Chapter XXIII: Part 23

COBWEB, kob'web, _n._ the spider's web or net: any snare or device intended to entrap: anything flimsy or easily broken: anything that obscures.--_n._ COBWEB'BERY.--_adj._ COB'WEBBY. [Prob. shortened from M. E. _atter-cop-web_--A.S. _átor_, poison, and _coppa_--W. _cop_, a head, tuft. See also WEB.]

COCA, k[=o]'ka, _n._ a shrub of six or eight feet high, of which the leaves furnish an important narcotic and stimulant.--_ns._ COCAINE (k[=o]'kä-in), a local anæsthetic made from coca-leaves, and much used in dentistry and surgical operations; COCAINIS[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ C[=O]'CAINISE.--_n._ C[=O]'CAINISM, a morbid condition induced by over-use of cocaine. [Sp.,--Peruv.]

COCAGNE, COCAIGNE. Same as COCKAIGNE.

COCCIFEROUS, kok-sif'[.e]r-us, _adj._ berry-bearing. [L. _coccum_ (--Gr. _kokkos_), a berry, and _ferre_, to bear.]

COCCOLITE, kok'[=o]-l[=i]t, _n._ a variety of pyroxene: a small rounded body found in deep-sea mud.--Also COCC'OLITH. [Gr. _kokkos_, a berry, _lithos_, a stone.]

COCCUS, kok'us, _n._ one of the carpels or seed-vessels of a dry fruit: (_zool._) a genus of insects in the order _Hemiptera_, and type of a family including many forms injurious to plants, and a few others useful to man.--_n._ COCC'ULUS, a tropical genus of climbing plants (_Menispermaceæ_).--COCCULUS INDICUS, a drug consisting of the dried fruit of _Anamirta cocculus_, having narcotic and poisonous properties--yielding _picrotoxin_. [L.,--Gr. _kokkos_, a berry.]

COCCYX, kok'siks, _n._ (_anat._) the lower bone of the vertebral column:--_pl._ COC'CYGES.--_adjs._ COCCYG'[=E]AL, COCCYG'IAN. [Gr. _kokkyx_, the cuckoo, from its bill.]

COCH, koch, _n._ (_Spens._). Same as COACH.

COCHIN, k[=o]'chin, _n._ a large-sized variety of the domestic hen, with feathered legs, full breast, small tail.--_n._ C[=O]'CHIN-CHIN'A, a large-sized hen originally from _Cochin-China_.--_adj._ C[=O]'CHIN-CHINESE'.

COCHINEAL, koch'i-n[=e]l, _n._ a scarlet dye-stuff consisting of the dried bodies of certain insects gathered from the cactus plant in Mexico, the West Indies, &c.: the insect itself. [Sp. _cochinilla_, dim. of L. _coccinus_--Gr. _kokkos_, a berry, as the cochineal was formerly supposed to be the berry or seed of the plant.]

COCHLEA, kok'le-a, _n._ a spiral-shaped shell, esp. the snail-shell: (_anat._) the spiral cavity of the ear.--_adjs._ COCHLEAR'IFORM; COCH'LEARY, COCH'LE[=A]TE, COCH'LE[=A]TED, twisted. [L.,--Gr. _kochlias_, a snail.]

COCK, kok, _n._ the male of birds, particularly of the domestic fowl: the time of cock-crowing: a weathercock: a plucky chap, a term of familiarity, as 'Old cock:' a strutting chief or leader: anything set erect: a tap for liquor: part of the lock of a gun, held back by a spring, which, when released by the trigger, produces the discharge.--_v.t._ to set erect or upright: to set up, as the hat: to draw back the cock of a gun: to turn up to one side: to tilt up knowingly, inquiringly, or scornfully.--_v.i._ to strut: to swagger.--_ns._ COCK[=A]DE', a knot of ribbons or something similar worn on the hat as a badge; COCKAL[=O]'RUM, a bumptious little person: a boy's game; COCK'-BROTH, the broth made from a boiled cock; COCK'CHAFER, the May-bug, an insect of a pitchy-black colour, most destructive to vegetation; COCK'-CROW, -ING, early morning, the time at which cocks crow.--_adj._ COCKED, set erect: turned up at one side.--_ns._ COCK'ER, one who follows cock-fighting: a small dog of the spaniel kind employed by sportsmen in pheasant and woodcock shooting; COCK'EREL, a young cock: a young man--also COCK'LE, whence COCK'LE-BRAINED, foolish; COCK'-EYE, a squinting eye: the loop by which a trace is attached to the whipple-tree.--_adj._ COCK'-EYED.--_ns._ COCK'-FIGHT, -ING, a fight or contest between game-cocks: a fight; COCK'-HORSE, a child's rocking-horse.--_adj._ prancing, proud.--_adv._ properly _a-cock-horse_ = _on cock-horse_, on horseback: exultingly.--_ns._ COCK'LAIRD (_Scot._), a yeoman; COCK'LOFT, the room in a house next the roof; COCK'-MATCH, a cock-fight; COCK'PIT, a pit or enclosed space where game-cocks fought: a room in a ship-of-war for the wounded during an action; COCK'ROACH, the common black beetle; COCKS'COMB, the comb or crest on a cock's head: a fop: the name of various plants; COCK'SHUT (_Shak._), twilight, probably referring to the time when poultry are shut up; COCK'-SHY, a free throw at a thing, as for amusement.--_adj._ COCK'-SURE, quite sure, often without cause.--_n._ COCK'SWAIN (see COXSWAIN).--_adjs._ COCK'SY, COX'Y, bumptious.--_n._ COCK'TAIL, a racing horse that is not thoroughbred: one who apes the gentleman: (_U.S._) a drink of spirits flavoured with various ingredients.--_adjs._ COCK'TAILED, having the tail cocked or tilted up; COCK'Y, impudent.--_ns._ COCK'Y-LEEK'Y, soup made of a fowl boiled with leeks; COCK'YOLLY, a nursery or pet name for a bird.--COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO, the cry of the cock; COCK-A-HOOP, a phrase expressing reckless exultation; COCK AND PIE, used as an exclamation (see PIE, 2); COCKED HAT, the old-fashioned three-cornered hat, the triangular pointed hat worn as part of some full-dress uniforms: a note folded into a three-cornered shape; COCK OF THE WALK, chief of a set; COCK'S-FOOT GRASS, a genus of grasses very abundant in Britain, and furnishing an important part of both natural and artificial pastures; COCK THE EYE (_coll., humorous_), to wink.--A COCK-AND-BULL STORY, an incredible tale.--FULL-COCK, when the cock of a gun is drawn full back: when a tap is full open; HALF-COCK, the position of the cock of a gun when drawn back half the whole distance.--KNOCK INTO A COCKED HAT, 'to lick out of shape:' to give a profound beating. [A.S. _coc_; Ice. _kokkr_.]

COCK, kok, _n._ a small pile of hay.--_adj._ COCKED, heaped up in cocks. [Sw. _koka_, a lump of earth; Dut. _kogel_; Ger. _kugel_, a ball.]

COCK, kok, _n._ (_Shak._) a cock-boat. Now COCK-BOAT.

COCK, perversion of the word _God_.--COCK AND PIE (see PIE, 2).

COCK-A-BON'DY, kok-a-bon'di, _n._ a fly for angling. [A corr. of Welsh _coch a bon ddu_, red, with black stem.]

COCKAIGNE, COCKAYNE, kok-[=a]n', _n._ an imaginary country of luxury and delight. [Ety. dub.; Fr. _cocagne_, acc. to some from L. _coqu[)e]re_, to cook.]

COCKATOO, kok-a-t[=oo]', _n._ a popular name for several genera and species of parrots. [Malay, _kakatúa_, prob. from its cry.]

COCKATRICE, kok'a-tr[=i]s, _n._ a fabulous monster like a serpent, often confounded with the Basilisk (q.v.), and regarded as possessing similar deadly powers. [O. Fr. _cocatrice_.]

COCK-BOAT, kok'-b[=o]t, _n._ a small ship's boat: a small frail boat. [See COG, a small boat.]

COCKER, kok'[.e]r, _v.t._ to pamper: to fondle: to indulge. [Ety. dub.; cf. Dut. _kokelen_, O. Fr. _coqueliner_, to dandle.]

COCKERNONY, kok'[.e]r-non-i, _n._ (_Scot._) the gathering of a young woman's hair, when it is wrapped up in a band or fillet, commonly called a 'snood' (_Jamieson_).

COCKET, kok'et, _n._ the custom-house official seal: a document given by the officers of the custom-house to merchants, as a warrant that their goods are duly entered: the office where such goods are entered. [Perh. a corr. of the words _quo quietus_.]

COCKLE, kok'l, _n._ a troublesome weed among corn, with a purple flower. [A.S. _coccel_.]

COCKLE, kok'l, _n._ a large and typical genus of bivalve molluscs, having a thick, ribbed, heart-shaped, equal-valved shell.--_adj._ COCK'LED, shelled like a cockle.--_ns._ COCK'LE-HAT, a hat bearing a scallop-shell, the badge of a pilgrim; COCK'LE-SHELL, the shell of a cockle: a frail boat.--THE COCKLES OF THE HEART, the heart itself. [Fr. _coquille_--Gr. _kongchylion_--_kongch[=e]_, a cockle.]

COCKLE, kok'l, _v.i._ to pucker into wrinkles or ridges.--_v.t._ to cause to pucker.

COCKLE, kok'l, _n._ the fire-chamber of an air-stove.

COCKNEY, kok'ne, _n._ (_Shak._) an affected, effeminate person, knowing the manners of the town, but a stranger to what every child else knows: a townsman as opposed to a countryman: one born in London, but strictly in a particular part of London.--_ns._ COCK'NEYDOM, the domain of Cockneys; COCKNEYFIC[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ COCK'NEYFY, to make Cockney.--_adj._ COCK'NEYISH.--_n._ COCK'NEYISM, the dialect or manners of a Cockney.--THE COCKNEY SCHOOL, a school of writers belonging to London, who flourished in the first half of the nineteenth century. [M. E. _coken-ey_, prob. lit. 'cock's egg;' cf. Fr. _coco_, an egg, a darling, a chap. Others would connect with Fr. _coquin_, a rogue--L. _coquus_, a cook.]

COCO, COCOA, k[=o]'k[=o], _n._ a palm-tree growing in tropical countries, and producing the coco-nut.--_ns._ C[=O]'CO-NUT, C[=O]'COA-NUT, the well-known fruit of the coco-palm: (_slang_) a man's head. [Port. and Sp. _coco_, a bugbear; applied to the nut from the three marks at the end of it, which form a grotesque face.]

COCOA, k[=o]'k[=o], _n._ the seed of the cacao or chocolate tree: a beverage made from the seeds crushed and ground. [A corr. of CACAO.]

COCOON, ko-k[=oo]n', _n._ the silken sheath spun by the larvæ of many insects in passing into the pupa or resting stage.--_n._ COCOON'ERY, a place for keeping silkworms when feeding and spinning cocoons. [Fr. _cocon_, from _coque_, a shell--L. _concha_, a shell.]

COCTION, kok'shun, _n._ the act of boiling or cooking.--_adj._ COC'TILE, baked: hardened by fire, as a brick. [L. _coqu[)e]re_, _coctum_, to boil, to cook.]

COD, kod, CODFISH, kod'fish, _n._ a species of fish much used as food, found in the northern seas.--_ns._ COD'-FISHER; COD'-FISH'ERY; COD'-FISH'ING; COD'LING, a small cod.--COD-LIVER OIL, a medicinal oil extracted from the fresh liver of the common cod. [Ety. dub.]

COD, kod, _n._ a husk or shell containing seeds: the scrotum.--_adjs._ COD'DED, enclosed in a cod; COD'DING (_Shak._), wanton.--_n._ COD'-PIECE, a baggy appendage worn in front of the tight hose of the middle ages. [A.S. _codd_, a small bag.]

COD, kod, _n._ (_Scot._), a pillow. [Old Dan. _kodde_, Ice. _koddi_, a pillow.]

COD, kod, _n._ (_slang_) applied to persons, with various meanings: a joke.--_v.t._ to impose on. [Ety. dub.; conn. with CODGER.]

CODDLE, kod'l, _v.t._ to pamper: to fondle: to parboil.--_n._ an effeminate person. [Ety. dub.]

CODE, k[=o]d, _n._ a collection or digest of laws: a system of rules and regulations: a system of signs used in the army.--_ns._ CODIFIC[=A]'TION; CODI'F[=I]ER, COD'IST, one who codifies.--_v.t._ COD'IFY, to put into the form of a code: to digest: to systematise:--_pr.p._ cod'ifying; _pa.p._ cod'ified.--CODE TELEGRAM, a telegram whose text in itself has no meaning, but where the words are merely arbitrary symbols for other words known to the receiver.--THE CODE, esp. the rules and regulations regarding government schools and teachers. [Fr. _code_--L. _codex_.]

CODEX, k[=o]'deks, _n._ a code: a manuscript volume:--_pl._ CODICES (kod'i-s[=e]z). [L. _codex_ or _caudex_, the trunk of a tree, a set of tablets, a book.]

CODGER, koj'[.e]r, _n._ a mean fellow: an old person: a chap. [Prob. a variant of CADGER.]

CODICIL, kod'i-sil, _n._ a short writing or note added as a supplement to a will.--_adj._ CODICILL'ARY. [L. _codicillus_, dim. of _codex_.]

CODILLA, k[=o]-dil'a, _n._ the coarsest part of hemp or flax, sorted out and separated from the rest. [Dim. of It. _coda_--L. _cauda_, a tail.]

CODILLE, k[=o]-dil, _n._ a term at ombre when the player gets fewer tricks than one of his opponents. [Fr.]

CODLING, kod'ling, CODLIN, kod'lin, _n._ a variety of apple.--_n._ COD'LIN-MOTH, the moth whose larvæ cause the 'worm-eaten' apples which fall prematurely off. [Ety. dub.]

COEFFICIENT, k[=o]-ef-fish'ent, _n._ that which acts together with another thing: (_math._) the numerical or literal factor prefixed to an unknown quantity in any algebraic term.--_n._ COEFFI'CIENCY.--_adv._ COEFFI'CIENTLY.

COEHORN, COHORN, k[=o]'horn, _n._ a small mortar for throwing grenades. [From Baron van _Coehoorn_ (1641-1704).]

COELENTERATA, s[=e]-len-ter-[=a]'ta, _n._ the technical name for the second lowest alliance of many-celled animals--radially symmetrical, without any body-cavity distinct from the alimentary tube.--_adj._ COELEN'TER[=A]TE. [Gr. _koilos_, hollow, and _enteron_, intestine.]

COELIAC, s[=e]'li-ak, _adj._ relating to the belly. [L. _coeliacus_--Gr. _koilia_, the belly.]

COEMPTION, ko-emp'shun, _n._ the purchasing of the whole of a commodity: in Roman law, a mode of marriage under the fiction of a mutual sale. [CO-, and L. _em[)e]re_, to buy.]

COENESTHESIS, s[=e]-nes-th[=e]'sis, _n._ the general bodily consciousness. [Gr. _koinos_, common, _aisth[=e]sis_, perception.]

COENOBITE, CENOBITE, sen'o-b[=i]t, _n._ a monk who lives along with others of a like mind with himself, in contradistinction to anchorites or hermits.--_adjs._ COENOBIT'IC, -AL; CENOBIT'IC, -AL.--_ns._ COEN'OBITISM, CEN'OBITISM; COEN[=O]'BIUM, a religious community. [Gr. _koinobion_--_koinos_, common, and _bios_, life.]

COEQUAL, ko-[=e]'kwal, _adj._ equal with another person or thing: of the same rank or dignity.--_n._ one of the same rank.--_n._ COEQUAL'ITY.--_adv._ CO[=E]'QUALLY.

COERCE, k[=o]-[.e]rs', _v.t._ to restrain by force: to compel.--_adj._ COER'CIBLE.--_adv._ COER'CIBLY.--_ns._ COER'CION, restraint: government by force; COER'CIONIST.--_adj._ COER'CIVE, having power to coerce: compelling.--_adv._ COER'CIVELY.--_n._ COER'CIVENESS. [L. _coerc[=e]re_--_co-_, together, _arc[=e]re_, to shut in.]

CO-ESSENTIAL, k[=o]-es-sen'shal, _adj._ partaking of the same essence.--_n._ CO-ESSENTIAL'ITY.

COETANEOUS, k[=o]-[=e]-t[=a]n'e-us, _adj._ of the same age: contemporary. [CO-, and L. _ætas_, _ætatis_, age.]

CO-ETERNAL, k[=o]-[=e]-t[.e]r'nal, _adj._ equally eternal with another.--_adv._ CO-ETER'NALLY.--_n._ CO-ETER'NITY.

COEVAL, k[=o]-[=e]'val, _adj._ of the same age.--_n._ one of the same age: a contemporary. [L. _coævus_, _co-_, together, and _ævum_, age.]

CO-EXIST, k[=o]-egz-ist', _v.i._ to exist at the same time.--_n._ CO-EXIST'ENCE.--_adj._ CO-EXIST'ENT.

CO-EXTEND, k[=o]-eks-tend', _v.i._ to extend equally with.--_n._ CO-EXTEN'SION.--_adj._ CO-EXTEN'SIVE.

COFF, kof, _v.t._ (_Scot._) to buy.--_pa.p._ COFT.

COFFEE, kof'[=e], _n._ a drink made from the seeds of the coffee-tree, a native of Arabia: the powder made by roasting and grinding the seeds.--_ns._ COFF'EE-BEAN, the seed of the coffee-plant; COFF'EE-BERR'Y, the fruit of the coffee-tree; COFF'EE-BUG, the _Lecanium coffeæ_, destructive to the coffee-plant; COFF'EE-CUP, a cup for coffee; COFF'EE-HOUSE, a house where coffee and other refreshments are sold; COFF'EE-MILL, a small mill or machine for grinding coffee-beans; COFF'EE-POT, a pot or vessel in which coffee is prepared and served; COFF'EE-ROOM, a room in a hotel where coffee and other refreshments are served. [Turk. _qahveh_--Ar. _qahwah_, orig. meaning wine.]

COFFER, kof'[.e]r, _n._ a chest for holding money or treasure: (_pl._) the whole wealth of a person: a deep panel in a ceiling.--_v.t._ to hoard up.--_n._ COFF'ERDAM, a water-tight structure used in engineering for excluding the water from the foundations of bridges, quay walls, &c., so as to allow of their being built dry.--_adj._ COFF'ERED. [O. Fr. _cofre_, a chest--L. _cophinus_, a basket--Gr. _kophinos_.]

COFFIN, kof'in, _n._ the coffer or chest in which a dead body is enclosed.--_v.t._ to place within a coffin.--_n._ COFF'IN-SHIP, a ship that is unsound, and likely to prove fatal to those in it.--DRIVE A NAIL IN ONE'S COFFIN, to do something tending to hasten death or ruin. [O. Fr. _cofin_--L. _cophinus_--Gr. _kophinos_.]

COFFLE, kof'l, _n._ a gang, esp. of slaves. [Ar. _q[=a]filah_, a caravan.]

COG, kog, _v.t._ to cheat or deceive: to wheedle: to cog dice is to manipulate them so that they may fall in a given way.--_n._ the act of cheating: deception.--_p.adj._ COG'GING, cheating. [No doubt from the succeeding word.]

COG, kog, _n._ a catch or tooth on a wheel.--_v.t._ to fix teeth in the rim of a wheel: to stop a wheel by putting a block before it:--_pr.p._ cog'ging; _pa.p._ cogged.--_n._ COG'-WHEEL, a toothed wheel, whose teeth fit into and move another. [M. E. _cogge_; ety. dub.; cf. Sw. _kugge_.]

COG, kog, _n._ formerly a large ship of burden or for war: a small boat: a cock-boat. [M. E. _cogge_, perh. from O. Fr. _cogue_, a ship. Cf. Dan. _kogge_, _kog_; Ice. _kuggi_.]

COGENT, k[=o]'jent, _adj._ powerful: convincing.--_ns._ C[=O]'GENCE, C[=O]'GENCY, convincing power.--_adv._ C[=O]'GENTLY. [L. _cog[)e]re_, _co-_, together, _ag[)e]re_, to drive.]

COGGIE, COGIE, kog'i, _n._ (_Scot._) a small wooden bowl.--Also COG. [Dim. of COGUE (q.v.).]

COGGLE, kog'gl, _v.i._ to be unsteady.--_n._ a cobble, a round stone.--_adv._ COG'GLY (_Scot._), shaky. [Cf. Ger. _kugel_, and Dut. _kogel_.]

COGITATE, koj'i-t[=a]t, _v.i._ to turn a thing over in one's mind: to meditate: to ponder.--_adj._ COG'ITABLE, capable of being thought.--_n._ COGIT[=A]'TION, deep thought: meditation.--_adj._ COG'IT[=A]TIVE, having the power of thinking: given to cogitating. [L. _cogit[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to think deeply, _co-_, together, and _agit[=a]re_, to put a thing in motion.]

COGNAC, k[=o]'nyak, _n._ an excellent quality of French brandy, so called because much of it is made near the town _Cognac_, in Charente.

COGNATE, kog'n[=a]t, _adj._ of the same family, kind, or nature: related or allied to.--_n._ one related by blood, a kinsman: a person related to another through the mother, as distinguished from an _agnate_, one related through the father.--_n._ COGN[=A]'TION. [L. _cognatus_--_co-_, together, _(g)nasci_, _(g)natus_, to be born.]

COGNITION, kog-nish'un, _n._ certain knowledge: apprehension.--_adj._ COG'NISABLE, that may be known or understood: that may be judicially investigated.--_adv._ COG'NISABLY.--_ns._ COG'NISANCE, COG'NIZANCE, knowledge or notice, judicial or private: observation: jurisdiction: that by which one is known, a badge.--_adj._ COG'NISANT, having cognisance or knowledge of.--_v.t._ COG'NISE, to become conscious of.--_adj._ COG'NITIVE, capable of, or pertaining to, cognition.--HAVE COGNISANCE OF, to have knowledge of. [L., from _cognosc[)e]re_, _cognitum_--_co-_, together, and _nosc[)e]re_, _gnosc[)e]re_, to know.]

COGNOMEN, kog-n[=o]'men, _n._ a surname: a nickname: a name: the last of the three names of an individual among the Romans, indicating the house or family to which he belonged.--_adj._ COGNOM'INAL, like-named: relating to a cognomen.--_v.t._ COGNOM'INATE, to name.--_n._ COGNOMIN[=A]'TION. [L.,--_co-_, together, _nomen_, _gnomen_, a name--_nosc[)e]re_, _gnosc[)e]re_, to know.]

COGNOSCE, kog-nos', _v.t._ (_Scots law_) to examine: to give judgment: to declare to be an idiot.--_adj._ COGNOS'CIBLE. [L. _cognosc[)e]re_--_co-_, together, and _nosc[)e]re_, to know.]

COGNOSCENTE, ko-nyo-shent'e, _n._ one professing a critical knowledge of works of art, and of a somewhat more pretentious character than amateurs:--_pl._ COGNOSCENTI (ko-nyo-shent'[=e]). [It.,--L. _cognosc[)e]re_.]

COGNOVIT, kog-n[=o]'vit, _n._ (_law_) an acknowledgment by the defendant in an action that the plaintiff's cause is just. [L. _cognovit actionem_, he has confessed the action.]

COGUE, COG, k[=o]g, _n._ (_Scot._) a round wooden vessel for holding milk. [Ety. dub.]

COHABIT, k[=o]-hab'it, _v.i._ to dwell together as husband and wife, often of persons not married.--_ns._ COHAB'ITANT, one dwelling with others; COHABIT[=A]'TION. [L. _cohabit[=a]re_--_co-_, together, _habit[=a]re_, to dwell.]

CO-HEIR, k[=o]-[=a]r', _n._ a joint heir:--_fem._ CO-HEIR'ESS.

COHERE, k[=o]-h[=e]r', _v.i._ to stick together: to follow in proper connection: to be consistent.--_ns._ COHER'ENCE, a sticking together: a consistent connection between several parts: congruity; COHER'ENCY.--_adj._ COHER'ENT, sticking together: connected: consistent in thought or speech.--_adv._ COHER'ENTLY.--_n._ COHER'ER, an apparatus for the reception of the waves in 'wireless' telegraphy.--_adj._ COH[=E]'SIBLE, capable of cohesion.--_n._ COH[=E]'SION, the act of sticking together: a form of attraction by which particles of bodies stick together: logical connection.--_adj._ COH[=E]'SIVE, having the power of cohering: tending to unite into a mass.--_adv._ COH[=E]'SIVELY.--_ns._ COH[=E]'SIVENESS, COHESIBIL'ITY. [L. _cohær[=e]re_, _cohæsum_, _co-_, together, and _hær[=e]re_, to stick.]

COHORT, k[=o]'hort, _n._ among the Romans, a body of soldiers from 300 to 600 in number, forming a tenth part of a legion: a band of armed men: any band of men. [Fr.,--L. _cohors_, an enclosed place, a multitude enclosed, a company of soldiers.]

COHORTATIVE, k[=o]-hor'ta-tiv, _adj._ encouraging.--_n._ in Heb. grammar, a lengthened form of the imperfect--also _Paragogic future_. [See PARAGOGE.]

COIF, koif, _n._ a covering for the head, esp. the close-fitting cap of white lawn or silk originally worn by serjeants-at-law: a covering for the head worn by women.--_v.t._ to provide with a coif: to dress (the hair).--_ns._ COIFF'EUR, a hairdresser; COIFF'URE, a head-dress. [Fr. _coiffe_--Low L. _cofia_, a cap, perh. Old High Ger. _chuppha_, a cap, Ger. _kopf_.]

COIGN, koin, _n._ a corner or external angle: a corner-stone: a wedge.--COIGN OF VANTAGE, a position of advantage, either for seeing or acting. [COIN.]

COIL, koil, _v.t._ to wind in rings as a rope, a serpent, &c.: to twist: to entangle.--_v.i._ to twist one's self.--_n._ a rope which has been gathered into rings: one of the rings into which a rope is gathered: a wire wound spirally to conduct electricity.--COIL UP, of a serpent, to get into a position for springing: to gather into a ball. [O. Fr. _coillir_ (Fr. _cueillir_)--L. _collig[)e]re_--_col_, together, _leg[)e]re_, to gather.]

COIL, koil, _n._ tumult: hubbub: noise: fuss.--MORTAL COIL, the toil and trouble of human life. [Der. unknown; prob. Celt.; Gael. and Ir. _goill_, war.]

COIN, koin, _n._ (_Shak._) a corner-stone: a piece of metal legally stamped and current as money.--_v.t._ to convert a piece of metal into money: to stamp; to make, invent, fabricate: (_fig._) to make into.--_ns._ COIN'AGE, the act of coining money: the currency: the pieces of metal coined: the invention, or fabrication, of something new: what is invented; COIN'ER, one who coins money: a maker of counterfeit coins: an inventor; COIN'ING, minting: invention.--COIN MONEY, to make money rapidly.--PAY A MAN IN HIS OWN COIN, to give tit for tat: to give as good as one got. [Fr. _coin_, a wedge, also the die to stamp money--L. _cuneus_, a wedge.]

COINCIDE, k[=o]-in-s[=i]d', _v.i._ to fall in with, or agree, in opinion: to correspond: to be identical.--_ns._ COIN'CIDENCE, act or condition of coinciding: the occurrence of an event at the same time as another event, without any apparent connection; COIN'CIDENCY.--_adjs._ COIN'CIDENT, COINCIDENT'AL.--_adv._ COIN'CIDENTLY. [L. _co-_, together, _incid[)e]re_--_in_, in, _cad[)e]re_, to fall.]

CO-INHERE, k[=o]-in-h[=e]r', _v.i._ to inhere together.--_n._ CO-INHER'ENCE.

CO-INHERITOR, k[=o]-in-her'it-or, _n._ a joint heir.--_n._ CO-INHER'ITANCE.

CO-INSTANTANEOUS, k[=o]-in-stan-t[=a]n'e-us, _adj._ exactly simultaneous.--_ns._ CO-INSTANTAN[=E]'ITY, CO-INSTANTAN'EOUSNESS.--_adv._ CO-INSTANTAN'EOUSLY.

COIR, koir, _n._ the strong fibre of the husk of the coco-nut, used for making door-mats. [Malay, _k[=a]yar_, cord--_k[=a]yaru_, to be twisted.]

COISTRIL, kois'tril, _n._ a groom: (_Shak._) a knave. [See CUSTREL.]

COITION, k[=o]-ish'un, _n._ sexual intercourse. [L. _coitio_--_co-_, together, _[=i]re_, _[=i]tum_, to go.]

COJOIN, k[=o]-join', _v.t._ (_Shak._). Same as CONJOIN.

COKE, k[=o]k, _n._ a form of fuel obtained by the heating of coal in confined spaces whereby its more volatile constituents are driven off.--_v.t._ to make into coke. [Ety. dub.; not before 17th century.]

COL, kol, _n._ (_geog._) a depression or pass in a mountain-range. [Fr.,--L. _collum_, a neck.]

COLANDER, CULLENDER, kul'end-[.e]r, _n._ a vessel having small holes in the bottom, used as a strainer in cookery.--_ns._ COL[=A]'TION, COL'ATURE, straining. [L. _col[=a]re_, to strain--_colum_, a strainer.]

COLBERTINE, kol'ber-tin, _n._ a kind of lace, so called after Jean Baptiste _Colbert_ (1619-83), Minister of Finance to Louis XIV., a great patron of the arts.

COLCANNON, kol-kan'on, _n._ an Irish dish, being a stew of pounded cabbage and potatoes with butter. [COLE, cabbage; _cannon_ unknown.]

COLCHICUM, kol'chi-kum, _n._ a genus of _Liliaceæ_--the meadow saffron, its corm or seed used for gout and rheumatism. [L.,--Gr. _colchicon_, meadow saffron--_Colchicus_, relating to _Colchis_, the native country of the sorceress Medea.]

COLCOTHAR, kol'k[=o]-thar, _n._ a dark-red iron peroxide formed by calcining copperas.

COLD, k[=o]ld, _adj._ the opposite of hot: shivering: without passion or zeal: spiritless: unfriendly: indifferent: reserved.--_n._ a relative want of sensible heat: the feeling or sensation caused by the absence of heat: coldness: a spell of cold weather: a disease caused by cold, a catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs, usually accompanied by hoarseness and coughing: catarrh: chillness.--_adj._ COLD'-BLOOD'ED, having cold blood, as fishes: without feeling: hard-hearted--of persons or actions.--_adv._ COLD'-BLOOD'EDLY.--_ns._ COLD'-BLOOD'EDNESS; COLD'-CHIS'EL, a strong and finely-tempered chisel for cutting cold metal, as distinguished from a blacksmith's chisel for cutting hot iron; COLD'-CREAM, the name applied to a creamy ointment, usually made of almond-oil, spermaceti, white wax, and rose-water, used as a cooling dressing for the skin.--_adjs._ COLD'-HEART'ED, wanting feeling: indifferent; COLD'ISH, somewhat cold.--_adv._ COLDLY.--_ns._ COLD'NESS; COLD'-PIG (_coll._), the application of cold water to wake a person.--_adj._ COLD'-SHORT, brittle when cold: (_fig._) of the temper.--_ns._ COLD'-WAT'ER, water at its natural temperature; COLD'-WITHOUT', brandy with cold water and no sugar.--COLD AS CHARITY, a proverbial phrase expressing ironically great coldness or indifference.--CATCH COLD, TAKE COLD, to acquire the malady--a cold.--GIVE THE COLD SHOULDER, to show indifference: to give a rebuff.--IN COLD BLOOD, with deliberate intent, not under the influence of passion.--LEAVE OUT IN THE COLD, to neglect, ignore.--THROW COLD WATER ON, to discourage. [A.S. _ceald_; Scot, _cauld_, Ger. _kalt_; cog. also with Eng. _cool_, Ice. _kala_, to freeze, L. _gelidus_--_gelu_, frost.]

COLE, k[=o]l, _n._ a general name for all sorts of cabbage.--_ns._ COLE'-GARTH, a cabbage garden; COLE'-SEED, the seed of rape; COLE'-WORT, a species of cabbage. [A.S. _cáwel_; Ger. _kohl_, Scot. _kail_; all from L. _colis_, _caulis_, a stem, esp. of cabbage; cf. Gr. _kaulos_.]

COLEOPTERA, kol-e-op't[.e]r-a, _n.pl._ an order of insects having two pairs of wings, the outer pair being hard or horny, serving as wing-cases for the true wings: the beetles.--_adjs._ COLEOP'TERAL, COLEOP'TEROUS.--_n._ COLEOP'TERIST. [Gr. _koleos_, a sheath, and _pteron_ (pl. _ptera_), a wing.]

COLEORHIZA, kol-[=e]-[=o]-r[=i]'za, _n._ the root-sheath in endogens. [Gr. _koleos_, sheath, _rhiza_, root.]

COLIBRI, kol'ib-r[=e], _n._ a kind of humming-bird. [Sp. and Fr. _colibri_, said to be the Carib. name.]

COLIC, kol'ik, _n._ a disease attended with severe pain and flatulent distension of the abdomen, without diarrhoea.--_adj._ COL'ICKY, suffering or causing colic.--_n._ COL[=I]'TIS (see COLONITIS under COLON). [Fr.,--L.,--Gr. _kolikos_--_kolon_, the large intestine.]

COLIN, kol'in, the American quail or partridge. [Ety. dub.]

COLISEUM. See COLOSSEUM.

COLL, kol, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to embrace or fondle by taking round the neck.--_n._ COLL'ING, embracing. [Fr. _col_--L. _collum_, the neck.]

COLLABORATOR, kol-ab'[=o]-r[=a]-tor, COLLABORATEUR, kol-ab'[=o]-ra-t[=a]r, _n._ an associate or assistant in labour, particularly literary or scientific.--_n._ COLLABOR[=A]'TION. [Coined from L. _col_, with, and _labor[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to labour.]

COLLAPSE, kol-aps', _n._ a falling away or breaking down: any sudden or complete breakdown or prostration.--_v.i._ to fall together, to contract: to fall or break down: to go to ruin: to lose heart.--_adj._ COLLAPS'IBLE, capable of collapsing. [L. _collapsus_--_col_, together, and _labi_, _lapsus_, to slide or fall.]

COLLAR, kol'ar, _n._ something worn round the neck: the part of a garment at the neck: a band round a dog's neck: that part of a horse's harness worn round the neck, to which the traces are attached: a ring: a band.--_v.t._ to seize by the collar: to put a collar on: to capture.--_ns._ COLL'AR-BEAM, a horizontal piece of timber connecting or bracing two opposite rafters, to prevent sagging; COLL'AR-BONE, in man and most mammals the only bone directly connecting the upper extremity with the skeleton of the trunk.--_p.adj._ COLL'ARED, having, or ornamented with, a collar: rolled up and bound with a string, as a piece of meat having the bones removed: captured.--_ns._ COLL'ARETTE, a small collar; COLL'AR-WORK, hard work against the collar: drudgery. [O. Fr. _colier_--L. _coll[=a]re_--_collum_, the neck.]

COLLARD, kol'ard, _n._ cole-wort. [See COLE.]

COLLATE, kol-[=a]t', _v.t._ to bring together for comparison: to examine and compare, as books, and esp. old manuscripts: to place in or confer a benefice upon: to place in order, as the sheets of a book for binding.--_adj._ COLL[=A]'TABLE.--_ns._ COLL[=A]'TION, act of collating: a bringing together for examination and comparison: presentation to a benefice: a repast between meals, from the habit of reading the _collationes_ or lives of the Fathers during meals in monasteries.--_adj._ COLL[=A]'TIVE, having the power of conferring: of livings where the bishop and patron are one and the same person.--_n._ COLL[=A]'TOR, one who collates or compares: one who bestows or presents. [L. _conferre_, _collatum_--_con_, together, _ferre_, to bring.]

COLLATERAL, kol-at'[.e]r-al, _adj._ side by side: running parallel or together; corresponding; descended from the same ancestor, but not directly, as the children of brothers.--_n._ a collateral relation: a contemporary: a rival.--_adv._ COLLAT'ERALLY. [L. _col_, and _latus_, _lateris_, a side.]

COLLEAGUE, kol'[=e]g, _n._ one associated with others in some employment--not of partners in business.--_n._ COLL'EAGUESHIP. [Fr. _collègue_--L. _collega_--_col_, together, and _leg[)e]re_, to choose.]

COLLEAGUE, kol'[=e]g, _v.i._ to join or unite: to conspire:--_pr.p._ colleaguing (kol-[=e]g'ing); _pa.p._ colleagued (kol-[=e]gd'). [From O. Fr. _colliguer_, to join in alliance--L. _collig[=a]re_, to bind together.]

COLLECT, kol-ekt', _v.t._ to assemble or bring together: to infer: to put one's thoughts in order.--_v.i._ to run together: to accumulate.--_ns._ COL'LECT, a short form of prayer, peculiar to the liturgies of the Western Church, consisting of a single sentence, conveying one main petition; COLLECT[=A]'NEA, a selection of passages from various authors: a miscellany.--_adj._ COLLECT'ED, gathered together: having one's senses gathered together: cool: firm--_adv._ COLLECT'EDLY.--_ns._ COLLECT'EDNESS, self-possession: coolness; COLLEC'TION, act of collecting: collecting of money at a religious or public meeting: the money collected: a number of anything: an assemblage: a book of selections: composure: an examination at the end of the terms in certain colleges.--_adj._ COLLECT'IVE, considered as forming one mass or sum: congregated: common: (_Milt._) inferential: (_gram._) expressing a number or multitude.--_adv._ COLLECT'IVELY.--_ns._ COLLECT'IVISM, the economic theory of socialism, that industry should be carried on with a collective capital; COLLECT'IVIST, a socialist--also _adj._; COLLECT'OR, one who collects, as tickets, money, &c.; COLLECT'ORATE, COLLECT'ORSHIP. [L. _collig[)e]re_, _collectum_, from _col_, together, and _leg[)e]re_, to gather.]

COLLEEN, kol'[=e]n, _n._ a girl. [Irish _cailín_.]

COLLEGE, kol'ej, _n._ an incorporation, company, or society of persons joined together generally for literary or scientific purposes, and often possessing peculiar or exclusive privileges: a member of the body known as the university: (_U.S._) often used as the equivalent of university: a seminary of learning: a literary, political, or religious institution: the edifice appropriated to a college.--_n._ COLL'EGER, inmate of a college: one of the seventy foundationers at Eton College.--_adj._ COLL[=E]'GIAL, pertaining to a college.--_ns._ COLL[=E]'GIAN, a member or inhabitant of a college: (_slang_) inmate of a prison; COLL[=E]'GIANER, a member of a college, a student.--_adj._ COLL[=E]'GIATE, pertaining to or resembling a college: containing a college, as a town; instituted like a college: corporate.--_n._ inmate of a prison, &c.--COLLEGE OF ARMS, HERALDS' COLLEGE, a collegiate body incorporated in 1483, presided over by the Earl Marshal, and including Garter, principal King-of-arms, Clarenceux, and Norroy, besides six heralds and four pursuivants: COLLEGE OF JUSTICE, in Scotland, a great forensic society, composed of judges, advocates, writers to the signet, and solicitors.--COLLEGIATE CHURCH, COLLEGIAL CHURCH, a church so called from having a college or chapter, consisting of a dean or provost and canons, attached to it (in Scotland, a church occupied by two or more pastors of equal rank--also COLLEGIATE CHARGE). [Fr. _collège_--L. _collegium_, from _col_, and _leg[)e]re_, to gather.]

COLLET, kol'et, _n._ a ring or collar: the part of a ring which contains the stone. [Fr.,--L. _collum_.]

COLLIDE, kol-[=i]d', _v.i._ to dash together: to clash.--_p.adjs._ COLLID'ED, COLLID'ING.--_ns._ COLLI'SION, state of being struck together: conflict: opposition: clashing; COLLI'SION-MAT; a mat for covering a hole in a ship's side caused by a collision. [L. _collid[)e]re_, _collisum_--_col_, together, _læd[)e]re_, to strike.]

COLLIE, COLLY, kol'i, _n._ a shepherd's dog. [Ety. dub.]

COLLIER, kol'y[.e]r, _n._ one who works in a coal-mine: a ship that carries coal: a sailor in such a ship.--_n._ COLL'IERY, a coal-mine.

COLLIGATE, kol'i-g[=a]t, _v.t._ to bind together. [L. _collig[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_col_, together, _lig[=a]re_, to bind.]

COLLIMATION, kol-li-m[=a]'shun, _n._ the adjustment of the line of sight of a telescope.--_v.t._ COL'LIM[=A]TE.--_n._ COLLIM[=A]'TOR, a subsidiary telescope used to detect errors in collimation, when adjusting for transit observations. [L. _collim[=a]re_ for _colline[=a]re_, to bring into line with--_col_, together, _linea_, a line.]

COLLINEAR, ko-lin'e-ar, _adj._ in the same straight line.

COLLIESHANGIE, kol-i-shang'i, _n._ (_Scot._) noisy wrangling or fighting. [Ety. dub.; but perh. from _collie_, a dog, and _shangie_, something attached to his tail.]

COLLINGUAL, ko-ling'gwal, _adj._ speaking the same tongue.

COLLIQUATE, kol'i-kw[=a]t, _v.t._ to melt.--_adjs._ COLLIQ'UABLE, COLL'IQUANT, melting, wasting; COLLIQ'UATIVE, profuse in flow. [L. _com-_, together, _liqu[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to make melt.]

COLLOCATE, kol'[=o]-k[=a]t, _v.t._ to place together: to set: to arrange.--_n._ COLLOC[=A]'TION, act of collocating: disposition in place: arrangement. [L. _colloc[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, _col_, together, _loc[=a]re_, to place.]

COLLOCUTOR, COLLOCUTORY. See COLLOQUY.

COLLODION, kol-[=o]'di-on, _n._ a gluey solution of gun-cotton in alcohol and ether, used in surgery and photography. [Gr. _koll[=o]d[=e]s_--_kolla_, glue, _eidos_, form, appearance.]

COLLOGUE, ko-log', _v.i._ to simulate belief: to conspire: to converse confidentially.--_v.t._ to coax; to flatter. [Prob. from L. _colloqui_, to speak together.]

COLLOID, kol'oid, _n._ a name given by Graham, in contradistinction to _crystalloids_, to any soluble substance, which, when exposed to dialysis, does not pass through the porous membrane.--_adj._ COLLOID'AL. [Gr. _kolla_, glue, and _eidos_, form.]

COLLOP, kol'op, _n._ a slice of meat, fried or otherwise: (_Shak._) a child.--COLLOP MONDAY, the day before Shrove Tuesday, when collops-and-eggs was eaten.--MINCED COLLOPS (_Scot._), minced meat.

COLLOQUY, kol'o-kwi, _n._ a speaking together: mutual discourse: conversation.--_v.i._ (_rare_) to converse.--_n._ COLLOC'[=U]TOR.--_adj._ COLLOC'[=U]TORY.--_v.i._ COLLOQUE', to hold colloquy.--_adj._ COLL[=O]'QUIAL, pertaining to or used in common conversation.--_ns._ COLL[=O]'QUIALISM, a form of expression used in familiar talk; COLL[=O]'QUIALIST.--_adv._ COLL[=O]'QUIALLY.--_v.i._ COLL'OQUISE, to converse.--_n._ COLL'OQUIST, a speaker in a colloquy. [L. _colloquium_, _col_, together, _loqui_, to speak.]

COLLOTYPE, kol'o-t[=i]p, _n._ a photographic process much used for book illustrations and advertising purposes. [Gr. _kolla_, glue, and TYPE.]

COLLUCTATION, kol-uk-t[=a]'shun, _n._ strife: opposition. [L. _colluct[=a]ri_--_col-_, _luct[=a]ri_, to wrestle.]

COLLUDE, kol-[=u]d', _v.i._ to play into each other's hand: to act in concert, esp. in a fraud.--_ns._ COLLUD'ER; COLL[=U]'SION, act of colluding: a secret agreement to deceive: deceit.--_adj._ COLL[=U]'SIVE, fraudulently concerted: deceitful.--_adv._ COLL[=U]'SIVELY. [L. _collud[)e]re_, _collusum_, from _col_, and _lud[)e]re_, to play.]

COLLUVIES, ko-l[=u]'vi-[=e]s., _n._ filth: a rabble. [L. 'washings'--_collu[)e]re_, to wash thoroughly.]

COLLY, kol'li, _v.t._ to begrime with coal-dust: (_Shak._) to darken.--_p.adj._ COL'LIED. [See COAL.]

COLLYRIUM, ko-lir'i-um, _n._ a term for various kinds of eye-salve or eye-wash. [L.,--Gr. _kollyrion_, eye-salve, dim. of _kollyra_, a roll of bread.]

COLOCYNTH, kol'[=o]-sinth, _n._ the dried and powdered pulp of a kind of cucumber, much used as a purgative. [L.,--Gr. _kolokynthis_.]

COLOGNE-EARTH, ko-l[=o]n'-[.e]rth, _n._ a brown earth prepared from lignite, found originally near _Cologne_, a German city on the Rhine.--COLOGNE WATER, or EAU DE COLOGNE, a perfumed spirit first made at Cologne in 1709 by Jean Farina.

COLON, k[=o]'lon, _n._ the mark (:) used to indicate a distinct member or clause of a sentence. [Gr. _k[=o]lon_, a limb, member.]

COLON, k[=o]'lon, _n._ that portion of the large intestine which extends from the cæcum to the rectum, which is the terminal portion of the intestinal canal.--_n._ COLON[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the colon. [L.,--Gr. _kolon_, the large intestine.]

COLONEL, kur'n[.e]l, _n._ an officer who has command of a regiment;--_ns._ COL'ONELCY, his office or rank; COL'ONELLING, playing the colonel; COL'ONELSHIP, colonelcy: quality of a colonel. [Fr. and Sp. _coronel_; a corr. of It. _colonello_, the leader of a _colonna_, or column--L. _columna_.]

COLONNADE, kol-on-[=a]d', _n._ a range of columns placed at regular intervals: a similar row, as of trees. [Fr.,--L. _columna_.]

COLONY, kol'on-i, _n._ a name somewhat vaguely applied to the foreign dependencies of a state (a Roman colony was a military settlement planted in subject territory; a Greek colony consisted of a band of emigrants impelled to seek a new home, and connected with their mother-city by no stronger tie than that of sentiment): a body of persons who form a fixed settlement in another country: the settlement so formed: the place they inhabit.--_adj._ COL[=O]N'IAL, pertaining to a colony.--_n._ an inhabitant of a colony, a colonist.--_ns._ COL[=O]N'IALISM, a trait of colonial life or speech; COLONIS[=A]'TION, act or practice of colonising: state of being colonised.--_v.t._ COL'ONISE, to plant or establish a colony in: to form into a colony.--_v.i._ to settle.--_n._ COL'ONIST, an inhabitant of a colony.--COLONIAL ANIMALS, organisms which cannot be fairly regarded as unities, but consist of numerous individuals united in a common life; COLONIAL SYSTEM, the theory that the settlements abroad were to be treated as proprietary domains exploited for the benefit of the mother-country. [L. _colonia_--_colonus_, a husbandman--_col[)e]re_, to till.]

COLOPHON, kol'o-fon, _n._ in early printing, the inscription at the end of a book with name, date, &c. [L. _colophon_--Gr. _koloph[=o]n_, the finish.]

COLOPHONY, kol-of'o-ni, _n._ the dark-coloured resin got from the distillation of turpentine with water. [Gr., from _Colophon_, in Asia Minor.]

COLOQUINTIDA, kol-o-kwin'ti-da, _n._ the colocynth.

COLOSSUS, kol-os'us, _n._ a gigantic statue, esp. that of Apollo astride the entrance of the harbour of Rhodes.--_adjs._ COLOSS'AL, like a colossus: gigantic; COLOSS'ALWISE, astride (_Shak._).--_ns._ COLOSS[=E]'UM, COLIS[=E]'UM, Vespasian's amphitheatre at Rome, which was the largest in the world. [L.,--Gr. _kolossos_.]

COLOSTRUM, ko-los'trum, _n._ the first milk of a mammal after parturition.--_n._ COLOSTR[=A]'TION, a disease of infants due to colostrum.--_adjs._ COLOS'TRIC, COLOS'TROUS. [L.]

COLOUR, kul'ur, _n._ a property of light which causes bodies to have different appearances to the eye: the hue or appearance which bodies present to the eye: appearance of blood in the face: appearance: pretext: tint: paint: false show: kind: (_pl._) a flag, ensign, or standard: paints.--_v.t._ to put colour on: to stain: to paint: to set in a fair light: to exaggerate: to misrepresent.--_v.i._ to show colour: to blush.--_adjs._ COLORIF'IC, containing or producing colours; COL'OURABLE, having a fair appearance: designed to conceal.--_adv._ COL'OURABLY.--_n._ COLOUR[=A]'TION.--_adj._ COL'OUR-BLIND, unable to distinguish between colours.--_n._ COL'OUR-BLIND'NESS.--_adjs._ COL'OURED, having colour: (_Spens._) having a specious appearance, deceitful: of the complexion, other than white.--_ns._ COL'OURING, any substance used to give colour: manner of applying colours: specious appearance; COL'OURIST, one who colours or paints: one who excels in colouring.--_adj._ COL'OURLESS, without colour: transparent: neutral.--_ns._ COL'OURMAN, one who prepares and sells colours; COL'OUR-SER'GEANT, the sergeant who guards the colours of a regiment.--_adj._ COL'OURY, having much colour.--COLOUR A PIPE, to cause a tobacco-pipe, esp. a meerschaum, to take on a brown or black colour, by smoking.--A PERSON OF COLOUR, a person of negro blood.--CHANGE COLOUR, to turn pale: to blush; COME OFF WITH FLYING COLOURS, to do something with great éclat; COME OUT IN ONE'S TRUE COLOURS, to appear in one's real character; DESERT ONE'S COLOURS, to abandon one's post or duty; FAST COLOUR, a colour which does not fade when washed; FIGHT UNDER FALSE COLOURS, to put forward a false pretence as a cover for one's actions; GIVE COLOUR, to give plausibility: HANG OUT FALSE COLOURS, to put up another's flag, to pretend to belong to another party than one really does; HIGH COLOUR, pronounced redness of complexion; LOSE COLOUR, to lose one's good looks; NAIL ONE'S COLOURS TO THE MAST, to commit one's self to some party or plan of action; OFF COLOUR, faded: past one's best; PAINT IN BRIGHT COLOURS, to embellish: to exaggerate; PRIMARY COLOURS, the three colours, red, green, and violet, from which the others, called SECONDARY COLOURS, can be obtained; SHOW ONE'S COLOURS, to show what are one's inclinations, opinions, or character; STICK TO ONE'S COLOURS, to adhere to one's party or opinions; UNDER COLOUR OF, under the pretext of; WITHOUT COLOUR, without disguise: colourless: without individuality. [Fr.,--L. _color_; akin to _cel[=a]re_, to cover, to conceal.]

COLPORTEUR, kol'p[=o]rt-[=a]r, or kol'p[=o]rt-[.e]r, _n._ a peddler, esp. one selling tracts and religious books.--_n._ COL'PORT[=A]GE, the distribution of books by colporteurs. [Fr. _colporteur_, from _col_--L. _collum_, the neck, and _porter_--L. _port[=a]re_, to carry.]

COLT, k[=o]lt, _n._ a young horse: an awkward fellow: an inexperienced youth: (_B._) a young camel or ass: (_naut._) a rope's end.--_v.i._ (_Spens._) to frisk like a colt.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to cheat: to give the rope's end, to beat.--_adj._ COLT'ISH, like a colt: frisky: wanton.--_ns._ COLT'S'-FOOT, a composite plant with large soft leaves once used for asthma and coughing; COLT'S'-TOOTH, one of a horse's first set of teeth; (_Shak._) love of youthful pleasures: wantonness. [A.S. _colt_; Sw. _kult_, a young boar, a stout boy.]

COLTER, COULTER, k[=o]lt[.e]r, _n._ the fore-iron of a plough. [A.S. _culter_--L. _culter_, a knife.]

COLUBER, kol'ub-[.e]r, _n._ a genus of non-venomous snakes, of almost world-wide distribution.--_n._ COLUB'RIAD (_Cowper_).--_adj._ COL'UBRINE. [L. _coluber_, a snake.]

COLUMBIAN, k[=o]-lum'bi-an, _adj._ pertaining to _Columbia_, a name of America.--_ns._ COLUM'BATE, a salt or compound of columbic acid with a base; COLUM'BITE, the native ore of columbium; COLUM'BIUM, a metallic element now called _niobium_. [_Columbia_, America, from Columbus (1447-1506), its discoverer.]

COLUMBINE, kol'um-b[=i]n, _adj._ of or like a dove: dove-coloured.--_n._ a genus of plants (_Aquilegia_) having five coloured sepals, which soon fall off, and five petals, each terminating below in a horn-shaped spur or nectary: in pantomimes, the sweetheart of Harlequin (q.v.).--_ns._ COLUMB[=A]'RIUM, a dovecot or pigeon-house: one of the niches or pigeon-holes in a particular kind of sepulchral chamber in which the urns containing the ashes of dead bodies burned were deposited; COL'UMBARY, a pigeon-house or dovecot. [L. _columba_, a dove.]

COLUMEL, COLUMELLA. See COLUMN.

COLUMN, kol'um, _n._ a long, round body, used to support or adorn a building: any upright body or mass like a column: a body of troops drawn up in deep files: a perpendicular row of lines in a book.--_ns._ COL'[=U]MEL, a small column; COL[=U]MEL'LA, the central axis of a spiral univalve; the auditory ossicle of the amphibian ear: the central axis of the spore-case of mosses: in the opening of fruits, what remains in the centre after the carpels have split away.--_adjs._ COLUM'NAL, COLUM'NAR, formed in columns.--_n._ COLUMNA'RITY.--_adjs._ COL'UMNED, COLUM'NI[=A]TED, COLUM'NATED, having columns.--_n._ COLUM'NI[=A]TION. [L. _columen_, _columna_, akin to _celsus_, high; Gr. _kol[=o]n[=e]_, a hill.]

COLURE, k[=o]-l[=u]r', _n._ (_astron._) one of two great circles supposed to intersect each other at right angles in the poles of the equator. [Gr. _kolourus_--_kolos_, docked, _oura_, tail.]

COLZA, kol'za, _n._ a kind of cabbage whose seeds yield oil for lamps. [Dut. _koolzaad_, cabbage-seed.]

COMA, k[=o]'ma, _n._ deep sleep: stupor.--_adj._ COM'ATOSE, affected with coma: drowsy. [Gr. _k[=o]ma_.]

COMA, k[=o]'ma, _n._ (_bot._) a tuft or bunch of hairy-like appendages as on some seeds: the leafy branches forming the head of a tree: (_astron._) the nebulous envelope surrounding the nucleus of a comet. [L.--Gr. _kom[=e]_, hair of the head.]

COMARB, k[=o]'märb, _n._ the head of one of the families composing an old Irish sept: the successor in an ecclesiastical office, abbot, vicar, &c.--Better C[=O]'ARB. [Ir. _comharba_, successor.]

COMART, k[=o]'märt, _n._ (_Shak._) an agreement.

COMATE, k[=o]'m[=a]t, _n._ (_Shak._) a mate or companion.

COMB, k[=o]m, _n._ a toothed instrument for separating and cleaning hair, wool, flax, &c.: the crest of a cock: the top or crest of a wave or of a hill: an aggregation of cells for honey.--_v.t._ to separate, arrange, or clean by means of a comb: to dress with a comb: (_Shak._) to beat.--_v.i._ to break with a white foam, as the top of a wave.--_adj._ COMBED.--_n._ COMB'ER, one who or that which combs wool, &c.--_n.pl._ COMB'INGS, hairs combed off.--_adjs._ COMB'LESS (_Shak._), without a comb; COMB'WISE; COMB'Y.--_n._ CROP'-COMB, a semicircular comb worn by girls.--COMB OFF, to remove. [A.S. _camb_.]

COMB, COMBE. See COOMB.

COMBAT, kom'bat, or kum'bat, _v.i._ to contend or struggle.--_v.t._ to beat against: to contest: to oppose: to debate.--_n._ a struggle: a fight.--_adjs._ COM'BATABLE, capable of being combated; COM'BATANT, disposed to combat.--_n._ one who combats; COM'BATIVE, inclined to quarrel.--_n._ COM'BATIVENESS.--COMBATANT OFFICER, one who takes part in the action, as opposed to the medical officers, &c., who are NON-COMBATANT. [Fr. _combattre_, to fight--_com_, with, and _battre_, to beat. See BEAT.]

COMBER, kom'b[=e]r, _n._ a name applied to the gaper, a sea-perch, and to a species of wrasse.

COMBINE, kom-b[=i]n', _v.t._ to join two together: to unite intimately.--_v.i._ to come into close union: to co-operate: (_chem._) to unite and form a new compound.--_n._ a trading syndicate, a trust.--_adj._ COM'BINATE, combined: betrothed.--_ns._ COMBIN[=A]'TION, the act of combining: union of individual things: persons united for a purpose; COMBIN[=A]'TION-ROOM, the college-parlour at Cambridge, for the fellows of a college after dinner, a common-room.--_n.pl._ COMBIN[=A]'TIONS, a women's and children's garment consisting of chemise and drawers combined.--_adjs._ COM'BIN[=A]TIVE; COMB[=I]'NATORY; COMBINED'; COMBIN'ING. [L. _combin[=a]re_, to join--_com_, together, and _bini_, two and two.]

COMBROUS (_obs._) = CUM'BROUS.

COMBURGESS, kom-bur'jes, _n._ a fellow-burgess.

COMBUST, kom-bust', _adj._ burned by the sun: in conjunction with the sun, or apparently very near it, so as to be obscured by its light, said of a planet when it is not more than 8½° from the sun.--_n._ that which is burned.--_v.t._ to burn up.--_adj._ COMBUST'IBLE, liable to take fire and burn: excitable.--_n._ anything that will take fire and burn.--_ns._ COMBUST'IBLENESS, COMBUSTIBIL'ITY, quality of being combustible; COMBUS'TION, a burning: the action of fire on combustible substances: confusion, turmoil: the scientific term for all kinds of consumption through the influence of heat.--_adjs._ COMBUST'IOUS (_Shak._), combustible, inflammable: turbulent; COMBUST'IVE, disposed to take fire.--SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION, burning caused by heat generated in the substance itself. [L. _combur[)e]re_, _combustum_, to consume--_com_, inten., _ur[)e]re_, to burn.]

COME, kum (_Shak._), a shortening of BECOME.

COME, kum, _v.i._ to move toward this place (the opposite of _go_): to draw near: to arrive at a certain state or condition: to issue: to happen: (_Shak._) to yield; to become: to turn out:--_pr.p._ com'ing; _pa.t._ came; _pa.p._ come.--_n._ COM'ING.--_adj._ COME'-AT-ABLE, accessible; COME ABOUT, to happen; COME ACROSS, to meet; COME AND GO, to have freedom of action (_n._ passage to and fro); COME AT, to reach; COME BY, to come near: to pass: to obtain; COME DOWN, to descend: to be reduced (_n._ a fall); COME DOWN UPON, to be severe with; COME DOWN WITH, to pay down; COME HIGH, or LOW, to cost much, or little; COME HOME, to return to one's house: to touch one's interest or feelings closely (with _to_): (_naut._) to drag or slip through the ground--of an anchor; COME IN, to enter: to give in, to yield: (_fencing_) to get within the opponent's guard (_Shak._); COME IN FOR, to have reason to expect or to have a share; COME IT STRONG (_coll._), to do or say too much; COME OF, to descend from: become of; COME OFF, to come away: to turn out: to escape (_n._ a conclusion: an evasion of duty); COME OUT, to result: to be published: to become evident: to enter society; COME OUT WITH, to let be known: to tell; COME OVER (_Shak._), surpass: to befall: (_slang_) to overreach; COME O' WILL, something that comes of its own accord: an illegitimate child; COME ROUND, to come by a circuitous path: to happen in due course: to change: to recover from a faint; COME SHORT, to fail; COME SHORT OF, to fail to accomplish; COME TO, to obtain: to amount to: to recover consciousness or sanity; COME TO GRIEF, to meet with disaster or ill-fortune; COME TO PASS, to happen; COME TRUE, to be found to have been true; COME UNDER, to be included under; COME UPON, to attack: to affect; to hold answerable: to meet; COME UP WITH, to overtake: reach.--ALL COMERS, any one that likes. [A.S. _cuman_; Ger. _kommen_, to come.]

CO-MEDDLE, k[=o]-med'l, _v.t._ to mix: (_Shak._) to temper.

COMEDO, kom'e-do, _n._ a small, black-tipped, worm-like mass which is found on the face of some persons. [L. _comed[)e]re_, to eat up.]

COMEDY, kom'e-di, _n._ a dramatic piece of a pleasant or humorous character, originally accompanied with dancing and singing.--_ns._ COM[=E]'DIAN, one who acts or writes comedies: an actor:--_fem._ COMÉDIENNE'; COM[=E]DIET'TA, a short comic piece. [L.,--Gr. _k[=o]m[=o]dia_, _k[=o]mos_, revel, _[=o]d[=e]_, song.]

COMELY, kum'li, _adj._ pleasing: graceful: handsome.--_adv._ in a comely manner.--_n._ COME'LINESS. [A.S. _cymlic_--_cyme_, suitable, _líc_, like.]

COMESTIBLES, kom-est'i-blz, _n.pl._ eatables. [Fr.,--L. _comed[)e]re_, to eat up.]

COMET, kom'et, _n._ a heavenly body with an eccentric orbit, having a definite point or nucleus, a nebulous light surrounding the nucleus, and a luminous tail preceding or following the nucleus.--_adjs._ COM'ETARY, COMET'IC.--_ns._ COM'ET-FIND'ER, a telescope of low power used to search for comets; COMETOG'RAPHY; COMETOL'OGY. [Gr. _kom[=e]t[=e]s_, long-haired--_kom[=e]_, the hair.]

COMFIT, kum'fit, _n._ a sweetmeat made of fruit and sugar, &c. [A doublet of CONFECT; from Fr. _confit_, _confiture_--L. _confic[)e]re_, to make up.]

COMFORT, kum'furt, _v.t._ to relieve from pain or distress: to soothe: to cheer, revive.--_n._ relief: encouragement: ease: quiet enjoyment: freedom from annoyance: whatever gives ease, enjoyment, &c.: a subject of satisfaction.--_adj._ COM'FORTABLE, imparting or enjoying comfort.--_adv._ COM'FORTABLY.--_n._ COM'FORTER, one who administers comfort: (_B._) the Holy Spirit: a long, narrow woollen tippet.--_adj._ COM'FORTLESS, without comfort.--_n._ COM'FORTLESSNESS.--JOB'S COMFORTER, one who, while pretending to comfort, only aggravates the distress. [O. Fr. _conforter_--L. _con_, and _fortis_, strong.]

COMFREY, kum'fri, _n._ a genus of _Boraginaceæ_, somewhat coarse perennial herbs. [O. Fr. _confirie_.]

COMIC, kom'ik, _adj._ relating to comedy: raising mirth: droll.--_n._ (_coll._) an amusing person: (_coll._) a comic paper.--_adj._ COM'ICAL, funny: queer: ludicrous.--_ns._ COMICAL'ITY, COM'ICALNESS.--_adv._ COM'ICALLY.--_n._ COMIQUE (k[=o]-m[=e]k'), a comic actor or singer. [See COMEDY.]

COMITATUS, kom-i-t[=a]'tus, _n._ a prince's escort: a county or shire. [L.]

COMITIA, ko-mish'i-a, _n._ the assemblies of the Romans for electing magistrates, passing laws, &c. [L.,--_com_, together, _[=i]re_, _[=i]tum_, to go.]

COMITY, kom'i-ti, _n._ courteousness: civility.--COMITY OF NATIONS (_comitas gentium_), the international courtesy by which effect is given to the laws of one state within the territory of another state. [L. _comitas_--_comis_, courteous.]

COMMA, kom'a, _n._ (_Shak._) a short part of a sentence: in punctuation, the point (,) which marks the smallest division of a sentence: (_fig._) a brief interval.--INVERTED COMMAS, marks of quotation ("..", '..'). [L.,--Gr. _komma_, a section of a sentence, from _koptein_, to cut off.]

COMMAND, kom-mand', _v.t._ to order: to bid: to exercise supreme authority over: (_Shak._) to demand: to cause to act: (_Shak._) to exact: to have within sight, influence, or control.--_v.i._ to have chief authority: to govern.--_n._ an order: authority: message: the ability to overlook or influence: the thing commanded.--_ns._ COMMANDANT', an officer who has the command of a place or of a body of troops, COMMANDANT'SHIP.--_v.t._ COMMANDEER', to compel to military service.--_ns._ COMMAND'ER, one who commands: an officer in the navy next in rank under a captain; COMMAND'ER-IN-CHIEF, the highest staff appointment in the British army: the officer in supreme command of an army, or of the entire forces of the state; COMMAND'ERSHIP; COMMAND'ERY, the district under a commander, specially used in connection with the Templars, the Hospitallers, and other religious orders.--_adj._ COMMAND'ING, fitted to impress or control.--_adv._ COMMAND'INGLY.--_n._ COMMAND'MENT, a command: a precept.--COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFUL, a title of the caliphs.--AT COMMAND, available for use; ON COMMAND, under orders.--TEN COMMANDMENTS, the ten Mosaic laws: (_slang_) the ten finger-nails, used by women in fighting. [Fr. _commander_--L. _commend[=a]re_--_com_, and _mand[=a]re_, to entrust.]

COMMEASURE, kom-mezh'[=u]r, _v.t._ to equal in measure: to coincide with.--_n._ COMMEAS'URABLE (same as COMMEN'SURABLE).

COMMEMORATE, kom-em'o-r[=a]t, _v.t._ to call to remembrance by a solemn or public act: to celebrate: to preserve the memory of.--_adj._ COMMEM'ORABLE.--_n._ COMMEMOR[=A]'TION, preserving the memory of some person or thing by a solemn ceremony: the specification of individual saints in the prayers for the dead: the great festival of the Oxford academic year, usually taking place on the third Wednesday after Trinity Sunday.--_adjs._ COMMEM'ORATIVE, COMMEM'ORATORY, tending or serving to commemorate.--_n._ COMMEM'ORATOR. [L. _commemoratus_, pa.p. of _commemor[=a]re_, to remember--_com_, inten., and _memor_, mindful.]

COMMENCE, kom-ens', _v.i._ to begin: to originate: to take rise.--_v.t._ to begin: to originate: to enter upon: to take a university degree--e.g. 'to commence M.A.'--_n._ COMMENCE'MENT, the beginning: at certain universities the act of taking the degrees: the ceremony when these are conferred. [O. Fr. _comencer_--L. _com_, and _initi[=a]re_, to begin--_in_, into, and _[=i]re_, to go.]

COMMEND, kom-end', _v.t._ to give into the charge of: to recommend as worthy: to praise: to adorn, set off.--_n._ (_Shak._) praise.--_adj._ COMMEND'ABLE, worthy of being commended or praised.--_n._ COMMEND'ABLENESS.--_adv._ COMMEND'ABLY.--_ns._ COMMEND'AM, a manner of holding an ecclesiastical benefice till a proper pastor was provided for it--it was provisionally _commended_ to the care of a clerk, and was said to be held _in commendam_; COMMEND[=A]'TION, the act of commending: praise: declaration of esteem: esp. the act of commending the dying or dead to the favour and mercy of God; COM'MEND[=A]TOR, one who holds a benefice _in commendam_.--_adj._ COMMEND'ATORY, commending: containing praise or commendation: presenting to favourable notice or reception.--COMMEND ME TO, remember me kindly to: give me by preference. [L. _commend[=a]re_--_com_, and _mand[=a]re_, to trust.]

COMMENSAL, ko-men'sal, _adj._ eating at the same table.--_n._ a messmate.--_n._ COMMEN'SALISM, the intimate but never parasitic association of two organisms, for the benefit of one, or very often of both. [L. _com_, together, _mensa_, a table.]

COMMENSURABLE, kom-en's[=u]-ra-bl, _adj._ having a common measure.--_ns._ COMMENSURABIL'ITY, COMMEN'SURABLENESS.--_adv._ COMMEN'SURABLY.--_adj._ COMMEN'SUR[=A]TE, of the same measure with: equal in measure or extent: in proportion with.--_adv._ COMMEN'SUR[=A]TELY.--_ns._ COMMEN'SUR[=A]TENESS, COMMENSUR[=A]'TION. [L. _com_, with, and _mensura_, a measure--_met[=i]ri_, _mensus_, to measure.]

COMMENT, kom'ent, _n._ a note conveying an illustration or explanation: a remark, observation, criticism.--_v.i._ (or kom-ent') to make critical or explanatory notes: to annotate: (_Shak._) to meditate.--_ns._ COMM'ENTARY, a comment: a remark: a book consisting of a regular series of comments or notes on another book; COMMENT[=A]'TION, annotation; COMM'ENT[=A]TOR, COMM'ENTER (or COMMENT'ER), COMM'ENTOR (or COMMENT'OR).--_adj._ COMMENTAT[=O]'RIAL, pertaining to the making of commentaries. [Fr.,--L. _comment[=a]ri_--_com_, and L. _mens_, the mind.]

COMMERCE, kom'[.e]rs, _n._ interchange of merchandise on a large scale between nations or individuals: extended trade or traffic: intercourse: fellowship.--_v.i._ COMMERCE', to trade: to have communication with.--_adj._ COMMER'CIAL, pertaining to commerce: mercantile.--_n._ commercial traveller.--_ns._ COMMER'CIALISM; COMMER'CIALIST; COMMER'CIALITY.--_adv._ COMMER'CIALLY.--COMMERCIAL ROOM, a room in a hotel set apart for commercial travellers; COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER, a person who transacts business as the accredited travelling representative of a trading house to other trading houses. [Fr.,--L. _commercium_--_com_, with, _merx_, _mercis_, merchandise.]

COMMERGE, ko-m[.e]rj', _v.i._ to coincide, agree.

COMMINATE, kom'in-[=a]t, _v.t._ to threaten.--_n._ COMMIN[=A]'TION, threatening, denunciation: a recital of God's threatenings made on Ash-Wednesday and at other times in the English Church.--_adjs._ COMM'INATIVE, COMM'INATORY, threatening punishment. [L.,--_com_, inten., and _min[=a]ri_, to threaten.]

COMMINGLE, kom-ing'gl, _v.t._ to mingle or mix with.--_adj._ COMMIN'GLED. [L. _com_, together, and MINGLE.]

COMMINUTE, kom'in-[=u]t, _v.t._ to reduce to minute particles: to pulverise.--_n._ COMMIN[=U]'TION.--COMMINUTED FRACTURE, the breaking of a bone in several places: a compound fracture. [L. _comminu[)e]re_, _-[=u]tum_, to break into pieces--_com_, and _minu[)e]re_, to make small--root _minus_, less.]

COMMISERATE, kom-iz'[.e]r-[=a]t, _v.t._ to feel for the miseries of another: to pity: to condole with.--_adj._ COMMIS'ERABLE, requiring commiseration: pitiable.--_n._ COMMISER[=A]'TION, concern for the sufferings of others: pity.--_adj._ COMMIS'ERATIVE, feeling or expressing sympathetic sorrow.--_n._ COMMIS'ER[=A]TOR. [L. _com_, with, _miser[=a]ri_, to deplore--_miser_, wretched.]

COMMISSARY, kom'is-ar-i, _n._ one to whom any charge is committed: a deputy: (_Scots law_) the judge in a commissary court: a higher officer of police: (_eccles._) an officer representing a bishop, and performing his duties in distant parts of the diocese: an officer who furnishes provisions, &c., to an army.--_adj._ COMMISS[=A]'RIAL, pertaining to a commissary.--_ns._ COMMISS[=A]'RIAT, the department charged with the furnishing of provisions, as for an army: the supply of provisions: the office of a commissary; COMM'ISSARY-GEN'ERAL, the head of the department for supplying provisions, &c., to an army; COMM'ISSARYSHIP.--COMMISSARY COURT, a supreme court established in Edinburgh in 1563, with jurisdiction in questions of marriage--its powers conjoined with those of the Court of Session in 1836. [Low L. _commissarius_--L. _committ[)e]re_, _commissum_.]

COMMISSION, kom-ish'un, _n._ act of committing: that which is committed: a writing conferring certain powers: authority: the percentage paid in a transaction to an active agent who usually incurs some pecuniary and always some moral responsibility: a body of persons appointed to perform certain duties: a warrant from the head of the state for holding various military offices, whether combatant or non-combatant.--_v.t._ to give a commission to: to empower: to send: to appoint.--_ns._ COMMIS'SION-AG'ENT, COMMIS'SION-MER'CHANT, a person employed to sell goods delivered to him by another (his principal), for a certain percentage--his _commission_ or factorage; COMMISSIONAIRE', a messenger, or light porter: one employed about public places and hotels to undertake light commissions.--_adj._ COMMIS'SIONED.--_ns._ COMMIS'SIONER, one who holds a commission to perform some business: a member of a commission; COMMIS'SIONERSHIP.--COMMISSIONED OFFICER, one appointed by commission--in the navy, the officers from the lieutenant; in the army, from the ensign upwards. [From COMMIT.]

COMMISSURE, kom'mis-s[=u]r, _n._ a joint: place where two bodies meet and unite: (_anat._) a term applied to nervous connections between adjacent parts of the nervous system.--_adj._ COMMIS'SURAL. [L., _commissura_, a joining, from root of COMMIT.]

COMMIT, kom-it', _v.t._ to give in charge or trust: to consign: to do: to endanger: to involve: to pledge:--_pr.p._ commit'ting; _pa.p._ commit'ted.--_ns._ COMMIT'MENT, act of committing: an order for sending to prison: imprisonment; COMMIT'TAL, commitment: a pledge, actual or implied; COMMIT'TEE, a portion, generally consisting of not less than three members, selected from a more numerous body, to whom some special act to be performed, or investigation to be made, is committed; COMMIT'TEESHIP.--COMMIT ONE'S SELF, to compromise one's self: to pledge one's self wittingly or unwittingly to a certain course; COMMIT TO MEMORY, to learn by heart. [L. _committ[)e]re_--_com_, with, _mitt[)e]re_, to send.]