Chapter VI: Part 6

Feme covert (Law), a married woman. See Covert, a., 3. -- Feme sole (Law), a single or unmarried woman; a woman who has never been married, or who has been divorced, or whose husband is dead. -- Feme sole trader or merchant (Eng. Law), a married woman, who, by the custom of London, engages in business on her own account, inpendently of her husband.

Fem"er*al (?), n. (Arch.) See Femerell.

Fem"er*ell (?), n. [OF. fumeraille part of a chimney. See Fume.] (Arch.) A lantern, or louver covering, placed on a roof, for ventilation or escape of smoke.

Fem"i*nal (?), a. Feminine. [Obs.] West.

Fem`i*nal"i*ty (?), n. Feminity.

Fem"i*nate (?), a. [L. feminatus effeminate.] Feminine. [Obs.]

Fem`i*ne"i*ty (?), n. [L. femineus womanly.] Womanliness; femininity. C. Reade.

Fem"i*nine (?), a. [L. femininus, fr. femina woman; prob. akin to L. fetus, or to Gr. qh^sqai to suck, qh^sai to suckle, Skr. dh to suck; cf. AS. fmme woman, maid: cf. F. fÈminin. See Fetus.] 1. Of or pertaining to a woman, or to women; characteristic of a woman; womanish; womanly.

Her letters are remarkably deficient in feminine ease and grace.

Macaulay.

2. Having the qualities of a woman; becoming or appropriate to the female sex; as, in a good sense, modest, graceful, affectionate, confiding; or, in a bad sense, weak, nerveless, timid, pleasure-loving, effeminate.

Her heavenly form Angelic, but more soft and feminine.

Milton.

Ninus being esteemed no man of war at all, but altogether feminine,
and subject to ease and delicacy.

Sir W. Raleigh.

Feminine rhyme. (Pros.) See Female rhyme, under Female, a.

Syn. -- See Female, a.

Fem"i*nine, n. 1. A woman. [Obs. or Colloq.]

They guide the feminines toward the palace.

Hakluyt.

2. (Gram.) Any one of those words which are the appellations of females, or which have the terminations usually found in such words; as, actress, songstress, abbess, executrix.

There are but few true feminines in English.

Latham.

Fem"i*nine*ly, adv. In a feminine manner. Byron.

Fem"i*nine*ness, n. The quality of being feminine; womanliness; womanishness.

Fem`i*nin"i*ty (?), n. 1. The quality or nature of the female sex; womanliness.

2. The female form. [Obs.]

O serpent under femininitee.

Chaucer.

Fe*min"i*ty (?), n. Womanliness; femininity. [Obs.] "Trained up in true feminity." Spenser.

Fem`i*ni*za"tion (?), n. The act of feminizing, or the state of being feminized.

Fem"i*nize (?), v. t. [Cf. F. fÈminiser.] To make womanish or effeminate. Dr. H. More.

Fem"i*nye (?), n. [OF. femenie, feminie, the female sex, realm of women.] The people called Amazons. [Obs.] "[The reign of] feminye." Chaucer.

||Femme (? or ?), n. [F.] A woman. See Feme, n.

Femme de chambre (?). [F.] A lady's maid; a chambermaid.

Fem"o*ral (?), a. [L. femur, femoris, thigh: cf. F. fÈmoral.] Pertaining to the femur or thigh; as, the femoral artery. "Femoral habiliments." Sir W. Scott.

||Fe"mur (f"mr), n.; pl. Femora (fm"*r). [L. thigh.] (Anat.) (a) The ||thigh bone. (b) The proximal segment of the hind limb containing the ||thigh bone; the thigh. See Coxa.

Fen (?), n. [AS. fen, fenn, marsh, mud, dirt; akin to D. veen, OFries. fenne, fene, OHG. fenna, G. fenn, Icel. fen, Goth. fani mud.] Low land overflowed, or covered wholly or partially with water, but producing sedge, coarse grasses, or other aquatic plants; boggy land; moor; marsh.

'Mid reedy fens wide spread.

Wordsworth.

Fen is used adjectively with the sense of belonging to, or of the nature of, a fen or fens.

Fen boat, a boat of light draught used in marshes. -- Fen duck (Zoˆl.), a wild duck inhabiting fens; the shoveler. [Prov. Eng.] -- Fen fowl (Zoˆl.), any water fowl that frequent fens. -- Fen goose (Zoˆl.), the graylag goose of Europe. [Prov. Eng.] -- Fen land, swamp land.

Fence (?), n. [Abbrev. from defence.] 1. That which fends off attack or danger; a defense; a protection; a cover; security; shield.

Let us be backed with God and with the seas, Which he hath given
for fence impregnable.

Shak.

A fence betwixt us and the victor's wrath.

Addison.

2. An inclosure about a field or other space, or about any object; especially, an inclosing structure of wood, iron, or other material, intended to prevent intrusion from without or straying from within.

Leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold.

Milton.

In England a hedge, ditch, or wall, as well as a structure of boards, palings, or rails, is called a fence.

3. (Locks) A projection on the bolt, which passes through the tumbler gates in locking and unlocking.

4. Self-defense by the use of the sword; the art and practice of fencing and sword play; hence, skill in debate and repartee. See Fencing.

Enjoy your dear wit, and gay rhetoric, That hath so well been
taught her dazzing fence.

Milton.

Of dauntless courage and consummate skill in fence.

Macaulay.

5. A receiver of stolen goods, or a place where they are received. [Slang] Mayhew.

Fence month (Forest Law), the month in which female deer are fawning, when hunting is prohibited. Bullokar. -- Fence roof, a covering for defense. "They fitted their shields close to one another in manner of a fence roof." Holland. -- Fence time, the breeding time of fish or game, when they should not be killed. -- Rail fence, a fence made of rails, sometimes supported by posts. -- Ring fence, a fence which encircles a large area, or a whole estate, within one inclosure. -- Worm fence, a zigzag fence composed of rails crossing one another at their ends; -- called also snake fence, or Virginia rail fence. -- To be on the fence, to be undecided or uncommitted in respect to two opposing parties or policies. [Colloq.]

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Fence, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fenced (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Fencing (?).] 1. To fend off danger from; to give security to; to protect; to guard.

To fence my ear against thy sorceries.

Milton.

2. To inclose with a fence or other protection; to secure by an inclosure.

O thou wall! . . . dive in the earth, And fence not Athens.

Shak.

A sheepcote fenced about with olive trees.

Shak.

To fence the tables (Scot. Church), to make a solemn address to those who present themselves to commune at the Lord's supper, on the feelings appropriate to the service, in order to hinder, so far as possible, those who are unworthy from approaching the table. McCheyne.

Fence (?), v. i. 1. To make a defense; to guard one's self of anything, as against an attack; to give protection or security, as by a fence.

Vice is the more stubborn as well as the more dangerous evil, and
therefore, in the first place, to be fenced against.

Locke.

2. To practice the art of attack and defense with the sword or with the foil, esp. with the smallsword, using the point only.

He will fence with his own shadow.

Shak.

3. Hence, to fight or dispute in the manner of fencers, that is, by thrusting, guarding, parrying, etc.

They fence and push, and, pushing, loudly roar; Their dewlaps and
their sides are bat&?;ed in gore.

Dryden.

As when a billow, blown against, Falls back, the voice with which I
fenced A little ceased, but recommenced.

Tennyson.

Fence"ful (?), a. Affording defense; defensive. [Obs.] Congreve.

Fence"less, a. Without a fence; uninclosed; open; unguarded; defenseless. Milton.

Fen"cer (?), n. One who fences; one who teaches or practices the art of fencing with sword or foil.

As blunt as the fencer's foils.

Shak.

Fen"ci-ble (?), a. Capable of being defended, or of making or affording defense. [Obs.]

No fort so fencible, nor walls so strong.

Spenser.

Fen"ci*ble, n. (Mil.) A soldier enlisted for home service only; -- usually in the pl.

Fen"cing (?), n. 1. The art or practice of attack and defense with the sword, esp. with the smallsword. See Fence, v. i., 2.

2. Disputing or debating in a manner resembling the art of fencers. Shak.

3. The materials used for building fences. [U.S.]

4. The act of building a fence.

5. The aggregate of the fences put up for inclosure or protection; as, the fencing of a farm.

Fen" crick`et (?). (Zoˆl.) The mole cricket. [Prov. Eng.]

Fend (?), n. A fiend. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fend (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fended; p. pr. & vb. n. Fending.] [Abbrev. fr. defend.] To keep off; to prevent from entering or hitting; to ward off; to shut out; -- often with off; as, to fend off blows.

With fern beneath to fend the bitter cold.

Dryden.

To fend off a boat or vessel (Naut.), to prevent its running against anything with too much violence.

Fend, v. i. To act on the defensive, or in opposition; to resist; to parry; to shift off.

The dexterous management of terms, and being able to fend . . .
with them, passes for a great part of learning.

Locke.

Fen"der (?), n. [From Fend, v. t. & i., cf. Defender.] One who or that which defends or protects by warding off harm; as: (a) A screen to prevent coals or sparks of an open fire from escaping to the floor. (b) Anything serving as a cushion to lessen the shock when a vessel comes in contact with another vessel or a wharf. (c) A screen to protect a carriage from mud thrown off the wheels: also, a splashboard. (d) Anything set up to protect an exposed angle, as of a house, from damage by carriage wheels.

Fend"liche (?), a. Fiendlike. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fen"er*ate (?), v. i. [L. faeneratus, p. p. of faenerari lend on interest, fr. faenus interest.] To put money to usury; to lend on interest. [Obs.] Cockeram.

Fen`er*a"tion (?), n. [L. faeneratio.] The act of fenerating; interest. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

||Fen`es-tel"la (?), n. [L., dim. of fenestra &?; window.] (Arch.) Any ||small windowlike opening or recess, esp. one to show the relics ||within an altar, or the like.

||Fe*nes"tra (?), n.; pl. FenestrÊ (#). [L., a window.] (Anat.) A small ||opening; esp., one of the apertures, closed by membranes, between the ||tympanum and internal ear.

Fe*nes"tral (?), a. [L. fenestra a window.] 1. (Arch.) Pertaining to a window or to windows.

2. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to a fenestra.

Fe*nes"tral, n. (Arch.) A casement or window sash, closed with cloth or paper instead of glass. Weale.

Fe*nes"trate (?), a. [L. fenestratus, p. p. of fenestrare to furnish with openings and windows.] 1. Having numerous openings; irregularly reticulated; as, fenestrate membranes; fenestrate fronds.

2. (Zoˆl.) Having transparent spots, as the wings of certain butterflies.

Fe*nes"tra*ted (?), a. 1. (Arch.) Having windows; characterized by windows.

2. Same as Fenestrate.

Fen`es*tra"tion (?), n. 1. (Arch.) The arrangement and proportioning of windows; -- used by modern writers for the decorating of an architectural composition by means of the window (and door) openings, their ornaments, and proportions.

2. (Anat.) The state or condition of being fenestrated.

Fe*nes"trule (?), n. [L. fenestrula a little window, dim. of fenestra a window.] (Zoˆl.) One of the openings in a fenestrated structure.

Fen"gite (?), n. (Min.) A kind of marble or alabaster, sometimes used for windows on account of its transparency.

Fe"ni*an (?), n. [From the Finians or Fenii, the old militia of Ireland, who were so called from Fin or Finn, Fionn, or Fingal, a popular hero of Irish traditional history.] A member of a secret organization, consisting mainly of Irishmen, having for its aim the overthrow of English rule in Ireland.

Fe"ni*an (?), a. Pertaining to Fenians or to Fenianism.

Fe"ni*an*ism (?), n. The principles, purposes, and methods of the Fenians.

Fenks (fks), n. The refuse whale blubber, used as a manure, and in the manufacture of Prussian blue. Ure.

Fen"nec (fn"nk), n. [Ar. fanek.] (Zoˆl.) A small, African, foxlike animal (Vulpes zerda) of a pale fawn color, remarkable for the large size of its ears.

Fen"nel (fn"nl), n. [AS. fenol, finol, from L. feniculum, faeniculum, dim. of fenum, faenum, hay: cf. F. fenouil. Cf. Fenugreek. Finochio.] (Bot.) A perennial plant of the genus FÊniculum (F. vulgare), having very finely divided leaves. It is cultivated in gardens for the agreeable aromatic flavor of its seeds.

Smell of sweetest fennel.

Milton.

A sprig of fennel was in fact the theological smelling bottle of
the tender sex.

S. G. Goodrich.

Azorean, or Sweet, fennel, (FÊniculum dulce). It is a smaller and stouter plant than the common fennel, and is used as a pot herb. -- Dog's fennel (Anthemis Cotula), a foul- smelling European weed; -- called also mayweed. -- Fennel flower (Bot.), an herb (Nigella) of the Buttercup family, having leaves finely divided, like those of the fennel. N. Damascena is common in gardens. N. sativa furnishes the fennel seed, used as a condiment, etc., in India. These seeds are the "fitches" mentioned in Isaiah (xxviii. 25). -- Fennel water (Med.), the distilled water of fennel seed. It is stimulant and carminative. -- Giant fennel (Ferula communis), has stems full of pith, which, it is said, were used to carry fire, first, by Prometheus. -- Hog's fennel, a European plant (Peucedanum officinale) looking something like fennel.

Fen"nish (?), a. Abounding in fens; fenny.

Fen"ny (?), a. [AS. fennig.] Pertaining to, or inhabiting, a fen; abounding in fens; swampy; boggy. "Fenny snake." Shak.

Fen"owed (?), a. [AS. fynig musty, fynegean to become musty or filthy: cf. fennig fenny, muddy, dirty, fr. fen fen. Cf. Finew.] Corrupted; decayed; moldy. See Vinnewed. [Obs.] Dr. Favour.

Fen"si-ble (?), a. Fencible. [Obs.] Spenser.

Fen"-sucked` (?), a. Sucked out of marches. "Fen-sucked fogs." Shak.

Fen"u*greek (? or ?), n. [L. faenum Graecum, lit., Greek hay: cf. F. fenugrec. Cf. Fennel.] (Bot.) A plant (trigonella Fúnum GrÊcum) cultivated for its strong-smelling seeds, which are "now only used for giving false importance to horse medicine and damaged hay." J. Smith (Pop. Names of Plants, 1881).

Feod (?), n. A feud. See 2d Feud. Blackstone.

Feod"al (?), a. Feudal. See Feudal.

Feo*dal"i*ty (?), n. Feudal tenure; the feudal system. See Feudality. Burke.

Feod"a*ry (?), n. 1. An accomplice.

Art thou a feodary for this act?

Shak.

2. (Eng. Law) An ancient officer of the court of wards. Burrill.

Feod"a*to*ry (?), n. See Feudatory.

Feoff (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Feoffed (#); p. pr. & vb. n.. Feoffing.] [OE. feffen, OF. feffer, fieffer, F. fieffer, fr. fief fief; cf. LL. feoffare, fefare. See Fief.] (Law) To invest with a fee or feud; to give or grant a corporeal hereditament to; to enfeoff.

Feoff, n. (Law) A fief. See Fief.

Feof*fee" (?; 277), n. [OF. feoffÈ.] (Law) The person to whom a feoffment is made; the person enfeoffed.

Feoff"ment (?), n. [OF. feoffement, fieffement; cf. LL. feoffamentum.] (Law) (a) The grant of a feud or fee. (b) (Eng. Law) A gift or conveyance in fee of land or other corporeal hereditaments, accompanied by actual delivery of possession. Burrill.

(c) The instrument or deed by which corporeal hereditaments are conveyed. [Obs. in the U.S., Rare in Eng.]

{ Feo"for (?), Feof"fer (?) }, n. [OF. feoour.] (Law) One who enfeoffs or grants a fee.

Fer (?), a. & adv. Far. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fe*ra"cious (?), a. [L. ferax, -acis, fr. ferre to bear.] Fruitful; producing abundantly. [R.] Thomson.

Fe*rac"i*ty (?), n. [L. feracitas.] The state of being feracious or fruitful. [Obs.] Beattie.

||Fe"rÊ (?), n. pl. [L., wild animals, fem. pl. of ferus wild.] (Zoˆl.) ||A group of mammals which formerly included the Carnivora, ||Insectivora, Marsupialia, and lemurs, but is now often restricted to ||the Carnivora.

||Fe"rÊ na*tu"rÊ (?). [L.] Of a wild nature; -- applied to animals, as ||foxes, wild ducks, etc., in which no one can claim property.

Fe"ral (?), a. [L. ferus. See Fierce.] (Bot. & Zoˆl.) Wild; untamed; ferine; not domesticated; -- said of beasts, birds, and plants.

Fe"ral, a. [L. feralis, belonging to the dead.] Funereal; deadly; fatal; dangerous. [R.] "Feral accidents." Burton.

Ferde (?), obs. imp. of Fare. Chaucer.

||Fer`-de-lance" (?), n. [F., the iron of a lance, lance head.] (Zoˆl.) ||A large, venomous serpent (Trigonocephalus lanceolatus) of Brazil and ||the West Indies. It is allied to the rattlesnake, but has no rattle.

Fer"ding (?), n. [See Farthing.] A measure of land mentioned in Domesday Book. It is supposed to have consisted of a few acres only. [Obs.]

Ferd"ness (?), n. [OE. ferd fear. See Fear.] Fearfulness. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fere (?), n. [OE. fere companion, AS. gefra, from fran to go, travel, faran to travel. &radic;78. See Fare.] A mate or companion; -- often used of a wife. [Obs.] [Written also fear and feere.] Chaucer.

And Cambel took Cambrina to his fere.

Spenser.

In fere, together; in company. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fere, a. [Cf. L. ferus wild.] Fierce. [Obs.]

Fere, n. [See Fire.] Fire. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fere, n. [See Fear.] Fear. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fere, v. t. & i. To fear. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fer`e*to*ry (?), n. [L. feretrum bier, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to bear, akin to L. ferre, E. bear to support.] A portable bier or shrine, variously adorned, used for containing relics of saints. Mollett.

Fer"forth` (?), adv. Far forth. [Obs.]

As ferforth as, as far as. -- So ferforth, to such a degree.

Fer"forth`ly, adv. Ferforth. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fer"gu*son*ite (?), n. (Min.) A mineral of a brownish black color, essentially a tantalo- niobate of yttrium, erbium, and cerium; -- so called after Robert Ferguson.

||Fe"ri*a (?), n.; pl. FeriÊ (&?;). (Eccl.) A week day, esp. a day ||which is neither a festival nor a fast. Shipley.

Fe"ri*al (?), n. Same as Feria.

Fe"ri*al, a. [LL. ferialis, fr. L. ferie holidays: cf. F. fÈrial. See 5th Fair.] 1. Of or pertaining to holidays. [Obs.] J. Gregory.

2. Belonging to any week day, esp. to a day that is neither a festival nor a fast.

Fe`ri*a"tion (?), n. [L. feriari to keep holiday, fr. ferie holidays.] The act of keeping holiday; cessation from work. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Fe"rie (?), n. [OF. ferie, fr. L. ferie holidays. See 5th Fair.] A holiday. [Obs.] Bullokar.

Fe"ri*er (?), a., compar. of Fere, fierce. [Obs.]

Rhenus ferier than the cataract.

Marston.

Fe"rine (?), a. [L. ferinus, fr. ferus wild. See Fierce.] Wild; untamed; savage; as, lions, tigers, wolves, and bears are ferine beasts. Sir M. Hale. -- n. A wild beast; a beast of prey. -- Fe"rine*ly, adv. - - Fe"rine*ness, n.

||Fer*in"gee (?), n. [Per. Farang, or Ar. Firanj, properly, a Frank.] ||The name given to Europeans by the Hindos. [Written also Feringhee.]

Fer"i*ty (?), n. [L. feritas, from ferus wild.] Wildness; savageness; fierceness. [Obs.] Woodward.

Fer"ly (?), a. [AS. f&?;rlic sudden, unexpected. See Fear, n.] Singular; wonderful; extraordinary. [Obs.] -- n. A wonder; a marvel. [Obs.]

Who hearkened ever such a ferly thing.

Chaucer.

{ Ferm, Ferme (?), n. }[See Farm.] Rent for a farm; a farm; also, an abode; a place of residence; as, he let his land to ferm. [Obs.]

Out of her fleshy ferme fled to the place of pain.

Spenser.

Fer"ma*cy (?), n. [OE. See Pharmacy.] Medicine; pharmacy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fer"ment (?), n. [L. fermentum ferment (in senses 1 & 2), perh. for fervimentum, fr. fervere to be boiling hot, boil, ferment: cf. F. ferment. Cf. 1st Barm, Fervent.] 1. That which causes fermentation, as yeast, barm, or fermenting beer.

Ferments are of two kinds: (a) Formed or organized ferments. (b) Unorganized or structureless ferments. The latter are also called soluble or chemical ferments, and enzymes. Ferments of the first class are as a rule simple microscopic vegetable organisms, and the fermentations which they engender are due to their growth and development; as, the acetic ferment, the butyric ferment, etc. See Fermentation. Ferments of the second class, on the other hand, are chemical substances, as a rule soluble in glycerin and precipitated by alcohol. In action they are catalytic and, mainly, hydrolytic. Good examples are pepsin of the dastric juice, ptyalin of the salvia, and disease of malt.

2. Intestine motion; heat; tumult; agitation.

Subdue and cool the ferment of desire.

Rogers.

the nation is in a ferment.

Walpole.

3. A gentle internal motion of the constituent parts of a fluid; fermentation. [R.]

Down to the lowest lees the ferment ran.

Thomson.

ferment oils, volatile oils produced by the fermentation of plants, and not originally contained in them. These were the quintessences of the alchenists. Ure.

Fer*ment" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fermented; p. pr. & vb. n. Fermenting.] [L. fermentare, fermentatum: cf. F. fermenter. See Ferment, n.] To cause ferment of fermentation in; to set in motion; to excite internal emotion in; to heat.

Ye vigorous swains! while youth ferments your blood.

Pope.

Fer*ment", v. i. 1. To undergo fermentation; to be in motion, or to be excited into sensible internal motion, as the constituent particles of an animal or vegetable fluid; to work; to effervesce.

2. To be agitated or excited by violent emotions.

But finding no redress, ferment and rage.

Milton.

The intellect of the age was a fermenting intellect.

De Quincey.

Fer*ment`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. Capability of fermentation.

Fer*ment"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. fermentable.] Capable of fermentation; as, cider and other vegetable liquors are fermentable.

Fer*ment"al (?), a. Fermentative. [Obs.]

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Fer`men*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. fermentation.] 1. The process of undergoing an effervescent change, as by the action of yeast; in a wider sense (Physiol. Chem.), the transformation of an organic substance into new compounds by the action of a ferment, either formed or unorganized. It differs in kind according to the nature of the ferment which causes it.

2. A state of agitation or excitement, as of the intellect or the feelings.

It puts the soul to fermentation and activity.

Jer. Taylor.

A univesal fermentation of human thought and faith.

C. Kingsley.

Acetous, or Acetic, fermentation, a form of oxidation in which alcohol is converted into vinegar or acetic acid by the agency of a specific fungus or ferment (Mycoderma aceti). The process involves two distinct reactions, in which the oxygen of the air is essential. An intermediate product, aldehyde, is formed in the first process.

1. C2H6O + O = H2O + C2H4O Alcohol. Water. Aldehyde.

2. C2H4O + O = C2H4O2 Aldehyde. Acetic acid.

-- Alcoholic fermentation, the fermentation which saccharine bodies undergo when brought in contact with the yeast plant or Torula. The sugar is converted, either directly or indirectly, into alcohol and carbonic acid, the rate of action being dependent on the rapidity with which the TorulÊ develop. - - Ammoniacal fermentation, the conversion of the urea of the urine into ammonium carbonate, through the growth of the special urea ferment.

CON2H4 + 2H2O = (NH4)2CO3 Urea. Water. Ammonium carbonate.

Whenever urine is exposed to the air in open vessels for several days it undergoes this alkaline fermentation. -- Butyric fermentation, the decomposition of various forms of organic matter, through the agency of a peculiar worm-shaped vibrio, with formation of more or less butyric acid. It is one of the many forms of fermentation that collectively constitute putrefaction. See Lactic fermentation. -- Fermentation by an unorganized ferment or enzyme. Fermentations of this class are purely chemical reactions, in which the ferment acts as a simple catalytic agent. Of this nature are the decomposition or inversion of cane sugar into levulose and dextrose by boiling with dilute acids, the conversion of starch into dextrin and sugar by similar treatment, the conversion of starch into like products by the action of diastase of malt or ptyalin of saliva, the conversion of albuminous food into peptones and other like products by the action of pepsin-hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice or by the ferment of the pancreatic juice. -- Fermentation theory of disease (Biol. & Med.), the theory that most if not all, infectious or zymotic disease are caused by the introduction into the organism of the living germs of ferments, or ferments already developed (organized ferments), by which processes of fermentation are set up injurious to health. See Germ theory. -- Glycerin fermentation, the fermentation which occurs on mixing a dilute solution of glycerin with a peculiar species of schizomycetes and some carbonate of lime, and other matter favorable to the growth of the plant, the glycerin being changed into butyric acid, caproic acid, butyl, and ethyl alcohol. With another form of bacterium (Bacillus subtilis) ethyl alcohol and butyric acid are mainly formed. -- Lactic fermentation, the transformation of milk sugar or other saccharine body into lactic acid, as in the souring of milk, through the agency of a special bacterium (Bacterium lactis of Lister). In this change the milk sugar, before assuming the form of lactic acid, presumably passes through the stage of glucose.

C12H22O11.H2O = 4C3H6O3 Hydrated milk sugar. Lactic acid.

In the lactic fermentation of dextrose or glucose, the lactic acid which is formed is very prone to undergo butyric fermentation after the manner indicated in the following equation: 2C3H6O3 (lactic acid) = C4H8O2 (butyric acid) + 2CO2 (carbonic acid) + 2H2 (hydrogen gas). -- Putrefactive fermentation. See Putrefaction.

Fer*ment"a*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. fermentatif.] Causing, or having power to cause, fermentation; produced by fermentation; fermenting; as, a fermentative process.

-- Fer*ment"a*tive*ly, adv. -- Fer*ment"a*tive*ness, n.

Fer"mer*ere (?), n. [OF. enfermerier, fr. enfermerie infirmary. See Infirmary.] The officer in a religious house who had the care of the infirmary. [Obs.]

Fer"mil*let (?), n. [OF., dim. of fermeil, fermail, clasp, prob. fr. OF. & F. fermer to make fast, fr. ferme fast. See Firm.] A buckle or clasp. [Obs.] Donne.

Fern (?), adv. Long ago. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fern, a. [AS. fyrn.] Ancient; old. [Obs.] "Pilgrimages to . . . ferne halwes." [saints]. Chaucer.

Fern (frn), n. [AS. fearn; akin to D. varen, G. farn, farnkraut; cf. Skr. parn.a wing, feather, leaf, sort of plant, or Lith. papartis fern.] (Bot.) An order of cryptogamous plants, the Filices, which have their fructification on the back of the fronds or leaves. They are usually found in humid soil, sometimes grow epiphytically on trees, and in tropical climates often attain a gigantic size.

The plants are asexual, and bear clustered sporangia, containing minute spores, which germinate and form prothalli, on which are borne the true organs of reproduction. The brake or bracken, the maidenhair, and the polypody are all well known ferns.

Christmas fern. See under Christmas. -- Climbing fern (Bot.), a delicate North American fern (Lygodium palmatum), which climbs several feet high over bushes, etc., and is much sought for purposes of decoration. -- Fern owl. (Zoˆl.) (a) The European goatsucker. (b) The short-eared owl. [Prov. Eng.] -- Fern shaw, a fern thicket. [Eng.] R. Browning.

Fern"er*y (?), n. A place for rearing ferns.

Fern"ti*cle (?), n. A freckle on the skin, resembling the seed of fern. [Prov. Eng.]

Fern"y (?), a. Abounding in ferns.

Fe*ro"cious (?), a. [L. ferox, -ocis, fierce: cf. F. fÈroce. See Ferocity.] Fierce; savage; wild; indicating cruelty; ravenous; rapacious; as, ferocious look or features; a ferocious lion.

The humbled power of a ferocious enemy.

Lowth.

Syn. -- Ferocious, Fierce, Savage, Barbarous. When these words are applied to human feelings or conduct, ferocious describes the disposition; fierce, the haste and violence of an act; barbarous, the coarseness and brutality by which it was marked; savage, the cruel and unfeeling spirit which it showed. A man is ferocious in his temper, fierce in his actions, barbarous in the manner of carrying out his purposes, savage in the spirit and feelings expressed in his words or deeds.

-- Fe*ro"cious*ly, adv. -- Fe*ro"cious*ness, n.

It [Christianity] has adapted the ferociousness of war.

Blair.

Fe*roc"i*ty (?), n. [L. ferocitas, fr. ferox, -ocis, fierce, kin to ferus wild: cf. F. ferocitÈ. See Fierce.] Savage wildness or fierceness; fury; cruelty; as, ferocity of countenance.

The pride and ferocity of a Highland chief.

Macaulay.

||Fer*o"her (?), n. (ArchÊol.) A symbol of the solar deity, found on ||monuments exhumed in Babylon, Nineveh, etc.

Fe"rous (?), a. [L. ferus. See Fierce.] Wild; savage. [R.] Arthur Wilson.

-fer*ous (?). [L. -fer. fr. ferre to bear. See Bear to support.] A suffix signifying bearing, producing, yielding; as, auriferous, yielding gold; chyliferous, producing chyle.

Fer*ran"dine (? or ?), n. [F.; cf. OF. ferrant iron-gray, from L. ferrum iron.] A stuff made of silk and wool.

I did buy a colored silk ferrandine.

Pepys.

Fer*ra"ra (?), n. A sword bearing the mark of one of the Ferrara family of Italy. These swords were highly esteemed in England and Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Fer`ra*rese" (?), a. Pertaining to Ferrara, in Italy. -- n., sing. & pl. A citizen of Ferrara; collectively, the inhabitants of Ferrara.

Fer"ra*ry (?), n. [L. ferraria iron works. See Ferreous.] The art of working in iron. [Obs.] Chapman.

Fer"rate (?), n. [L. ferrum iron.] (Chem.) A salt of ferric acid.

{ Fer"re (?), Fer"rer (?), a. & adv. } Obs. compar. of Fer.

Fer"re*ous (?), a. [L. ferreus, fr. ferrum iron. Cf. Farrier, Ferrous.] Partaking of, made of, or pertaining to, iron; like iron. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Fer"rest (?), a. & adv. Obs. superl. of Fer. Chaucer.

Fer"ret (?), n. [F. furet, cf. LL. furo; prob. fr. L. fur thief (cf. Furtive); cf. Arm. fur wise, sly.] (Zoˆl.) An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela or Putorius furo), about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive rabbits and rats out of their holes.

Fer"ret, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ferreted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ferreting.] [Cf. F. fureter. See Ferret, n.] To drive or hunt out of a lurking place, as a ferret does the cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts; -- often used with out; as, to ferret out a secret.

Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him.

Shak.

Fer"ret, n. [Ital. foretto, dim. of fiore flower; or F. fleuret. Cf. Floret.] A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of cotton or silk; -- called also ferreting.

Fer"ret, n. [F. feret, dim. or fer iron, L. ferrum.] (Glass Making) The iron used for trying the melted glass to see if is fit to work, and for shaping the rings at the mouths of bottles.

Fer"ret*er (?), n. One who ferrets. Johnson.

Fer"ret-eye` (?), n. (Zoˆl.) The spur-winged goose; -- so called from the red circle around the eyes.

Fer*ret"to (?), n. [It. ferretto di Spagna, dim. of ferro iron, fr. L. ferrum.] Copper sulphide, used to color glass. Hebert.

Fer"ri- (&?;). (Chem.) A combining form indicating ferric iron as an ingredient; as, ferricyanide.

Fer"ri*age (?; 48), n. [From Ferry.] The price or fare to be paid for passage at a ferry.

Fer"ric (?), a. [L. ferrum iron: cf. F. ferrique. See Ferrous.] Pertaining to, derived from, or containing iron. Specifically (Chem.), denoting those compounds in which iron has a higher valence than in the ferrous compounds; as, ferric oxide; ferric acid.

Ferric acid (Chem.), an acid, H2FeO4, which is not known in the free state, but forms definite salts, analogous to the chromates and sulphates. -- Ferric oxide (Chem.), sesquioxide of iron, Fe2O3; hematite. See Hematite.

Fer`ri*cy"a*nate (?), n. [Ferri- + cyanate.] (Chem.) A salt of ferricyanic acid; a ferricyanide.

Fer`ri*cy*an"ic (?), a. [Ferri- + cyanic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, a ferricyanide.

Ferricyanic acid (Chem.), a brown crystalline substance, H6(CN)12Fe2, obtained from potassium ferricyanide, and regarded as the type of the ferricyanides; -- called also hydro-ferricyanic acid, hydrogen ferricyanide, etc.

Fer`ri*cy"a*nide (?; 104), n. [Ferri- + cyanide.] (Chem.) One of a complex series of double cyanides of ferric iron and some other base.

Potassium ferricyanide (Chem.), red prussiate of potash; a dark, red, crystalline salt, K6(CN)12Fe2, consisting of the double cyanide of potassium and ferric iron. From it is derived the ferrous ferricyanate, Turnbull's blue.

Fer"ri*er (?), n. A ferryman. Calthrop.

Fer*rif"er*ous (?), a. [L. ferrum iron + -ferous: cf. F. ferrifËre.] Producing or yielding iron.

Fer`ri*prus"si*ate (? or ?; see Prussiate, 277), n. [Ferri- + prussiate.] (Chem.) A ferricyanate; a ferricyanide. [R.]

Fer`ri*prus"sic (? or ?; see Prussik, 277), a. [Ferri- + prussic.] (Chem.) Ferricyanic. [R.]

Fer"ro- (&?;). (Chem.) A prefix, or combining form, indicating ferrous iron as an ingredient; as, ferrocyanide.

Fer`ro*cal"cite (?), n. [Ferro- + calcite.] Limestone containing a large percentage of iron carbonate, and hence turning brown on exposure.

Fer`ro*cy"a*nate (?), n. [Ferro- + cyanate: cf. F. ferrocyanate.] (Chem.) A salt of ferrocyanic acid; a ferrocyanide.

Fer`ro*cy*an"ic (?), a. [Ferro- + cyanic: cf. F. ferrocyanique.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, a ferrocyanide.

ferrocyanic acid (Chem.), a white crystalline substance, H4(CN)6Fe, of strong acid properties, obtained from potassium ferrocyanide, and regarded as the type of the ferrocyanides; -- called also hydro-ferrocyanic acid, hydrogen ferrocyanide. etc.

Fer`ro*cy"a*nide (? or ?; 104), n. [Ferro- + cyanide.] (Chem.) One of a series of complex double cyanides of ferrous iron and some other base.

Potassium ferrocyanide (Chem.), yellow prussiate of potash; a tough, yellow, crystalline salt, K4(CN)6Fe, the starting point in the manufacture of almost all cyanogen compounds, and the basis of the ferric ferrocyanate, prussian blue. It is obtained by strongly heating together potash, scrap iron, and animal matter containing nitrogen, as horn, leather, blood, etc., in iron pots.

Fer`ro*prus"si*ate (&?; or &?; or &?;; see Prussiate, 277), n. [Ferro- + prussiate.] (Chem.) A ferrocyanate; a ferocyanide. [R.]

Fer`ro*prus"sic (? or ?; see Prussic, 277), a. [Ferro- + prussic.] (Chem.) Ferrocyanic.

Fer*ro"so- (&?;). (Chem.) See Ferro- .

Fer"ro*type (?), n. [L. ferrum iron + -type.] A photographic picture taken on an iron plate by a collodion process; -- familiarly called tintype.

Fer"rous (?), a. [Cf. F. ferreux. See Ferreous.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, iron; -- especially used of compounds of iron in which the iron has its lower valence; as, ferrous sulphate.

Fer*ru"gi*na`ted (?), a. [See Ferrugo.] Having the color or properties of the rust of iron.

Fer`ru*gin"e*ous (?), a. Ferruginous. [R.]

Fer*ru"gi*nous (?), a. [L. ferruginus, ferrugineus, fr. ferrugo, - ginis, iron rust: cf. F. ferrugineux. See Ferrugo.] 1. Partaking of iron; containing particles of iron. Boyle.

2. Resembling iron rust in appearance or color; brownish red, or yellowish red.

||Fer*ru"go (?), n. [L., iron rust, fr. ferrum iron.] A disease of ||plants caused by fungi, commonly called the rust, from its ||resemblance to iron rust in color.

Fer"rule (? or ?; 277), n. [Formerly verrel, F. virole, fr. L. viriola little bracelet, dim. of viriae, pl., bracelets; prob. akin to viere to twist, weave, and E. withe. The spelling with f is due to confusion with L. ferrum iron.] 1. A ring or cap of metal put round a cane, tool, handle, or other similar object, to strengthen it, or prevent splitting and wearing.

2. (Steam Boilers) A bushing for expanding the end of a flue to fasten it tightly in the tube plate, or for partly filling up its mouth.

Fer*ru"mi*nate (?), v. t. [L. ferruminatus, p. p. of ferruminare to cement, solder, fr. ferrumen cement, fr. ferrum iron.] To solder or unite, as metals. [R.] Coleridge.

Fer*ru`mi*na"tion (?), n. [L. ferruminatio: cf. F. ferrumination.] The soldering or uniting of metals. [R.] Coleridge.

Fer"ry (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ferried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ferrying.] [OE. ferien to convey, AS. ferian, from faran to go; akin to Icel. ferja to ferry, Goth. farjan to sail. See Fare.] To carry or transport over a river, strait, or other narrow water, in a boat.

Fer"ry, v. i. To pass over water in a boat or by a ferry.

They ferry over this Lethean sound Both to and fro.

Milton.

Fer"ry, n.; pl. Ferries (#). [OE. feri; akin to Icel. ferja, Sw. f‰rja, Dan. fÊrge, G. f‰hre. See Ferry, v. t.] 1. A place where persons or things are carried across a river, arm of the sea, etc., in a ferryboat.

It can pass the ferry backward into light.

Milton.

To row me o'er the ferry.

Campbell.

2. A vessel in which passengers and goods are conveyed over narrow waters; a ferryboat; a wherry.

3. A franchise or right to maintain a vessel for carrying passengers and freight across a river, bay, etc., charging tolls.

Ferry bridge, a ferryboat adapted in its structure for the transfer of railroad trains across a river or bay. -- Ferry railway. See under Railway.

Fer"ry*boat` (?), n. A vessel for conveying passengers, merchandise, etc., across streams and other narrow waters.

Fer"ry*man (?), n.; pl. Ferrymen (&?;). One who maintains or attends a ferry.

Fers (?), a. Fierce. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Ferthe (?), a. Fourth. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fer"tile (? or ?; 277), a. [L. fertilis, fr. ferre to bear, produce: cf. F. fertile. See Bear to support.] 1. Producing fruit or vegetation in abundance; fruitful; able to produce abundantly; prolific; fecund; productive; rich; inventive; as, fertile land or fields; a fertile mind or imagination.

Though he in a fertile climate dwell.

Shak.

2. (Bot.) (a) Capable of producing fruit; fruit-bearing; as, fertile flowers. (b) Containing pollen; -- said of anthers.

3. produced in abundance; plenteous; ample.

Henceforth, my early care . . . Shall tend thee, and the fertile
burden ease Of thy full branches.

Milton.

Syn. -- Fertile, Fruitful. Fertile implies the inherent power of production; fruitful, the act. The prairies of the West are fertile by nature, and are turned by cultivation into fruitful fields. The same distinction prevails when these words are used figuratively. A man of fertile genius has by nature great readiness of invention; one whose mind is fruitful has resources of thought and a readiness of application which enable him to think and act effectively.

<! p. 554 !>

Fer"tile*ly (? or ?; 277), adv. In a fertile or fruitful manner.

fer"tile*ness, n. Fertility. Sir P. Sidney.

Fer*til"i*tate (?), v. t. To fertilize; to fecundate. Sir T. Browne.

Fer*til"i*ty (?), n. [L. fertilitas: cf. F. fertilitÈ.] The state or quality of being fertile or fruitful; fruitfulness; productiveness; fecundity; richness; abundance of resources; fertile invention; quickness; readiness; as, the fertility of soil, or of imagination. "fertility of resource." E. Everett.

And all her husbandry doth lie on heaps Corrupting in its own
fertility.

Shak.

Thy very weeds are beautiful; thy waste More rich than other
climes' fertility.

Byron.

Fer`ti*li*za"tion (?), n. 1. The act or process of rendering fertile.

2. (Biol.) The act of fecundating or impregnating animal or vegetable germs; esp., the process by which in flowers the pollen renders the ovule fertile, or an analogous process in flowerless plants; fecundation; impregnation.

Close fertilization (Bot.), the fertilization of pistils by pollen derived from the stamens of the same blossom. -- Cross fertilization, fertilization by pollen from some other blossom. See under Cross, a.

Fer"ti*lize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fertilized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fertilizing (?).] [Cf. F. fertiliser.] 1. To make fertile or enrich; to supply with nourishment for plants; to make fruitful or productive; as, to fertilize land, soil, ground, and meadows.

And fertilize the field that each pretends to gain.

Byron.

2. To fecundate; as, to fertilize flower. A. R. Wallace.

Fer"ti*lizer (?), n. 1. One who fertilizes; the agent that carries the fertilizing principle, as a moth to an orchid. A. R. Wallace.

2. That which renders fertile; a general name for commercial manures, as guano, phosphate of lime, etc.

||Fer"u*la (?), n. [L. ferula giant fennel (its stalks were used in ||punishing schoolboys), rod, whip, fr. ferire to strike; akin to OHG. ||berjan, Icel. berja. Cf. Ferule.] 1. A ferule. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

2. The imperial scepter in the Byzantine or Eastern Empire.

Fer`u*la"ceous (?), a. [L. ferulaceus, fr. ferula rod: cf. F. fÈrulacÈ.] Pertaining to reeds and canes; having a stalk like a reed; as, ferulaceous plants.

Fer"u*lar (?), n. A ferule. [Obs.] Milton.

Fer"ule (? or ?; 277), n. [L. ferula: cf. F. fÈrule. See Ferula.] A flat piece of wood, used for striking, children, esp. on the hand, in punishment.

Fer"ule (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Feruled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Feruling.] To punish with a ferule.

Fe*ru"lic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, asafetida (Ferula asafútida); as, ferulic acid. [Written also ferulaic.]

Fer"vence (?), n. Heat; fervency. [Obs.]

Fer"ven*cy (?), n. [Cf. OF. fervence. See Fervent.] The state of being fervent or warm; ardor; warmth of feeling or devotion; eagerness.

When you pray, let it be with attention, with fervency, and with
perseverance.

Wake.

Fer"vent (?), a. [F. fervent, L. fervens, -entis. p. pr. of fervere o the boiling hot, to boil, glow.] 1. Hot; glowing; boiling; burning; as, a fervent summer.

The elements shall melt with fervent heat.

2 Pet. iii. 10.

2. Warm in feeling; ardent in temperament; earnest; full of fervor; zealous; glowing.

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit.

Rom. iii. 11.

So spake the fervent angel.

Milton.

A fervent desire to promote the happiness of mankind.

Macaulay.

-- Fer"vent*ly, adv. -- Fer"vent*ness, n.

Laboring fervently for you in prayers.

Col. iv. 12.

Fer*ves"cent (?), a. [L. fervescens, p. pr. of fervescere to become boiling hot, incho., fr. fervere. See Fervent.] Growing hot.

Fer"vid (?), a. [L. fervidus, fr. fervere. See Fervent.] 1. Very hot; burning; boiling.

The mounted sun Shot down direct his fervid rays.

Milton.

2. Ardent; vehement; zealous.

The fervid wishes, holy fires.

Parnell.

-- Fer"vid*ly, adv. -- Fer"vid*ness, n.

Fer"vor (?), n. [Written also fervour.] [OF. fervor, fervour, F. ferveur, L. fervor, fr. fervere. See Fervent.] 1. Heat; excessive warmth.

The fevor of ensuing day.

Waller.

2. Intensity of feeling or expression; glowing ardor; passion; holy zeal; earnestness. Hooker.

Winged with fervor of her love.

Shak.

Syn. -- Fervor, Ardor. Fervor is a boiling heat, and ardor is a burning heat. Hence, in metaphor, we commonly use fervor and its derivatives when we conceive of thoughts or emotions under the image of ebullition, or as pouring themselves forth. Thus we speak of the fervor of passion, fervid declamation, fervid importunity, fervent supplication, fervent desires, etc. Ardent is used when we think of anything as springing from a deepseated glow of soul; as, ardent friendship, ardent zeal, ardent devotedness; burning with ardor for the fight.

Fes"cen*nine (?), a. [L. Fescenninus, fr. Fescennia, a city of Etruria.] Pertaining to, or resembling, the Fescennines. -- n. A style of low, scurrilous, obscene poetry originating in fescennia.

Fes"cue (fs"k), n. [OE. festu, OF. festu, F. fÈtu, fr. L. festuca stalk, straw.] 1. A straw, wire, stick, etc., used chiefly to point out letters to children when learning to read. "Pedantic fescue." Sterne.

To come under the fescue of an imprimatur.

Milton.

2. An instrument for playing on the harp; a plectrum. [Obs.] Chapman.

3. The style of a dial. [Obs.]

4. (Bot.) A grass of the genus Festuca.

Fescue grass (Bot.), a genus of grasses (Festuca) containing several species of importance in agriculture. Festuca ovina is sheep's fescue; F. elatior is meadow fescue.

Fes"cue (fs"k), v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p. Fescued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fescuing.] To use a fescue, or teach with a fescue. Milton.

Fes"els (?), n. pl. [Written also fasels.] See Phasel. [Obs.] May (Georgics).

{ Fess, Fesse } (?), n. [OF. fesse, faisse, F. fasce, fr. L. fascia band. See Fascia.] (Her.) A band drawn horizontally across the center of an escutcheon, and containing in breadth the third part of it; one of the nine honorable ordinaries.

Fess point (Her.), the exact center of the escutcheon. See Escutcheon.

Fes"si*tude (?), n. [L. fessus wearied, fatigued.] Weariness. [Obs.] Bailey.

Fess"wise (?), adv. In the manner of fess.

Fest (?), n. [See Fist.] The fist. [Obs.] Chaucer.

{ Fest, Fes"te (?), n. } A feast. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fes"tal (?), a. [L. festum holiday, feast. See feast.] Of or pertaining to a holiday or a feast; joyous; festive.

You bless with choicer wine the festal day.

Francis.

Fes"tal*ly, adv. Joyously; festively; mirthfully.

Fes"ten*nine (?), n. A fescennine.

Fes"ter (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Festered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Festering.] [OE. festern, fr. fester, n.; or fr. OF. festrir, fr. festre, n. See Fester, n.] 1. To generate pus; to become imflamed and suppurate; as, a sore or a wound festers.

Wounds immedicable Rankle, and fester, and gangrene.

Milton.

Unkindness may give a wound that shall bleed and smart, but it is
treachery that makes it fester.

South.

Hatred . . . festered in the hearts of the children of the soil.

Macaulay.

2. To be inflamed; to grow virulent, or malignant; to grow in intensity; to rankle.

Fes`ter, v. t. To cause to fester or rankle.

For which I burnt in inward, swelt'ring hate, And festered ranking
malice in my breast.

Marston.

Fes"ter, n. [OF. festre, L. fistula a sort of ulcer. Cf. Fistula.] 1. A small sore which becomes inflamed and discharges corrupt matter; a pustule.

2. A festering or rankling.

The fester of the chain their necks.

I. Taylor.

Fes"ter*ment (?), n. A festering. [R.] Chalmers.

Fest"eye (?), v. t. [OF. festier, festeer, F. festoyer.] To feast; to entertain. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fes"ti*nate (?), a. [L. festinatus, p. p. of festinare to hasten.] Hasty; hurried. [Obs.] -- Fes"ti*nate*ly, adv. [Obs.] Shak.

Fes`ti*na"tion (?), n. [L. festinatio.] Haste; hurry. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Fes"ti*val (?), a. [OF. festival, fr. L. festivum festive jollity, fr. festivus festive, gay. See Festive.] Pertaining to a fest; festive; festal; appropriate to a festival; joyous; mirthful.

I cannot woo in festival terms.

Shak.

Fes"ti-val, n. A time of feasting or celebration; an anniversary day of joy, civil or religious.

The morning trumpets festival proclaimed.

Milton.

Syn. -- Feast; banquet; carousal. See Feast.

Fes"tive (?), a. [L. festivus, fr. festum holiday, feast. See feast, and cf. Festivous.] Pertaining to, or becoming, a feast; festal; joyous; gay; mirthful; sportive. -- Fes"tive*ly, adv.

The glad circle round them yield their souls To festive mirth and
wit that knows no gall.

Thomson.

Fes*tiv"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Festivities (#). [L. festivitas: cf. F. festivitÈ.] 1. The condition of being festive; social joy or exhilaration of spirits at an entertaintment; joyfulness; gayety.

The unrestrained festivity of the rustic youth.

Bp. Hurd.

2. A festival; a festive celebration. Sir T. Browne.

Fes"ti*vous (?), a. [See Festive.] Pertaining to a feast; festive. [R.] Sir W. Scott.

Fest"lich (?), a. [See Feast, n.] Festive; fond of festive occasions. [Obs.] "A festlich man." Chaucer.

Fes*toon" (?), n. [F. feston (cf. Sp. feston, It. festone), prob. fr. L. festum festival. See Feast.] 1. A garland or wreath hanging in a depending curve, used in decoration for festivals, etc.; anything arranged in this way.

2. (Arch. & Sculp.) A carved ornament consisting of flowers, and leaves, intermixed or twisted together, wound with a ribbon, and hanging or depending in a natural curve. See Illust. of Bucranium.

Fes*toon", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Festooned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Festooning.] To form in festoons, or to adorn with festoons.

Fes*toon"y (?), a. Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, festoons. Sir J. Herschel.

Fes*tu*cine (? or ?), a. [L. festula stalk, straw. Cf. Fescue.] Of a straw color; greenish yellow. [Obs.]

A little insect of a festucine or pale green.

Sir T. Browne.

Fes"tu*cous (?), a. Formed or consisting of straw. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Fes"tue (?), n. [See Fescue.] A straw; a fescue. [Obs.] Holland.

Fet (?), n. [Cf. feat, F. fait, and It. fett&?; slice, G. fetzen rag, Icel. fat garment.] A piece. [Obs.] Dryton.

Fet, v. t. [OE. fetten, feten, AS. fetian; akin to AS. fÊt a journey, and to E. foot; cf. G. fassen to seize. &radic; 77. See Foot, and cf. Fetch.] To fetch. [Obs.]

And from the other fifty soon the prisoner fet.

Spenser.

Fet, p. p. of Fette. Fetched. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fe"tal (?), a. [From Fetus.] Pertaining to, or connected with, a fetus; as, fetal circulation; fetal membranes.

Fe*ta"tion (?), n. The formation of a fetus in the womb; pregnancy.

Fetch (fch; 224), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fetched 2; p. pr. & vb. n.. Fetching.] [OE. fecchen, AS. feccan, perh. the same word as fetian; or cf. facian to wish to get, OFries. faka to prepare. &radic; 77. Cf. Fet, v. t.] 1. To bear toward the person speaking, or the person or thing from whose point of view the action is contemplated; to go and bring; to get.

Time will run back and fetch the age of gold.

Milton.

He called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water
in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it he
called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bred in
thine hand.

1 Kings xvii. 11, 12.

2. To obtain as price or equivalent; to sell for.

Our native horses were held in small esteem, and fetched low
prices.

Macaulay.

3. To recall from a swoon; to revive; -- sometimes with to; as, to fetch a man to.

Fetching men again when they swoon.

Bacon.

4. To reduce; to throw.

The sudden trip in wrestling that fetches a man to the ground.

South.

5. To bring to accomplishment; to achieve; to make; to perform, with certain objects; as, to fetch a compass; to fetch a leap; to fetch a sigh.

I'll fetch a turn about the garden.

Shak.

He fetches his blow quick and sure.

South.

6. To bring or get within reach by going; to reach; to arrive at; to attain; to reach by sailing.

Meantine flew our ships, and straight we fetched The siren's isle.

Chapman.

7. To cause to come; to bring to a particular state.

They could n't fetch the butter in the churn.

W. Barnes.

To fetch a compass (Naut.), to make a sircuit; to take a circuitious route going to a place. -- To fetch a pump, to make it draw water by pouring water into the top and working the handle. -- To fetch headway or sternway (Naut.), to move ahead or astern. -- To fetch out, to develop. "The skill of the polisher fetches out the colors [of marble]" Addison. -- To fetch up. (a) To overtake. [Obs.] "Says [the hare], I can fetch up the tortoise when I please." L'Estrange. (b) To stop suddenly.

fetch, v. i. To bring one's self; to make headway; to veer; as, to fetch about; to fetch to windward. Totten.

To fetch away (Naut.), to break loose; to roll slide to leeward. -- To fetch and carry, to serve obsequiously, like a trained spaniel.

Fetch, n. 1. A stratagem by which a thing is indirectly brought to pass, or by which one thing seems intended and another is done; a trick; an artifice.

Every little fetch of wit and criticism.

South.

2. The apparation of a living person; a wraith.

The very fetch and ghost of Mrs. Gamp.

Dickens.

Fetch candle, a light seen at night, superstitiously believed to portend a person's death.

Fetch"er (?), n. One who fetches or brings.

Fete (ft), n. [See feat.] A feat. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fete, n. pl. [See Foot.] Feet. [Obs.] Chaucer.

||FÍte (ft), n. [F. See Feast.] A festival.

FÍte champÍtre (&?;) [F.], a festival or entertainment in the open air; a rural festival.

FÍte (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. FÍted; p. pr. & vb. n. FÍting.] [Cf. F. fÍter.] To feast; to honor with a festival.

{ Fe"tich, Fe"tish (?), n. }[F. fÈtiche, from Pg. feitiÁo, adj., n., sorcery, charm, fr. L. facticius made by art, artifical, factitious. See Factitious.] 1. A material object supposed among certain African tribes to represent in such a way, or to be so connected with, a supernatural being, that the possession of it gives to the possessor power to control that being.

2. Any object to which one is excessively devoted.

{ fe"tich*ism, Fe"tish*ism (? or ?); 277), n. }[Cf. F. fÈtichisme.] [Written also feticism.] 1. The doctrine or practice of belief in fetiches.

2. Excessive devotion to one object or one idea; abject superstition; blind adoration.

The real and absolute worship of fire falls into two great
divisions, the first belonging rather to fetichism, the second to
polytheism proper.

Tylor.

{ Fe"tich*ist, Fe"tish*ist, n. } A believer in fetiches.

He was by nature a fetichist.

H. Holbeach.

{ Fe`tich*is"tic (?), Fe`tish*is"tic, a.} Pertaining to, or involving, fetichism.

A man of the fifteenth century, inheriting its strange web of
belief and unbelief, of epicurean levity and fetichistic dread.

G. Eliot.

Fe"ti*cide (? or ?), n. [Written also fúticide.] [Fetus + L. caedere to kill.] (Med. & Law) The act of killing the fetus in the womb; the offense of procuring an abortion.

Fe"ti*cism (?), n. See Fetichism.

Fet"id (? or ?; 277), a. [L. fetidus, foetidus, fr. fetere, foetere, to have an ill smell, to stink: cf. F. fÈtide.] Having an offensive smell; stinking.

Most putrefactions . . . smell either fetid or moldy.

Bacon.

Fet*id"i*ty (? or ?), n. Fetidness.

Fet"id*ness, n. The quality or state of being fetid.

Fe*tif"er*ous (?), a. [Fetus + -ferous.] Producing young, as animals.

<! p. 555 !>

Fe"tis (?), a. [OF. fetis, faitis. Cf. Factitious.] Neat; pretty; well made; graceful. [Obs.]

Full fetis was her cloak, as I was ware.

Chaucer.

Fe"tise*ly (?), adv. Neatly; gracefully; properly. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Fe"tish (?), n., Fe"tish*ism (&?; or &?;; 277), n., Fe`tish*is"tic (&?;), a. See Fetich, n., Fetichism, n., Fetichistic, a.

Fet"lock (?), n. [OE. fetlak, fitlock, cf. Icel. fet pace, step, fit webbed foot of water birds, akin to E. foot. &radic;77. See Foot.] The cushionlike projection, bearing a tuft of long hair, on the back side of the leg above the hoof of the horse and similar animals. Also, the joint of the limb at this point (between the great pastern bone and the metacarpus), or the tuft of hair.

Their wounded steeds Fret fetlock deep in gore.

Shak.

Fe"tor (?), n. [L. fetor, foetor. See Fetid.] A strong, offensive smell; stench; fetidness. Arbuthnot.