Chapter X: Part 10

PEEP, p[=e]p, _v.i._ to look through a narrow opening: to look out from concealment: to look slyly or cautiously: to begin to appear.--_n._ a sly look: a beginning to appear, a glimpse: a narrow view, a slit.--_ns._ PEEP'ER, one that peeps: a prying person: a chicken just breaking the shell: (_slang_) the eye; PEEP'-HOLE, a hole through which one may look without being seen; PEEP'-O'-DAY, the first appearance of light in the morning; PEEP'-SHOW, a small show viewed through a small hole, usually fitted with a magnifying-glass; PEEP'-SIGHT, a plate on the breach with a small hole through which a gunner takes his sight.--PEEPING TOM, a prying fellow, esp. one who peeps in at windows; PEEP-O'-DAY BOYS, a band of Protestants in the north of Ireland, in the end of the 18th century--opposed to the Catholic _Defenders_. [Same as above, Fr. _piper_, to chirp like a bird, then to beguile, whence _peep_=to look out slyly.]

PEER, p[=e]r, _n._ an equal in rank, ability, character, &c.: an associate: a nobleman: a member of the House of Lords:--_fem._ PEER'ESS.--_n._ PEER'AGE, the rank or dignity of a peer: the body of peers: a book containing a description of the history, connections, &c. of the different peers.--_adj._ PEER'LESS, having no peer or equal: matchless.--_adv._ PEER'LESSLY.--_n._ PEER'LESSNESS.--HOUSE OF PEERS, the House of Lords; SPIRITUAL PEER, one of the bishops or archbishops qualified to sit as members of the House of Lords; TEMPORAL PEER, one of the members of the House of Lords, other than the bishops. [O. Fr. (Fr. _pair_),--L. _par_, _paris_, equal.]

PEER, p[=e]r, _v.i._ to look narrowly or closely: to peep: to appear:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ peered.--_adj._ PEER'Y, prying, sly. [M. E. _piren_--Low Ger. _piren_, orig. _pliren_, to draw the eyelids together.]

PEERIE, PEERY, p[=e]r'i, _n._ a top spun with a string.

PEEVERS, p[=e]v'ers, _n._ (_Scot._) the game of hop-scotch.

PEEVISH, p[=e]v'ish, _adj._ habitually fretful: easily annoyed: hard to please: showing ill-nature: childish.--_adv._ PEEV'ISHLY.--_n._ PEEV'ISHNESS. [Prob. imit. of the puling of fretful infants.]

PEEWIT. Same as PEWIT.

PEG, peg, _n._ a wooden pin for fastening boards, or the soles of shoes: one of the pins on which the strings of a musical instrument are stretched: a reason or excuse for action: a drink of soda-water with brandy, &c.: a degree or step.--_v.t._ to fasten with a peg: to keep up the market price by buying or selling at a fixed price: to make points during the game of cribbage before the show of hands.--_v.i._ to work with unremitting effort:--_pr.p._ peg'ging; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ pegged.--_ns._ PEG'-FICHED, an English game played with pegs or pointed sticks; PEG'-FLOAT, a machine for rasping away the ends of pegs inside shoes.--_adj._ PEGGED, fashioned of, or furnished with, pegs.--_ns._ PEG'GING, the act of fastening with a peg: pegs collectively: a thrashing: determined perseverance in work; PEG'-LEG, a wooden leg of the simplest form, or one who walks on such; PEG'-STRIP, a ribbon of wood cut to the width, &c., of a shoe-peg; PEG'-TANK'ARD, a drinking-vessel having each one's share marked off by a knob; PEG'-TOP, a child's plaything made to spin round by winding a string round it and then rapidly pulling it off: (_pl._) a kind of trousers, wide at the top and narrow at the ankles.--_adj._ shaped like a top.--PEG AWAY, to keep continually working.--TAKE DOWN A PEG, to take down, to humble. [Scand.; as in Dan. _pig_, a spike.]

PEGASUS, peg'a-sus, _n._ a winged horse which arose from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa, when she was slain by Perseus: a genus of small fishes with large, wing-like, pectoral fins: one of the constellations in the northern sky.--_adj._ PEGAS[=E]'AN.

PEGGY, peg'i, _n._ one of several small warblers, the whitethroat, &c. [_Peggy_, from _Peg_=_Meg_--_Margaret_.]

PEGMATITE, peg'ma-t[=i]t, _n._ coarsely crystallised granite.--_adj._ PEGMATIT'IC.

PEHLEVI, p[=a]'le-v[=e], _n._ an ancient West Iranian idiom during the period of the Sassanides, largely mixed with Semitic words, and poorer in inflections and terminations than Zend (235-640 A.D.): the characters used in writing this language.--_adj._ of or pertaining to, or written in, Pehlevi. [Pers.]

PEIGNOIR, p[=e]n-wär', _n._ a loose wrapper worn by women during their toilet. [Fr.]

PEINCT, p[=a]ngkt, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to paint.

PEINE, p[=a]n, _n._ a form of punishment by pressing to death--usually _Peine forte et dure_. [Fr.]

PEIRASTIC, p[=i]-ras'tik, _adj._ tentative.--_n._ PEIRAM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the resistances of road-surface to traction. [Gr. _peira_, a trial.]

PEISE, p[=a]z, _v.t._ (_Spens._, _Shak._) to poise, to weigh.--_n._ a weight. [_Poise_.]

PEJORATION, p[=e]-j[=o]-r[=a]'shun, _n._ a becoming worse: deterioration.--_v.i._ P[=E]'JOR[=A]TE.--_adj._ and _n._ P[=E]'JOR[=A]TIVE.--_n._ P[=E]JOR'ITY. [L. _pejor_, worse, comp. of _malus_, bad.]

PEKAN, pek'an, _n._ an American species of Marten--called also _Wood-shock_, _Fisher_, and _Black-fox_.

PEKOE, p[=e]'k[=o], _n._ a scented black tea. [Chinese.]

PELAGE, pel'[=a]j, _n._ the hair or wool of a mammal. [Fr.]

PELAGIAN, p[=e]-l[=a]'ji-an, _n._ one who holds the views of _Pelagius_, a British monk of the 4th century, who denied original sin.--_adj._ pertaining to Pelagius.--_n._ PEL[=A]'GIANISM, the doctrines of Pelagius.

PELAGIC, p[=e]-laj'ik, _adj._ inhabiting the deep sea, marine, oceanic. [Gr. _pelagos_, the sea.]

PELARGONIUM, pel-ar-g[=o]'ni-um, _n._ a vast genus of beautiful flowering plants of order _Geraniaceæ_.--_adj._ P[=E]LAR'GIC, stork-like. [Gr. _pelargos_, stork, the beaked capsules resembling a stork's beak.]

PELASGIC, p[=e]-las'jik, _adj._ pertaining to the _Pelasgians_ or _Pelasgi_, a race spread over Greece in prehistoric times, to whom are ascribed many enormous remains built of unhewn stones, without cement--the so-called PELASGIC ARCHITECTURE. Also PELAS'GIAN.

PÊLE-MÊLE. See PELL-MELL, _adv._

PELERINE, pel'[.e]r-in, _n._ a woman's tippet or cape with long ends coming down in front. [Fr., a tippet--_pèlerin_, a pilgrim--L. _peregrinus_, foreign.]

PELF, pelf, _n._ riches (in a bad sense): money. [O. Fr. _pelfre_, booty; allied to _pilfer_.]

PELICAN, pel'i-kan, _n._ a large water-fowl, having an enormous distensible gular pouch: an alembic with tubulated head from which two opposite and crooked beaks extend and enter again the body of the vessel--used for continuous distillation: a dentist's instrument: (_her._) a pelican above her nest, with wings indorsed, wounding her breast with her beak in order to feed her young with her blood. [Low L. _pelicanus_--Gr. _pelikan_--_pelekus_, an axe.]

PELIKE, pel'i-k[=e], _n._ a large vase like the hydria, double-handled. [Gr.]

PELISSE, pe-l[=e]s', _n._ a cloak of silk or other cloth, with sleeves, worn by ladies: a garment lined with fur, a dragoon's jacket with shaggy lining. [Fr.,--Low L. _pellicea (vestis)_--L. _pellis_, a skin.]

PELL, pel, _n._ a skin or hide: a roll of parchment. [O. Fr. _pel_ (Fr. _peau_)--L. _pellis_, a skin or hide.]

PELLAGRA, pe-l[=a]'gra, _n._ a loathsome skin disease supposed to be common in the rice-producing part of the north of Italy.--_n._ PELL[=A]'GRIN, one afflicted with pellagra.--_adj._ PELL[=A]'GROUS, like or afflicted with pellagra. [Gr. _pella_, skin, _agra_, seizure.]

PELLET, pel'et, _n._ a little ball, as of lint or wax: a small rounded boss: a small pill: a ball of shot.--_adj._ PELL'ETED, consisting of pellets: pelted, as with bullets. [O. Fr. _pelote_--L. _pila_, a ball.]

PELLICLE, pel'i-kl, _n._ a thin skin or film: the film or scum which gathers on liquors.--_adj._ PELLIC'ULAR.

PELLITORY, pel'i-tor-i, _n._ a genus of plants found most commonly on old walls and heaps of rubbish: the feverfew.--_n._ PELL'ITORY-OF-SPAIN, a plant which grows in Algeria, the root of which causes in the hands first a sensation of extreme cold, then one of a burning heat. [L. _parietaria_, the wall-plant--_parietarius_--_paries_, _parietis_, a wall.]

PELL-MELL, pel-mel', _adv._ in great confusion: promiscuously: in a disorderly manner--also written _Pêle-mêle_.--_n._ PELL-MELL' (same as PALL-MALL). [O. Fr. _pesle-mesle_ (Fr. _pêle-mêle_), _-mesle_ being from O. Fr. _mesler_ (Fr. _mêler_), to mix--Low L. _miscul[=a]re_--L. _misc[=e]re_; and _pesle_, a rhyming addition, perh. influenced by Fr. _pelle_, shovel.]

PELLUCID, pe-l[=u]'sid, _adj._ perfectly clear: letting light through: transparent.--_ns._ PELL[=U]CID'ITY, PELL[=U]'CIDNESS.--_adv._ PELL[=U]'CIDLY. [Fr.,--L. _pellucidus_--_per_, perfectly, _lucidus_, clear--_luc[=e]re_, to shine.]

PELMA, pel'ma, _n._ the sole of the foot.--_n._ PELMAT'OGRAM, the impression of the foot. [Gr.]

PELOPID, pel'[=o]-pid, _adj._ pertaining to _Pelops_.--_n._ one of his descendants.

PELOPONNESIAN, pel-[=o]-po-n[=e]'zi-an, _adj._ of or pertaining to the _Peloponnesus_ or southern part of Greece.--_n._ an inhabitant or a native of the Peloponnesus.--PELOPONNESIAN WAR, a war between Athens and Sparta (431-404 B.C.). [Gr. _Pelops_, an ancient Greek hero, _n[=e]sos_, an island.]

PELORIA, p[=e]-l[=o]'ri-a, _n._ the appearance of regularity in flowers normally irregular--also PEL'ORISM.--_adjs._ P[=E]LOR'IATE, P[=E]LOR'IC. [Gr. _pel[=o]r_, a monster.]

PELT, pelt, _n._ a raw hide: the quarry or prey of a hawk all torn.--_ns._ PELT'MONGER, a dealer in skins; PELT'RY, the skins of animals with the fur on them: furs. [M. E. _pelt_, _peltry_--O. Fr. _pelleterie_--_pelletier_, a skinner--L. _pellis_, a skin.]

PELT, pelt, _v.t._ to strike with something thrown: to cast.--_v.i._ to fall heavily, as rain.--_n._ a blow from something thrown.--_ns._ PEL'TER, a shower of missiles, a sharp storm of rain, &c.: a storm of anger; PEL'TING, an assault with a pellet, or with anything thrown. [Cf. _Pellet_.]

PELTA, pel'ta, _n._ a light buckler.--_n._ PEL'TAST, a soldier armed with this.--_adjs._ PEL'T[=A]TE, -D, shield-shaped; PELTAT'IFID, PEL'TIFORM. [L.,--Gr. _pelt[=e]_.]

PELTING, pel'ting, _adj._ (_Shak._) paltry, contemptible.--_adv._ PELT'INGLY. [_Paltry_.]

PELVIS, pel'vis, _n._ the bony cavity at the lower end of the trunk, forming the lower part of the abdomen.--_adjs._ PEL'VIC, of or pertaining to the pelvis; PEL'VIFORM, openly cup-shaped.--_ns._ PELVIM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the diameters of the pelvis; PELVIM'ETRY. [L. _pelvis_, a basin.]

PEMMICAN, PEMICAN, pem'i-kan, _n._ a North American Indian preparation, consisting of lean venison, dried, pounded, and pressed into cakes, now made of beef and used in Arctic expeditions, &c.

PEMPHIGUS, pem'fi-gus, _n._ an affection of the skin with pustules.--_adj._ PEM'PHIGOID. [Gr.]

PEN, pen, _v.t._ to shut up: to confine in a small enclosure:--_pr.p._ pen'ning; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ penned or pent.--_n._ a small enclosure: a fold for animals: a coop. [A.S. _pennan_, to shut up, in comp. _on pennan_, to unpen. Prop. to fasten with a _pin_.]

PEN, pen, _n._ one of the large feathers of the wing of a bird: an instrument used for writing, formerly made of the feather of a bird, but now of steel, &c.: style of writing: a female swan--opp. to _Cob_.--_v.t._ to write, to commit to paper:--_pr.p._ pen'ning; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ penned.--_adj._ PEN'-AND-INK', written, literary: executed with pen and ink, as a drawing.--_ns._ PEN'-CASE, a holder for a pen or pens; PEN'CRAFT, skill in penmanship: the art of composition; PEN'-DRIV'ER, a clerk; PEN'FUL, what one can write with one dip of ink; PEN'-HOLD'ER, a holder for pens or nibs; PEN'-W[=I]'PER, a piece of cloth, leather, &c. for wiping pens after use; PEN'-WOM'AN, a female writer. [O. Fr. _penne_--L. _penna_, a feather.]

PENAL, p[=e]'nal, _adj._ pertaining to, incurring, or constituting punishment: used for punishment.--_v.t._ P[=E]'NALISE, to lay under penalty.--_adv._ P[=E]'NALLY.--PENAL LAWS, laws prohibiting certain actions under penalties; PENAL SERVITUDE, hard labour in a prison as a punishment for crime--introduced in England in 1853 instead of transportation; PENAL STATUTE, a statute imposing a penalty or punishment for crime. [Fr.,--L. _poenalis_--_poena_, Gr. _poin[=e]_, punishment.]

PENALTY, pen'al-ti, _n._ punishment: suffering in person or property for wrong-doing or for breach of a law: a fine or loss which a person agrees to pay or bear in case of his non-fulfilment of some undertaking: a fine.--UNDER PENALTY OF, so as to suffer, or (after a negative) without suffering the punishment of.

PENANCE, pen'ans, _n._ repentance: external acts performed to manifest sorrow for sin, to seek to atone for the sin and to avert the punishment which, even after the guilt has been remitted, may still remain due to the offence--also the sacrament by which absolution is conveyed (involving contrition, confession, and satisfaction): any instrument of self-punishment.--_v.t._ to impose penance on: to punish. [O. Fr.; cf. _Penitence_.]

PENANG-LAWYER, pe-nang'-law'y[.e]r, _n._ a walking-stick made from the stem of a Penang palm. [Prob. a corr. of _Penang liyar_, the wild areca.]

PENANNULAR, p[=e]-nan'[=u]-lar, _adj._ shaped almost like a ring. [L. _pæna_, almost, _annularis_, annular.]

PENATES, p[=e]-n[=a]'t[=e]s, _n.pl._ the household gods of ancient Rome who presided over and were worshipped by each family. [L., from root _pen-_ in L. _penitus_, within, _penetralia_, the inner part of anything.]

PENCE, pens, _n._ plural of _penny_ (q.v.).

PENCHANT, päng'shäng, _n._ inclination: decided taste: bias. [Fr., pr.p. of _pencher_, to incline, through a form _pendic[=a]re_, from L. _pend[=e]re_, to hang.]

PENCIL, pen'sil, _n._ a small hair brush for laying on colours: any pointed instrument for writing or drawing without ink: a collection of rays of light converging to a point: the art of painting or drawing.--_v.t._ to write, sketch, or mark with a pencil: to paint or draw:--_pr.p._ pen'cilling; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ pen'cilled.--_ns._ PEN'CIL-CASE, a holder for a pencil; PEN'CIL-COM'PASS, a compass having a pencil on one of its legs for use in drawing.--_adjs._ PEN'CILLED, written or marked with a pencil: having pencils of rays: radiated: (_bot._) marked with fine lines, as with a pencil; PEN'CILLIFORM, having the form of a pencil, as of rays.--_ns._ PEN'CILLING, the art of writing, sketching, or marking with a pencil: marks made with a pencil: fine lines on flowers or the feathers of birds: a sketch; PEN'CIL-SKETCH, a sketch made with a pencil. [O. Fr. _pincel_ (Fr. _pinceau_)--L. _penicillum_, a painter's brush, dim. of _penis_, a tail.]

PEND, pend, _n._ (_obs._) an enclosure: (_Scot._) a narrow close leading off a main street.

PEND, pend, _v.i._ to hang, as in a balance, to impend.--_adj._ PEND'ING, hanging: remaining undecided: not terminated.--_prep._ during.

PENDANT, pen'dant, _n._ anything hanging, esp. for ornament: an earring: a lamp hanging from the roof: an ornament of wood or of stone hanging downwards from a roof: a long narrow flag, at the head of the principal mast in a royal ship: something attached to another thing of the same kind, an appendix, a companion picture, poem, &c.--_ns._ PEN'DENCE, PEN'DENCY, a hanging in suspense: state of being undecided.--_adj._ PEN'DENT, hanging: projecting: supported above the ground or base: (_bot._) hanging downwards, as a flower or a leaf.--_n._ PENDEN'TIVE (_archit._), the triangular portion of a dome cut off between two supporting arches at right angles to each other.--_adv._ PEN'DENTLY.--_ns._ PEN'DICLE, an appendage: something attached to another, as a privilege, a small piece of ground for cultivation; PEN'D[=U]LET, a pendant. [Fr. _pendant_, pr.p. of _pendre_, to hang--L. _pendens_, _-entis_--_pr.p._ of _pend[=e]re_, to hang.]

PENDRAGON, pen-drag'on, _n._ a chief leader: an ancient British chief.--_n._ PENDRAG'ONSHIP. [W. _pen_, head, _dragon_, a chief.]

PENDULUM, pen'd[=u]-lum, _n._ any weight so hung from a fixed point as to swing freely: the swinging weight which regulates the movement of a clock: a lamp, &c., pendent from a ceiling: a guard-ring of a watch by which it is attached to a chain.--_adj._ PEN'DULAR, relating to a pendulum.--_v.i._ PEN'DULATE, to swing, vibrate.--_adjs._ PEN'DULENT, pendulous; PEN'DULINE, building a pendulous nest; PEN'DULOUS, hanging loosely: swinging freely, as the pensile nests of birds: (_bot._) hanging downwards, as a flower on a curved stalk.--_adv._ PEN'DULOUSLY.--_ns._ PEN'DULOUSNESS, PEN'DULOSITY.--PENDULUM WIRE, a kind of flat steel wire for clock pendulums.--COMPENSATION PENDULUM, a pendulum so constructed that its rod is not altered in length by changes of temperature; COMPOUND PENDULUM, every ordinary pendulum is _compound_, as differing from a SIMPLE PENDULUM, which is a material point suspended by an ideal line; INVARIABLE PENDULUM, a pendulum for carrying from station to station to be oscillated at each so as to fix the relative acceleration of gravity; LONG and SHORT PENDULUM, a pendulum for determining the absolute force of gravity by means of a bob suspended by a wire of varying length. [L., neut. of _pendulus_, hanging--_pend[=e]re_, to hang.]

PENEIAN, p[=e]-n[=e]'yan, _adj._ relating to the river _Peneus_ in the famous Vale of Tempe in Thessaly.

PENELOPISE, p[=e]-nel'o-p[=i]z, _v.i._ to act like _Penelope_, the wife of Ulysses, who undid at night the work she did by day, to gain time from her suitors.

PENETRATE, pen'[=e]-tr[=a]t, _v.t._ to thrust into the inside: to pierce into: to affect the mind or feelings: to enter and to fill: to understand: to find out.--_v.i._ to make way: to pass inwards.--_ns._ PENETRABIL'ITY, PEN'ETRABLENESS.--_adj._ PEN'ETRABLE, that may be penetrated or pierced by another body: capable of having impressions made upon the mind.--_adv._ PEN'ETRABLY, so as to be penetrated--_n.pl._ PENETR[=A]'LIA, the inmost parts of a building: secrets: mysteries.--_ns._ PEN'ETRANCE, PEN'ETRANCY, the quality of being penetrant.--_adjs._ PEN'ETRANT, subtle, penetrating; PEN'ETRATING, piercing or entering: sharp: subtle: acute: discerning.--_adv._ PEN'ETRATINGLY.--_n._ PENETR[=A]'TION, the act or power of penetrating or entering: acuteness: discernment: the space-penetrating power of a telescope.--_adj._ PEN'ETRATIVE, tending to penetrate: piercing: sagacious: affecting the mind.--_adv._ PEN'ETRATIVELY, in a penetrative manner.--_n._ PEN'ETRATIVENESS, the quality of being penetrative: penetrative power. [L. _penetr[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_penes_, within.]

PEN-FISH, pen'-fish, _n._ a sparoid fish of genus _Calamus_.

PENFOLD. Same as PINFOLD.

PENGUIN, pen'gwin, _n._ an aquatic bird in the southern hemisphere, unable to fly, but very expert in diving--also PIN'GUIN.--_n._ PEN'GUINERY, a breeding-place of penguins. [Ety. dub.; a corr. of _pen-wing_, or from W. _pen_, head, _gwen_, white.]

PEN-GUN, pen'-gun, _n._ a pop-gun.

PENICIL, pen'i-sil, _n._ a brush of hairs: a pledget for wounds, &c.--_adjs._ PEN'ICILLATE, PENICIL'LIFORM.--_n._ PENICIL'LIUM, one of the blue-moulds.

PENINSULA, p[=e]-nin's[=u]-la, _n._ land so surrounded by water as to be almost an island.--_adj._ PENIN'SULAR, pertaining to a peninsula: in the form of a peninsula: inhabiting a peninsula.--_n._ PENINSULAR'ITY, state of being, or of inhabiting, a peninsula: narrow provincialism.--_v.t._ PENIN'SULATE, to form into a peninsula: to surround almost entirely with water.--PENINSULAR WAR, the war in Spain and Portugal, carried on by Great Britain against Napoleon's marshals (1804-1814).--THE PENINSULA, Spain and Portugal. [L.,--_pæne_, almost, _insula_, an island.]

PENIS, p[=e]'nis, _n._ the characteristic external male organ.--_adj._ P[=E]'NIAL. [L., a tail.]

PENISTONE, pen'i-st[=o]n, _n._ a coarse frieze.--PENISTONE FLAGS, a kind of sandstone for paving and building, brought from _Penistone_ in Yorkshire.

PENITENT, pen'i-tent, _adj._ suffering pain or sorrow for sin: contrite: repentant.--_n._ one who is sorry for sin: one who has confessed sin, and is undergoing penance.--_ns._ PEN'ITENCE, PEN'ITENCY, state of being penitent: sorrow for sin.--_adj._ PENITEN'TIAL, pertaining to, or expressive of, penitence.--_n._ a book of rules relating to penance.--_adv._ PENITEN'TIALLY.--_adj._ PENITEN'TIARY, relating to penance: penitential.--_n._ a penitent: an office at the court of Rome for examining and issuing secret bulls, dispensations, &c.: a book for guidance in imposing penances: a place for the performance of penance: a house of correction and punishment for offenders.--_adv._ PEN'ITENTLY.--PENITENTIAL GARMENT, a rough garment worn for penance; PENITENTIAL PSALMS, certain psalms suitable for being sung by penitents, as the 6th, 32d, 38th, 51st, 102d, 130th, 143d. [Fr.,--L. _poenitens_, _-entis_--_poenit[=e]re_, to cause to repent.]

PENKNIFE, pen'n[=i]f, _n._ a small knife, originally for making and mending quill pens.

PENMAN, pen'man, _n._ a man skilled in the use of the pen: an author:--_pl._ PEN'MEN.--_n._ PEN'MANSHIP, the use of the pen: art or manner of writing.

PENNA, pen'a, _n._ a feather, esp. one of the large feathers of the wings or tail.--_adj._ PENN[=A]'CEOUS. [L.]

PENNAL, pen'al, _n._ a freshman at a German university--so called from their pennales or pen-cases.--_n._ PENN'ALISM, a system of fagging once in vogue at German universities.

PEN-NAME, pen'-n[=a]m, _n._ a name, other than his real one, by which an author is known to the public: a nom de plume.

PENNANT, pen'ant, _n._ a flag many times as long as it is wide: a streamer: a long narrow piece of bunting at the mast-heads of war-ships.--Also PENN'ON. [_Pennant_ is formed from _pennon_, with excrescent _t_; _pennon_ is Fr. _pennon_--L. _penna_, a wing.]

PENNATE, -D, pen'[=a]t, -ed, _adj._ winged: (_bot._) same as PINNATE.--_adj._ PENNATIF'ID (see PINNATIFID).--_n._ PENNE (_Spens._), a feather.--_adj._ PENNED, having wings: winged: written with a pen.--_n._ PEN'NER, a case for holding pens: (_her._) a representation of such carried at the girdle.--_adjs._ PENNIF'EROUS, PENNIG'EROUS, feathered; PEN'NIFORM, like a feather in form. [L. _pennatus_--_penna_, wing.]

PENNILL, pen'il, _n._ a kind of Welsh verse, in which the singer has to change words and measure according to the variations of his accompanist on the harp. [W. 'a verse,' pl. _pennillion_.]

PENNON, pen'on, _n._ a flag, a medieval knight-bachelor's ensign: a long narrow flag: a pinion or wing.--_ns._ PENN'ONCELLE, a small flag like a pennon; PENN'ONCIER, a knight-bachelor.--_adj._ PENN'ONED, bearing a pennon. [Cf. _Pennant._]

PENNY, pen'i, _n._ a copper coin (bronze since 1860), originally silver=1/12 of a shilling, or four farthings: a small sum: money in general: (_N.T._) a silver coin=7½d.: pound, in _fourpenny_, _sixpenny_, _tenpenny nails_=four, six, ten _pound_ weight to the thousand:--_pl._ PENNIES (pen'iz), denoting the number of coins; PENCE (pens), the amount of pennies in value.--_adjs._ PENN'IED, possessed of a penny; PENN'ILESS, without a penny: without money: poor.--_ns._ PENN'ILESSNESS; PENN'Y-A-LIN'ER, one who writes for a public journal at so much a line: a writer for pay; PENN'Y-A-LIN'ERISM, hack-writing; PENN'Y-DOG, the tope or miller's dog, a kind of shark; PENN'Y-POST, a means of carrying a letter for a penny; PENN'Y-RENT, income; PENN'YWEIGHT, twenty-four grains of troy weight (the weight of a silver penny); PENN'Y-WIS'DOM, prudence in petty matters.--_adj._ PENN'Y-WISE, saving small sums at the risk of larger: niggardly on improper occasions.--_ns._ PENN'Y-WORTH, a penny's worth of anything: the amount that can be given for a penny: a good bargain--also PENN''ORTH (_coll._); P[=E]'TER'S-PENCE, the name given to an old tribute offered to the Roman Pontiff, now a voluntary contribution.--PENNY FEE (_Scot._), a small wage; PENNY GAFF (_slang_), a low-class theatre; PENNY MAIL (_Scot._), rent in money, not in kind: a small sum paid to the superior of land; PENNY WEDDING, a wedding ceremonial in Scotland, at which the invited guests made contributions in money to pay the general expenses.--A PRETTY PENNY, a considerable sum of money; TURN AN HONEST PENNY, to earn money honestly. [A.S. _penig_, oldest form _pending_, where _pend_=Eng. _pawn_, Ger. _pfand_, Dut. _pand_, a pledge, all which are from L. _pannus_, a rag, a piece of cloth.]

PENNYROYAL, pen'i-roi-al, _n._ a species of mint, much in use in domestic medicine, in the form of a warm infusion, to promote perspiration and as an emmenagogue. [Corr. from old form _pulial_, which is traced through O. Fr. to L. _puleium regium_, the plant pennyroyal--_pulex_, a flea.]

PENOLOGY, PÆNOLOGY, p[=e]-nol'[=o]-ji, _n._ the study of punishment in its relation to crime: the management of prisons.--_n._ PENOL'OGIST. [Gr. _poin[=e]_, punishment, _logia_, description.]

PENSÉE, pang-s[=a]', _n._ a thought. [Fr.]

PENSEROSO, pen-se-r[=o]'so, _adj._ melancholy: thoughtful:--_fem. Penser[=o]'sa._ [It.]

PENSILE, pen's[=i]l, _adj._ hanging: suspended.--_ns._ PEN'SILENESS, PENSIL'ITY. [Fr.,--L.,--_pend[=e]re_, hang.]

PENSION, pen'shun, _n._ a stated allowance to a person for past services performed by himself or by some relative: a payment made to a person retired from service on account of age or weakness: a boarding-school or boarding-house on the Continent (pron. pong-siong'): a sum paid to a clergyman in place of tithes.--_v.t._ to grant a pension to.--_adjs._ PEN'SIONABLE, entitled, or entitling, to a pension; PEN'SIONARY, receiving a pension: consisting of a pension.--_n._ one who receives a pension: the syndic or legal adviser of a Dutch town.--_ns._ PEN'SIONER, one who receives a pension: a dependent: one who pays out of his own income for his commons, chambers, &c. at Cambridge University=an Oxford _commoner_; PEN'SIONNAIRE.--GRAND PENSIONARY, the president of the States-general of Holland. [Fr.,--L. _pension-em_--_pend[)e]re_, _pensum_, to weigh, pay.]

PENSIVE, pen'siv, _adj._ thoughtful: reflecting: expressing thoughtfulness with sadness.--_adj._ PEN'SIVED (_Shak._), thought over.--_adv._ PEN'SIVELY.--_n._ PEN'SIVENESS, state of being pensive: gloomy thoughtfulness: melancholy. [Fr. _pensif_--L. _pens[=a]re_, to weigh--_pend[)e]re_, to weigh.]

PENSTOCK, pen'stok, _n._ a trough conveying water to a water-wheel.

PENSUM, pen'sum, _n._ an extra task given a scholar in punishment.

PENT, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of pen, to shut up.

PENTACAPSULAR, pen-ta-kap's[=u]-lar, _adj._ having five capsules.

PENTACHORD, pen'ta-kord, _n._ a musical instrument with five strings: a diatonic series of five tones.

PENTACLE, pent'a-kl, _n._ a figure formed by two equilateral triangles intersecting regularly so as to form a six-pointed star: properly a five-pointed object, the same as PENTAGRAM (q.v.), a defence against demons.--_adj._ PENTAC'ULAR. [O. Fr., but prob. not from Gr. _pente_, five, but O. Fr. _pente_, _pendre_, to hang. As applied to a magical figure prob. a corr. of _pentangle_, perh. _pentacol_--_pendre_, to hang, a, on, _col_, the neck.]

PENTACOCCOUS, pen-ta-kok'us, _adj._ (_bot._) having five grains or seeds.

PENTACROSTIC, pen-ta-kros'tik, _adj._ containing five acrostics of the same name.--_n._ a set of such verses.

PENTACT, pen'takt, _adj._ five-rayed.--Also PENTAC'TINAL.

PENTAD, pen'tad, _n._ the number five, a group of five things: a mean of temperature, &c., taken every five days.

PENTADACTYLOUS, pen-ta-dak'ti-lus, _adj._ having five digits--also PENTADAC'TYL.--_n._ PENTADAC'TYLISM.

PENTADELPHOUS, pen-ta-del'fus, _adj._ (_bot._) grouped together in five sets.

PENTAGLOT, pen'ta-glot, _adj._ of five tongues.--_n._ a work in five languages.

PENTAGON, pen'ta-gon, _n._ (_geom._) a plane figure having five angles and five sides: a fort with five bastions.--_adj._ PENTAG'ONAL.--_adv._ PENTAG'ONALLY. [Gr. _pentag[=o]non_--_pente_, five, _g[=o]nia_, angle.]

PENTAGRAM, pen'ta-gram, _n._ a five-pointed star: a magic figure so called.--This is the proper _pentacle_.--_adj._ PENTAGRAMMAT'IC. [Gr. _pente_, five, _gramma_, a letter.]

PENTAGRAPH=_Pantograph_.

PENTAGYNIA, pent-a-jin'i-a, _n._ (_bot._) a Linnæan order of plants, characterised by their flowers having five pistils.--_n._ PENT'AGYN (_bot._), a plant having five styles.--_adjs._ PENTAGYN'IAN, PENTAG'YNOUS. [Gr. _pente_, five, _gyn[=e]_, a female.]

PENTAHEDRON, pen-ta-h[=e]'dron, _n._ (_geom._) a solid figure bounded by five plane faces.--_adj._ PENTAH[=E]'DRAL. [Gr. _pente_, five, _hedra_, base.]

PENTALPHA, pen-tal'fa, _n._ a five-pointed star: a pentacle. [Gr. _pente_, five, _alpha_.]

PENTAMERON, pen-tam'e-ron, _n._ a famous collection of fifty folk-tales (Naples 1637) written in the Neapolitan dialect by Giambattista Basile, supposed to be told during five days by ten old women, for the entertainment of a Moorish slave who has usurped the place of the rightful princess. [It. _pentamerone_.]

PENTAMEROUS, pen-tam'[.e]r-us, _adj._ (_bot._) consisting of or divided into five parts.--PENTAMERUS BEDS (_geol._), a name applied to the upper and lower Llandovery rocks, full of the brachiopods called _Pentamerus_. [Gr. _pente_, five, _meros_, part.]

PENTAMETER, pen-tam'e-t[.e]r, _n._ a verse of five measures or feet.--_adj._ having five feet.--ELEGIAC PENTAMETER, a verse of six dactylic feet, the third and sixth with the first member only; IAMBIC PENTAMETER, in English, heroic couplets and blank verse. [Gr. _pentametros_--_pente_, five, _metron_, a measure.]

PENTANDRIA, pen-tan'dri-a, _n._ (_bot._) a Linnæan order of plants, characterised by their flowers having five stamens.--_n._ PENTAN'DER, a plant of the class Pentandria.--_adjs._ PENTAN'DRIAN, PENTAN'DROUS. [Gr. _pente_, five, _an[=e]r_, _andros_, a man, a male.]

PENTANGULAR, pen-tang'g[=u]-lar, _adj._ having five angles.

PENTAPETALOUS, pen-ta-pet'a-lus, _adj._ having five petals.

PENTAPHYLLOUS, pen-ta-fil'us, _adj._ having five leaves. [Gr. _pente_, five, _phyllon_, a leaf.]

PENTAPODY, pen-tap'o-di, _n._ a measure of five feet.

PENTAPOLIS, pen-tap'o-lis, _n._ a group of five cities.--_adj._ PENTAPOL'ITAN, esp. of the ancient _Pentapolis_ of Cyrenaica in northern Africa. [Gr. _pente_, five, _polis_, a city.]

PENTARCHY, pen'tär-ki, _n._ government by five persons. [Gr. _pente_, five, _arch[=e]_, rule.]

PENTASEPALOUS, pen-ta-sep'a-lus, _adj._ having five sepals.

PENTASPERMOUS, pent-a-sp[.e]r'mus, _adj._ (_bot._) containing five seeds. [Gr. _pente_, five, _sperma_, seed.]

PENTASTICH, pen'ta-stik, _n._ a composition of five verses.--_adj._ PENTAS'TICHOUS, five-ranked.

PENTASTYLE, pen'ta-st[=i]l, _adj._ having five columns in front.--_n._ (_archit._) a building with a portico of five columns. [Gr. _pente_, five, _stylos_, a pillar.]

PENTASYLLABIC, pen-ta-si-lab'ik, _adj._ having five syllables.

PENTATEUCH, pen'ta-t[=u]k, _n._ a name used to denote the Jewish Thorah, the first five books of the Old Testament.--_adj._ PEN'TATEUCHAL. [Gr. _pente_, five, _teuchos_, a book--_teuchein_, to prepare.]

PENTATHLON, pen-tath'lon, _n._ a contest consisting of five exercises--wrestling, throwing the discus, spear-throwing, leaping, and running--also PENTATH'LUM.--_n._ PENTATH'L[=E]TE, one who contests in the pentathlon. [Gr. _pente_, five, _athlon_, a contest.]

PENTATONIC, pen-ta-ton'ik, _adj._ consisting of five tones.

PENTECONTER, pen't[=e]-kon-t[.e]r, _n._ an ancient Greek ship having fifty oars.

PENTECOST, pen't[=e]-kost, _n._ a Jewish festival held on the fiftieth day after the Passover, in commemoration of the giving of the law: the festival of Whitsuntide, held in remembrance of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the assembled disciples at the feast of Pentecost.--_adj._ PENTECOST'AL.--_n.pl._ offerings formerly made to the parish priest at Whitsuntide. [Gr. _pent[=e]kost[=e]_ (_h[=e]mera_), the fiftieth (day).]

PENTEGRAPH=_Pantograph_.

PENTELIC, -AN, pen-tel'ik, -an, _adj._ describing a kind of marble found at Mount _Pentelicus_ near Athens.

PENTETERIC, pen-te-ter'ik, _adj._ occurring every five years. [Gr., _pente_, five, _etos_, a year.]

PENTHEMIMERAL, pen-th[=e]-mim'e-ral, _adj._ belonging to a metrical group of 2½ feet. [Gr. _pente_, five, _h[=e]mi_, half, _meros_, a part.]

PENTHOUSE, pent'hows, _n._ a shed projecting from or adjoining a main building: a protection from the weather over a door or a window: anything resembling a penthouse.--_v.t._ to provide with a penthouse, shelter by means of a shed sloping from a wall, or anything similar. [A corr. of _pentice_, which is from Fr. _appentis_--L. _appendicium_, an appendage.]

PENTICE, pen'tis, _n._ See PENTHOUSE.

PENTILE=_Pantile_.

PENTROOF, pent'r[=oo]f, _n._ a roof with a slope on one side only. [A hybrid word, from Fr. _pente_, a slope--_pendre_, to hang, and Eng. _roof_.]

PENTSTEMON, pent-st[=e]'mon, _n._ a genus of perennial herbs of the order _Scrophularineæ_, common in California. [Gr. _pente_, five, _st[=e]m[=o]n_, warp, stamen.]

PENTZIA, pent'si-a, _n._ a genus of South African shrubs, having yellow flowers in small heads, usually in corymbs.--The chief species is _Pentzia virgata_ or the 'sheep-fodder bush.' [Named after C. J. _Pentz_, a student under Thunberg.]

PENULT, p[=e]-nult', or p[=e]'nult, PENULT'IMA, _n._ the syllable last but one.--_adj._ PENULT'IM[=A]TE, last but one.--_n._ the penult: the last member but one of any series. [L. _penultima_--_pæne_, almost, _ultimus_, last.]

PENUMBRA, p[=e]-num'bra, _n._ a partial or lighter shadow round the perfect or darker shadow of an eclipse: the part of a picture where the light and shade blend into each other.--_adjs._ PENUM'BRAL, PENUM'BROUS. [L. _pæne_, almost, _umbra_, shade.]

PENURY, pen'[=u]-ri, _n._ want: absence of means or resources: great poverty.--_adj._ PEN[=U]'RIOUS, showing penury: not bountiful: too saving: sordid: miserly.--_adv._ PEN[=U]'RIOUSLY.--_n._ PEN[=U]'RIOUSNESS. [Fr.,--L. _penuria_; Gr. _peina_, hunger, _pen[=e]s_, poor.]

PEON, p[=e]'on, _n._ a day-labourer, esp. in South America, one working off a debt by bondage: in India, a foot-soldier, a messenger, a native policeman.--_ns._ P[=E]'ONAGE, P[=E]'ONISM, this kind of agricultural servitude. [Sp.,--Low L. _pedo_--L. _pes_, _pedis_, a foot.]

PEONY, p[=e]'o-ni, _n._ a genus of plants of the natural order _Ranunculaceæ_, with large showy flowers, carmine, in some white. [O. Fr. _pione_ (Fr. _pivoine_)--L. _pæonia_, healing--Gr. _Pai[=o]n_.]

PEOPLE, p[=e]'pl, _n._ persons generally: the men, women, and children of a country or a nation: the mass of persons as distinguished from the rulers, &c.: an indefinite number: inhabitants: the vulgar: the populace:--_pl._ PEOPLES (p[=e]'plz), races, tribes.--_v.t._ to stock with people or inhabitants.--PEOPLE'S PALACE, an institution for the amusement, recreation, and association of the working-classes, as that in the East End of London, inaugurated in 1887.--CHOSEN PEOPLE, the Israelites; GOOD PEOPLE, or FOLK, a popular euphemistic name for the fairies; PECULIAR PEOPLE (see PECULIAR); THE PEOPLE, the populace, the mass. [Fr. _peuple_--L. _populus_, prob. reduplicated from root of _plebs_, people.]

PEOTOMY, p[=e]-ot'[=o]-mi, _n._ the amputation of the penis. [Gr. _peos_, the penis, _temnein_, to cut.]

PEPERIN, pep'e-rin, _n._ a volcanic tufa found in the Alban Hills near Rome. [It. _peperino_--_pepe_, pepper--L. _piper_, pepper.]

PEPITA, pe-p[=e]'ta, _n._ a nugget of gold. [Sp.]

PEPLUM, pep'lum, _n._ an upper robe worn by women in ancient Greece.--Also PEP'LUS. [L.,--Gr. _peplos_.]

PEPO, p[=e]'p[=o], _n._ a fruit like that of the gourd. [Gr.]

PEPPER, pep'[.e]r, _n._ a pungent aromatic condiment consisting of the dried berries of the pepper-plant, entire or powdered: any plant of genus _Piper_: a plant of genus _Capsicum_, or one of its pods, whence _Cayenne pepper_.--_v.t._ to sprinkle with pepper: to hit or pelt with shot, &c.: to pelt thoroughly: to do for.--_adj._ PEPP'ER-AND-SALT', of a colour composed of a light ground dotted with fine spots of a dark colour, or of a dark ground with light spots.--_ns._ PEPP'ER-BOX, a box with a perforated top for sprinkling pepper on food; PEPP'ER-CAKE, a kind of spiced cake or gingerbread; PEPP'ER-CAST'ER, the vessel, on a cruet-stand, from which pepper is sprinkled; PEPP'ERCORN, the berry of the pepper plant: something of little value--PEPPERCORN RENT, a nominal rent; PEPP'ERER, one who sells pepper, a grocer; PEPP'ER-GIN'GERBREAD, hot-spiced gingerbread; PEPP'ER-GRASS, any plant of genus _Lepidium_; PEPP'ERINESS; PEPP'ERMINT, a species of mint, aromatic and pungent like pepper: a liquor distilled from the plant: a lozenge flavoured with peppermint--_Peppermint-drop_, a confection so flavoured; PEPP'ER-POT, a West Indian dish, of cassareep, together with flesh or dried fish and vegetables, esp. green okra and chillies: tripe shredded and stewed, with balls of dough and plenty of pepper; PEPP'ER-TREE, a shrub of the cashew family, native to South America, &c.--also PEPPER SHRUB and _Chili pepper_; PEPP'ERWORT, the dittander.--_adj._ PEPP'ERY, possessing the qualities of pepper: hot, choleric.--ÆTHIOPIAN PEPPER, the produce of _Xylopia Æthiopica_; BENIN PEPPER, of _Cubeba Clusii_; GUINEA PEPPER, or MALEGUETTA PEPPER, of _Amomum_; JAMAICA PEPPER, or PIMENTO, of species of Eugenia (_Myrtaceæ_); LONG PEPPER, the fruit of _Piper Longum_; WHITE PEPPER, the seed freed from the skin and fleshy part of the fruit by soaking in water and rubbing the dried fruit. [A.S. _pipor_--L. _piper_--Gr. _peperi_--Sans. _pippala_.]

PEPPER'S GHOST, pep'[.e]rs g[=o]st, _n._ a device for associating on the same stage living persons and phantoms to act together--the phantom produced by a large sheet of unsilvered glass on the stage, practically invisible to the spectators, reflecting to them, along with a visible actor or actors, the appearance of another actor on an understage, himself invisible. [John H. _Pepper_ (b. 1821), the improver and exhibitor of Henry Dircks' invention.]

PEPSIN, PEPSINE, pep'sin, _n._ one of the essential constituents of the gastric juice: the active agent in fermenting food in the stomach--a hydrolytic ferment.--_adj._ PEP'TIC, relating to or promoting digestion: having a good digestion.--_ns._ PEPTIC'ITY, eupepsia; PEP'TICS, digestion considered as a science: the digestive organs; PEP'TOGEN, a substance producing peptone, any preparation that facilitates digestion.--_adjs._ PEPTOGEN'IC, PEPTOG'ENOUS, PEPTON'IC.--_ns._ PEP'T[=O]NE, one of a class of albumenoids formed by the action of the chemical ferment pepsin and hydrochloric acid, the latter first converting into a syntonin or acid protein, the former converting this syntonin into peptone--they are soluble in water, are not coagulated by boiling, and pass readily through an animal membrane, being therefore easily absorbed; PEPTONIS[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ PEP'TONISE, to convert into peptones.--_n._ PEP'TONOID, a substance like peptone: one of certain food preparations. [Fr.,--Gr. _pepsis_, digestion--_peptein_, to digest.]

PEPYSIAN, pep'is-i-an, _adj._ pertaining to Samuel _Pepys_ (1633-1703), his inimitable diary, or the collection of prints, books, ballads, &c. he bequeathed to Magdalene College, Cambridge.

PER, p[.e]r, _prep._ through, by means of, according to.--PER ANNUM, year by year: for each year; PER CAPITA, by heads, implying equal rights to two or more persons; PER CENT., per hundred; PER CONTRA, on the contrary: as a set-off; PER DIEM, every day: day by day; PER MENSEM, monthly: by the month; PER SALTUM, at a single leap: all at once; PER SE, by himself, &c.: essentially.

PERACUTE, per-a-k[=u]t', _adj._ very sharp or violent.

PERADVENTURE, per-ad-vent'[=u]r, _adv._ by adventure: by chance: perhaps.--_n._ uncertainty: question.

PERAMBULATE, per-am'b[=u]-l[=a]t, _v.t._ to walk through or over: to pass through for the purpose of surveying: to survey the boundaries of.--_ns._ PERAMBUL[=A]'TION, act of perambulating: a survey or inspection by travelling through: the district within which a person has the right of inspection; PERAM'BUL[=A]TOR, one who perambulates: an instrument for measuring distances on roads: a light carriage for a child.--_adj._ PERAM'BUL[=A]TORY. [L. _perambul[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_per_, through, _ambul[=a]re_, to walk.]

PERCALE, per-käl', _n._ a closely woven French cambric.--_n._ PER'CALINE, a glossy cotton cloth. [Fr.]

PERCASE, per-k[=a]s', _adv._ (_Bacon_) perchance, perhaps. [L. _per_, through, by, _casus_, a chance.]

PERCEABLE, p[.e]rs'a-bl, _adj._ (_Spens._)=_Pierceable_.

PERCEANT, p[.e]rs'ant, _adj._ piercing, penetrating.--_v.t._ PERC'EN (_Spens._), to pierce. [Fr. _perçant_, pr.p. of _percer_, to pierce.]

PERCEIVE, per-s[=e]v', _v.t._ to become aware of through the senses: to get knowledge of by the mind: to see: to understand: to discern.--_adj._ PERCEIV'ABLE (same as PERCEPTIBLE).--_adv._ PERCEIV'ABLY (same as PERCEPTIBLY).--_ns._ PERCEIV'ER; PERCEIV'ING (_Bacon_), perception. [O. Fr. _percever_--L. _percip[)e]re_, _perceptum_--_per_, perfectly, _cap[)e]re_, to take.]

PERCENTAGE, per-sen't[=a]j, _n._ rate per hundred: an allowance of so much for every hundred.--_adj._ PERCEN'TILE. [Cf. _Cent._]

PERCEPT, p[.e]r'sept, _n._ that which is perceived by means of the senses.--_n._ PERCEPTIBIL'ITY, quality of being perceptible.--_adj._ PERCEP'TIBLE, that can be perceived: that may be known by the senses: discernible.--_adv._ PERCEP'TIBLY.--_n._ PERCEP'TION, act of perceiving: discernment: (_phil._) the faculty of perceiving: the evidence of external objects by our senses.--_adjs._ PERCEP'TIONAL; PERCEP'TIVE, having the power of perceiving or discerning.--_ns._ PERCEP'TIVENESS, the faculty or power of perceiving: readiness to perceive; PERCEPTIV'ITY, character or quality of being perceptive: power of perceiving.--_adj._ PERCEP'T[=U]AL, of the nature of perception.

PERCH, p[.e]rch, _n._ a genus of fresh-water fishes.--_adjs._ PERCH'-BACKED, shaped like a perch's back; PER'CIFORM, percoid; PER'CINE, perciform; PER'COID, like the perch: pertaining to the perch family. [Fr. _perche_--L. _perca_--Gr. _perk[=e]_, a perch, prob. conn. with _perknos_, spotted.]

PERCH, p[.e]rch, _n._ a rod on which birds roost: any high seat or position: a measure=5½ yards: a square measure=30¼ square yards: a pole joining the fore and hind gear of a spring carriage: a frame on which cloth is examined for flaws.--_v.i._ to sit or roost on a perch: to settle.--_v.t._ to place, as on a perch.--_ns._ PERCH'ER, a bird that perches on trees; PERCH'ING, the examination of cloth stretched on a frame for burs, knots, or holes--also called _Burling_.--_adj._ insessorial.--_ns._ PERCH'-PLATE, a plate or block above or below a carriage-reach, at the king-bolt; PERCH'-POLE, an acrobat's climbing-pole; PERCH'-STAY, one of the side-rods bracing the perch to the hind-axle. [Fr. _perche_--L. _pertica_, a rod.]

PERCHANCE, per-chans', _adv._ by chance: perhaps.

PERCHERON, per-she-rong', _n._ a horse of the Percheron breed, large strong draught-horses, usually dapple-gray--also _Norman_ and _Norman Percheron_.--_adj._ pertaining to the foregoing. [Fr.,--_Perche_, in southern Normandy.]

PERCHLORIC, per-kl[=o]'rik, _adj._ pertaining to an acid, a syrupy liquid obtained by decomposing potassium perchlorate by means of sulphuric acid.--_n._ PERCHL[=O]'RATE, a salt of perchloric acid.

PERCIPIENT, per-sip'i-ent, _adj._ perceiving: having the faculty of perception.--_n._ one who perceives or who has the power of perceiving.--_ns._ PERCIP'IENCE, PERCIP'IENCY.

PERCLOSE, per-kl[=o]z', _n._ an enclosed place: (_archit._) a railing separating a tomb or chapel from the rest of the church: (_her._) the lower half of a garter with the buckle.--Also PAR'ACLOSE, PARCLOSE'. [O. Fr.,--L. _præ_, in front, _claud[)e]re_, _clausum_, to shut.]

PERCOCT, per-kokt', _adj._ well-cooked. [L. _percoctus_, _percoqu[)e]re_, to cook thoroughly.]

PERCOID, per'koid. See PERCH (1).

PERCOLATE, p[.e]r'k[=o]-l[=a]t, _v.t._ to strain through pores or small openings, as a liquid: to filter.--_v.i._ to pass or ooze through very small openings: to filter.--_n._ a filtered liquid.--_ns._ PERCOL[=A]'TION, act of filtering; PER'COLATOR, a filtering vessel. [L. _percol[=a]re_,_-[=a]tum_--_per_, through, _col[=a]re_, to strain.]

PERCURRENT, per-kur'ent, _adj._ running through the whole length.--_adj._ PERCUR'SORY, running over slightly or in haste (same as _Cursory_). [L. _percurrens_, pr.p. of _percurr[)e]re_, _percursum_, to run through.]

PERCUSS, per-kus', _v.t._ to strike so as to shake: to tap for purposes of diagnosis.--_adj._ PERCUS'SANT (_her._), bent round and striking the side, as a lion's tail--also PERCUSSED'.

PERCUSSION, per-kush'un, _n._ the forcible striking of one body against another: collision, or the shock produced by it: impression of sound on the ear: (_med._) the tapping upon the body to find the condition of an internal organ by the sounds: in the jargon of palmistry, the outer side of the hand.--_adjs._ PERCUSS'IONAL, PERCUSS'IVE.--_ns._ PERCUSS'ION-BULL'ET, a bullet so formed as to explode on striking something: an explosive bullet; PERCUS'SION-CAP, a cap of copper partly filled with a substance which explodes when struck, formerly used for firing rifles, &c.; PERCUS'SION-FUSE, a fuse in a projectile set in action by concussion when the projectile strikes the object; PERCUS'SION-HAMM'ER, a small hammer for percussion in diagnosis; PERCUS'SION-LOCK, a kind of lock for a gun in which a hammer strikes upon a percussion-cap on the nipple, igniting the charge; PERCUS'SION-POW'DER, powder which explodes on being struck, called also _fulminating powder_.--_adv._ PERCUSS'IVELY.--_ns._ PERCUSS'OR; PERCUTEUR', an instrument for light percussion in neuralgia, &c.--_adj._ PERC[=U]'TIENT, striking or having power to strike.--_n._ that which strikes or has power to strike. [L. _percussion-em_--_percut[)e]re_, _percussum_--_per_, thoroughly, _quat[)e]re_, to shake.]

PERCUTANEOUS, per-k[=u]-t[=a]'n[=e]-us, _adj._ done or applied through or by means of the skin.--_adv._ PERCUT[=A]'NEOUSLY. [L. _per_, through, _cutis_, the skin.]

PERDENDO, per-den'd[=o], _adj._ (_mus._) dying away.--Also PERDEN'DOSI. [It.]

PERDIE, PERDY, p[.e]r'di, _adv._=PARDIEU.

PERDITION, per-dish'un, _n._ utter loss or ruin: the utter loss of happiness in a future state.--_n._ PER'DITA, a lost woman.--_adj._ PERDI'TIONABLE. [Fr.,--L. _perditio_--_perd[)e]re_, _perditum_--_per_, entirely, _d[)a]re_, to put.]

PERDU, PERDUE, per-d[=u]', _adj._ lost to view: concealed: being on a forlorn hope or on a desperate enterprise: reckless.--_n._ (_Shak._) one lying in concealment or ambush: one on a forlorn hope. [Fr., pa.p. of _perdre_, to lose--L. _perd[)e]re_, to destroy.]

PERDUELLION, per-d[=u]-el'i-on, _n._ treason. [L.]

PERDURABLE, per'd[=u]-ra-bl, _adj._ (_Shak._) very durable, long continued.--_ns._ PERDURABIL'ITY, PERD[=U]'RANCE, PERDUR[=A]'TION.--_adv._ PERD[=U]'RABLY (_Shak._), very durably: everlastingly.--_v.i._ PERDURE', to last for a very long time. [L. _perdur[=a]re_--_per_, through, _dur[=a]re_, to last.]

PEREGAL, per'e-gal, _adj._ fully equal.--_n._ equal.

PEREGRINATE, per'[=e]-gri-n[=a]t, _v.i._ to travel through the country: to travel about from place to place: to live in a foreign country.--_adj._ foreign.--_ns._ PEREGRIN[=A]'TION, act of peregrinating or travelling about; PER'EGRIN[=A]TOR, one who travels about.--_adj._ PER'EGRINE, foreign, not native: migratory, as a bird.--_n._ a foreigner resident in any country: a kind of falcon.--_n._ PEREGRIN'ITY, foreignness. [L. _peregrin[=a]ri_, _-[=a]tus_--_peregrinus_, foreign.]

PEREION, pe-r[=i]'on, _n._ the thorax in crustacea:--_pl._ PEREI'A.--_n._ PEREI'OPOD, one of the true thoracic limbs of a crustacean. [Gr. _perii[=o]n_, pr.p. of _periienai_, to go about.]

PERELLE, pe-rel', _n._ Same as PARELLA.

PEREMPTORY, per'emp-t[=o]-ri, _adj._ preventing debate: authoritative: dogmatical: final, determinate: fully resolved or determined: that must be done.--_adv._ PER'EMPTORILY.--_n._ PER'EMPTORINESS. [Fr.,--L. _peremptorius_--_perim[)e]re_, peremptum--_per_, entirely, _em[)e]re_, to take.]

PERENNIAL, pe-ren'i-al, _adj._ lasting through the year: perpetual: never failing: growing constantly: (_bot._) lasting more than two years: of insects, living more than one year.--_n._ a plant which lives more than two years.--_v.i._ PERENN'ATE, to live perennially.--_n._ PERENN[=A]'TION.--_adv._ PERENN'IALLY. [L. _perennis_--_per_, through, _annus_, a year.]

PERENNIBRANCHIATE, pe-ren-i-brang'ki-[=a]t, _adj._ having perennial branchiæ or gills.--Also PERENN'IBRANCH.

PERFECT, p[.e]r'fekt, _adj._ done thoroughly or completely: completed: without blemish, fault, or error: having neither too much nor too little: entire, very great: in the highest degree: possessing every moral excellence: completely skilled or acquainted: (_gram._) expressing an act completed: (_bot._) having both stamens and pistils, hermaphrodite.--_v.t._ (or per-fekt') to make perfect: to finish: to teach fully, to make fully skilled in anything.--_ns._ PERFECT[=A]'TION (_rare_); PER'FECTER; PERFECT'I, a body of Catharists in the 12th and 13th centuries, of very strict lives; PERFECTIBIL'ITY, quality of being made perfect.--_adj._ PERFECT'IBLE, that may be made perfect.--_ns._ PERFEC'TION, state of being perfect: a perfect quality or acquirement: the highest state or degree; PERFEC'TIONISM (or PERFECTIBIL'ITY), the belief that man in a state of grace may attain to a relative perfection or a state of living without sin in this life; PERFEC'TIONIST, one who pretends to be perfect: one who thinks that moral perfection can be attained in this life: one of the Bible Communists or Free-lovers, a small American sect founded by J. H. Noyes (1811-86), which settled at Oneida in 1848, holding that the gospel if accepted secures freedom from sin.--_adj._ PERFECT'IVE, tending to make perfect.--_advs._ PERFECT'IVELY, PER'FECTLY, in a perfect manner: completely: exactly: without fault.--_n._ PER'FECTNESS, state or quality of being perfect: completeness: perfection: consummate excellence.--PERFECT INSECT, the imago or completely developed form of an insect; PERFECT METALS (see METAL); PERFECT NUMBER, a number equal to the sum of all its divisors, the number itself of course excepted, as 6 = 1 + 2 + 3, 28 = 1 + 2 + 4 + 7 + 14. [Fr.,--L. _perfectus_, pa.p. of _perfic[)e]re_--_per_, thoroughly, _fac[)e]re_, to do.]

PERFERVID, per-fer'vid, _adj._ very fervid: very hot or eager.--_n._ PERFER'VIDNESS.--PERFERVIDUM INGENIUM, a very ardent disposition. [L. _perfervidus_, _præfervidus_--_præ_, before, _fervidus_, fervid.]

PERFICIENT, p[.e]r-fish'ent, _adj._ effectual.--_n._ one who does a lasting work, esp. who endows a charity.

PERFIDIOUS, per-fid'i-us, _adj._ faithless: unfaithful: basely violating trust: treacherous.--_adv._ PERFID'IOUSLY.--_ns._ PERFID'IOUSNESS, PER'FIDY, treachery. [L. _perfidiosus_--_perfidia_, faithlessness.]

PERFOLIATE, -D, per-f[=o]'li-[=a]t, -ed, _adj._ (_bot._) having the stem as it were passing through the blade--of a leaf: having the leaf round the stem at the base: (_zool._) surrounded by a circle of hairs, &c., taxicorn. [L. _per_, through, _folium_, a leaf.]

PERFORATE, p[.e]r'f[=o]-r[=a]t, _v.t._ to bore through: to pierce: to make a hole through.--_adj._ PER'FORABLE, capable of being perforated.--_n._ PER'FORANS, the long flexor muscle of the toes, or the deep flexor muscle of the fingers.--_adjs._ PER'FORANT, perforating; PER'FORATE, -D (_bot._), pierced with holes: having transparent dots, as the leaves of certain flowers.--_n._ PERFOR[=A]'TION, act of boring through: a hole through or into anything.--_adj._ PER'FOR[=A]TIVE, having power to pierce.--_ns._ PER'FOR[=A]TOR, one who bores, or an instrument for boring; PER'FOR[=A]TUS, the short flexor of the toes, or the superficial flexor of the fingers. [L. _perfor[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_per_, through, _for[=a]re_, to bore.]

PERFORCE, per-f[=o]rs', _adv._ by force: of necessity.

PERFORM, per-form', _v.t._ to do thoroughly: to carry out: to achieve: to act, as on the stage.--_v.i._ to do: to act a part: to play, as on a musical instrument.--_adj._ PERFOR'MABLE, capable of being performed: practicable.--_ns._ PERFOR'MANCE, act of performing: a carrying out of something: something done, esp. of a public character: a piece of work: an exhibition in a theatre or a place of amusement: an act or action; PERFOR'MER, one who performs, esp. one who makes a public exhibition of his skill: an actor, an actress, &c.--_adj._ PERFOR'MING, doing: trained to perform tricks. [O. Fr. _parfournir_, _par_--L. _per_, through, _fournir_, to furnish.]

PERFUME, p[.e]r'f[=u]m, or p[.e]r-f[=u]m', _n._ sweet-smelling smoke: sweet scent: anything which yields a sweet odour.--_v.t._ (p[.e]r-f[=u]m') to fill with a pleasant odour: to scent.--_adj._ PERF[=U]'MATORY, yielding perfume.--_ns._ PER'FUME-FOUN'TAIN, a small appliance for throwing a jet or spray of perfume; PERF[=U]'MER, one who or that which perfumes: one who makes or sells perfumes; PERF[=U]'MERY, perfumes in general: the art of preparing perfumes; PER'FUME-SET, a set of articles for the toilet-table.--_adj._ PER'F[=U]MY. [Fr. _parfum_--L. _per_, through, _fumus_, smoke.]

PERFUNCTORY, per-fungk't[=o]-ri, _adj._ done merely as a duty to be passed over: performed carelessly or without interest: negligent: slight.--_adv._ PERFUNC'TORILY, in a careless, half-hearted manner: without zeal or interest.--_n._ PERFUNC'TORINESS, careless performance: half-heartedness. [L. _perfunctorius_--_perfunctus_, pa.p. of _perfungi_, to execute--_per_, thoroughly, _fungi_, to do.]

PERFUSE, per-f[=u]z', _v.t._ to pour through or over.--_n._ PERF[=U]'SION.--_adj._ PERF[=U]'SIVE, sprinkling, or tending to sprinkle. [L. _perfusus_, poured over--_per_, through, _fund[)e]re_, to pour.]

PERGAMENEOUS, per-ga-m[=e]'n[=e]-us, _adj._ thin and parchment-like in texture.--_adj._ PERGAMENT[=A]'CEOUS, parchment-like. [L. _pergamena_, parchment.]

PERGOLA, per'g[=o]-la, _n._ an arbour, a balcony.--Also PER'GULA. [It.,--L. _pergula_, a shed.]

PERGUNNAH, p[.e]r-gun'a, _n._ a sub-division of a zillah or district in India.--Also PARGAN'A. [Hind.]

PERHAPS, per-haps', _adv._ it may be: possibly.

PERI, p[=e]'ri, _n._ in Persian mythology, a female elf or fairy, represented as descended from the fallen angels. [Fr. _péri_--Pers. _par[=i]_, a fairy.]

PERIAGUA, per-i-ä'gwä, _n._ a canoe hollowed out of a single trunk, a dug-out: a vessel made by cutting a canoe in two lengthwise and inserting a large plank: a large keelless flat-bottomed boat for shoal-water navigation, decked at the ends only, propelled by rowing, or by sails on two masts capable of being struck.--Also PIROGUE'. [Sp. _piragua_.]

PERIAKTOS, per-i-ak'tos, _n._ in the ancient Greek theatre a tall prism-shaped frame or screen at the side entrances, each carrying three scenes changed by turning the frames. [Gr.]

PERIANTH, per'i-anth, _n._ the floral envelope where the calyx and corolla are not easily distinguished. [Gr. _peri_, around, _anthos_, a flower.]

PERIAPT, per'i-apt, _n._ (_Shak._) an amulet. [Gr. _periapton_, something hung round, _peri_, about, _aptos_--_aptein_, to fasten.]

PERIAXIAL, per-i-ak'si-al, _adj._ surrounding an axis.

PERIBLAST, per'i-blast, _n._ the protoplasm about the nucleus of a cell.--_adj._ PERIBLAST'IC. [Gr. _peri_, about, _blastos_, a germ.]

PERIBOLOS, pe-rib'o-los, _n._ a court enclosed by a wall, esp. one containing a temple or a church, the whole outer enclosure of sanctuary or refuge. [Gr. _peribolos_, encircling--_peri_, around, _ballein_, to throw.]

PERICARDIUM, per-i-kär'di-um, _n._ (_anat._) the bag or sac composed of two layers which surrounds the heart.--_adjs._ PERICAR'DIAC, PERICAR'DIAL, PERICAR'DIAN.--_n._ PERICARD[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the pericardium. [Late L.,--Gr. _perikardion_--_peri_, around, _kardia_, heart.]

PERICARP, per'i-kärp, _n._ (_bot._) the covering, shell, or rind of fruits: a seed-vessel.--_adj._ PERICARP'IAL. [Gr. _perikarpion_--_peri_, around, _karpos_, fruit.]

PERICENTRAL, per-i-sen'tral, _adj._ surrounding a central body.--_adj._ PERICEN'TRIC.

PERICHONDRIUM, per-i-kon'dri-um, _n._ the fibrous investment of cartilage. [Gr. _peri_, about, _chondros_, cartilage.]

PERICLASE, per'i-kl[=a]z, _n._ a rare mineral consisting of magnesia with a little iron protoxide. [Gr. _peri_, about, _klasis_, fracture.]

PERICLEAN, per-i-kl[=e]'an, _adj._ of _Pericles_ (died 429 B.C.) or the golden age of art and letters at Athens.

PERICOPE, p[=e]-rik'[=o]-p[=e], _n._ an extract, esp. the selections from the epistles and gospels for the Sundays of the year. [Gr. _peri_, around, _koptein_, to cut.]

PERICRANIUM, per-i-kr[=a]'ni-um, _n._ (_anat._) the membrane that surrounds the cranium.--_adj._ PERICR[=A]'NIAL.--_n._ PER'ICR[=A]NY (_obs._), the skull. [Late L.,--Gr. _perikranion_--_peri_, around, _kranion_, the skull.]

PERICULUM, p[=e]-rik'[=u]-lum, _n._ (_Scots law_) a risk:--_pl._ PERIC'ULA. [L.]

PERICYSTITIS, per-i-sis-t[=i]'tis, _n._ inflammation around the bladder. [Gr. _peri_, around, _kystis_, the bladder.]

PERIDENTAL, per-i-den'tal, _adj._ surrounding the teeth.

PERIDERM, per'i-derm, _n._ the hard integument of some tubularian hydromedusans: (_bot._) the outer bark.--_adj._ PER'IDERMAL. [Gr. _peri_, about, _derma_, skin.]

PERIDESMIUM, per-i-des'mi-um, _n._ (_anat._) the areolar tissue round a ligament. [Gr. _peri_, around, _desmos_, a band.]

PERIDIUM, p[=e]-rid'i-um, _n._ the outer coat of a sporophore in angiocarpous fungi.--_adj._ PERID'IAL.--_n._ PERID[=I]'OLUM (_bot._), an inner peridium inside of which the hymenium is formed. [Gr. _p[=e]ridion_, dim. of _p[=e]ra_, a wallet.]

PERIDOTITE, per'i-d[=o]-t[=i]t, _n._ rock mainly composed of olivine.--_n._ PER'IDOT, chrysolite.--_adj._ PERIDOT'IC.

PERIDROME, per'i-dr[=o]m, _n._ the space between the inner cell or chamber and the surrounding pillars in an ancient temple. [Gr. _peridromos_, running round--_peri_, around, _dromos_, a race.]

PERIEGESIS, per-i-[=e]-j[=e]'sis, _n._ a progress or journey through. [Gr.]

PERIENTERON, per-i-en'te-ron, _n._ the primitive perivisceral cavity.--_adj._ PERIENTER'IC. [Gr. _peri_, about, _enteron_, an intestine.]

PERIFIBRUM, per-i-f[=i]'brum, _n._ the membraneous covering of the spicules and fibre of sponges.

PERIGANGLIONIC, per-i-gang-gli-on'ik, _adj._ surrounding a ganglion.

PERIGASTRIC, per-i-gas'trik, _adj._ surrounding the alimentary canal.

PERIGEE, per'i-j[=e], _n._ (_astron._) the point of the moon's orbit at which it is nearest the earth--opp. to _Apogee_.--_adjs._ PERIG[=E]'AL, PERIG[=E]'AN. [Gr. _peri_, near, _g[=e]_, the earth.]

PERIGENESIS, per-i-jen'e-sis, _n._ wave-generation, the dynamic theory of reproduction by a kind of wave-motion of plastidules.

PERIGLOTTIS, per-i-glot'is, _n._ the epidermis of the tongue.--_adj._ PERIGLOTT'IC.

PERIGONE, per'i-g[=o]n, _n._ (_bot._) the same as PERIANTH--also PERIG[=O]'NIUM.--_adj._ PERIG[=O]'NIAL. [Gr. _peri_, about, _gon[=e]_, seed.]

PERIGRAPH, per'i-graf, _n._ an inaccurate delineation of anything.--_adj._ PERIGRAPH'IC.

PERIGYNOUS, per-ij'i-nus, _adj._ (_bot._) denoting flowers which have the petals and stamens growing on the calyx, or around the pistil.--_n._ PERIGYN'IUM. [Gr. _peri_, about, _gyn[=e]_, a female.]

PERIHELION, per-i-h[=e]'li-on, _n._ the point of the orbit of a planet or a comet at which it is nearest to the sun--opp. to _Aphelion_.--Also PERIH[=E]'LIUM. [Gr. _peri_, near, _h[=e]lios_, the sun.]

PERIHEPATIC, per-i-h[=e]-pat'ik, _adj._ surrounding the liver.

PERIL, per'il, _n._ danger: a source of danger: exposure to danger.--_v.t._ to expose to danger:--_pr.p._ per'illing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ per'illed.--_adj._ PER'ILOUS, full of peril: dangerous.--_adv._ PER'ILOUSLY.--_n._ PER'ILOUSNESS. [Fr. _péril_--L. _periculum_.]

PERILYMPH, per'i-limf, _n._ the fluid which surrounds the membraneous labyrinth of the ear.

PERIMETER, p[=e]-rim'e-t[.e]r, _n._ (_geom._) the circuit or boundary of any plane figure, or the sum of all its sides: an instrument for measuring the area over which a person can see distinctly.--_adjs._ PERIMET'RIC, -AL, pertaining to the perimeter.--_n._ PERIM'ETRY, the act of making perimetrical measurements. [Gr. _perimetros_--_peri_, around, _metron_, measure.]

PERIMORPH, per'i-morf, _n._ a mineral enclosing another.--_adjs._ PERIMOR'PHIC, PERIMOR'PHOUS.

PERINEUM, PERINÆUM, per-i-n[=e]'um, _n._ the lower part of the body between the genital organs and the rectum.--_adj._ PERIN[=E]'AL. [L.,--Gr.]

PERIOD, p[=e]'ri-ud, _n._ the time in which anything is performed: (_astron._) the time occupied by one of the heavenly bodies in making its revolution: a stated interval of time, at the end of which certain events begin again to go through the same course as before: a series of events: a series of years: length of duration: the time at which anything ends: conclusion: (_gram._) a mark at the end of a sentence: (_rhet._) a complete sentence.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to put an end to.--_adjs._ PERIOD'IC, -AL, pertaining to a period: happening by revolution: occurring at regular intervals: pertaining to periodicals.--_ns._ PERIOD'ICAL, a magazine or other publication which appears in parts at regular periods; PERIOD'ICALIST, one who writes in a periodical.--_adv._ PERIOD'ICALLY.--_n._ PERIODIC'ITY, state of being periodic: tendency to happen over again at regular intervals of time.--PERIODICAL LITERATURE, literature published in magazines, &c.; PERIODIC FUNCTION, one whose operation being iterated a certain number of times restores the variable: a function having a period; PERIODIC INEQUALITY, a disturbance in the motion of a planet due to its position in its orbit relatively to another planet; PERIODIC LAW (_chem._), a relation of elements according to their atomic weights. [Fr.,--L.,--Gr. _periodos_--_peri_, around, _hodos_, a way.]

PERIOPHTHALMUS, per-i-of-thal'mus, _n._ a genus of acanthopterous fishes, allied to gobies, with protruding mobile eyes, pectoral fins that can be used as legs.

PERIORBITAL, per-i-or'bi-tal, _adj._ pertaining to the orbit of the eye.

PERIOSTEUM, per-i-os't[=e]-um, _n._ a tough fibrous membrane which forms the outer coating of bones.--_adjs._ PERIOS'T[=E]AL, PERIOS'T[=E]OUS; PERIOSTIT'IC.--_n._ PERIOST[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the periosteum. [Gr. _periosteon_--_peri_, around, _osteon_, a bone.]

PERIOTIC, per-i-[=o]'tik, _adj._ surrounding the inner ear.--_n._ a periotic bone. [Gr. _peri_, about, _ous_, _[=o]tos_, the ear.]

PERIPATETIC, -AL, per-i-pa-tet'ik, -al, _adj._ walking about: of or pertaining to the philosophy of Aristotle, who taught while walking up and down in the Lyceum at Athens.--_n._ PERIPATET'IC, an adherent of the philosophy of Aristotle: one accustomed or obliged to walk: (_pl._) instruction by lectures.--_n._ PERIPATET'ICISM, the philosophy of Aristotle. [Gr. _peripat[=e]tikos_--_peri_, about, _patein_, to walk.]

PERIPATUS, pe-rip'[=a]-tus, _n._ a genus of myriapods.

PERIPETIA, per-i-pe-t[=i]'a, _n._ the dénouement of a drama.

PERIPHERY, pe-rif'[.e]r-i, _n._ (_geom._) the circumference of a circle or of any closed figure: the outside of anything generally.--_adjs._ PERIPH'ERAL, PERIPHER'IC, -AL. [L.--Gr. _peri_, around, _pherein_, to carry.]

PERIPHRACTIC, per-i-frak'tik, _adj._ enclosed around. [Gr. _peri_, about, _phrassein_, to enclose.]

PERIPHRASE, per'i-fr[=a]z, _n._ a round-about way of speaking: the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea: (_rhet._) a figure employed to avoid a trite expression--also PERIPH'RASIS.--_v.t._ or _v.i._ to use circumlocution.--_adjs._ PERIPHRAS'TIC, -AL, containing or expressed by periphrasis or circumlocution.--_adv._ PERIPHRAS'TICALLY. [L.,--Gr. _periphrasis_--_peri_, about, _phrasis_, a speaking.]

PERIPLAST, per'i-plast, _n._ the intercellular substance of an organ or tissue of the body.--_adj._ PERIPLAST'IC.

PERIPLUS, per'i-plus, _n._ a circumnavigation. [Gr. _peri_, around, _ploos_, _plous_, a voyage.]

PERIPTERY, pe-rip't[.e]r-i, _n._ (_archit._) a building surrounded by a wing or row of columns.--_adjs._ PERIP'TERAL, having a periptery or range of columns all round, said of a temple, &c.; PERIP'TEROUS, feathered on all sides: peripteral. [Gr. _peripteros_--_peri_, about, _pteron_, a wing.]

PERIRHINAL, per-i-r[=i]'nal, _adj._ surrounding the nose.

PERISCII, pe-rish'i-[=i], _n.pl._ the people within the polar circle, because their shadows, on some days in summer, move round in a complete circle, owing to the fact that on those days the sun does not set.--_adj._ PERIS'CIAN. [Gr. _periskios_, throwing a shadow all round; _peri_, around, _skia_, a shadow.]

PERISCOPE, per'i-sk[=o]p, _n._ an instrument like the altiscope, used in directing submarine boats.--_adj._ PERISCOP'IC. [Gr. _peri_, about, _skopein_, to see.]

PERISH, per'ish, _v.i._ to pass away completely: to waste away: to decay: to lose life: to be destroyed: to be ruined or lost.--_ns._ PERISHABIL'ITY, PER'ISHABLENESS, the quality of being liable to speedy decay or destruction.--_adj._ PER'ISHABLE, that may perish: subject to speedy decay.--_adv._ PER'ISHABLY.--_v.i._ PER'ISHEN (_Spens._), to perish. [O. Fr. _perir_, pr.p. _perissant_--L. _per[=i]re_, to perish--_per_, completely, _[=i]re_, to go.]