · e-38699-3368 · brief source record

Pleura

Pleura, plōō′ra, n. a delicate serous membrane which covers the lungs and lines the cavity of the chest:—pl. Pleu′ræ.—adj. Pleu′ral.—ns. Pleurapoph′ysis, a lateral process of a vertebra, with the morphological character

English · e-38699-3369

Pleuronectidæ

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

English · e-38699-3370

Pleximeter

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 Plexom′eter.—adj. Pleximet′ric. [Gr. pl

English · e-38699-3371

Plexure

Plexure, pleks′ūr, n. the act or process of weaving together: that which is woven together.—adj. Plex′iform, in the form of network: formed into a plexus.—n. Plex′us, a number of things, as veins, nerves, &c., woven toge

English · e-38699-3372

Pliable

Pliable, plī′a-bl, adj. easily bent or folded: supple: easily persuaded: yielding to influence.—ns. Pliabil′ity, Plī′ableness, quality of being pliable or flexible.—adv. Plī′ably, in a pliable manner.—ns. Plī′ancy, Plī′a

English · e-38699-3373

Plica

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,

English · e-38699-3374

Plicate

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

English · e-38699-3375

Pliers

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

English · e-38699-3376 · brief source record

Plight

Plight, plīt, n. something exposed to risk: security: pledge: engagement: promise.—v.t. to pledge: to promise solemnly: to give as security.—n. Plight′er, one who, or that which, plights. [A.S. pliht, risk, danger—plión,

English · e-38699-3377

Plight

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

English · e-38699-3378 · brief source record

Plight

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

English · e-38699-3379 · brief source record

Plim

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

English · e-38699-3380 · brief source record

Plimsoll's mark

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

English · e-38699-3381 · brief source record

Plinth

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.]

English · e-38699-3382

Pliocene

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

English · e-38699-3383

Pliskie

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

English · e-38699-3384 · brief source record

Plod

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. plod′ding; pa.t. and pa.p. plod′ded.—n. Plod′der, one who plods on: a dull, heavy,

English · e-38699-3385

Plonge

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

English · e-38699-3386 · brief source record

Plonge

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

English · e-38699-3387 · brief source record

Plop

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

English · e-38699-3388 · brief source record

Plot

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. plot′ting; pa.t. and pa.p. plot′ted. [A.S. plot.]

English · e-38699-3389

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:

English · e-38699-3390

Plot

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

English · e-38699-3391 · brief source record

Plotter

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

English · e-38699-3392 · brief source record

Plough

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 throu

English · e-38699-3393

Ploughshare

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.]

English · e-38699-3394

Plouter

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

English · e-38699-3395 · brief source record

Plover

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

English · e-38699-3396 · brief source record

Plow

Plow, plow. Old spelling of plough.

English · e-38699-3397 · brief source record

Ploy

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

English · e-38699-3398 · brief source record

Pluck

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′er.—Pluck off (Shak.), to abate from the rank; Pl

English · e-38699-3399

Pluck

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

English · e-38699-3400

Pluffy

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

English · e-38699-3401 · brief source record

Plug

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

English · e-38699-3402

Plum

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. Plum′-cake, a cake containing raisins, cur

English · e-38699-3403

Plumage

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

English · e-38699-3404 · brief source record

Plumb

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: t

English · e-38699-3405

Plumbagineæ

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

English · e-38699-3406 · brief source record

Plumbago

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. Plumbag′inous. [L. plum

English · e-38699-3407

Plumber

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. Plumb′er-block, a metal frame or case for holding the end of a revolvi

English · e-38699-3408

Plume

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 bo

English · e-38699-3409

Plummer

Plummer, Plummery. See Plumber, Plumbery.

English · e-38699-3410 · brief source record

Plummet

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.]

English · e-38699-3411

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