Chapter I: O U, =i'=o'=u', n. a memorandum of debt given by a borrower to a (4)

LAD, lad, _n._ a boy: a youth: (_Scot._) a lover:--_fem._ LASS.--_n._ LAD'DIE, a little lad: a boy.--LAD'S LOVE, a provincial name of the southernwood. [M. E. _ladde_--Ir. _lath_, a youth, champion (W. _llawd_). Mr H. Bradley suggests that M. E. _ladde_, a servant, coincides with the adjectival form of the past participle of the verb to _lead_, the original meaning thus being 'one _led_ in the train of a lord.']

LADANUM, lad'a-num, _n._ a resinous exudation from the leaves of a shrub growing round the Mediterranean.--Also LAB'DANUM. [L.,--Gr. _l[=e]danon_--Pers. _l[=a]dan_. See LAUDANUM.]

LADDER, lad'[.e]r, _n._ a frame made with steps placed between two upright pieces, by which one may ascend a building, &c.: anything by which one ascends: a gradual rise. [A.S. _hl['æ]der_; Ger. _leiter_.]

LADE, l[=a]d, _v.t._ to burden: to throw in or out, as a fluid, with a ladle or dipper.--_n._ (_Scot._) a load: a water-course: the mouth of a river.--_n._ LAD'ING, the act of loading: that which is loaded: cargo: freight. [A.S. _hladan_, pt. _hlód_, _hladen_, to load, to draw out water; Dut. _laden_; Ger. _be-laden_.]

LADIN, la-d[=e]n', _n._ a Romance tongue spoken in the Engadine valley in Switzerland and the upper Inn valley in Tyrol. [L. _Latinus_, Latin.]

LADINO, la-d[=e]'n[=o], _n._ the old Castilian tongue: the Spanish jargon of some Turkish Jews: a Central American of mixed white and Indian blood.

LADLE, l[=a]d'l, _n._ a large spoon for lifting out liquid from a vessel: the float-board of a mill-wheel: an instrument for drawing the charge from a cannon.--_v.t._ to lift with a ladle.--_ns._ LAD'LEFUL, the quantity in a ladle:--_pl._ LAD'LEFULS.--LADLE FURNACE, a small gas furnace heated by a Bunsen burner, for melting metals, &c. [A.S. _hlædel_--_hladan_, to lade.]

LADRONE, la-dr[=o]n', _n._ a robber. [Sp.,--L. _latro_.]

LADY, l[=a]'di, _n._ the mistress of a house: a wife: a title of the wives of knights, and all degrees above them, and of the daughters of earls and all higher ranks: a title of complaisance to any woman of refined manners:--_pl._ LADIES (l[=a]'diz).--_ns._ L[=A]'DYBIRD, a genus of little beetles, usually brilliant red or yellow--also L[=A]'DYBUG, L[=A]'DYCOW; L[=A]'DY-CHAP'EL, a chapel dedicated to 'Our Lady,' the Virgin Mary, usually behind the high altar, at the extremity of the apse; L[=A]'DYDAY, the 25th March, the day of the Annunciation of the Virgin; L[=A]'DYFERN, one of the prettiest varieties of British ferns, common in moist woods, with bipinnate fronds sometimes two feet long; L[=A]'DY-FLY (same as LADYBIRD); L[=A]'DYHOOD, condition, character of a lady.--_adj._ L[=A]'DYISH, having the airs of a fine lady.--_ns._ L[=A]'DYISM, affectation of the airs of a fine lady; L[=A]'DY-KILL'ER, a man who fancies his fascinations irresistible to women: a general lover.--_adj._ L[=A]'DY-LIKE, like a lady in manners: refined: soft, delicate.--_ns._ L[=A]DY-LOVE, a lady or woman loved: a sweetheart; L[=A]DY'S-BED'STRAW, the plant _Galium verum_; L[=A]'DY'S-BOW'ER, the only British species of clematis--also _Traveller's joy_; L[=A]'DY'S-FING'ER, a name for many plants: a piece of confectionery; L[=A]'DYSHIP, the title of a lady; L[=A]'DY'S-MAID, a female attendant on a lady, esp. in matters relating to the toilet; L[=A]DY'S-MAN'TLE, a genus of herbaceous plants having small, yellowish-green flowers; L[=A]'DY'S-SLIPP'ER, a genus of orchidaceous plants, remarkable for the large inflated lip of the corolla; L[=A]'DY'S-SMOCK, the Bitter Cress, a meadow-plant, with whitish, blush-coloured flowers.--LADIES' COMPANION, a small bag used for carrying women's work; LADIES' MAN, one fond of women's society.--MY LADYSHIP, YOUR LADYSHIP, a form of expression used in speaking to, or of, one who has the rank of a lady. [A.S. _hláf-dige_--_hláf_, a loaf, _d['æ]gee_, a kneader, or=_hláfweardige_ (i.e. loaf-keeper, see _ward_), and thus a contr. fem. of _Lord_.]

LÆTARE, l[=e]-t[=a]'r[=e], _n._ the fourth Sunday in Lent, named from the first word in the service for the festival. [L. _læt[=a]re_, to rejoice--_lætus_, joyful.]

LAG, lag, _adj._ slack: sluggish: coming behind.--_n._ he who, or that which, comes behind: the fag-end: (_slang_) an old convict.--_v.i._ to move or walk slowly: to loiter.--_v.t._ (_slang_) to commit to justice:--_pr.p._ lag'ging; _pa.p._ lagged.--_adj._ LAG'-BELL'IED, having a drooping belly.--_n._ LAG'-END (_Shak._), the last or long-delayed end.--_adj._ LAG'GARD, lagging: slow: backward.--_ns._ LAG'GARD, LAG'GER, one who lags behind: a loiterer: an idler.--_adv._ LAG'GINGLY, in a lagging manner. [Celt., as W. _llag_, loose, Gael. _lag_, feeble; cf. L. _laxus_, loose.]

LAGENA, la-j[=e]'na, _n._ a wine-vase, amphora: the terminal part of the cochlea in birds and reptiles:--_pl._ LAG[=E]'NÆ. [L.]

LAGER-BEER, lä'ger-b[=e]r, _n._ a kind of light beer very much used in Germany.--Also LA'GER. [Ger. _lagerbier_--_lager_, a store-house, _bier_, beer.]

LAGGEN, lag'en, _n._ (_Burns_) the angle between the side and bottom of a wooden dish.

LAGOMYS, l[=a]-g[=o]'mis, _n._ a genus of rodents, much resembling hares or rabbits. [Gr. _lag[=o]s_, a hare, _mys_, a mouse.]

LAGOON, LAGUNE, la-g[=oo]n', _n._ a shallow pond into which the sea flows. [It. _laguna_--L. _lacuna_.]

LAGOPHTHALMIA, lag-of-thal'mi-a, _n._ inability to close the eye.--_adj._ LAGOPHTHAL'MIC.

LAGOPUS, la-g[=o]'pus, _n._ a genus of grouse, the ptarmigans.--_adj._ LAGOP'ODOUS, having furry feet.--_n._ LAGOS'TOMA, hare-lip.--_adj._ LAG[=O]'TIC, rabbit-eared.

LAGRIMOSO, lag-ri-m[=o]'s[=o], _adj._ (_mus._) plaintive. [It.]

LAGTHING, läg'ting, _n._ the upper house of the Norwegian parliament. [Norw. _lag_, law, _thing_, parliament.]

LAIC, LAICAL, LAICISE. See LAY, _adj._

LAID, l[=a]d, _adj._ put down, prostrate: pressed down.--LAID PAPER, such as shows in its fabric the marks of the close parallel wires on which the paper-pulp was laid in the process of its manufacture:--opp. to _Wove-paper_, that laid on woven flannels or on felts. [Pa.t. and pa.p. of LAY.]

LAIDLY, l[=a]d'li, _adj._ (_prov._) loathly.

LAIN, _pa.p._ of LIE, to rest.

LAIR, l[=a]r, _n._ a lying-place, esp. the den or retreat of a wild beast: (_Scot._) the ground for one grave in a burying-place. [A.S. _leger_, a couch--_licgan_, to lie down; Dut. _leger_, Ger. _lager_.]

LAIR, l[=a]r, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to sink in mud.--_n._ mire, a bog, a quagmire. [Ice. _leir_, mud.]

LAIRD, l[=a]rd, _n._ (_Scot._) a landed proprietor, a landlord.--_n._ LAIRD'SHIP, an estate. [_Lord._]

LAISSEZ-FAIRE, l[=a]s'[=a]-f[=a]r', _n._ a letting alone, a general principle of non-interference with the free action of the individual: the let-alone principle in government, business, &c.--Also LAISS'ER-FAIRE'. [Fr. _laisser_--L. _lax[=a]re_, to relax, _faire_--L. _fac[)e]re_, to do.]

LAITY, l[=a]-'i-ti, _n._ the people as distinct from the clergy. [See LAY, _adj._]

LAKE, l[=a]k, _n._ a pigment or colour formed by precipitating animal or vegetable colouring matters from their solutions, chiefly with alumina or oxide of tin. [Fr. _laque_. See LAC (2).]

LAKE, l[=a]k, _n._ a large body of water within land.--_ns._ LAKE'-B[=A]'SIN, the whole area drained by a lake; LAKE'-LAW'YER (_U.S._), the bowfin: burbot; LAKE'LET, a little lake; L[=A]'KER, L[=A]'KIST, one of the Lake school of poetry.--_adj._ L[=A]'KY, pertaining to a lake or lakes.--LAKE DISTRICT, the name applied to the picturesque and mountainous region within the counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, and a small portion of Lancashire, containing as many as sixteen lakes or meres; LAKE DWELLINGS, settlements in prehistoric times, built on piles driven into a lake; LAKE SCHOOL OF POETRY, a name applied to the group of illustrious poets who made the Lake District--_Wordsworthshire_--their home about the beginning of the 19th century. [A.S. _lac_--L. _lacus_.]

LAKH, _n._ See LAC, term used for 100,000.

LAKIN, l[=a]'kin, _n._ (_Shak._) a corruption of _ladykin_, dim. of _lady_.

LAKSHMI, laksh'm[=e], _n._ in Hindu mythology, the name of the consort of the god Vishnu (q.v.), considered as his female or creative energy.

LALLAN, lal'an, _n._ the Scotch dialect. [_Lowland_.]

LALLATION, la-l[=a]'shon, _n._ lambdacism (q.v.).

LAM, lam, _v.t._ to beat. [Ice. _lemja_, to beat.]

LAMA, _n._ an animal. [See LLAMA.]

LAMA, lä'ma, _n._ a Buddhist priest in Tibet.--_ns._ LÄ'MAISM, the religion prevailing in Tibet and Mongolia, being Buddhism corrupted by Sivaism, and by Shamanism or spirit-worship; LÄ'MAIST; LÄ'MASERY, a Tibetan monastery. [Tib.]

LAMANTIN, la-man'tin, _n._ the manatee. [Fr.]

LAMARCKISM, la-mär'kizm, _n._ the theory of the French naturalist, J. B. P. A. de Monet de _Lamarck_ (1744-1829), that species have developed by the efforts of organisms to adapt themselves to new conditions--also LAMARCK'IANISM.---_adj._ LAMARCK'IAN.

LAMB, lam, _n._ the young of a sheep: the flesh of the young sheep: one innocent and gentle as a lamb: the Saviour of the world.--_v.i._ to bring forth young, as sheep.--_ns._ LAMB'-ALE, a feast at the time of lamb-shearing; LAMB'KIN, LAMB'LING, LAMB'IE (_Scot._), a little lamb.--_adj._ LAMB'-LIKE, like a lamb: gentle.--_ns._ LAMB'SKIN, the skin of a lamb dressed with the wool on, for mats, &c.: the skin of a lamb dressed for gloves: a kind of woollen cloth resembling this; LAMB'S'-LETT'UCE (same as CORN-SALAD); LAMB'S'-WOOL, fine wool: a wholesome old English beverage composed of ale and the pulp of roasted apples, with sugar and spices.--THE LAMB, LAMB OF GOD, the Saviour, typified by the paschal lamb. [A.S. _lamb_; Ger. _lamm_, Dut. _lam_.]

LAMBATIVE, lam'ba-tiv, _adj._ to be taken by licking.--_n._ a medicine of such a kind.

LAMBDA, lam'da, _n._ the Greek letter corresponding to Roman _l_.--_n._ LAMB'DACISM, a too frequent use of words containing _l_: a defective pronunciation of _r_, making it like _l_.--_adjs._ LAMB'DOID, -AL, shaped like the Greek capital [GREEK: L]--applied in anatomy to the suture between the occipital and the two parietal bones of the skull. [Gr.,--Heb. _lamedh_.]

LAMBENT, lam'bent, _adj._ moving about as if touching lightly: gliding over: flickering.--_n._ LAM'BENCY, the quality of being lambent: that which is lambent. [L. _lambens_--_lamb[)e]re_, to lick.]

LAMBOYS, lam'boiz, _n.pl._ kilted flexible steel-plates worn skirt-like from the waist. [O. Fr.]

LAMBREQUIN, lam'bre-kin, _n._ a strip of cloth, leather, &c., hanging from a window, doorway, or mantelpiece, as a drapery: an ornamental covering, as of cloth, attached to a helmet. [Fr.]

LAME, l[=a]m, _adj._ disabled in the limbs: hobbling: unsatisfactory: imperfect.--_v.t._ to make lame: to cripple: to render imperfect.--_n._ LAME'-DUCK (_slang_), a bankrupt.--_adv._ LAME'LY.--_n._ LAME'NESS.--_adj._ LAM'ISH, a little lame: hobbling. [A.S. _lama_, lame; Dut. _lam_, Ger. _lahm_.]

LAMELLA, lä-mel'a, _n._ a thin plate or scale:--_pl._ LAMELL'Æ.--_adjs._ LAM'ELLAR, LAM'ELLATE.--_n.pl._ LAMELLIBRANCHI[=A]'TA, a class of shell-fishes or molluscs in which the shell consists of two limy plates, lying one on each side of the body.--_adjs._ LAMELLIBRANCH'IATE; LAMELL'ICORN.--_n.pl._ LAMELLICOR'NES, a very numerous family of beetles--the cockchafer, &c.--_adjs._ LAMELLIF'EROUS, producing lamellæ; LAMELL'IFORM, lamellar in form; LAMELLIROS'TRAL, having a lamellose bill; LAM'ELLOSE, full of lamellæ, lamellated in structure. [L.]

LAMENT, la-ment', _v.i._ to utter grief in outcries: to wail: to mourn.--_v.t._ to mourn for: to deplore.--_n._ sorrow expressed in cries: an elegy or mournful ballad.--_adj._ LAM'ENTABLE, deserving or expressing sorrow: sad: pitiful, despicable.--_adv._ LAM'ENTABLY.--_n._ LAMENT[=A]'TION, act of lamenting: audible expression of grief: wailing: (_pl._, _B._) a book of Jeremiah.--_p.adj._ LAMENT'ED, bewailed: mourned.--_adv._ LAMENT'INGLY, with lamentation. [Fr. _lamenter_--L. _lament[=a]ri_.]

LAMETER, LAMITER, l[=a]'met-[.e]r, _n._ a cripple.

LAMETTA, la-met'a, _n._ foil of gold, silver, &c. [It.]

LAMIA, l[=a]'mi-a, _n._ in Greek and Roman mythology, a female phantom, a serpent witch who charmed children and youths in order to suck their blood.

LAMIGER, lam'i-j[.e]r, _n._ (_prov._) a cripple.

LAMINA, lam'i-na, _n._ a thin plate: a thin layer or coat lying over another:--_pl._ LAM'INÆ.--_adjs._ LAM'INABLE; LAM'INAR, LAM'INARY, in laminæ or thin plates: consisting of, or resembling, thin plates.--_n._ LAMIN[=A]'RIA, a genus of dark-spored seaweeds, with large expanded leathery-stalked fronds.--_adjs._ LAM'IN[=A]TE, -D, in laminæ or thin plates: consisting of scales or layers, over one another.--_ns._ LAMIN[=A]'TION, the arrangement of stratified rocks in thin laminæ or layers.--_adjs._ LAMINIF'EROUS, consisting of laminæ or layers; LAM'INIFORM, laminar.--_n._ LAMIN[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the laminæ of a horse's hoof. [L. _lamina_, a thin plate, a leaf.]

LAMMAS, lam'as, _n._ the feast of first-fruits on 1st August.--_n._ LAMM'AS-TIDE, Lammas-day, 1st August. [A.S. _hláf-mæsse_ and _hlammæsse_--_hláf_, loaf, _mæsse_, feast.]

LAMMER, lam'[.e]r, _n._ (_Scot._) amber. [Fr. _l'ambre_.]

LAMMERGEIER, lam'm[.e]r-g[=i]-[.e]r, _n._ the great bearded vulture of the mountains of southern Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. [Ger. _lämmergeier_--_lämmer_, lambs, _geier_, vulture.]

LAMMY, lam'i, _n._ a thick quilted outside jumper worn in cold weather by sailors.--Also LAMM'IE.

LAMP, lamp, _n._ a vessel for burning oil with a wick, and so giving light: a light of any kind.--_v.i._ (_Spens._) to shine.--_ns._ LAMP'AD (_rare_), a lamp or candlestick, a torch; LAMP'ADARY, in the Greek Church, one who looks after the lamps and carries a lighted taper before the patriarch; LAMPADED'ROMY, an ancient Greek torch-race in honour of Prometheus, &c.; LAMP'ADIST, one who ran in a torch-race; LAMPAD'OMANCY, the art of divining by the flame of a lamp or torch; LAMP'BLACK, the black substance formed by the smoke of a lamp: the soot or amorphous carbon obtained by burning bodies rich in that element, such as resin, petroleum, and tar, or some of the cheap oily products obtained from it; LAMP'-BURN'ER, that part of a lamp in which the wick is held; LAMP'-CHIM'NEY, LAMP'-GLASS, a glass funnel placed round the flame of a lamp; LAMP'-FLY (_Browning_), a firefly.--_adj._ LAMP'IC, pertaining to, or derived from, a lamp or flame.--_ns._ LAMP'ION, a kind of small lamp; LAMP'-LIGHT, the light shed by a lamp or lamps; LAMP'-LIGHT'ER, a person employed to light street-lamps: that by which a lamp is lighted, as a spill or torch; LAMP'-POST, the pillar supporting a street-lamp; LAMP'-SHELL, a terebratuloid or related brachiopod having a shell like an antique lamp.--SMELL OF THE LAMP, to show signs of great elaboration or study. [Fr. _lampe_--Gr. _lampas_, _-ados_--_lampein_, to shine.]

LAMP, lamp, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to run wild, to scamper: to go jauntily.

LAMPAS, lam'pas, _n._ a material of silk and wool used in upholstery. [Fr.]

LAMPASS, lam'pas, _n._ (_Shak._) a swelling of the roof of the mouth in horses. [Fr. _lampas_.]

LAMPERN, lam'p[.e]rn, _n._ a river lamprey.

LAMPOON, lam-p[=oo]n', _n._ a personal satire in writing: low censure.--_v.t._ to assail with personal satire: to satirise:--_pr.p._ lamp[=oo]n'ing; _pa.p._ lamp[=oo]ned'.--_ns._ LAMPOON'ER, one who writes a lampoon; LAMPOON'RY, practice of lampooning: written personal abuse or satire. [O. Fr. _lampon_, orig. a drinking-song, with the refrain _lampons_=let us drink--_lamper_ (or _lapper_, to lap), to drink.]

LAMPREY, lam'pre, _n._ a genus of cartilaginous fishes resembling the eel, so called from their attaching themselves to rocks or stones by their mouths. [O. Fr. _lamproie_--Low L. _lampreda_, _lampetra_--L. _lamb[)e]re_, to lick, _petra_, rock.]

LANA, lä'na, _n._ the tough, close-grained wood of a Guiana tree.

LANATE, -D, l[=a]'n[=a]t, -ed, _adjs._ woolly: (_bot._) covered with a substance resembling wool.--_n._ L[=A]'NARY, a wool-store. [L. _lanatus_--_lana_, wool.]

LANCASTERIAN, lang-kas-t[=e]'ri-an, _adj._ pertaining to Joseph _Lancaster_ (1778-1838), or the method of teaching younger pupils by those more advanced (_monitors_) in primary schools.

LANCASTRIAN, lang-kas'tri-an, _adj._ pertaining to the dukes or the royal house of _Lancaster_.--_n._ an adherent of the house of Lancaster, as against the Yorkists, in the Wars of the Roses (1455-85).

LANCE, lans, _n._ (_Spens._) balance, poise. [L. _lanx_, _lancis_, a dish or scale.]

LANCE, lans, _n._ a long shaft of wood, with a spear-head, and bearing a small flag: the bearer of a lance.--_v.t._ to pierce with a lance: to open with a lancet.--_ns._ LANCE'-COR'PORAL, a private soldier doing the duties of a corporal; LANCE'LET (see AMPHIOXUS); LAN'CER, a light cavalry soldier armed with a lance: (_pl._) a popular set of quadrilles, first in England about 1820: the music for such; LANCE'-WOOD, a wood valuable for its strength and elasticity, brought chiefly from Jamaica, Guiana, &c.--_adjs._ LANCIF'EROUS, bearing a lance; LAN'CIFORM, lance-shaped. [Fr.,--L. _lancea_; Gr. _longch[=e]_, a lance.]

LANCEGAY, lans'g[=a], _n._ (_obs._) a kind of spear. [O. Fr.,--_lance_, a lance, _zagaye_, a pike. See ASSAGAI.]

LANCEOLATE, -D, lan'se-o-l[=a]t, -ed, _adjs._ (_bot._) having the form of a lance-head: tapering toward both ends--also LAN'CEOLAR.--_adv._ LAN'CEOLATELY. [L. _lanceolatus_--_lanceola_, dim. of _lancea_.]

LANCET, lan'set, _n._ a surgical instrument used for opening veins, abscesses, &c.: a high and narrow window, terminating in an arch acutely pointed, often double or triple, common in the first half of the 13th century. [O. Fr. _lancette_, dim. of _lance_.]

LANCH. Same as LAUNCH.

LANCINATE, lan'sin-[=a]t, _v.t._ to lacerate.--_n._ LANCIN[=A]'TION, sharp, shooting pain. [L. _lancin[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to tear.]

LAND, land, _n._ earth, the solid portion of the surface of the globe: a country: a district: soil: real estate: a nation or people: (_Scot._) a group of dwellings or tenements under one roof and having a common entry.--_v.t._ to set on land or on shore.--_v.i._ to come on land or on shore.--_ns._ LAND'-[=A]'GENT, a person employed by the owner of an estate to let farms, collect rents, &c.; LAND'-BREEZE, a breeze setting from the land towards the sea; LAND'-CRAB, a family of crabs which live much or chiefly on land.--_v.t._ LAND'DAMN (_Shak._), to banish from the land.--_adj._ LAND'ED, possessing land or estates: consisting in land or real estate.--_ns._ LAND'ER, one who lands; LAND'FALL, a landslip: an approach to land after a voyage, also the land so approached; LAND'-FISH (_Shak._), a fish on land, any one acting contrary to his usual character; LAND'-FLOOD, a flooding or overflowing of land by water: inundation; LAND'FORCE, a military force serving on land, as distinguished from a naval force; LAND'-GRAB'BER, one who acquires land by harsh and grasping means: one who is eager to occupy land from which others have been evicted; LAND'-GRAB'BING, the act of the land-grabber; LAND'-HERD, a herd of animals which feed on land; LAND'-HOLD'ER, a holder or proprietor of land; LAND'-HUNG'ER, greed for the acquisition of land; LAND'ING, act of going on land from a vessel: a place for getting on shore: the level part of a staircase between the flights of steps.--_adj._ relating to the unloading of a vessel's cargo.--_ns._ LAND'ING-NET, a kind of scoop-net for landing a fish that has been caught; LAND'ING-PLACE, a place for landing, as from a vessel; LAND'ING-STAGE, a platform for landing passengers or goods carried by water, often rising and falling with the tide; LAND'-JOB'BER, a speculator in land; LAND'-JOB'BING; LAND'LADY, a woman who has property in land or houses: the mistress of an inn or lodging-house.--_adj._ LAND'LESS (_Shak._), without land or property.--_v.t._ LAND'LOCK, to enclose by land.---_adj._ LAND'-LOCKED, almost shut in by land, protected by surrounding masses of land from the force of wind and waves.--_ns._ LAND'LORD, the owner of land or houses: the master of an inn or lodging-house; LAND'LORDISM, the authority or united action of the landholding class; LAND'-LUBB'ER, a landsman (a term used by sailors); LAND'MARK, anything serving to mark the boundaries of land: any object on land that serves as a guide to seamen: any distinguishing characteristic; LAND'-MEAS'URE, a system of square measure used in the measurement of land; LAND'-MEAS'URING, the art of estimating the superficial content of portions of land; LAND'-OWN'ER, one who owns land; LAND'-OWN'ERSHIP.--_adj._ LAND'-OWN'ING.--_ns._ LAND'-P[=I]'LOT, (_Milt._), a guide on land; LAND'-P[=I]'RATE, a highway robber: a fellow who makes a practice of swindling sailors in port; LAND'RAIL, the crake or corncrake, so named from its cry; LAND'-RAK'ER (_Shak._), a vagabond; LAND'-REEVE, the assistant to the land-steward of a great estate; LAND'-ROLL, a clod-crusher; LAND'-SCRIP (_U.S._), negotiable government certificate entitling to possession of certain public land by individuals or corporate bodies; LAND'-SHARK, a land-grabber: one who plunders sailors on shore; LAND'SKIP (same as LANDSCAPE); LAND'SLIDE, LAND'SLIP, a portion of land that falls down, generally from the side of a hill, usually due to the undermining effect of water; LANDS'MAN, LAND'MAN, one who lives or serves on land: one inexperienced in seafaring; LAND'-SPRING, water lying near the surface, easily drawn upon by shallow wells; LAND'-STEW'ARD, a person who manages a landed estate; LAND'-SURVEY'ING (see SURVEYING); LAND'-TAX, a tax upon land; LAND'-TURN, a land-breeze; LAND'-WAIT'ER, a custom-house officer who attends on the landing of goods from ships.--_adv._ LAND'WARD, toward the land.--_adj._ lying toward the land, away from the sea-coast: situated in or forming part of the country, as opposed to the town: rural.--_n._ LAND'WIND, a wind blowing off the land.--LAND LEAGUE, an association founded in Ireland by Michael Davitt in 1879, and organised by C. S. Parnell, to procure reduction and rearrangement of rents, and to promote the substitution of peasant-proprietors for landlords--condemned as an illegal conspiracy in 1881; LANDED INTEREST, the combined interest of the land-holding class in a community.--MAKE THE LAND, to discover the land as the ship approaches it; SET THE LAND, to observe by the compass how the shore bears from the ship. [A.S. _land_; Dut., Ger. _land_.]

LANDAMMAN, lan'dam-man, _n._ the president of the Swiss Diet: the head official in some Swiss cantons.

LANDAU, lan'daw, _n._ a coach or carriage with a top which may be opened and thrown back. [Ger. _landauer_, from Landau.]

LANDE, land, _n._ an uncultivated healthy plain, esp. a sandy track along the sea-shore in south-western France. [Fr.]

LANDGRAVE, land'gr[=a]v, _n._ a German graf, count, or earl:--_fem._ LANDGRAVINE (land'gra-v[=e]n).--_n._ LANDGR[=A]'VI[=A]TE, the territory of a landgrave. [Dut. _landgraaf_--_land_, land, _graaf_, count.]

LAND-LOUPER, land'-lowp'[.e]r, _n._ a vagabond or vagrant.--Also LAND'-LOP'ER. [Dut. _landloopen_--_land_, land, _loopen_, to ramble; cf. Ger. _landläufer_.]

LANDSCAPE, land'-sk[=a]p, _n._ the appearance of that portion of land which the eye can at once view; the aspect of a country, or a picture representing it.--_ns._ LAND'SCAPE-GAR'DENING, the art of laying out grounds and so disposing water, buildings, trees, and other plants as to produce the effect of a picturesque landscape; LAND'SCAPE-PAINT'ER, one who practises this form of art; LAND'SCAPE-PAINT'ING, the art of representing natural scenery by painting. [Dut. _landschap_, from _land_ and _-schap_, a suffix=_-ship_.]

LANDSTHING, läns'ting, _n._ the upper house of the Danish Rigsdag or parliament. [Dan., _land_, land, _thing_, parliament.]

LANDSTURM, lant'st[=oo]rm, _n._ in Germany and Switzerland, a general levy in time of national emergency--in the former including all males between seventeen and forty-five: the force so called out. [Ger., _land_, land, _sturm_, alarm.]

LANDTAG, lant'tahh, _n._ the legislative assembly of one of the states forming the modern German empire, as Saxony, Bavaria, &c.: the provincial assembly of Bohemia or Moravia. [Ger., _land_, country, _tag_, diet, day.]

LANDWEHR, länt'v[=a]r, _n._ a military force in Germany and Austria forming an army reserve. [Ger., _land_, land, _wehr_, defence.]

LANE, l[=a]n, _n._ an open space between corn-fields, hedges, &c.: a narrow passage or road: a narrow street: a fixed route kept by a line of vessels across the ocean.--A BLIND LANE, a cul-de-sac. [A.S. _lane_; Scot, _loan_, _lonnin_.]

LANE, l[=a]n, a Scotch form of _lone_, _alone_,

LANG, a Scotch form of _long_.--_n._ LANG'SYNE, time long past.--THINK LANG, to weary.

LANGAHA, lan-gä'hä, _n._ a Madagascar wood-snake, with a flexible scaly extension on the snout.

LANGET, lang'get, _n._ a strong lace used in women's dress in Holland.

LANGSHAN, lang'shan, _n._ a small black Chinese hen.

LANGSPIEL, lang'sp[=e]l, _n._ a Shetland form of harp.

LANGUAGE, lang'gw[=a]j, _n._ that which is spoken by the tongue: human speech: speech peculiar to a nation: style or expression peculiar to an individual: diction: any manner of expressing thought.--_v.t._ to express in language.--_adjs._ LANG'UAGED, skilled in language; LANG'UAGELESS (_Shak._), speechless, silent; LANG'UED (_her._), furnished with a tongue.--DEAD LANGUAGE, one no longer spoken, as opp. to LIVING LANGUAGE, one still spoken; FLASH LANGUAGE (see FLASH). [Fr. _langage_--_langue_--L. _lingua_ (old form _dingua_), the tongue, akin to L. _ling[=e]re_, Gr. _leichein_.]

LANGUE D'OC, long dok, _n._ collective name for the Romance dialects spoken in the Middle Ages from the Alps to the Pyrenees--the tongue of the troubadours, often used as synonymous with Provençal, one of its chief branches. The name itself survived in the province LANGUEDOC, giving name to a class of wines.--LANGUE D'OUI (long dw[=e]), also LANGUE D'OIL, the Romance dialect of northern France, the language of the trouvères, the dominant factor in the formation of modern French. [O. Fr. _langue_--L. _lingua_, tongue; _de_, of; Prov. _oc_, yes--L. _hoc_, this; O. Fr. _oui_, _oïl_, yes--L. _hoc illud_, this (is) that, yes.]

LANGUETTE, lang'get, _n._ a 16th-century hood worn by women: the tongue of a reed of a harmonium or reed-organ: a key of a wind-instrument. [Fr.]

LANGUID, lang'gwid, _adj._ slack or feeble: flagging: exhausted: sluggish: spiritless.--_adj._ LANGUESC'ENT, growing languid.--_adv._ LANG'UIDLY.--_n._ LANG'UIDNESS. [Fr.,--L. _languidus_--_langu[=e]re_, to be weak.]

LANGUISH, lang'gwish, _v.i._ to become languid or enfeebled: to lose strength and animation: to pine: to become dull, as of trade.--_n._ (_Shak._) languishment.--_adjs._ LANG'UISHED, sunken in languor; LANG'UISHING, expressive of languor, or merely sentimental emotion.--_adv._ LANG'UISHINGLY.--_n._ LANG'UISHMENT, the act or state of languishing: tenderness of look. [Fr. _languir_, _languiss-_,--L. _languesc[)e]re_--_langu[=e]re_, to be faint.]

LANGUOR, lang'gwur, _n._ state of being languid or faint: dullness: listlessness: softness.--_adj._ LANG'UOROUS, full of languor: tedious: melancholy.--_v.t._ LANG'URE (_Spens._), to languish.

LANIARD. Same as LANYARD.

LANIARY, l[=a]'ni-a-ri, _n._ a place of slaughter: shambles.--_adj._ fitted for lacerating or tearing. [L. _laniarium_--_lanius_, a butcher.]

LANIFEROUS, lan-if'[.e]r-us, _adj._ wool-bearing.--Also LANIG'EROUS. [L. _lanifer_, _laniger_--_lana_, wool, _ferre_, _ger[)e]re_, to bear.]

LANK, langk, _adj._ languid or drooping: soft or loose: thin: shrunken: straight and flat.--_v.i._ (_Shak._) to become lank.--_adv._ LANK'LY.--_n._ LANK'NESS.--_adj._ LANK'Y, lank and tall. [A.S. _hlanc_; Dut. _slank_, Ger. _schlank_, slender.]

LANNER, lan'[.e]r, _n._ a kind of falcon.--_n._ LANN'ARET, the male bird. [Fr. _lanier_--L. _laniarius_.]

LANOLIN, lan'[=o]-lin, _n._ an unctuous substance, a mixture of the ethers of cholesterin with fatty acids, used as a basis for ointments, extracted from wool. [L. _lana_, wool, _oleum_, oil.]

LANSQUENET, lans'ke-net, _n._ a 16th-17th cent. mercenary pikeman: a game at cards. [Fr.,--Ger. _landsknecht_--_land_, country, _knecht_, a soldier.]

LANT, lant, _n._ stale urine, used in wool-scouring.

LANTERLOO, lant'[.e]r-l[=oo], _n._ a game at cards, commonly _Loo_. [Dut. _lanterlu_.]

LANTERN, lant'[.e]rn, _n._ a case for holding or carrying a light, the light chamber of a lighthouse: an ornamental structure surmounting a dome to give light and to crown the fabric: the upper square cage which illuminates a corridor or gallery--obs. form, LANT'HORN, from the use of horn for the sides of lanterns.--_v.t._ to furnish with a lantern.--_n._ LANT'ERN-FLY, any insect of family _Fulgoridæ_, supposed to emit a strong light in the dark.--_adj._ LANT'ERN-JAWED, thin-faced.--_n.pl._ LANT'ERN-JAWS, thin long jaws.--LANTERN OF THE DEAD, a tower having a small lighted chamber at the top, once common in French cemeteries; LANTERN WHEEL, a kind of cog-wheel, in which a circle of bars or spindles between two heads engages with the cogs of a spur-wheel.--CHINESE LANTERN, a collapsible paper lantern, generally decorated with flowers; DARK LANTERN, a lantern having an opaque slide, capable of being partly or wholly shut at pleasure; MAGIC LANTERN, an optical instrument by means of which magnified images of small pictures are thrown upon a wall or screen. [Fr. _lanterne_--L. _lanterna_--Gr. _lampt[=e]r_--_lampein_, to give light.]

LANTHANUM, lan'tha-num, _n._ a metal discovered in 1839 in cerite, a hydrated silicate of cerium.--Also LAN'TH[=A]NIUM. [Gr. _lanthanein_, to conceal.]

LANUGINOUS, la-n[=u]'jin-us, _adj._ downy: covered with fine soft hair.--_n._ LAN[=U]'GO. [Fr.,--L. _lanuginosus_--_lanugo_, down, _lana_, wool.]

LANX, lanks, _n._ a platter or dish for serving meat at a Roman table:--_pl._ LAN'CES. [L.]

LANYARD, LANIARD, lan'yard, _n._ a short rope used on board ship for fastening or stretching, or for convenience in handling articles. [Fr. _lanière_, perh. from L. _lanarius_, made of wool--_lana_, wool.]

LAOCOÖN, l[=a]-ok'-o-on, _n._ a famous antique group in marble in the Vatican, representing the Trojan priest _Laocoön_ and his two sons being crushed in the folds of two enormous serpents.

LAODICEAN, l[=a]-od-i-s[=e]'an, _adj._ lukewarm in religion, like the Christians of _Laodicea_ (Rev. iii. 14-16).--_n._ LAODIC[=E]'ANISM, lukewarmness in religion.

LAP, lap, _v.t._ to lick up with the tongue: to wash or flow against.--_v.i._ to drink by licking up a liquid: to make a sound of such a kind:--_pr.p._ lap'ping; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ lapped.--_n._ a motion or sound like lapping. [A.S. _lapian_; Low Ger. _lappen_; L. _lamb[)e]re_, Gr. _laptein_.]

LAP, lap, _n._ the loose or overhanging flap of anything: the part of a substance extending over or partly over the rear of another, or the extent of such extension: the part of the clothes lying on the knees when a person sits down: the part of the body thus covered, esp. with reference to nursing, &c.: a fold: a course or round of the track, as in foot-racing, &c.: at euchre, &c., a carrying over to the next game of a surplus of points from the last: the space over which a steam-engine slide-valve travels after the closing of the steam-passage to or from the cylinder: a rotating disc of lead, copper, leather, &c., charged with an abrasive powder, used in cutting gems, &c.--_v.t._ to lay over or on.--_v.i._ to be spread on or over: to be turned over or upon.--_ns._ LAP'-BOARD, a flat wide board resting on the lap, used by tailors and seamstresses; LAP'-DOG, a small dog fondled in the lap: a pet dog; LAP'FUL, as much as fills a lap.--_adj._ LAP'-JOINT'ED, having joints formed by overlapping edges.--_ns._ LAP'-STONE, a stone which shoemakers hold in the lap to hammer leather on; LAP'-STREAK, a clinker-built boat--also _adj._; LAP'WORK, work containing lap-joints. [A.S. _læppa_, a loosely hanging part; Ice. _lapa_, to hang loose, Ger. _lappen_, a rag.]

LAP, lap, _v.t._ to wrap, fold, involve.--_ns._ LAP'PER, one who wraps or folds: in cotton manufacturing, a machine which compacts the scutched cotton into a fleece upon the surface of a roller called a lap-roller; LAP'PING, the process of forming a lap or fleece of fibrous material for the carding-machine: the rubbing or polishing of a metal surface: the process of rubbing away the _lands_, or metal between the grooves of a rifled gun, to increase the bore. [M. E. _wlappen_, being a form of _wrap_.]

LAPEL, LAPPEL, LAPELLE, la-pel', _n._ the part of the breast of a coat which laps over and is folded back.--_adj._ LAPELLED'. [Dim. of _lap_.]

LAPIDARY, lap'i-dar-i, _adj._ pertaining to stones and the cutting of stones: pertaining to inscriptions and monuments.--_n._ a cutter of stones, esp. precious stones: a dealer in precious stones--also LAPID[=A]'RIAN, LAP'IDARIST, LAP'IDIST.--_v.t._ LAP'IDATE (_rare_), to pelt with stones.--_n._ LAPID[=A]'TION, punishment by stoning.--_adj._ LAPID'EOUS, stony.--_n._ LAPIDESC'ENCE.--_adj._ LAPIDESC'ENT, becoming stone: petrifying.--_adj._ LAPIDIF'IC.--_n._ LAPIDIFIC[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ LAPID'IFY, to make into stone.--_v.i._ to turn into stone:--_pr.p._ lapid'ifying; _pa.p._ lapid'ified.--_adj._ LAPIL'LIFORM, having the form of small stones.--_ns._ LAPIL'LUS, a fragment of lava ejected from a volcano:--_pl._ LAPIL'LI; L[=A]'PIS, a kind of calico-printing with indigo, the resists acting as methods for other dyes, as madder or quercitron; L[=A]'PIS-LAZ'ULI, a mineral of beautiful ultramarine colour, used largely in ornamental and mosaic work, and for sumptuous altars and shrines.--LAPIS-LAZULI BLUE, a deep blue, sometimes veined with gold, used in decoration, and in the manufacture of Sèvres and Oriental porcelain; LAPIS-LAZULI WARE, the name given by Josiah Wedgwood to a particular pebble ware veined with gold upon blue. [L. _lapidarius_--_lapis_, _lapidis_, a stone.]

LAPP, lap, _n._ a Laplander.--_n._ LAP'LANDER, a native or inhabitant of _Lapland_.--_adjs._ LAP'LANDISH; LAPP'ISH.--_n._ the language of the Lapps.

LAPPER-MILK, lap'[.e]r-milk, _n._ (_Scot._) loppered or curdled milk. [Same word as _lopper_ (_obs._)--M. E. _loper_, curdled, prob. conn. with A.S. _hléapan_, to leap, run. Cf. _rennet_, _runnet_, from _run_.]

LAPPET, lap'et, _n._ a little lap or flap.--_adj._ LAPP'ETED.--_n._ LAPP'ET-HEAD, a head-dress made with lappets for lace pendants. [Dim. of _lap_.]

LAPSE, laps, _v.i._ to slip or glide: to pass by degrees: to fall from the faith or from virtue: to fail in duty: to pass to another proprietor, &c., by the negligence of a patron, to become void: to lose certain privileges by neglect of the necessary conditions.--_n._ a slipping or falling: a failing in duty: a fault.--_adj._ LAP'SABLE.--THE LAPSED, the name applied in the early Christian Church to those who, overcome by heathen persecution, fell away from the faith. [L. _labi_, _lapsus_, to slip or fall, _lapsus_, a fall, akin to _lap_.]

LAPUTAN, la-p[=u]'tan, _adj._ pertaining to _Laputa_, a flying island described in Swift's _Gulliver's Travels_ as inhabited by all sorts of ridiculous projectors: absurd: chimerical.

LAPWING, lap'wing, _n._ the name of a bird of the plover family, also called _peewit_, from its peculiar cry. [M. E. _lappewinke_--A.S. _hleápewince_--_hleápan_, to leap or run, and root of _wink_, to turn.]

LAR, lär, _n._ one of a class of local deities, originally Etruscan, but in Roman usage usually regarded as the tutelary deities of a house:--_pl._ LARES (l[=a]'r[=e]z). [L.]

LAR, lär, _n._ an Etruscan title, really peculiar to the eldest son, but often mistaken for an integral part of the name.--Also LARS. [L.,--Etruscan _larth_, lord.]

LARBOARD, lär'b[=o]rd (by sailors, lab'erd), _n._ an obsolete naval term for the left side of a ship looking from the stern, now, by command of the Admiralty, replaced by the term _port_, to prevent the mistakes caused by its resemblance in sound to starboard.--_adj._ pertaining to the port or left side. [Perh. for a conjectural _lade-bord_, the lading-side--_lade_, a load, _bord_, board, side.]

LARCENY, lär'sen-i, _n._ the legal term in England and Ireland for stealing: theft.--_n._ LAR'CENIST, one who commits larceny: a thief.--_adj._ LAR'CENOUS.--_adv._ LAR'CENOUSLY.--GRAND LARCENY, in England, larceny of property of the value of one shilling or more; PETTY LARCENY, larceny of property less in value than one shilling; SIMPLE LARCENY, as opposed to _Compound larceny_, is larceny uncombined with aggravating circumstances. [O. Fr. _larrecin_ (Fr. _larcin_)--L. _latrocinium_--_latro_, a robber.]

LARCH, lärch, _n._ a genus (_Larix_) of coniferous trees, distinct from firs (_Abies_), with perfectly erect and regularly tapering stem, small branches, numerous small leaves deciduous and clustered, growing rapidly, and yielding good timber. [L.,--Gr. _larix_.]

LARD, lärd, _n._ the melted fat of the hog.--_v.t._ to smear with lard: to stuff with bacon or pork: to fatten: to mix with anything.--_adj._ LARD[=A]'CEOUS.--_ns._ LARD'-OIL, a lubricating and illuminating oil expressed from lard; LAR'DON, LAR'DOON, a strip of bacon used for larding.--_adj._ LAR'DY. [O. Fr.,--L. _laridum_, _lardum_; cf. Gr. _larinos_, fat, _laros_, sweet.]

LARDER, lärd'[.e]r, _n._ a room or place where meat, &c., is kept: stock of provisions.--_n._ LARD'ERER, one who has charge of a larder. [O. Fr. _lardier_, a bacon-tub--L. _lardum_.]

LARE, l[=a]r, _n._ obsolete form of _lore_, and of _lair_.

LARGE, larj, _adj._ great in size: extensive: bulky: wide: long: abundant: liberal: diffuse: (_Shak._, of language) free, licentious.--_adv._ (_naut._) before the wind.--_adjs._ LARGE'-[=A]'CRED, possessing much land; LARGE'-HAND'ED, having large hands: grasping, greedy: profuse; LARGE'-HEART'ED, having a large heart or liberal disposition: generous.--_adv._ LARGE'LY.--_adj._ LARGE'-MIND'ED, characterised by breadth of view.--_ns._ LARGE'NESS; LAR'GET, a length of iron cut from a bar and of proper size to roll into a sheet.--AT LARGE, without restraint or confinement: fully: as a whole, altogether. [Fr.,--L. _largus_.]

LARGESS, LARGESSE, lärj'es, _n._ a present or donation: (_arch._) liberality.--_n._ LARGIT'ION, giving of largess. [Fr.,--L. _largitio_--_larg[=i]ri_, to give freely--_largus_.]

LARGO, lär'g[=o], _adj._ (_mus._) slow in time.--_n._ a movement to be performed in such style.--_adj._ LARGHET'TO, somewhat slow: not so slow as largo.--_n._ a movement in somewhat slow time.--_adj._ LARGHIS'SIMO, extremely slow. [It.,--L. _largus_.]

LARIAT, lär'i-at, _n._ a rope for picketing horses while grazing: a lasso. [Sp. _la reata_--_la_, the, _reata_, a rope for tying animals together.]

LARK, lärk, _n._ a well-known singing-bird.--_v.i._ to catch larks.--_ns._ LARK'S'-HEEL, the Indian cress; LARK'SPUR, a plant with showy flowers, so called from the spur-shaped formation of calyx and petals. [M. E. _laverock_--A.S. _láwerce_; Ger. _lerche_.]

LARK, lärk, _n._ a game, frolic.--_v.i._ to frolic, make sport.--_adj._ LAR'KY (_coll._), frolicsome, sportive. [A.S. _lác_, play--_lácan_, to swing, wave, play.]

LARMIER, lar'mi-[.e]r, _n._ (_archit._) another name for the corona (q.v.): a horizontal string-course for preventing rain from trickling down the wall: (_zool._) a tear-bag. [Fr. _larme_, a tear--L. _lacrima_, a tear.]

LARRIKIN, lar'i-kin, _adj._ (_Australian_) rowdy, disorderly.--_n._ a rough or rowdy.--_n._ LARR'IKINISM.

LARRUP, lar'up, _v.t._ (_coll._) to flog, thrash. [Prob. from Dut. _larpen_, thresh with flails.]

LARRY, lar'i, _n._ Same as LORRY.

LARUM, lar'um, _n._ alarm: a noise giving notice of danger.--_v.t._ (_obs._) to alarm. [_Alarm_.]

LARUS, l[=a]'rus, _n._ a genus of _Laridæ_, the gulls proper.

LARVA, lär'va, _n._ an insect in its first stage after issuing from the egg--i.e. in the caterpillar state: a ghost, spectre:--_pl._ LARVÆ (lär'v[=e]).--_adjs._ LAR'VAL; LAR'VATE, -D, clothed as with a mask; LAR'VIFORM; LARVIP'AROUS, producing young in a larva-form. [L. _larva_, a spectre, a mask.]

LARYNX, l[=a]r'ingks, _n._ the upper part of the windpipe: the throat:--_pl._ LAR'YNGES, LAR'YNXES (_rare_).--_adjs._ LARYN'GEAL, LARYN'GEAN.--_n._ LARYNGIS'MUS, spasm of the glottis.--_adj._ LARYNGIT'IC.--_n._ LARYNG[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the larynx.--_adj._ LARYNGOLOG'ICAL.--_ns._ LARYNGOL'OGIST; LARYNGOL'OGY, the science of the larynx; LARYNGOPH'ONY, the sound of the voice as heard through the stethoscope applied over the larynx; LARYNG'OSCOPE, a mirror for examining the larynx and trachea.--_adj._ LARYNGOSCOP'IC.--_ns._ LARYNGOS'COPIST; LARYNGOS'COPY; LARYNGOT'OMY, the operation of cutting into the windpipe to remove obstructions and assist respiration; LARYNGOTRACHEOT'OMY, the operation of cutting into the windpipe through the cricoid cartilage, the cricothyroid membrane, and the upper rings of the trachea. [L.,--Gr. _larynx_, _laryngos_.]

LASCAR, las'kar, _n._ a native East Indian sailor or camp-follower. [Hind.,--Pers. _lashkari_, a soldier.]

LASCIVIOUS, las-siv'i-us, _adj._ lustful: tending to produce lustful emotions.--_adv._ LASCIV'IOUSLY.--_n._ LASCIV'IOUSNESS. [L. _lascivus_; perh. from the same root as _laxus_, loose.]

LASER, l[=a]'ser, _n._ a gum-resin from North Africa, esteemed by the ancients as a deobstruent and diuretic. [L. _laser_, juice of laserpitium.]

LASERPITIUM, las-er-pish'i-um, _n._ a genus of perennial herbs of the parsley family--LAS'ERWORT or herb frankincense.--Also _Silphium_. [L. _laserpicium_, a plant yielding laser.]

LASH, lash, _n._ a thong or cord: the flexible part of a whip: a stroke with a whip or anything pliant: a stroke of satire, a sharp retort: a beating or dashing: an eyelash.--_v.t._ to strike with a lash: to dash against: to fasten or secure with a rope or cord: to censure severely: to scourge with sarcasm or satire.--_v.i._ to use the whip.--_n._ LASH'ER, one who lashes or whips: a rope for binding one thing to another; LASH'ING, act of whipping: a rope for making things fast: a great plenty of anything--esp. in _pl._--LASH OUT, to kick out, as a horse: to break out recklessly. [M. E. _lasshe_; Dut. _lasch_, Ger. _lasche_, a joint.]

LASH, lash, _adj._ (_obs._) slow, slack: soft: insipid.--_n._ LASH'ER, the slack water collected above a weir in a river. [M. E. _lasche_, slack--O. Fr. _lasche_ (Fr. _lâche_, cowardly)--L. _laxus_, lax.]

LASKET, las'ket, _n._ a loop of line at the foot of a sail, to which to fasten an extra sail.

LASS, las, _n._ (_fem._ of LAD) a girl, esp. a country girl: a sweetheart: (_Scot._) a maid-servant.--(Diminutives) LASS'IE, LASS'OCK.--_adj._ LASS'LORN (_Shak._), forsaken by one's mistress. [Prob. a contr. of _laddess_, formed from _lad_; or directly from W. _llodes_, fem. of _llawd_, a lad. Mr H. Bradley thinks the association with _lad_ merely accidental, the word first appearing about 1300 in northern writings as _lasce_, evidently representing a Scand. _laskw_, the fem. of an adj. meaning unmarried; cf. Middle Sw. _lösk kona_, unmarried woman.]

LASSITUDE, las'i-t[=u]d, _n._ faintness: weakness: weariness: languor. [Fr.,--L. _lassitudo_--_lassus_, faint.]

LASSO, las'[=o], _n._ a long rope with a running noose for catching wild horses, &c.:--_pl._ LASS'OS, LASS'OES.--_v.t._ to catch with the lasso:--_pr.p._ lass'[=o]ing; _pa.p._ lass'[=o]ed. [Port. _laço_, Sp. _lazo_--L. _laqueus_, a noose.]

LAST, last, _n._ a wooden mould of the foot on which boots and shoes are made.--_v.t._ to fit with a last.--_n._ LAST'ER, one who fits the parts of shoes to lasts: a tool for doing so. [A.S. _lást_, a trace.]

LAST, last, _v.i._ to continue, endure: to escape failure: remain fresh, unimpaired.--_adj._ LAST'ING, permanent, durable.--_n._ endurance.--_adv._ LAST'INGLY.--_n._ LAST'INGNESS. [A.S. _l['æ]stan_, to keep a track. See foregoing word.]

LAST, last, _n._ a load, cargo, a weight generally estimated at 4000 lb., but varying in different articles.--_n._ LAST'AGE, the lading of a ship: room for stowing goods in a ship: a duty formerly paid for the right of carrying goods, &c. [A.S. _hlæst_--_hladan_, to load; Ger. _last_, Ice. _hlass_.]

LAST, last, _adj._ latest: coming after all the others: final: next before the present: utmost: meanest: most improbable or unlikely--also _adv._--_n._ LAST'-COURT, a court held by the jurats in the marshes of Kent to fix rates chargeable for the preservation of these--also LAST.--_adv._ LAST'LY.--LAST DAY (_Scot._), yesterday; LAST HEIR (_Eng. law_), he to whom lands come by escheat for want of lawful heirs.--AT LAST, in conclusion (this from A.S. _on lást_, therefore not from _late_ at all, but from _last_ (1), which is the A.S. _lást_, a trace); BREATHE ONE'S LAST, to die; DIE IN THE LAST DITCH, to fight to the bitter end; FIRST AND LAST, altogether; ON ONE'S LAST LEGS, on the verge of utter failure or exhaustion; PUT THE LAST HAND TO, to finish, put the finishing touch to; THE LAST CAST (see CAST); THE LAST DAY, the Day of Judgment; THE LAST DAYS, TIMES (_B._), the period when the end of the world draws near; TO THE LAST, to the end: till death. [A contr. of _latest_.]

LASTERY, last'[.e]r-i, _n._ (_Spens._) a red colour.

LAT, lät, _n._ in Indian architecture, an isolated pillar.

LATAKIA, lat-a-k[=e]'a, _n._ a fine kind of tobacco produced at _Latakia_ (_Laodicea ad Mare_) in Syria.

LATCH, lach, _v.t._ (_Shak._) to moisten. [_Leach_.]

LATCH, lach, _n._ a small piece of wood or iron to fasten a door.--_v.t._ to fasten with a latch: to hold, retain: (_obs._) to seize.--_ns._ LATCH'ET, a strap or buckle for fastening a shoe; LATCH'KEY, a key to raise the latch of a door.--ON THE LATCH, not locked, but opened by a latch. [A.S. _læccan_, to catch.]

LATE, l[=a]t, _adj._ (_comp._ LAT'ER; _superl._ LAT'EST) slow, tardy; behindhand: coming after the expected time: long delayed: far advanced towards the close: last in any place or character: deceased: departed: out of office: not long past--also _adv._--_adj._ LAT'ED (_Shak._), belated, being too late.--_adv._ LATE'LY.--_n._ LATE'NESS, state of being late.--_adv._ LAT'ER.--_adj._ LAT'ISH, somewhat late. [A.S. _læt_, slow; Dut. _laat_, Ice. _latr_, Ger. _lass_, weary; L. _lassus_, tired.]

LATEBRA, lat'eb-ra, _n._ the cavity in the food-yolk of a meroblastic ovum.--_adj._ LAT'EBROUS. [L.--_lat[=e]re_.]

LATEEN, la-t[=e]n', _adj._ applied to a triangular sail, common in the Mediterranean, the Lake of Geneva, &c. [Fr.,--L. _Latinus_, Latin.]

LATENT, l[=a]'tent, _adj._ hid: concealed: not visible or apparent: dormant, undeveloped.--_ns._ L[=A]'TENCE, L[=A]'TENCY.--_adv._ L[=A]'TENTLY.--LATENT HEAT (see HEAT); LATENT LIFE, a phrase describing the physiological condition of organisms in which the functions are for a time suspended without losing the power of future activity; LATENT PERIOD OF A DISEASE, the time that elapses before symptoms show the presence of the disease. [L. _latens_, pr.p. of _lat[=e]re_, to lie hid; Gr. _lanthanein_, to be hidden.]

LATERAL, lat'[.e]r-al, _adj._ belonging to the side: proceeding from or in the direction of the side: (_anat._ and _zool._) situated on one of the sides of the median vertical longitudinal plane of the body: (_physics_) at right angles to a line of motion or strain.--_n._ LATERAL'ITY.--_adv._ LAT'ERALLY.--_adj._ LATERIF[=O]'LIOUS (_bot._), growing by the side of a leaf at its base.--LATERAL FIN, one of the paired side fins of a fish:--opp. to _Vertical fin_. [L. _lateralis_--_latus_, _lat[)e]ris_, a side.]

LATERAN, lat'[.e]r-an, _adj._ pertaining to the Church of St John _Lateran_ at Rome, the Pope's cathedral church, on the site of the splendid palace or basilica of Plautius Lateranus (executed 66 A.D.).--LATERAN COUNCILS, five general councils of the Western Church, held in the Lateran basilica (1123, 1139, 1179, 1215, and 1512-17), regarded by Roman Catholics as oecumenical: also an important synod against the Monothelites in 649.

LATERICEOUS, lat-[.e]r-ish'us, _adj._ of brick, or brick-coloured.--Also LATERIT'IOUS. [L. _latericius_--_later_, _lateris_, a brick.]

LATERITE, lat'[.e]r-[=i]t, _n._ an argillaceous sandstone of a reddish or brick colour found in India, esp. in Ceylon. [L. _later_, _lateris_, a brick.]

LATESCENT, l[=a]-tes'ent, _adj._ becoming hidden.--_n._ LATESC'ENCE. [L. _latesc[)e]re_--_lat[=e]re_, to lie hid.]

LATEST, l[=a]t'est, _adj._ superl. of _late_.

LATEX, l[=a]'teks, _n._ (_bot._) the sap of plants after it has been elaborated in the leaves.--_adj._ LATICIF'EROUS, containing or conveying latex. [L.]

LATH, läth, _n._ a thin cleft slip of wood used in slating, plastering, &c.:--_pl._ LATHS (lä_th_z).--_v.t._ to cover with laths.--_adj._ LATH'EN.--_ns._ LATH'ING, the act or process of covering with laths: a covering of laths; LATH'-SPLIT'TER, one who splits wood into laths.--_adj._ LATH'Y, like a lath.--DAGGER OF LATH, any insufficient means of attack or defence. [A.S. _lættu_; Dut. _lat_, Ger. _latte_, a lath.]

LATHE, l[=a]_th_, _n._ a machine for turning and shaping articles of wood, metal, &c.: the movable swing-frame of a loom carrying the reed for separating the warp threads and beating up the weft. [Ice. _löð_.]

LATHE, lä_th_, _n._ a part or division of a county, now existing only in Kent, and consisting of four or five hundreds. [A.S. _l['æ]th_, a district.]

LATHER, la_th_'[.e]r, _n._ a foam or froth made with water and soap: froth from sweat.--_v.t._ to spread over with lather.--_v.i._ to form a lather: to become frothy. [A.S. _leáðor_, lather; Ice. _lauðr_, foam.]

LATIBULUM, l[=a]-tib'[=u]-lum, _n._ a hiding-place, burrow:--_pl._ LATIB'ULA.--_v.i._ LATIB'ULISE, to hibernate. [L.]

LATICLAVE, lat'i-kl[=a]v, _n._ a broad vertical purple stripe running down the front of a Roman senator's tunic. [L. _latus_, broad, _clavus_, a stripe.]

LATICOSTATE, lat-i-kos't[=a]t, _adj._ broad-ribbed.

LATIDENTATE, lat-i-den't[=a]t, _adj._ broad-toothed.

LATIFOLIATE, lat-i-f[=o]'li-[=a]t, _adj._ broad-leafed.--Also LATIF[=O]'LIOUS.

LATIN, lat'in, _adj._ pertaining to ancient Latium (esp. Rome) or its inhabitants, also to all races claiming affinity with the Latins by language, race, or civilisation: written or spoken in Latin.--_n._ an inhabitant of ancient Latium: a member of a modern race ethnically or linguistically related to the ancient Romans or Italians: the language of ancient Rome--the foundation of the modern Romance tongues: a member of the Latin or Roman Catholic Church.--_adj._ L[=A]'TIAN.--_n._ LAT'INER, one who knows Latin: (_obs._) an interpreter.--_v.t._ LAT'IN[=I]SE, to give Latin forms to: to render into Latin.--_ns._ LAT'INISM, a Latin idiom; LAT'INIST, one skilled in Latin; LATIN'ITY, the Latin tongue, style, or idiom.--LATIN CHURCH, the Western Church as distinguished from the Greek or Oriental Church, so named as having employed Latin as its official language: the Roman Catholic Church; LATIN EMPIRE, that portion of the Byzantine Empire seized in 1204 by the Crusaders, and overthrown by the Greeks in 1261; LATIN KINGDOM, the Christian kingdom of Jerusalem ruled by French or Latin kings, and lasting from 1099 to 1187.--CLASSICAL LATIN, the Latin of the writers who flourished from about 75 B.C. to 200 A.D.; DOG LATIN, barbarous Latin; LATE LATIN, the LATIN written by authors between 200 and (_circ._) 600 A.D.; MIDDLE, MEDIEVAL, or LOW LATIN, the Latin of the middle age between 600 and 1500 A.D.; NEW, MODERN, LATIN, Latin as written between 1500 and the present time, mostly used as a scientific medium; THIEVES' LATIN, thieves' cant. [L. _Latinus_, belonging to _Latium_, the district round Rome.]

LATIPENNATE, lat-i-pen'[=a]t, _adj._ broad-winged.

LATIROSTRAL, lat-i-ros'tral, _adj._ broad-billed.--Also LATIROS'TRATE.

LATISSIMUS, l[=a]-tis'i-mus, _n._ the broadest muscle which lies upon the back.

LATITUDE, lat'i-t[=u]d, _n._ the distance of a place north or south from the equator, measured in degrees of the meridian: a place as indicated by latitude: the angular distance of a celestial body above the plane of the ecliptic (_apparent_ when the point of view is on the earth's surface, _geocentric_ when at the earth's centre, _heliocentric_ when at the centre of the sun): (_fig._) extent of signification: freedom from restraint: scope: (_obs._) width.--_adjs._ LATITUD'INAL, pertaining to latitude: in the direction of latitude; LATITUDIN[=A]'RIAN, broad or liberal, esp. in religious belief: lax.--_n._ a name applied by contemporaries to a member of a school of liberal and philosophical theologians within the English Church in the later half of the 17th century: one who affects to regard specific creeds, methods of church government, &c. with indifference.--_n._ LATITUDIN[=A]'RIANISM.--_adj._ LATITUD'INOUS, having latitude or large extent.--LATITUDE BY ACCOUNT, in navigation, the latitude calculated from the course and distance sailed since last observation; LATITUDE BY OBSERVATION, the latitude determined from an observation of a heavenly body; MIDDLE LATITUDE, the latitude of the parallel midway between two places situated in the same hemisphere. [Fr.,--L. _latitudo_, _-inis_--_latus_, broad.]

LATRIA, l[=a]-tr[=i]'a, _n._ the kind of supreme worship lawfully offered to God alone--opposed to _Dulia_, that given to saints and angels, and to _Hyperdulia_, that given to the Virgin. [Gr. _latreuein_, to serve.]

LATRINE, lat'rin, _n._ a privy or water-closet in barracks, factories, hospitals, &c. [Fr.,--L. _lavatrina_, _latrina_--_lav[=a]re_, to wash.]

LATROBE, la-tr[=o]b', _n._ a form of stove set into a fireplace, heating the room by radiation, and the rooms above by hot air--from I. _Latrobe_ of Baltimore.

LATROCINIUM, lat-r[=o]-sin'i-um, _n._ the Robber-Council, that held at Ephesus in 449, in which the doctrines of the heretic Eutyches were upheld by means of intimidation--its acts revoked at the oecumenical council of Chalcedon in 451: larceny: right of adjudging and executing thieves. [L., robbery.]

LATTEN, lat'en, _n._ brass or bronze used for crosses: sheet tin, tinned iron-plate. [O. Fr. _laton_ (Fr. _laiton_)--Ger. _latte_, a lath, thin plate.]

LATTER, lat'[.e]r, _adj._ later: coming or existing after: mentioned the last of two: modern: recent: (_Shak._) last.--_adjs._ LATT'ER-BORN (_Shak._), younger; LATT'ER-DAY, belonging to recent times.--_adv._ LATT'ERLY, in latter time: of late.--LATTER-DAY SAINTS (see Mormon); LATTER END (see END); LATTER-MINT, a late kind of mint.--THE FORMER AND THE LATTER RAIN (see RAIN). [A variant of _later_.]

LATTICE, lat'is, _n._ a network of crossed laths or bars, called also LATT'ICE-WORK: anything of lattice-work, as a window: (_her._) a bearing of vertical and horizontal bars crossing each other.--_v.t._ to form into open work: to furnish with a lattice.--_ns._ LATT'ICE-BRIDGE, a bridge with its sides consisting of cross-framing like lattice-work; LATT'ICE-GIRD'ER, a girder of which the web consists of diagonal pieces arranged like lattice-work; LATT'ICE-LEAF, an aquatic plant, native to Madagascar, so called from the singular resemblance of the leaves to open lattice-work--otherwise _Lattice-plant_, _Lace-leaf_, _Water-yam_, or _Ouvirandrano_.--RED LATTICE (_Shak._), a frame of lattice-work painted red, formerly used to fill the windows of an ale-house. [Fr. _lattis_--_latte_, a lath.]

LAUD, lawd, _v.t._ to praise in words or with singing: to celebrate.--_n._ commendation: praise in divine worship: (_pl._) in the R.C. Church, the prayers immediately following matins, constituting with the latter the first of the seven canonical hours.--_adj._ LAUD'ABLE, worthy of being praised.--_n._ LAUD'ABLENESS.--_adv._ LAUD'ABLY.--_ns._ LAUD[=A]'TION, praise: honour paid; LAUD'ATIVE, a panegyric, a eulogium.--_adj._ LAUD'ATORY, containing praise: expressing praise.--_n._ that which contains praise.--_n._ LAUD'ER. [L. _laud[=a]re_--_laus_, _laudis_, praise.]

LAUDANUM, lawd'a-num, _n._ a preparation of opium: tincture of opium. [Same word as _ladanum_, transferred to a different drug.]

LAUGH, läf, _v.i._ to express mirth or joy by an explosive inarticulate sound of the voice and peculiar facial distortion: to be gay or lively: make merry (with _at_), to flout.--_v.t._ to express with a laugh: to affect in some way by laughter.--_n._ the sound caused by merriment.--_adj._ LAUGH'ABLE, ludicrous.--_n._ LAUGH'ABLENESS.--_adv._ LAUGH'ABLY.--_ns._ LAUGH'ER; LAUGH'ING-GAS, a gas which excites laughter, called nitrous oxide, used as an anæsthetic in minor surgical operations, as in dentistry; LAUGH'ING-JACK'ASS, the great kingfisher of Australia.--_adv._ LAUGH'INGLY, in a laughing manner.--_ns._ LAUGH'ING-STOCK, an object of ridicule, like something stuck up to be laughed at; LAUGH'TER, act or noise of laughing.--LAUGH A THING OFF, to treat as if worthy only of a laugh; LAUGH IN ONE'S SLEEVE, to laugh inwardly; LAUGH ONE OUT OF, to make a person abandon a habit, &c., by laughing at him for it; LAUGH ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE MOUTH, to be made feel disappointment or sorrow, esp. after boasting, &c.; LAUGH TO SCORN, to deride or jeer at.--HAVE THE LAUGH ON ONE'S SIDE, to be able to laugh at another through getting the better of him by superior dexterity, &c. [A.S. _hlihan_; Ger. _lachen_, Goth. _hlahjan_; prob. imit.]

LAUNCE, läns, _n._ Same as LANCE.

LAUNCE, läns, _n._ (_Spens._) a balance. [L. _lanx_, _lancis_, a plate, a scale of a balance.]

LAUNCH, LANCH, länsh, _v.t._ to throw as a lance or spear: (_Shak._) to pierce or cut with a lance: to send forth: to cause to slide into the water.--_v.i._ to go forth, as a ship into the water: to come into new relations, make a transition.--_n._ act of launching or moving a newly-built ship from the stocks into the water: the largest boat carried by a man-of-war: (_Spens._) a lancing.--_n.pl._ LAUNCH'ING-WAYS, the timbers on which a ship is launched.--_n._ STEAM'-LAUNCH, a large passenger-boat propelled by steam-power, and used largely on rivers. [O. Fr. _lanchier_, _lancier_ (Fr. _lancer_). See LANCE.]

LAUND, lawnd, _n._ (_Shak._) a park. [O. Fr. _lande_; prob. Celt. See LAWN.]

LAUNDRESS, lawn'dres, _n._ a woman who washes and irons clothes.--_n._ LAUN'DER, a washerwoman or washerman: a trough for conveying water.--_v.t._ to wash and iron, as clothes: (_Shak._) to wet, wash.--_ns._ LAUN'DRY, a place where clothes are washed and dressed; LAUN'DRY-MAN, -MAID, a male, female, worker in a laundry. [M. E. _lavander_--O. Fr. _lavandier_--L., gerundive of _lav[=a]re_ to wash.]

LAURA, law'ra, _n._ an early kind of monastic community, its cells separate structures, the inmates living in solitude, meeting only for common services in the chapel--found only in Egypt, Syria, and Palestine. [Most prob. Gr. _laura_, an alley, lane.]

LAUREATE, law're-[=a]t, _adj._ crowned with laurel.--_n._ one crowned with laurel: a poet-laureate.--_v.t._ to crown with laurel, in token of literary merit: to confer a degree upon.--_ns._ LAU'REATESHIP, office of a laureate; LAURE[=A]'TION, act of laureating or conferring a degree; P[=O]'ET-LAU'REATE, formerly one who received a degree in grammar (i.e. poetry and rhetoric) at the English universities: a poet bearing that honorary title, a salaried officer in the royal household, appointed to compose annually an ode for the king's birthday and other suitable occasions.

LAUREL, law'rel, _n._ the bay-tree, used by the ancients for making honorary wreaths: a crown of laurel, honours gained (freq. in _pl._): any species of the genus _Laurus_.--_adjs._ LAU'REL; LAU'RELLED, crowned with laurel.--_n._ LAU'REL-WA'TER, a sedative and narcotic water distilled from the leaves of the cherry-laurel.--_adjs._ LAURIF'EROUS, producing laurel; LAU'RIGER, laurel-wearing.--_n_ LAURUST[=I]'NUS, an evergreen shrub. [Fr. _laurier_--L. _laurus_.]

LAURENTIAN, law-ren'shi-an, _adj._ pertaining to _Lorenzo_ or LAURENTIUS dei Medici, or to the Laurentian library founded by him at Florence: of or pertaining to the river St _Lawrence_: applied to a series of rocks covering a large area in the region of the Upper Lakes of North America.

LAUWINE, law'vin, _n._ (_Byron_) an avalanche. [Ger., from Low L. _lavina_, prob. L. _labi_, to fall.]

LAV, lav, _n._ word--in _lavengro_, word-master. [Gypsy.]

LAVA, lä'va, _n._ the melted matter discharged from a burning mountain, that flows down its sides. [It. _lava_, a stream--L. _lav[=a]re_, to wash.]

LAVE, l[=a]v, _v.t._ and _v.i._ to wash: to bathe.--_ns._ L[=A]'VABO, the ritual act of washing the celebrant's fingers after the offertory, before proceeding with the eucharistic service--from _Lavabo manus meas in innocentia_ (Ps. xxvi. 6): a stone basin in monasteries for washing in before meals or religious exercises: a modern convenience or lavatory of similar kind; L[=A]'VAGE, a washing out; LAV[=A]'TION, a washing or cleansing; LAV'ATORY, a place for washing: a medieval stone table in monasteries, &c., on which bodies were washed before burial: (_med._) a lotion for a diseased part; L[=A]'VER, a large vessel for laving or washing. [Fr. _laver_--L. _lav[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_; Gr. _louein_, to wash.]

LAVE, l[=a]v, _n._ (_Scot._) what is left, the remainder. [A.S. _láf_; Ice. _leif_. See LEAVE.]

LAVE, l[=a]v, _v.t._ to lade or throw out (as water from a boat). [A.S. _lafian_, pour out water; Ger. _laben_, refresh. Conn. with L. _lav[=a]re_, to wash, dub.]