Chapter XXVII: Part 27

Post-tem"po*ral (?), a. [Pref. post- + temporal.] (Anat.) Situated back of the temporal bone or the temporal region of the skull; -- applied especially to a bone which usually connects the supraclavicle with the skull in the pectoral arch of fishes. -- n. A post-temporal bone.

Post*ter"ti*a*ry (?), a. [Pref. post- + tertiary.] (Geol.) Following, or more recent than, the Tertiary; Quaternary.

||Post"-tra`gus (?), n. [NL. See Post-, and Tragus.] (Anat.) A ridge ||within and behind the tragus in the ear of some animals.

Post`-tym*pan"ic (?), a. [Pref. post- + tympanic.] (Anat.) Situated behind the tympanum, or in the skull, behind the auditory meatus.

Pos"tu*lant (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L. postulans, p. pr. of postulare. See Postulate.] One who makes a request or demand; hence, a candidate.

Pos"tu*late (?), n. [L. postulatum a demand, request, prop. p. p. of postulare to demand, prob. a dim. of poscere to demand, prob. for porcscere; akin to G. forschen to search, investigate, Skr. prach to ask, and L. precari to pray: cf. F. postulat. See Pray.] 1. Something demanded or asserted; especially, a position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident; a truth to which assent may be demanded or challenged, without argument or evidence.

2. (Geom.) The enunciation of a self- evident problem, in distinction from an axiom, which is the enunciation of a self-evident theorem.

The distinction between a postulate and an axiom lies in this, --
that the latter is admitted to be self-evident, while the former
may be agreed upon between two reasoners, and admitted by both, but
not as proposition which it would be impossible to deny.

Eng. Cyc.

Pos"tu*late, a. Postulated. [Obs.] Hudibras.

Pos"tu*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Postulating.] 1. To beg, or assume without proof; as, to postulate conclusions.

2. To take without express consent; to assume.

The Byzantine emperors appear to have . . . postulated a sort of
paramount supremacy over this nation.

W. Tooke.

3. To invite earnestly; to solicit. [Obs.] Bp. Burnet.

Pos"tu*la`ted (?), a. Assumed without proof; as, a postulated inference. Sir T. Browne.

Pos`tu*la"tion (?), n. [L. postulatio: cf. F. postulation.] The act of postulating, or that which is postulated; assumption; solicitation; suit; cause.

Pos"tu*la*to*ry (?), a. [L. postulatorius.] Of the nature of a postulate. Sir T. Browne.

||Pos`tu*la"tum (?), n.; pl. Postulata (#). [L. See Postulate, n.] A ||postulate. Addison.

Pos"tu*mous (?), a. See Posthumous. [R.]

Pos"tur*al (?; 135), a. Of or pertaining to posture.

Pos"ture (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L. positura, fr. ponere, positum, to place. See Position.] 1. The position of the body; the situation or disposition of the several parts of the body with respect to each other, or for a particular purpose; especially (Fine Arts), the position of a figure with regard to the several principal members by which action is expressed; attitude.

Atalanta, the posture of whose limbs was so lively expressed . . .
one would have sworn the very picture had run.

Sir P. Sidney.

In most strange postures We have seen him set himself.

Shak.

The posture of a poetic figure is a description of his heroes in
the performance of such or such an action.

Dryden.

2. Place; position; situation. [Obs.] Milton.

His [man's] noblest posture and station in this world.

Sir M. Hale.

3. State or condition, whether of external circumstances, or of internal feeling and will; disposition; mood; as, a posture of defense; the posture of affairs.

The several postures of his devout soul.

Atterbury.

Syn. -- Attitude; position. See Attitude.

Pos"ture (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Postured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Posturing.] To place in a particular position or attitude; to dispose the parts of, with reference to a particular purpose; as, to posture one's self; to posture a model. Howell.

Pos"ture, v. i. 1. To assume a particular posture or attitude; to contort the body into artificial attitudes, as an acrobat or contortionist; also, to pose.

2. Fig.: To assume a character; as, to posture as a saint.

Pos`tur*er (?), n. One who postures.

||Post*zyg`a*poph"y*sis (?), n.; pl. Postzygapophyses (#). [NL. See ||Post- , and Zygapophysis.] (Anat.) A posterior zygapophysis.

Po"sy (?), n.; pl. Posies (#). [Contr. fr. poesy.] 1. A brief poetical sentiment; hence, any brief sentiment, motto, or legend; especially, one inscribed on a ring. "The posy of a ring." Shak.

2. [Probably so called from the use of flowers as having an enigmatical significance. Wedgwood.] A flower; a bouquet; a nosegay. "Bridegroom's posies." Spenser.

We make a difference between suffering thistles to grow among us,
and wearing them for posies.

Swift.

Pot (?), n. [Akin to LG. pott, D. pot, Dan. potte, Sw. potta, Icel. pottr, F. pot; of unknown origin.] 1. A metallic or earthen vessel, appropriated to any of a great variety of uses, as for boiling meat or vegetables, for holding liquids, for plants, etc.; as, a quart pot; a flower pot; a bean pot.

2. An earthen or pewter cup for liquors; a mug.

3. The quantity contained in a pot; a potful; as, a pot of ale. "Give her a pot and a cake." De Foe.

4. A metal or earthenware extension of a flue above the top of a chimney; a chimney pot.

5. A crucible; as, a graphite pot; a melting pot.

6. A wicker vessel for catching fish, eels, etc.

7. A perforated cask for draining sugar. Knight.

8. A size of paper. See Pott.

Jack pot. See under 2d Jack. -- Pot cheese, cottage cheese. See under Cottage. -- Pot companion, a companion in drinking. -- Pot hanger, a pothook. -- Pot herb, any plant, the leaves or stems of which are boiled for food, as spinach, lamb's-quarters, purslane, and many others. -- Pot hunter, one who kills anything and everything that will help to fill has bag; also, a hunter who shoots game for the table or for the market. -- Pot metal. (a) The metal from which iron pots are made, different from common pig iron. (b) An alloy of copper with lead used for making large vessels for various purposes in the arts. Ure. (c) A kind of stained glass, the colors of which are incorporated with the melted glass in the pot. Knight. -- Pot plant (Bot.), either of the trees which bear the monkey-pot. -- Pot wheel (Hydraul.), a noria. -- To go to pot, to go to destruction; to come to an end of usefulness; to become refuse. [Colloq.] Dryden. J. G. Saxe.

Pot, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Potted; p. pr. & vb. n. Potting.] To place or inclose in pots; as: (a) To preserve seasoned in pots. "Potted fowl and fish." Dryden. (b) To set out or cover in pots; as, potted plants or bulbs. (c) To drain; as, to pot sugar, by taking it from the cooler, and placing it in hogsheads, etc., having perforated heads, through which the molasses drains off. B. Edwards. (d) (Billiards) To pocket.

Pot, v. i. To tipple; to drink. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

It is less labor to plow than to pot it.

Feltham.

Po"ta*ble (?), a. [F., fr. L. potabilis, fr. potare to drink; akin to Gr. po`tos a drinking, po`sis a drink, Skr. p to drink, OIr. ibim I drink. Cf. Poison, Bib, Imbibe.] Fit to be drunk; drinkable. "Water fresh and potable." Bacon. -- n. A potable liquid; a beverage. "Useful in potables." J. Philips.

Po"ta*ble*ness, n. The quality of being drinkable.

Pot"age (?; 48), n. See Pottage.

Pot"a*ger (?), n. [F. fr. potage soup, porridge. See Pottage.] A porringer. [Obs.] Grew.

Po*tag"ro (?), n. See Potargo.

Pot"ale` (?), n. The refuse from a grain distillery, used to fatten swine.

Po*ta"mi*an (?), n. [Gr. &?; river.] (Zoˆl.) A river tortoise; one of a group of tortoises (Potamites, or Trionychoidea) having a soft shell, webbed feet, and a sharp beak. See Trionyx.

Pot`a*mog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?; river + -graphy.] An account or description of rivers; potamology.

Pot`a*mol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; river + -logy.] A scientific account or discussion of rivers; a treatise on rivers; potamography.

||Pot`a*mo*spon"gi*Ê (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; river + &?; a ||sponge.] (Zoˆl.) The fresh-water sponges. See Spongilla.

Po"tance (?), n. [F. potence. See Potence, Potency.] (Watch Making) The stud in which the bearing for the lower pivot of the verge is made.

Po*tar"go (?), n. [Cf. Botargo.] A kind of sauce or pickle. King.

Pot"ash` (?), n. [Pot + ash.] (Chem.) (a) The hydroxide of potassium hydrate, a hard white brittle substance, KOH, having strong caustic and alkaline properties; -- hence called also caustic potash. (b) The impure potassium carbonate obtained by leaching wood ashes, either as a strong solution (lye), or as a white crystalline (pearlash).

Pot"ash`es (?), n. pl. (Chem.) Potash. [Obs.]

Po*tas"sa (?), n. [NL., fr. E. potash.] (Chem.) (a) Potassium oxide. [Obs.] (b) Potassium hydroxide, commonly called caustic potash.

Pot`ass*am"ide (?), n. [Potassium + amide.] (Chem.) A yellowish brown substance obtained by heating potassium in ammonia.

Po*tas"sic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, potassium.

Po*tas"si*um (?), n. [NL. See Potassa, Potash.] (Chem.) An Alkali element having atomic number 19, occurring abundantly but always combined, as in the chloride, sulphate, carbonate, or silicate, in the minerals sylvite, kainite, orthoclase, muscovite, etc. Atomic weight 39.1. Symbol K (Kalium).

It is reduced from the carbonate as a soft white metal, lighter than water, which oxidizes with the greatest readiness, and, to be preserved, must be kept under liquid hydrocarbons, as naphtha or kerosene. Its compounds are very important, being used in glass making, soap making, in fertilizers, and in many drugs and chemicals.

Potassium permanganate, the salt KMnO4, crystallizing in dark red prisms having a greenish surface color, and dissolving in water with a beautiful purple red color; -- used as an oxidizer and disinfectant. The name chameleon mineral is applied to this salt and also to potassium manganate. -- Potassium bitartrate. See Cream of tartar, under Cream.

Pot`ass*ox"yl (?), n. [Potassium + oxygen + -yl.] (Chem.) The radical KO, derived from, and supposed to exist in, potassium hydroxide and other compounds.

Po*ta"tion (?), n. [L. potatio, fr. potare. See Potable.] 1. The act of drinking. Jer. Taylor.

2. A draught. "Potations pottle deep." Shak.

3. Drink; beverage. "Thin potations." Shak.

Po*ta"to (?), n.; pl. Potatoes (#). [Sp. patata potato, batata sweet potato, from the native American name (probably batata) in Hayti.] (Bot.) (a) A plant (Solanum tuberosum) of the Nightshade family, and its esculent farinaceous tuber, of which there are numerous varieties used for food. It is native of South America, but a form of the species is found native as far north as New Mexico. (b) The sweet potato (see below).

Potato beetle, Potato bug. (Zoˆl.) (a) A beetle (Doryphora decemlineata) which feeds, both in the larval and adult stages, upon the leaves of the potato, often doing great damage. Called also Colorado potato beetle, and Doryphora. See Colorado beetle. (b) The Lema trilineata, a smaller and more slender striped beetle which feeds upon the potato plant, bur does less injury than the preceding species. -- Potato fly (Zoˆl.), any one of several species of blister beetles infesting the potato vine. The black species (Lytta atrata), the striped (L. vittata), and the gray (L. cinerea, or Fabricii) are the most common. See Blister beetle, under Blister. -- Potato rot, a disease of the tubers of the potato, supposed to be caused by a kind of mold (Peronospora infestans), which is first seen upon the leaves and stems. -- Potato weevil (Zoˆl.), an American weevil (Baridius trinotatus) whose larva lives in and kills the stalks of potato vines, often causing serious damage to the crop. -- Potato whisky, a strong, fiery liquor, having a hot, smoky taste, and rich in amyl alcohol (fusel oil); it is made from potatoes or potato starch. -- Potato worm (Zoˆl.), the large green larva of a sphinx, or hawk moth (Macrosila quinquemaculata); -- called also tomato worm. See Illust. under Tomato. -- Seaside potato (Bot.), Ipomúa Pes-CaprÊ, a kind of morning-glory with rounded and emarginate or bilobed leaves. [West Indies] -- Sweet potato (Bot.), a climbing plant (Ipomúa Balatas) allied to the morning-glory. Its farinaceous tubers have a sweetish taste, and are used, when cooked, for food. It is probably a native of Brazil, but is cultivated extensively in the warmer parts of every continent, and even as far north as New Jersey. The name potato was applied to this plant before it was to the Solanum tuberosum, and this is the "potato" of the Southern United States. -- Wild potato. (Bot.) (a) A vine (Ipomúa pandurata) having a pale purplish flower and an enormous root. It is common in sandy places in the United States. (b) A similar tropical American plant (I. fastigiata) which it is thought may have been the original stock of the sweet potato.

Po*ta"tor (?), n. [L.] A drinker. [R.] Southey.

Po"ta*to*ry (?), a. [L. potatorius, from potare to drink.] Of or pertaining to drinking. Ld. Lytton.

Pot"-bel`lied (?), a. Having a protuberant belly, like the bottom of a pot.

Pot"-bel`ly (?), n. A protuberant belly.

Pot"boil`er (?), n. A term applied derisively to any literary or artistic work, and esp. a painting, done simply for money and the means of living. [Cant]

Pot"boy` (?), n. A boy who carries pots of ale, beer, etc.; a menial in a public house.

Potch (?), v. i. [Cf. Poach to stab.] To thrust; to push. [Obs.] "I 'll potch at him some way." Shak.

Potch, v. t. See Poach, to cook. [Obs.] Wiseman.

Potch"er (?), n. One who, or that which, potches.

Potcher engine (Paper Making), a machine in which washed rags are stirred in a bleaching solution.

Pot"e*ca*ry (?), n. An apothecary. [Obs.]

Po*teen" (?), n. [Cf. Ir. potaim, poitim, I drink, poitin a small pot.] Whisky; especially, whisky illicitly distilled by the Irish peasantry. [Written also potheen, and potteen.]

Po"te*lot (?), n. [F.,; cf. G. pottloth black lead.] (Old Chem. & Min.) Molybdenum sulphide.

Po"tence (?), n. [F., fr. LL. potentia staff, crutch, L., might, power. See Potency.] Potency; capacity. [R.] Sir W. Hamilton.

<! p. 1121 !>

Po"ten*cy (?), n. [L. potentia, from potens, -entis, potent. See Potent, and cf. Potance, Potence, Puissance.] The quality or state of being potent; physical or moral power; inherent strength; energy; ability to effect a purpose; capability; efficacy; influence. "Drugs of potency." Hawthorne.

A place of potency and away o' the state.

Shak.

Po"tent (?), a. [L. potens, - entis, p. pr. of posse to be able, to have power, fr. potis able, capable (akin to Skr. pati master, lord) + esse to be. See Host a landlord, Am, and cf. Despot, Podesta, Possible, Power, Puissant.] 1. Producing great physical effects; forcible; powerful' efficacious; as, a potent medicine. "Harsh and potent injuries." Shak.

Moses once more his potent rod extends.

Milton.

2. Having great authority, control, or dominion; puissant; mighty; influential; as, a potent prince. "A potent dukedom." Shak.

Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors.

Shak.

3. Powerful, in an intellectual or moral sense; having great influence; as, potent interest; a potent argument.

Cross potent. (Her.) See Illust. (7) of Cross.

Syn. -- Powerful; mighty; puissant; strong; able; efficient; forcible; efficacious; cogent; influential.

Po"tent, n. 1. A prince; a potentate. [Obs.] Shak.

2. [See Potence.] A staff or crutch. [Obs.]

3. (Her.) One of the furs; a surface composed of patches which are supposed to represent crutch heads; they are always alternately argent and azure, unless otherwise specially mentioned.

Counter potent (Her.), a fur differing from potent in the arrangement of the patches.

Po"ten*ta*cy (?), n. [See Potentate.] Sovereignty. [Obs.]

Po"ten*tate (?), n. [LL. potentatus, fr. potentare to exercise power: cf. F. potentat. See Potent, a.] One who is potent; one who possesses great power or sway; a prince, sovereign, or monarch.

The blessed and only potentate.

1 Tim. vi. 15.

Cherub and seraph, potentates and thrones.

Milton.

Po*ten"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. potentiel. See Potency.] 1. Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential. [Obs.] "And hath in his effect a voice potential." Shak.

2. Existing in possibility, not in actuality. "A potential hero." Carlyle.

Potential existence means merely that the thing may be at ome time;
actual existence, that it now is.

Sir W. Hamilton.

Potential cautery. See under Cautery. -- Potential energy. (Mech.) See the Note under Energy. -- Potential mood, or mode (Gram.), that form of the verb which is used to express possibility, liberty, power, will, obligation, or necessity, by the use of may, can, must, might, could, would, or should; as, I may go; he can write.

Po*ten"tial, n. 1. Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially. Bacon.

2. (Math.) In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates which determine the position of a point, such that its differential coefficients with respect to the coˆrdinates are equal to the components of the force at the point considered; -- also called potential function, or force function. It is called also Newtonian potential when the force is directed to a fixed center and is inversely as the square of the distance from the center.

3. (Elec.) The energy of an electrical charge measured by its power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as referred to some standard, as that of the earth; electro-motive force.

Po*ten`ti*al"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being potential; possibility, not actuality; inherent capability or disposition, not actually exhibited.

Po*ten"tial*ly (?), adv. 1. With power; potently. [Obs.]

2. In a potential manner; possibly, not positively.

The duration of human souls is only potentially infinite.

Bentley.

Po*ten"ti*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Potentiated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Potentiating.] To render active or potent. Coleridge.

Po*ten`ti*om"e*ter (?), n. [Potential + -meter.] (Elec.) An instrument for measuring or comparing electrial potentials or electro-motive forces.

Po"ten*tize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Potentized; p. pr. & vb. n. Potentizing.] To render the latent power of (anything) available. Dunglison.

Po"tent*ly (?), adv. With great force or energy; powerfully; efficaciously. "You are potently opposed." Shak.

Po"tent*ness, n. The quality or state of being potent; powerfulness; potency; efficacy.

Po"tes*tate (?), n. A chief ruler; a potentate. [Obs.] Wyclif. "An irous potestate." Chaucer.

Po*tes"ta*tive (?), a. [L. potestativus, fr. potestas power: cf. F. potestatif. See Potent.] Authoritative. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.

Pot"gun` (?), n. 1. A pot-shaped cannon; a mortar. [Obs.] "Twelve potguns of brass." Hakluyt.

2. A popgun. [Obs.] Swift.

Poth"e*ca*ry (?), n. An apothecary. [Obs.]

Po*theen" (?), n. See Poteen.

Poth"er (?), n. [Cf. D. peuteren to rummage, poke. Cf. Potter, Pudder.] Bustle; confusion; tumult; flutter; bother. [Written also potter, and pudder.] "What a pother and stir!" Oldham. "Coming on with a terrible pother." Wordsworth.

Poth"er, v. i. To make a bustle or stir; to be fussy.

Poth"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pothered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pothering.] To harass and perplex; to worry. "Pothers and wearies himself." Locke.

Pot"hole` (?), n. A circular hole formed in the rocky beds of rivers by the grinding action of stones or gravel whirled round by the water in what was at first a natural depression of the rock.

Pot"hook` (?), n. 1. An S-shaped hook on which pots and kettles are hung over an open fire.

2. A written character curved like a pothook; (pl.) a scrawled writing. "I long to be spelling her Arabic scrawls and pothooks." Dryden.

Pot"house` (?), n. An alehouse. T. Warton.

{ ||Po`ti*cho*ma"ni*a (?), ||Po`ti*cho*ma"nie (?), } n. [F. potichomanie; potiche a porcelain vase + manie mania.] The art or process of coating the inside of glass vessels with engravings or paintings, so as to give them the appearance of painted ware.

Po"tion (?), n. [L. potio, from potare to drink: cf. F. potion. See Poison.] A draught; a dose; usually, a draught or dose of a liquid medicine. Shak.

Po"tion (?), v. t. To drug. [Obs.] Speed.

Pot"lid` (?), n. The lid or cover of a pot.

Potlid valve, a valve covering a round hole or the end of a pipe or pump barrel, resembling a potlid in form.

Pot"luck` (?), n. Whatever may chance to be in the pot, or may be provided for a meal.

A woman whose potluck was always to be relied on.

G. Eliot.

To take potluck, to take what food may chance to be provided.

Pot"man (?), n.; pl. Potmen (&?;). 1. A pot companion. [Obs.] Life of A. Wood (1663).

2. A servant in a public house; a potboy.

||Po*too" (?), n. (Zoˆl.) A large South American goatsucker (Nyctibius ||grandis).

||Po`to*roo" (?), n. (Zoˆl.) Any small kangaroo belonging to ||Hypsiprymnus, Bettongia, and allied genera, native of Australia and ||Tasmania. Called also kangaroo rat.

Pot"pie` (?), n. A meat pie which is boiled instead of being baked.

Pot`pour`ri" (?), n. [F., fr. pot pot + pourri, p. p. of pourrir to rot, L. putrere. Cf. Olla-podrida.] A medley or mixture. Specifically: (a) A ragout composed of different sorts of meats, vegetables, etc., cooked together. (b) A jar or packet of flower leaves, perfumes, and spices, used to scent a room. (c) A piece of music made up of different airs strung together; a medley. (d) A literary production composed of parts brought together without order or bond of connection.

Pots"dam group` (&?;). (Geol.) A subdivision of the Primordial or Cambrian period in American geology; -- so named from the sandstone of Potsdam, New York. See Chart of Geology.

{ Pot"shard` (?), Pot"share` (?), } n. A potsherd. [Obs.] Spenser.

Pot"sherd` (?), n. [Pot + sherd or shard.] A piece or fragment of a broken pot. Job ii. 8.

Pot"stone` (?), n. (Min.) A variety of steatite sometimes manufactured into culinary vessels.

Pot"-sure` (-shr), a. Made confident by drink. [Obs.]

Pott (?), n. A size of paper. See under Paper.

Pot"tage (?; 48), n. [F. potage, fr. pot pot. See Pot, and cf. Porridge, Porringer.] A kind of food made by boiling vegetables or meat, or both together, in water, until soft; a thick soup or porridge. [Written also potage.] Chaucer.

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils.

Gen. xxv. 34.

Pot"tain (?), n. Old pot metal. [Obs.] Holland.

Pot*teen" (?), n. See Poteen.

Pot"ter (?), n. [Cf. F. potier.] 1. One whose occupation is to make earthen vessels. Ps. ii. 9.

The potter heard, and stopped his wheel.

Longfellow.

2. One who hawks crockery or earthenware. [Prov. Eng.] De Quincey.

3. One who pots meats or other eatables.

4. (Zoˆl.) The red-bellied terrapin. See Terrapin.

Potter's asthma (Med.), emphysema of the lungs; -- so called because very prevalent among potters. Parkers. -- Potter's clay. See under Clay. -- Potter's field, a public burial place, especially in a city, for paupers, unknown persons, and criminals; -- so named from the field south of Jerusalem, mentioned in Matt. xxvii. 7. -- Potter's ore. See Alquifou. -- Potter's wheel, a horizontal revolving disk on which the clay is molded into form with the hands or tools. "My thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel." Shak. -- Potter wasp (Zoˆl.), a small solitary wasp (Eumenes fraternal) which constructs a globular nest of mud and sand in which it deposits insect larvÊ, such as cankerworms, as food for its young.

Pot"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pottered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pottering.] [Cf. W. pwtio to poke, or OD. poteren to search one thoroughly, Sw. pÂta, peta, to pick, E. pother, put.] 1. To busy one's self with trifles; to labor with little purpose, energy, of effect; to trifle; to pother.

Pottering about the Mile End cottages.

Mrs. Humphry Ward.

2. To walk lazily or idly; to saunter.

Pot"ter, v. t. To poke; to push; also, to disturb; to confuse; to bother. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Pot"tern (?), a. Of or pertaining to potters.

Pottern ore, a species of ore which, from its aptness to vitrify like the glazing of potter's wares, the miners call by this name. Boyle.

Pot"ter*y (?), n.; pl. Potteries (#). [F. poterie, fr. pot. See Pot.] 1. The vessels or ware made by potters; earthenware, glazed and baked.

2. The place where earthen vessels are made.

Pot"ting (?), n. 1. Tippling. [Obs.] Shak.

2. The act of placing in a pot; as, the potting of plants; the potting of meats for preservation.

3. The process of putting sugar in casks for cleansing and draining. [West Indies] B. Edwards.

Pot"tle (?), n. [OE. potel, OF. potel, dim. of pot. See Pot.] 1. A liquid measure of four pints.

2. A pot or tankard. Shak.

A dry pottle of sack before him.

Sir W. Scott.

3. A vessel or small basket for holding fruit.

He had a . . . pottle of strawberries in one hand.

Dickens.

Pottle draught, taking a pottle of liquor at one draught. [ Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

||Pot"to (?), n. (Zoˆl.) (a) A nocturnal mammal (Perodictius potto) of ||the Lemur family, found in West Africa. It has rudimentary ||forefingers. Called also aposoro, and bush dog. (b) The kinkajou.

Pott's" dis*ease" (?). (Med.) Caries of the vertebrÊ, frequently resulting in curvature of the spine and paralysis of the lower extremities; -- so named from Percival Pott, an English surgeon.

Pott's fracture, a fracture of the lower end of the fibula, with displacement of the tibia. Dunglison.

Pot"u*lent (?), a. [L. potulentus, fr. potus a drinking, drink, fr. potare to drink.] 1. Fit to drink; potable. [Obs.] Johnson.

2. Nearly drunk; tipsy. [Obs.]

Pot"-val`iant (?), a. Having the courage given by drink. Smollett.

Pot"-wal`lop*er (?), n. 1. A voter in certain boroughs of England, where, before the passage of the reform bill of 1832, the qualification for suffrage was to have boiled (walloped) his own pot in the parish for six months.

2. One who cleans pots; a scullion. [Slang, U. S.]

Pouch (?), n. [F. poche a pocket, pouch, bag; probably of Teutonic origin. See Poke a bag, and cf. Poach to cook eggs, to plunder.] 1. A small bag; usually, a leathern bag; as, a pouch for money; a shot pouch; a mail pouch, etc.

2. That which is shaped like, or used as, a pouch; as: (a) A protuberant belly; a paunch; -- so called in ridicule. (b) (Zoˆl.) A sac or bag for carrying food or young; as, the cheek pouches of certain rodents, and the pouch of marsupials. (c) (Med.) A cyst or sac containing fluid. S. Sharp. (d) (Bot.) A silicle, or short pod, as of the shepherd's purse. (e) A bulkhead in the hold of a vessel, to prevent grain, etc., from shifting.

Pouch mouth, a mouth with blubbered or swollen lips.

Pouch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pouched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pouching.] 1. To put or take into a pouch.

2. To swallow; -- said of fowls. Derham.

3. To pout. [Obs.] Ainsworth.

4. To pocket; to put up with. [R.] Sir W. Scott.

Pouched (?), a. (Zoˆl.) (a) Having a marsupial pouch; as, the pouched badger, or the wombat. (b) Having external cheek pouches; as, the pouched gopher. (c) Having internal cheek pouches; as, the pouched squirrels.

Pouched dog. (Zoˆl.) See Zebra wolf, under Zebra. -- Pouched frog (Zoˆl.), the nototrema, the female of which has a dorsal pouch in which the eggs are hatched, and in which the young pass through their brief tadpole stage. -- Pouched gopher, or Pouched rat. (Zoˆl.) See Pocket gopher, under Pocket. -- Pouched mouse. (Zoˆl.) See Pocket mouse, under Pocket.

Pou"chet box` (?). See Pouncet box.

Pouch"-mouthed` (?), a. Having a pouch mouth; blobber-lipped.

Pou*chong" (?), n. A superior kind of souchong tea. De Colange.

Pouch"-shell` (?), n. (Zoˆl.) A small British and American pond snail (Bulinus hypnorum).

Pou"dre (?), n. [See Powder.] Dust; powder. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Poudre marchant [see Merchant], a kind of flavoring powder used in the Middle Ages. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pou*drette" (?), n. [F., dim. of poudre dust, powder. See Powder.] A manure made from night soil, dried and mixed with charcoal, gypsum, etc.

Pou*laine" (?), n. [F. soulier ‡ la poulaine.] A long pointed shoe. See Cracowes.

Poul"da`vis (?), n. Same as Poledavy. [Obs.]

Poul"der (?), n. & v. Powder. [Obs.]

Poul"dron (?), n. See Pauldron.

{ Poulp, Poulpe (?) }, n. [F. poulpe, fr. L. polypus. See Polyp.] (Zoˆl.) Same as Octopus.

Musk poulp (Zoˆl.), a Mediterranean octopod (Eledone moschata) which emits a strong odor of musk.

Poult (?), n. [OF. pulte, F. poulet, dim. of poule fowl. See Pullet.] A young chicken, partridge, grouse, or the like. King. Chapman.

Starling the heath poults or black game.

R. Jefferise.

Poul"ter (?), n. [OE. pulter. See Poult.] A poulterer. [Obs.] Shak.

Poul"ter*er (?), n. One who deals in poultry.

Poul"tice (?), n. [L. puls, pl. pultes, a thick pap; akin to Gr. po`ltos. Cf. Pulse seeds.] A soft composition, as of bread, bran, or a mucilaginous substance, to be applied to sores, inflamed parts of the body, etc.; a cataplasm. "Poultice relaxeth the pores." Bacon.

Poul"tice, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poulticed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Poulticing (?).] To apply a poultice to; to dress with a poultice.

Poul"tive (?), n. A poultice. [Obs.] W. Temple.

Poul"try (?), n. [From Poult.] Domestic fowls reared for the table, or for their eggs or feathers, such as cocks and hens, capons, turkeys, ducks, and geese.

Pounce (?), n. [F. ponce pumice, pounce, fr. L. pumex, -icis, pumice. See Pumice.] 1. A fine powder, as of sandarac, or cuttlefish bone, -- formerly used to prevent ink from spreading on manuscript.

<! p. 1122 !>

2. Charcoal dust, or some other colored powder for making patterns through perforated designs, -- used by embroiderers, lace makers, etc.

Pounce box, a box for sprinkling pounce. -- Pounce paper, a transparent paper for tracing.

Pounce (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pounded (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pouncing (?).] To sprinkle or rub with pounce; as, to pounce paper, or a pattern.

Pounce, n. [Prob. through French, from an assumed LL. punctiare to prick, L. pungere, punctum. See Puncheon, Punch, v. t.] 1. The claw or talon of a bird of prey. Spenser. Burke.

2. A punch or stamp. [Obs.] "A pounce to print money with." Withals.

3. Cloth worked in eyelet holes. [Obs.] Homilies.

Pounce, v. t. 1. To strike or seize with the talons; to pierce, as with the talons. [Archaic]

Stooped from his highest pitch to pounce a wren.

Cowper.

Now pounce him lightly, And as he roars and rages, let's go deeper.

J. Fletcher.

2. To punch; to perforate; to stamp holes in, or dots on, by way of ornament. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.

Pounce, v. i. To fall suddenly and seize with the claws; -- with on or upon; as, a hawk pounces upon a chicken. Also used figuratively.

Derision is never so agonizing as when it pounces on the wanderings
of misguided sensibility.

Jeffrey.

Pounced (?), a. 1. Furnished with claws or talons; as, the pounced young of the eagle. Thomson.

2. Ornamented with perforations or dots. [Obs.] "Gilt bowls pounced and pierced." Holinshed.

Poun"cet box` (?). [Cf. F. poncette, fr. ponce pounce. See Pounce a powder.] A box with a perforated lid, for sprinkling pounce, or for holding perfumes. Shak.

Poun"cing (?), n. 1. The art or practice of transferring a design by means of pounce.

2. Decorative perforation of cloth. [Obs.]

Pound (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Pounding.] [OE. pounen, AS. punian to bruise. Cf. Pun a play on words.] 1. To strike repeatedly with some heavy instrument; to beat.

With cruel blows she pounds her blubbered cheeks.

Dryden.

2. To comminute and pulverize by beating; to bruise or break into fine particles with a pestle or other heavy instrument; as, to pound spice or salt.

Pound, v. i. 1. To strike heavy blows; to beat.

2. (Mach.) To make a jarring noise, as in running; as, the engine pounds.

Pound, n. [AS. pund an inclosure: cf. forpyndan to turn away, or to repress, also Icel. pynda to extort, torment, Ir. pont, pond, pound. Cf. Pinder, Pinfold, Pin to inclose, Pond.] 1. An inclosure, maintained by public authority, in which cattle or other animals are confined when taken in trespassing, or when going at large in violation of law; a pinfold. Shak.

2. A level stretch in a canal between locks.

3. (Fishing) A kind of net, having a large inclosure with a narrow entrance into which fish are directed by wings spreading outward.

Pound covert, a pound that is close or covered over, as a shed. -- Pound overt, a pound that is open overhead.

Pound, v. t. To confine in, or as in, a pound; to impound. Milton.

Pound, n.; pl. Pounds (#), collectively Pound or Pounds. [AS. pund, fr. L. pondo, akin to pondus a weight, pendere to weigh. See Pendant.] 1. A certain specified weight; especially, a legal standard consisting of an established number of ounces.

The pound in general use in the United States and in England is the pound avoirdupois, which is divided into sixteen ounces, and contains 7,000 grains. The pound troy is divided into twelve ounces, and contains 5,760 grains. 144 pounds avoirdupois are equal to 175 pounds troy weight. See Avoirdupois, and Troy.

2. A British denomination of money of account, equivalent to twenty shillings sterling, and equal in value to about $4.86. There is no coin known by this name, but the gold sovereign is of the same value.

The pound sterling was in Saxon times, about a. d. 671, a pound troy of silver, and a shilling was its twentieth part; consequently the latter was three times as large as it is at present. Peacham.

Pound"age (?), n. 1. A sum deducted from a pound, or a certain sum paid for each pound; a commission.

2. A subsidy of twelve pence in the pound, formerly granted to the crown on all goods exported or imported, and if by aliens, more. [Eng.] Blackstone.

3. (Law) The sum allowed to a sheriff or other officer upon the amount realized by an execution; -- estimated in England, and formerly in the United States, at so much of the pound. Burrill. Bouvier.

Pound"age, v. t. To collect, as poundage; to assess, or rate, by poundage. [R.]

Pound"age, n. [See 3d Pound.] 1. Confinement of cattle, or other animals, in a public pound.

2. A charge paid for the release of impounded cattle.

Pound"al (?), n. [From 5th Pound.] (Physics & Mech.) A unit of force based upon the pound, foot, and second, being the force which, acting on a pound avoirdupois for one second, causes it to acquire by the of that time a velocity of one foot per second. It is about equal to the weight of half an ounce, and is 13,825 dynes.

Pound"-breach` (?), n. The breaking of a public pound for releasing impounded animals. Blackstone.

Pound"cake` (?), n. A kind of rich, sweet cake; -- so called from the ingredients being used by pounds, or in equal quantities.

Pound"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, pounds, as a stamp in an ore mill.

2. An instrument used for pounding; a pestle.

3. A person or thing, so called with reference to a certain number of pounds in value, weight, capacity, etc.; as, a cannon carrying a twelve-pound ball is called a twelve pounder.

Before the English reform act of 1867, one who was an elector by virtue of paying ten pounds rent was called a ten pounder.

Pound"ing (?), n. 1. The act of beating, bruising, or breaking up; a beating.

2. A pounded or pulverized substance. [R.] "Covered with the poundings of these rocks." J. S. Blackie.

Pound"keep`er (?), n. The keeper of a pound.

Pound"*rate` (?), n. A rate or proportion estimated at a certain amount for each pound; poundage.

Poup (?), v. i. See Powp. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pou*part's" lig"a*ment (?). (Anat.) A ligament, of fascia, extending, in most mammals, from the ventral side of the ilium to near the symphysis of the pubic bones.

Pou"pe*ton (?), n. [See Puppet.] A puppet, or little baby. [Obs.] Palsgrave.

Pour (?), a. Poor. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pour (?), v. i. To pore. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pour (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pouring.] [OE. pouren, of uncertain origin; cf. W. bwrw to cast, throw, shed, bwrw gwlaw to rain.] 1. To cause to flow in a stream, as a liquid or anything flowing like a liquid, either out of a vessel or into it; as, to pour water from a pail; to pour wine into a decanter; to pour oil upon the waters; to pour out sand or dust.

2. To send forth as in a stream or a flood; to emit; to let escape freely or wholly.

I . . . have poured out my soul before the Lord.

1 Sam. i. 15.

Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee.

Ezek. vii. 8.

London doth pour out her citizens !

Shak.

Wherefore did Nature pour her bounties forth With such a full and
unwithdrawing hand ?

Milton.

3. To send forth from, as in a stream; to discharge uninterruptedly.

Is it for thee the linnet pours his throat ?

Pope.

Pour, v. i. To flow, pass, or issue in a stream, or as a stream; to fall continuously and abundantly; as, the rain pours; the people poured out of the theater.

In the rude throng pour on with furious pace.

Gay.

Pour, n. A stream, or something like a stream; a flood. [Colloq.] "A pour of rain." Miss Ferrier.

Poure"liche` (?), adv. Poorly. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pour"er (?), n. One who pours.

Pour"lieu (?), n. See Purlieu.

||Pour`par`ler" (?), n. [F.] (Diplomacy) A consultation preliminary to ||a treaty.

Pour`par"ty (?), n.; pl. Pourparties (#). [See Purparty.] (Law) A division; a divided share.

To make pourparty, to divide and apportion lands previously held in common.

Pour"point (?), n. [F.] A quilted military doublet or gambeson worn in the 14th and 15th centuries; also, a name for the doublet of the 16th and 17th centuries worn by civilians.

Pour*pres"ture (?; 135), n. (Law) See Purpresture.

Pour"sui*vant (?), n. See Pursuivant.

Pour*tray" (?), v. t. See Portray.

Pour*vey"ance (?), n. See Purveyance.

Pousse (ps), n. Pulse; pease. [Obs.] Spenser.

Pous*sette" (p*st"), n. [F., pushpin, fr. pousser to push. See Push.] A movement, or part of a figure, in the contradance. Dickens.

Pous*sette", v. i. To perform a certain movement in a dance. [R.] Tennyson.

Down the middle, up again, poussette, and cross.

J. & H. Smith.

Pout (pt), n. [F. poulet. See Poult.] The young of some birds, as grouse; a young fowl. Carew.

Pout (pt), v. i. To shoot pouts. [Scot.]

Pout (pout), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pouted; p. pr. & vb. n. Pouting.] [OE. pouten, of uncertain origin; cf. Prov. pot lip, Prov. F. potte, faire la potte to pout, W. pwdu to pout, be sullen, poten, potten, a paunch, belly.] 1. To thrust out the lips, as in sullenness or displeasure; hence, to look sullen.

Thou poutest upon thy fortune and thy love.

Shak.

2. To protrude. "Pouting lips." Dryden.

Pout, n. A sullen protrusion of the lips; a fit of sullenness. "Jack's in the pouts." J. & H. Smith.

Pout, n. [Cf. Eelpout.] (Zoˆl.) The European whiting pout or bib.

Eel pout. (Zoˆl.) See Eelpout. -- Horn pout, or Horned pout. (Zoˆl.) See Bullhead (b).

Pout"er (-r), n. 1. One who, or that which, pouts.

2. [Cf. E. pout, and G. puter turkey.] (Zoˆl.) A variety of the domestic pigeon remarkable for the extent to which it is able to dilate its throat and breast.

Pout"ing, n. Childish sullenness.

Pout"ing*ly, adv. In a pouting, or a sullen, manner.

Pov"ert (pv"rt), n. Poverty. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pov"er*ty (pv"r*t), n. [OE. poverte, OF. povertÈ, F. pauvretÈ, fr. L. paupertas, fr. pauper poor. See Poor.] 1. The quality or state of being poor or indigent; want or scarcity of means of subsistence; indigence; need. "Swathed in numblest poverty." Keble.

The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.

Prov. xxiii. 21.

2. Any deficiency of elements or resources that are needed or desired, or that constitute richness; as, poverty of soil; poverty of the blood; poverty of ideas.

Poverty grass (Bot.), a name given to several slender grasses (as Aristida dichotoma, and Danthonia spicata) which often spring up on old and worn-out fields.

Syn. -- Indigence; penury; beggary; need; lack; want; scantiness; sparingness; meagerness; jejuneness. Poverty, Indigence, Pauperism. Poverty is a relative term; what is poverty to a monarch, would be competence for a day laborer. Indigence implies extreme distress, and almost absolute destitution. Pauperism denotes entire dependence upon public charity, and, therefore, often a hopeless and degraded state.

{ Pow"an (?), Pow"en (?) }, n. (Zoˆl.) A small British lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeoides, or C. ferus); -- called also gwyniad and lake herring.

Pow"der (?), n. [OE. poudre, pouldre, F. poudre, OF. also poldre, puldre, L. pulvis, pulveris: cf. pollen fine flour, mill dust, E. pollen. Cf. Polverine, Pulverize.] 1. The fine particles to which any dry substance is reduced by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or into which it falls by decay; dust.

Grind their bones to powder small.

Shak.

2. An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder. See Gunpowder.

Atlas powder, Baking powder, etc. See under Atlas, Baking, etc. -- Powder down (Zoˆl.), the peculiar dust, or exfoliation, of powder-down feathers. -- Powder- down feather (Zoˆl.), one of a peculiar kind of modified feathers which sometimes form patches on certain parts of some birds. They have a greasy texture and a scaly exfoliation. - - Powder-down patch (Zoˆl.), a tuft or patch of powder-down feathers. -- Powder hose, a tube of strong linen, about an inch in diameter, filled with powder and used in firing mines. Farrow. -- Powder hoy (Naut.), a vessel specially fitted to carry powder for the supply of war ships. They are usually painted red and carry a red flag. -- Powder magazine, or Powder room. See Magazine, 2. -- Powder mine, a mine exploded by gunpowder. See Mine. -- Powder monkey (Naut.), a boy formerly employed on war vessels to carry powder; a powder boy. -- Powder post. See Dry rot, under Dry. -- Powder puff. See Puff, n.

Pow"der, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Powdered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Powdering.] [F. poudrer.] 1. To reduce to fine particles; to pound, grind, or rub into a powder; to comminute; to pulverize; to triturate.

2. To sprinkle with powder, or as with powder; to be sprinkle; as, to powder the hair.

A circling zone thou seest Powdered with stars.

Milton.

3. To sprinkle with salt; to corn, as meat. [Obs.]

Pow"der, v. i. 1. To be reduced to powder; to become like powder; as, some salts powder easily.

2. To use powder on the hair or skin; as, she paints and powders.

Pow"dered (?), a. 1. Reduced to a powder; sprinkled with, or as with, powder.

2. Sprinkled with salt; salted; corned. [Obs.]

Powdered beef, pickled meats.

Harvey.

3. (Her.) Same as SemÈ. Walpole.

Pow"der*flask` (?), n. A flask in which gunpowder is carried, having a charging tube at the end.

Pow"der*horn` (?), n. A horn in which gunpowder is carried.

Pow"der*ing, a. & n. from Powder, v. t.

Powdering tub. (a) A tub or vessel in which meat is corned or salted. (b) A heated tub in which an infected lecher was placed for cure. [Obs.] Shak.

Pow"der*mill` (?), n. A mill in which gunpowder is made.

Pow"der-post`ed (?), a. Affected with dry rot; reduced to dust by rot. See Dry rot, under Dry. [U.S.]

Pow"der*y (?), a. 1. Easily crumbling to pieces; friable; loose; as, a powdery spar.

2. Sprinkled or covered with powder; dusty; as, the powdery bloom on plums.

3. Resembling powder; consisting of powder. "The powdery snow." Wordsworth.

Pow"dike (?), n. [Scot. pow, pou, a pool, a watery or marshy place, fr. E. pool.] A dike a marsh or fen. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Pow"dry (?), a. See Powdery.

Pow"er (?), n. (Zoˆl.) Same as Poor, the fish.

Pow"er, n. [OE. pouer, poer, OF. poeir, pooir, F. pouvoir, n. & v., fr. LL. potere, for L. posse, potesse, to be able, to have power. See Possible, Potent, and cf. Posse comitatus.] 1. Ability to act, regarded as latent or inherent; the faculty of doing or performing something; capacity for action or performance; capability of producing an effect, whether physical or moral: potency; might; as, a man of great power; the power of capillary attraction; money gives power. "One next himself in power, and next in crime." Milton.

2. Ability, regarded as put forth or exerted; strength, force, or energy in action; as, the power of steam in moving an engine; the power of truth, or of argument, in producing conviction; the power of enthusiasm. "The power of fancy." Shak.

3. Capacity of undergoing or suffering; fitness to be acted upon; susceptibility; -- called also passive power; as, great power of endurance.

Power, then, is active and passive; faculty is active power or
capacity; capacity is passive power.

Sir W. Hamilton.

4. The exercise of a faculty; the employment of strength; the exercise of any kind of control; influence; dominion; sway; command; government.

Power is no blessing in itself but when it is employed to protect
the innocent.

Swift.

5. The agent exercising an ability to act; an individual invested with authority; an institution, or government, which exercises control; as, the great powers of Europe; hence, often, a superhuman agent; a spirit; a divinity. "The powers of darkness." Milton.

And the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.

Matt. xxiv. 29.

6. A military or naval force; an army or navy; a great host. Spenser.

Never such a power . . . Was levied in the body of a land.

Shak.

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7. A large quantity; a great number; as, a power o&?; good things. [Colloq.] Richardson.

8. (Mech.) (a) The rate at which mechanical energy is exerted or mechanical work performed, as by an engine or other machine, or an animal, working continuously; as, an engine of twenty horse power.

The English unit of power used most commonly is the horse power. See Horse power.

(b) A mechanical agent; that from which useful mechanical energy is derived; as, water power; steam power; hand power, etc. (c) Applied force; force producing motion or pressure; as, the power applied at one and of a lever to lift a weight at the other end.

This use in mechanics, of power as a synonym for force, is improper and is becoming obsolete.

(d) A machine acted upon by an animal, and serving as a motor to drive other machinery; as, a dog power.

Power is used adjectively, denoting, driven, or adapted to be driven, by machinery, and not actuated directly by the hand or foot; as, a power lathe; a power loom; a power press.

9. (Math.) The product arising from the multiplication of a number into itself; as, a square is the second power, and a cube is third power, of a number.

10. (Metaph.) Mental or moral ability to act; one of the faculties which are possessed by the mind or soul; as, the power of thinking, reasoning, judging, willing, fearing, hoping, etc. I. Watts.

The guiltiness of my mind, the sudden surprise of my powers, drove
the grossness . . . into a received belief.

Shak.

11. (Optics) The degree to which a lens, mirror, or any optical instrument, magnifies; in the telescope, and usually in the microscope, the number of times it multiplies, or augments, the apparent diameter of an object; sometimes, in microscopes, the number of times it multiplies the apparent surface.

12. (Law) An authority enabling a person to dispose of an interest vested either in himself or in another person; ownership by appointment. Wharton.

13. Hence, vested authority to act in a given case; as, the business was referred to a committee with power.

Power may be predicated of inanimate agents, like the winds and waves, electricity and magnetism, gravitation, etc., or of animal and intelligent beings; and when predicated of these beings, it may indicate physical, mental, or moral ability or capacity.

Mechanical powers. See under Mechanical. -- Power loom, or Power press. See Def. 8 (d), note. -- Power of attorney. See under Attorney. -- Power of a point (relative to a given curve) (Geom.), the result of substituting the coˆrdinates of any point in that expression which being put equal to zero forms the equation of the curve; as, x2 + y2 - 100 is the power of the point x, y, relative to the circle x2 + y2 - 100 = 0.

Pow"er*a*ble (?), a. 1. Capable of being effected or accomplished by the application of power; possible. [R.] J. Young.

2. Capable of exerting power; powerful. Camden.

Pow"er*ful (?), a. 1. Full of power; capable of producing great effects of any kind; potent; mighty; efficacious; intense; as, a powerful man or beast; a powerful engine; a powerful argument; a powerful light; a powerful vessel.

The powerful grace that lies In herbs, plants, stones, and their
true qualities.

Shak.

2. (Mining) Large; capacious; -- said of veins of ore.

Syn. -- Mighty; strong; potent; forcible; efficacious; energetic; intense.

-- Pow"er*ful*ly, adv. -- Pow"er*ful*ness, n.

Pow"er*less, a. Destitute of power, force, or energy; weak; impotent; not able to produce any effect. -- Pow"er*less*ly, adv. -- Pow"er*less*ness, n.

Powl"dron (?), n. [OF. espauleron, from espaule shoulder, F. Èpaule.] Same as Pauldron.

Powp (?), v. i. See Poop, v. i. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pow"ter (pou"tr), n. (Zoˆl.) See Pouter.

Pow"wow` (?), n. 1. A priest, or conjurer, among the North American Indians.

Be it sagamore, sachem, or powwow.

Longfellow.

2. Conjuration attended with great noise and confusion, and often with feasting, dancing, etc., performed by Indians for the cure of diseases, to procure success in hunting or in war, and for other purposes.

3. Hence: Any assembly characterized by noise and confusion; a noisy frolic or gathering. [Colloq. U. S.]

Pow"wow`, v. i. 1. To use conjuration, with noise and confusion, for the cure of disease, etc., as among the North American Indians.

2. Hence: To hold a noisy, disorderly meeting. [Colloq. U. S.]

Pox (?), n. [For pocks, OE. pokkes. See Pock. It is plural in form but is used as a singular.] (Med.) Strictly, a disease by pustules or eruptions of any kind, but chiefly or wholly restricted to three or four diseases, -- the smallpox, the chicken pox, and the vaccine and the venereal diseases.

Pox, when used without an epithet, as in imprecations, formerly signified smallpox; but it now signifies syphilis.

Pox, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Poxed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Poxing.] To infect with the pox, or syphilis.

Poy (?), n. [OF. apui, apoi, a support, prop., staff, F. appui, fr. OF. apuier, apoier, to support, F. appuyer, fr. ‡ to (L. ad) + OF. pui, poi, a rising ground, hill, L. podium. See Podium, Pew.] 1. A support; -- used in composition; as, teapoy.

2. A ropedancer's balancing pole. Johnson.

3. A long boat hook by which barges are propelled against the stream. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Poy*na"do (?), n. A poniard. [Obs.] Lyly.

Poynd (?), v., Poynd"er (&?;), n. See Poind, Poinder.

Poy nette" (?), n. [Cf. Point.] A bodkin. [Obs.]

Poyn"tel (?), n. [See Pointal.] (Arch.) Paving or flooring made of small squares or lozenges set diagonally. [Formerly written pointal.]

Poy"ou (?), n. (Zoˆl.) A South American armadillo (Dasypus sexcinctus). Called also sixbanded armadillo.

Poze (?), v. t. See 5th Pose.

{ Poz`zu*o*la"na (?), Poz`zo*la"*na (?) }, n. [It.] Volcanic ashes from Pozzuoli, in Italy, used in the manufacture of a kind of mortar which hardens under water.

Praam (?), n. [D. praam; cf. G. prahm, F. prame; all of Slavonic origin, from a word akin to E. fare. See Fare.] (Naut.) A flat- bottomed boat or lighter, -- used in Holland and the Baltic, and sometimes armed in case of war. [Written also pram, and prame.]

Prac"tic (?), a. [See Practical.] 1. Practical.

2. Artful; deceitful; skillful. [Obs.] "Cunning sleights and practick knavery." Spenser.

Prac"ti*ca*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being practicable; practicableness; feasibility. "The practicability of such a project." Stewart.

Prac"ti*ca*ble (?), a. [LL. practicare to act, transact, fr. L. practicus active, Gr. &?;: cf. F. practicable, pratiquer to practice. See Practical.] 1. That may be practiced or performed; capable of being done or accomplished with available means or resources; feasible; as, a practicable method; a practicable aim; a practicable good.

2. Capable of being used; passable; as, a practicable weapon; a practicable road.

Practicable breach (Mil.), a breach which admits of approach and entrance by an assailing party.

Syn. -- Possible; feasible. -- Practicable, Possible. A thing may be possible, i. e., not forbidden by any law of nature, and yet may not now be practicable for want of the means requisite to its performance.

-- Prac"ti*ca*ble*ness, n. -- Prac"ti*ca*bly, adv.

Prac"ti*cal (?), a. [L. practicus active, Gr. &?; fit for doing or performing, practical, active, fr. &?; to do, work, effect: cf. F. pratique, formerly also practique. Cf. Pragmatic, Practice.] 1. Of or pertaining to practice or action.

2. Capable of being turned to use or account; useful, in distinction from ideal or theoretical; as, practical chemistry. "Man's practical understanding." South. "For all practical purposes." Macaulay.

3. Evincing practice or skill; capable of applying knowledge to some useful end; as, a practical man; a practical mind.

4. Derived from practice; as, practical skill.