Chapter I: O U, =i'=o'=u', n. a memorandum of debt given by a borrower to a (5)

LAVENDER, lav'en-d[.e]r, _n._ an odoriferous plant, probably so called from its being laid with newly washed clothes: a pale-lilac colour, the colour of lavender blossoms.--_v.t._ to sprinkle with lavender.--_n._ LAV'ENDER-WA'TER, a perfume composed of spirits of wine, essential oil of lavender, and ambergris.--LAY IN LAVENDER, to lay by carefully, as clothes, with sprigs of lavender in them; OIL OF LAVENDER, an aromatic oil distilled from lavender flowers and stems, used as a stimulant and tonic. [M. E. _lavendre_--Fr. _lavande_--L. _lav[=a]re_, to wash.]

LAVER. See LAVE (1).

LAVER, l[=a]v'[.e]r, _n._ the fronds of certain marine plants, sometimes used as food. [L. _laver_.]

LAVEROCK, lav'[.e]r-ock, _n._ (_prov._) a lark. [Cf. _Lark_.]

LAVISH, lav'ish, _v.t._ to expend profusely: to waste.--_adj._ bestowing profusely: prodigal: extravagant: unrestrained.--_adv._ LAV'ISHLY.--_ns._ LAV'ISHMENT, LAV'ISHNESS. [From LAVE (3).]

LAVOLT, la-volt', LAVOLTA, la-vol'ta, _n._ (_Shak._) an old dance in which there were much turning and high leaping. [It. _la volta_, the turn.]

LAW, law, _n._ a rule of action established by authority: statute: the rules of a community or state: a rule or principle of science or art: the whole jurisprudence or the science of law: established usage: that which is lawful: the whole body of persons connected professionally with the law: litigation: a theoretical principle educed from practice or observation: a statement or formula expressing the constant order of certain phenomena: (_theol._) the Mosaic code or the books containing it.--_v.t._ (_coll._) to give law to, determine.--_v.i._ (_obs._) to go to law.--_adj._ LAW'-ABID'ING, obedient to the law.--_ns._ LAW-BIND'ING; LAW'-BOOK, a book treating of law or law cases; LAW'-BREAK'ER, one who violates a law; LAW'-BURR'OWS (_Scots law_), a writ requiring a person to give security against doing violence to another; LAW'-CALF, a book-binding in smooth, pale-brown calf; LAW'-DAY, a day of open court.--_adj._ LAW'FUL, allowed by law: rightful.--_adv._ LAW'FULLY.--_ns._ LAW'FULNESS; LAW'GIVER, one who enacts laws: a legislator.--_adj._ LAW'GIVING, legislating.--_n._ LAW'ING, going to law: litigation: (_obs._) the practice of cutting off the claws and balls of a dog's forefeet to hinder it from hunting: (_Scot._) a reckoning at a public-house, a tavern bill.--_adj._ LAW'LESS.--_adv._ LAW'LESSLY.--_ns._ LAW'LESSNESS; LAW'-LIST, an annual publication containing all information regarding the administration of law and the legal profession; LAW'-LORD, a peer in parliament who holds or has held high legal office: in Scotland, a judge of the Court of Session; LAW'-MAK'ER, a lawgiver; LAW'-MAN, one of a select body with magisterial powers in some of the Danish towns of early England; LAW'-MER'CHANT, a term applied to the customs which have grown up among merchants in reference to mercantile documents and business; LAW'-MONG'ER, a low pettifogging lawyer; LAW'-ST[=A]'TIONER, a stationer who sells parchment and other articles needed by lawyers; LAW'SUIT, a suit or process in law; LAW'-WRIT'ER, a writer on law: a copier or engrosser of legal papers; LAW'YER, a practitioner in the law: (_N.T._) an interpreter of the Mosaic Law: the stem of a brier.--LAW LATIN, Latin as used in law and legal documents, being a mixture of Latin with Old French and Latinised English words; LAW OF NATIONS, now international law, originally applied to those ethical principles regarded as obligatory on all communities; LAW OF NATURE (see NATURE); LAW OF THE LAND, the established law of a country; LAWS OF ASSOCIATION (see ASSOCIATION); LAWS OF MOTION (see MOTION); LAWFUL DAY, one on which business may be legally done--not a Sunday or a public holiday.--BOYLE'S (erroneously called MARIOTTE'S) LAW (_physics_), in gases, the law that, for a given quantity at a given temperature, the pressure varies inversely as the volume--discovered by Robert _Boyle_ in 1662, and treated in a book by Mariotte in 1679; BREHON LAW (see BREHON); CANON LAW (see CANON); CASE LAW, law established by judicial decision in particular cases, in contradistinction to _statute law_; COMMON LAW (see COMMON); CRIMINAL LAW, the law which relates to crimes and their punishment; CROWN LAW, that part of the common law of England which is applicable to criminal matters; CUSTOMARY LAW (see CONSUETUDINARY); EMPIRICAL LAW, a law induced from observation or experiment, and though valid for the particular instances observed, not to be relied on beyond the conditions on which it rests; FEDERAL LAW, law prescribed by the supreme power of the United States, as opposed to _state_ law; FOREST LAW, the code of law which was drawn up to preserve the forests, &c., forming the special property of the English kings; GRESHAM'S LAW (_polit. econ._), the law that of two forms of currency the inferior or more depreciated tends to drive the other from circulation, owing to the hoarding and exportation of the better form; GRIMM'S LAW (_philol._), the law formulating certain changes or differences which the mute consonants exhibit in corresponding words in the Teutonic branches of the Aryan family of languages--stated by Jacob _Grimm_ (1785-1863); INTERNATIONAL LAW (see INTERNATIONAL); JUDICIARY LAW, that part of the law which has its source in the decisions and adjudications of the courts; KEPLER'S LAWS, three laws of planetary motion discovered by Johann _Kepler_ (1571-1630)--viz. (1) the orbits of the planets are ellipses with the sun at one focus; (2) the areas described by their _radii vectores_ in equal times are equal; (3) the squares of their periodic times vary as the cubes of their mean distances from the sun; LYNCH LAW (see LYNCH); MAINE LAW, a prohibitory liquor law passed by the legislature of _Maine_ State, U.S.A., in 1851; MARITIME, MARTIAL, MERCANTILE, MILITARY LAW (see the _adjs._); MAY LAWS, several Prussian enactments (1873-74) directed to control the action of the Church, and limit its interference in civil matters, largely modified in 1887--often called FALK LAWS, from the introducer; MORAL LAW, that portion of the Old Testament which relates to moral principles, especially the ten commandments; MOSAIC, MUNICIPAL, NATURAL LAW (see the _adjs._); OHM'S LAW, the basis of electrical measurements, established in 1827 by _Ohm_ (1787-1854), that the resistance of a conductor is measured by the ratio of the electromotive force between its two ends to the current flowing through it; POOR-LAW, -LAWS, laws providing for the support of paupers at the public expense; POSITIVE LAW, law owing its force to human sanction as opposed to divine law; PRIVATE LAW (see PRIVATE); ROMAN LAW, the system of law developed by the ancient Romans, and often termed the _civil law_ (q.v.); SALIC LAW (see SALIAN); STATUTE LAW (see STATUTE); SUMPTUARY LAW (see SUMPTUARY); VERNER'S LAW (_philol._), a law stated by Karl _Verner_ in 1875, showing the effect of the position of accent in the shifting of the original Aryan mute consonants, and _s_, into Low German, and explaining the most important anomalies in the application of Grimm's law; WRITTEN LAW, statute law as distinguished from the common law.--HAVE THE LAW OF (_coll._), to enforce the law against; LAY DOWN THE LAW, to state authoritatively or dictatorially. [M. E. _lawe_--A.S. _lagu_, from _licgan_, to lie; Ice. _l[=o]g_.]

LAWK, lawk, _interj._ implying surprise. [For _Lord!_]

LAWN, lawn, _n._ a sort of fine linen or cambric.--_adj._ made of lawn.--_adj._ LAWN'Y.--LAWN SLEEVES, wide sleeves of lawn worn by Anglican bishops. [Prob. from Fr. _Laon_, a town near Rheims.]

LAWN, lawn, _n._ an open space between woods: a space of ground covered with grass, generally in front of or around a house or mansion.--_ns._ LAWN'-MOW'ER, a machine for cutting the grass on a lawn; LAWN'-SPRINK'LER, a machine for watering a lawn by sprinkling from a hose with perforated swivel-collar; LAWN'-TENN'IS, a game played with a ball and rackets on an open lawn or other smooth surface by two, three, or four persons.--_adj._ LAWN'Y. [A corr. of _laund_, _lawnd_.]

LAX, laks, _adj._ slack: loose: soft, flabby: not strict in discipline or morals: loose in the bowels.--_adj._ LAX'ATIVE, having the power of loosening the bowels.--_n._ a purgative or aperient medicine.--_ns._ LAX'ATIVENESS, LAX'ITY, LAX'NESS, state or quality of being lax; LAX[=A]'TOR, a muscle that relaxes an organ or part; LAX'IST, one holding loose notions of moral laws, or of their application.--_adv._ LAX'LY. [L. _laxus_, loose.]

LAY, _pa.t._ of _lie_, to lay one's self down.

LAY, l[=a], _v.t._ to cause to lie down: to place or set down: to beat down: to spread on a surface: to conjoin: to spread the proper thing on: to calm: to appease: to wager: to bring forth: to impose: to charge: to present.--_v.i._ to produce eggs: to wager, bet:--_pr.p._ lay'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ laid.--_n._ situation: (_Shak._) a bet: a share of profit, esp. in whaling enterprises: (_slang_) a field or method of operations, esp. of thieves: a measure in thread manufacture, about 800 yards.--_ns._ LAY'ER, that which lays--e.g. a hen, a bricklayer: a bed or stratum: a shoot laid for propagation; LAY'ERING, the propagation of plants by layers; LAY'ING, the first coat of plaster: the act or time of laying eggs: the eggs laid; LAY'-OUT, that which is laid out, a spread, for dining, gaming, &c.; LAY'-STALL, a place for laying dung, rubbish, &c.--LAY ABOUT ONE, to deal blows vigorously or on all sides; LAY ASIDE, AWAY, to discard: to put apart for future use; LAY AT, to endeavour to strike; LAY BARE, to make bare, disclose; LAY BEFORE, to submit to, as of plans; LAY BY, to keep for future use, to dismiss, to put off; LAY BY THE HEELS (see HEEL); LAY DOWN, to give up: to deposit, as a pledge: to apply, as embroidery: to delineate, describe: to affirm, assert: (_rare_) to store for future use; LAY HEADS TOGETHER, to consult together, to deliberate; LAY HOLD OF, or ON, to seize, apprehend; LAY IN, to get in a supply of; LAY INTO, to chastise thoroughly; LAY IT ON, to charge exorbitantly, to do anything with profuseness; LAY OFF, to cast aside: to mark off; LAY ON, to apply with force, to strike, to act with vigour; LAY ONE'S SELF OUT TO, to put forth one's best efforts for anything; LAY ON LOAD (_Spens._), to belabour; LAY ON THE TABLE (see TABLE); LAY OPEN, to make bare, to show, expose; LAY OUT, to expand, to display: to expend, to plan, to exert: to dress in grave-clothes: to take measures, seek; LAY SIEGE TO, to besiege: to importune; LAY THE LAND, to cause the land to disappear below the horizon by sailing away from it; LAY TO, to apply with vigour: to bring a ship to rest; LAY TO HEART (see HEART); LAY UNDER, to subject to; LAY UP, to store up, preserve: to confine to one's bed or room for a time: to put a ship in dock after dismantling; LAY UPON, to wager upon; LAY WAIT, to lie in wait, or in ambush; LAY WASTE, to devastate, to destroy.--LAYING ON OF HANDS (see HAND).--LAID EMBROIDERY, gimped or raised embroidery.--ON A LAY, on shares, as when a crew is shipped 'on a lay' instead of receiving wages. [_Lay_ is the causal to _lie_, from A.S. _lecgan_; Ice. _leggja_, Ger. _legen_.]

LAY, l[=a], _n._ a song: a lyric or narrative poem. [O. Fr. _lai_, from Celt.; cf. Gael. _laoidh_, a hymn.]

LAY, l[=a], LAIC, -AL, l[=a]'ik, -al, _adjs._ pertaining to the people: not clerical: unprofessional: (_cards_) not trumps.--_v.t._ L[=A]'ICISE, to deprive of a clerical character.--_ns._ L[=A]'ITY, the people as distinguished from any particular profession, esp. the clerical; LAY'-BAP'TISM, baptism administered by a layman; LAY'-BROTH'ER, a layman: a man under vows of celibacy and obedience, who serves a monastery, but is exempt from the studies and religious services required of the monks; LAY'-COMMUN'ION, the state of being in the communion of the church as a layman; LAY'-IMPR[=O]'PRIATOR, an impropriator who is a layman (see IMPROPRIATOR); LAY'-LORD, a civil lord of the Admiralty; LAY'MAN, one of the laity: a non-professional man; LAY'-READ'ER, in the Anglican Church, a layman who receives authority to read the lessons or a part of the service, and who may in certain cases preach or read the sermons of others. [O. Fr. _lai_--L. _laicus_--Gr. _laikos_--_laos_, the people.]

LAY-DAY, l[=a]'-d[=a], _n._ one of a number of days allowed a charter-party for shipping or unshipping cargo.

LAYER, l[=a]'[.e]r, _n._ a stratum--better LAIR (q.v.). See LAY.

LAYETTE, l[=a]-yet', _n._ a baby's complete outfit: a tray for carrying powder in powder-mills. [Fr.]

LAY-FIGURE, l[=a]'-fig'[=u]r, _n._ a jointed figure used by painters in imitation of the human body, as a model for drapery: a living person or a fictitious character wanting in individuality.--Also LAY'-MAN.

LAZAR, l[=a]'zar, _n._ one afflicted with a loathsome and pestilential disease like Lazarus, the beggar.--_ns._ L[=A]'ZAR-HOUSE, a lazaretto; LAZ'ARIST, a member of a R.C. order, the Congregation of the Priests of the Mission, founded by St Vincent de Paul in 1624.--_adj._ L[=A]'ZAR-LIKE, like a lazar: full of sores: leprous. [Fr. _lazare_--L.,--Gr. _Lazaros_, in the parable in Luke xvi.--Heb. _El`[=a]z[=a]r_, 'he whom God helps.']

LAZARETTO, laz-a-ret'[=o], _n._ a public hospital for diseased persons, esp. for such as have infectious disorders: a prison hospital: a place where persons are kept during quarantine.--Also LAZ'ARET. [It. _lazzeretto_.]

LAZARONI, laz-a-r[=o]'ni, _n._ Same as LAZZARONI.

LAZULI, laz'[=u]-l[=i]. See LAPIS-LAZULI, under LAPIDARY.

LAZULITE, laz'[=u]-l[=i]t, _n._ a mineral of a light, indigo-blue colour, occurring in quartz and in clay-slate.

LAZY, l[=a]'zi, _adj._ disinclined to exertion: averse to labour: sluggish: tedious.--_v.i._ LAZE, to be lazy.--_adv._ L[=A]'ZILY.--_ns._ L[=A]'ZINESS, state or quality of being lazy; L[=A]'ZY-BED, a bed for growing potatoes, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with earth dug out of trenches along both sides; L[=A]'ZYBONES (_coll._), a lazy person, an idler; L[=A]'ZY-JACK, a jack constructed of compound levers pivoted together; L[=A]'ZY-PIN'ION (see IDLE-WHEEL).--_n.pl._ L[=A]'ZY-TONGS, tongs consisting of a series of diagonal levers pivoted together at the middle and ends, capable of being extended by a movement of the scissors-like handles so as to pick up objects at a distance. [M. E. _lasche_--O. Fr. _lasche_ (Fr. _lâche_), slack, weak, base--L. _laxus_, loose.]

LAZZARONI, laz-a-r[=o]'ni, _n._ name given to the lowest classes in Naples, idle beggars, with no fixed habitation or regular occupation:--_sing._ LAZZARONE. [It.]

LEA, l[=e], _n._ a meadow: grass-land, pasturage.--Older forms, LAY, LEE, LEY. [A.S. _leáh_; cf. prov. Ger. _lohe_, _loh_, found also in place-names, as Water_loo_.]

LEACH, l[=e]ch, _v.t._ to wash or drain away by percolation of water, esp. to make lye by leaching ashes--also LETCH.--_ns._ LEACH'-TROUGH, -TUB, a trough or tub in which ashes are leached.--_adj._ LEACH'Y, liable to be leached, letting water percolate through. [A.S. _leccan_, to moisten.]

LEACH, l[=e]ch, _n._ Same as LEECH.

LEAD, l[=e]d, _v.t._ to show the way by going first: to guide by the hand: to direct: to precede: to transport or carry: to allure.--_v.i._ to go before and show the way: to have a tendency: to exercise dominion:--_pr.p._ lead'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ led.--_n._ first place: precedence: direction: (_naut._) the course of a running rope from end to end: the right of playing the first card in a round or trick: a main conductor in electrical distribution.--_ns._ LEAD'ER, one who leads or goes first: a chief: the leading editorial article in a newspaper (also LEADING ARTICLE): principal wheel in any machinery; LEADERETTE', a brief newspaper leader; LEAD'ERSHIP, state or condition of a leader or conductor; LEAD'ING-BUS'INESS, the acting of the principal parts or rôles in plays; LEAD'ING-M[=O]'TIVE (Ger. _leit-motif_), in dramatic music, a principal theme: a theme, usually of but few tones, by which any personage or particular emotion is indicated by suggestion as often as it occurs; LEAD'ING-QUES'TION, a legal term for a question so put to a witness as to suggest the answer that is wished or expected.--_n.pl._ LEAD'ING-STRINGS, strings used to lead children when beginning to walk: vexatious care or custody.--LEAD APES IN HELL (see APE); LEAD ASTRAY, to draw into a wrong course, to seduce from right conduct; LEAD BY THE NOSE, to make one follow submissively; LEAD IN PRAYER, to offer up prayer in an assembly, uniting the prayers of others; LEAD OFF, to begin or take the start in anything; LEAD ON, to persuade to go on, to draw on; LEAD ONE A DANCE (see DANCE); LEAD UP TO, to bring about by degrees, to prepare for anything by steps or stages. [A.S. _l['æ]dan_, to lead, _lád_, a way; Ger. _leiten_, to lead.]

LEAD, led, _n._ a well-known metal of a bluish-white colour: the plummet for sounding at sea: a thin plate of lead separating lines of type: (_pl._) sheets of lead for covering roofs, a flat roof so covered.--_v.t._ to cover or fit with lead: (_print._) to separate lines with leads.--_n._ LEAD'-ARM'ING, tallow, &c., placed in the hollow of a sounding-lead, to ascertain the nature of the bottom.--_adjs._ LEAD'ED, fitted with or set in lead: (_print._) separated by leads, as the lines of a book, &c.; LEAD'EN, made of lead: heavy: dull; LEAD'EN-HEART'ED, having an unfeeling heart; LEAD'EN-STEP'PING (_Milt._), moving slowly.--_ns._ LEAD'-GLANCE, lead ore, galena; LEAD'-MILL, a mill for grinding white-lead: a leaden disc charged with emery for grinding gems; LEAD'-PEN'CIL, a pencil or instrument for drawing, &c., made of blacklead; LEAD'-POI'SONING, or _Plumbism_, poisoning by the absorption and diffusion of lead in the system, its commonest form, _Lead_ or _Painter's Colic_; LEADS'MAN, a seaman who heaves the lead.--_adj._ LEAD'Y, like lead. [A.S. _leád_; Ger. _loth_.]

LEAF, l[=e]f, _n._ one of the lateral organs developed from the stem or axis of the plant below its growing-point: anything beaten thin like a leaf: two pages of a book: one side of a window-shutter, &c.:--_pl._ LEAVES (l[=e]vz).--_v.i._ to shoot out or produce leaves:--_pr.p._ leaf'ing; _pa.p._ leafed.--_ns._ LEAF'AGE, leaves collectively: abundance of leaves: season of leaves or leafing; LEAF'-BRIDGE, a form of drawbridge in which the rising leaf or leaves swing vertically on hinges; LEAF'-BUD, a bud producing a stem with leaves only; LEAF'INESS; LEAF'-IN'SECT, an orthopterous insect of family _Phasmidæ_, the wing-covers like leaves.--_adj._ LEAF'LESS, destitute of leaves.--_ns._ LEAF'LET, a little leaf, a tract; LEAF'-MET'AL, metal, especially alloys imitating gold and silver, in very thin leaves, for decoration; LEAF'-MOULD, earth formed from decayed leaves, used as a soil for plants; LEAF'-STALK, the petiole supporting the leaf.--_adj._ LEAF'Y, full of leaves.--TAKE A LEAF OUT OF ONE'S BOOK (see BOOK); TURN OVER A NEW LEAF, to take up a new and better course of conduct. [A.S. _leáf_; Ger. _laub_, Dut. _loof_, a leaf.]

LEAGUE, l[=e]g, _n._ a nautical measure, 1/20th of a degree, 3 geographical miles, 3.456 statute miles: an old measure of length, varying from the Roman league, 1.376 mod. Eng. miles, to the French, 2.764 miles, and the Spanish, 4.214 miles. [O. Fr. _legue_ (Fr. _lieue_)--L. _leuca_, a Gallic mile of 1500 Roman paces; from the Celt., as in Bret. _leó_.]

LEAGUE, l[=e]g, _n._ a bond or alliance: union for mutual advantage.--_v.i._ to form a league: to unite for mutual interest:--_pr.p._ leag'uing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ leagued.--_n._ LEAG'UER, one connected with a league. [Fr. _ligue_--Low L. _liga_--L. _lig[=a]re_, to bind.]

LEAGUER, l[=e]g'[.e]r, _n._ a camp, esp. of a besieging army: siege or besiegement. [Dut. _leger_, a lair.]

LEAK, l[=e]k, _n._ a crack or hole in a vessel through which liquid may pass: the oozing of any fluid through an opening.--_v.i._ to let any fluid into or out of a vessel through a leak.--_ns._ LEAK'AGE, a leaking: that which enters or escapes by leaking: an allowance for leaking; LEAK'INESS.--_adj._ LEAK'Y, having leaks: letting any liquid in or out.--LEAK OUT, to find vent, to get to the public ears; SPRING A LEAK, to begin to let in water. [Ice. _leka_; Dut. _lekken_, to drip.]

LEAL, l[=e]l, _adj._ true-hearted, faithful.--LAND O' THE LEAL, the home of the blessed after death--Paradise, not Scotland. [Norm. Fr. _leal_, same as _loyal_.]

LEAM, l[=e]m, _n._ (_obs._) a gleam of light, a glow.--_v.i._ to shine. [A.S. _leóma_.]

LEAN, l[=e]n, _v.i._ to incline or bend: to turn from a straight line: to rest against: to incline towards:--_pr.p._ lean'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ leaned or leant (lent).--_n._ LEAN'-TO, a shed or penthouse whose supports lean upon another building or wall. [A.S. _hlinian_, and causal form _hl['æ]nan_; Dut. _leunen_.]

LEAN, l[=e]n, _adj._ thin, wanting flesh: not fat: unprofitable, taking extra time--a printer's phrase.--_n._ flesh without fat.--_adj._ LEAN'-FACED, having a thin face: (_print._) slender and narrow, as letters.--_adv._ LEAN'LY.--_n._ LEAN'NESS.--_adj._ LEAN'-WIT'TED, of little sense. [A.S. _hl['æ]ne_; Low Ger. _leen_; according to Skeat, from _hl['æ]nan_, to lean (above).]

LEAP, l[=e]p, _v.i._ to move with bounds: to spring upward or forward: to jump: to rush with vehemence.--_v.t._ to bound over: to cause to take a leap: to cover or copulate (of some beasts):--_pr.p._ leap'ing; _pa.t._ leaped or leapt (lept); _pa.p._ leaped, rarely leapt.--_n._ act of leaping: bound: space passed by leaping: sudden transition.--_ns._ LEAP'-FROG, a play in which one boy places his hands on the back of another stooping in front of him, and vaults over his head; LEAP'ING-HOUSE (_Shak._), a brothel; LEAP'ING-TIME (_Shak._), youth; LEAP'-YEAR, every fourth year--of 366 days, adding one day in February.--LEAP IN THE DARK, an act of which we cannot foresee the consequences. [A.S. _hleápan_, pa.t. _hleóp_; Ger. _laufen_, to run.]

LEAP, l[=e]p, _n._ a basket: a wicker net. [A.S. _leáp_.]

LEAR, l[=e]r, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to learn.--_n._ that which is learned, a lesson: (_Scot._) learning.

LEARN, l[.e]rn, _v.t._ to acquire knowledge of, to get to know: to gain power of performing: (_prov._) to teach.--_v.i._ to gain knowledge: to improve by example.--_adjs._ LEARN'ABLE, that may be learned; LEARN'ED, having learning: versed in literature, &c.: skilful.--_adv._ LEARN'EDLY.--_ns._ LEARN'EDNESS; LEARN'ER, one who learns: one who is yet in the rudiments of any subject; LEARN'ING, what is learned: knowledge: scholarship: skill in languages or science.--NEW LEARNING, the awakening to classical learning in England in the 16th century, led by Colet, Erasmus, Warham, More, &c. [A.S. _leornian_; Ger. _lernen_; cf. A.S. _l['æ]ran_ (Ger. _lehren_), to teach.]

LEASE, l[=e]s, _n._ a contract letting a house, farm, &c. for a term of years: the duration or term of tenure: any tenure.--_v.t._ to let for a term of years:--_pr.p._ leas'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ leased.--_adjs._ LEAS'ABLE; LEASE'HOLD, held by lease or contract.--_n._ a tenure held by lease.--_ns._ LEASE'HOLDER; LEAS'ER, one who leases. [Fr. _laisser_, to leave--L. _lax[=a]re_, to loose, _laxus_, loose.]

LEASE, l[=e]z, _v.i._ (_prov._) to glean.--_n._ LEAS'ING, gleaning. [A.S. _lesan_, to gather.]

LEASE, l[=e]s, _n._ in weaving, the plane in which the warp-threads cross: this system of crossing.

LEASH, l[=e]sh, _n._ a lash or line by which a hawk or hound is held: a brace and a half, three.--_v.t._ to hold by a leash: to bind. [O. Fr. _lesse_ (Fr. _laisse_), a thong to hold a dog by--L. _laxus_, loose.]

LEASING, l[=e]z'ing, _n._ falsehood, lies: lying. [A.S. _lásung_--_leás_, false, loose; Goth. _laus_, Ice. _los_.]

LEASOWE, l[=e]'s[=o], _n._ a pasture.--_v.t._ to feed or pasture. [A.S. _l['æ]s_, a meadow.]

LEAST, l[=e]st, _adj._ (serves as superl. of LITTLE) little beyond all others: smallest.--_adv._ in the smallest or lowest degree.--_advs._ LEAST'WAYS, LEAST'WISE, at least: however.--AT LEAST, or AT THE LEAST, at the lowest estimate: at any rate. [A.S. _læst_, contr. from _læsast_, from _læssa_ (adj.), less, _læs_ (adv.).]

LEAST, l[=e]st, _conj._ (_Spens._). Same as LEST.

LEAT, LEET, l[=e]t, _n._ (_prov._) a trench for bringing water to a mill-wheel.

LEATHER, leth'[.e]r, _n._ the prepared skin of an animal, tanned, tawed, or otherwise dressed.--_adj._ consisting of leather.--_ns._ LEATH'ER-CLOTH, a textile fabric coated on one face with certain mixtures of a flexible nature when dry, so as to resemble leather--called also _American leather-cloth_, or simply _American cloth_; LEATH'ER-COAT (_Shak._), an apple with a rough coat or rind, the golden russet; LEATHERETTE', cloth or paper made to look like leather; LEATH'ER-HEAD, a blockhead: an Australian bird with a bare head--called also _Monk_ and _Friar_: LEATH'ERING, a thrashing; LEATH'ER-JACK'ET, one of various fishes; LEATH'ER-KNIFE, a knife of curved form for cutting leather.--_adj._ LEATH'ERN, made or consisting of leather.--_p.adj._ LEATH'ER-WINGED (_Spens._), having wings like leather.--_adj._ LEATH'ERY, resembling leather: tough.--FAIR LEATHER, leather not artificially coloured; MOROCCO LEATHER (see MOROCCO); PATENT LEATHER, leather with a finely varnished surface--also JAPANNED or LACQUERED LEATHER; RUSSIA LEATHER, a fine brownish-red leather with a characteristic odour; SPLIT LEATHER, leather split by a machine, for trunk-covers, &c.; WHITE LEATHER, tawed leather, having its natural colour. [A.S. _leðer_, leather; Dut. and Ger. _leder_.]

LEAVE, l[=e]v, _n._ permission: liberty granted: formal parting of friends: farewell. [A.S. _leáf_, permission, cog. with _leóf_, dear. See LIEF.]

LEAVE, l[=e]v, _v.t._ to allow to remain: to abandon, resign: to quit or depart from: to have remaining at death: to bequeath: to refer for decision.--_v.i._ to desist: to cease: to depart:--_pr.p._ leav'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ left.--LEAVE ALONE, to let remain undisturbed; LEAVE IN THE DARK, to conceal information from; LEAVE OFF, to desist, to terminate: to give up using; LEAVE OUT, to omit.--GET LEFT (_coll._), to be beaten or left behind; TAKE FRENCH LEAVE (see FRENCH); TAKE LEAVE, to assume permission: to part, say farewell. [A.S. _l['æ]fan_, to leave a heritage (_láf_), _lifian_, to be remaining.]

LEAVE, l[=e]v, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to levy, to raise.

LEAVE, l[=e]v, _v.i._ to put out leaves.--_adj._ LEAVED, furnished with leaves: made with folds.

LEAVEN, lev'n, _n._ the ferment which makes dough rise in a spongy form: anything that makes a general change, whether good or bad.--_v.t._ to raise with leaven: to taint.--_n._ LEAV'ENING.--_adj._ LEAV'ENOUS, containing leaven. [Fr. _levain_--L. _levamen_--_lev[=a]re_, to raise--_levis_, light.]

LEAVES, l[=e]vz, _pl._ of _leaf_.

LEAVINGS, l[=e]v'ingz, _n.pl._ things left: relics: refuse.--_n._ LEAV'ING-SHOP, an unlicensed pawnshop.

LEAVY, l[=e]v'i, _adj._ (_Shak._). Same as LEAFY.

LECHER, lech'[.e]r, _n._ a man addicted to lewdness.--_v.i._ to practise lewdness.--_adj._ LECH'EROUS, lustful: provoking lust.--_adv._ LECH'EROUSLY.--_ns._ LECH'EROUSNESS, LECH'ERY. [O. Fr. _lecheor_--_lecher_, to lick; from Old High Ger. _lechón_, Ger. _lecken_, Eng. _lick_.]

LECTERN, lek't[.e]rn, _n._ a reading-desk in churches from which the Scripture lessons are read.--_ns._ (_obs._) LEC'TURN, LET'TERN. [Low L. _lectrinum_--Low L. _lectrum_, a pulpit--Gr. _lektron_, a couch.]

LECTION, lek'shun, _n._ a reading: a variety in a manuscript or book: a portion of Scripture read in divine service.--_ns._ LEC'TIONARY, a book for use in worship, containing lessons for particular days; LEC'TOR, a reader: a reader of Scripture in the ancient churches; LEC'TRESS, a female reader. [L. _lection-em_--_leg[)e]re_, _lectum_, to read.]

LECTUAL, lek't[=u]-al, _adj._ confining to the bed.

LECTURE, lek't[=u]r, _n._ a discourse on any subject, esp. a professional or tutorial discourse: an expository and discursive religious discourse, usually based on an extended passage of Scripture rather than a single text: an endowed lectureship, as the Bampton, Hulsean, &c.: a formal reproof.--_v.t._ to instruct by discourses: to instruct authoritatively: to reprove.--_v.i._ to give a lecture or lectures.--_ns._ LEC'TURER, one who lectures: one of a class of preachers in the Church of England, chosen by the vestry and supported by voluntary contributions; LEC'TURESHIP, the office of a lecturer. [See LECTION.]

LED, led, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of lead, to show the way.--_adj._ under leading or control, esp. of a farm or place managed by a deputy instead of the owner or tenant in person.--LED CAPTAIN, an obsequious attendant, a henchman; LED HORSE, a spare horse led by a servant, a sumpter-horse or pack-horse.

LEDEN, led'n, _n._ (_Spens._) language, dialect, speech. [A.S. _l['æ]den_, Latin speech--L. _Latinum_, Latin.]

LEDGE, lej, _n._ a shelf on which articles may be laid: that which resembles such a shelf: a ridge or shelf of rocks: a layer: a small moulding: a lode in mining.--_adj._ LEDG'Y, abounding in ledges. [Skeat explains as Scand., allied to Sw. _lagg_, Ice. _lögg_, Norw. _logg_ (pl. _legger_); cf. also Norw. _lega_, a couch; all from Ice. _liggja_; Sw. _ligga_, Dan. _ligge_, to lie.]

LEDGER, lej'[.e]r, _n._ the principal book of accounts among merchants, in which the entries in all the other books are entered: (_Shak._) a resident, esp. an ambassador: a bar, stone, &c., made to lie flat, a piece of timber used in making a scaffolding, a horizontal slab, as over a tomb.--_adj._ lying in a certain place, stationary. [Skeat explains _ledger-book_ as one that lies always ready, from Dut. _legger_, one that lies down, _leggen_, to lie, a common corr. of _liggen_, to lie (like _lay_ for _lie_ in English).]

LEDUM, l[=e]'dum, _n._ a genus of ericaceous plants. [Gr. _l[=e]don_, ladanum.]

LEE, l[=e], _n._ the quarter toward which the wind blows.--_adj._ as in LEE'-SIDE, the sheltered side of a ship.--_ns._ LEE'-BOARD, a board lowered on the lee-side of a vessel, and acting like a keel or centre-board to prevent her from drifting to leeward; LEE'-GAGE, the sheltered or safe side:--opp. to _Weather-gage_; LEE'-SHORE, the shore opposite to the lee-side of a ship; LEE'-TIDE, a tide running in the same direction as the wind is blowing.--_adj._ LEE'WARD, pertaining to, or in, the direction toward which the wind blows.--_adv._ toward the lee.--_n._ LEE'WAY, the distance a ship is driven to leeward of her true course: a falling behind.--MAKE UP LEEWAY, to make up for time lost; UNDER THE LEE, on the side sheltered from the wind, under shelter from the wind. [A.S. _hleów_, shelter; Ice. _hlé_, Low Ger. _lee_; prov. Eng. _lew_.]

LEE, l[=e], _n._ (_Spens._) a river: also the same as LEA.

LEECH, l[=e]ch, _n._ the edge of a sail at the sides. [Ice. _lík_, a leech-line; Dan. _lig_; Sw. _lik_, a bolt-rope.]

LEECH, l[=e]ch, _n._ a blood-sucking worm: a physician.--_v.t._ to apply leeches to.--_ns._ LEECH'CRAFT, LEECH'DOM. [A.S. _l['æ]ce_, one who heals; cf. Goth. _leikeis_.]

LEEF, l[=e]f, _adj._ an obsolete form of _lief_.

LEEFANG, l[=e]'fang, _n._ a rope through the clew of a jib, holding it amidships while lacing on the bonnet.

LEEK, l[=e]k, _n._ a well-known biennial species of the onion family, esteemed for cooking--national emblem of Wales.--EAT THE LEEK, to be compelled to take back one's words or put up with insulting treatment--from the scene between Fluellen and Pistol in _Henry V_. [A.S. _leác_, a leek, a plant, present also in _Char-lock_, _Gar-lic_, _Hem-lock_.]

LEER, l[=e]r, _n._ a sly, sidelong look: (_Shak._) complexion, colour.--_v.i._ to look askance: to look archly or obliquely.--_adv._ LEER'INGLY, with a leering look. [A.S. _hleór_, face, cheek; Ice. _hlýr_.]

LEES, l[=e]z, _n.pl._ sediment or dregs that settle at the bottom of liquor. [Fr. _lie_--Low L. _lia_.]

LEESE, l[=e]z, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to lose. [A.S. _leósan_, to lose.]

LEET, l[=e]t, _n._ (_Scot._) a selected list of candidates for an office.--SHORT LEET, a small list of selected candidates--for the final choice. [Ice. _leiti_, a share; cf. A.S. _hlét_, _hlýt_, forms of _hlot_, lot.]

LEET, l[=e]t, _n._ an ancient English court, esp. the assembly of the men of a township: the district subject to such: the right to hold such a court.--_n._ COURT'-LEET (see COURT). [A.S. _l['æ]th_.]

LEETLE, l[=e]'tl, a vulgarism for _little_.

LEEZE, l[=e]z (_Scot._), in phrase LEEZE ME, it is pleasing to me. [Prob. a corr. of _Lief is me_.]

LEFT, left, _pa.p._ (_Spens._) lifted.

LEFT, left, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of leave.--_adj._ LEFT'-OFF, laid aside.

LEFT, left, _adj._ being on the left side--also LEFT'-HAND.--_n._ the side opposite to the right: the part of an assembly sitting on the president's left hand, generally the more liberal or democratic section.--_adv._ toward the left.--_adj._ LEFT'-HAND'ED, having the left hand stronger and readier than the right: awkward: unlucky.--_ns._ LEFT'-HAND'EDNESS; LEFT'-HAND'ER, a blow with the left hand, a sudden and unexpected attack; LEFT'-HAND'INESS, awkwardness.--_adv._ LEFT'WARD, towards the left: on the left side. [M. E. _lift_, _left_--A.S. _left_ for _lyft_, weak; prob. allied to _lop_.]

LEG, leg, _n._ one of the limbs by which animals walk: a long, slender support of anything, as of a table: (_fig._) something that supports: in cricket, that part of the field, or that fielder, to the left of and behind the batsman as he faces the bowler.--_v.i._ to pass on briskly, often with indef. _it._--_ns._ LEG'-BAIL (see BAIL); LEG'-BUS'INESS, ballet-dancing; LEG'-BYE, in cricket, a run made when the ball touches any part of the batsman's person except his hand.--_adj._ LEGGED, having legs.--_ns._ LEG'GING, an outer and extra gaiter-like covering for the legs; LEG'GISM, character of a blackleg.--_adj._ LEG'GY, having disproportionately long and lank legs.--_n._ LEG'-[=I]'RON, a fetter for the leg.--_adj._ LEG'LESS, without legs.--CHANGE THE LEG (of a horse), to change the gait; FEEL ONE'S LEGS (of an infant), to begin to support one's self on the legs; FIND ONE'S LEGS, to become habituated to, to attain ease in; GIVE A LEG TO, to assist by supporting the leg; IN HIGH LEG, in great excitement; MAKE A LEG (_Shak._), to make a bow; ON ONE'S LAST LEGS (see LAST); ON ONE'S LEGS, standing, esp. to speak; UPON ITS LEGS, in an independent position. [Ice. _leggr_, a leg; Dan. _læg_, Sw. _lägg_.]

LEGACY, leg'a-si, _n._ that which is left to one by will: a bequest of personal property.--_ns._ LEG'ACY-HUNT'ER, one who hunts after legacies by courting those likely to leave them; LEG'ATARY, a legatee; LEGATEE', one to whom a legacy is bequeathed.--LEGACY DUTY, a duty levied on legacies, varying according to degree of relationship, and reaching its maximum where the legatee is not related to the testator.--CUMULATIVE, or SUBSTITUTIONAL, LEGACY, a second legacy given to the same person, either in addition to or in place of the first; DEMONSTRATIVE LEGACY, a general legacy, but with a particular fund named from which it is to be satisfied; GENERAL LEGACY, a sum of money payable out of the assets generally; RESIDUARY LEGATEE, the person to whom the remainder of the property is left after all claims are discharged; SPECIFIC LEGACY, a legacy of a definite thing, as jewels, pictures, a sum of stock in the Funds, &c. [L. _legatum_--_leg[=a]re_, to leave by will.]

LEGAL, l[=e]'gal, _adj._ pertaining to, or according to, law: lawful: created by law: (_theol._) according to the Mosaic law or dispensation.--_n._ L[=E]'GALIS[=A]TION.--_v.t._ L[=E]'GALISE, to make legal or lawful: to authorise: to sanction.--_ns._ L[=E]'GALISM, strict adherence to law: (_theol._) the doctrine that salvation depends on strict adherence to the law, as distinguished from the doctrine of salvation by grace: the tendency to observe the letter rather than the spirit of religious law; L[=E]'GALIST; LEGAL'ITY.--_adv._ L[=E]'GALLY.--LEGAL TENDER, that which can be lawfully used in paying a debt. [Fr.,--L. _legalis_--_lex_, _legis_, law.]

LEGATE, leg'[=a]t, _n._ an ambassador, esp. from the Pope: a delegate, deputy, esp. a foreign envoy chosen by the senate of ancient Rome, or a general or consul's lieutenant.--_n._ LEG'ATESHIP.--_adj._ Leg'at[=i]ne, of or relating to a legate.--_n._ LEG[=A]'TION, the person or persons sent as legates or ambassadors: the official abode of a legation. [Fr. _légat_, It. _legato_--L. _legatus_--_leg[=a]re_, to send with a commission.]

LEGATEE. See LEGACY.

LEGATO, l[=a]-gä'to, _adj._ (_mus._) in a smooth manner, the notes being played as if bound together.--_n._ a smooth manner of performance, or a tune so played.--_adv._ (_sup._) LEGATISS'IMO. [It.,--L. _lig[=a]re_, to tie.]

LEGEND, lej'end, or l[=e]'-, _n._ a marvellous story from early times: the motto on a coat of arms, medal, or coin: an inscription of any kind: a musical composition set to a poetical story.--_n._ LEG'ENDARY, a book of legends: one who relates legends: (_pl._) a chronicle of the lives of saints.--_adj._ consisting of legends: romantic: fabulous.--_n._ LEG'ENDIST, a writer of legends.--GOLDEN LEGEND (see GOLDEN). [Fr.,--Low L. _legenda_, a book of chronicles of the saints read at matins--L. _legendus_--_leg[)e]re_, to read.]

LEGER, lej'[.e]r, _adj._ light: small.--_ns._ LEGER'ITY (_Shak._), lightness; LEG'ER'-LINE (_mus._), one of the short lines added above or below the staff to extend its compass. [O. Fr.,--L. _l[)e]vis_, light.]

LEGERDEMAIN, lej-[.e]r-d[=e]-m[=a]n', _n._ sleight-of-hand: jugglery. [Fr. _léger de main_--L. as if _leviarius_--_levis_, light, Fr. _de_, of, _main_--L. _manus_, hand.]

LEGHORN, leg'horn, _n._ fine plait for bonnets and hats made in Tuscany: a bonnet of this material: a small breed of the common domestic fowl. [_Leghorn_ (It. _Livorno_), a seaport of Tuscany, Italy.]

LEGIBLE, lej'i-bl, _adj._ that may be read: that may be understood.--_ns._ LEG'IBLENESS, LEGIBIL'ITY.--_adv._ LEG'IBLY. [L. _legibilis_--_leg[)e]re_, to read.]

LEGION, l[=e]'jun, _n._ in ancient Rome, a body of soldiers of from three to six thousand: a military force: a great number: in French history, the name of several military bodies, more esp. one which distinguished itself in Algeria and in the Crimea.--_v.t._ to form into legions.--_adj._ L[=E]'GIONARY, relating to, or consisting of, a legion or legions: containing a great number.--_n._ a soldier of a legion.--LEGION OF HONOUR, an order of merit instituted in France in 1802 by Napoleon I.; THUNDERING LEGION, the name in Christian tradition for a body of soldiers under Marcus Aurelius, whose prayers for rain once brought down a thunderstorm and destroyed the enemy. [Fr.,--L. _legion-em_--_leg[)e]re_, to levy.]

LEGISLATE, lej'is-l[=a]t, _v.i._ to bring forward, propose, or make laws.--_n._ LEGISL[=A]'TION.--_adj._ LEG'ISLATIVE, giving or enacting laws: pertaining to legislation, or a legislature.--_n._ a body of persons, or a single person, with powers to enact laws.--_adv._ LEG'ISLATIVELY.--_n._ LEG'ISLATOR, one who makes laws: a lawgiver:--_fem._ LEG'ISLATRESS.--_adj._ LEGISLAT[=O]'RIAL, of or pertaining to a legislature.--_ns._ LEG'ISLATORSHIP; LEG'ISLATURE, the body of men in a state who have the power of making laws.--LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (see ASSEMBLY); LEGISLATIVE POWER, the power to make laws.--CLASS LEGISLATION, legislation affecting the interests of a particular class. [L. _lex_, _legis_, law, _ferre_, _latum_, to bear.]

LEGIST, l[=e]'jist, _n._ one skilled in the laws. [Fr.]

LEGITIM, lej'i-tim, _n._ (_Scots law_) the legal provision which a child is entitled to out of the movable or personal estate of the deceased father.--Also _Bairn's Part_. [Fr.,--L. _legitimus_--_lex_, law.]

LEGITIMATE, le-jit'i-m[=a]t, _adj._ lawful: lawfully begotten, born in wedlock: fairly deduced: following by natural sequence: authorised by usage.--_v.t._ to make lawful: to give the rights of a legitimate child to an illegitimate one.--_n._ LEGIT'IMACY, state of being legitimate: lawfulness of birth: regular deduction: directness of descent as affecting the royal succession.--_adv._ LEGIT'IMATELY.--_ns._ LEGIT'IMATENESS, lawfulness; LEGITIM[=A]'TION, act of rendering legitimate, esp. of conferring the privileges of lawful birth.--_v.t._ LEGIT'IMISE (same as LEGITIMATE).--_n._ LEGIT'IMIST, one who supports legitimate authority: in France, a follower of the elder Bourbon line (descendants of Louis XIV.), as opposed to the Orleanists or supporters of the descendants of the Duke of Orleans, Louis XIV.'s brother.--LEGITIMATE DRAMA, a designation frequently applied to the representation of Shakespeare's plays--often employed as vaguely indicating approval of the drama of some former time. [Low L. _legitim[=a]re_. _-[=a]tum_--L. _legitimus_, lawful--_lex_, law.]

LEGUME, leg'[=u]m, _n._ a seed-vessel which splits into two valves, having the seeds attached to the ventral suture only: a pod, as of the pea, bean, &c.--also LEG[=U]'MEN:--_pl._ LEG[=U]'MENS, LEG[=U]'MINA.--_adj._ LEG[=U]'MINAR.--_n._ LEG[=U]'MINE, a nitrogenous proteid substance in the seeds of most leguminous plants, corresponding with the casein of milk.--_adj._ LEG[=U]'MINOUS, pertaining to pulse: bearing legumes. [Fr.,--L. _legumen_--_leg[)e]re_, to gather.]

LEIBNITZIAN, l[=i]b-nit'zi-an, _adj._ pertaining to the great German philosopher and mathematician, Gottfried Wilhelm _Leibnitz_ (1646-1716).--_n._ LEIBNIT'ZIANISM, the philosophy of Leibnitz--the doctrine of primordial monads, pre-established harmony, fundamental optimism on the principle of sufficient reason.

LEIGER, lej'[.e]r, _n._ (_Shak._) a resident ambassador.--Also LEIDG'ER. [See LEDGER.]

LEIOTRICHOUS, l[=i]-ot'ri-kus, _adj._ of the smooth-haired races. [Gr. _leios_, smooth, _thrix_, _trichos_, hair.]

LEIPOA, l[=i]-p[=o]'a, _n._ a genus of Australian mound-birds.

LEISTER, l[=e]s't[.e]r, _n._ (_Scot._) a salmon-spear. [Cf. Ice. _ljóstr_; Dan. _lyster_, a salmon-spear.]

LEISURE, l[=e]'zh[=oo]r, or lezh'-, _n._ time free from employment: freedom from occupation, convenient opportunity, ease.--_adj._ unoccupied.--_adj._ LEI'SURED, not occupied with business.--_adj._ and _adv._ LEI'SURELY, not hasty or hastily.--AT LEISURE, AT ONE'S LEISURE, free from occupation, at one's ease or convenience. [O. Fr. _leisir_--L. _lic[=e]re_, to be permitted.]

LEMAN, l[=e]'man, or lem'-, _n._ a sweetheart; paramour. [A.S. _leóf_, loved, _mann_, man.]

LEMMA, lem'a, _n._ (_math._) a preliminary proposition demonstrated for the purpose of being used in a subsequent proposition: sometimes in logic a premise taken for granted: a theme:--_pl._ LEMM'AS, LEMM'ATA. [L.,--Gr. _l[=e]mma_--_lambanein_, to take.]

LEMMING, lem'ing, _n._ a genus of rodents, nearly allied to voles, migrating southward in great numbers. [Norw. _lemende_, _lemming_--_lemja_, to beat. Perh. Lapp, _loumek_, a lemming.]

LEMNIAN, lem'ni-an, _adj._ pertaining to _Lemnos_ in the Ægean Sea.--LEMNIAN EARTH, cimolite; LEMNIAN RUDDLE, a red chalk found in Lemnos.

LEMNISCATE, lem-nis'k[=a]t, _n._ a curve in general form like the figure 8--also _adj._--_n._ LEMNIS'CUS, a woollen fillet attached to the back of crowns, diadems, &c. [Gr. _l[=e]mniskos_.]

LEMON, lem'un, _n._ an oval fruit resembling the orange, with an acid pulp: the tree that bears lemons.--_n._ LEMONADE', a drink made of lemon-juice, water, and sugar.--_adj._ LEM'ON-COL'OURED, having the colour of a ripe lemon.--_ns._ LEM'ON-GRASS, a fragrant perennial grass, in India, Arabia, &c., yielding an essential oil used in perfumery; LEM'ON-SQUASH, unfervescent lemonade; LEM'ON-SQUEEZ'ER, a small hand-press for extracting the juice of lemons; LEM'ON-YELL'OW, a clear, pale yellow colour. [Fr. _limon_--Ar. _l[=i]m[=u]n_.]

LEMUR, l[=e]'mur, _n._ a genus of mammals appearing to stand between the Insectivora and the monkeys, forest dwellers, mainly nocturnal in habits, common in Madagascar. [L. _lemur_, a ghost.]

LEMURES, lem'[=u]-r[=e]z, _n.pl._ (_Milt._) spirits of the departed: spectres. [L.]

LEND, lend, _v.t._ to give for a short time something to be returned: to afford, grant, or furnish, in general: to let for hire.--_v.i._ to make a loan:--_pr.p_ lend'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ lent.--_ns._ LEND'ER; LEND'ING, the act of giving in loan: (_Shak._) that which is lent or supplied. [A.S. _l['æ]nan_--_l['æ]n_, _lán_, a loan.]

LENGTH, length, _n._ quality of being long: extent from end to end: the longest measure of anything: long continuance: detail: (_prosody_) time occupied in uttering a vowel or syllable: the quality of a vowel as long or short: any definite portion of a known extent.--_v.t._ LENGTH'EN, to increase in length: to draw out.--_v.i._ to grow longer.--_adv._ LENGTH'ILY.--_n._ LENGTH'INESS.--_adv._ LENGTH'WISE, in the direction of the length.--_adj._ LENGTH'Y, of great length: rather long--(_obs._) LENGTH'FUL.--LENGTH OF DAYS, prolonged life.--AT LENGTH, in the full extent: at last; GO GREAT LENGTHS, GO TO ALL LENGTHS, to use extreme efforts; GO TO THE LENGTH OF, to proceed as far as. [A.S.,--_lang_, long.]

LENIENT, l[=e]'ni-ent, _adj._ softening: mild: merciful.--_n._ (_med._) that which softens: an emollient.--_ns._ L[=E]'NIENCE, L[=E]'NIENCY.--_adv._ L[=E]'NIENTLY.--_v.t._ L[=E]'NIFY (_rare_), to assuage.--_adj._ LEN'ITIVE, mitigating: laxative.--_n._ any palliative: (_med._) an application for easing pain: a mild purgative.--_n._ LEN'ITY, mildness: clemency. [L. _leniens_, _-entis_, pr.p. of _len[=i]re_, to soften--_lenis_, soft.]

LENO, l[=e]'n[=o], _n._ a thin linen like muslin.

LENOCINIUM, l[=e]-n[=o]-sin'i-um, _n._ (_Scots law_) a husband's connivance at his wife's adultery. [L.]

LENS, lenz, _n._ (_optics_) a piece of transparent substance with one or both sides convex or concave, the object to refract rays of light really or apparently radiating from a point, and make them deviate so as to pass, or travel on as if they had passed, through another point: the crystalline humour of the eye: a genus of leguminous plants:--_pl._ LENS'ES. [L. _lens_, _lentis_, the lentil.]

LENT, lent, _n._ an annual fast of forty days in commemoration of the fast of our Saviour (Matt. iv. 2), from Ash-Wednesday to Easter.--_adj._ LENT'EN, relating to, or used in, Lent: sparing.--_n._ LENT'-LIL'Y, the daffodil, as flowering in Lent. [A.S. _lencten_, the spring; Dut. _lente_, Ger. _lenz_.]

LENTAMENTE, len-ta-men'te, _adv._ (_mus._) slowly, in slow time.--_advs._ LENTAN'DO, becoming slower by degrees; LEN'TO, slow, slowly. [It.]

LENTICULAR, len-tik'[=u]-lar, _adj._ resembling a lens or lentil seed: double-convex--also LEN'TIFORM.--_n._ LEN'TICEL (_bot._), a loose, lens-shaped mass of cells belonging to the corky layer or periderm of plants.--_adj._ LENTICEL'LATE.--_n._ LENTIC'ULA, a small lens: a lenticel: a freckle--also LEN'TICULE.--_adv._ LENTIC'ULARLY.--_adjs._ LENTIG'EROUS, having a crystalline lens; LEN'TOID, lens-shaped. [L. _lenticularis_--_lenticula_, dim. of _lens_, a lentil.]

LENTIGO, len-t[=i]'g[=o], _n._ a freckle.--_adjs._ LENTIG'INOSE, LENTIG'INOUS (_bot._), covered with minute dots as if dusted. [L.]

LENTIL, len'til, _n._ an annual plant, common near the Mediterranean, bearing pulse used for food. [O. Fr. _lentille_--L. _lens_, _lentis_, the lentil.]

LENTISK, len'tisk, _n._ the mastic-tree. [L. _lentiscus_.]

LENTOR, len'tor, _n._ tenacity, viscidity.--_adj._ LEN'TOUS. [L. _lentus_, slow.]

LENVOY, len-voi', _n._ a kind of postscript appended to a literary composition: an envoy. [O. Fr. _l'envoi_.]

LEO, l[=e]'[=o], _n._ the Lion, the 5th sign of the zodiac.

LEONINE, l[=e]'o-n[=i]n, _adj._ of or like a lion.

LEONINE, l[=e]'o-n[=i]n, _adj._ a kind of Latin verse, generally alternate hexameter and pentameter, rhyming at the middle and end. [From _Leoninus_, a 12th-cent. canon in Paris; or from Pope _Leo_ II.]

LEOPARD, lep'ard, _n._ an animal of the cat kind, with a spotted skin, now generally supposed to be identical with the panther:--_fem._ LEOP'ARDESS: (_her._) a lion passant gardant. [O. Fr.,--L.,--Gr. _leopardos_--_le[=o]n_, lion, _pardos_, pard.]

LEPER, lep'[.e]r, _n._ one affected with leprosy.--_adjs._ LEP'EROUS (_Shak._), LEP'ROUS. [Fr.,--L.,--Gr. _lepra_--_lepros_, scaly--_lepos_, a scale--_lepein_, to peel off.]

LEPID, lep'id, _adj._ pleasant, jocose. [L. _lepidus_.]

LEPIDODENDRON, lep-i-do-den'dron, _n._ a common fossil plant of the Carboniferous strata, the stem covered with ovate leaf-scars arranged spirally. [Gr. _lepis_, -_idos_, a scale, _dendron_, a tree.]

LEPIDOPTERA, lep-i-dop't[.e]r-a, _n.pl._ an order of insects, with four wings covered with fine scales--butterfly, moth, &c.--_adjs._ LEPIDOP'TERAL, LEPIDOP'TEROUS. [Gr. _lepis_, -_idos_, a scale, _pteron_, a wing.]

LEPIDOSAURIA, lep-i-do-sawr'i-a, _n._ a sub-class or sub-order of Reptilia, with scales and plates--the ophidians and lacertilians, not crocodilians and chelonians. [Gr. _lepis_, a scale, _sauros_, a lizard.]

LEPIDOSIREN, lep-i-do-s[=i]'ren, _n._ one of the Amazon mud-fishes or Dipnoi. [Gr. _lepis_, a scale, Eng. _siren_.]

LEPIDOSTEUS, lep-i-dos'te-us, _n._ a genus of fishes with rhomboid scales hard like bone. [Gr. _lepis_, -_idos_, a scale, _osteon_, a bone.]

LEPORINE, lep'o-r[=i]n, _adj._ pertaining to or resembling the hare. [L. _leporinus_--_lepus_, _lep[)o]ris_, the hare.]

LEPPED, lep'd, _pa.t._ (_Spens._) leaped.

LEPRECHAUN, LEPRECHAWN, lep'r[=e]-kawn, _n._ a small-sized brownie who helps Irish housewives, mends shoes, grinds meal, &c. [Ir. _luchorpan_, _lu_, small, _corpan_, _corp_, a body--L. _corpus_.]

LEPROSY, lep'ro-si, _n._ a name applied to several different cutaneous diseases of contagious character, now confined to _lepra cutanea_, _elephantiasis_, _Græcorum_, or _Leontiasis_.--_n._ LEP'RA, leprosy: a scurfy, mealy substance on the surface of some plants.--_adjs._ LEP'ROSE, scale-like or scurf-like; LEP'ROUS, affected with leprosy.--_adv._ LEP'ROUSLY.--_ns._ LEP'ROUSNESS, LEPROS'ITY. [See LEPER.]

LEPTOCARDIAN, lep-to-kär'di-an, _adj._ pertaining to the _Leptocardii_, the lowest group of true vertebrates, the lancelets.--_n._ a lancelet, branchiostome, or amphioxus. [Gr. _leptos_, thin, _kardia_, heart.]

LEPTOCEPHALIC, lep-to-se-fal'ik, _adj._ having a narrow skull, as in certain flat-fishes. [Gr. _leptos_, thin, _kephal[=e]_, the head.]

LEPTODACTYL, lep-to-dak'til, _adj._ having small or slender toes. [Gr. _leptos_, thin, _daktylos_, a finger.]

LEPTOLOGY, lep-tol'o-ji, _n._ minute description. [Gr. _leptos_, thin, _logia_--_legein_, to speak.]

LEPTON, lep'ton, _n._ the smallest of modern Greek coins, 100 to the drachma. [Gr.,--_leptos_, small.]

LEPTORRHINE, lep't[=o]-rin, _adj._ with small nose or slender snout. [Gr. _leptos_, thin, _hris_, _hrinos_, nose.]

LEPTOSPERMUM, lep-to-sper'mum, _n._ a genus of Australian trees and shrubs, evergreens, with leaves like those of myrtles--the tea-tree, &c. [Gr. _leptos_, thin, _sperma_, seed.]

LERE, l[=e]r, _n._ (_Spens._) learning a lesson.--_v.t._ to learn: to teach. [_Learn._]

LESBIAN, les'bi-an, _adj._ pertaining to the island of _Lesbos_ in the Ægean Sea, and the adjoining part of the coast of Asia Minor, together forming Æolis, the home of a famous school of lyric poets, including Alcæus and Sappho: amatory, erotic.

LESE-MAJESTIE, l[=e]z'-maj'es-ti, _n._ any crime committed against the sovereign power in a state, treason.--Also LEZE'-MAJ'ESTY. [O. Fr.,--Low L. _læsa majestas_--L. _læsa_--_læd[)e]re_, to hurt, _majestas_, majesty.]

LESION, l[=e]'zhun, _n._ a hurt: (_med._) an injury or wound. [Fr.,--L. _læsion-em_--_læd[)e]re_, _læsum_, to hurt.]

LESS, les, _adj._ (serves as comp. of _little_) diminished: smaller.--_adv._ not so much: in a lower degree.--_n._ a smaller portion: (_B._) the inferior or younger. [A.S. _l['æ]ssa_, less, _l['æ]s_ (adv.); comparative form from a root _lasinn_, feeble, found also in Goth. _lasiws_, weak, Ice. _las_, weakness, not conn. with _little_.]

LESSEE, les-s[=e]', _n._ one to whom a lease is granted.

LESSEN, les'n, _v.t._ to make less, in any sense: to weaken: to degrade.--_v.i._ to become less, shrink.

LESSER, les'[.e]r, _adj._ (_B._) less: smaller: inferior. [A double comp. formed from _less_.]

LESSON, les'n, _n._ a portion of Scripture appointed to be read in divine service: that which a pupil learns at a time: a precept or doctrine inculcated: instruction derived from experience: severe lecture.--_v.t._ to give a lesson to. [Fr. _leçon_--L. _lection-em_--_leg[)e]re_, to read.]

LESSOR, les'or, _n._ one who grants a lease.

LEST, lest, _conj._ that not: for fear that. [From the A.S. phrase _ðý læs ðe_ (for the reason less that=L. _quominus_), the first word being dropped, while the others coalesced into _lest_.]

LEST, lest, _v.i._ (_Spens._) to listen.

LET, let, _v.t._ to slacken or loose restraint upon: to give leave or power to: to allow, permit, suffer: to grant to a tenant or hirer: to cause (with infin. without _to_):--_pr.p._ let'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ let.--_n._ a letting for hire.--_ns._ LET'TER; LET'TING.--LET ALONE, to leave out, not to mention.--_adj._ passive, inactive--also _n._ (_Shak._) forbearance.--LET BLOOD, to open a vein and let the blood run out; LET DOWN, to allow to fall: to bring down; LET GO, to cease holding: to pass by or disregard; LET IN, to allow to enter: to take in or swindle; LET INTO, to admit to the knowledge of; LET OFF, to allow to go free without punishment, to excuse from payment, &c.; LET ON, to allow a thing to be believed, to pretend; LET ONE'S SELF LOOSE, to let go restraint on words or actions, to indulge in extravagant talk or conduct; LET OUT, to allow to get free, to let some secret become known; LET SLIP, to allow to escape: to lose sight of; LET WELL ALONE, to let things remain as they are from fear of making them worse. [A.S. _l['æ]tan_, to permit, pt.t. _lét_, _leót_, pp. _læten_; Ger. _lassen_, Fr. _laisser_, to permit.]

LET, let, _v.t._ (_B._) to prevent.--_n._ (_law_) hinderance, obstruction: delay.--_n._ LET'TER. [A.S. _lettan_, to hinder--_læt_, slow.]

LETCH, lech, _n._ strong desire: a crotchet.

LETHAL, l[=e]'thal, _adj._ death-dealing: deadly: mortal.--_n._ LETHE (_Shak._), death.--_adj._ LETHIF'EROUS, carrying death. [L. _lethalis_--_lethum_, _letum_, death.]

LETHARGY, leth'ar-ji, _n._ heavy unnatural slumber: dullness.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to make lethargic.--_adjs._ LETHAR'GIC, -AL, pertaining to lethargy: unnaturally sleepy: dull.--_adv._ LETHAR'GICALLY.--_n._ LETHAR'GICNESS, the state of being lethargic: morbid sleepiness.--_v.t._ LETH'ARGISE. [Fr.,--L.,--Gr. _l[=e]thargia_, drowsy forgetfulness--_l[=e]th[=e]_, forgetfulness.]

LETHE, l[=e]'th[=e], _n._ one of the rivers of hell causing forgetfulness of the past to all who drank of it: oblivion.--_adj._ LETH[=E]'AN, of Lethe: oblivious. [Gr.,--_l[=e]th[=o]_, old form of _lanthanein_, to forget.]

LETTER, let'[.e]r, _n._ a conventional mark to express a sound: a written or printed message: literal meaning: a printing-type: (_pl._) learning, literary culture.--_v.t._ to stamp letters upon.--_ns._ LETT'ER-BAL'ANCE, a balance for testing the weight of a letter for post; LETT'ER-BOARD (_print._), board on which matter in type is placed for keeping or convenience in handling; LETT'ER-BOOK, a book in which letters or copies of letters are kept; LETT'ER-BOX, a box in a post-office, at the door of a house, &c., for receiving letters; LETT'ER-CARR'IER, a postman; LETT'ER-CASE, a portable writing-desk.--_adj._ LETT'ERED, marked with letters: educated: versed in literature: belonging to learning (LETTERED PROOF and PROOF BEFORE LETTERS; see PROOF).--_ns._ LETT'ERER; LETT'ER-FOUND'ER, one who founds or casts letters or types; LETT'ERING, the act of impressing letters: the letters impressed.--_adj._ LETT'ERLESS, illiterate.--_ns._ LETT'ER-MISS'IVE, an official letter on matters of common interest, sent to members of a church: a letter from the sovereign addressed to a dean and chapter, naming the person they are to elect bishop--also _Royal letter_; LETT'ERN (same as LECTERN); LETT'ER-OF-CRED'IT, a letter authorising credit or cash to a certain sum to be paid to the bearer; LETT'ER-OF-MARQUE (märk), a commission given to a private ship by a government to make reprisals on the vessels of another state.--_adj._ LETT'ER-PER'FECT, kept in the memory exactly (of an actor's part, &c.).--_ns._ LETT'ERPRESS, letters impressed or matter printed from type, as distinguished from engraving: a copying-press; LETT'ERS-P[=A]'TENT, a writing conferring a patent or authorising a person to enjoy some privilege, so called because written on open sheets of parchment; LETT'ER-STAMP, a post-office implement for defacing a postage-stamp: a stamp for imprinting dates, &c., on letters or papers; LETT'ER-WOOD, the heart-wood of a tree found in British Guiana, dark brown, with darker spots somewhat resembling hieroglyphics; LETT'ER-WRIT'ER, one who writes letters, esp. for hire: a book containing forms for imitation in writing letters.--LETTER OF INDICATION (see CIRCULAR); LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION, a document issued by court appointing an administrator of an intestate estate; LETTERS REQUISITORY, or ROGATORY, an instrument by which a court of one country asks that of another to take certain evidence on its behalf; LETTRE DE CACHET (see CACHET). [Fr. _lettre_--L. _littera_.]

LETTIC, let'ik, _adj._ of or pertaining to the _Letts_ or Lithuanians, or to their language.--Also LETT'ISH.

LETTING, let'ing, _n._ the act of granting to a tenant: the act of giving to a contractor.

LETTUCE, let'is, _n._ a plant containing a milky juice, its leaves used as a salad. [O. Fr. _laictuce_ (Fr. _laitue_)--L. _lactuca_--_lac_, milk.]

LEUCÆMIA, l[=u]-s[=e]'mi-a, _n._ a disease in which the number of white corpuscles in the blood is greatly increased, with changes in the lymphatic tissues, enlargement of the spleen, &c.--Also LEUCOCYTHÆ'MIA. [Gr. _leukos_, white, _haima_, blood.]

LEUCINE, l[=u]'sin, _n._ a product of the decomposition of albuminous materials occurring in many of the juices of the animal body. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]

LEUCISCUS, l[=u]-sis'kus, _n._ a genus of fresh-water fishes of the Cyprinoid family, including the roach, dace, chub, minnow, &c. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]

LEUCITE, l[=u]'s[=i]t, _n._ a whitish mineral occurring only in volcanic rocks.--_adj._ LEUCIT'IC. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]

LEUCOCYTE, l[=u]'k[=o]-s[=i]t, _n._ a white corpuscle of the blood or lymph (see PHAGOCYTE).--_adj._ LEUCOCYT'IC.--_ns._ LEUCOCYTOG'ENESIS, the production of leucocytes; LEUCOCYT[=O]'SIS, the presence of an excessive number of white corpuscles in the blood.

LEUCOCYTHÆMIA. See LEUCÆMIA.

LEUCOL, l[=u]'kol, _n._ an organic base obtained by the distillation of coal-tar. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]

LEUCOMA, l[=u]-k[=o]'ma, _n._ a white opacity of the cornea, the result of acute inflammation. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]

LEUCOMAINE, l[=u]'k[=o]-m[=a]n, _n._ an alkaloid found in living animal tissue:--opp. to _Ptomaine_ (q.v.).

LEUCORRHOEA, l[=u]-k[=o]-r[=e]'a, _n._ an abnormal mucous or muco-purulent discharge from the vagina, the whites. [Gr. _leukos_, white, _hroia_--_hrein_, to flow.]

LEUCOSIS, l[=u]-k[=o]'sis, _n._ whiteness of skin, pallor.--_ns._ LEUCISM (l[=u]'sizm), whiteness resulting from lack of colour, albinism; LEUCOP'ATHY, albinism.--_adj._ LEU'COUS, white, albinotic. [Gr. _leukos_, white.]

LEVANT, le-vant', _n._ the point where the sun rises: the East: the coasts of the Mediterranean east of Italy.--_adj._ LEV'ANT, or L[=E]'VANT, eastern.--_n._ LEVANT'ER, a strong easterly wind in the Levant.--_adj._ LEVANT'INE, belonging to the Levant. [Fr. _levant_--L. _lev[=a]re_, to raise.]

LEVANT, le-vant', _v.i._ to decamp.--_n._ LEVANT'ER, one who runs away dishonourably, who dodges paying his bets, &c. [Sp. _levantar_, to move--L. _lev[=a]re_, to raise.]

LEVATOR, le-v[=a]'tor, _n._ that which raises (of a muscle):--opp. to _Depressor_. [L. _lev[=a]re_, to raise.]

LEVEE, lev'[=a], lev'[=e], le-v[=e]', _n._ a morning assembly of visitors: an assembly received by a sovereign or other great personage.--_v.t._ to attend the levee of. [Fr. _lever_, to rise.]

LEVEE, le-v[=e]', _n._ an artificial bank, as that of the Lower Mississippi: a quay. [Fr.]