List of Abbreviations Used in This Dictionary

Christology, kris-tol′o-ji, n. that branch of theology which treats of the nature and person of Christ.—adj. Christolog′ical.—n. Christol′ogist. [Gr. Christos, and logia, a discourse.]

Christom, kris′um, n. (Shak.). Same as Chrisom, under Chrism (q.v.).

Christophany, kris-tof′a-ni, n. an appearance of Christ to men. [Gr. Christos, and phainein, to appear.]

Chromatic, krō-mat′ik, adj. relating to colours: coloured: (mus.) relating to notes in a melodic progression, which are raised or lowered by accidentals, without changing the key of the passage, and also to chords in which such notes occur.—ns. Chrōm′ate, a salt of chromic acid; Chrōmat′ics, the science of colours.—v.t. Chrō′matise, to impregnate with a chromate.—ns. Chrōmatog′raphy, a treatise on colours; Chrōmatol′ogy, the science of colours, or a treatise thereon; Chrōmat′ophore, one of the pigment-cells in animals: one of the granules in protoplasm: one of the brightly coloured bead-like bodies in the oral disc of certain actinias, &c.; Chrōmatop′sia, coloured vision; Chrō′matrope, an arrangement in a magic-lantern by which effects like those of the kaleidoscope are produced; Chrō′matype, Chrō′motype, a photographic process by which a coloured impression of a picture is obtained.—adj. relating to the chromatype.—ns. Chrōme, Chrō′mium, a metal remarkable for the beautiful colours of its compounds.—adj. Chrōm′ic.—ns. Chrō′mite, a mineral consisting of oxide of chromium and iron; Chrō′mo-lith′ograph, or merely Chrō′mo, a lithograph printed in colours; Chrō′molithog′raphy; Chrō′mosphere, a layer of incandescent red gas surrounding the sun through which the light of the photosphere passes—also Chrōmat′osphere; Chrō′mo-typog′raphy, typography in colours; Chrō′mo-xy′lograph, a picture printed in colours from wooden blocks; Chrō′mo-xylog′raphy.—Chromatic scale, a scale proceeding by semitones; Chromic acid, an acid of chromium, of an orange-red colour, much used in dyeing and bleaching. [Gr. chrōmatikos—chrōma, colour.]

Chronic, -al, kron′ik, -al, adj. lasting a long time: of a disease, deep seated or long continued, as opposed to acute.—n. Chron′ic, chronic invalid. [Gr. chronikos—chronos, time.]

Chronicle, kron′i-kl, n. a bare record of events in order of time: a history: (pl.) name of two of the Old Testament books: a story, account.—v.t. to record.—n. Chron′icler, a historian. [O. Fr. chronique—L.—Gr. chronika, annals—chronos, time.]

Chronogram, kron′o-gram, n. an inscription in which the time or date of an event is given by certain of the letters printed larger than the rest. [Gr. chronos, time, gramma, a letter—graphein, to write.]

Chronograph, kron′o-graf, n. a chronogram: an instrument for taking exact measurements of time, or for recording graphically the moment or duration of an event.—ns. Chronog′rapher, a chronicler; Chronog′raphy, chronology. [Gr. chronos, time, graphein, to write.]

Chronology, kron-ol′o-ji, n. the science of time.—ns. Chronol′oger, Chronol′ogist.—adjs. Chronolog′ic, -al.—adv. Chronolog′ically. [Gr. chronos, time, logia, a discourse.]

Chronometer, kron-om′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring time: a watch.—adjs. Chronomet′ric, -al.—n. Chronom′etry, the art of measuring time by means of instruments: measurement of time. [Gr. chronos, and metron, a measure.]

Chronoscope, kron′ō-skōp, n. an instrument for measuring very short intervals of time, esp. with projectiles.

Chrysalis, kris′a-lis, Chrysalid, kris′a-lid, n. a term originally applied to the golden-coloured resting stages in the life-history of many butterflies, but sometimes extended to all forms of pupæ or nymphs: the shell whence the insect comes:—pl. Chrysal′ides (i-dēz).—adjs. Chrys′alid, Chrys′aline, Chrys′aloid. [Gr. chrysallis—chrysos, gold.]

Chrysanthemum, kris-an′the-mum, n. a genus of composite plants to which belong the corn marigold and ox-eye daisy. [Gr. chrysos, gold, anthemon, flower.]

Chryselephantine, kris-el-e-fan′tin, adj. noting the art of making statues jointly of gold and ivory. [Gr. chrysos, gold, elephantinos, made of ivory—elephas, -antos, ivory.]

Chrysoberyl, kris′o-ber-il, n. a mineral of various shades of greenish-yellow or gold colour. [Gr. chrysos, gold, and Beryl.]

Chrysocolla, kris-ō-kol′a, n. a silicate of protoxide of copper, bluish-green. [Gr. chrysos, gold, kolla, glue.]

Chrysocracy, kri-sok′ra-si, n. the rule of wealth. [Gr. chrysos, gold, kratein, to rule.]

Chrysolite, kris′ō-līt, n. a yellow or green precious stone. [Gr. chrysos, and lithos, a stone.]

Chrysophan, kris′ō-fan, n. an orange-coloured bitter substance found in rhubarb.—adj. Chrysophan′ic. [Gr. chrysos, gold, phanēs, appearing.]

Chrysophilite, kri-sof′i-līt, n. a lover of gold.

Chrysophyll, kris′ō-fil, n. the yellow colouring matter in the green chlorophyl pigment of plants.—Also Xanthophyl. [Gr. chrysos, gold, phyllon, a leaf.]

Chrysoprase, kris′o-prāz, n. a variety of chalcedony: (B.) a yellowish-green stone, nature unknown. [Gr. chrysos, and prason, a leek.]

Chrysotype, kris′o-tīp, n. a process of taking pictures by photography, on paper impregnated with a neutral solution of chloride of gold. [Gr. chrysos, gold, typos, impression.]

Chthonian, thō′ni-an, adj. pertaining to the under world, subterranean.—Also Chthon′ic. [Gr. chthōn, the ground.]

Chub, chub, n. a small fat river-fish.—adjs. Chubbed, Chub′by, short and thick, plump; Chub′-faced, plump-faced.—n. Chub′biness.

Chubb, chub, n. a patent lock invented by Chubb, a locksmith in London—much used for safes, &c.—Also Chubb′-lock.

Chuck, chuk, n. the call of a hen: a chicken (dim. Chuck′ie): a word of endearment.—v.i. to call, as a hen. [A variety of Cluck.]

Chuck, chuk, n. a gentle blow, as under the chin: (coll.) a toss or throw; any game of pitch and toss.—v.t. to pat gently, as under the chin: to toss: to pitch.—n. Chuck′-far′thing, a game in which a farthing is chucked into a hole. [Fr. choquer, to jolt; allied to Shock.]

Chuck, chuk, n. a pebble or small stone: a game with such stones, often called Chuck′ies: an instrument for holding an object so that it can be rotated, as upon the mandrel of a lathe. [Der. uncertain; cf. It. cioco, a block, stump.]

Chuck-full. Same as Chock-full (q.v. under Chock).

Chuckle, chuk′l, n. a kind of laugh: the cry of a hen.—v.t. to call, as a hen does her chickens: to caress.—v.i. to laugh in a quiet, suppressed manner, indicating derision or enjoyment.—n. Chuck′ling. [Akin to Chuck, to call.]

Chuckle, chuk′l, adj. clumsy.—n. Chuck′le-head, a loutish fellow. [Prob. Chock, a log.]

Chuff, chuf, n. a clown: a surly fellow.—n. Chuf′finess, boorishness.—adj. Chuf′fy, coarse and surly. [M. E. chuffe, choffe, a boor (origin unknown), conn. with Scotch coof, akin to Ice. kueif.]

Chum, chum, n. a chamber-fellow: friend or associate, chiefly among schoolboys and students.—v.i. and v.t. to occupy, or to put one into, the same room with another.—n. Chum′mage, the quartering of two or more persons in one room: a fee demanded from a new chum.—adj. Chum′my, sociable.—n. a chimney-sweeper's boy: a chum. [Perh. a mutilation of Chamber-fellow.]

Chump, chump, an end lump of wood: a blockhead: the head.—Off his chump—out of his mind.

Chunk, chungk, n. a thick piece of anything, as wood, bread, &c. [Perh. related to Chuck.]

Church, church, n. a house set apart for Christian worship: the whole body of Christians: the clergy: any particular sect or denomination of Christians: any body professing a common creed, not necessarily Christian.—v.t. to perform with any one the giving of thanks in church, more esp. of a woman after childbirth, or of a newly-married couple on first appearing at church after marriage.—ns. Church′-ale, a strong ale brewed for a church festival: the festival at which the ale was drunk; Church′-bench (Shak.), a seat in the porch of a church; Church′-court, a court for deciding ecclesiastical causes, a presbytery, synod, or general assembly; Church′-gō′ing, the act of going to church, esp. habitually; Church′ing, the first appearance of a woman in church after childbirth; Church′ism, adherence to the forms or principles of some church.—adj. Church′less, not belonging to a church: (Tennyson) without church approval.—ns. Church′man, a clergyman or ecclesiastic: a member or upholder of the established church; Church′-rate, an assessment for the sustentation of the fabric, &c., of the parish church; Church′-serv′ice, the form of religious service followed in a church, order of public worship, a book containing such; Church′-text, a thin and tall form of black-letter print; Churchwar′den, an officer who represents the interests of a parish or church: a long clay-pipe; Church′way, the public way or road that leads to the church; Church′woman, a female member of the Anglican Church.—adj. Church′y, obtrusively devoted to the church.—n. Church′yard, the burial-ground round a church.—Church history, the description of the course of development through which the church as a whole, as well as its special departments and various institutions, has passed, from the time of its foundation down to our own day; Church militant, the church on earth in its struggle against evil; Church triumphant, the portion of the church which has overcome and left this world.—Visible and Invisible church (see Visible). [A.S. circe (Scot, kirk; Ger. kirche)—Gr. kyriakon, belonging to the Lord—Kyrios, the Lord.]

Churl, churl, n. a rustic, labourer: an ill-bred, surly fellow.—adj. Churl′ish, rude: surly: ill-bred.—adv. Churl′ishly.—n. Churl′ishness. [A.S. ceorl, a countryman; Ice. karl, Ger. kerl, a man; Scot. carl.]

Churn, churn, n. a machine used for the production of butter from cream or from whole milk.—v.t. to agitate cream so as to obtain butter.—v.i. to perform the act of churning.—ns. Churn′-drill, a drill worked by hand, not struck with the hammer, a jumper; Churn′ing, the act of making butter: the quantity of butter made at once; Churn′-staff, the plunger used in an upright churn: the sun-spurge. [A.S. cyrin; Ice. kirna, a churn; Dut. and Ger. kernen, to churn.]

Churr, chėr, n. a low sound made by certain birds.—v.i. to make this sound. [Prob. imit.]

Churrus, chur′us, n. the resinous exudation of Cannabis indica, which, in its milder preparations, known as bhang, &c., is used as a narcotic and intoxicant. [Hind. charas.]

Chuse, chōōz, v.t. a form of Choose.

Chut, chut, interj. an expression of impatience.

Chute, shōōt, n. a waterfall, rapid: a channel down which to pass water, logs, rubbish, &c. [Fr. chute, a fall.]

Chutnee, Chutny, chut′ne, n. an East Indian condiment, a compound of mangoes, chillies, or capsicum, and lime-juice, &c. [Hind. chatni.]

Chyle, kīl, n. a white fluid drawn from the food while in the intestines.—adjs. Chylā′ceous, Chylif′ic, Chyl′ous; Chylifac′tive, having the power to make chyle.—n. Chylificā′tion.—v.t. and v.i. Chyl′ify, to convert, or be converted, into chyle.—n. Chylū′ria, a discharge of milky urine. [Fr.,—Gr. chylos, juice—cheein, to pour.]

Chyme, kīm, n. the pulp to which the food is reduced in the stomach.—n. Chymificā′tion, the act of being formed into chyme.—v.t. Chym′ify, to form into chyme.—adj. Chym′ous. [Gr. chymos, from cheein.]

Chymical, Chymistry, obsolete forms of Chemical, Chemistry.

Chynd, chīnd, p.adj. (Spens.) cut into chines.

Cibol, sib′ol, n. a variety of onion. [Fr. ciboule (Sp. cebolla)—Low L. cepola, dim. of L. cepa, an onion.]

Ciborium, si-bō′ri-um, n. (R.C. Church) a vessel nearly resembling a chalice, with an arched cover, in which the Host is deposited: a canopy supported on four pillars over the high altar:—pl. Cibō′ria. [L., a drinking-cup—Gr. kibōrion, the seed-vessel of the Egyptian bean.]

Cicada, si-kā′da, Cicala, si-kā′la, n. an insect remarkable for its chirping sound. [L. cicada.]

Cicatrix, sik-ā′triks, or sik′a-triks, n. the scar over a wound after it is healed—also Cic′atrice: scar in the bark of a tree: (Shak.) mark, impression.—ns. Cicatric′ula, the germinating point in the yolk of an egg; Cicatrisā′tion, the process of healing over.—v.t. Cic′atrise, to help the formation of a cicatrix on a wound or ulcer: to scar.—v.i. to heal. [Fr.,—L. cicatrix, a scar.]

Cicely, sis′e-li, n. a genus of umbelliferous plants nearly allied to chervil. [L. and Gr. seseli.]

Cicerone, chich-er-ō′ni, or sis-e-rō′ne, n. one who shows strangers the curiosities of a place: a guide.—v.i. to act as cicerone.—adjs. Cicerō′nian, Ciceron′ic.—ns. Cicerō′nianism, the character of Cicero's Latin style; Ciceron′ism, Ciceron′age, Cicerone′ship, the function of a guide. [It.,—L. Cicero, the Roman orator.]

Cicisbeo, chē-chēs-bā′o, n. a married woman's gallant or cavaliere servente in Italy:—pl. Cicisbe′i.—n. Cicisbē′ism. [It.]

Ciclatoun. See Checklaton.

Cicuta, si-kū′ta, n. a genus of umbelliferous plants with poisonous roots—water-hemlock or cowbane. [L., hemlock.]

Cid, sid, n. a chief, captain, a hero, from the famous 11th-cent. Castilian warrior against the Moors, styled el Cid Campeador, whose real name was Rodrigo, or Ruy, Diaz (i.e. 'son of Diego'). The name Cid is the Ar. seid, seiyid, lord.

Cider, sī′dėr, n. a drink made from apples.—ns. Cī′der-and, a mixture of cider and other spirits; Cī′der-cup, a drink of sweetened cider, with other ingredients; Cī′derkin, an inferior cider. [Fr. cidre—L.,—Gr. sikera, strong drink—Heb. shakar, to be intoxicated.]

Ci-devant, sē-de-vong′, adj. former. [Fr.]

Ciel. See Ceil.

Cierge. See Cerge.

Cigar, si-gär′, n. a roll of tobacco-leaves for smoking.—n. Cigarette′, a little cigar made of finely-cut tobacco rolled in thin paper. [Sp. cigarro.]

Cilia, sil′i-a, n.pl. hair-like lashes borne by cells.—adjs. Cil′iary, Cil′iāte, Cil′iāted, Cilif′erous, having cilia; Cil′iīform, very thin and slender like cilia. [L. cilium, pl. cilia, eyelids, eyelashes.]

Cilice, sil′is, n. hair-cloth: a penitential garment made of hair-cloth.—adj. Cilic′ious. [L.,—Gr. kilikion, a cloth made of Cilician goat's hair.]

Cimar. Same as Simar.

Cimbric, sim′brik, adj. pertaining to the ancient Cimbri, a people from central and northern Europe, crushed by Marius, 101 B.C.—Also Cim′brian. [Sometimes made Celtic by a desperate analogy with the name Cymry.]

Cimex, si-meks′, n. a bug.—adjs. Cimic′ic, Cimic′ious.—n. Cimicif′uga, the genus of bugworts or bugbanes, natural order Ranunculaceæ. [L. cimex.]

Cimier, sē-myā′, n. the crest of a helmet. [Fr.]

Cimmerian, sim-ē′ri-an, adj. relating to the Cimmerii, a tribe fabled to have lived in perpetual darkness: extremely dark.

Cimolite, sim′ō-līt, n. a species of clay, or hydrous silicate of aluminium, used as fuller's earth. [Gr. kimōlia, prob. from Kimōlos, an island of the Cyclades.]

Cinch, sinch, n. a saddle-girth.—v.i. to tighten the cinch. [Sp. cincha—L. cingula.]

Cinchona, sin-kō′na, n. a genus of trees, yielding the bark so much valued in medicine, from which the most important alkaloids, quinine and its congeners, are obtained—also called Peruvian bark.—adjs. Cinchonā′ceous, Cinchon′ic.—n. Cin′chonine, an alkaloid obtained from the bark of several species of cinchona.—adj. Cinchonin′ic.—n. Cinchonisā′tion.—v.t. Cin′chonise, to bring under the influence of cinchona or quinine.—n. Cin′chonism, a morbid state due to overdoses of cinchona or quinine. [Said to be so named from the Countess of Chinchon, who was cured of a fever by it in 1638.]

Cincture, singk′tūr, n. a girdle or belt: a moulding round a column.—v.t. to gird, encompass.—adjs. Cinct, surrounded; Cinc′tured, having a cincture. [L. cinctura—cingĕre, cinctum, to gird.]

Cinder, sin′dėr, n. the refuse of burned coals: anything charred by fire: (slang) some strong stimulant put in tea, soda-water, &c.—ns. Cinderel′la, a scullery-maid; Cinderel′la-dance, an early dancing-party ending at midnight—from the nursery tale.—adj. Cin′dery. [A.S. sinder, scoriæ, slag.]

Cinematograph. See Kinematograph.

Cinenchyma, si-neng′ki-ma, n. laticiferous tissue, consisting of irregularly branching and anastomosing vessels.—adj. Cinenchym′atous. [Gr. kinein, to move, engchyma, infusion.]

Cineraria, sin-e-rā′ri-a, n. a genus of plants, with flowers of various colours, chiefly belonging to South Africa, but also grown in greenhouses in Britain and elsewhere. [L. cinerarius—cinis, cineris, ashes.]

Cinerary, sin′e-ra-ri, adj. pertaining to ashes.—ns. Cinerā′tion; Cinerāt′or; Cinē′rea, gray or cellular, as distinguished from white or fibrous, nerve tissue.—adjs. Cinē′real; Cinē′reous, ashy-gray; Cineres′cent, becoming ashy-gray; Cineri′tious, ashy-gray: pertaining to gray nerve tissue. [L. cinereus, ashy—cinis, cineris, ashes.]

Cingalese, sing′ga-lēz, n. a native of Ceylon.—adj. belonging to Ceylon.

Cingulum, sing′gū-lum, n. the girdle of an alb. [L.—cingĕre, to gird.]

Cinnabar, sin′a-bar, n. sulphuret of mercury, called vermilion when used as a pigment.—adj. vermilion-coloured.—adjs. Cinnabar′ic, Cinn′abarine. [L.,—Gr. kinnabari, a dye, from Persian.]

Cinnamon, sin′a-mon, n. the spicy bark of a laurel in Ceylon: the tree.—adj. cinnamon-coloured.—adjs. Cinnam′ic, Cinnamon′ic, obtained from, or consisting of, cinnamon.—n. Cinn′amon-stone, a kind of stone found in Ceylon, of a cinnamon or reddish-brown colour, sometimes cut for jewellery. [L. cinnamomum—Heb. kinnamon.]

Cinque, singk, n. the number five as on dice.—ns. Cinque′-cen′to (It., 'five hundred'), a phrase sometimes applied, in treating of architecture and art, to the Renaissance period, which began about 1500; Cinque′-foil (her.), a common bearing representing a flower with five petals borne full-faced and without a stalk: (bot.) species of plants of the genus Potentilla: the five-bladed clover; Cinque′-pace (Shak.), a kind of dance, the pace or movement of which is characterised by five beats.—n.pl. Cinque′-ports, the five ancient ports on the south of England lying opposite to France—Sandwich, Dover, Hythe, Romney, and Hastings.—adj. Cinque′-spot′ted (Shak.), having five spots. [Fr.]

Cipher, sī′fėr, n. (arith.) the character 0: any of the nine figures: anything of little value, whether persons or things: a nonentity: an interweaving of the initials of a name: a secret kind of writing.—v.i. to work at arithmetic: to write in cipher: of an organ-pipe, to sound independent of the organ: (Shak.) to decipher.—ns. Cī′phering; Cī′pher-key, a key to a cipher or piece of secret writing. [O. Fr. cifre, Fr. chiffre—Ar. sifr, empty.]

Cipolin, sip′ō-lin, n. a granular limestone containing mica.—Also Cipollino (chē-pol-lē′nō). [It.,—cipolla, an onion.]

Cippus, sip′us, n. the stocks: a monumental pillar. [L. cippus, a post.]

Circa, sir′ka, prep. and adv. about, around. [L.]

Circassian, sėr-kash′yan, adj. belonging to Circassia, a district of Russia, on the north of Mount Caucasus: a kind of light cashmere of silk and mohair—generally Circassienne′ (Fr. fem.).

Circean, sėr-sē′an, adj. relating to the beautiful sorceress Circe, who transformed the companions of Ulysses into swine by a magic beverage: infatuating and degrading.—Also Circæ′an.

Circensian, sir-sen′shi-an, adj. relating to the Circus Maximus in Rome, where the games and contests were held.—Also Circen′sial (obs.). [L. circensis—circus.]

Circle, sėr′kl, n. a plane figure bounded by one line every point of which is equally distant from a certain point called the centre: the line which bounds the figure: a ring: a planet's orbit: a series ending where it began: a figure in magic; a company surrounding the principal person: those of a certain class or society.—v.t. to move round: to encompass.—v.i. to move in a circle: to stand in a circle.—adjs. Cir′cinate; Cir′cled, circular: encircled.—ns. Cir′cler; Cir′clet; Cir′cling, motion in a circle: a revolution.—Dress′ cir′cle (see Dress); Fair′y-cir′cle, -ring (see Fairy).—Reasoning in a circle, assuming what is to be proved as the basis of the argument. [A.S. circul—L. circulus, dim. of circus; allied to A.S. hring, a ring.]

Circuit, sėr′kit, n. the act of moving round: area, extent: a round made in the exercise of a calling, esp. the round made by the judges for holding the courts of law: the judges making the round: (Shak.) diadem.—v.t. to go round.—n. Circuiteer′, a judge: one who goes on a circuit.—adj. Circū′itous, round about.—adv. Circū′itously.—n. Circū′ity, motion in a circle: an indirect course.—Make a circuit, to go round. [Fr.,—L. circuitus—circuīre, circum, round, īre, to go.]

Circular, sėr′kū-lar, adj. round: ending in itself: addressed to a circle of persons.—n. a note sent round to a circle or number of persons.—n. Circular′ity.—adv. Cir′cularly.—Circular notes, bank-notes issued for the convenience of travellers, being a kind of bill personal to the bearer, who is given also a corresponding 'letter of indication' addressed to foreign bankers.

Circulate, sėr′kū-lāt, v.t. to make to go round as in a circle: to spread: to repeat (of decimals).—v.i. to move round: to be spread about.—adj. Cir′culable, capable of being circulated.—ns. Cir′culant; Circulā′tion, the act of moving in a circle: the movement of the blood: the sale of a periodical: the publication of a report or of a book: the money in use at any time in a country.—adjs. Cir′culative, Cir′culatory, circulating.—n. Cir′culator.—Circulating library, one where books are circulated among subscribers. [L. circulāre, -ātum.]

Circumambages, sėr-kum-am′baj-ez, n.pl. roundabout ways of speech.—adj. Circumambā′gious, roundabout in speech.—ns. Circumam′bience, Circumam′biency.—adj. Circumam′bient, going round about.—n. Circumben′dibus, a roundabout method or course: a circumlocution. [L. circum, about, ambīre, to go round.]

Circumambulate, sėr-kum-am′bū-lāt, v.i. to walk round about.—n. Circumambulā′tion. [L. ambulāre, -ātum, to walk.]

Circumcise, sėr′kum-sīz, v.t. to cut off the foreskin according to the Jewish law: (fig.) to purify.—p.adj. Cir′cumcised, that has undergone circumcision: purified, chastened.—ns. Cir′cumciser, one who circumcises; Circumci′sion, the act of circumcising. [L. circumcidĕre, circumcisum—cædĕre, to cut.]

Circumdenudation, sėr-kum-de-nūd-ā′shun, n. (geol.) denudation or erosion round an elevated tract left isolated.

Circumduct, sėr′kum-dukt, v.t. to lead around or about, to revolve round an imaginary axis so as to describe a cone: (Scots law) to close a case to further proof.—n. Circumduc′tion.—adj. Circumduct′ory. [L. circum, about, ducĕre, ductum, to lead.]

Circumference, sėr-kum′fėr-ens, n. the boundary-line of any round body, esp. of a circle: the line surrounding anything: area: compass: distance round.—adj. Circumferen′tial—n. Circumferent′or, an instrument used by surveyors and miners for measuring horizontal angles, consisting of a graduated circle, an index, and a magnetic needle suspended over the centre of a circle—now superseded by the Theodolite. [L. circum, about, ferre, to carry.]

Circumflect, sėr′kum-flekt, v.t. to mark with a circumflex.—ns. Cir′cumflex, an accent (^) denoting a rising and falling of the voice on a vowel or syllable; Circumflex′ion, a bending round. [L. flectĕre, flexum, to bend.]

Circumfluence, sėr-kum′flōō-ens, n. a flowing round.—adj. Circum′fluent, flowing round. [L. fluĕre, to flow.]

Circumforaneous, sėr-kum-fō-rā′ne-us, adj. wandering about as from market to market, vagrant.—Also Circumfora′nean. [L., circum, about, forum, the forum, market-place.]

Circumfuse, sėr-kum-fūz′, v.t. to pour around.—p.adj. Circumfused′.—adj. Circumfus′ile, molten.—n. Circumfū′sion. [L. fundĕre, fusum, to pour.]

Circumgyrate, sėr-kum-jī′rāt, v.i. to go round and round.—n. Circumgyrā′tion.—adj. Circumgy′ratory. [L. gyrāre, -ātum, to turn.]

Circumjacent, sėr-kum-jā′sent, adj. lying round: bordering on every side.—n. Circumja′cency. [L. jacens, lying—jacēre, to lie.]

Circumlittoral, sėr-kum-lit′ō-ral, adj. adjacent to the shore-line. [L. circum, about, litus, litoris, the shore.]

Circumlocution, sėr-kum-lō-kū′shun, n. roundabout speaking: a manner of expression in which many unnecessary words are used.—v.i. Cir′cumlocute, to use circumlocution.—n. Circumlocū′tionist, one who practises circumlocution.—adj. Circumloc′utory.—Circumlocution office, a name given by Dickens in Little Dorrit to the government offices, owing to their dilatoriness in attending to business. [L. loqui, locutus, to speak.]

Circummure, sėr-kum-mūr′, v.t. (Shak.) to wall round. [L. murus, a wall.]

Circumnavigate, sėr-kum-nav′i-gāt, v.t. to sail round.—adj. Circumnav′igable, capable of being circumnavigated.—ns. Circumnavigā′tion; Circumnav′igator, one who sails round. [See Navigate.]

Circumnutation, sėr-kum-nū-tā′shun, n. a nodding or turning successively towards all points of the compass, as in the tendrils of plants.—v.i. Circumnū′tate.—adj. Circumnū′tatory. [L. circum, about, nutāre, -ātum, to nod.]

Circumpolar, sėr-kum-pō′lar, adj. situated round the pole. [See Polar.]

Circumpose, sėr′kum-pōz, v.t. to place round.—n. Circumposi′tion, the act of placing round. [See Position.]

Circumscribe, sėr-kum-skrīb′, v.t. to draw a line round: to enclose within certain limits, to curtail, abridge.—adj. Circumscrib′able, able to be circumscribed.—ns. Circumscrib′er, one who circumscribes; Circumscrip′tion, limitation: the line that limits: a circumscribed place.—adj. Circumscrip′tive, marking the external form or outline. [L. scribĕre, to write.]

Circumspect, sėr′kum-spekt, adj. looking round on all sides watchfully: cautious: prudent.—n. Circumspec′tion, watchfulness: caution: examining.—adj. Circumspec′tive, looking around: wary.—adv. Cir′cumspectly.—n. Cir′cumspectness. [L. specĕre, spectum, to look.]

Circumstance, sėr′kum-stans, n. the logical surroundings of an action: an accident or event: ceremony: detail: (pl.) the state of one's affairs.—v.t. to place in particular circumstances:—pa.p. cir′cumstanced.—adj. Circumstan′tial, consisting of details: minute.—n. Circumstantial′ity, the quality of being circumstantial: minuteness in details: a detail.—adv. Circumstan′tially.—n.pl. Circumstan′tials, incidentals: details.—v.t. Circumstan′tiate, to prove by circumstances: to describe exactly.—Circumstantial evidence, evidence which is not positive nor direct, but which is gathered inferentially from the circumstances in the case.—In good or bad circumstances, prosperous or unprosperous; In, Under the circumstances, owing to certain conditions. [L. stans, stantis, standing—stāre, to stand.]

Circumvallate, sėr-kum′val-āt, v.t. to surround with a rampart.—n. Circumvallā′tion, a surrounding with a wall: a wall or fortification surrounding a town or fort. [L. vallum, rampart.]

Circumvent, sėr-kum-vent′, v.t. to come round or outwit a person: to deceive or cheat.—n. Circumven′tion.—adj. Circumvent′ive, deceiving by artifices. [L. venīre, to come.]

Circumvolve, sėr-kum-volv′, v.t. to roll round.—v.i. to revolve:—pr.p. circumvolv′ing; pa.p. circumvolved′.—n. Circumvolū′tion, a turning or rolling round: anything winding or sinuous. [L. volvĕre, volutum, to roll.]

Circus, sėr′kus, n. a circular building for the exhibition of games: a place for the exhibition of feats of horsemanship: a group of houses arranged in the form of a circle: applied to nature, as, e.g., high hills surrounding a plain.—n. Cirque (sėrk), a circus: a ring of some sort. [L. circus; cog. with Gr. kirkos.]

Cirrhopod, Cirrhopoda, older forms of Cirriped, Cirripeda.

Cirripeda, sir-rip′e-da, Cirripedia, sir-rip-ē′di-a, n. a degenerate sub-class of Crustacea, including the numerous forms of Barnacles and Acorn-shells.—n. Cir′riped, one of the Cirripeda. [L. cirrus, a tuft of hair, and pes, a foot.]

Cirrus, sir′us, n. the highest form of clouds consisting of curling fibres: (bot.) a tendril: (zool.) any curled filament:—pl. Cirri (sir′ī).—adjs. Cirr′ate, Cirr′iform, like a cirrus; Cirr′igrade, moving by cirri.—n. Cirr′o-cū′mulus, a fleecy cloud intermediate between the cirrus and cumulus.—adj. Cirr′ose, with tendrils.—n. Cirr′o-strā′tus, a mottled-looking cloud intermediate between the cirrus and stratus.—adj. Cirr′ous, having a cirrus. [L.]

Cisalpine, sis-alp′in, adj. on this side—i.e. on the Roman side—of the Alps.—So Cisatlan′tic; Cisleith′an, on this side the Leitha, which separates the archduchy of Austria and Hungary; Cismon′tane, on this side the mountains—opp. to Ultramontane; Cis′padane, on this side the Po; Cispon′tine, on this side of the bridges, viz. in London, north of the Thames. [L. cis, on this side.]

Ciselure, sēz′lūr, n. the art or operation of chasing, the chasing upon a piece of metal-work.—n. Cis′eleur, a chaser. [Fr.]

Cissoid, sis′soid, n. a plane curve consisting of two infinite branches symmetrically placed with reference to the diameter of a circle, so that at one of its extremities they form a Cusp (q.v.), while the tangent to the circle at the other extremity is their common asymptote. [Gr. kissoeidēs.]

Cist, sist, n. a tomb consisting of a stone chest covered with stone slabs.—adjs. Cist′ed, containing cists; Cist′ic, like a cist. [See Chest.]

Cistella, sis-tel′a, n. the capsular shield of some lichens. [L., dim. of cista, a box.]

Cistercian, sis-ter′shan, n. one of the order of monks established in 1098 in the forest of Citeaux (Cistercium), in France—an offshoot of the Benedictines.

Cistern, sis′tėrn, n. any receptacle for holding water or other liquid: a reservoir: in a steam-engine, the vessel surrounding the condenser. [L. cisterna, from cista, a chest.]

Cistus, sis′tus, n. Rock-rose, a genus of exogenous shrubby plants, cultivated for the beauty of their flowers:—pl. Cis′tuses (-ēz) and Cis′ti (′tī). [Low L., from Gr. kistos, the rock-rose.]

Cistvaen. See Kistvaen.

Cit, sit, n. shortened from citizen, and used as a term of contempt:—fem. Cit′ess (Dryden). [See Citizen.]

Citadel, sit′a-del, n. a fortress in or near a city: the place where the guns are kept in an ironclad man-of-war. [It. cittadella, dim. of città, a city. See City.]

Cite, sīt, v.t. to call or summon: to summon to answer in court: to quote: to name: to adduce as proof.—adj. Cit′able, that can be cited.—ns. Cit′al, summons to appear: (Shak.) accusation, reproof; Citā′tion, an official summons to appear: the document containing the summons: the act of quoting: the passage or name quoted; Citā′tor, one who cites.—adj. Cit′ātory, having to do with citation, addicted to citation. [L. citāre, -ātum, to call, inten. of ciēre, cīre, to make to go.]

Cithara, sith′a-ra, n. an ancient musical instrument closely resembling the guitar.—n. Cith′arist, a player on it.—adj. Citharist′ic.—ns. Cith′er, Cith′ern, Cit′tern, a metal-stringed musical instrument, played with a plectrum. [L.,—Gr. kithara. A doublet of Guitar.]

Citigrade, sit′i-grād, adj. moving quickly: applied to a tribe of spiders of remarkably quick motions. [L. citus, quick, gradus, a step.]

Citizen, sit′i-zen, n. an inhabitant of a city: a member of a state: a townsman: a freeman:—fem. Cit′izeness.—adj. (Shak.) like a citizen.—v.t. Cit′izenise, to make a citizen of.—ns. Cit′izenry, the general body of citizens; Cit′izenship, the rights of a citizen. [M. E. citesein—O. Fr. citeain. See City.]

Citole, sit′ōl, n. a small dulcimer used in medieval times. [O. Fr.,—L. cithara.]

Citron, sit′run, n. the fruit of the citron-tree, resembling a lemon.—n. Cit′rate, a salt of citric acid.—adjs. Cit′reous, citrine; Cit′ric, derived from the citron; Cit′rine, dark and greenish yellow, like a citron or lemon.—n. citrine colour: a rock crystal of this colour.—ns. Cit′ron-wood, Cit′rus-wood, the most costly furniture-wood of the ancient Romans.—Citric acid, the acid to which lemon and lime juice owe their sourness. [Fr.,—L. citrus—Gr. kitron, a citron.]

Cittern. Same as Cither (q.v. under Cithara).

City, sit′i, n. a large town: a town with a corporation.—n.pl. Cit′y-commis′sioners, officials who attend to the drainage, &c.—n. Cit′y-mis′sion, a mission for evangelising the poor classes in the large cities.—adj. Civ′ic, pertaining to a city or citizen.—City of God, Heavenly city, &c., the ideal of the Church of Christ in glory; City of refuge, by the Jewish law a city where the perpetrator of an accidental murder might flee for refuge.—Eternal city, Rome; Holy city, Jerusalem.—The City, The City of London, that part of London where business is principally carried on. [Fr. cité, a city—L. civitas, the state—civis, a citizen.]

Cive, sīv, n. See Chive.

Civet, siv′et, n. a perfume obtained from the civet or Civ′et-cat, a small carnivorous animal of Africa, India, &c. [Fr. civette—Ar. zabad.]

Civic. See City.

Civil, siv′il, adj. pertaining to the community: having the refinement of city-bred people: polite: commercial, not military: lay, secular, or temporal, not ecclesiastical: pertaining to the individual citizen: (law) relating to private relations amongst citizens, and such suits as arise out of these, as opposed to criminal: (theol.) naturally good, as opposed to good through regeneration.—ns. Civil′ian, a professor or student of civil law (not canon law): one engaged in civil as distinguished from military and other pursuits; Civ′ilist, one versed in civil law; Civil′ity, good-breeding: politeness.—adv. Civ′illy.—adj. Civ′il-suit′ed (Milton), sombrely clad.—n. Civ′ism, good citizenship, state of being well-affected to the government.—Civil death, the loss of all civil and legal but not natural privileges, as by outlawry: Civil engineer, one who plans rail-ways, docks, &c., as opposed to a military engineer, or to a mechanical engineer, who makes machines, &c.; Civil law, as opposed to criminal law: the law laid down by a state regarding the rights of the inhabitants; Civil list, now the expenses of the sovereign's household only; Civil list pensions, those granted by royal favour; Civil service, the paid service of the state, in so far as it is not military or naval; Civil war, a war between citizens of the same state. [L. civīlis—civis.]

Civilise, siv′il-īz, v.t. to reclaim from barbarism: to instruct in arts and refinements.—adj. Civ′ilisable.—n. Civilisā′tion, state of being civilised—p.adj. Civ′ilised.—n. Civ′iliser.

Clabber, klab′ėr, n. (Scot.). [Gael. clabar, mud.]

Clachan, kla′han, n. (Scot.) a small village. [Gael. clachan—clach, stone.]

Clack, klak, v.i. to make a sudden sharp noise as by striking: to chatter: to cackle.—n. a sharp, sudden sound; sound of voices: an instrument making this kind of noise: (coll.) the tongue.—ns. Clack′-box, the box containing the clack-valve of an engine; Clack′-dish (Shak.), a wooden dish carried by beggars, having a movable cover which they clacked to attract attention; Clack′er; Clack′-valve, a valve used in pumps, having a flap or a hinge which lifts up to let the fluid pass, but prevents the fluid from returning by falling back over the aperture. [From the sound.]

Clad, klad, pa.t. and pa.p. of Clothe.

Claes, klāz, n.pl. Scotch for Clothes.

Clag, klag, v.i. (prov.) to stick.—adj. Clag′gy, sticky. [Prob. Scand.; Dan. klag, mud.]

Claim, klām, v.t. to call for: to demand as a right.—n. a demand for something supposed due: right or ground for demanding: the thing claimed.—adj. Claim′able, that can be claimed.—n. Claim′ant, one who makes a claim.—Lay claim to, to assert a right. [O. Fr. claimer—L. clamāre, to call out.]

Clairaudience, klār-awd′i-ens, n. the alleged power of hearing things not present to the senses.—n. Clairaud′ient. [Fr. clair—L. clarus, clear, and Audience.]

Clair-obscure, Clare-obscure, klār-ob-skūr′. Same as Chiaroscuro (q.v.). [Fr. clair—L. clarus, clear, and Fr. obscur—L. obscurus, obscure.]

Clairschach, klār′shäh, n. the old Celtic harp strung with wire.

Clairvoyance, klār-voi′ans, n. the alleged power of seeing things not present to the senses.—n. Clairvoy′ant, one who is said to have this power. [Fr., clair—L. clarus, clear, and Fr. voir—L. vidēre, to see.]

Clam, klam, n. a species of bivalve shellfish: an instrument for holding. [A.S. clam, fetter; cf. Ger. klamm; Dan. klamme.]

Clam, klam, v.t. to clog: to smear; pr.p. clam′ming; pa.p. clammed.—n. dampness.—adv. Clam′mily.—n. Clam′miness.—adj. Clam′my, sticky: moist and adhesive. [A.S. clæman, to anoint; cf. Dut., Dan. klam, damp.]

Clam, klam, n. noise produced in ringing a chime of bells at once.—v.t. or v.i. to produce a clam. [Prob. onomatopœic.]

Clamant, klam′ant, adj. calling aloud or earnestly.—n. Clam′ancy, urgency. [L. clamāre, to cry out.]

Clamber, klam′bėr, v.i. to climb with difficulty, grasping with the hands and feet.—n. the act of clambering. [From root of Clump; cf. Ger. klammern—klemmen, to squeeze or hold tightly.]

Clamjamphrie, klam-jam′fri, n. (Scot.) rubbish: nonsense: rabble. [Der. uncertain.]

Clamour, klam′or, n. a loud continuous outcry: uproar; any loud noise.—v.i. to cry aloud in demand: to make a loud continuous outcry.—adj. Clam′orous, noisy, boisterous.—adv. Clam′orously.—ns. Clam′-orousness; Clam′ourer. [L. clamor.]

Clamp, klamp, n. a piece of timber, iron, &c., used to fasten things together or to strengthen any framework: any instrument for holding.—v.t. to bind with clamps. [From a root seen in A.S. clam, fetter; Dut. klamp, a clamp, and akin to Eng. Clip, Climb.]

Clamp, klamp, n. a heavy tread.—v.i. to tread heavily. [Prob. from the sound.]

Clamper, klam′pėr, v.t. to botch up. [Der. unknown; prob. conn. with Clamp, a piece of timber, &c.]

Clan, klan, n. a tribe or collection of families subject to a single chieftain, bearing the same surname, and supposed to have a common ancestor: a clique, sect: a collective name for a number of persons or things.—adj. Clan′nish, closely united, like the members of a clan.—adv. Clan′nishly.—ns. Clan′nishness; Clan′ship, association of families under a chieftain: feeling of loyalty to a clan; Clans′man, a member of a clan. [Gael. clann, offspring, tribe—L. planta, a shoot.]

Clandestine, klan-des′tin, adj. concealed or hidden: private: sly.—adv. Clandes′tinely. [L. clandestinus—clam, secretly.]

Clang, klang, v.i. to produce a sharp, ringing sound.—v.t. to cause to clang.—n. a sharp, ringing sound, like that made by metallic substances struck together: (fig.) sound, the cry of some birds.—n. Clang′ing, the sound corresponding to the verb.—adj. Clang′orous.—adv. Clang′orously.—n. Clang′our, a clang: a sharp, shrill, harsh sound.—v.i. to make a clangour. [L. clangĕre; Ger. klang; formed from the sound.]

Clank, klangk, n. a sharp sound, less prolonged than a clang, such as is made by a chain.—v.t. or v.i. to make or cause a clank.—n. Clank′ing, the action of the verb clank.—adj. Clank′less, without clank. [Prob. formed under the influence of Clink and Clang.]

Clap, klap, n. the noise made by the sudden striking together of two things, as the hands: a burst of sound: a slap.—v.t. to strike together so as to make a noise: to thrust or drive together suddenly: to fasten promptly: to pat with the hand in a friendly manner: to applaud with the hands: to bang: to imprison—e.g. 'to clap one in prison.'—v.i. to strike the hands together: to strike together with noise: to applaud:—pr.p. clap′ping; pa.p. clapped.—ns. Clap′-board, a thin board used in covering wooden houses; Clap′-bread, a kind of hard-baked oatmeal cake; Clap′-dish (same as Clack-dish); Clap′-net, a kind of net which is made to clap together suddenly by pulling a string; Clap′per, one who claps: that which claps, as the tongue of a bell: a glib tongue.—v.t. Clap′per-claw, to claw or scratch: (Shak.) to scold.—ns. Clap′ping, noise of striking: applause; Clap′-sill, the bottom part of the frame on which lock-gates shut—called also Lock-sill; Clap′trap (Shak.), a trick to gain applause: flashy display: empty words; Claptrap′pery.—adj. Claptrap′pish.—Clap eyes on, to see; Clap hands (Shak.), to make an agreement; Clap hold of, to seize roughly; Clap up (Shak.), to conclude suddenly. [Ice. klappa, to pat; Dut. and Ger. klappen.]