Chapter L: F. Ward (34)

Om"pha*lo*man"cy (?), n. [Omphalo- + -mancy.] Divination by means of a child's navel, to learn how many children the mother may have. Crabb.

Om`pha*lo*mes`a*ra"ic (?), a. [Omphalo- + mesaraic.] (Anat.) Omphalomesenteric.

Om`pha*lo*mes`en*ter"ic (?), a. [Omphalo- + mesenteric.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the umbilicus and mesentery; omphalomesaraic; as, the omphalomesenteric arteries and veins of a fetus.

Om`pha*lop"sy*chite (?), n. [Omphalo- + Gr. &?; breath, spirit, soul: cf. F. omphalopsyque.] (Eccl.Hist.) A name of the Hesychasts, from their habit of gazing upon the navel.

{ Om`pha*lop"ter (?), Om`pha*lop"tic (?), } n. [Gr. &?; the navel + &?; one who looks, &?; belonging to sight: cf.F. omphaloptre.] An optical glass that is convex on both sides. [Obs.] Hutton.

||Om"pha*los (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.] (Anat.) The navel.

Om`pha*lot"o*my (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; the navel + &?; to cut: cf. F. omphalotomie.] (Surg.) The operation of dividing the navel-string.

O"my (?), a. Mellow, as land. [Prov.Eng.] Ray.

On (?), prep. [OE. on, an, o, a, AS. on, an; akin to D. aan, OS. & G. an, OHG. ana, Icel. , Sw. å, Goth. ana, Russ. na, L. an-, in anhelare to pant, Gr. 'ana`, Zend ana. √195. Cf. A-, 1, Ana-, Anon.] The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath; as: --

1. At, or in contact with, the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, the book lies on the table, which stands on the floor of a house on an island.

I stood on the bridge at midnight.

Longfellow.

2. To or against the surface of; -- used to indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of another; as, rain falls on the earth.

Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken.

Matt. xxi. 44.

3. Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence, figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression on the mind.

4. At or near; adjacent to; -- indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast.

5. In addition to; besides; -- indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought. Shak.

6. Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a horse.

7. At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym).

8. At the time of, conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform. Hence, in consequence of, or following; as, on the ratification of the treaty, the armies were disbanded.

9. Toward; for; -- indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.

10. At the peril of, or for the safety of. "Hence, on thy life." Dryden.

11. By virtue of; with the pledge of; -- denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.

12. To the account of; -- denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him.

His blood be on us and on our children.

Matt. xxvii. 25.

13. In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society.

14. Of. [Obs.] "Be not jealous on me." Shak.

Or have we eaten on the insane root That takes the reason prisoner?

Shak.

Instances of this usage are common in our older writers, and are sometimes now heard in illiterate speech.

15. Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey.

16. In the service of; connected with; of the number of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee.

On and upon are in general interchangeable. In some applications upon is more euphonious, and is therefore to be preferred; but in most cases on is preferable.

On a bowline. (Naut.) Same as Closehauled. -- On a wind, or On the wind (Naut.), sailing closehauled. -- On a sudden. See under Sudden. -- On board, On draught, On fire, etc. See under Board, Draught, Fire, etc. -- On it, On't, of it. [Obs. or Colloq.] Shak. -- On shore, on land; to the shore. -- On the road, On the way, On the wing, etc. See under Road, Way, etc. -- On to, upon; on; to; -- sometimes written as one word, onto, and usually called a colloquialism; but it may be regarded in analogy with into.

They have added the -en plural form on to an elder plural.

Earle.

We see the strength of the new movement in the new class of
ecclesiastics whom it forced on to the stage.

J. R. Green.

On, adv. [See On, prep.] 1. Forward, in progression; onward; -- usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on. "Time glides on." Macaulay.

The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger.

Shak.

2. Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.

3. In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on.

4. Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, "He is neither on nor off," that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute.

5. Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use. "I have boots on." B. Gonson.

He put on righteousness as a breastplate.

Is. lix. 17.

6. In progress; proceeding; as, a game is on.

On is sometimes used as an exclamation, or a command to move or proceed, some verb being understood; as, on, comrades; that is, go on, move on.

On and on, continuously; for a long time together. "Toiling on and on and on." Longfellow.

||On"a*ger (?), n.; pl. L. Onagri (#), E. Onagers (#). [L. onager, ||onagrus, Gr. &?;.] 1. (Rom.Antiq.) A military engine acting like a ||sling, which threw stones from a bag or wooden bucket, and was ||operated by machinery. Fairholt.

2. (Zoöl.) A wild ass, especially the koulan.

O*nag"ga (?), n. (Zoöl.) The dauw.

{ On`a*gra"ceous (n`*gr"shs), On`a*gra*ri"e*ous (-gr*r"*s), } a. [From NL. Onagra an old scientific name of the evening primrose (Œnothera), fr. Gr. 'ona`gra a kind of plant; of uncertain origin.] (Bot.) Pertaining to, or resembling, a natural order of plants (Onagraceæ or Onagrarieæ), which includes the fuchsia, the willow-herb (Epilobium), and the evening primrose (Œnothera).

O"nan*ism (?), n. [Onan (Gen. xxxviii. 9): cf. F. onanisme.] Self-pollution; masturbation.

||O*nap"po (?), n. (Zoöl.) A nocturnal South American monkey ||(Callithrix discolor), noted for its agility; -- called also ||ventriloquist monkey.

Once (?), n. (Zoöl.) The ounce.

Once (?), adv. [OE. ones, anes, an adverbial form fr. one, on, an, one. See One-, -Wards.] 1. By limitation to the number one; for one time; not twice nor any number of times more than one.

Ye shall . . . go round about the city once.

Josh. vi. 3.

Trees that bear mast are fruitful but once in two years.

Bacon.

2. At some one period of time; -- used indefinitely.

My soul had once some foolish fondness for thee.

Addison.

That court which we shall once govern.

Bp. Hall.

3. At any one time; -- often nearly equivalent to ever, if ever, or whenever; as, once kindled, it may not be quenched.

Wilt thou not be made clean? When shall it once be?

Jer. xiii. 27.

To be once in doubt Is once to be resolved.

Shak.

Once is used as a noun when preceded by this or that; as, this once, that once. It is also sometimes used elliptically, like an adjective, for once- existing. "The once province of Britain." J. N. Pomeroy.

At once. (a) At the same point of time; immediately; without delay. "Stand not upon the order of your going, but go at once." Shak. "I . . . withdrew at once and altogether." Jeffrey. (b) At one and the same time; simultaneously; in one body; as, they all moved at once. -- Once and again, once and once more; repeatedly. "A dove sent forth once and again, to spy." Milton.

||On*cid"i*um (?), n. [NL.] (Bot.) A genus of tropical orchidaceous ||plants, the flower of one species of which (O. Papilio) resembles a ||butterfly.

On"co*graph (?), n. [Gr. &?; bulk + -graph.] (Physiol.) An instrument for registering the changes observable with an oncometer.

On*com"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; bulk + -meter.] (Physiol.) An instrument for measuring the variations in size of the internal organs of the body, as the kidney, spleen, etc.

On*cot"o*my ("kt**m), n. [Gr. 'o`gkos bulk, mass + te`mnein to cut: cf. F. oncotomie.] (Surg.) The opening of an abscess, or the removal of a tumor, with a cutting instrument. [Written also onkotomy.] Dunglison.

Onde (?), n. [AS. anda malice, anger; akin to Icel. andi, önd, breath.] Hatred; fury; envy. [Obs.]

||On` dit" (?). [F.] They say, or it is said. -- n. A flying report; ||rumor; as, it is a mere on dit.

-one (?). [From Gr. -w`nh, signifying, female descendant.] (Chem.) A suffix indicating that the substance, in the name of which it appears, is a ketone; as, acetone.

-one.(Chem.) A termination indicating that the hydrocarbon to the name of which it is affixed belongs to the fourth series of hydrocarbons, or the third series of unsaturated hydrocarbonsl as, nonone.

One (?), a. [OE. one, on, an, AS. än; akin to D. een, OS. ën, OFries. ën, än, G. ein, Dan. een, Sw. en, Icel. einn, Goth. ains, W. un, Ir. & Gael. aon, L. unus, earlier oinos, oenos, Gr. &?; the ace on dice; cf. Skr. ëka. The same word as the indefinite article a, an. √ 299. Cf. 2d A, 1st An, Alone, Anon, Any, None, Nonce, Only, Onion, Unit.] 1. Being a single unit, or entire being or thing, and no more; not multifold; single; individual.

The dream of Pharaoh is one.

Gen. xli. 25.

O that we now had here But one ten thousand of those men in
England.

Shak.

2. Denoting a person or thing conceived or spoken of indefinitely; a certain. "I am the sister of one Claudio" [Shak.], that is, of a certain man named Claudio.

3. Pointing out a contrast, or denoting a particular thing or person different from some other specified; -- used as a correlative adjective, with or without the.

From the one side of heaven unto the other.

Deut. iv. 32.

4. Closely bound together; undivided; united; constituting a whole.

The church is therefore one, though the members may be many.

Bp. Pearson

5. Single in kind; the same; a common.

One plague was on you all, and on your lords.

1 Sam. vi. 4.

6. Single; inmarried. [Obs.]

Men may counsel a woman to be one.

Chaucer.

One is often used in forming compound words, the meaning of which is obvious; as, one-armed, one-celled, one-eyed, one-handed, one-hearted, one- horned, one-idead, one-leaved, one-masted, one-ribbed, one-story, one-syllable, one- stringed, one-winged, etc.

All one, of the same or equal nature, or consequence; as, he says that it is all one what course you take. Shak. -- One day. (a) On a certain day, not definitely specified, referring to time past.

One day when Phoebe fair, With all her band, was following the
chase.

Spenser.

(b) Referring to future time: At some uncertain day or period; some day.

Well, I will marry one day.

Shak.

One, n. 1. A single unit; as, one is the base of all numbers.

2. A symbol representing a unit, as 1, or i.

3. A single person or thing. "The shining ones." Bunyan. "Hence, with your little ones." Shak.

He will hate the one, and love the other.

Matt. vi. 24.

That we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left
hand, in thy glory.

Mark x. 37.

After one, after one fashion; alike. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- At one, in agreement or concord. See At one, in the Vocab. -- Ever in one, continually; perpetually; always. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- In one, in union; in a single whole. -- One and one, One by one, singly; one at a time; one after another. "Raising one by one the suppliant crew." Dryden.

<! p. 1003 !>

One (?), indef. pron. Any person, indefinitely; a person or body; as, what one would have well done, one should do one's self.

It was well worth one's while.

Hawthorne.

Against this sort of condemnation one must steel one's self as one
best can.

G. Eliot.

One is often used with some, any, no, each, every, such, a, many a, another, the other, etc. It is sometimes joined with another, to denote a reciprocal relation.

When any one heareth the word.

Matt. xiii. 19.

She knew every one who was any one in the land of Bohemia.

Compton Reade.

The Peloponnesians and the Athenians fought against one another.

Jowett (Thucyd. ).

The gentry received one another.

Thackeray.

One, v. t. To cause to become one; to gather into a single whole; to unite; to assimilite. [Obs.]

The rich folk that embraced and oned all their heart to treasure of
the world.

Chaucer.

One"ber`ry (?), n. (Bot.) The herb Paris. See Herb Paris, under Herb.

One"-hand` (?), a. Employing one hand; as, the one-hand alphabet. See Dactylology.

One"-horse` (?), a. 1. Drawn by one horse; having but a single horse; as, a one- horse carriage.

2. Second-rate; inferior; small. [Slang, U.S.]

O*nei"das (?), n. pl.; sing. Oneida (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians formerly inhabiting the region near Oneida Lake in the State of New York, and forming part of the Five Nations. Remnants of the tribe now live in New York, Canada, and Wisconsin.

O*nei`ro*crit`ic (?), n. [Cf.F. oneirocritique. See Oneirocritic, a.] An interpreter of dreams. Bp. Warburton. Addison.

{ O*nei`ro*crit`ic (?), O*nei`ro*crit`ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;; &?; a dream + &?; critical, fr. &?; to discern.] Of or pertaining to the interpretation of dreams. Addison.

{ O*nei`ro*crit`i*cism (?), O*nei`ro*crit`ics (?), } n. The art of interpreting dreams.

O*nei"ro*man`cy (?), n. [Gr. &?; a dream + -mancy.] Divination by means of dreams. De Quincey.

O`nei*ros"co*pist, n. One who interprets dreams.

O`nei*ros"co*py (?), n. [Gr. &?; a dream + -scopy.] The interpretation of dreams.

One"li*ness (?), n. The state of being one or single. [Obs.] Cudworth.

One"ly (?), a. See Only. [Obs.] Spenser.

One"ment (?), n. The state of being at one or reconciled. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

One"ness, n. The state of being one; singleness in number; individuality; unity.

Our God is one, or rather very oneness.

Hooker.

On"er*a*ry (?), a. [L. onerarius, fr. onus, oneris, load, burden: cf.F. onéraire.] Fitted for, or carrying, a burden. Johnson.

On"er*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Onerated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Onerating.] [L. oneratus, p. p. pf onerare.] To load; to burden. [Obs.] Becon.

On`er*a"tion (?), n. The act of loading. [Obs.]

On"er*ous (?), a. [L. onerosus, fr. onus, oneris, a load, burden: cf.F. onéreux.] Burdensome; oppressive. "Too onerous a solicitude." I. Taylor.

Onerous cause (Scots Law), a good and legal consideration; -- opposed to gratuitous.

On"er*ous*ly, adv. In an onerous manner.

Ones (?), adv. Once. [Obs.] Chaucer.

One`self" (?), pron. A reflexive form of the indefinite pronoun one. Commonly writen as two words, one's self.

One's self (or more properly oneself), is quite a modern form. In
Elizabethan English we find a man's self=one's self.

Morris.

One`-sid"ed (?), a. 1. Having one side only, or one side prominent; hence, limited to one side; partial; unjust; unfair; as, a one-sided view or statement. "Unguarded and one-sided language." T. Arnold.

2. (Bot.) Growing on one side of a stem; as, one-sided flowers.

-- One`-sid"ed-ly, adv. -- One`- sid"ed*ness, n.

On*ethe" (?), adv. Scarcely. See Unnethe. [Obs.] Chaucer.

On"go`ing (?), n. The act of going forward; progress; (pl.) affairs; business; current events.

The common ongoings of this our commonplace world, and everyday
life.

Prof. Wilson.

On"guent (?), n. [F.] An unguent.

On"-hang`er (?), n. A hanger- on.

On"ion (?), n. [F. ognon, fr. L. unio oneness, unity, a single large pearl, an onion. See One, Union.] (Bot.) A liliaceous plant of the genus Allium (A. cepa), having a strong-flavored bulb and long hollow leaves; also, its bulbous root, much used as an article of food. The name is often extended to other species of the genus.

Onion fish (Zoöl.), the grenadier. -- Onion fly (Zoöl.) a dipterous insect whose larva feeds upon the onion; especially, Anthomyia ceparum and Ortalis flexa. -- Welsh onion. (Bot.) See Cibol. -- Wild onion (Bot.), a name given to several species of the genus Allium.

O*ni`ro*crit`ic (?), a. See Oneirocritic.

On"li*ness (?), n. The state of being alone. [Obs.]

On*loft" (?), adv. Aloft; above ground. [Obs.]

She kept her father's life onloft.

Chaucer.

On"-look`er (?), n. A looker- on.

On"-look`ing, a. Looking on or forward.

On"ly (?), a. [OE. only, anly, onlich, AS. nlic, i.e., onelike. See One, and Like, a.] 1. One alone; single; as, the only man present; his only occupation.

2. Alone in its class; by itself; not associated with others of the same class or kind; as, an only child.

3. Hence, figuratively: Alone, by reason of superiority; preëminent; chief. "Motley's the only wear." Shak.

On"ly (?), adv. [See Only, a.] 1. In one manner or degree; for one purpose alone; simply; merely; barely.

And to be loved himself, needs only to be known.

Dryden.

2. So and no otherwise; no other than; exclusively; solely; wholly. "She being only wicked." Beau. & Fl.

Every imagination . . . of his heart was only evil.

Gen. vi. 5.

3. Singly; without more; as, only- begotten.

4. Above all others; particularly. [Obs.]

His most only elected mistress.

Marston.

On"ly, conj. Save or except (that); -- an adversative used elliptically with or without that, and properly introducing a single fact or consideration.

He might have seemed some secretary or clerk . . . only that his
low, flat, unadorned cap . . . indicated that he belonged to the
city.

Sir W. Scott.

On`o*ce"rin (?), n. [NL. Ononis, the generic name of the plant + L. cera wax.] (Chem.) A white crystalline waxy substance extracted from the root of the leguminous plant Ononis spinosa.

O*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; an ass + -logy.] Foolish discourse. [R.]

On"o*man`cy (?), n. [Gr. &?; name + -mancy. Cf. Nomancy.] Divination by the letters of a name; nomancy. [R.] Camden.

{ On`o*man"tic (?), On`o*man"tic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to onomancy. [R.]

On`o*mas"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, from &?; to name, &?; name.] (Law) Applied to a signature when the body of the instrument is in another's handwriting. Burrill.

On`o*mas"ti*con (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; (sc.&?;), fr. &?;. See Onomastic.] A collection of names and terms; a dictionary; specif., a collection of Greek names, with explanatory notes, made by Julius Pollux about A.D.180.

On"o*ma*tech`ny (?), n. [Gr. &?; + &?; art.] Prognostication by the letters of a name.

On`o*ma*tol"o*gist (?), n. One versed in the history of names. Southey.

On`o*ma*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?; + -logy.] The science of names or of their classification.

O*nom"a*tope (?), n. [See Onomatopœia.] An imitative word; an onomatopoetic word.

On`o*mat`o*pœ"ia (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;; &?;, &?;, a name + &?; to make.] (Philol.) The formation of words in imitation of sounds; a figure of speech in which the sound of a word is imitative of the sound of the thing which the word represents; as, the buzz of bees; the hiss of a goose; the crackle of fire.

It has been maintained by some philologist that all primary words, especially names, were formed by imitation of natural sounds.

On`o*mat`o*pœ"ic (?), a. Onomatopoetic. Whitney.

On`o*mat`o*po*et"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to onomatopœia; characterized by onomatopœia; imitative; as, an onomatopoetic writer or word. Earle.

On`o*mat"o*py (?), n. Onomatopœia.

O*nom"o*man`cy (?), n. See Onomancy.

On`on*da"gas (?), n. pl.; sing. Onondaga (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians formerly inhabiting what is now a part of the State of New York. They were the central or head tribe of the Five Nations.

On"rush` (?), n. A rushing onward.

On"set` (?), n. [On + set.] 1. A rushing or setting upon; an attack; an assault; a storming; especially, the assault of an army. Milton.

The onset and retire Of both your armies.

Shak.

Who on that day the word of onset gave.

Wordsworth.

2. A setting about; a beginning. [Obs.] Shak.

There is surely no greater wisdom than well to time the beginnings
and onsets of things.

Bacon.

3. Anything set on, or added, as an ornament or as a useful appendage. [Obs.] Johnson.

On"set`, v. t. 1. To assault; to set upon. [Obs.]

2. To set about; to begin. [Obs.] Carew.

On"slaught` (?), n. [OE. on on + slaught, slaht, slaughter. See Slaughter.] 1. An attack; an onset; esp., a furious or murderous attack or assault.

By storm and onslaught to proceed.

Hudibras.

2. A bloody fray or battle. [Scot.] Jamieson.

On"stead (?), n. [Possibly a corruption of homestead.] A single farmhouse; a steading. [Prov.Eng. & Scot.] Grose. Jamieson.

On"to (?), prep. [On + to. Cf. Into.] On the top of; upon; on. See On to, under On, prep.

{ On`to*gen"e*sis (?), On*tog"e*ny (?), } n. [See Ontology, and Genesis.] (Biol.) The history of the individual development of an organism; the history of the evolution of the germ; the development of an individual organism, -- in distinction from phylogeny, or evolution of the tribe. Called also henogenesis, henogeny.

On`to*ge*net"ic (?), a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to ontogenesis; as, ontogenetic phenomena. -- On`to*ge*net"ic*al*ly (#), adv.

On`to*gen"ic (?), a. (Biol.) Ontogenetic.

On`to*log"ic (?), a. Ontological.

On`to*log"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. ontologique.] Of or pertaining to ontology.

On`*to*log"ic*al*ly, adv. In an ontological manner.

On*tol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf.F. ontologiste.] One who is versed in or treats of ontology. Edin. Rev.

On*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; the things which exist (pl.neut. of &?;, &?;, being, p. pr. of &?; to be) + - logy: cf.F. ontologie.] That department of the science of metaphysics which investigates and explains the nature and essential properties and relations of all beings, as such, or the principles and causes of being.

||O"nus (?), n. [L.] A burden; an obligation.

||Onus probandi (&?;) [L.], obligation to furnish evidence to prove a ||thing; the burden of proof.

On"ward (?), a. 1. Moving in a forward direction; tending toward a contemplated or desirable end; forward; as, an onward course, progress, etc.

2. Advanced in a forward direction or toward an end.

Within a while, Philoxenus came to see how onward the fruits were
of his friend's labor.

Sir P. Sidney.

On"ward, adv. Toward a point before or in front; forward; progressively; as, to move onward.

Not one looks backward, onward still he goes.

Pope.

On"ward*ness, n. Progress; advancement.

On"wards (?), adv. [See -wards.] Onward.

On"y (?), a. Any. [Obs.] Chaucer.

On"y*cha (?), n. [NL., from L. onyx, -ychis, onyx, also, a kind of mussel, Gr. &?;, &?;. See Onyx.]

1. An ingredient of the Mosaic incense, probably the operculum of some kind of strombus. Ex. xxx. 34.

2. The precious stone called onyx. [R.]

||O*nych"i*a (?), n. [NL. See Onyx.] (Med.) (a) A whitlow. (b) An ||affection of a finger or toe, attended with ulceration at the base of ||the nail, and terminating in the destruction of the nail.

On"y*cho*man`cy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a finger nail + -mancy: cf. F. onychomancie.] Divination by the nails.

||On`y*choph"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?;, &?;, a claw + &?;.] ||(Zoöl.) Malacopoda.

O"nyx (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?; a claw, finger nail, a veined gem. See Nail, and cf. Onycha.] (Min.) Chalcedony in parallel layers of different shades of color. It is used for making cameos, the figure being cut in one layer with the next as a ground.

Onyx marble, a banded variety of marble or calcium carbonate resembling onyx. It is obtained from Mexico.

Oo, a. One. [Obs.] Chaucer.

||O"ö (?), n. [Hawaiian.] (Zoöl.) A beautiful bird (Moho nobilis) of ||the Hawaiian Islands. It yields the brilliant yellow feathers ||formerly used in making the royal robes. Called also yellow-tufted ||honeysucker.

||O*œ"ci*um (?), n.; pl. Oœcia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. w,'o`n an egg + &?; a ||house.] (Zoöl.) One of the special zooids, or cells, of Bryozoa, ||destined to receive and develop ova; an ovicell. See Bryozoa.

O`ö*gen"e*sis (?), n. [Gr. w,'o`n an egg + E. genesis.] (Physiol.) The development, or mode of origin, of the ova.

||O`ö*go"ni*um (?), n.; pl. L. Oögonia (#), E. Oögoniums (#). [NL., fr. ||Gr. w,'o`n an egg + &?; offspring.] (Bot.) A special cell in certain ||cryptogamous plants containing oöspheres, as in the rockweeds ||(Fucus), and the orders Vaucherieæ and Peronosporeæ.

O*oi"dal (?), a. [Gr. &?;; w,'o`n an egg + &?; form.] (Biol.) Shaped like an egg.

Ook (?), n. Oak. [Obs.] "A branched ook." Chaucer.

O"ö*lite (?), n. [Gr. w,'o`n an egg + -lite: cf.F. oölithe. So named from its resemblance to the roe of fish.] (Geol.) A variety of limestone, consisting of small round grains, resembling the roe of a fish. It sometimes constitutes extensive beds, as in the European Jurassic. See the Chart of Geology.

O`ö*lit"ic (?), a. [Cf.F. oölithique.] Of or pertaining to oölite; composed of, or resembling, oölite.

O`ö*log"ic*al (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to oölogy.

O*öl"o*gist (?), n. One versed in oölogy.

O*öl"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. w,'o`n an egg + -logy.] The science of eggs in relation to their coloring, size, shape, and number.

Oo"long (?), n. [Chinese, green dragon.] A fragrant variety of black tea having somewhat the flavor of green tea. [Written also oulong.]

{ Oo"mi*ac, Oo"mi*ak} (?), n. A long, broad boat used by the Eskimos.

Oon (?), a. One. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Oones (?), adv. Once. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Oop (?), v. t. [Etymol. uncertain.] To bind with a thread or cord; to join; to unite. [Scot.] Jamieson.

{ Oo"pack, Oo"pak} (?), n. [So named from a district in China.] A kind of black tea.

O"ö*phore (?), n. [Gr. &?; egg- bearing; w,'o`n an egg + &?; to bear.] (Bot.) An alternately produced form of certain cryptogamous plants, as ferns, mosses, and the like, which bears antheridia and archegonia, and so has sexual fructification, as contrasted with the sporophore, which is nonsexual, but produces spores in countless number. In ferns the oöphore is a minute prothallus; in mosses it is the leafy plant.

O`ö*pho*rec"to*my (?), n. [Gr. w,'o`n egg + &?; to bear + &?; a cutting out.] (Surg.) Ovariotomy.

O`ö*phor"ic (?), a. (Bot.) Having the nature of, or belonging to, an oöphore.

||O`ö*pho*rid"i*um (?), n.; pl. L. Oöphorida (#), E. Oöphoridiums (#). ||[NL., dim. fr. Gr. &?;. See Oöphore.] (Bot.) The macrosporangium or ||case for the larger kind of spores in heterosporous flowerless ||plants.

||O`ö*pho*ri"tis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. w,'o`n egg + fe`rein to bear + - ||itis.] (Med.) Ovaritis.

O"ö*phyte (?), n. [Gr. w,'o`n an egg + fyto`n a plant.] (Bot.) Any plant of a proposed class or grand division (collectively termed oöphytes or Oöphyta), which have their sexual reproduction accomplished by motile antherozoids acting on oöspheres, either while included in their oögonia or after exclusion.

This class was at first called Oösporeæ, and is made to include all algæ and fungi which have this kind of reproduction, however they may differ in all other respects, the contrasted classes of Thallophytes being Protophytes, Zygophytes, and Carpophytes. The whole system has its earnest advocates, but is rejected by many botanists. See Carpophyte.

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O`ö*phyt"ic (?), a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to an oöphyte.

O*ö"ri*al (?), n. (Zoöl.) A wild, bearded sheep inhabiting the Ladakh mountains. It is reddish brown, with a dark beard from the chin to the chest.

O"ö*sperm (omac/"*sprm), n. [Gr. &?; an egg + E. sperm.] (Biol.) The ovum, after fusion with the spermatozoön in impregnation. Balfour.

O"ö*sphere (-sfr), n. [Gr. &?; an egg + E. sphere.]

1. (Bot.) An unfertilized, rounded mass of protoplasm, produced in an oögonium.

After being fertilized by the access of antherozoids it becomes covered with a cell wall and develops into an oöspore, which may grow into a new plant like the parent.

2. (Bot.) An analogous mass of protoplasm in the ovule of a flowering plant; an embryonic vesicle. Goodale.

||O`ö*spo*ran"gi*um (?), n.; pl. L. Oösporangia (#), E. Oösporangiums ||(#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; an egg + &?; vessel.] (Bot.) An oögonium; ||also, a case containing oval or rounded spores of some other kind ||than oöspores.

O"ö*spore (?), n. [Gr. &?; an egg + &?; a seed.] (Bot.) (a) A special kind of spore resulting from the fertilization of an oösphere by antherozoids. (b) A fertilized oösphere in the ovule of a flowering plant.

O`ö*spor"ic (?), a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to an oöspore.

O*ös"te*gite (?), n. [Gr. &?; + &?; a roof.] (Zoöl.) One of the plates which in some Crustacea inclose a cavity wherein the eggs are hatched.

||O`ö*the"ca (?), n.; pl. Oöthecæ (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; an egg + &?; a ||case.] (Zoöl.) An egg case, especially those of many kinds of ||mollusks, and of some insects, as the cockroach. Cf. Oœcium.

{ O*öt"*ooid (?), O*öt"o*coid (?), } n. [Gr. &?; laying eggs (&?; egg + &?; a bearing, &?; to bear) + -oid.] (Zoöl.) A half oviparous, or an oviparous, mammal; a marsupial or monotreme.

O"ö*type (?), n. [Gr. &?; + - type.] (Zoöl.) The part of the oviduct of certain trematode worms in which the ova are completed and furnished with a shell.

Ooze (?), n. [OE. wose, AS. wase dirt, mire, mud, akin to w&?;s juice, ooze, Icel. vs wetness, OHG. waso turf, sod, G. wasen.] 1. Soft mud or slime; earth so wet as to flow gently, or easily yield to pressure. "My son i' the ooze is bedded." Shak.

2. Soft flow; spring. Prior.

3. The liquor of a tan vat.

Ooze, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Oozed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Oozing.] [Prov. Eng. weeze, wooz. See Ooze, n.] 1. To flow gently; to percolate, as a liquid through the pores of a substance or through small openings.

The latent rill, scare oozing through the grass.

Thomson.

2. Fig.: To leak (out) or escape slowly; as, the secret oozed out; his courage oozed out.

Ooze, v. t. To cause to ooze. Alex. Smith.

||O`ö*zo"a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; an egg + zo^,on an animal.] ||(Zoöl.) Same as Acrita.

Ooz"y (?), a. Miry; containing soft mud; resembling ooze; as, the oozy bed of a river. Pope.

O*pa"cate (?), v. t. [L. opacatus, p. p. of opacare.] To darken; to cloud. [Obs.] Boyle.

O*pac"i*ty (?), n. [L. opacitas: cf.F. opacité.] 1. The state of being opaque; the quality of a body which renders it impervious to the rays of light; want of transparency; opaqueness.

2. Obscurity; want of clearness. Bp. Hall.

O*pa"cous (?), a. [L. opacus. See Opaque.] Opaque. [R.] Milton. -- O*pa"cous*ness, n. [R.]

O*pac"u*lar (?), a. Opaque. [Obs.] Sterne.

O"pah (?), n. (Zoöl.) A large oceanic fish (Lampris quttatus), inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean. It is remarkable for its brilliant colors, which are red, green, and blue, with tints of purple and gold, covered with round silvery spots. Called also king of the herrings.

O*pake" (?), a. See Opaque.

O"pal (?), n. [L. opalus: cf. Gr. &?;, Skr. upala a rock, stone, precious stone: cf. F. opale.] (Min.) A mineral consisting, like quartz, of silica, but inferior to quartz in hardness and specific gravity.

The precious opal presents a peculiar play of colors of delicate tints, and is highly esteemed as a gem. One kind, with a varied play of color in a reddish ground, is called the harlequin opal. The fire opal has colors like the red and yellow of flame. Common opal has a milky appearance. Menilite is a brown impure variety, occurring in concretions at Menilmontant, near Paris. Other varieties are cacholong, girasol, hyalite, and geyserite.

O`pal*esce" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Opalesced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Opalescing (?).] To give forth a play of colors, like the opal.

O`pal*es"cence (?), n. (Min.) A reflection of a milky or pearly light from the interior of a mineral, as in the moonstone; the state or quality of being opalescent.

O`pal*es"cent (?), a. Reflecting a milky or pearly light from the interior; having an opaline play of colors.

O"pal*ine (?), a. [Cf. F. opalin.] Of, pertaining to, or like, opal in appearance; having changeable colors like those of the opal.

O"pal*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Opalized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Opalizing.] [Cf. F. opaliser.] To convert into opal, or a substance like opal. Lyell.

O*pal"o*type (?), n. [Opal + -type.] (Photog.) A picture taken on "milky" glass.

O*paque" (?), a. [F., fr. L. opacus. Cf. Opacous.]

1. Impervious to the rays of light; not transparent; as, an opaque substance.

2. Obscure; not clear; unintelligible. [Colloq.]

O*paque", n. That which is opaque; opacity. Young.

O*paque"ness, n. The state or quality of being impervious to light; opacity. Dr. H. More.

Ope (?), a. Open. [Poetic] Spenser.

On Sunday heaven's gate stands ope.

Herbert.

Ope, v. t. & i. To open. [Poetic]

Wilt thou not ope thy heart to know What rainbows teach and sunsets
show?

Emerson.

O*pei"do*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, voice + &?; form + -scope.] (Physics) An instrument, consisting of a tube having one end open and the other end covered with a thin flexible membrance to the center of which is attached a small mirror. It is used for exhibiting upon a screen, by means of rays reflected from the mirror, the vibratory motions caused by sounds produced at the open end of the tube, as by speaking or singing into it. A. E. Dolbear.

Ope"let (?), n. (Zoöl.) A bright-colored European actinian (Anemonia, or Anthea, sulcata); -- so called because it does not retract its tentacles.

O"pen (?), a. [AS. open; akin to D. open, OS. opan, G. offan, Icel. opinn, Sw. öppen, Dan. aaben, and perh. to E. up. Cf. Up, and Ope.] 1. Free of access; not shut up; not closed; affording unobstructed ingress or egress; not impeding or preventing passage; not locked up or covered over; -- applied to passageways; as, an open door, window, road, etc.; also, to inclosed structures or objects; as, open houses, boxes, baskets, bottles, etc.; also, to means of communication or approach by water or land; as, an open harbor or roadstead.

Through the gate, Wide open and unquarded, Satan passed.

Milton

Also, figuratively, used of the ways of communication of the mind, as by the senses; ready to hear, see, etc.; as, to keep one's eyes and ears open.

His ears are open unto their cry.

Ps. xxxiv. 15.

2. Free to be used, enjoyed, visited, or the like; not private; public; unrestricted in use; as, an open library, museum, court, or other assembly; liable to the approach, trespass, or attack of any one; unprotected; exposed.

If Demetrius . . . have a matter against any man, the law is open
and there are deputies.

Acts xix. 33.

The service that I truly did his life, Hath left me open to all
injuries.

Shak.

3. Free or cleared of obstruction to progress or to view; accessible; as, an open tract; the open sea.

4. Not drawn together, closed, or contracted; extended; expanded; as, an open hand; open arms; an open flower; an open prospect.

Each, with open arms, embraced her chosen knight.

Dryden.

5. Hence: (a) Without reserve or false pretense; sincere; characterized by sincerity; unfeigned; frank; also, generous; liberal; bounteous; -- applied to personal appearance, or character, and to the expression of thought and feeling, etc.

With aspect open, shall erect his head.

Pope.

The Moor is of a free and open nature.

Shak.

The French are always open, familiar, and talkative.

Addison.

(b) Not concealed or secret; not hidden or disguised; exposed to view or to knowledge; revealed; apparent; as, open schemes or plans; open shame or guilt.

His thefts are too open.

Shak.

That I may find him, and with secret gaze Or open admiration him
behold.

Milton.

6. Not of a quality to prevent communication, as by closing water ways, blocking roads, etc.; hence, not frosty or inclement; mild; -- used of the weather or the climate; as, an open season; an open winter. Bacon.

7. Not settled or adjusted; not decided or determined; not closed or withdrawn from consideration; as, an open account; an open question; to keep an offer or opportunity open.

8. Free; disengaged; unappropriated; as, to keep a day open for any purpose; to be open for an engagement.

9. (Phon.) (a) Uttered with a relatively wide opening of the articulating organs; -- said of vowels; as, the än fär is open as compared with the in sy. (b) Uttered, as a consonant, with the oral passage simply narrowed without closure, as in uttering s.

10. (Mus.) (a) Not closed or stopped with the finger; -- said of the string of an instrument, as of a violin, when it is allowed to vibrate throughout its whole length. (b) Produced by an open string; as, an open tone.

The open air, the air out of doors. -- Open chain. (Chem.) See Closed chain, under Chain. -- Open circuit (Elec.), a conducting circuit which is incomplete, or interrupted at some point; -- opposed to an uninterrupted, or closed circuit. -- Open communion, communion in the Lord's supper not restricted to persons who have been baptized by immersion. Cf. Close communion, under Close, a. -- Open diapason (Mus.), a certain stop in an organ, in which the pipes or tubes are formed like the mouthpiece of a flageolet at the end where the wind enters, and are open at the other end. -- Open flank (Fort.), the part of the flank covered by the orillon. -- Open-front furnace (Metal.), a blast furnace having a forehearth. -- Open harmony (Mus.), harmony the tones of which are widely dispersed, or separated by wide intervals. -- Open hawse (Naut.), a hawse in which the cables are parallel or slightly divergent. Cf. Foul hawse, under Hawse. -- Open hearth (Metal.), the shallow hearth of a reverberatory furnace. -- Open-hearth furnace, a reverberatory furnace; esp., a kind of reverberatory furnace in which the fuel is gas, used in manufacturing steel. -- Open-hearth process (Steel Manuf.), a process by which melted cast iron is converted into steel by the addition of wrought iron, or iron ore and manganese, and by exposure to heat in an open-hearth furnace; -- also called the Siemens- Martin process, from the inventors. -- Open-hearth steel, steel made by an open-hearth process; -- also called Siemens-Martin steel. -- Open newel. (Arch.) See Hollow newel, under Hollow. -- Open pipe (Mus.), a pipe open at the top. It has a pitch about an octave higher than a closed pipe of the same length. -- Open- timber roof (Arch.), a roof of which the constructional parts, together with the under side of the covering, or its lining, are treated ornamentally, and left to form the ceiling of an apartment below, as in a church, a public hall, and the like. -- Open vowel or consonant. See Open, a., 9.

Open is used in many compounds, most of which are self-explaining; as, open-breasted, open-minded.

Syn. -- Unclosed; uncovered; unprotected; exposed; plain; apparent; obvious; evident; public; unreserved; frank; sincere; undissembling; artless. See Candid, and Ingenuous.

O"pen (?), n. Open or unobstructed space; clear land, without trees or obstructions; open ocean; open water. "To sail into the open." Jowett (Thucyd. ).

Then we got into the open.

W. Black.

In open, in full view; without concealment; openly. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

O"pen v. t. [imp. & p. p. Opened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Opening.] [AS. openian. See Open,a.] 1. To make or set open; to render free of access; to unclose; to unbar; to unlock; to remove any fastening or covering from; as, to open a door; to open a box; to open a room; to open a letter.

And all the windows of my heart I open to the day.

Whittier.

2. To spread; to expand; as, to open the hand.

3. To disclose; to reveal; to interpret; to explain.

The king opened himself to some of his council, that he was sorry
for the earl's death.

Bacon.

Unto thee have I opened my cause.

Jer. xx. 12.

While he opened to us the Scriptures.

Luke xxiv. 32.

4. To make known; to discover; also, to render available or accessible for settlements, trade, etc.

The English did adventure far for to open the North parts of
America.

Abp. Abbot.

5. To enter upon; to begin; as, to open a discussion; to open fire upon an enemy; to open trade, or correspondence; to open a case in court, or a meeting.

6. To loosen or make less compact; as, to open matted cotton by separating the fibers.

To open one's mouth, to speak. -- To open up, to lay open; to discover; to disclose.

Poetry that had opened up so many delightful views into the
character and condition of our "bold peasantry, their country's
pride."

Prof. Wilson.

O"pen, v. i. 1. To unclose; to form a hole, breach, or gap; to be unclosed; to be parted.

The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company
of Abiram.

Ps. cvi. 17.

2. To expand; to spread out; to be disclosed; as, the harbor opened to our view.

3. To begin; to commence; as, the stock opened at par; the battery opened upon the enemy.

4. (Sporting) To bark on scent or view of the game.

O"pen-air` (?), a. Taking place in the open air; outdoor; as, an open-air game or meeting.

O"pen*bill` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A bird of the genus Anastomus, allied to the stork; -- so called because the two parts of the bill touch only at the base and tip. One species inhabits India, another Africa. Called also open- beak. See Illust. (m), under Beak.

O"pen*er (?), n. One who, or that which, opens. "True opener of my eyes." Milton.

O"pen-eyed` (?), a. With eyes widely open; watchful; vigilant. Shak.

O"pen-hand`ed (?), a. Generous; liberal; munificent. -- O"pen-hand`ed*ness, n. J. S. Mill.

O"pen-head`ed (?), a. Bareheaded. [Obs.]

O"pen-heart`ed (?), a. Candid; frank; generous. Dryden. -- O"pen-heart`ed*ly, adv. -- O"pen-heart`ed*ness, n. Walton.

O"pen*ing, n. 1. The act or process of opening; a beginning; commencement; first appearance; as, the opening of a speech.

The opening of your glory was like that of light.

Dryden.

2. A place which is open; a breach; an aperture; a gap; cleft, or hole.

We saw him at the opening of his tent.

Shak.

3. Hence: A vacant place; an opportunity; as, an opening for business. [Colloq.] Dickens.

4. A thinly wooded space, without undergrowth, in the midst of a forest; as, oak openings. [U.S.] Cooper.

O"pen*ly, adv. [AS. openlice.] 1. In an open manner; publicly; not in private; without secrecy.

How grossly and openly do many of us contradict the precepts of the
gospel by our ungodliness!

Tillotson.

2. Without reserve or disguise; plainly; evidently.

My love . . . shall show itself more openly.

Shak.

O"pen-mouthed` (?), a. Having the mouth open; gaping; hence, greedy; clamorous. L'Estrange.

O"pen*ness, n. The quality or state of being open.

O"pen*work` (?), n. 1. Anything so constructed or manufactured (in needlework, carpentry, metal work, etc.) as to show openings through its substance; work that is perforated or pierced.

2. (Mining) A quarry; an open cut. Raymond.

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Op"er*a (?), n. [It., fr. opera work, composition, opposed to an improvisation, fr. L. opera pains work, fr. opus, operis, work, labor: cf. F. opéra. See Operate.] 1. A drama, either tragic or comic, of which music forms an essential part; a drama wholly or mostly sung, consisting of recitative, arials, choruses, duets, trios, etc., with orchestral accompaniment, preludes, and interludes, together with appropriate costumes, scenery, and action; a lyric drama.

2. The score of a musical drama, either written or in print; a play set to music.

3. The house where operas are exhibited.

||Opéra bouffe [F. opéra opera + bouffe comic, It. buffo], ||Opera ||buffa [It.], light, farcical, burlesque opera. -- Opera box, a ||partially inclosed portion of the auditorium of an opera house for ||the use of a small private party. -- ||Opéra comique [F.], comic or ||humorous opera. -- Opera flannel, a light flannel, highly finished. ||Knight. -- Opera girl (Bot.), an East Indian plant (Mantisia ||saltatoria) of the Ginger family, sometimes seen in hothouses. It has ||curious flowers which have some resemblance to a ballet dancer, ||whence the popular name. Called also dancing girls. -- Opera glass, a ||short telescope with concave eye lenses of low power, usually made ||double, that is, with a tube and set of glasses for each eye; a ||lorgnette; -- so called because adapted for use at the opera, ||theater, etc. -- Opera hat, a gentleman's folding hat. -- Opera ||house, specifically, a theater devoted to the performance of operas. ||-- ||Opera seria [It.], serious or tragic opera; grand opera.

Op"er*a*ble (?), a. Practicable. [Obs.]

Op`er*am"e*ter (?), n. [L. opus, operis, pl. opera work + -meter.] An instrument or machine for measuring work done, especially for ascertaining the number of rotations made by a machine or wheel in manufacturing cloth; a counter. Ure.

{ Op"er*ance (?), Op"er*an*cy (?), } n. The act of operating or working; operation. [R.]

Op"er*and (?), n. [From neuter of L. operandus, gerundive of operari. See Operate.] (Math.) The symbol, quantity, or thing upon which a mathematical operation is performed; -- called also faciend.

Op"er*ant (?), a. [L. operans, p. pr. of operari. See Operate.] Operative. [R.] Shak. -- n. An operative person or thing. [R.] Coleridge.

Op"er*ate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Operated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Operating.] [L. operatus, p. p. of operari to work, fr. opus, operis, work, labor; akin to Skr. apas, and also to G. üben to exercise, OHG. uoben, Icel. &?;fa. Cf. Inure, Maneuver, Ure.] 1. To perform a work or labor; to exert power or strengh, physical or mechanical; to act.

2. To produce an appropriate physical effect; to issue in the result designed by nature; especially (Med.), to take appropriate effect on the human system.

3. To act or produce effect on the mind; to exert moral power or influence.

The virtues of private persons operate but on a few.

Atterbury.

A plain, convincing reason operates on the mind both of a learned
and ignorant hearer as long as they live.

Swift.

4. (Surg.) To perform some manual act upon a human body in a methodical manner, and usually with instruments, with a view to restore soundness or health, as in amputation, lithotomy, etc.

5. To deal in stocks or any commodity with a view to speculative profits. [Brokers' Cant]

Op"er*ate, v. t. 1. To produce, as an effect; to cause.

The same cause would operate a diminution of the value of stock.

A. Hamilton.

2. To put into, or to continue in, operation or activity; to work; as, to operate a machine.

{ Op`er**at"ic (?), Op`er*at"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to the opera or to operas; characteristic of, or resembling, the opera.

Op`er*a"tion (?), n. [L. operatio: cf. F. opération.] 1. The act or process of operating; agency; the exertion of power, physical, mechanical, or moral.

The pain and sickness caused by manna are the effects of its
operation on the stomach.

Locke.

Speculative painting, without the assistance of manual operation,
can never attain to perfection.

Dryden.

2. The method of working; mode of action.

3. That which is operated or accomplished; an effect brought about in accordance with a definite plan; as, military or naval operations.

4. Effect produced; influence. [Obs.]

The bards . . . had great operation on the vulgar.

Fuller.

5. (Math.) Something to be done; some transformation to be made upon quantities, the transformation being indicated either by rules or symbols.

6. (Surg.) Any methodical action of the hand, or of the hand with instruments, on the human body, to produce a curative or remedial effect, as in amputation, etc.

Calculus of operations. See under Calculus.

Op"er*a*tive (?), a. [Cf.L. operativus, F. opératif.] 1. Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects; as, an operative motive.

It holds in all operative principles.

South.

2. Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious; as, an operative dose, rule, or penalty.

3. (Surg.) Based upon, or consisting of, an operation or operations; as, operative surgery.

Op"er*a*tive, n. A skilled worker; an artisan; esp., one who operates a machine in a mill or manufactory.

Op"er*a*tive*ly, adv. In an operative manner.

Op"er*a`tor (?), n. [L.] 1. One who, or that which, operates or produces an effect.

2. (Surg.) One who performs some act upon the human body by means of the hand, or with instruments.

3. A dealer in stocks or any commodity for speculative purposes; a speculator. [Brokers' Cant]

4. (Math.) The symbol that expresses the operation to be performed; -- called also facient.

Op"er*a*to*ry (?), n. A laboratory. [Obs.]

O"per*cle (?), n. [Cf.F. opercule. See Operculum.] 1. (Anat.) Any one of the bony plates which support the gill covers of fishes; an opercular bone.

2. (Zoöl.) An operculum.

O*per"cu*la (?), n. pl. See Operculum.

O*per"cu*lar (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or like, an operculum.

O*per"cu*lar, n. (Anat.) The principal opercular bone or operculum of fishes.

{ O*per"cu*late (?), O*per"cu*la`ted (?), } a. [L. operculatus, p. p. of operculare to furnish with a lid, fr. operculum lid.] 1. (Bot.) Closed by a lid or cover, as the capsules of the mosses.

2. (Zoöl.) Having an operculum, or an apparatus for protecting the gills; -- said of shells and of fishes.

O*per`cu*lif"er*ous (?), a. [Operculum + -ferous.] (Zoöl.) Bearing an operculum.

O*per"cu*li*form (?), a. [L. operculum a cover + -form: cf. F. operculiforme.] Having the form of a lid or cover.

O*per`cu*lig`e*nous (?), a. [Operculum + -genous.] (Zoöl.) Producing an operculum; -- said of the foot, or part of the foot, of certain mollusks.

O*per"cu*lum (?), n.; pl. L. Opercula (#), E. Operculums (#). [L., a cover or lid, fr. operire to cover.] 1. (Bot.) (a) The lid of a pitcherform leaf. (b) The lid of the urnlike capsule of mosses.

2. (Anat.) (a) Any lidlike or operculiform process or part; as, the opercula of a dental follicle. (b) The fold of integument, usually supported by bony plates, which protects the gills of most fishes and some amphibians; the gill cover; the gill lid. (c) The principal opercular bone in the upper and posterior part of the gill cover.

3. (Zoöl.) (a) The lid closing the aperture of various species of shells, as the common whelk. See Illust. of Gastropoda. (b) Any lid-shaped structure closing the aperture of a tube or shell.

Op`er*et"ta (?), n. [It., dim. of opera.] (Mus.) A short, light, musical drama.

Op"er*ose` (?). a. [L. operosus, fr. opera pains, labor, opus, operis, work, labor.] Wrought with labor; requiring labor; hence, tedious; wearisome. "Operose proceeding." Burke. "A very operose calculation." De Quincey. -- Op"er*ose`ly, adv. -- Op"er*ose`ness, n.

Op`er*os"i*ty (?), n. [L. operositas.] Laboriousness. [R.] Bp. Hall.

Op"er*ous (?), a. Operose. [Obs.] Holder. -- Op"er*ous*ly, adv. [Obs.]

Op`er*ta"ne*ous (?), a. [L. opertaneus; operire to hide.] Concealed; private. [R.]

Ope"tide` (?), n. [Ope + tide.] Open time; -- applied to different things: (a) The early spring, or the time when flowers begin opening. [Archaic] Nares. (b) The time between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday wherein marriages were formerly solemnized publicly in churches. [Eng.] (c) The time after harvest when the common fields are open to all kinds of stock. [Prov.Eng.] Halliwell. [Written also opentide.]

O*phel"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a substance (called ophelic acid) extracted from a plant (Ophelia) of the Gentian family as a bitter yellowish sirup, used in India as a febrifuge and tonic.

Oph"i*cleide (?), n. [F. ophicléide, fr. Gr. 'o`fis a serpent + &?;, gen. &?;, a key. So named because it was in effect the serpent, an old musical instrument, with keys added.] (Mus.) A large brass wind instrument, formerly used in the orchestra and in military bands, having a loud tone, deep pitch, and a compass of three octaves; -- now generally supplanted by bass and contrabass tubas. Moore (Encyc. of Music).

||O*phid"i*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, dim. of 'o`fis a snake.] ||(Zoöl.) The order of reptiles which includes the serpents.

The most important divisions are: the Solenoglypha, having erectile perforated fangs, as the rattlesnake; the Proteroglypha, or elapine serpents, having permanently erect fang, as the cobra; the Asinea, or colubrine serpents, which are destitute of fangs; and the Opoterodonta, or Epanodonta, blindworms, in which the mouth is not dilatable.

O*phid"i*an (?), n. [Cf. F. ophidien.] (Zoöl.) One of the Ophidia; a snake or serpent.

O*phid"i*an, a. [Cf. F. ophidien.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Ophidia; belonging to serpents.

O*phid"i*oid (?), a. [Ophidion + -oid.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Ophidiidæ, a family of fishes which includes many slender species. -- n. One of the Ophidiidæ.