Chapter XIX: Part 19

CATAMITE, kat'a-m[=i]t, _n._ a boy kept for unnatural purposes--a corruption of GANYMEDE (q.v.).

CATAMOUNT. See CAT.

CATAPAN, kat'a-pan, _n._ the governor of Calabria and Apulia for the Byzantine emperor. [Acc. to Littré, from Gr. _katepan[=o] t[=o]n axi[=o]mat[=o]n_, 'he who is placed over the dignities.']

CATAPHONICS, kat-a-fon'iks, _n._ the science of reflected sounds.--_adj._ CATAPHON'IC. [Gr. _kata_, against, _phon[=e]_, sound.]

CATAPHRACT, kat'a-frakt, _n._ (_Milton_) a soldier in full armour. [Gr. _kataphrakt[=e]s_, a coat-of-mail--_kata_, inten., and _phrass-ein_, to enclose, protect.]

CATAPHYLLARY, kat-a-fil'ar-i, _adj._ pertaining to such rudimentary scale-leaves as are found on various parts of plants, esp. underground.--_n._ CATAPHYLL'UM. [Gr. _kata_, down, _phyllon_, leaf.]

CATAPHYSICAL, kat-a-fis'i-kal, _adj._ (_rare_) unnatural. [Gr. _kata_, down, against, _physis_, nature.]

CATAPLASM, kat'a-plazm, _n._ a plaster or poultice. [Gr. _kataplasma_, a plaster--_kata-plassein_, to plaster over.]

CATAPLEXY, kat'a-plex-i, _n._ the kind of mesmeric sleep of animals under a sudden shock of terror--the state of 'shamming death.'--_adj._ CATAPLEC'TIC. [Gr. _katapl[=e]ssein_, to strike down.]

CATAPULT, kat'a-pult, _n._ anciently an engine of war, resembling the ballista, for throwing stones, arrows, &c.: a small forked stick having an elastic string fixed to the two prongs, used by boys for throwing small stones.--_adj._ CATAPUL'TIC.--_n._ CATAPULTIER'. [L. _catapulta_--Gr. _katapelt[=e]s_--_kata_, down, _pallein_, to throw.]

CATARACT, kat'a-rakt, _n._ a great fall of water, water-spout, &c.: a waterfall or cascade: an opaque condition of the lens of the eye, painless, unaccompanied by inflammation, occasioning blindness, simply by obstructing the passage of the light. [L. _cataracta_--Gr. _kata_, down, _arass-ein_, to dash, to rush.]

CATARRH, kat-är', _n._ a discharge of fluid from the inflammation of a mucous membrane, esp. of the nose, caused by cold in the head: the cold itself.--_adjs._ CATARRH'AL, CATARRH'OUS. [L. _catarrhus_--Gr. _katarrhous_--_kata_, down, _rhe[=e]in_, to flow.]

CATARRHINE, CATARHINE, kat'ar-[=i]n, _adj._ pertaining to that one of the two divisions of Quadrumana, including all the Old-World monkeys, having a narrow partition between the nostrils. [Gr. _kata_, down, _hris_, _hrinos_, nose.]

CATASTA, kat-äs'ta, _n._ a block on which slaves were exposed for sale: a stage or place for torture. [L.]

CATASTASIS, kat-as'tas-is, _n._ the part of the Greek drama in which the development of the action has reached its height: (_rhet._) that part of a speech which states the subject to be discussed. [Gr.]

CATASTROPHE, kat-as'tr[=o]-f[=e], _n._ an overturning: a final event: an unfortunate conclusion: a calamity.--_adj._ CATASTROPH'IC--_ns._ CATAS'TROPHISM, the theory in geology that accounts for 'breaks in the succession' by the hypothesis of vast catastrophes--world-wide destruction of floras and faunas, and the sudden introduction or creation of new forms of life, after the forces of nature had sunk into repose; CATAS'TROPHIST, a holder of the foregoing, as opposed to the _uniformitarian_ theory. [Gr., _kata_, down, _strephein_, to turn.]

CATAWBA, ka-taw'ba, _n._ a light sparkling wine, produced from a grape of the same name, first found on the banks of the _Catawba_ River in Carolina.

CAT-BIRD. See CAT.

CAT-CALL. See CAT.

CATCH, kach, _v.t._ to take hold of: to apprehend or understand: to seize after pursuit: to trap or ensnare: to take a disease by infection: to take up anything by sympathy or imitation.--_v.i._ to be contagious: to be entangled or fastened in anything;--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ caught (kawt).--_n._ seizure: anything that seizes or holds: that which is caught: anything worth catching: a sudden advantage taken: a specially English form of musical composition, written generally in three or four parts, and in the canon form--originally synonymous with the _round_.--_adj._ CATCH'ABLE, that may be caught.--_ns._ CATCH'ER, one who catches; CATCH'FLY, a popular name of several plants belonging to the genus _Silene_, and of _Lychnis Viscaria_, whose glutinous stems often retain insects settling on them; CATCH'ING, the action of the verb 'to catch:' a nervous or spasmodic twitching.--_adj._ infectious: captivating, attractive.--_ns._ CATCH'MENT-B[=A]S'IN, a term applied to all that part of a river-basin from which rain is collected, and from which, therefore, the river is fed; CATCH'PENNY, any worthless thing, esp. a publication, intended merely to gain money--also _adj._; CATCH'WORD, among actors, the last word of the preceding speaker--the cue: the word at the head of the page in a dictionary or encyclopædia: the first word of a page given at the bottom of the preceding page: any word or phrase taken up and repeated as the watchword or symbol of a party.--_adj._ CATCH'Y, attractive, deceptive, readily caught up, as an air, &c., fitful.--CATCH AT, to snatch at; CATCH FIRE, to become ignited, to be inspired by passion or zeal; CATCH HOLD OF, to seize; CATCH IT, to get a scolding or the like; CATCH ME! an emphatic colloquial phrase implying that there is not the remotest possibility of my doing something suggested; CATCH ON, to comprehend: to catch the popular fancy; CATCH OUT, to put a batsman out at cricket by catching the ball he has batted; CATCH SIGHT OF, suddenly to get a glimpse of; CATCH UP, to overtake; CATCH UP, or AWAY, to lay hold of forcibly. [From O. Fr. _cachier_--Late L. _capti[=a]re_ for _capt[=a]re_, inten. of _cap[)e]re_, to take. See CHASE.]

CATCHPOLE, -POLL, kach'p[=o]l, _n._ a constable, petty officer of justice. [Through O. Fr. from Low L. _cachepolus_, _chassipullus_, one who chases fowls. See CHASE and PULLET.]

CATCHUP, CATSUP. See KETCHUP.

CATE. See CATES.

CATECHISE, kat'e-k[=i]z, _v.t._ to instruct by question and answer: to question as to belief: to examine systematically, to take to task.--_adjs._ CATECHET'IC, -AL, relating to a catechism or oral instruction in the first principles, esp. of Christianity.--_adv._ CATECHET'ICALLY.--_ns._ CATECHET'ICS, the art or practice of teaching by question and answer: that part of theology which treats of CATECH[=E]'SIS, or primary oral instruction, as that given to catechumens; CAT'ECHISER; CAT'ECHISING, an examination by questioning; CAT'ECHISM, any compendious system of teaching drawn up in the form of question and answer; CAT'ECHIST, one who catechises, a teacher of catechumens, a native teacher in a mission church.--_adjs._ CATECHIST'IC, -AL, CATECHIS'MAL, pertaining to a catechist or catechism. [L. _catechismus_, formed from Gr. _kat[=e]chiz-ein_, _kat[=e]che-ein_, to din into the ears--_kata_, down, _[=e]ch[=e]_, a sound.]

CATECHU, kat'e-shoo, _n._ a substance used in tanning and dyeing, and medicinally as an astringent, obtained from the heart-wood of several East Indian trees, as the betel-nut, &c. [Tamil.]

CATECHUMEN, kat-e-k[=u]'men, _n._ one who is being taught the rudiments of Christianity: the appellation given in the early Christian Church to those converted Jews and heathens who had not yet received baptism, but were undergoing a course of training and instruction preparatory to it.--_adj._ CATECHUMEN'ICAL.--_adv._ CATECHUMEN'ICALLY.--_ns._ CATECH[=U]'MENSHIP, CATECH[=U]'MENISM, CATECH[=U]'MENATE. [Gr. _kat[=e]choumenos_, being taught, pr.p. pass. of _kat[=e]che-ein_, to teach.]

CATEGORY, kat'e-gor-i, _n._ what may be affirmed of a class: a class or order.--_adjs._ CATEGOREMAT'IC, capable of being used by itself as a term; CATEGOR'ICAL, positive: absolute: without exception.--_adv._ CATEGOR'ICALLY, absolutely: without qualification: expressly.--_n._ CATEGOR'ICALNESS, the quality of being absolute and unqualified.--_n.pl._ CAT'EGORIES (_phil._), the highest classes under which objects of philosophy can be systematically arranged, understood as an attempt at a comprehensive classification of all that exists: in Kant's system, the root-notions of the understanding, the specific forms of the _a priori_ or formal element in rational cognition (_quantity_, _quality_, _relation_, _modality_, &c.).--_v.t._ CAT'EGORISE, to place in a category or list: to class.--_n._ CATEGOR'IST, one who categorises.--CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE, in the ethics of Kant, the absolute unconditional command of the moral law, irrespective of every ulterior end or aim--universally authoritative, belonging to the fixed law of nature--'Act from a maxim at all times fit for law universal.' [Gr. _kat[=e]goria_, _kat[=e]goros_, an accuser, _kata_, down, against, _agora_, assembly.]

CATELECTRODE, kat-[=e]-lek'tr[=o]d, _n._ a negative electrode or cathode. [Gr. _kata_, down, and ELECTRODE.]

CATENARY, kat-[=e]'nar-i, _n._ the curve formed by a flexible homogeneous cord (such as a chain), hanging freely between two points of support, and acted on by no other force than gravity.--_adj._ relating to a chain, like a chain--also CATEN[=A]'RIAN.--_n._ CAT[=E]'NA, a chain or connected series, as in CATENA PATRUM, a chronological series of extracts from the Fathers on any doctrine of theology.--_v.t._ CAT'EN[=A]TE to connect as in a chain.--_n._ CATEN[=A]'TION. [L. _catenarius_, pertaining to a chain--_cat[=e]na_, chain.]

CATER, k[=a]'t[.e]r, _v.i._ to provide food, entertainment, &c. (with _for_).--_ns._ C[=A]'TERER; C[=A]'TERESS; C[=A]'TERING. [Lit. to act as a _cater_, the word being orig. a substantive, and spelled _catour_, an aphetised form of _acater_, _acatour_. See ACATER.]

CATERAN, kat'er-an, _n._ a Highland reiver or freebooter, a robber or brigand generally. [Gael. _ceathairne_, peasantry, Ir. _ceithern_, a band of soldiers.]

CATER-COUSIN, k[=a]'t[.e]r-kuz'n, _n._ a term implying familiarity, affection, sympathy, rather than kindred. [More prob. conn. with CATER than _quatre_ or _quarter_.]

CATERPILLAR, kat'[.e]r-pil-ar, _n._ a grub that lives upon the leaves of plants. [Prob. O. Fr. _chatepeleuse_, 'hairy cat;' _chate_, a she-cat--L. _catus_, _peleuse_, hairy--L. _pilosus_, _pilum_.]

CATERWAUL, kat'[.e]r-wawl, _n._ the shriek or cry emitted by the cat when in heat.--_v.i._ to make such a noise, to make any discordant sound: to behave lasciviously: to quarrel like cats.--_n._ CAT'ERWAULING. [The second part is prob. imit.]

CATES, k[=a]tz, _n.pl._ dainty food.

CATGUT. See CAT.

CATHARIST, kath'ar-ist, _n._ one professing a higher standard of purity in life and doctrine, a puritan: esp. a member of a Manichean heretical sect of the Middle Ages, which spread over the whole of southern and western Europe--confounded with the kindred sect of Paulicians, reaching the greatest numbers in southern France, where, as the Albigenses, they were ruthlessly stamped out by the Inquisition.--_n._ CATH'ARISM. [Gr. _katharistai_, _katharizein_, to purify.]

CATHARTIC, -AL, kath-ärt'ik, -al, _adj._ having the power of cleansing the stomach and bowels: purgative.--_v.t._ CATH'ARISE, to render absolutely clean.--_ns._ CATHAR'SIS, evacuation of the bowels; CATHART'IC, a purgative medicine; CATHAR'TIN, the purgative principle of senna. [Gr. _kathartikos_, fit for cleansing, _katharos_, clean.]

CATHEAD. See CAT.

CATHEDRAL, kath-[=e]d'ral, _n._ the principal church of a diocese, in which is the seat or throne of a bishop.--_adj._ belonging to a cathedral.--_n._ CATHED'RA, a bishop's seat, the episcopal dignity--EX CATHEDRA, from the chair, officially given forth.--_adjs._ CATHEDRAL'IC, CATHEDRALESQUE', CATHED'RALED, vaulted like a cathedral.--_n._ CATHED'RALISM, the cathedral system.--_adj._ CATHEDRAT'IC, promulgated _ex cathedra_, authoritative. [L. _cathedra_--Gr. _kathedra_, a seat.]

CATHERINE-WHEEL, kath'e-rin-hw[=e]l, _n._ (_archit._) an ornamented window or compartment of a window, of a circular form, with radiating divisions of various colours: (_her._) a wheel set round with teeth: a kind of firework which in burning rotates like a wheel.--CATHERINE PEAR, a small and early variety of pear.--TURN CATHERINE-WHEELS, to make a series of somersaults sideways. [From St _Catherine_ of Alexandria, whom legend makes to suffer martyrdom in the 4th century by torture on a wheel.]

CATHETER, kath'e-t[.e]r, _n._ a tube to be introduced through the urethra into the bladder to draw off the urine, or for injecting air or fluids into the Eustachian tube.--_ns._ CATH'ETERISM; CATHETOM'ETER, an instrument for measuring small differences of level of different liquids in tubes; CATH'ETUS, a straight line falling perpendicularly on another straight line or surface. [Gr. _kathetos_, perpendicular, _kathet[=e]r_, from _kathienai_, to send down.]

CATHISMA, ka-thiz'ma, _n._ in Greek use, a portion of the psalter, there being altogether twenty cathismata: a troparion or short hymn used as a response. [Gr., _kathizein_, to sit down.]

CATHODE, kath-[=o]d', _n._ the negative pole or electrode of a galvanic battery, as opposed to _anode_: the surface in contact with the negative pole: the object to be coated in electroplating--_adj._ CATH'ODAL. [Gr. _kathodos_, a going down, _kata_, down, _hodos_, a way.]

CAT-HOLE. See CAT.

CATHOLIC, kath'ol-ik, _adj._ universal: general, embracing the whole body of Christians: orthodox, as opposed to _heterodox_ and _sectarian_--applied esp. to the Christian Church before the great schism between the East and the West: liberal, the opposite of exclusive: relating to the name claimed by its adherents for the Church of Rome as the alleged sole visible representative of the church founded by Christ and His apostles--the characteristic marks of the Catholic Church being _universality_, _antiquity_, _unity_: relating to the Roman Catholics.--_n._ an adherent of the R.C. Church.--_v.t._ CATHOL'ICISE, to make Catholic.--_ns._ CATHOL'ICISM, CATHOLIC'ITY, universality: liberality or breadth of view: the tenets of the R.C. Church; CATHOL'ICON, a universal remedy or panacea; CATHOL'ICOS, the Patriarch of Armenia.--CATHOLIC CREDITOR (_law of Scot._), one whose debt is secured over several or the whole subjects belonging to the debtor--e.g. over two or more heritable estates; CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION, the relief of the Roman Catholics from certain vexatious penal regulations and restrictions, granted in 1829; CATHOLIC or GENERAL EPISTLES, the name given to certain epistles in the canon addressed not to particular churches or individuals, but either to the Church universal or to a large and indefinite circle of readers--originally only 1 John and 1 Peter, but, as early as the 3d century, also James, Jude, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John; CATHOLIC KING, a title given specially to the king of Spain.--OLD CATHOLICS, the title assumed by a number of Catholics who at Munich protested against the new dogma of the personal infallibility of the pope in all _ex cathedrâ_ deliverances proclaimed by the Vatican Council in 1870--now a considerable communion or church in Germany and Switzerland. [Gr. _katholicos_, universal--_kata_, throughout, _holos_, the whole.]

CATILINE, kat'il-[=i]n, _n._ the type of a daring and reckless conspirator, from L. Sergius _Catilina_, whose plot to destroy Rome was foiled by Cicero, 63 B.C.--_adj._ CAT'ILIN[=A]RIAN.

CATKIN. See CAT.

CAT-LOG, kat'-log, _n._ (_Shak._). CATALOGUE.

CATONIAN, ka-t[=o]'ni-an, _adj._ resembling _Cato_, the Roman Censor (died 149 B.C.), or Cato Uticensis (95-46 B.C.), both remarkable for gravity of manners--hence grave, severe, unbending.

CATOPTRIC, kat-op'trik, _adj._ relating to catoptrics or vision by reflection.--_n.pl._ CATOP'TRICS, the part of optics which treats of reflected light. [Gr.; from _katoptron_, a mirror--_kata_, against, _optesthai_, to see.]

CAT'S-TAIL. See CAT.

CATTLE, kat'l, _n.pl._ beasts of pasture, esp. oxen, bulls, and cows: sometimes also horses, sheep, &c.--_ns._ CATT'LEMAN, one who tends cattle, or who rears them on a ranch; CATT'LE-PLAGUE, plague or disease among cattle, esp. that known as rinderpest or steppe murrain; CATT'LE-SHOW, an exhibition or show of cattle or other domestic animals in competition for prizes. [O. Fr. _catel_, _chatel_--Low L. _captale_, orig. capital, property in general, then esp. animals--L. _capitalis_, chief--_caput_, the head, beasts in early times forming the chief part of property.]

CATTY, kat'i, _n._ the Chinese kin or pound, usually a little over 1¼ lb. avoirdupois.

CAUCASIAN, kaw-k[=a]'zhi-an, _adj._ pertaining to Mount _Caucasus_ or the country around it.--_n._ the name adopted by Blumenbach for one of his main ethnological divisions of mankind, by him made to include the two great groups, the Aryan and the Semitic; used by later anthropologists for the fair type of man as opposed to the Mongolic or yellow type.

CAUCUS, kaw'kus, _n._ a private meeting of political wire-pullers to agree upon candidates to be proposed for an ensuing election, or to fix the business to be laid before a general meeting of their party: applied loosely to any influential committee in a constituency. [Ety. dub.; perh. John Smith's Algonkin word _Caw-cawaassough_, an adviser; perh. a corr. of '_caulkers'_ meetings.']

CAUDAL, kaw'dal, _adj._ pertaining to the tail: having a tail or something like one.--_adj._ CAU'D[=A]TE, tailed. [L. _cauda_.]

CAUDEX, kaw'deks, _n._ (_bot._) the stem of a tree, esp. of a palm or tree-fern:--_pl._ CAUD'ICES, CAUD'EXES.--_n._ CAUDICLE, the stalk of the pollen-masses of certain orchids. [L.]

CAUDLE, kaw'dl, _n._ a warm drink, sweetened and spiced, given to the sick, esp. women in childbed.--_v.t._ to give a caudle to, to mix. [O. Fr. _chaudel_--L. _calidus_, hot.]

CAUDRON, kaw'dron, _n._ (_Spens._). Same as CAULDRON.

CAUGHT, kawt, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of CATCH.

CAUK, kawk, _n._ chalk: sulphate of baryta or heavy spar. [A form of CHALK.]

CAUKER. See CAULK.

CAUL, kawl, _n._ a net or covering for the head: the membrane covering the head of some infants at their birth. [O. Fr. _cale_, a little cap, prob. Celt.; cf. Ir. _calla_, a veil, hood.]

CAULD, kawld, _n._ (_Scot._) a dam in a stream, a weir.

CAULDRIFE, kawld'-r[=i]f, _adj._ (_Scot._) cold, chilly, lifeless, without vigour.

CAULDRON, CALDRON, kawl'dron, _n._ a large kettle for boiling or heating liquids. [O. Fr. _caudron_--L. _caldarium_--_calidus_, hot--_cal[=e]re_, to be hot.]

CAULESCENT, kaw-les'ent, _adj._ (_bot._) having a stem rising above the ground--also CAULIF'EROUS.--_n._ CAU'LICLE, a rudimentary stem.--_adj._ CAULIC'OLOUS, growing on a stem.--_n.pl._ CAULICUL[=A]'TA, the black or antipatharian corals.--_adj._ CAULIC'UL[=A]TE.--_n._ CAULIC'ULUS, one of the slender stems springing from the _caules_ or main stalks supporting the volutes in the Corinthian capital.--_adjs._ CAUL'IFORM, having the form of a stem; CAULIG'ENOUS, borne upon the stem; CAUL'INARY, CAU'LINE, belonging to a stem.--_n._ CAU'LIS, the stem of a plant: one of the main stems at the angles of the Corinthian capital. [L. _caulis_, a stalk.]

CAULIFLOWER, kaw'li-flow'[.e]r, _n._ a variety of cabbage, the eatable part of which is the deformed inflorescence or head. [Earlier _cole-florye_, _colie-florie_--Low L. _cauli-flora_--L. _caulis_, cabbage. See COLE and FLOWER.]

CAULK, CALK, kawk, _v.t._ to press oakum and untwisted rope into the seams of a ship to render it watertight.--_ns._ CAULK'ER, one who caulks: a dram: a big lie--also CAUK'ER; CAULK'ING; CAULK'ING-[=I]'RON, an instrument like a chisel used for pressing oakum into the seams of ships. [O. Fr. _cauquer_, to press--L. _cacl[=a]re_, to tread--_calx_, heel.]

CAUSE, kawz, _n._ that which produces an effect: that by or through which anything happens: motive: inducement: a legal action between contending parties: sake, advantage: that side of a question which is taken up by an individual or party: (_Shak._) accusation: (_Shak._) matter, affair in general.--_v.t._ to produce: to make to exist: to bring about: (_Spens._) to give excuses.--_conj._ (_dial._) because.--_adj._ CAUS'AL, relating to a cause or causes.--_n._ CAUSAL'ITY, the working of a cause: (_phren._) the faculty of tracing effects to their causes.--_adv._ CAUS'ALLY, according to the order of causes.--_ns._ CAUS[=A]'TION, the act of causing: the bringing about of an effect; the relation of cause and effect; CAUS[=A]'TIONISM, the theory of causation; CAUS[=A]'TIONIST, a believer in the foregoing.--_adj._ CAUS'ATIVE, expressing causation.--_n._ a form of verb or noun expressing such.--_adv._ CAUS'ATIVELY.--_adj._ CAUSE'LESS, having no cause or occasion.--_adv._ CAUSE'LESSLY.--_ns._ CAUSE'LESSNESS; CAUS'ER, one who causes an effect to be produced.--CAUSE CÉLÈBRE, a convenient French term for a specially interesting and important legal trial, criminal or civil.--FINAL CAUSE, the end or object for which a thing is done, esp. the design of the universe; FIRST CAUSE, the original cause or creator of all.--HOUR OF CAUSE (_Scot._), hour or time of trial.--SECONDARY CAUSES, such as are derived from a primary or first cause.--HAVE or SHOW CAUSE, to have to give reasons for a certain line of action; MAKE COMMON CAUSE (_with_), to unite for a common object; SHOW CAUSE (_Eng. law_), to argue against the confirmation of a provisional order or judgment.--For OCCASIONAL CAUSES, see OCCASIONALISM. [Fr.,--L. _causa_.]

CAUSERIE, k[=o]z'ri, _n._ a talk or gossip: a paragraph of chat about literature or art; a short and informal essay on any subject in a newspaper or magazine--as in Sainte-Beuve's famous _Causeries du Lundi_. [Fr.]

CAUSEWAY, kawz'w[=a], CAUSEY, kawz'e, _n._ a raised way through a marsh: a pathway raised and paved with stone: a paved street.--_v.t._ to pave.--_p.adjs._ CAUSE'WAYED, CAUS'EYED. [CAUSEWAY is formed from CAUSEY and WAY. CAUSEY is in M. E. _causee_--O. Fr. _caucie_--Low L. _calciata_--L. _calx_, heel.]

CAUSTIC, kaws'tik, _adj._ burning: (_fig._) bitter, severe, cutting: (_math._) noting an envelope of rays of light proceeding from a fixed point and reflected (_catacaustic_) or refracted (_diacaustic_) by a surface or a curve.--_n._ a substance that exerts a corroding or disintegrating action on the skin and flesh.--_adv._ CAUS'TICALLY.--_n._ CAUSTIC'ITY, quality of being caustic.--CAUSTIC ALKALI (_chem._), a name given to the hydrates of potassium and sodium, called caustic potash and caustic soda respectively; CAUSTIC AMMONIA, ammonia as a gas, or in solution; CAUSTIC LIME, quicklime.--COMMON CAUSTIC, potash; LUNAR CAUSTIC, nitrate of silver in sticks for surgical use. [L.,--Gr. _kaustikos_--_kai-ein_, _kaus-ein_, to burn.]

CAUTEL, kaw'tel, _n._ (_Shak._) craft: insidious purpose: caution: wariness: a traditionary caution or written direction about the proper manner of administering the sacraments.--_adj._ CAU'TELOUS (_Shak._), cautious: insidious: artful. [Fr. _cautèle_--L. _cautela_--_cav[=e]re_, _cautum_, to guard against.]

CAUTERISE, kaw't[.e]r-[=i]z, _v.t._ to burn with a caustic or a hot iron: (_fig._) to sear.--_ns._ CAU'TER, CAU'TERY, a burning with caustics or a hot iron: a burning iron or caustic used for burning tissue; CAUTERIS[=A]'TION, CAU'TERISM. [Fr. _cautériser_--Low L. _cauteriz[=a]re_--Gr. _kaut[=e]r_, a hot iron--_kai-ein_, to burn.]

CAUTION, kaw'shun, _n._ heedfulness: security: warning: a surety: (_Scot._) bail.--_v.t._ to warn to take care.--_adj._ CAU'TIONARY, containing caution: given as a pledge.--_ns._ CAU'TIONER, one who cautions or advises: (_Scots law_) a surety; CAU'TIONRY, the act of giving security for another.--_adj._ CAU'TIOUS, possessing or using caution: watchful: prudent.--_adv._ CAU'TIOUSLY.--_n._ CAU'TIOUSNESS.--CAUTION MONEY, money paid in advance as security for good behaviour. [Fr.,--L. _caution-em_--_cav[=e]re_, to beware.]

CAVALCADE, kav-al-k[=a]d', _n._ a train or procession of persons on horseback.--_v.i._ to go in a cavalcade. [Fr., through It. and Low L. forms from L. _caballus_, a horse.]

CAVALIER, kav-al-[=e]r', _n._ a knight: a Royalist in the great Civil War: a swaggering fellow: a gallant or gentleman in attendance upon a lady, as her escort or partner in a dance or the like: in military fortification, a raised work so situated as to command the neighbouring country.--_adj._ like a cavalier: gay: war-like: haughty, supercilious, free-and-easy.--_v.i._ to act as cavalier.--_adj._ CAVALIER'ISH.--_n._ CAVALIER'ISM.--_adv._ CAVALIER'LY.--_n._ CAVALIER'O, a cavalier.--CAVALIERE-SERVENTE (It.), one who waits upon a lady, esp. a married lady, with fantastic devotion--a cicisbeo. [Fr.,--It. _cavallo_. See CAVALCADE.]

CAVALRY, kav'al-ri, _n._ horse-soldiers: a troop of horse or horsemen. [Fr. _cavallerie_--It. _cavalleria_--L. _caballarius_, horseman.]

CAVASS. See KAVASS.

CAVATINA, kav-at-[=e]'na, _n._ a short form of operatic air, of a smooth and melodious character, differing from the ordinary aria in consisting only of one part, and frequently appearing as part of a grand scena. [It.]

CAVE, k[=a]v, _n._ a hollow place in the earth: a den: any small faction of seceders from a political party.--_v.t._ to hollow out.--_v.i._ to lodge in a cave.--_n._ CAVE'-BEAR (_Ursus spelæus_), a fossil bear of the Quaternary epoch.--_n.pl._ CAVE'-DWELL'ERS, prehistoric men who lived in caves.--_n._ CAV'ING, yielding.--TO CAVE IN, of land, to slip, to fall into a hollow: to yield to outside pressure, to give way, collapse. [Fr.,--L. _cavus_, hollow.]

CAVEAT, k[=a]'ve-at, _n._ a notice or warning: a formal warning, entered in the books of a court or public office, that no step shall be taken in a particular matter without notice to the person lodging the caveat, so that he may appear and object. [L., 'let him take care'--_cav[=e]re_, to take care.]

CAVENDISH, kav'en-dish, _n._ tobacco moistened and pressed into quadrangular cakes. [Possibly from the name of the original manufacturer.]

CAVERN, kav'[.e]rn, _n._ a deep hollow place in the earth.--_v.t._ to put in a cavern: to hollow out, in the form of a cavern.--_adjs._ CAV'ERNED, full of caverns: dwelling in a cavern; CAV'ERNOUS, hollow: full of caverns.--_adv._ CAV'ERNOUSLY.--_adj._ CAVER'N[=U]LOUS, full of little cavities. [Fr.,--L. _caverna_--_cavus_, hollow.]

CAVESSON, kav'es-on, _n._ a nose-band for a horse. [Fr.,--It.--L. _capitia_, _capitium_, a head-covering.]

CAVETTO, ka-vet'to, _n._ a hollowed moulding whose curvature is the quarter of a circle, used chiefly in cornices. [It.; dim. of _cavo_--L. _cavus_, hollow.]

CAVIARE, CAVIAR, kav-i-är', or kav-i-[=a]r' (originally four syllables), _n._ an article of food made from the salted roes of the sturgeon, &c.: (_fig._) something whose flavour is too fine for the vulgar taste. [Prob. the 16th-cent. It. _caviale_; the Turk, _kh[=a]vy[=a]r_ is prob. borrowed.]

CAVICORN, kav'i-korn, _adj._ hollow-horned, as a ruminant.--_n._ one of the CAVICOR'NIA, a family contrasted with the solid-horned ruminants, or deer (_Cervidæ_). [L. _cavus_, hollow, _cornu_, a horn.]

CAVIE, k[=a]v'i, _n._ a hen-coop or cage. [Dut. _kevie_; Ger. _käfig_.]

CAVIL, kav'il, _v.t._ to make empty, trifling objections: to use false arguments:--_pr.p._ cav'illing; _pa.p._ cav'illed.--_n._ a frivolous objection.--_ns._ CAVILL[=A]'TION, CAV'ILLING; CAV'ILLER. [O. Fr. _caviller_--L. _cavill[=a]ri_, to practise jesting--_cavilla_, jesting.]

CAVITY, kav'it-i, _n._ a hollow place: hollowness: an opening.--_adj._ CAV'ITIED. [L. _cavitas_, _-tatem_--_cavus_, hollow.]

CAVO-RILIEVO, kä'v[=o]-r[=e]-ly[=a]'v[=o], _n._ a kind of relief in which the highest surface is level with the plane of the original stone, which is left round the outlines of the design.--Also INTAGLIO-RILIEVO and COELANAGLYPHIC SCULPTURE. [It. _cavo_, hollow, _rilievo_, relief. See CAVE and RELIEF.]

CAVORT, kav-ort', _v.i._ (_U.S. slang_) to curvet, bound. [Explained as a corr. of CURVET.]

CAVY, k[=a]v'i, _n._ a genus of Rodents, best known by the domesticated species, the common guinea-pig. [_Cabiai_, the native name in French Guiana.]

CAW, kaw, _v.i._ to cry as a crow.--_n._ the cry of a crow--also KAW.--_n._ CAW'ING. [From the sound.]

CAWK, kawk, _n._ a miner's familiar name for heavy spar. [Prov. Eng. _cauk_, CHALK.]

CAWKER. Same as CALKER.

CAXON, kak'son, _n._ a kind of wig formerly worn. [Origin obscure.]

CAXTON, kaks'ton, _n._ a book printed by William _Caxton_ (1422-91), the first English printer: a kind of printing-type in imitation of Caxton's.

CAY, k[=a], _n._ a low islet, the same as KEY. [Sp. _cayo_.]

CAYENNE, k[=a]-en', CAYENNE-PEPPER, k[=a]-en'-pep'[.e]r, _n._ a very pungent red pepper, made from several species of capsicum.--_adj._ CAYENNED', seasoned with cayenne. [Usually referred to _Cayenne_ in French Guiana; but there is little doubt the word is Brazilian.]

CAYMAN, k[=a]'man, _n._ a local name loosely applied to various species of alligator--to that of the Mississippi, and more frequently to others found in tropical or subtropical America. [Sp. _caiman_, most prob. Carib.]

CAZIQUE, a form of CACIQUE.

CEASE, s[=e]s, _v.i._ to give over: to stop: to be at an end (with _from_).--_v.t._ to put an end to.--_n._ (_Shak._) extinction.--_adj._ CEASE'LESS, without ceasing: incessant.--_adv._ CEASE'LESSLY.--_n._ CEAS'ING.--WITHOUT CEASE, continually. [Fr. _cesser_--L. _cess[=a]re_, to give over--_ced[)e]re_, to yield, give up.]

CEBADILLA. See CEVADILLA.

CEBUS, s[=e]'bus, _n._ a genus of South American monkeys--CEBIDÆ (seb'i-d[=e]) is sometimes applied to all the broad-nosed New-World monkeys (Platyrrhini) with prehensile tails, in contrast to the Pithecidæ. [Gr. _k[=e]bos_.]

CECIDOMYIA, ses-i-dom-[=i]'ya, _n._ a genus of dipterous (two-winged) insects in the Tipularia (gnat and mosquito) division. [Gr. _k[=e]kis_, _-idos_, juice.]

CECILS, s[=e]'silz, _n.pl._ minced meat, bread crumbs, onions, &c., made up into balls and fried.

CECITY, s[=e]'si-ti, _n._ blindness. [L. _cæcitas_--_cæcus_, blind.]

CEDAR, s[=e]'dar, _n._ a large evergreen tree remarkable for the durability and fragrance of its wood; applied also to many more or less similar trees, as the Barbadoes cedar, properly a juniper, and the Bastard Barbadoes cedar, properly a _Cedrela_ (used for canoes, cigar-boxes, blacklead pencils).--_adj._ made of cedar.--_adjs._ C[=E]'DARED, covered with cedars; C[=E]'DARN (_Milton_), pertaining to or made of cedar; C[=E]'DRINE, belonging to the cedar-tree; C[=E]'DRY, obsolete form of C[=E]'DARY, having the colour or properties of cedar. [L.--Gr. _kedros_.]

CEDE, s[=e]d, _v.t._ to yield or give up to another.--_v.i._ to give way. [L. _ced[)e]re_, _cessum_, to yield, give up.]

CEDILLA, se-dil'la, _n._ a mark placed under the letter _c_ (thus _ç_), esp. in French, to show that it is to have its soft sound of _s_, where one would expect the hard, as before _a_, _o_, _u_. [Sp. (Fr. _cédille_, It. _zediglia_), all from _z[=e]ta_, the Greek name of _z_.]

CEDRATE, s[=e]'dr[=a]t, _n._ the citron. [Fr.,--L. _citrus_.]

CEDRELA, sed'r[=e]-la, _n._ a tropical genus of _Meliaceæ_, allied to mahogany, whose wood is popularly called cedar.--_adj._ CEDREL[=A]'CEOUS. [Gr. _kedrelat[=e]_--_kedros_, cedar, _elat[=e]_, the silver fir.]

CEDULA, sed'[=u]-lä, _n._ a South American promissory-note or mortgage-bond on lands. [Sp. Cf. SCHEDULE.]

CEE-SPRING, C-SPRING, s[=e]'-spring, _n._ a spring supporting the frame of a carriage, in the shape of a C.

CEIL, CIEL, s[=e]l, _v.t._ to overlay the inner roof of a room, generally to plaster it: to wainscot.--_n._ CEIL'ING, the inner roof of a room. [Prob. conn. with Fr. _ciel_, It. _cielo_, Low L. _cælum_, a canopy.]

CELADON, sel'a-don, _n._ a pale-green colour. [Fr.]

CELANDINE, sel'an-d[=i]n, _n._ swallow-wort, the popular name (and corruption) of _Chelidonium majus_, a perennial papaveraceous (poppy) herb, so named because it was supposed to flower when the swallows appeared, and to perish when they departed. [O. Fr. _celidoine_--Gr. _chelidonion_--_chelid[=o]n_, a swallow.]

CELEBRATE, sel'e-br[=a]t, _v.t._ to make famous: to distinguish by solemn ceremonies, as a festival or an event: to perform with proper rites and ceremonies, as mass, the eucharist, marriage, &c.: to publish the praises of.--_n._ CEL'EBRANT, one who celebrates: the principal officiant at the holy communion.--_adj._ CEL'EBRATED, distinguished: famous.--_ns._ CELEBR[=A]'TION, act of celebrating any solemn ceremony, as the eucharist (_high_, if with music, &c.; _low_, if without): an extolling; CELEBR[=A]T'OR, one who celebrates; CELEB'RITY, the condition of being celebrated: fame: notoriety: a person of distinction or fame. [L. _celebr[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_celeber_, frequented.]

CELERITY, sel-er'it-i, _n._ quickness: rapidity of motion. [Fr.,--L. _celeritas_--_celer_, quick.]

CELERY, sel'er-i, _n._ a kitchen vegetable cultivated for its long blanched succulent stalks. [Fr. _céleri_--L. and Gr. _sel[=i]non_, parsley.]

CELESTIAL, sel-est'yal, _adj._ heavenly: dwelling in heaven: in the visible heavens.--_n._ an inhabitant of heaven.--_adv._ CELEST'IALLY.--THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE, a name for China. [Through Fr. from L. _coelestis_--_coelum_, heaven.]

CELESTINE, sel'es-t[=i]n, or sel-es'tin, _n._ one of an order of monks following the rule of St Benedict, wearing a white garment with black hood and scapulary, founded about 1254 by Peter da Murrone, who became Pope _Celestine_ V. in 1294, and resigned after five years--'the great refusal' of Dante.

CELESTINE, sel'es-tin, _n._ a mineral, native sulphate of strontia.--Also CEL'ESTITE. [From its sky-blue colour.]

CELIAC, s[=e]'li-ak, _adj._ Same as COELIAC.

CELIBACY, sel'i-bas-i, or se-lib'as-i, _n._ a single life: an unmarried state.--_adjs._ CELIBAT[=A]'RIAN, favouring celibacy; CEL'IBATE, living single.--_n._ one unmarried, or not allowed to marry. [L. _coelebs_, single.]

CELL, sel, _n._ a small room in a prison, monastery, &c.: a cave: a small shut cavity: the grave: a unit-mass of living matter, whether rounded off by itself, as in the simplest plants or animals, and in the youngest stage of all organisms, or associated with other cells to form a higher unity.--_adjs._ CELLED, having cells, cellular; CELLIF'EROUS, having or producing cells; CELL'ULAR, CELL'ULATED, consisting of or containing cells.--_n._ CELL'ULE, a little cell.--_adj._ CELLULIF'EROUS, having or producing little cells.--_n._ CELL'ULOID, a hard elastic compound used for ivory, obtained by hydraulic pressure from pyroxylin, mixed with camphor, &c.--_adj._ CELL'ULOSE, containing cells.--_n._ the substance of which the permanent cell-membranes of plants are composed. [O. Fr. _celle_--L. _cella_, conn. with _cel[=a]re_, to cover.]

CELLA, sel'a, _n._ the body of the temple, as distinguished from the portico, &c.

CELLAR, sel'ar, _n._ any underground room or vault: a cell underground, where stores are kept, esp. wine, &c.--_v.t._ to store in a cellar.--_ns._ CELL'ARAGE, space for cellars: cellars: charge for storing in cellars; CELL'ARER, CELL'ARIST, one who has charge of the cellar: an officer in a monastery who has the charge of procuring and keeping the provisions; CELL'ARET, an ornamental case for holding bottles; CELL'ARMAN, one who has the care of a cellar.--_adj._ CELL'AROUS (_Dickens_), belonging to a cellar: excavated: sunken. [O. Fr. _celier_--L. _cellarium_--_cella_.]

CELLO, chel'o, for VIOLONCELLO; sometimes written 'CELLO.--CELLIST, 'CELLIST, for VIOLONCELLIST.

CELLULARES, sel-[=u]-l[=a]'rez, _n.pl._ a name sometimes applied to the _Cryptogamia_--properly only to the mosses and lower cryptogams.

CELT, selt, _n._ a cutting instrument of stone or bronze found in ancient barrows. [Founded on _Celte_, perh. a misreading for _certe_ ('surely'), in the Vulgate, Job, xix. 24, there being apparently no such Latin word as _celtes_, a chisel.]

CELT, selt, _n._ one of the Celts, an Aryan race, now represented by the Bretons, the Welsh, the Irish, and the Scottish Highlanders--also Kelt.--_adj._ CELT'IC.--_ns._ CELT'ICISM, a Celtic idiom or custom; CELTOM[=A]'NIA. [L. _Celtæ_; Gr. _Keltoi_ or _Keltai_.]

CEMENT, se-ment', _n._ anything that makes two bodies stick together: mortar: a bond of union.--_v.t._ to unite with cement: to join firmly.--_n._ CEMENT[=A]'TION, the act of cementing: the process by which iron is turned into steel, glass into porcelain, &c.--done by surrounding them with a cement or powder and exposing them to heat.--_adjs._ CEMENT'ATORY, CEMENTI'TIOUS, having the quality of cementing or uniting firmly. [O. Fr. _ciment_--L. _cæmentum_, chip of stone used to fill up in building a wall, _cædimentum_--_cæd[)e]re_, to cut.]

CEMETERY, sem'e-t[.e]r-i, _n._ a burying-ground. [Low L. _cæmeterium_--Gr. _koim[=e]t[=e]rion_.]

CENACLE, sen'a-kl, _n._ a supper-room, esp. that in which the Last Supper was eaten by Jesus and His disciples. [Fr. _cénacle_--L. _cenaculum_.]

CENOBITE. Same as COENOBITE.

CENOTAPH, sen'[=o]-taf, _n._ a sepulchral monument to one who is buried elsewhere. [Fr.,--L.--Gr. _kenotaphion_--_kenos_, empty, and _taphos_, a tomb.]

CENOZOIC, s[=e]-no-z[=o]'ik, _adj._ Same as CAINOZOIC.

CENSE, sens, _v.t._ to burn incense before: (_obs._) to think.--_n._ (_obs._) a public rate or tax: rank, condition. [See CENSUS.]

CENSER, sens'[.e]r, _n._ a pan in which incense is burned. [O. Fr. _censier_, _encensier_ (mod. _encensoir_)--Low L. _incensorium_--L. _incend[)e]re_, _incensum_, to burn.]

CENSOR, sen'sor, _n._ in ancient Rome, an officer who kept account of the property of the citizens, imposed taxes, and watched over their morals: an officer who examines books or newspapers before they are printed: one who censures or blames.--_adjs._ CENS[=O]'RIAL, belonging to a censor, or to the correction of public morals; CENS[=O]'RIOUS, expressing censure: fault-finding--also CENS[=O]'RIAN.--_adv._ CENS[=O]'RIOUSLY.--_ns._ CENS[=O]'RIOUSNESS; CEN'SORSHIP, office of censor: time during which he holds office.--CENSORSHIP OF THE PRESS, a regulation of certain governments, by which books and newspapers must be examined by officers, whose approval is necessary to their publication. [L.,--_cens[=e]re_, to weigh, to estimate.]

CENSURE, sen'sh[=u]r, _n._ an unfavourable judgment: blame: reproof: (_obs._) criticism, judgment generally.--_v.t._ to blame: to condemn as wrong.--_adj._ CEN'SURABLE, deserving of censure: blamable.--_n._ CEN'SURABLENESS.--_adv._ CEN'SURABLY. [L. _cens[=u]ra_, an opinion, a severe judgment--_cens[=e]re_, to estimate or judge.]

CENSUS, sen'sus, _n._ an official enumeration of the inhabitants of a country, and of statistics relating to them.--_adj._ CEN'SUAL, relating to or containing a census. [L. _census_, a register.]

CENT, sent, _n._ a hundred: an American coin--the hundredth part of a dollar.--_ns._ CENT'AGE, rate by the hundred; CENT'AL, a weight of 100 lb. proposed for general adoption, legalised in 1878.--PER CENT., by the hundred. [L. _centum_, a hundred.]

CENTAUR, sen'tawr, _n._ a fabulous monster, half-man, half-horse.--_adj._ CENTAU'RIAN. [L.,--Gr. _kentauros_; ety. dub.]

CENTAURY, sen'taw-ri, _n._ an annual with pink or rose-coloured flowers, possessing the tonic and other medicinal virtues of gentian, esteemed in medicine since the days of Galen.

CENTENARY, sen'tin-ar-i (also sometimes sen-t[=e]n'ar-i and even sen-ten'ar-i), _n._ a hundred: a century or hundred years.--_adj._ pertaining to a hundred.--_ns._ CENTEN[=A]'RIAN, one a hundred years old; CENTEN[=A]'RIANISM; CENTENIER (sen'ten-[=e]r), a centurion: a police-officer in Jersey. [L.,--_centeni_, a hundred each--_centum_.]

CENTENNIAL, sen-ten'i-al, _adj._ happening once in a hundred years.--_n._ a hundredth anniversary. [Coined from L. _centum_, and _annus_, a year.]

CENTER. See CENTRE.

CENTERING, sen't[.e]r-ing, _n._ (_archit._) the framework upon which an arch or vault of stone, brick, or iron is supported during its construction.

CENTESIMAL, sen-tes'i-mal, _adj._ hundredth.--_adv._ CENTES'IMALLY. [L. _centesimus_--_centum_.]

CENTIFOLIOUS, sen-ti-f[=o]'li-us, _adj._ hundred-leaved.

CENTIGRADE, sen'ti-gr[=a]d, _adj._ having a hundred degrees: divided into a hundred degrees, as the centigrade thermometer constructed by Celsius (1701-44), in which freezing-point is zero and boiling-point is 100° (for its relation to the Fahrenheit scale, see THERMOMETER). [L. _centum_, and _gradus_, a step, a degree.]

CENTIGRAMME, sen'ti-gram, _n._ in the Metric System, the hundredth part of a gramme, or .1543248 of a gr. troy. [Fr.,--L. _centum_, a hundred, and GRAMME.]

CENTILITRE, sen'ti-l[=e]-tr, _n._ the hundredth part of a litre, a little more than 6/10ths of a cubic inch. [Fr.,--L. _centum_, a hundred, and LITRE.]

CENTIME, sen-t[=e]m', _n._ the hundredth part of anything, esp. a French coin, the hundredth part of a franc. [Fr.,--L. _centum_, a hundred.]

CENTIMETRE, sen'ti-m[=e]-tr, _n._ a lineal measure, the hundredth part of a metre--0.3937 inches. [Fr.,--L. _centum_, a hundred, _metrum_, Gr. _metron_, a measure.]

CENTINEL. Same as SENTINEL.

CENTIPEDE, sen'ti-p[=e]d, _n._ a general name for the members of one of the orders of the class _Myriapoda_, being segmented animals bearing jointed appendages, having a well-defined head furnished with feelers and jaws, and breathing by means of air-tubes or tracheæ. [L. _centum_, and _pes_, _pedis_, a foot.]

CENTNER, sent'ner, _n._ a common name on the Continent for a hundredweight.

CENTO, sen'to, _n._ a name applied to literary trivialities in the form of poems manufactured by putting together distinct verses or passages of one author, or of several authors, so as to make a new meaning: a composition formed by joining scraps from other authors: expressing contempt, a mere string of commonplace phrases and quotations:--_pl._ usually CEN'TOS.--_ns._ CEN'TOIST; CEN'TONISM, CEN'TOISM. [L. _cento_, Gr. _kentr[=o]n_, patchwork.]

CENTRE, CENTER, sen't[.e]r, _n._ the middle point of anything, esp. a circle or sphere: the middle: the point toward which all things move or are drawn: the chief leader of an organisation--head-centre: the men of moderate political opinions in the French Chamber, sitting right in front of the president, with extreme men on the right and on the left--further subdivisions are RIGHT-CENTRE and LEFT-CENTRE: the Ultramontane party in Germany.--_v.t._ to place on or collect to a centre.--_v.i._ to be placed in the middle:--_pr.p._ cen'tring, cen'tering; _pa.p._ cen'tred, cen'tered.--_adj._ CEN'TRAL, belonging to the centre, principal, dominant: belonging to a nerve-centre, of affections caused by injury to the brain or spinal cord.--_ns._ CENTRALIS[=A]'TION, CEN'TRALISM, the tendency to administer by the sovereign or central government matters which would be otherwise under local management.--_v.t._ CEN'TRALISE, to draw to a centre.--_n._ CENTRAL'ITY, central position.--_advs._ CEN'TRALLY, CEN'TRICALLY.--_ns._ CEN'TRE-BIT, a joiner's tool, turning on a centre, for boring circular holes--one of the chief tools of the burglar; CEN'TRE-BOARD, a shifting keel, fitted to drop below and in line with the keel proper in order to increase or diminish the draught of a boat--much used in United States racing yachts; CEN'TRE-PIECE, an ornament for the middle of a table, ceiling, &c.--_adjs._ CEN'TRIC, CEN'TRICAL, relating to, placed in, or containing the centre.--_ns._ CEN'TRICALNESS, CENTRIC'ITY; CEN'TRUM, the body of a vertebra.--CENTRAL FIRE, said of a cartridge in which the fulminate is placed in the centre of the base, as opposed to _rim fire_; CENTRAL FORCES, forces whose action is to cause a moving body to tend towards a fixed point called the centre of force.--CENTRE OF ATTRACTION, the point to which bodies tend by the force of gravity; CENTRE OF BUOYANCY, or DISPLACEMENT, the point in an immersed body at which the resultant vertical pressure may be supposed to act; CENTRE OF GRAVITY, a certain point, invariably situated with regard to the body, through which the resultant of the attracting forces between the earth and its several molecules always passes; CENTRE OF INERTIA, or MASS, the centre of a set of parallel forces acting on all the particles of a body, each force being proportional to the mass of the particle on which it acts; CENTRE OF OSCILLATION, the point in a body occupied by that particle which is accelerated and retarded to an equal amount, and which therefore moves as if it were a single pendulum unconnected with the rest of the body; CENTRE OF PERCUSSION, the point in which the direction of a blow, given to a body, intersects the plane in which the fixed axis and the centre of inertia lie, making the body begin to rotate about a fixed axis, without causing any pressure on the axis; CENTRE OF PRESSURE, the point at which the direction of a single force, which is equivalent to the fluid pressure on the plane surface, meets the surface. [Fr.,--L. _centrum_--Gr. _kentron_, a sharp point.]

CENTRIFUGAL, sen-trif'[=u]-gal, _adj._ relating to the force directed towards the centre of curvature constantly required to keep a body moving in a curve instead of in its natural straight line: (_bot._) applied to an inflorescence when the development proceeds from the apex towards the base of the axis or leaf, as opposed to _centripetal_, when it is from the base upwards towards the apex.--_n._ CEN'TRIFUGE, a centrifugal machine. [L. _centrum_, and _fug-[)e]re_, to flee from.]

CENTRIPETAL, sen-trip'et-al, _adj._ of a force impelling a body towards some point as a centre. [L. _centrum_, and _pet-[)e]re_, to seek.]

CENTROBARIC, sen-tro-bar'ik, _adj._ relating to the centre of gravity. [L. _centrum_, and Gr. _baros_, weight.]

CENTRODE, sen'tr[=o]d, _n._ a locus traced out by the successive positions of an instantaneous centre of pure rotation.

CENTUMVIR, sen-tum'vir, _n._ one of the Roman judges chosen annually for civil suits, originally 105 in number (three from each of the thirty-five tribes):--_pl._ CENTUM'VIR[=I].--_n._ CENTUM'VIRATE. [L. _centum_, a hundred, and _vir_, a man.]

CENTUPLE, sen't[=u]-pl, _adj._ hundredfold.--_v.t._ CENT[=U]'PLICATE, to multiply a hundred times.--_n._ CENTUPLIC[=A]'TION. [L. _centuplex_--_centum_, and _plic[=a]re_, to fold.]

CENTURY, sen't[=u]-ri, _n._ a hundred, or something consisting of a hundred in number, as sonnets, &c.: a hundred years.--_adj._ CENT[=U]'RIAL.--_ns._ CENT[=U]'RI[=A]TOR, the centuriators of Magdeburg were a group of Reformed divines who in the 16th century compiled a church history in 13 vols., each volume covering a century; CENT[=U]'RION, among the Romans, the commander of a hundred men.--CENTURY PLANT (see AGAVE). [L. _centuria_--_centum_.]

CEORL, churl, _n._ before the Norman Conquest an ordinary freeman not of noble birth. [A.S.]

CEPHALASPIS, sef-a-las'pis, _n._ a genus of fossil Ganoid fishes found in the Upper Silurian and Devonian measures. [Gr. _kephal[=e]_, the head, _aspis_, a shield.]

CEPHALIC, se-fal'ik, _adj._ belonging to the head--also CEPHALIS'TIC.--_ns._ CEPHALAG'RA, gout in the head; CEPHALAL'GIA, CEPH'ALGY, headache.--_adjs._ CEPHALAL'GIC; CEPH'ALATE, having a head, as a mollusc.--_n._ CEPHAL[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the brain.--_adjs._ CEPH'ALOID, in the form of the head: spherical.--_ns._ CEPH'ALO-TH[=O]'RAX, the anterior division of the body in arthropods; CEPHALOT'OMY, the dissection of the head.--_adj._ CEPH'ALOUS, having a head. [Gr. _kephalikos_--_kephal[=e]_, the head.]

CEPHALOPODA, sef-al-op'od-a, _n.pl._ the highest class of molluscs, usually large animals, exclusively marine, with well-developed head region, but having the ventral surface grown round the mouth and split up into arms bearing suckers--more commonly _cuttlefish_.--_adj._ CEPH'ALOPOD. [Gr. _kephal[=e]_, the head, _pous_, _podos_, the foot.]

CEPHALOPTERA, sef-a-lop't[.e]r-a, _n._ a name formerly used for a genus of rays. [Gr. _kephal[=e]_, the head, _ptera_, wings.]

CERAMIC, se-ram'ik, _adj._ pertaining to pottery. [Gr. _keramos_, potter's earth.]

CERASINE, ser'a-sin, _n._ the insoluble portion of the gum which exudes from the cherry, &c. [L. _cerasus_, Gr. _kerasos_, the cherry-tree.]

CERASTES, se-ras't[=e]z, _n._ a genus of poisonous snakes having a horny process over each eye. [L.; Gr. _kerast[=e]s_--_keras_, a horn.]

CERATE, s[=e]'r[=a]t, _n._ a compound of wax with other oily or medicinal substances in such proportions as to form a stiff ointment.--_adj._ C[=E]'RATED.--_n._ CERO'MANCY, divination from figures produced by melted wax when dropped into water. [L. _cer[=a]re_, _cer[=a]tum_, to cover with wax, _cera_, wax.]

CERATITIS, ser-a-t[=i]'tis, _n._ inflammation of the cornea.--Also KERAT[=I]'TIS.

CERATODE, ser'a-t[=o]d, _n._ the horny skeletal substance of sponges--also CER'ATOSE.--_adjs._ CERAT'ODOUS, CER'ATOSE.

CERATOID, ser'a-toid, _adj._ horny.

CERAUNIC, se-raw'nik, _adj._ pertaining to, or produced by, thunder.--_ns._ CERAU'NITE, a belemnite; CERAU'NOSCOPE, an apparatus for imitating thunder and lightning in ancient mysteries. [Gr. _keraunos_, a thunderbolt.]

CERBERUS, ser'b[.e]r-us, _n._ (_myth._) the monster that guarded the entrance to Hades, a dog with three, according to some a hundred, heads.--_adj._ CERB[=E]'RIAN. [L.--Gr. _Kerberos_.]

CERCARIA, ser-k[=a]'ri-a, _n._ the technical name applied to an embryonic form of many flukes.--_adj._ CERC[=A]'RIAN. [Gr. _kerkos_, a tail.]

CERE, s[=e]r, _v.t._ to cover with wax.--_n._ the bare waxlike patch at the base of the upper part of the beak in birds.--_adj._ CER[=A]'CEOUS, of or like wax.--_ns._ CER[=A]'GO, a wax-like substance (bee-bread) used by bees as food; CERE'CLOTH, CERE'MENT, a cloth dipped in melted wax in which to wrap a dead body: a winding-sheet or grave-clothes generally.--_adjs._ C[=E]'REOUS, waxy; C[=E]'RIC.--_ns._ C[=E]'RIN, C[=E]'RINE, the portion of wax which dissolves in boiling alcohol: a waxy substance obtained by boiling grated cork in alcohol; C[=E]'ROGRAPH, a writing on wax: an encaustic painting.--_adjs._ CEROGRAPH'IC, -AL.--_ns._ CEROG'RAPHIST; CEROG'RAPHY, the art of writing or engraving on wax.--_adj._ CEROPLAS'TIC, modelled or moulded in wax.--_n._ the art of modelling in wax.--_n._ CER'OSINE, a wax-like substance produced on the surface of certain species of sugar-cane. [L. _cera_, cog. with Gr. _k[=e]ros_, wax; Gr. _graphein_, to write, _plassein_, to mould.]

CEREAL. See CERES.

CEREBRUM, ser'e-brum, _n._ the front and larger part of the brain.--_adjs._ CEREBELL'AR, CEREBELL'OUS.--_n._ CEREBELL'UM, the hinder and lower part of the brain.--_adj._ CER'EBRAL, pertaining to the cerebrum.--_ns._ CER'EBRALISM, the theory that all mental operations originate in the cerebrum; CER'EBRALIST.--_v.i._ CER'EBRATE, to show brain action.--_n._ CEREBR[=A]'TION, action of the brain, conscious or unconscious, marked by molecular changes in the cerebrum.--_adjs._ CER'EBRIC, cerebral; CEREB'RIFORM, brain-shaped.--_ns._ CER'EBRIN, a name given to several nitrogenous non-phosphorised substances obtained from the brain; CEREBR[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the cerebrum.--_adj._ CER'EBRO-SP[=I]N'AL, relating to the brain and spinal cord together.--CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES, the two great divisions of the cerebrum. [L. _cerebrum_, the brain; prob. cog. with Gr. _kara_, the head, _kranion_, the cranium.]

CEREMONY, ser'e-mo-ni, _n._ a sacred rite: the outward form, religious or otherwise: any empty form without inwardness: pomp or state; a portent or omen.--_adj._ CEREM[=O]'NIAL, relating to ceremony.--_n._ outward form: a system of ceremonies.--_n._ CEREM[=O]'NIALISM, adherence to outward form.--_adv._ CEREM[=O]'NIALLY.--_adj._ CEREM[=O]'NIOUS, full of ceremony: particular in observing forms: precise.--_adv._ CEREM[=O]'NIOUSLY.--_n._ CEREM[=O]NIOUSNESS.--MASTER OF CEREMONIES, the person who directs the form and order of the ceremonies to be observed on some public occasion. [Fr.--L. _cærimonia_, sanctity.]

CERES, s[=e]'r[=e]z, _n._ the Roman name for the Greek Dem[=e]t[=e]r, goddess of tillage and corn.--_adj._ C[=E]'REAL, relating to corn or edible grain.--_n.pl._ C[=E]'REALS, the grains used as food, such as wheat, barley, &c. [L. prob. from root of _cre[=a]re_, to create.]

CEREUS, s[=e]'ri-us, _n._ a large genus of cactuses, including some of the most imposing forms. [L., 'waxen.']

CERGE, s[.e]rj, _n._ a large wax-candle burned before the altar.--Also CIERGE, SERGE. [O. Fr.,--L. _cereus_--_cera_, wax.]

CERINTHIAN, ser-in'thi-an, _adj._ pertaining to _Cerinthus_, one of the earliest heretics in the Christian Church, against whose crude Gnosticism the Gospel of John was written, according to Irenæus.

CERIPH. Same as SERIF.

CERISE, ser-[=e]z', _n._ and _adj._ a light and clear red colour. [Fr., 'cherry.']

CERIUM, s[=e]'ri-um, _n._ a rare metal found in the mineral C[=E]'RITE, which is its hydrated silicate. [Named from the plant _Ceres_.]

CERN, s[.e]rn (_Shak._). CONCERN.

CEROMANCY. See CERATE.

CEROON. See SEROON.

CEROPLASTIC. See CERE.

CERTAIN, s[.e]r't[=a]n, or s[.e]r'tin, _adj._ sure: not to be doubted: resolved: fixed: regular: inevitable: some: one.--_advs._ CER'TAINLY, (_Scot._) CER'TY, CER'TIE.--_ns._ CER'TITUDE, CER'TAINTY.--'A CERTAIN PERSON,' implying some degree of contempt; A LADY OF A CERTAIN AGE, of an age best not stated accurately--at least no longer young.--FOR CERTAIN, assuredly.--MORAL CERTAINTY, a conviction so justifiable that one is morally entitled to act on it. [O. Fr.,--L. _certus_--_cern-[)e]re_, to decide.]

CERTES, s[.e]r't[=e]z, _adv._ certainly: in sooth. [Fr.]

CERTIFICATE, s[.e]r-tif'i-k[=a]t, _n._ a written declaration of some fact: a testimonial of character or definite statement of qualifications.--_v.t._ to give a certificate.--_ns._ CERTIFIC[=A]'TION; CERTIF'ICATORY, a certificate--also _adj._--_n._ CER'TIFIER, one who certifies.--_v.t._ CER'TIFY, to make known as certain: to inform: to declare in writing:--_pr.p._ cer'tifying; _pa.p._ cer'tified. [Fr. _certificat_--L. _certific[=a]re_, _certus_, and _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

CERTIORARI, s[.e]r-shi-o-r[=a]'ri, _n._ the writ by which, since the abolition of imprisonment for debt and the consequent disuse of the better-known writ, _habeas corpus_, causes are removed from inferior courts of record into the High Court of Justice. [Low L., 'be informed of'--_certior_, comp. of _certus_, certain.]

CERULEAN, se-r[=u]'le-an, _adj._ sky-blue: dark-blue; sea-green.--_adj._ CER[=U]'LEOUS. [L. _cæruleus_.]

CERULEIN, s[.e]r-[=u]'l[=e]-in, _n._ a coal-tar colour chiefly used in dyeing cotton fabrics, producing fast olive-green shades.

CERUMEN, se-r[=u]'men, _n._ the yellow waxy matter secreted in the ear.--_adj._ CER[=U]'MINOUS. [L. _cera_, wax.]

CERUSE, s[=e]'r[=oo]s, or ser-[=u]s', _n._ white-lead, the native carbonate of lead.--_n._ C[=E]'RUSITE. [Fr.,--L. _cerussa_, conn. with _cera_, wax.]

CERVICAL, s[.e]r'vi-kal, _adj._ belonging to the neck. [Fr.,--L. _cervix_, _cervicis_, the neck.]

CERVINE, s[.e]r'v[=i]n, _adj._ relating to deer. [L. _cervinus_, _cervus_, a stag.]

CESAREAN. See CÆSAREAN.

CESAREVITCH. See CZAR.

CESPITOSE, ses'pi-t[=o]s, _adj._ turfy: growing in tufts.--Also CES'PITOUS. [L. _cespes_, _cespitis_, turf.]

CESS, ses, _n._ a tax, a local rate.--_v.t._ to impose a tax.--OUT OF ALL CESSE (_Shak._), excessively, immoderately. [Shortened from ASSESS.]

CESSATION, ses-[=a]'shun, _n._ a ceasing or stopping: a rest: a pause. [Fr.,--L. _cessation-em_. See CEASE.]

CESSE, ses, _v.i._ (_Spens._). Same as CEASE.

CESSION, sesh'un, _n._ a yielding up.--_n._ CES'SIONARY, one to whom an assignment has been legally made.--CESSIO BON[=O]RUM (_Scots law_), before 1880 a debtor's surrender of his estate to his creditors in return for a judicial protection from imprisonment in respect of his debts. [Fr.--L. _cession-em_. See CEDE.]

CESSPOOL, ses'p[=oo]l, _n._ a pool or hollow in which filthy water collects. [Acc. to Skeat, from Celt. _soss-pool_, a pool into which foul messes flow. Cf. Scot. _soss_, a mixed dirty mess.]

CESTOID, ses'toid, _n._ one of a family of flat worms of internal parasitic habit, having a long strap-like body divided into numerous segments: a tapeworm.--Also CESTOID'EAN. [L. _cestus_, Gr. _kestos_, a girdle, a strap, and _eidos_, form.]

CESTRACION, ses-tr[=a]'si-on, _n._ a generic name for the hammer-headed sharks. [Formed from Gr. _kestra_, a weapon.]

CESTUI, sest'w[=e], _n._ any person who--in such phrases as CESTUI QUE TRUST, a person entitled to the benefit of a trust, a beneficiary in Scots law phraseology. [O. Fr.]

CESTUS, ses'tus, _n._ the girdle of Venus, which had power to awaken love: an ancient boxing-glove loaded with lead or iron. [L.--Gr. _kestos_, a girdle.]

CESURA. See CÆSURA.

CESURE, s[=e]'z[=u]r, _n._ a breaking off: (_Spens._) a cæsura.

CETACEA, se-t[=a]'shi-a, _n.pl._ an order of mammals of aquatic habit and fish-like form, including the Toothed whales, or _Odontoceti_, and the Baleen whales, or _Mystacoceti_. To the former belong the Sperm whales, the Bottlenose, the genus Platanista and its allies, and the great family of Dolphins; to the latter, the Right Whale (_Balæna_), the Humpbacks, and the Rorquals.--_n._ CET[=A]'CEAN.--_adj._ CET[=A]'CEOUS.--_n._ CETOL'OGY, that part of zoology which treats of whales. [L.,--Gr. _k[=e]tos_, any sea-monster.]

CETEOSAURUS, set-e-o-saw'rus, _n._ a large dinosaurian reptile belonging to the Jurassic system. [Gr. _k[=e]tos_, whale, _sauros_, lizard.]

CEVADILLA, sev-a-dil'a, _n._ the dark acrid seeds of a Mexican bulbous plant of the lily family, yielding veratrin, formerly used as an anthelmintic: the plant itself.--Also CEBADILL'A. [Sp.,--L. _cib[=a]re_, to feed, _cibus_, food.]

CEYLONESE, s[=e]-lon-[=e]z', _adj._ of or belonging to _Ceylon_.--_n._ a native of Ceylon.

CHABLIS, shab'l[=e], _n._ a celebrated white Burgundy wine made at _Chablis_, near Auxerre, in France.

CHABOUK, tschä'b[=oo]k, _n._ a Persian horsewhip. [Pers.]

CHACE. See CHASE (1).

CHACK, chak, _n._ a snack or slight hasty meal. [Imit.]

CHACMA, chak'ma, _n._ a South African baboon.

CHACO. Same as Shako.

CHACONNE, shak-on', _n._ an old dance, with slow movement, the music, a series of variations on a ground bass, mostly eight bars in length, appearing in sonatas as well as ballets. [Fr.,--Sp. _chacona_--Basque _chucun_, pretty.]

CHAD, shad, _n._ a kind of fish. [See SHAD.]

CHÆTODON, k[=e]'to-don, _n._ a typical genus of a family of bony fishes, known as Squamipennes. [Gr. _chait[=e]_, hair, _odous_, _odont-_, tooth.]

CHÆTOPOD, k[=e]'to-pod, _n._ a class of worms including familiar types like the Earthworm, the Fisherman's Lobworm, and the Sea-mouse--often included under the title of Annelids or ringed worms. [Gr. _chait[=e]_, hair, and _pous_, _pod-_, foot.]

CHAFE, ch[=a]f, _v.t._ to make hot by rubbing: to fret or wear by rubbing: to cause to fret or rage (with _against_, _at_).--_v.i._ to fret or rage.--_n._ heat caused by rubbing: rage: passion.--_ns._ CHAF'ER (_obs._), a chafing-dish, a saucepan; CHAF'ING-DISH, a dish or vessel in which anything is made hot: a kind of portable grate; CHAF'ING-GEAR, mats, spun-yarn, battens, &c., put upon the rigging and spars of a ship to prevent their being chafed. [Fr. _chauffer_--L. _calefac[)e]re_--_cal[=e]re_, to be hot, and _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

CHAFER, ch[=a]f'[.e]r, _n._ a kind of beetle, the cockchafer. [A.S. _cefer_; cog. with Dut. _kever_, Ger. _käfer_.]

CHAFF, chaf, _n._ a general name for the husks of corn or other grain as threshed or winnowed: refuse, or worthless matter: light banter, badinage.--_v.t._ to banter, or tease, by some raillery.--_ns._ CHAFF'-CUT'TER, CHAFF'-EN'GINE, a machine for cutting straw or hay into chaff.--_n._ and _p.adj._ CHAFF'ING.--_adv._ CHAFF'INGLY.--_adjs._ CHAFF'LESS; CHAFF'Y. [A.S. _ceaf_; cf. Dut. _kaf_.]

CHAFFER, chaf'[.e]r, _v.t._ to buy.--_v.i._ to bargain: to haggle about the price.--_ns._ CHAFF'ERER, a haggler about the price; CHAFF'ERY, buying and selling: (_Spens._) haggling. [M. E. _chapfare_, a bargain, from A.S. _ceap_, price, _faru_, way.]

CHAFFINCH, chaf'insh, _n._ a little song-bird of the finch family. [Said to delight in _chaff_. See FINCH.]

CHAFFRON. See CHAMFRAIN.

CHAFT, chaft, _n._ (_Scot._ and _Northern English_) the jaw. [Ice. _kjaptr_; cf. Sw. _käft_, Dan. _kieft_.]

CHAGAN, kag-än', _n._ an early form of KHAN.

CHAGRIN, sha-gr[=e]n', _n._ that which wears or gnaws the mind: vexation: annoyance.--_v.t._ to vex or annoy.--_p.adj._ CHAGRINED'. [Fr. _chagrin_, shagreen, rough skin, ill-humour.]

CHAIN, ch[=a]n, _n._ a series of links or rings passing through one another: a number of things coming after each other: anything that binds: a connected course or train of events: in surveying, often called Gunter's chain, a measure of 100 links, 66 feet long (10 sq. chains make an acre): (_pl._) fetters, bonds, confinement generally.--_v.t._ to fasten: to fetter: to restrain: (_Shak._) to embrace.--_ns._ CHAIN'-ARM'OUR, chain-mail; CHAIN'-BOLT, a large bolt used to secure the chain-plates to the ship's side; CHAIN'-BRIDGE, a bridge suspended on chains: a suspension-bridge; CHAIN'-C[=A]'BLE, a cable composed of iron links.--_p.adj._ CHAINED, bound or fastened, as with a chain: fitted with a chain.--_n._ CHAIN'-GANG, a gang of convicts chained together.--_adj._ CHAIN'LESS, without chains: unfettered.--_ns._ CHAIN'LET, a small chain; CHAIN'-MAIL, mail or armour made of iron links connected together, much used in Europe in the 12th and 13th centuries; CHAIN'-MOULD'ING, moulding in the form of a chain; CHAIN'-PIER, a pier supported by chains like a chain-bridge.--_n.pl._ CHAIN'-PLATES, on shipboard, iron plates bolted below the channels to serve as attachments for the dead-eyes, through which the standing rigging or shrouds and back-stays are rove and secured.--_ns._ CHAIN'-PUMP, a pump consisting of buckets or plates fastened to an endless iron chain, and used for raising water; CHAIN'-RULE, an arithmetical rule, so called from the terms of the problem being stated as equations, and connected, as if by a chain, so as to obtain by one operation the same result as would be obtained by a number of different operations in simple proportion: the rule for solving problems by compound proportion; CHAIN'-SHOT, two bullets or half-bullets fastened together by a chain, used formerly in naval engagements to destroy rigging, now replaced by case-shot and shrapnel-shell; CHAIN'-STITCH, a peculiar kind of stitch resembling the links of a chain; CHAIN'-WORK, work consisting of threads, cords, &c., wrought with open spaces like the links of a chain: network. [Fr. _chaine_--L. _cat[=e]na_.]