Chapter XIII: Part 13

3. With respect to one's individuality; as regards one's self; as, personally I have no feeling in the matter.

Per"son*al*ty (?), n. 1. The state of being a person; personality. [R.]

2. (Law) Personal property, as distinguished from realty or real property.

Per"son*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Personated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Personating (?).] [L. personare to cry out, LL., to extol. See Person.] To celebrate loudly; to extol; to praise. [Obs.]

In fable, hymn, or song so personating Their gods ridiculous.

Milton.

Per"son*ate, v. t. [L. personatus masked, assumed, fictitious, fr. persona a mask. See Person.] 1. To assume the character of; to represent by a fictitious appearance; to act the part of; hence, to counterfeit; to feign; as, he tried to personate his brother; a personated devotion. Hammond.

2. To set forth in an unreal character; to disguise; to mask. [R.] "A personated mate." Milton.

3. To personify; to typify; to describe. Shak.

Per"son*ate, v. i. To play or assume a character.

Per"son*ate (?), a. [L. personatus masked.] (Bot.) Having the throat of a bilabiate corolla nearly closed by a projection of the base of the lower lip; masked, as in the flower of the snapdragon.

Per`son*a"tion (?), n. The act of personating, or conterfeiting the person or character of another.

Per"son*a`tor (?), n. One who personates. "The personators of these actions." B. Jonson.

Per`son*e"i*ty (?), n. Personality. [R.] Coleridge.

Per*son`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. personnification.] 1. The act of personifying; impersonation; embodiment. C. Knight.

2. (Rhet.) A figure of speech in which an inanimate object or abstract idea is represented as animated, or endowed with personality; prosopop&?;ia; as, the floods clap their hands. "Confusion heards his voice." Milton.

Per*son"i*fi`er (?), n. One who personifies.

Per*son"i*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Personified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Personifying (?).] [Person + -fy: cf. F. personnifier.] 1. To regard, treat, or represent as a person; to represent as a rational being.

The poets take the liberty of personifying inanimate things.

Chesterfield.

2. To be the embodiment or personification of; to impersonate; as, he personifies the law.

Per"son*ize (?), v. t. To personify. [R.]

Milton has personized them.

J. Richardson.

||Per`son`nel" (?), n. [F. See Personal.] The body of persons employed ||in some public service, as the army, navy, etc.; -- distinguished ||from matÈriel.

Per*spec"tive (?), a. [L. perspicere, perspectum, to look through; per + spicere, specere, to look: cf. F. perspectif; or from E. perspective, n. See Spy, n.] 1. Of or pertaining to the science of vision; optical. [Obs.] Bacon.

2. Pertaining to the art, or in accordance with the laws, of perspective.

Perspective plane, the plane or surface on which the objects are delineated, or the picture drawn; the plane of projection; -- distinguished from the ground plane, which is that on which the objects are represented as standing. When this plane is oblique to the principal face of the object, the perspective is called oblique perspective; when parallel to that face, parallel perspective. -- Perspective shell (Zoˆl.), any shell of the genus Solarium and allied genera. See Solarium.

Per*spec"tive, n. [F. perspective, fr. perspectif: cf. It. perspettiva. See Perspective, a.] 1. A glass through which objects are viewed. [Obs.] "Not a perspective, but a mirror." Sir T. Browne.

2. That which is seen through an opening; a view; a vista. "The perspective of life." Goldsmith.

3. The effect of distance upon the appearance of objects, by means of which the eye recognized them as being at a more or less measurable distance. Hence, aÎrial perspective, the assumed greater vagueness or uncertainty of outline in distant objects.

AÎrial perspective is the expression of space by any means
whatsoever, sharpness of edge, vividness of color, etc.

Ruskin.

4. The art and the science of so delineating objects that they shall seem to grow smaller as they recede from the eye; -- called also linear perspective.

5. A drawing in linear perspective.

Isometrical perspective, an inaccurate term for a mechanical way of representing objects in the direction of the diagonal of a cube. -- Perspective glass, a telescope which shows objects in the right position.

<! p. 1071 !>

Per*spec"tive*ly (?), adv. 1. Optically; as through a glass. [R.]

You see them perspectively.

Shak.

2. According to the rules of perspective.

Per*spec"to*graph (?), n. [L. perspectus (p. p. of perspicere to look through) + - graph.] An instrument for obtaining, and transferring to a picture, the points and outlines of objects, so as to represent them in their proper geometrical relations as viewed from some one point.

Per`spec*tog"ra*phy (?), n. The science or art of delineating objects according to the laws of perspective; the theory of perspective.

Per"spi*ca*ble (?), a. [L. perspicabilis, fr. perspicere.] Discernible. [Obs.] Herbert.

Per`spi*ca"cious (?), a. [L. perspicax, -acis, fr. perspicere to look through: cf. F. perspicace. See Perspective.] 1. Having the power of seeing clearly; quick-sighted; sharp of sight.

2. Fig.: Of acute discernment; keen.

-- Per`spi*ca"cious*ly, adv. -- Per`spi*ca"cious*ness, n.

Per`spi*cac"i*ty (?), n. [L. perspicacitas: cf. F. perspicacitÈ. See Perspicacious.] The state of being perspicacious; acuteness of sight or of intelligence; acute discernment. Sir T. Browne.

Per"spi*ca*cy (?), n. Perspicacity. [Obs.]

Per*spi"cience (?), n. [L. perspicientia, fr. perspiciens, p. p. of perspicere. See Perspective.] The act of looking sharply. [Obs.] Bailey.

Per"spi*cil (?), n. [LL. perspicilla, fr. L. perspicere to look through.] An optical glass; a telescope. [Obs.] Crashaw.

Per`spi*cu"i*ty (?), n. [L. perspicuitas: cf. F. perspicuitÈ.] 1. The quality or state of being transparent or translucent. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

2. The quality of being perspicuous to the understanding; clearness of expression or thought.

3. Sagacity; perspicacity.

Syn. -- Clearness; perspicuousness; plainness; distinctness; lucidity; transparency. See Clearness.

Per*spic"u*ous (?), a. [L. perspicuus, from perspicere to look through. See Perspective.] 1. Capable of being through; transparent; translucent; not opaque. [Obs.] Peacham.

2. Clear to the understanding; capable of being clearly understood; clear in thought or in expression; not obscure or ambiguous; as, a perspicuous writer; perspicuous statements. "The purpose is perspicuous." Shak.

-- Per*spic"u*ous*ly, adv. -- Per*spic"u*ous*ness, n.

Per*spir`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being perspirable.

Per*spir"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. perspirable.] 1. Capable of being perspired. Sir T. Browne.

2. Emitting perspiration; perspiring. [R.] Bacon.

Per`spi*ra"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. perspiration.] 1. The act or process of perspiring.

2. That which is excreted through the skin; sweat.

A man of average weight throws off through the skin during 24 hours about 18 ounces of water, 300 grains of solid matter, and 400 grains of carbonic acid gas. Ordinarily, this constant exhalation is not apparent, and the excretion is then termed insensible perspiration.

Per*spir"a*tive (?), a. Performing the act of perspiration; perspiratory.

Per*spir"a*to*ry (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or producing, perspiration; as, the perspiratory ducts.

Per*spire" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Perspired (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perspiring.] [L. perspirare to breathe through; per + spirare. See Per-, and Spirit.] 1. (Physiol.) To excrete matter through the skin; esp., to excrete fluids through the pores of the skin; to sweat.

2. To be evacuated or excreted, or to exude, through the pores of the skin; as, a fluid perspires.

Per*spire", v. t. To emit or evacuate through the pores of the skin; to sweat; to excrete through pores.

Firs . . . perspire a fine balsam of turpentine.

Smollett.

Per*strep"er*ous (?), a. [L. perstrepere to make a great noise.] Noisy; obstreperous. [Obs.] Ford.

Per*stringe" (?), v. t. [L. perstringere; per + stringere to bind up, to touch upon.] 1. To touch; to graze; to glance on. [Obs.]

2. To criticise; to touch upon. [R.] Evelyn.

Per*suad"a*ble (?), a. That may be persuaded. -- Per*suad"a*ble*ness, n. -- Per*suad"a*bly, adv.

Per*suade" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Persuaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Persuading.] [L. persuadere, persuasum; per + suadere to advise, persuade: cf. F. persuader. See Per- , and Suasion.] 1. To influence or gain over by argument, advice, entreaty, expostulation, etc.; to draw or incline to a determination by presenting sufficient motives.

Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

Acts xxvi. 28.

We will persuade him, be it possible.

Shak.

2. To try to influence. [Obsolescent]

Hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you.

2 Kings xviii. 32.

3. To convince by argument, or by reasons offered or suggested from reflection, etc.; to cause to believe.

Beloved, we are persuaded better things of you.

Heb. vi. 9.

4. To inculcate by argument or expostulation; to advise; to recommend. Jer. Taylor.

Syn. -- To convince; induce; prevail on; win over; allure; entice. See Convince.

Per*suade" (?), v. i. To use persuasion; to plead; to prevail by persuasion. Shak.

Per*suade", n. Persuasion. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

Per*suad"ed, p. p. & a. Prevailed upon; influenced by argument or entreaty; convinced. -- Per*suad"ed*ly, adv. -- Per*suad"ed*ness, n.

Per*suad"er (?), n. One who, or that which, persuades or influences. "Powerful persuaders." Milton.

Per*sua`si*bil"i*ty (?), n. Capability of being persuaded. Hawthorne.

Per*sua"si*ble (?), a. [Cf. L. persuasibilis persuasive, F. persuasible persuasible.] 1. Capable of being persuaded; persuadable.

2. Persuasive. [Obs.] Bale.

-- Per*sua"si*ble*ness, n. -- Per*sua"si*bly, adv.

Per*sua"sion (?), n. [L. persuasio; Cf. F. persuasion.] 1. The act of persuading; the act of influencing the mind by arguments or reasons offered, or by anything that moves the mind or passions, or inclines the will to a determination.

For thou hast all the arts of fine persuasion.

Otway.

2. The state of being persuaded or convinced; settled opinion or conviction, which has been induced.

If the general persuasion of all men does so account it.

Hooker.

My firm persuasion is, at least sometimes, That Heaven will weigh
man's virtues and his crimes With nice attention.

Cowper.

3. A creed or belief; a sect or party adhering to a certain creed or system of opinions; as, of the same persuasion; all persuasions are agreed.

Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political.

Jefferson.

4. The power or quality of persuading; persuasiveness.

Is 't possible that my deserts to you Can lack persuasion?

Shak.

5. That which persuades; a persuasive. [R.]

Syn. -- See Conviction.

Per*sua"sive (?), a. [Cf. F. persuasif.] Tending to persuade; having the power of persuading; as, persuasive eloquence. "Persuasive words." Milton.

Per*sua"sive, n. That which persuades; an inducement; an incitement; an exhortation. -- Per*sua"sive*ly, adv. -- Per*sua"sive*ness, n.

Per*sua"so*ry (?), a. Persuasive. Sir T. Browne.

Per*sul"phate (?), n. (Chem.) A sulphate of the peroxide of any base. [R.]

Per*sul"phide (?), n. (Chem.) A sulphide containing more sulphur than some other compound of the same elements; as, iron pyrites is a persulphide; -- formerly called persulphuret.

Per*sul`pho*cy"a*nate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of persulphocyanic acid. [R.]

Per*sul`pho*cy*an"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a yellow crystalline substance (called also perthiocyanic acid), analogous to sulphocyanic acid, but containing more sulphur.

Per*sul`pho*cy*an"o*gen (?), n. (Chem.) An orange-yellow substance, produced by the action of chlorine or boiling dilute nitric acid and sulphocyanate of potassium; -- called also pseudosulphocyanogen, perthiocyanogen, and formerly sulphocyanogen.

Per*sul"phu*ret (?), n. (Chem.) A persulphide. [Obs.]

Pert (?), a. [An aphetic form of OE. & OF. apert open, known, true, free, or impudent. See Apert.] 1. Open; evident; apert. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

2. Lively; brisk; sprightly; smart. [Obs.] Shak.

3. Indecorously free, or presuming; saucy; bold; impertinent. "A very pert manner." Addison.

The squirrel, flippant, pert, and full of play.

Cowper.

Pert, v. i. To behave with pertness. [Obs.] Gauden.

Per*tain" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pertained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pertaining.] [OE. partenen, OF. partenir, fr. L. pertinere to stretch out, reach, pertain; per + tenere to hold, keep. See Per-, and Tenable, and cf. Appertain, Pertinent.] 1. To belong; to have connection with, or dependence on, something, as an appurtenance, attribute, etc.; to appertain; as, saltness pertains to the ocean; flowers pertain to plant life.

Men hate those who affect that honor by ambition which pertaineth
not to them.

Hayward.

2. To have relation or reference to something.

These words pertain unto us at this time as they pertained to them
at their time.

Latimer.

Per*ter`e*bra"tion (?), n. [L. perterebratus, p. p. of perterebrare to bore through.] The act of boring through. [Obs.] Ainsworth.

Per*thi`o*cy*an"o*gen (?), n. (Chem.) Same as Persulphocyanogen.

Perth"ite (?), n. [So called from Perth, in canada.] (Min.) A kind of feldspar consisting of a laminated intertexture of albite and orthoclase, usually of different colors. -- Per*thit"ic (#), a.

Per`ti*na"cious (?), a.[L. pertinax, -acis; per + tenax tenacious. See Per-, and Tenacious.] 1. Holding or adhering to any opinion, purpose, or design, with obstinacy; perversely persistent; obstinate; as, pertinacious plotters; a pertinacious beggar.

2. Resolute; persevering; constant; steady.

Diligence is a steady, constant, and pertinacious study.

South.

Syn. -- Obstinate; stubborn; inflexible; unyielding; resolute; determined; firm; constant; steady.

-- Per`ti*na"cious*ly, adv. -- Per`ti*na"cious*ness, n.

Per`ti*nac"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. pertinacitÈ.] The quality or state of being pertinacious; obstinacy; perseverance; persistency. Macaulay.

Syn. -- See Obstinacy.

Per"ti*na*cy (?), n. [L. pertinere to pertain. See Pertinence.] The quality or state of being pertinent; pertinence. [Obs.]

Per"ti*na*cy, n. [L. pertinacia, fr. pertinax. See Pertinacious.] Pertinacity. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Per"ti*nate (?), a. Pertinacious. [Obs.]

Per"ti*nate*ly, adv. Pertinaciously. [Obs.]

{ Per"ti*nence (?), Per"ti*nen*cy (?), } n. [Cf. F. pertinence. See Pertinent.] The quality or state of being pertinent; justness of relation to the subject or matter in hand; fitness; appositeness; relevancy; suitableness.

The fitness and pertinency of the apostle's discourse.

Bentley.

Per"ti*nent (?), a. [L. pertinens, -entis, p. pr. of pertinere: cf. F. pertinent. See Pertain.] 1. Belonging or related to the subject or matter in hand; fit or appropriate in any way; adapted to the end proposed; apposite; material; relevant; as, pertinent illustrations or arguments; pertinent evidence.

2. Regarding; concerning; belonging; pertaining. [R.] "Pertinent unto faith." Hooker.

Syn. -- Apposite; relevant; suitable; appropriate; fit.

-- Per"ti*nent*ly, adv. -- Per"ti*nent*ness, n.

Pert"ly (?), adv. In a pert manner.

Pert"ness, n. The quality or state of being pert.

Per*tran"sient (?), a. [L. pertransiens, p. pr. of pertransire.] Passing through or over. [R.]

Per*turb" (?), v. t. [L. perturbare, perturbatum; per + turbare to disturb, fr. turba a disorder: cf. OF. perturber. See Per-, and Turbid.] 1. To disturb; to agitate; to vex; to trouble; to disquiet.

Ye that . . . perturb so my feast with crying.

Chaucer.

2. To disorder; to confuse. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Per*turb`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being perturbable.

Per*turb"a*ble (?), a. Liable to be perturbed or agitated; liable to be disturbed or disquieted.

Per*turb"ance (?), n. Disturbance; perturbation. [R.] "Perturbance of the mind." Sharp.

Per"tur*bate (?), v. t. [From L. perturbatus, p. p.] To perturb. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Per"tur*bate (?), a. Perturbed; agitated. [R.]

Per`tur*ba"tion (?), n. [L. perturbatio: cf. F. perturbation.] 1. The act of perturbing, or the state of being perturbed; esp., agitation of mind.

2. (Astron.) A disturbance in the regular elliptic or other motion of a heavenly body, produced by some force additional to that which causes its regular motion; as, the perturbations of the planets are caused by their attraction on each other. Newcomb.

Per`tur*ba"tion*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to perturbation, esp. to the perturbations of the planets. "The perturbational theory." Sir J. Herschel.

Per"tur*ba*tive (?), a. Tending to cause perturbation; disturbing. Sir J. Herschel.

Per"tur*ba`tor (?), n. A perturber. [R.]

Per*turbed" (?), a. Agitated; disturbed; troubled. Shak. -- Per*turb"ed*ly, adv.

Per*turb"er (?), n. One who, or that which, perturbs, or cause perturbation.

Per*tus"ate (?), a. [See Pertuse.] (Bot.) Pierced at the apex.

{ Per*tuse" (?), Per*tused" (?) }, a. [L. pertusus, p. p. of pertundere to beat or thrust through, to bore through; per + tundere to beat: cf. F. pertus. Cf. Pierce.] Punched; pierced with, or having, holes.

Per*tu"sion (?), n. [L. pertusio.] The act of punching or piercing with a pointed instrument; as, pertusion of a vein. [R.] Arbuthnot.

2. A punched hole; a perforation. Bacon.

||Per*tus"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. L. per through, very + tussis cough.] ||(Med.) The whooping cough.

Per"uke (?), n. [F. perruque, It. perrucca, parrucca, fr. L. pilus hair. Cf. Periwig, Wig, Peel to strip off, Plush, Pile a hair.] A wig; a periwig.

Per"uke, v. t. To dress with a peruke. [R.]

||Per"u*la (?), n.; pl. PerulÊ (#). [L., dim. of pera wallet, Gr. &?;: ||cf. F. pÈrule.] 1. (Bot.) One of the scales of a leaf bud.

2. (Bot.) A pouchlike portion of the perianth in certain orchides.

Per"ule (?), n. Same as Perula.

Pe*rus"al (?), n. [From Peruse.] 1. The act of carefully viewing or examining. [R.] Tatler.

2. The act of reading, especially of reading through or with care. Woodward.

Pe*ruse" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Perusing.] [Pref. per- + use.] 1. To observe; to examine with care. [R.]

Myself I then perused, and limb by limb Surveyed.

Milton.

2. To read through; to read carefully. Shak.

Pe*rus"er (?), n. One who peruses.

Pe*ru"vi*an (?), a. [Cf. F. pÈruvien, Sp. peruviano.] Of or pertaining to Peru, in South America. -- n. A native or an inhabitant of Peru.

Peruvian balsam. See Balsam of Peru, under Balsam. -- Peruvian bark, the bitter bark of trees of various species of Cinchona. It acts as a powerful tonic, and is a remedy for malarial diseases. This property is due to several alkaloids, as quinine, cinchonine, etc., and their compounds; -- called also Jesuit's bark, and cinchona. See Cinchona.

Per*vade" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pervaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Pervading.] [L. pervadere, pervasum; per + vadere to go, to walk. See Per-, and Wade.] 1. To pass or flow through, as an aperture, pore, or interstice; to permeate.

That labyrinth is easily pervaded.

Blackstone.

2. To pass or spread through the whole extent of; to be diffused throughout.

A spirit of cabal, intrigue, and proselytism pervaded all their
thoughts, words, and actions.

Burke.

Per*va"sion (?), n. [L. pervasio. See Pervade.] The act of pervading, passing, or spreading through the whole extent of a thing. Boyle.

Per*va"sive (?), a. Tending to pervade, or having power to spread throughout; of a pervading quality. "Civilization pervasive and general." M. Arnold.

<! p. 1072 !>

Per*verse" (?), a. [L. perversus turned the wrong way, not right, p. p. of pervertereto turn around, to overturn: cf. F. pervers. See Pervert.] 1. Turned aside; hence, specifically, turned away from the right; willfully erring; wicked; perverted.

The only righteous in a word perverse.

Milton.

2. Obstinate in the wrong; stubborn; intractable; hence, wayward; vexing; contrary.

To so perverse a sex all grace is vain.

Dryden.

Syn. -- Froward; untoward; wayward; stubborn; ungovernable; intractable; cross; petulant; vexatious. -- Perverse, Froward. One who is froward is capricious, and reluctant to obey. One who is perverse has a settled obstinacy of will, and likes or dislikes by the rule of contradiction to the will of others.

Per*versed" (?), a. Turned aside. [Obs.]

Per*vers"ed*ly (?), adv. Perversely. [Obs.]

Per*verse"ly, adv. In a perverse manner.

Per*verse"ness, n. The quality or state of being perverse. "Virtue hath some perverseness." Donne.

Per*ver"sion (?), n. [L. perversio: cf. F. perversion. See Pervert.] The act of perverting, or the state of being perverted; a turning from truth or right; a diverting from the true intent or object; a change to something worse; a turning or applying to a wrong end or use. "Violations and perversions of the laws." Bacon.

Per*ver"si*ty (?), n. [L. perversitas: cf. F. perversitÈ.] The quality or state of being perverse; perverseness.

Per*ver"sive (?), a.Tending to pervert.

Per*vert" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Perverting.] [F. pervertir, L. pervertere, perversum; per + vertere to turn. See Per-, and Verse.] 1. To turnanother way; to divert. [Obs.]

Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath.

Shak.

2. To turn from truth, rectitude, or propriety; to divert from a right use, end, or way; to lead astray; to corrupt; also, to misapply; to misinterpret designedly; as, to pervert one's words. Dryden.

He, in the serpent, had perverted Eve.

Milton.

Per*vert", v. i. To become perverted; to take the wrong course. [R.] Testament of Love.

Per"vert (?), n. One who has been perverted; one who has turned to error, especially in religion; -- opposed to convert. See the Synonym of Convert.

That notorious pervert, Henry of Navarre.

Thackeray.

Per*vert"er (?), n. One who perverts (a person or thing). "His own parents his perverters." South. "A perverter of his law." Bp. Stillingfleet.

Per*vert"i*ble (?), a. Capable of being perverted.

Per*ves"ti*gate (?), v. t. [L. pervestigatus, p. p. of pervestigare.] To investigate thoroughly. [Obs.]

Per*ves`ti*ga"tion (?), n. [L. pervestigatio.] Thorough investigation. [Obs.] Chillingworth.

Per"vi*al (?), a. [See Pervious.] Pervious. [Obs.] -- Per"vi*al*ly, adv. [Obs.] Chapman.

Per`vi*ca"cious (?), a. [L. pervicax, -acis.] Obstinate; willful; refractory. [Obs.] -- Per`vi*ca"cious*ly, adv. -- Per`vi*ca"cious*ness, n. [Obs.]

Per`vi*cac"i*ty (?), n. Obstinacy; pervicaciousness. [Obs.] Bentley.

Per"vi*ca*cy (?), n. [L. pervicacia.] Pervicacity. [Obs.]

Per*vig`i*la"tion (?), n. [L. pervigilatio, fr. pervigilare.] Careful watching. [Obs.]

Per"vi*ous (?), a. [L. pervis; per + via a way. See Per-, and Voyage.] 1. Admitting passage; capable of being penetrated by another body or substance; permeable; as, a pervious soil.

[Doors] . . . pervious to winds, and open every way.

Pope.

2. Capable of being penetrated, or seen through, by physical or mental vision. [R.]

God, whose secrets are pervious to no eye.

Jer. Taylor.

3. Capable of penetrating or pervading. [Obs.] Prior.

4. (Zoˆl.) Open; -- used synonymously with perforate, as applied to the nostrils or birds.

Per"vi*ous*ness, n. The quality or state of being pervious; as, the perviousness of glass. Boyle.

Per"vis (?), n. See Parvis.

Per"y (?), n. A pear tree. See Pirie. [Obs.]

||Pes (?), n.; pl. Pedes . [L., the foot.] (Anat.) The distal segment ||of the hind limb of vertebrates, including the tarsus and foot.

Pe*sade" (?), n. [F.] (Man.) The motion of a horse when, raising his fore quarters, he keeps his hind feet on the ground without advancing; rearing.

Pes"age (?), n. [F., fr. peser to weigh.] A fee, or toll, paid for the weighing of merchandise.

Pes"ane (?), n. (Anc. Armor.) See Pusane.

Pes"ant*ed (?), a. [F. pesant heavy.] Made heavy or dull; debased. [Obs.] "Pesanted to each lewd thought's control." Marston.

Pe*schit"o (?), n. See Peshito.

Pese (?), n. [See Pea.] A pea. [Obs.] Chaucer.

||Pe*se"ta (?), n. [Sp.] A Spanish silver coin, and money of account, ||equal to about nineteen cents, and divided into 100 centesimos.

{ Pe*shit"o (?), Pe*shit"to (?), } n. [Syriac peshÓt‚ simple.] The earliest Syriac version of the Old Testament, translated from Hebrew; also, the incomplete Syriac version of the New Testament. [Written also peschito.]

Pes"ky (?), a. [Etymol. uncertain.] Pestering; vexatious; troublesome. Used also as an intensive. [Colloq. & Low, U.S.] Judd.

||Pe"so (?), n. [Sp.] A Spanish dollar; also, an Argentine, Chilian, ||Colombian, etc., coin, equal to from 75 cents to a dollar; also, a ||pound weight.

Pes"sa*ry (?), n.; pl. Pessaries (#). [L. pessarium, pessum, pessus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. pessaire.] (Med.) (a) An instrument or device to be introduced into and worn in the vagina, to support the uterus, or remedy a malposition. (b) A medicinal substance in the form of a bolus or mass, designed for introduction into the vagina; a vaginal suppository.

Pes"si*mism (?), n. [L. pessimus worst, superl. of pejor worse: cf. F. pessimisme. Cf. Impair.] 1. (Metaph.) The opinion or doctrine that everything in nature is ordered for or tends to the worst, or that the world is wholly evil; -- opposed to optimism.

2. A disposition to take the least hopeful view of things.

Pes"si*mist (?), n. [L. pessimus worst: cf. F. pessimiste.] 1. (Metaph.) One who advocates the doctrine of pessimism; -- opposed to optimist.

2. One who looks on the dark side of things.

{ Pes"si*mist (?), Pes`si*mis"tic (?), } a. (Metaph.) Of or pertaining to pessimism; characterized by pessimism; gloomy; foreboding. "Giving utterance to pessimistic doubt." Encyc. Brit.

Pes`si*mis"tic*al (?), a. Pessimistic.

Pes"si*mize (?), v. i. To hold or advocate the doctrine of pessimism. London Sat. Rev.

||Pes"su*lus (?), n.; pl. Pessuli (#). [L., a bolt.] (Anat.) A delicate ||bar of cartilage connecting the dorsal and ventral extremities of the ||first pair of bronchial cartilages in the syrinx of birds.

Pest (?), n. [L. pestis: cf. F. peste.] 1. A fatal epidemic disease; a pestilence; specif., the plague.

England's sufferings by that scourge, the pest.

Cowper.

2. Anything which resembles a pest; one who, or that which, is troublesome, noxious, mischievous, or destructive; a nuisance. "A pest and public enemy." South.

Pes`ta*loz"zi*an (?), a. Belonging to, or characteristic of, a system of elementary education which combined manual training with other instruction, advocated and practiced by Jean Henri Pestalozzi (1746-1827), a Swiss teacher. -- n. An advocate or follower of the system of Pestalozzi.

Pes`ta*loz"zi*an*ism (?), n. The system of education introduced by Pestalozzi.

Pes"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pestered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pestering.] [Abbrev. fr. impester, fr. OF. empaistrier, empestrer, to entangle the feet or legs, to embarrass, F. empÍtrer; pref. em-, en- (L. in in) + LL. pastorium, pastoria, a fetter by which horses are prevented from wandering in the pastures, fr. L. pastorius belonging to a herdsman or shepherd, pastor a herdsman. See In, and Pasture, Pastor.] 1. To trouble; to disturb; to annoy; to harass with petty vexations.

We are pestered with mice and rats.

Dr. H. More.

A multitude of scribblers daily pester the world.

Dryden.

2. To crowd together in an annoying way; to overcrowd; to infest. [Obs.] Milton.

All rivers and pools . . . pestered full with fishes.

Holland.

Pes"ter*er (?), n. One who pesters or harasses.

Pes"ter*ment (?), n. The act of pestering, or the state of being pestered; vexation; worry. "The trouble and pesterment of children." B. Franklin.

Pes"ter*ous (?), a.Inclined to pester. Also, vexatious; encumbering; burdensome. [Obs.] Bacon.

Pest"ful (?), a. Pestiferous. "After long and pestful calms." Coleridge.

Pest`house" (?), n. A house or hospital for persons who are infected with any pestilential disease.

Pes"ti*duct (?), n. [L. pestis pest + ductus a leading, fr. ducere to lead.] That which conveys contagion or infection. [Obs.] Donne.

Pes*tif"er*ous (?), a. [L. pestiferus, pestifer; pestis pest + ferre to bear: cf. F. pestifËre.] 1. Pest-bearing; pestilential; noxious to health; malignant; infectious; contagious; as, pestiferous bodies. "Poor, pestiferous creatures begging alms." Evelyn. "Unwholesome and pestiferous occupations." Burke.

2. Noxious to peace, to morals, or to society; vicious; hurtful; destructive; as, a pestiferous demagogue.

Pestiferous reports of men very nobly held.

Shak.

Pes*tif"er*ous*ly, adv. In a pestiferuos manner.

Pes"ti*lence (?), n. [F. pestilence, L. pestilentia. See Pestilent.] 1. Specifically, the disease known as the plague; hence, any contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating.

The pestilence That walketh in darkness.

Ps. xci. 6.

2. Fig.: That which is pestilent, noxious, or pernicious to the moral character of great numbers.

I'll pour this pestilence into his ear.

Shak.

Pestilence weed (Bot.), the butterbur coltsfoot (Petasites vulgaris), so called because formerly considered a remedy for the plague. Dr. Prior.

Pes"ti*lent (?), a. [L. pestilens, -entis, fr. pestis pest: cf. F. pestilent.] Pestilential; noxious; pernicious; mischievous. "Corrupt and pestilent." Milton. "What a pestilent knave is this same!" Shak.

Pes`ti*len"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. pestilentiel.] 1. Having the nature or qualities of a pestilence. "Sends the pestilential vapors." Longfellow.

2. Hence: Mischievous; noxious; pernicious; morally destructive.

So pestilential, so infectious a thing is sin.

Jer. Taylor.

Pes`ti*len"tial*ly, adv. Pestilently.

Pes`ti*len"tious (?), a. Pestilential. [Obs.]

Pes"ti*lent*ly (?), adv. In a pestilent manner; mischievously; destructively. "Above all measure pestilently noisome." Dr. H. More.

Pes"ti*lent*ness, n. The quality of being pestilent.

Pes`til*la"tion (?), n. [LL. pestillum, L. pistillum. See Pestle.] The act of pounding and bruising with a pestle in a mortar. Sir T. Browne.

Pes"tle (ps"'l; 277), n. [OE. pestel, OF. pestel, LL. pestellum, L. pistillum, pistillus, a pounder, pestle, fr. pisere, pinsere, to pound, crush, akin to Gr. &?;, Skr. pish. Cf. Pistil.] 1. An implement for pounding and breaking or braying substances in a mortar.

2. A constable's or bailiff's staff; -- so called from its shape. [Obs.] Chapman.

3. The leg and leg bone of an animal, especially of a pig; as, a pestle of pork.

Pes"tle (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Pestled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pestling (?).] To pound, pulverize, bray, or mix with a pestle, or as with a pestle; to use a pestle.

Pet (?), n. [Formerly peat, perhaps from Ir. peat, akin to Gael. peata.] 1. A cade lamb; a lamb brought up by hand.

2. Any person or animal especially cherished and indulged; a fondling; a darling; often, a favorite child.

The love of cronies, pets, and favorites.

Tatler.

3. [Prob. fr. Pet a fondling, hence, the behavior or humor of a spoiled child.] A slight fit of peevishness or fretfulness. "In a pet she started up." Tennyson.

Pet, a. Petted; indulged; admired; cherished; as, a pet child; a pet lamb; a pet theory.

Some young lady's pet curate.

F. Harrison.

Pet cock. [Perh. for petty cock.] (Mach.) A little faucet in a water pipe or pump, to let air out, or at the end of a steam cylinder, to drain it.

Pet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Petted; p. pr. & vb. n. Petting.] To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge; as, she was petted and spoiled.

Pet, v. i. To be a pet. Feltham.

Pet"al (?), n. [Gr. &?; a leaf, a leaf or plate of metal, fr. &?; outspread, broad, flat: cf. F. pÈtale. See Fathom.] 1. (Bot.) One of the leaves of the corolla, or the colored leaves of a flower. See Corolla, and Illust. of Flower.

2. (Zoˆl.) One of the expanded ambulacra which form a rosette on the black of certain Echini.

Pet"aled (?), a. (Bot.) Having petals; as, a petaled flower; -- opposed to apetalous, and much used in compounds; as, one-petaled, three-petaled, etc.

Pet`al*if"er*ous (?), a. [Petal + -ferous.] Bearing petals.

Pe*tal"i*form (?), a. (Bot.) Having the form of a petal; petaloid; petal-shaped.

Pet"al*ine (?), a. [Cf. F. pÈtalin.] (Bot.) Pertaining to a petal; attached to, or resembling, a petal.

Pet"al*ism (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a leaf: cf. F. pÈtalisme.] (Gr. Antiq.) A form of sentence among the ancient Syracusans by which they banished for five years a citizen suspected of having dangerous influence or ambition. It was similar to the ostracism in Athens; but olive leaves were used instead of shells for ballots.

Pet"al*ite (?), n. [Cf. F. pÈtalite.] (Min.) A rare mineral, occurring crystallized and in cleavable masses, usually white, or nearly so, in color. It is a silicate of aluminia and lithia.

Pe*tal"o*dy (?), n. [Petal + Gr. &?; form.] (Bot.) The metamorphosis of various floral organs, usually stamens, into petals.

Pet"al*oid (?), a. [Petal + - oid: cf. F. pÈtaloÔde.] (Bot.) Petaline.

Pet`al*oid"e*ous (?), a. (Bot.) Having the whole or part of the perianth petaline.

Petaloideous division, that division of endogenous plants in which the perianth is wholly or partly petaline, embracing the LiliaceÊ, OrchidaceÊ, AmaryllideÊ, etc.

||Pet`a*los"ti*cha (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; a leaf + &?; a row.] ||(Zoˆl.) An order of Echini, including the irregular sea urchins, as ||the spatangoids. See Spatangoid.

Pet"al*ous (?), a. Having petals; petaled; -- opposed to apetalous.

||Pet"a*lum (?), n.; pl. Petala (#). [NL.] A petal.

Pe*tar" (?), n. See Petard. [Obs.] "Hoist with his own petar." Shak.

Pe*tard" (?), n. [F. pÈtard, fr. pÈter to break wind, to crack, to explode, L. pedere, peditum.] (Mil.) A case containing powder to be exploded, esp. a conical or cylindrical case of metal filled with powder and attached to a plank, to be exploded against and break down gates, barricades, drawbridges, etc. It has been superseded.

{ Pet`ar*deer", Pet`ar*dier" } (?), n. [F. pÈtardier.] (Mil.) One who managed a petard.

||Pet"a*sus (?), n. [L., from Gr. &?;.] (Gr. & Rom. Antiq.) The winged ||cap of Mercury; also, a broad-brimmed, low-crowned hat worn by Greeks ||and Romans.

Pe*tau"rist (?), n. [L. petaurista a ropedancer, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to dance on a rope, fr. &?; a pole, a stage for ropedancers: cf. F. pÈtauriste.] (Zoˆl.) Any flying marsupial of the genera Petaurus, Phalangista, Acrobata, and allied genera. See Flying mouse, under Flying, and Phalangister.

||Pe*tech"i*Ê (?), n. pl.; sing. Petechia (&?;). [NL., fr. LL. ||peteccia; cf. F. pÈtÈchie, It. petecchia, Sp. petequia, Gr. &?; a ||label, plaster.] (Med.) Small crimson, purple, or livid spots, like ||flea-bites, due to extravasation of blood, which appear on the skin ||in malignant fevers, etc.

Pe*tech"i*al (?), a. [Cf. F. pÈtÈchial, LL. petecchialis.] (Med.) Characterized by, or pertaining to, petechiÊ; spotted.

Petechial fever, a malignant fever, accompanied with livid spots on the skin.

Pe"ter (?), n. A common baptismal name for a man. The name of one of the apostles,

Peter boat, a fishing boat, sharp at both ends, originally of the Baltic Sea, but now common in certain English rivers. -- Peter Funk, the auctioneer in a mock auction. [Cant, U.S.] -- Peter pence, or Peter's pence. (a) An annual tax or tribute, formerly paid by the English people to the pope, being a penny for every house, payable on Lammas or St.Peter's day; -- called also Rome scot, and hearth money. (b) In modern times, a voluntary contribution made by Roman Catholics to the private purse of the pope. -- Peter's fish (Zoˆl.), a haddock; -- so called because the black spots, one on each side, behind the gills, are traditionally said to have been caused by the fingers of St. Peter, when he caught the fish to pay the tribute. The name is applied, also, to other fishes having similar spots.

<! p. 1073 !>

Pet"er (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Petered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Petering.] [Etymol. uncertain.] To become exhausted; to run out; to fail; -- used generally with out; as, that mine has petered out. [Slang, U.S.]

Pet"er*el (?), n. (Zoˆl.) See Petrel.

Pet`e*re"ro (?), n. (Mil.) See Pederero.

Pe"ter*man (?), n.; pl. Petermen (&?;). A fisherman; -- so called after the apostle Peter. [An obs. local term in Eng.] Chapman.

Pe"ter*sham (?), n. [Named after Lord Petersham.] A rough, knotted woolen cloth, used chiefly for men's overcoats; also, a coat of that material.

Pe"ter*wort` (?), n. (Bot.) See Saint Peter's-wort, under Saint.

{ Pet"i*o*lar (?), Pet"i*o*la*ry (?), } a. [Cf. F. pÈtiolarie.] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to petiole, or proceeding from it; as, a petiolar tendril; growing or supported upon a petiole; as, a petiolar gland; a petiolar bud.

{ Pet"i*o*late (?), Pet"i*o*la`ted (?), } a. (Bot. & Zoˆl.) Having a stalk or petiole; as, a petioleate leaf; the petiolated abdomen of certain Hymenoptera.

Pet"i*ole (?), n. [F. pÈtiole, fr. L. petiolus a little foot, a fruit stalk; cf. pes, pedis, a foot.] 1. (Bot.) A leafstalk; the footstalk of a leaf, connecting the blade with the stem. See Illust. of Leaf.

2. (Zoˆl.) A stalk or peduncle.

Pet"i*oled (?), a. Petiolate.

Pet`i*ol"u*late (?), a. (Bot.) Supported by its own petiolule. Gray.

Pet"i*o*lule (?), n. [Cf. F. pÈtiolule.] (Bot.) A small petiole, or the petiole of a leaflet.

Pet"it (?), a. [F. See Petty.] Small; little; insignificant; mean; -- Same as Petty. [Obs., except in legal language.]

By what small, petit hints does the mind catch hold of and recover
a vanishing notion.

South.

Petit constable, an inferior civil officer, subordinate to the high constable. -- Petit jury, a jury of twelve men, impaneled to try causes at the bar of a court; -- so called in distinction from the grand jury. -- Petit larceny, the stealing of goods of, or under, a certain specified small value; -- opposed to grand larceny. The distinction is abolished in England. -- Petit maÓtre (&?;). [F., lit., little master.] A fop; a coxcomb; a ladies' man. Goldsmith. -- Petit serjeanty (Eng. Law), the tenure of lands of the crown, by the service of rendering annually some implement of war, as a bow, an arrow, a sword, a flag, etc. -- Petit treason, formerly, in England, the crime of killing a person to whom the offender owed duty or subjection, as one's husband, master, mistress, etc. The crime is now not distinguished from murder.

Pe*ti"tion (?), n. [F. pÈtition, L. petitio, fr. petere, petitum, to beg, ask, seek; perh. akin to E. feather, or find.] 1. A prayer; a supplication; an imploration; an entreaty; especially, a request of a solemn or formal kind; a prayer to the Supreme Being, or to a person of superior power, rank, or authority; also, a single clause in such a prayer.

A house of prayer and petition for thy people.

1 Macc. vii. 37.

This last petition heard of all her prayer.

Dryden.

2. A formal written request addressed to an official person, or to an organized body, having power to grant it; specifically (Law), a supplication to government, in either of its branches, for the granting of a particular grace or right; -- in distinction from a memorial, which calls certain facts to mind; also, the written document.

Petition of right (Law), a petition to obtain possession or restitution of property, either real or personal, from the Crown, which suggests such a title as controverts the title of the Crown, grounded on facts disclosed in the petition itself. Mozley & W. -- The Petition of Right (Eng. Hist.), the parliamentary declaration of the rights of the people, assented to by Charles I.

Pe*ti"tion, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Petitioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Petitioning.] To make a prayer or request to; to ask from; to solicit; to entreat; especially, to make a formal written supplication, or application to, as to any branch of the government; as, to petition the court; to petition the governor.

You have . . . petitioned all the gods for my prosperity.

Shak.

Pe*ti"tion, v. i. To make a petition or solicitation.

Pe*ti"tion*a*ri*ly (?), adv. By way of begging the question; by an assumption. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Pe*ti"tion*a*ry (?), a. 1. Supplicatory; making a petition.

Pardon Rome, and any petitionary countrymen.

Shak.

2. Containing a petition; of the nature of a petition; as, a petitionary epistle. Swift.

Pe*ti`tion*ee" (?), n. A person cited to answer, or defend against, a petition.

Pe*ti"tion*er (?), n. One who presents a petition.

Pe*ti"tion*ing, n. The act of presenting apetition; a supplication.

Pet"i*tor (?), n. [L., fr. petere to seek.] One who seeks or asks; a seeker; an applicant. [R.] Fuller.

Pet"i*to*ry (?), a. [L. petitorius, fr. petere, petitum, to beg, ask: cf. F. pÈtitore.] Petitioning; soliciting; supplicating. Sir W. Hamilton.

Petitory suit or action (Admiralty Law), a suit in which the mere title to property is litigated and sought to be enforced, as distinguished from a possessory suit; also (Scots Law), a suit wherein the plaintiff claims something as due him by the defendant. Burrill.

Pe*tong" (?), n. (Metal.) See Packfong.

Pe*tral"o*gy (?), n. See Petrology.

Pet"ra*ry (?), n. [L. petra stone. Cf. Sp. petraria, and E. Pederero.] An ancient war engine for hurling stones.

Pe"tre (p"tr), n. See Saltpeter.

Pe*tre"an (p*tr"an), a. [L. petraeus, Gr. petrai^os, fr. pe`tra a rock.] Of or pertaining to rock. G. S. Faber.

Pe"trel (?), n. [F. pÈtrel; a dim. of the name Peter, L. Petrus, Gr. &?; a stone (John i. 42); -- probably so called in allusion to St. Peter's walking on the sea. See Petrify.] (Zoˆl.) Any one of numerous species of longwinged sea birds belonging to the family ProcellaridÊ. The small petrels, or Mother Carey's chickens, belong to Oceanites, Oceanodroma, Procellaria, and several allied genera.

Diving petrel, any bird of the genus Pelecanoides. They chiefly inhabit the southern hemisphere. -- Fulmar petrel, Giant petrel. See Fulmar. -- Pintado petrel, the Cape pigeon. See under Cape. -- Pintado petrel, any one of several small petrels, especially Procellaria pelagica, or Mother Carey's chicken, common on both sides of the Atlantic.

Pe*tres"cence (?), n. The process of changing into stone; petrification.

Pe*tres"cent (?), a. [L. petra rock, stone, Gr. &?;.] Petrifying; converting into stone; as, petrescent water. Boyle.

Pet`ri*fac"tion (?), n. [See Petrify.] 1. The process of petrifying, or changing into stone; conversion of any organic matter (animal or vegetable) into stone, or a substance of stony hardness.

2. The state or condition of being petrified.

3. That which is petrified; popularly, a body incrusted with stony matter; an incrustation.

4. Fig.: Hardness; callousness; obduracy. "Petrifaction of the soul." Cudworth.

Pet`ri*fac"tive (?), a. 1. Having the quality of converting organic matter into stone; petrifying.

2. Pertaining to, or characterized by, petrifaction.

The . . . petrifactive mutations of hard bodies.

Sir T. Browne.

Pe*trif"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. pÈtrifique.] Petrifying; petrifactive.

Death with his mace petrific, cold and dry.

Milton.

Pet"ri*fi*cate (?), v. t. To petrify. [Obs.]

Our hearts petrificated were.

J. Hall (1646).

Pet`ri*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. pÈtrification. See Petrify.] 1. See Petrifaction.

2. Fig.: Obduracy; callousness. Hallywell.

Pet"ri*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Petrified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Petrifying (?).] [L. petra rock, Gr. &?; (akin to &?; a stone) + -fy: cf. F. pÈtrifier. Cf. Parrot, Petrel, Pier.] 1. To convert, as any animal or vegetable matter, into stone or stony substance.

A river that petrifies any sort of wood or leaves.

Kirwan.

2. To make callous or obdurate; to stupefy; to paralyze; to transform; as by petrifaction; as, to petrify the heart. Young. "Petrifying accuracy." Sir W. Scott.

And petrify a genius to a dunce.

Pope.

The poor, petrified journeyman, quite unconscious of what he was
doing.

De Quincey.

A hideous fatalism, which ought, logically, to petrify your
volition.

G. Eliot.

Pet"ri*fy, v. i. 1. To become stone, or of a stony hardness, as organic matter by calcareous deposits.

2. Fig.: To become stony, callous, or obdurate.

Like Niobe we marble grow, And petrify with grief.

Dryden.

Pe"trine (?), a. Of or pertaining to St.Peter; as, the Petrine Epistles.

Pet"ro- (?). A combining form from Gr. &?; a rock, &?; a stone; as, petrology, petroglyphic.

Pe*trog"a*le (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a rock + &?; a weasel.] (Zoˆl.) Any Australian kangaroo of the genus Petrogale, as the rock wallaby (P. penicillata).

Pet`ro*glyph"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to petroglyphy.

Pe*trog"ly*phy (?), n. [Petro + Gr. &?; to carve.] The art or operation of carving figures or inscriptions on rock or stone.

{ Pet`ro*graph"ic (?), Pet`ro*graph"ic*al (?), } a. Pertaining to petrography.

Pe*trog"ra*phy (?), n. [Petro + -graphy.] 1. The art of writing on stone.

2. The scientific description of rocks; that department of science which investigates the constitution of rocks; petrology.

Pet`ro*hy"oid (?), a. [Petro + hyoid.] (Anat.) Pertaining to petrous, oe periotic, portion of the skull and the hyoid arch; as, the petrohyoid muscles of the frog.

Pe*trol" (?), n. Petroleum. [R.]

Pet`ro*la"tum (?), n. (Chem. & Pharm.) A semisolid unctuous substance, neutral, and without taste or odor, derived from petroleum by distilling off the lighter portions and purifying the residue. It is a yellowish, fatlike mass, transparent in thin layers, and somewhat fluorescent. It is used as a bland protective dressing, and as a substitute for fatty materials in ointments. U. S. Pharm.

Petrolatum is the official name for the purified product. Cosmoline and vaseline are commercial names for substances essentially the same, but differing slightly in appearance and consistency or fusibility.

Pe*tro"le*um (?), n. [NL., fr. L. petra a rock + oleum oil: cf. F. pÈtrole. Cf. Petrify, and Oil.] Rock oil, mineral oil, or natural oil, a dark brown or greenish inflammable liquid, which, at certain points, exists in the upper strata of the earth, from whence it is pumped, or forced by pressure of the gas attending it. It consists of a complex mixture of various hydrocarbons, largely of the methane series, but may vary much in appearance, composition, and properties. It is refined by distillation, and the products include kerosene, benzine, gasoline, paraffin, etc.

Petroleum spirit, a volatile liquid obtained in the distillation of crude petroleum at a temperature of 170∞ Fahr., or below. The term is rather loosely applied to a considerable range of products, including benzine and ligroin. The terms petroleum ether, and naphtha, are sometimes applied to the still more volatile products, including rhigolene, gasoline, cymogene, etc.

{ ||PÈ`tro`leur" (?), n. m. ||PÈ`tro`leuse" (?), n. f. }[F.] One who makes use of petroleum for incendiary purposes.

Pet"ro*line (?), n. (Chem.) A paraffin obtained from petroleum from Rangoon in India, and practically identical with ordinary paraffin.

{ Pet`ro*log"ic (?), Pet`ro*log"ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to petrology.

Pet`ro*log"ic*al*ly, adv. According to petrology.

Pe*trol"o*gist (?), n. One who is versed in petrology.

Pe*trol"o*gy (?), n. [Petro + -logy.] 1. The department of science which is concerned with the mineralogical and chemical composition of rocks, and with their classification: lithology.

2. A treatise on petrology.

Pet`ro*mas"toid (?), a. [Petro + mastoid.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the petrous and mastoid parts of the temporal bone, periotic.

Pet`ro*my"zont (?), n. [Petro + Gr. &?; to suck in.] (Zoˆl.) A lamprey.

Pet`ro*nel (?), n. [OF. petrinal, fr. peitrine, petrine, the breast, F. poitrine; so called because it was placed against the breast in order to fire. See Poitrel.] A sort of hand cannon, or portable firearm, used in France in the 15th century.

Pe*tro"sal (?), a. [See Petrous.] (Anat.) (a) Hard; stony; petrous; as, the petrosal bone; petrosal part of the temporal bone. (b) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the petrous, or petrosal, bone, or the corresponding part of the temporal bone.

Petrosal bone (Anat.), a bone corresponding to the petrous portion of the temporal bone of man; or one forming more or less of the periotic capsule.

Pe*tro"sal, n. (Anat.) (a) A petrosal bone. (b) The auditory capsule. Owen.

Pet`ro*si"lex (?), n. [Petro + silex.] (Min.) Felsite.

Pet`ro*si*li"cious (?), a. Containing, or consisting of, petrosilex.

Pet`ro*ste"a*rine (?), n. [Petro + stearine.] A solid unctuous material, of which candles are made.

Pe"trous (?), a. [L. petrosus, fr. petra a stone.] 1. Like stone; hard; stony; rocky; as, the petrous part of the temporal bone. Hooper.

2. (Anat.) Same as Petrosal.

Pet"ti*chaps (?), n. (Zoˆl.) See Pettychaps.

Pet"ti*coat (?), n. (Zoˆl.) [Petty + coat.] A loose under-garment worn by women, and covering the body below the waist.

Petticoat government, government by women, whether in politics or domestic affairs. [Colloq.] -- Petticoat pipe (Locomotives), a short, flaring pipe surrounding the blast nozzle in the smoke box, to equalize the draft.

Pet"ti*fog (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pettifogged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pettifogging (?).] [Petty + fog to pettifog.] To do a petty business as a lawyer; also, to do law business in a petty or tricky way. "He takes no money, but pettifogs gratis." S. Butler.

Pet"ti*fog, v. t. To advocate like a pettifogger; to argue trickily; as, to pettifog a claim. [Colloq.]

Pet"ti*fog`ger (?), n. A lawyer who deals in petty cases; an attorney whose methods are mean and tricky; an inferior lawyer.

A pettifogger was lord chancellor.

Macaulay.

Pet"ti*fog`ger*y (?), n.; pl. - ies (&?;). The practice or arts of a pettifogger; disreputable tricks; quibbles.

Quirks of law, and pettifoggeries.

Barrow.

Pet"ti*fog`ging (?), a. Paltry; quibbling; mean.

Pet"ti*fog`ging, n. Pettifoggery.

Pet`ti*fog"u*lize (?), v. i. To act as a pettifogger; to use contemptible tricks. De Quincey.

Pet"ti*ly, adv. In a petty manner; frivolously.

Pet"ti*ness, n. The quality or state of being petty or paltry; littleness; meanness.

Pet"tish (?), a. [From Pet.] Fretful; peevish; moody; capricious; inclined to ill temper. "A pettish kind of humor." Sterne. -- Pet"tish*ly, adv. -- Pet"tish*ness, n.

Pet"ti*toes (?), n. pl. [Petty + toes.] The toes or feet of a pig, -- often used as food; sometimes, in contempt, the human feet. Shak.

||Pet"to (?), n. [It., fr. L. pectus.] The breast.

In petto, in the breast; hence, in secrecy; in reserve.

Pet"ty (?), a. [Compar. Pettier (?); superl. Pettiest.] [OE. petit, F. petit; probably of Celtic origin, and akin to E. piece. Cf. Petit.] Little; trifling; inconsiderable; also, inferior; subordinate; as, a petty fault; a petty prince. Denham.

Like a petty god I walked about, admired of all.

Milton.

Petty averages. See under Average. -- Petty cash, money expended or received in small items or amounts. -- Petty officer, a subofficer in the navy, as a gunner, etc., corresponding to a noncommissionned officer in the army.

For petty constable, petty jury, petty larceny, petty treason, See Petit.

Syn. -- Little; diminutive; inconsiderable; inferior; trifling; trivial; unimportant; frivolous.

<! p. 1074 !>

Pet"ty*chaps (?), n. (Zoˆl.) Any one of several species of small European singing birds of the subfamily SylviinÊ, as the willow warbler, the chiff- chaff, and the golden warbler (Sylvia hortensis).

Pet"ty*whin (?), n. [Petty + whin.] (Bot.) The needle furze. See under Needle.

{ Pet"u*lance (?), Pet"u*lan*cy (?), } n. [L. petulania: cf. F. pÈtulance. See Petulant.] The quality or state of being petulant; temporary peevishness; pettishness; capricious ill humor. "The petulancy of our words." B. Jonson.

Like pride in some, and like petulance in others.

Clarendon.

The lowering eye, the petulance, the frown.

Cowper.

Syn. -- Petulance, Peevishness. -- Peevishness implies the permanence of a sour, fretful temper; petulance implies temporary or capricious irritation.

Pet"u*lant (?), a. [L. petulans, -antis, prop., making slight attacks upon, from a lost dim. of petere to fall upon, to attack: cf. F. pÈtulant. See Petition.] 1. Forward; pert; insolent; wanton. [Obs.] Burton.

2. Capriciously fretful; characterized by ill- natured freakishness; irritable. "Petulant moods." Macaulay.

Syn. -- Irritable; ill-humored; peevish; cross; fretful; querulous.

Pet"u*lant*ly, adv. In a petulant manner.

Pe*tul"ci*ty (?), n. [See Petulcous.] Wantonness; friskiness. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Pe*tul"cous (?), a. [L. petulcus. Cf. Petulant.] Wanton; frisky; lustful. [Obs.] J. V. Cane.

Pe*tu"ni*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Braz. petun tobacco.] (Bot.) A genus of solanaceous herbs with funnelform or salver-shaped corollas. Two species are common in cultivation, Petunia violacera, with reddish purple flowers, and P. nyctaginiflora, with white flowers. There are also many hybrid forms with variegated corollas.

{ Pe*tunse", Pe*tuntse", Pe*tuntze" } (?), n. [From Chinese.] Powdered fledspar, kaolin, or quartz, used in the manufacture of porcelain.

Pet"worth mar"ble (?). A kind of shell marble occurring in the Wealden clay at Petworth, in Sussex, England; -- called also Sussex marble.

Petz"ite (?), n. [From Petz, who analyzed it.] (Min.) A telluride of silver and gold, related to hessite.

Peu*ced"a*nin (?), n. (Chem.) A tasteless white crystalline substance, extracted from the roots of the sulphurwort (Peucedanum), masterwort (Imperatoria), and other related plants; -- called also imperatorin.

Peu"cil (?), n. [Gr. &?; pine tree.] (Chem.) A liquid resembling camphene, obtained by treating turpentine hydrochloride with lime. [Written also peucyl.]

Pew (?), n. [OE. pewe, OF. puie parapet, balustrade, balcony, fr. L. podium an elevated place, a jutty, balcony, a parapet or balcony in the circus, where the emperor and other distinguished persons sat, Gr. &?;, dim. of &?;, &?;, foot; -- hence the Latin sense of a raised place (orig. as a rest or support for the foot). See Foot, and cf. Podium, Poy.] 1. One of the compartments in a church which are separated by low partitions, and have long seats upon which several persons may sit; -- sometimes called slip. Pews were originally made square, but are now usually long and narrow.

2. Any structure shaped like a church pew, as a stall, formerly used by money lenders, etc.; a box in theater; a pen; a sheepfold. [Obs.] Pepys. Milton.

Pew opener, an usher in a church. [Eng.] Dickens.

Pew, v. t. To furnish with pews. [R.] Ash.

Pe"wee (?), n. [So called from its note.] 1. (Zoˆl.) A common American tyrant flycatcher (Sayornis phúbe, or S. fuscus). Called also pewit, and phúbe.

2. The woodcock. [Local, U.S.]

Wood pewee (Zoˆl.), a bird (Contopus virens) similar to the pewee (See Pewee, 1), but of smaller size.

Pe"wet (?), n. (Zoˆl.) Same as Pewit.

Pew"fel`low (?), n. 1. One who occupies the same pew with another.

2. An intimate associate; a companion. Shak.

Pe"wit (?), n. [Prob. of imitative origin; cf. OD. piewit, D. kievit, G. kibitz.] (Zoˆl.) (a) The lapwing. (b) The European black-headed, or laughing, gull (Xema ridibundus). See under Laughing. (c) The pewee. [Written also peevit, peewit, pewet.]

Pew"ter (?), n. [OE. pewtyr, OF. peutre, peautre, piautre: cf. D. peauter, piauter, It. peltro, Sp. & Pg. peltre, LL. peutreum, pestrum. Cf. Spelter.] 1. A hard, tough, but easily fusible, alloy, originally consisting of tin with a little lead, but afterwards modified by the addition of copper, antimony, or bismuth.

2. Utensils or vessels made of pewter, as dishes, porringers, drinking vessels, tankards, pots.

Pewter was formerly much used for domestic utensils. Inferior sorts contain a large proportion of lead.

Pew"ter*er (?), n. One whose occupation is to make utensils of pewter; a pewtersmith. Shak.

Pew"ter*y (?), a. Belonging to, or resembling, pewter; as, a pewtery taste.

Pex"i*ty (?), n. [L. pexitas, fr. pexus woolly, nappy, p. p. of pectere to comb.] Nap of cloth. [Obs.]

Pey"er's glands` (?). [So called from J. K. Peyer, who described them in 1677.] (Anat.) Patches of lymphoid nodules, in the walls of the small intestiness; agminated glands; -- called also Peyer's patches. In typhoid fever they become the seat of ulcers which are regarded as the characteristic organic lesion of that disease.

Pey"trel (?), n. [OF. peitral. See Poitrel.] (Anc. Armor) The breastplate of a horse's armor or harness. [Spelt also peitrel.] See Poitrel. [Obs.] Chaucer.

||Pe*zi"za (?), n. [NL., corrupt. from L. pezica a sessile mushroom, ||fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, &?;, a foot.] (Bot.) A genus of fungi embracing ||a great number of species, some of which are remarkable for their ||regular cuplike form and deep colors.

Pez"i*zoid (?), a. [Peziza + - oid.] (Bot.) Resembling a fungus of the genus Peziza; having a cuplike form.