Chapter XXXIII: Part 33

Pro confesso [L.] (Law), taken as confessed. The action of a court of equity on that portion of the pleading in a particular case which the pleading on the other side does not deny. -- Pro rata. [L. See Prorate.] In proportion; proportion. -- Pro re nata [L.] (Law), for the existing occasion; as matters are.

Pro, adv. For, on, or in behalf of, the affirmative side; -- in contrast with con.

Pro and con, for and against, on the affirmative and on the negative side; as, they debated the question pro and con; -- formerly used also as a verb. -- Pros and cons, the arguments or reasons on either side.

Pro"a (?), n. [Malay pr&?;, prh&?;.] (Naut.) A sailing canoe of the Ladrone Islands and Malay Archipelago, having its lee side flat and its weather side like that of an ordinary boat. The ends are alike. The canoe is long and narrow, and is kept from overturning by a cigar-shaped log attached to a frame extending several feet to windward. It has been called the flying proa, and is the swiftest sailing craft known.

Proach (?), v. i. See Approach. [Obs.]

Pro*at"las (?), n. [Pref. pro- + atlas.] (Anat.) A vertebral rudiment in front of the atlas in some reptiles.

Prob`a*bil"i*o*rism (?), n. The doctrine of the probabiliorists.

Prob`a*bil"i*o*rist (?), n. [From L. probabilior, compar. of probabilis probable.] (Casuistry) One who holds, in opposition to the probabilists, that a man is bound to do that which is most probably right.

Prob"a*bil*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. probabilisme.] The doctrine of the probabilists.

Prob"a*bil*ist, n. [Cf. F. probabiliste.]

1. One who maintains that certainty is impossible, and that probability alone is to govern our faith and actions.

2. (Casuistry) One who maintains that a man may do that which has a probability of being right, or which is inculcated by teachers of authority, although other opinions may seem to him still more probable.

Prob`a*bil"i*ty, n.; pl. Probabilities (#). [L. probabilitas: cf. F. probabilitÈ.]

1. The quality or state of being probable; appearance of reality or truth; reasonable ground of presumption; likelihood.

Probability is the appearance of the agreement or disagreement of
two ideas, by the intervention of proofs whose connection is not
constant, but appears for the most part to be so.

Locke.

2. That which is or appears probable; anything that has the appearance of reality or truth.

The whole life of man is a perpetual comparison of evidence and
balancing of probabilities.

Buckminster.

We do not call for evidence till antecedent probabilities fail.

J. H. Newman.

3. (Math.) Likelihood of the occurrence of any event in the doctrine of chances, or the ratio of the number of favorable chances to the whole number of chances, favorable and unfavorable. See 1st Chance, n., 5.

Syn. -- Likeliness; credibleness; likelihood; chance.

Prob"a*ble (?), a. [L. probabilis, fr. probare to try, approve, prove: cf. F. probable. See Prove, and cf. Provable.]

1. Capable of being proved. [Obs.]

2. Having more evidence for than against; supported by evidence which inclines the mind to believe, but leaves some room for doubt; likely.

That is accounted probable which has better arguments producible
for it than can be brought against it.

South.

I do not say that the principles of religion are merely probable; I
have before asserted them to be morally certain.

Bp. Wilkins.

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3. Rendering probable; supporting, or giving ground for, belief, but not demonstrating; as, probable evidence; probable presumption. Blackstone.

Probable cause (Law), a reasonable ground of presumption that a charge is, or my be, well founded. - - Probable error (of an observation, or of the mean of a number), that within which, taken positively and negatively, there is an even chance that the real error shall lie. Thus, if 3&Prime; is the probable error in a given case, the chances that the real error is greater than 3&Prime; are equal to the chances that it is less. The probable error is computed from the observations made, and is used to express their degree of accuracy. -- The probable, that which is within the bounds of probability; that which is not unnatural or preternatural; -- opposed to the marvelous.

Prob"a*bly (?), adv. In a probable manner; in likelihood.

Distinguish between what may possibly and what will probably be
done.

L'Estrange.

Pro"ba*cy (?), n. [See Probate.] Proof; trial. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Pro"bal (?), a. Approved; probable. [Obs.] Shak.

Pro*bal"i*ty (?), n. Probability. [Obs.] "With as great probality." Holland.

Pro"bang (?), n. [See Probe.] A slender elastic rod, as of whalebone, with a sponge on the end, for removing obstructions from the esophagus, etc.

Pro"bate (?), n. [From L. probatus, p. p. of probare to prove. See Prove.]

1. Proof. [Obs.] Skelton.

2. (Law) (a) Official proof; especially, the proof before a competent officer or tribunal that an instrument offered, purporting to be the last will and testament of a person deceased, is indeed his lawful act; the copy of a will proved, under the seal of the Court of Probate, delivered to the executors with a certificate of its having been proved. Bouvier. Burrill. (b) The right or jurisdiction of proving wills.

Pro"bate, a. Of or belonging to a probate, or court of probate; as, a probate record.

Probate Court, or Court of Probate, a court for the probate of wills. -- Probate duty, a government tax on property passing by will. [Eng.]

Pro"bate (?), v. t. To obtain the official approval of, as of an instrument purporting to be the last will and testament; as, the executor has probated the will.

Pro*ba"tion (?), n. [L. probatio, fr. probare to try, examine, prove: cf. F. probation. See Prove.]

1. The act of proving; also, that which proves anything; proof. [Obs.]

When by miracle God dispensed great gifts to the laity, . . . he
gave probation that he intended that all should prophesy and
preach.

Jer. Taylor.

2. Any proceeding designed to ascertain truth, to determine character, qualification, etc.; examination; trial; as, to engage a person on probation. Hence, specifically: (a) The novitiate which a person must pass in a convent, to probe his or her virtue and ability to bear the severities of the rule. (b) The trial of a ministerial candidate's qualifications prior to his ordination, or to his settlement as a pastor. (c) Moral trial; the state of man in the present life, in which he has the opportunity of proving his character, and becoming qualified for a happier state.

No [view of human life] seems so reasonable as that which regards
it as a state of probation.

Paley.

Pro*ba"tion*al (?), a. Probationary.

Pro*ba"tion*a*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to probation; serving for trial.

To consider this life . . . as a probationary state.

Paley.

Pro*ba"tion*er (?), n.

1. One who is undergoing probation; one who is on trial; a novice.

While yet a young probationer, And candidate of heaven.

Dryden.

2. A student in divinity, who, having received certificates of good morals and qualifications from his university, is admitted to several trials by a presbytery, and, on acquitting himself well, is licensed to preach. [Scot.]

Pro*ba"tion*er*ship, n. The state of being a probationer; novitiate. Locke.

Pro*ba"tion*ship, n. A state of probation.

Pro"ba*tive (?), a. [L. probativus: cf. F. probatif.] Serving for trial or proof; probationary; as, probative judgments; probative evidence. South.

Pro*ba"tor (?), n. [L.] 1. An examiner; an approver. Maydman.

2. (O. Eng. Law) One who, when indicted for crime, confessed it, and accused others, his accomplices, in order to obtain pardon; a state's evidence.

Pro"ba*to*ry (?), a. [Cf. F. probatoire.] 1. Serving for trial; probationary. Abp. Bramhall.

2. Pertaining to, or serving for, proof. Jer. Taylor.

Probatory term (Law), a time for taking testimony.

Probe (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Probed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Probing.] [L. probare to try, examine. See Prove.]

1. To examine, as a wound, an ulcer, or some cavity of the body, with a probe.

2. Fig.: to search to the bottom; to scrutinize or examine thoroughly. Dryden.

The growing disposition to probe the legality of all acts, of the
crown.

Hallam.

Probe, n. (Surg.) An instrument for examining the depth or other circumstances of a wound, ulcer, or cavity, or the direction of a sinus, of for exploring for bullets, for stones in the bladder, etc. Parr.

Probe, or Probe-pointed, scissors (Surg.), scissors used to open wounds, the blade of which, to be thrust into the orifice, has a button at the end. Wiseman.

Pro"bea`gle (?), n. (Zoˆl.) See Porbeagle.

Probe"-point`ed (?), a. (Surg.) Having a blunt or button-shaped extremity; -- said of cutting instruments.

Prob"i*ty (?), n. [F. probitÈ, fr. L. probitas, fr. probus good, proper, honest. Cf. Prove.] Tried virtue or integrity; approved moral excellence; honesty; rectitude; uprightness. "Probity of mind." Pope.

Syn. -- Probity, Integrity. Probity denotes unimpeachable honesty and virtue, shown especially by the performance of those obligations, called imperfect, which the laws of the state do not reach, and can not enforce. Integrity denotes a whole-hearted honesty, and especially that which excludes all injustice that might favor one's self. It has a peculiar reference to uprightness in mutual dealings, transfer of property, and the execution of trusts for others.

Prob"lem (?), n. [F. problËme, L. problema, fr. Gr. &?; anything thrown forward, a question proposed for solution, fr. &?; to throw or lay before; &?; before, forward + &?; to throw. Cf. Parable. ]

1. A question proposed for solution; a matter stated for examination or proof; hence, a matter difficult of solution or settlement; a doubtful case; a question involving doubt. Bacon.

2. (Math.) Anything which is required to be done; as, in geometry, to bisect a line, to draw a perpendicular; or, in algebra, to find an unknown quantity.

Problem differs from theorem in this, that a problem is something to be done, as to bisect a triangle, to describe a circle, etc.; a theorem is something to be proved, as that all the angles of a triangle are equal to two right angles.

Plane problem (Geom.), a problem that can be solved by the use of the rule and compass. -- Solid problem (Geom.), a problem requiring in its geometric solution the use of a conic section or higher curve.

{ Prob`lem*at"ic (?), Prob`lem*at"ic*al (?), } a. [L. problematicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. problÈmatique.] Having the nature of a problem; not shown in fact; questionable; uncertain; unsettled; doubtful. -- Prob`lem*at"ic*al*ly, adv.

Diligent inquiries into remote and problematical guilt leave a gate
wide open to . . . informers.

Swift.

Prob"lem*a*tist (?), n. One who proposes problems. [R.] Evelyn.

Prob"lem*a*tize (?), v. t. To propose problems. [R.] "Hear him problematize." B. Jonson.

Pro*bos"ci*date (?), a. [See Proboscis.] (Zoˆl.) Having a proboscis; proboscidial.

||Pro`bos*cid"e*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Proboscis.] (Zoˆl.) An order of ||large mammals including the elephants and mastodons.

Pro`bos*cid"e*an (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Proboscidian.

Pro`bos*cid"i*al (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Proboscidate.

Pro`bos*cid"i*an (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Pertaining to the Proboscidea. -- n. One of the Proboscidea.

||Pro*bos`ci*dif"e*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See Proboscis, and -ferous.]

1. (Zoˆl.) An extensive division of pectinibranchiate gastropods, including those that have a long retractile proboscis, with the mouth at the end, as the cones, whelks, tritons, and cowries. See Illust. of Gastropoda, and of Winkle.

2. (Zoˆl.) A subdivision of the tÊnioglossate gastropods, including the fig-shells (Pyrula), the helmet shells (Cassis), the tritons, and allied genera.

Pro`bos*cid"i*form (?), a. Having the form or uses of a proboscis; as, a proboscidiform mouth.

Pro*bos"cis (?), n.; pl. Proboscides (#). [L. fr. Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; to feed, graze.] 1. (Zoˆl.) A hollow organ or tube attached to the head, or connected with the mouth, of various animals, and generally used in taking food or drink; a snout; a trunk.

The proboscis of an elephant is a flexible muscular elongation of the nose. The proboscis of insects is usually a chitinous tube formed by the modified maxillÊ, or by the labium. See Illusts. of Hemiptera and Lepidoptera.

2. (Zoˆl.) By extension, applied to various tubelike mouth organs of the lower animals that can be everted or protruded.

The proboscis of annelids and of mollusks is usually a portion of the pharynx that can be everted or protruded. That of nemerteans is a special long internal organ, not connected with the mouth, and not used in feeding, but capable of being protruded from a pore in the head. See Illust. in Appendix.

3. The nose. [Jocose]

Proboscis monkey. (Zoˆl.) See Kahau.

Pro*ca"cious (?), a. [L. procax, -acis, fr. procare to ask, demand.] Pert; petulant; forward; saucy. [R.] Barrow.

Pro*cac"i*ty (?), n. [L. procacitas.] Forwardness; pertness; petulance. [R.] Burton.

||Pro*cam"bi*um (?), n. [NL. See Pro- , and Cambium.] (Bot.) The young ||tissue of a fibrovascular bundle before its component cells have ||begun to be differentiated. Sachs.

Pro`cat*arc"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?; beginning beforehand. fr. &?; to begin first; &?; before + &?; to begin; &?; intens. + &?; to begin: cf. F. procatarctique. ] (Med.) Beginning; predisposing; exciting; initial. [Obs.]

The words procatarctic causes have been used with different significations. Thus they have been employed synonymously with prime causes, exciting causes, and predisposing or remote causes.

The physician inquires into the procatarctic causes.

Harvey.

||Pro`cat*arx"is (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; first beginning.] (Med.) The ||kindling of a disease into action; also, the procatarctic cause. ||Quincy.

||Pro`ce*den"do (?), n. [Abl. of the gerundive of L. procedere. see ||Proceed.] (Law) (a) A writ by which a cause which has been removed on ||insufficient grounds from an inferior to a superior court by ||certiorari, or otherwise, is sent down again to the same court, to be ||proceeded in there. (b) In English practice, a writ issuing out of ||chancery in cases where the judges of subordinate courts delay giving ||judgment, commanding them to proceed to judgment. (c) A writ by which ||the commission of the justice of the peace is revived, after having ||been suspended. Tomlins. Burrill.

Pro*ce"dure (?), n. [F. procÈdure. See Proceed.] 1. The act or manner of proceeding or moving forward; progress; process; operation; conduct. "The true procedure of conscience." South.

2. A step taken; an act performed; a proceeding; the steps taken in an action or other legal proceeding. "Gracious procedures." I. Taylor.

3. That which results; issue; product. [Obs.] Bacon.

Pro*ceed" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Proceeded; p. pr. & vb. n. Proceeding.] [F. procÈder. fr. L. procedere, processum, to go before, to proceed; pro forward + cedere to move. See Cede.] 1. To move, pass, or go forward or onward; to advance; to continue or renew motion begun; as, to proceed on a journey.

If thou proceed in this thy insolence.

Shak.

2. To pass from one point, topic, or stage, to another; as, to proceed with a story or argument.

3. To issue or come forth as from a source or origin; to come from; as, light proceeds from the sun.

I proceeded forth and came from God.

John viii. 42.

It proceeds from policy, not love.

Shak.

4. To go on in an orderly or regulated manner; to begin and carry on a series of acts or measures; to act by method; to prosecute a design.

He that proceeds upon other principles in his inquiry.

Locke.

5. To be transacted; to take place; to occur. [Obs.]

He will, after his sour fashion, tell you What hath proceeded
worthy note to-day.

Shak.

6. To have application or effect; to operate.

This rule only proceeds and takes place when a person can not of
common law condemn another by his sentence.

Ayliffe.

7. (Law) To begin and carry on a legal process.

Syn. -- To advance; go on; continue; progress; issue; arise; emanate.

Pro"ceed (?), n. See Proceeds. [Obs.] Howell.

Pro*ceed"er (?), n. One who proceeds.

Pro*ceed"ing, n. 1. The act of one who proceeds, or who prosecutes a design or transaction; progress or movement from one thing to another; a measure or step taken in a course of business; a transaction; as, an illegal proceeding; a cautious or a violent proceeding.

The proceedings of the high commission.

Macaulay.

2. pl. (Law) The course of procedure in the prosecution of an action at law. Blackstone.

Proceedings of a society, the published record of its action, or of things done at its meetings.

Syn. -- Procedure; measure; step, See Transaction.

Pro"ceeds (?), n. pl. That which comes forth or results; effect; yield; issue; product; sum accruing from a sale, etc.

Proc`e*leus*mat"ic (?), a. [L. proceleusmaticus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to rouse to action beforehand; &?; + &?; to incite; cf. F. procÈleusmatique.]

1. Inciting; animating; encouraging. [R.] Johnson.

2. (Pros.) Consisting of four short syllables; composed of feet of four short syllables each.

Proc`e*leus*mat"ic (?), n. (Pros.) A foot consisting of four short syllables.

Pro`cel*la"ri*an (?), n. [L. procella a storm.] (Zoˆl.) One of a family of oceanic birds (ProcellaridÊ) including the petrels, fulmars, and shearwaters. They are often seen in great abundance in stormy weather.

Pro*cel"lous (?), a. [L. procellosus, fr. procella a storm.] Stormy. [Obs.] Bailey.

Pro`ce*phal"ic (?), a. [Pref. pro- + cephalic.] (Zoˆl.) Pertaining to, or forming, the front of the head.

Procephalic lobe (Zoˆl.), that part of the head of an invertebrate animal which is in front of the mouth.

Pro*cep"tion (?), n. [Pref. pro- + L. capere to take.] Preoccupation. [Obs.] Eikon Basilik&?;.

Pro*cere" (?), a. [L. procerus tall.] Of high stature; tall. [Obs.] Evelyn.

Pro*cer"e*brum (?), n. [Pref. pro- + cerebrum.] (Anat.) The prosencephalon.

||Proc"e*res (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. procer &?; chief.] (Zoˆl.) An ||order of large birds; the RatitÊ; -- called also Proceri.

Proc"er*ite (?), n. [Pref. pro- + Gr. &?; &?; horn.] (Zoˆl.) The segment next to the flagellum of the antennÊ of Crustacea.

Pro*cer"i*ty (?), n. [L. proceritas.] Height of stature; tallness. [R.] Johnson.

Proc"ess, n. [F. procËs, L. processus. See Proceed.]

1. The act of proceeding; continued forward movement; procedure; progress; advance. "Long process of time." Milton.

The thoughts of men are widened with the process of the suns.

Tennyson.

2. A series of actions, motions, or occurrences; progressive act or transaction; continuous operation; normal or actual course or procedure; regular proceeding; as, the process of vegetation or decomposition; a chemical process; processes of nature.

Tell her the process of Antonio's end.

Shak.

3. A statement of events; a narrative. [Obs.] Chaucer.

4. (Anat. & Zoˆl.) Any marked prominence or projecting part, especially of a bone; anapophysis.

5. (Law) The whole course of proceedings in a cause real or personal, civil or criminal, from the beginning to the end of the suit; strictly, the means used for bringing the defendant into court to answer to the action; -- a generic term for writs of the class called judicial.

Deacon's process [from H. Deacon, who introduced it] (Chem.), a method of obtaining chlorine gas by passing hydrochloric acid gas over heated slag which has been previously saturated with a solution of some metallic salt, as sulphate of copper. -- Final process (Practice), a writ of execution in an action at law. Burrill. -- In process, in the condition of advance, accomplishment, transaction, or the like; begun, and not completed. -- Jury process (Law), the process by which a jury is summoned in a cause, and by which their attendance is enforced. Burrill. -- Leblanc's process (Chem.), the process of manufacturing soda by treating salt with sulphuric acid, reducing the sodium sulphate so formed to sodium sulphide by roasting with charcoal, and converting the sodium sulphide to sodium carbonate by roasting with lime. -- Mesne process. See under Mesne. -- Process milling, the process of high milling for grinding flour. See under Milling. -- Reversible process (Thermodynamics), any process consisting of a cycle of operations such that the different operations of the cycle can be performed in reverse order with a reversal of their effects.

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Pro*ces"sion (?), n. [F., fr. L. processio. See Proceed.]

1. The act of proceeding, moving on, advancing, or issuing; regular, orderly, or ceremonious progress; continuous course. Bp. Pearson.

That the procession of their life might be

More equable, majestic, pure, and free.

Trench.

2. That which is moving onward in an orderly, stately, or solemn manner; a train of persons advancing in order; a ceremonious train; a retinue; as, a procession of mourners; the Lord Mayor's procession.

Here comes the townsmen on procession.

Shak.

3. (Eccl.) An orderly and ceremonial progress of persons, either from the sacristy to the choir, or from the choir around the church, within or without. Shipley.

4. pl. (Eccl.) An old term for litanies which were said in procession and not kneeling. Shipley.

Procession of the Holy Ghost, a theological term applied to the relation of the Holy Spirit to the Father and the Son, the Eastern Church affirming that the Spirit proceeds from the Father only, and the Western Church that the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. Shipley. -- Procession week, a name for Rogation week, when processions were made; Cross-week. Shipley.

Pro*ces"sion, v. t. (Law) To ascertain, mark, and establish the boundary lines of, as lands. [Local, U. S. (North Carolina and Tennessee).] "To procession the lands of such persons as desire it." Burrill.

Pro*ces"sion, v. i. To march in procession. [R.]

Pro*ces"sion, v. i. To honor with a procession. [R.]

Pro*ces"sion*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a procession; consisting in a procession.

The processional services became more frequent.

Milman.

Pro*ces"sion*al, n. [F. processionnal, LL. processionale.]

1. (R. C. Ch.) A service book relating to ecclesiastical processions. J. Gregory.

2. A hymn, or other selection, sung during a church procession; as, the processional was the 202d hymn.

Pro*ces"sion*al*ist, n. One who goes or marches in a procession. [R.]

Pro*ces"sion*a*ry (?), a. [Cf. LL. processionarius, F. processionnaire.] Pertaining to a procession; consisting in processions; as, processionary service.

Processionary moth (Zoˆl.), any moth of the genus Cnethocampa, especially C. processionea of Europe, whose larvÊ make large webs on oak trees, and go out to feed in regular order. They are covered with stinging hairs.

Pro*ces"sion*er (?), n.

1. One who takes part in a procession.

2. A manual of processions; a processional. Fuller.

3. An officer appointed to procession lands. [Local, U. S. (North Carolina and Tennessee).] Burrill.

Pro*ces"sion*ing, n. A proceeding prescribed by statute for ascertaining and fixing the boundaries of land. See 2d Procession. [ Local, U. S.] Bouvier.

Pro*ces"sive (?), a. Proceeding; advancing.

Because it is language, -- ergo, processive.

Coleridge.

||Pro`cËs" ver`bal" (?). [ F.] (French Law) An authentic minute of an ||official act, or statement of facts.

Pro"chein (?), a. [F. prochain, fr. L. (assumed) proximanus, fr. proximus.] Next; nearest.

Prochein ami or amy (&?;) (Law), the next friend. See under Next.

Pro*chor"dal (?), a. [Pref. pro + chordal.] (Anat.) Situated in front of the notochord; -- applied especially to parts of the cartilaginous rudiments in the base of the skull.

Pro"chro*nism (?), n. [Gr. &?; preceding in time; &?; before + &?; time: cf. F. prochronisme.] The dating of an event before the time it happened; an antedating; -- opposed to metachronism.

Pro"chro*nize (?), v. t. To antedate. Fitzed. Hall.

{ Proc"i*dence, ||Proc*i*den"ti*a (?), }, n. [L. procidentia, fr. procidens, p. pr. of procidere to fall down forward.] (Med.) A falling down; a prolapsus. [R.] Parr.

Pro*cid"u*ous (&?;), a. [ L. prociduus.] Falling from its proper place.

Pro*cinct" (?), n. [L. procinctus, fr. procingere, procinctum, to gird up.] A state of complete readiness for action. [Obs.] "War in procinct." Milton.

Pro*claim" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proclaimed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proclaiming.] [OE. proclamen, L. proclamare; pro before, forward + clamare to call or cry out: cf. F. proclamer. See Claim.]

1. To make known by public announcement; to give wide publicity to; to publish abroad; to promulgate; to declare; as, to proclaim war or peace.

To proclaim liberty to the captives.

Isa. lxi. 1.

For the apparel oft proclaims the man.

Shak.

Throughout the host proclaim A solemn council forthwith to be held.

Milton.

2. To outlaw by public proclamation.

I heard myself proclaimed.

Shak.

Syn. -- To publish; promulgate; declare; announce. See Announce.

Pro*claim"er (?), n. One who proclaims.

Proc`la*ma"tion (?), n. [F. proclamation, L. proclamatio. See Proclaim.]

1. The act of proclaiming; official or general notice; publication.

King Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was
exempted.

1 Kings xv. 22.

2. That which is proclaimed, publicly announced, or officially declared; a published ordinance; as, the proclamation of a king; a Thanksgiving proclamation.

Pro*clit"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; to lean forward; &?; forward + &?; to lean or incline. Cf. Enclitic.] (Gr. Gram.) Leaning forward; -- said of certain monosyllabic words which are so closely attached to the following word as not to have a separate accent.

Pro*clive" (?), a. [L. proclivis sloping, inclined; pro forward + clivus hill: cf. F. proclive. See Declivity, and cf. Proclivous.] Having a tendency by nature; prone; proclivous. [R.] Mrs. Browning.

Pro*cliv"i*ty (?), n. [L. proclivitas: cf. F. proclivitÈ.]

1. Inclination; propensity; proneness; tendency. "A proclivity to steal." Abp. Bramhall.

2. Readiness; facility; aptitude.

He had such a dexterous proclivity as his teachers were fain to
restrain his forwardness.

Sir H. Wotton.

Pro*cli"vous (?), a. [L. proclivus. See Proclive.]

1. Inclined; tending by nature. [R.]

2. (Zoˆl.) Having the incisor teeth directed forward.

Pro*cúle" (?), n. [Pref. pro + Gr. &?; hollow.] (Anat.) A lateral cavity of the prosencephalon; a lateral ventricle of the brain. B. G. Wilder.

||Pro*cú"li*a (?), n.; pl. ProcúliÊ (&?;). [ NL.] (Anat.) Same as ||Procúle.

||Pro*cú"li*a, n. pl. [NL.] (Zoˆl.) A division of Crocodilia, including ||the true crocodiles and alligators, in which the dorsal vertebrÊ are ||concave in front.

Pro*cú"li*an (?), a. [See Procúle.] (Anat & Zoˆl.) Concave in front; as, procúlian vertebrÊ, which have the anterior end of the centra concave and the posterior convex.

Pro*cú"li*an, n. (Zoˆl.) A reptile having procúlian vertebrÊ; one of the Procúlia.

Pro*cú"lous (?), a.Same as Procúlian.

Pro*con"sul (?), n. [L., fr. pro for + consul consul.] (Rom. Antiq.) An officer who discharged the duties of a consul without being himself consul; a governor of, or a military commander in, a province. He was usually one who had previously been consul.

{ Pro*con"su*lar (?), Pro*con"su*la*ry (?), } a. [L. proconsularis: cf. F. proconsulaire.]

1. Of or pertaining of a proconsul; as, proconsular powers.

2. Under the government of a proconsul; as, a proconsular province.

Pro*con"su*late (?), n. [L. proconsulatus: cf. F. proconsulat.] The office jurisdiction of a proconsul, or the term of his office.

Pro*con"sul*ship (?), n. Proconsulate.

Pro*cras"ti*nate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Procrastinated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Procrastinating.] [L. procrastinatus, p. p. of procrastinare to procrastinate; pro forward + crastinus of to-morrow, fr. cras to-morrow.] To put off till to-morrow, or from day to day; to defer; to postpone; to delay; as, to procrastinate repentance. Dr. H. More.

Hopeless and helpless ∆geon wend, But to procrastinate his lifeless
end.

Shak.

Syn. -- To postpone; adjourn; defer; delay; retard; protract; prolong.

Pro*cras"ti*nate, v. i. To delay; to be dilatory.

I procrastinate more than I did twenty years ago.

Swift.

Pro*cras`ti*na"tion (?), n. [L. procrastinatio: cf. F. procrastination.] The act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off to a future time; delay; dilatoriness.

Procrastination is the thief of time.

Young.

Pro*cras"ti*na`tor (?), n. One who procrastinates, or defers the performance of anything.

Pro*cras"ti*na*to*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to procrastination; dilatory.

Pro*cras"tine (?), v. t. To procrastinate. [Obs.]

Pro"cre*ant (?), a. [L. procreans, p. pr. of procreare. See Procreate.] Generating; producing; productive; fruitful; assisting in procreation. [R.] "His pendent bed and procreant cradle." Shak.

Pro"cre*ant, n. One who, or that which, procreates.

Pro"cre*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Procreated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Procreating.] [L. procreatus, p. p. of procreare; pro forward, forth + create to create.] To generate and produce; to beget; to engender.

Pro`cre*a"tion (?), n. [F. procrÈation, L, procreatio.] The act of begetting; generation and production of young. South.

Pro"cre*a`tive (?), a. Having the power to beget; generative. Sir M. Hale.

Pro"cre*a`tive*ness, n. The power of generating.

Pro"cre*a`tor (?), n. [L.] One who begets; a father or sire; a generator.

||Pro"cris (?), n. [L., the wife of Cephalus, Gr. &?;.] (Zoˆl.) Any ||species of small moths of the genus Procris. The larvÊ of some ||species injure the grapevine by feeding in groups upon the leaves.

Pro*crus"te*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Procrustes, or the mode of torture practiced by him; producing conformity by violent means; as, the Procrustean treatment; a Procrustean limit. See Procrustes.

Pro*crus"te*an*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Procrusteanized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Procrusteanizing (?).] To stretch or contract according to some rule or standard.

Pro*crus"tes (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to beat out, to stretch; &?; forward + &?; to strike.] (Gr. Antiq.) A celebrated legendary highwayman of Attica, who tied his victims upon an iron bed, and, as the case required, either stretched or cut of their legs to adapt them to its length; -- whence the metaphorical phrase, the bed of Procrustes.

Pro`crus*te"si*an (?), a. See Procrustean.

||Proc*ti"tis (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; anus + -itis.] (Med.) ||Inflammation of the rectum.

Proc"to*cele (?), n. [Gr. &?; anus + &?; tumor.] (Med.) Inversion and prolapse of the mucous coat of the rectum, from relaxation of the sphincter, with more or less swelling; prolapsus ani. Dunglison.

||Proc`to*dÊ"um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; the anus + &?; to divide.] ||(Anat.) See Mesenteron.

Proc"tor (?), n. [OE. proketour, contr. fr. procurator. See Procurator.] One who is employed to manage to affairs of another. Specifically: (a) A person appointed to collect alms for those who could not go out to beg for themselves, as lepers, the bedridden, etc.; hence a beggar. [Obs.] Nares. (b) (Eng. Law) An officer employed in admiralty and ecclesiastical causes. He answers to an attorney at common law, or to a solicitor in equity. Wharton. (c) (Ch. of Eng.) A representative of the clergy in convocation. (d) An officer in a university or college whose duty it is to enforce obedience to the laws of the institution.

Proc"tor, v. t. To act as a proctor toward; to manage as an attorney or agent. Bp. Warburton.

Proc"tor*age (?), n. Management by a proctor, or as by a proctor; hence, control; superintendence; -- in contempt. "The fogging proctorage of money." Milton.

Proc*to"ri*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a proctor, esp. an academic proctor; magisterial.

Proc*tor"ic*al (?), a. Proctorial. [R.]

Proc"tor*ship (?), n. The office or dignity of a proctor; also, the term of his office. Clarendon.

Proc*tot"o*my (?), n. [Gr. &?; anus + &?; to cut.] (Surg.) An incision into the rectum, as for the division of a stricture.

||Proc"tu*cha (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. &?; anus + &?; to have.] ||(Zoˆl.) (a) A division of Turbellaria including those that have an ||intestine terminating posteriorly. (b) The Nemertina.

Pro*cum"bent (?), a. [L. procumbens, -entis, p. pr. of procumbere to fall, bend, or lean forward; pro forward + cumbere (in comp.), akin to cubare to lie down: cf. F. procombant. Cf. Incumbent.]

1. Lying down, or on the face; prone. " Procumbent each obeyed." Cowper.

2. (Bot.) Lying on the ground, but without putting forth roots; trailing; prostrate; as, a procumbent stem.

Pro*cur"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being procured; obtainable. Boyle.

Proc"u*ra*cy (?), n.; pl. Procuracies (#). [LL. procuratia: cf. F. procuratie. See Procuration, and cf,. Proxy.]

1. The office or act of a proctor or procurator; management for another.

2. Authority to act for another; a proxy. [Obs.]

Proc`u*ra"tion (?), n. [L. procuratio: cf. F. procuration. See Procure.]

1. The act of procuring; procurement.

2. The management of another's affairs.

3. The instrument by which a person is empowered to transact the affairs of another; a proxy.

4. (Ch. of Eng.) A sum of money paid formerly to the bishop or archdeacon, now to the ecclesiastical commissioners, by an incumbent, as a commutation for entertainment at the time of visitation; -- called also proxy.

Procuration money (Law), money paid for procuring a loan. Blackstone.

Proc"u*ra`tor (?), n. [L.: cf. F. procurateur. See Procure, and cf. Proctor. ]

1. (Law) One who manages another's affairs, either generally or in a special matter; an agent; a proctor. Chaucer. Shak.

2. (Rom. Antiq.) A governor of a province under the emperors; also, one who had charge of the imperial revenues in a province; as, the procurator of Judea.

Procurator fiscal (Scots Law), public prosecutor, or district attorney.

Proc`u*ra*to"ri*al (&?;), a. Of or pertaining to a procurator, or proctor; made by a proctor. Ayliffe.

Proc"u*ra`tor*ship (?), n. The office or term of a procurator. Bp. Pearson.

Pro*cu"ra*to*ry (?), a. [L. procuratorius.] Tending to, or authorizing, procuration.

Pro*cure" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Procured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Procuring.] [F. procurer, L. procurare, procuratum, to take care of; pro for + curare to take care, fr. cura care. See Cure, and cf. Proctor, Proxy.]

1. To bring into possession; to cause to accrue to, or to come into possession of; to acquire or provide for one's self or for another; to gain; to get; to obtain by any means, as by purchase or loan.

If we procure not to ourselves more woe.

Milton.

2. To contrive; to bring about; to effect; to cause.

By all means possible they procure to have gold and silver among
them in reproach.

Robynson (More's Utopia) .

Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall.

Shak.

3. To solicit; to entreat. [Obs.]

The famous Briton prince and faery knight, . . . Of the fair Alma
greatly were procured To make there longer sojourn and abode.

Spenser.

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4. To cause to come; to bring; to attract. [Obs.]

What unaccustomed cause procures her hither?

Shak.

5. To obtain for illicit intercourse or prostitution.

Syn. -- See Attain.

Pro*cure" (?), v. i.

1. To pimp. Shak.

2. To manage business for another in court. [Scot.]

Pro*cure"ment (?), n.

1. The act of procuring or obtaining; obtainment; attainment.

2. Efficient contrivance; management; agency.

They think it done By her procurement.

Dryden.

Pro*cur"er (?), n. [Cf. F. procureur.]

1. One who procures, or obtains; one who, or that which, brings on, or causes to be done, esp. by corrupt means.

2. One who procures the gratification of lust for another; a pimp; a pander. South.

Pro*cur"ess, n. A female procurer, or pander.

Pro"cy*on (?), n. [L., a constellation which rises before the Dog Star, Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; a dog. ]

1. (Astron.) A star of the first magnitude in the constellation Canis Minor, or the Little Dog.

2. (Zoˆl.) A genus of mammals including the raccoon.

Prod (?), n. [Cf. Gael. & Ir. brod goad, prickle, sting, and E. brad, also W. procio to poke, thrust.]

1. A pointed instrument for pricking or puncturing, as a goad, an awl, a skewer, etc.

2. A prick or stab which a pointed instrument.

3. A light kind of crossbow; -- in the sense, often spelled prodd. Fairholt.

Prod, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prodded (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prodding.] To thrust some pointed instrument into; to prick with something sharp; as, to prod a soldier with a bayonet; to prod oxen; hence, to goad, to incite, to worry; as, to prod a student. H. Taylor.

Prodd (?), n. A crossbow. See Prod, 3.

Prod"i*gal (?), a. [L. prodigus, from prodigere to drive forth, to squander away; pro forward, forth + agere to drive; cf. F. prodigue. See Agent. ] Given to extravagant expenditure; expending money or other things without necessity; recklessly or viciously profuse; lavish; wasteful; not frugal or economical; as, a prodigal man; the prodigal son; prodigal giving; prodigal expenses.

In fighting fields [patriots] were prodigal of blood.

Dryden.

Syn. -- Profuse; lavish; extravagant; squandering; wasteful. See Profuse.

Prod"i*gal, n. One who expends money extravagantly, viciously, or without necessity; one that is profuse or lavish in any expenditure; a waster; a spendthrift. "Noble prodigals of life." Trench.

Prod`i*gal"i*ty (?), n. [F. prodigalitÈ, L. prodigalitas. See Prodigal.] Extravagance in expenditure, particularly of money; excessive liberality; profusion; waste; -- opposed to frugality, economy, and parsimony."The prodigality of his wit." Dryden.

Prod"i*gal*ize (?), v. i. To act as a prodigal; to spend liberally. Sherwood.

Prod"i*gal*ize, v. t. To expend lavishly. Ld. Lytton.

Prod"i*gal*ly, adv. In a prodigal manner; with profusion of expense; extravagantly; wasteful; profusely; lavishly; as, an estate prodigally dissipated.

Nature not bounteous now, but lavish grows; Our paths with flowers
she prodigally strows.

Dryden.

Prod"i*gate (?), v. t. To squander. Thackeray.

Prod"i*gence (?), n. [L. prodigentia, fr. prodigens, p. pr. of prodigere. See Prodigal. ] Waste; profusion; prodigality. [R.] Bp. Hall.

Pro*di"gious (?), a. [L. prodigiosus, fr. prodigium a prodigy; cf. F. prodigieux. See Prodigy.]

1. Of the nature of a prodigy; marvelous; wonderful; portentous. [Obs. or R.] Spenser.

It is prodigious to have thunder in a clear sky.

Sir T. Browne.

2. Extraordinary in bulk, extent, quantity, or degree; very great; vast; huge; immense; as, a prodigious mountain; a prodigious creature; a prodigious blunder. "Prodigious might." Milton.

Syn. -- Huge; enormous; monstrous; portentous; marvelous; amazing; astonishing; extraordinary.

Pro*di"gious*ly, adv.

1. Enormously; wonderfully; astonishingly; as, prodigiously great.

2. Very much; extremely; as, he was prodigiously pleased. [Colloq.] Pope.

Pro*di"gious*ness, n. The quality or state of being prodigious; the state of having qualities that excite wonder or astonishment; enormousness; vastness.

Prod"i*gy (?), n.; pl. Prodigies (#). [ L. prodigium; pro before + (perh.) a word appearing in adagium adage: cf. F. prodige. Cf. Adage. ]

1. Something extraordinary, or out of the usual course of nature, from which omens are drawn; a portent; as, eclipses and meteors were anciently deemed prodigies.

So many terrors, voices, prodigies, May warn thee, as a sure
foregoing sign.

Milton.

2. Anything so extraordinary as to excite wonder or astonishment; a marvel; as, a prodigy of learning.

3. A production out of ordinary course of nature; an abnormal development; a monster. B. Jonson.

Syn. -- Wonder; miracle; portent; marvel; monster.

Pro*di"tion (?), n. [L. proditio, from prodere to give forth, betray: cf. OF. prodition.] Disclosure; treachery; treason. [Obs.] Ainsworth.

Prod"i*tor (?), n. [L.] A traitor. [Obs.]

Prod`i*to"ri*ous (?), a. [Cf. OF. proditoire.]

1. Treacherous; perfidious; traitorous. [Obs.] Daniel.

2. Apt to make unexpected revelations. [Obs.] "Nature is proditorious." Sir H. Wotton.

Prod"i*to*ry (?), a. Treacherous. [Obs.]

Prod"ro*mal (?), a. (Med.) Of or pertaining to prodromes; as, the prodromal stage of a disease.

Pro"drome (?), n. [Gr. &?; running before; &?; before + &?; to run: cf. F. prodrome.] A forerunner; a precursor.

Prod"ro*mous (?), a. Precursory. [R.]

Prod"ro*mus (?), n. [NL.]

1. A prodrome.

2. A preliminary course or publication; -- used esp. in the titles of elementary works.

Pro*duce" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Produced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Producing (?).] [L. producere, productum, to bring forward, beget, produce; pro forward, forth + ducere to lead. See Duke.]

1. To bring forward; to lead forth; to offer to view or notice; to exhibit; to show; as, to produce a witness or evidence in court.

Produce your cause, saith the Lord.

Isa. xli. 21.

Your parents did not produce you much into the world.

Swift.

2. To bring forth, as young, or as a natural product or growth; to give birth to; to bear; to generate; to propagate; to yield; to furnish; as, the earth produces grass; trees produce fruit; the clouds produce rain.

This soil produces all sorts of palm trees.

Sandys.

[They] produce prodigious births of body or mind.

Milton.

The greatest jurist his country had produced.

Macaulay.

3. To cause to be or to happen; to originate, as an effect or result; to bring about; as, disease produces pain; vice produces misery.

4. To give being or form to; to manufacture; to make; as, a manufacturer produces excellent wares.

5. To yield or furnish; to gain; as, money at interest produces an income; capital produces profit.

6. To draw out; to extend; to lengthen; to prolong; as, to produce a man's life to threescore. Sir T. Browne.

7. (Geom.) To extend; -- applied to a line, surface, or solid; as, to produce a side of a triangle.

Pro*duce", v. i. To yield or furnish appropriate offspring, crops, effects, consequences, or results.

Prod"uce (?; 277), n. That which is produced, brought forth, or yielded; product; yield; proceeds; result of labor, especially of agricultural labors; hence, specifically, agricultural products.

Pro*duce"ment (?), n. Production. [Obs.]

Pro*du"cent (?), n. [L. producens, p. pr.] One who produces, or offers to notice. [Obs.] Ayliffe.

Pro*du"cer (?), n.

1. One who produces, brings forth, or generates.

2. One who grows agricultural products, or manufactures crude materials into articles of use.

3. (Iron & Steel Manuf.) A furnace for producing combustible gas which is used for fuel.

Pro*du`ci*bil"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being producible. Barrow.

Pro*du"ci*ble (?), a. Capable of being produced, brought forward, brought forth, generated, made, or extended. -- Pro*du"ci*ble*ness, n.

Prod"uct (?), n. [L. productus, p. pr. of producere. See Produce.]

1. Anything that is produced, whether as the result of generation, growth, labor, or thought, or by the operation of involuntary causes; as, the products of the season, or of the farm; the products of manufactures; the products of the brain.

There are the product Of those ill-mated marriages.

Milton.

These institutions are the products of enthusiasm.

Burke.

2. (Math.) The number or sum obtained by adding one number or quantity to itself as many times as there are units in another number; the number resulting from the multiplication of two or more numbers; as, the product of the multiplication of 7 by 5 is 35. In general, the result of any kind of multiplication. See the Note under Multiplication.

Syn. -- Produce; production; fruit; result; effect; consequence; outcome; work; performance.

Pro*duct" (?), v. t.

1. To produce; to bring forward. "Producted to . . . examination." [Obs.] Foxe.

2. To lengthen out; to extend. [Obs.]

He that doth much . . . products his mortality.

Hackett.

3. To produce; to make. [Obs.] Holinshed.

Pro*duct`i*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state of being productible; producibility. Ruskin.

Pro*duct"i*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. productible.] Capable of being produced; producible.

Pro*duc"tile (?), a. [L. productilis, fr. producere to stretch out.] Capable of being extended or prolonged; extensible; ductile.

Pro*duc"tion (?), n. [L. productio a lengthening, prolonging: cf. F. production. See Produce. ]

1. The act or process or producing, bringing forth, or exhibiting to view; as, the production of commodities, of a witness.

2. That which is produced, yielded, or made, whether naturally, or by the application of intelligence and labor; as, the productions of the earth; the productions of handicraft; the productions of intellect or genius.

3. The act of lengthening out or prolonging.

Syn. -- Product; produce; fruit; work; performance; composition.

Pro*duc"tive (?), a. [F. productif, L. productivus fit for prolongation.]

1. Having the quality or power of producing; yielding or furnishing results; as, productive soil; productive enterprises; productive labor, that which increases the number or amount of products.

2. Bringing into being; causing to exist; producing; originative; as, an age productive of great men; a spirit productive of heroic achievements.

And kindle with thy own productive fire.

Dryden.

This is turning nobility into a principle of virtue, and making it
productive of merit.

Spectator.

3. Producing, or able to produce, in large measure; fertile; profitable.

-- Pro*duc"tive*ly, adv. -- Pro*duc"tive*ness, n.

Pro`duc*tiv"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being productive; productiveness. Emerson.

Not indeed as the product, but as the producing power, the
productivity.

Coleridge.

Pro*duc"tress (?), n. A female producer.

||Pro*duc"tus (?), n. [NL. See Product.] (Paleon.) An extinct genus of ||brachiopods, very characteristic of the Carboniferous rocks.

Pro`e*gu"mi*nal (?), a. [Gr. &?;, p. pr. of &?; to lead the way: cf. F. proÈgumËne.] (Med.) Serving to predispose; predisposing; as, a proeguminal cause of disease.

Pro"em (?), n. [L. prooemium, Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; way, course or strain of a song: cf. F. proËme.] Preface; introduction; preliminary observations; prelude.

Thus much may serve by way of proem.

Swift.

Pro"em, v. t. To preface. [Obs.] South.

Pro*em"bry*o (?), n. [Pref. pro- + embryo. ] (Bot.) (a) The series of cells formed in the ovule of a flowering plant after fertilization, but before the formation of the embryo. (b) The primary growth from the spore in certain cryptogamous plants; as, the proembryo, or protonema, of mosses.

Pro*e"mi*al (?), a. Introductory; prefatory; preliminary. [R.] Hammond.

Pro`emp*to"sis (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; to fall in before; &?; before + &?; in + &?; to fall.] (Chron.) The addition of a day to the lunar calendar. [R.] See Metemptosis.

Pro"face (?), interj. [OF. prou face, prou fasse; prou profit + faire to make, do.] Much good may it do you! -- a familiar salutation or welcome. [Obs.]

Master page, good master page, sit. Proface!

Shak.

Prof"a*nate (?), v. t. To profane. [Obs.]

Prof`a*na"tion (?), n. [L. profanatio: cf. F. profanation. See Profane, v. t.] 1. The act of violating sacred things, or of treating them with contempt or irreverence; irreverent or too familiar treatment or use of what is sacred; desecration; as, the profanation of the Sabbath; the profanation of a sanctuary; the profanation of the name of God.

2. The act of treating with abuse or disrespect, or with undue publicity, or lack of delicacy.

'T were profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love.

Donne.

Pro*fane" (?), a. [F., fr. L. profanus, properly, before the temple, i. e., without the temple, unholy; pro before + fanum temple. See 1st Fane.]

1. Not sacred or holy; not possessing peculiar sanctity; unconsecrated; hence, relating to matters other than sacred; secular; -- opposed to sacred, religious, or inspired; as, a profane place. "Profane authors." I. Disraeli.

The profane wreath was suspended before the shrine.

Gibbon.

2. Unclean; impure; polluted; unholy.

Nothing is profane that serveth to holy things.

Sir W. Raleigh.

3. Treating sacred things with contempt, disrespect, irreverence, or undue familiarity; irreverent; impious. Hence, specifically; Irreverent in language; taking the name of God in vain; given to swearing; blasphemous; as, a profane person, word, oath, or tongue. 1 Tim. i. 9.

Syn. -- Secular; temporal; worldly; unsanctified; unhallowed; unholy; irreligious; irreverent; ungodly; wicked; godless; impious. See Impious.

Pro*fane", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Profaned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Profaning.] [L. profanare: cf. F. profaner. See Profane, a.]

1. To violate, as anything sacred; to treat with abuse, irreverence, obloquy, or contempt; to desecrate; to pollute; as, to profane the name of God; to profane the Scriptures, or the ordinance of God.

The priests in the temple profane the sabbath.

Matt. xii. 5.

2. To put to a wrong or unworthy use; to make a base employment of; to debase; to abuse; to defile.

So idly to profane the precious time.

Shak.

Pro*fane"ly, adv. In a profane manner.

The character of God profanely impeached.

Dr. T. Dwight.

Pro*fane"ness, n. The quality or state of being profane; especially, the use of profane language.

Pro*fan"er (?), n. One who treats sacred things with irreverence, or defiles what is holy; one who uses profane language. Hooker.

Pro*fan"i*ty (?), n. [L. profanitas.]

1. The quality or state of being profane; profaneness; irreverence; esp., the use of profane language; blasphemy.

2. That which is profane; profane language or acts.

The brisk interchange of profanity and folly.

Buckminster.

Pro*fec"tion (?), n. [See Proficient.] A setting out; a going forward; advance; progression. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Pro`fec*ti"tious (?), a. [L. profectitius, fr. proficisci to set out, proceed.] Proceeding from, as from a parent; derived, as from an ancestor. [R.]

The threefold distinction of profectitious, adventitious, and
professional was ascertained.

Gibbon.

Pro"fert (?), n. [L., he brings forward, 3d pers. pr. of proferre. See Proffer. ] (Law) The exhibition or production of a record or paper in open court, or an allegation that it is in court.

Pro*fess" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Professed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Professing.] [F. profËs, masc., professe, fem., professed (monk or nun), L. professus, p. p. of profiteri to profess; pro before, forward + fateri to confess, own. See Confess.]

1. To make open declaration of, as of one's knowledge, belief, action, etc.; to avow or acknowledge; to confess publicly; to own or admit freely. "Hear me profess sincerely." Shak.

The best and wisest of them all professed To know this only, that
he nothing knew.

Milton.

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2. To set up a claim to; to make presence to; hence, to put on or present an appearance of.

I do profess to be no less than I seem.

Shak.

3. To present to knowledge of, to proclaim one's self versed in; to make one's self a teacher or practitioner of, to set up as an authority respecting; to declare (one's self to be such); as, he professes surgery; to profess one's self a physician.

Pro*fess" (?), v. i. 1. To take a profession upon one's self by a public declaration; to confess. Drayton.

2. To declare friendship. [Obs.] Shak.

Pro*fessed" (?), a. Openly declared, avowed, acknowledged, or claimed; as, a professed foe; a professed tyrant; a professed Christian.

The professed (R. C. Ch.) , a certain class among the Jesuits bound by a special vow. See the note under Jesuit.

Pro*fess"ed*ly (?), adv. By profession.

Pro*fes"sion (?), n. [F., fr. L. professio. See Profess, v.] 1. The act of professing or claiming; open declaration; public avowal or acknowledgment; as, professions of friendship; a profession of faith.

A solemn vow, promise, and profession.

Bk. of Com. Prayer.

2. That which one professed; a declaration; an avowal; a claim; as, his professions are insincere.

The Indians quickly perceive the coincidence or the contradiction
between professions and conduct.

J. Morse.

3. That of which one professed knowledge; the occupation, if not mechanical, agricultural, or the like, to which one devotes one's self; the business which one professes to understand, and to follow for subsistence; calling; vocation; employment; as, the profession of arms; the profession of a clergyman, lawyer, or physician; the profession of lecturer on chemistry.

Hi tried five or six professions in turn.

Macaulay.

The three professions, or learned professions, are, especially, theology, law, and medicine.

4. The collective body of persons engaged in a calling; as, the profession distrust him.

5. (Eccl. Law.) The act of entering, or becoming a member of, a religious order.

Pro*fes"sion*al (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to a profession, or calling; conforming to the rules or standards of a profession; following a profession; as, professional knowledge; professional conduct. "Pride, not personal, but professional." Macaulay. "A professional sneerer." De Quincey.

2. Engaged in by professionals; as, a professional race; -- opposed to amateur.

Pro*fes"sion*al, n. A person who prosecutes anything professionally, or for a livelihood, and not in the character of an amateur; a professional worker.

Pro*fes"sion*al*ism (?), n. The following of a profession, sport, etc., as an occupation; -- opposed to amateurism.

Pro*fes"sion*al*ist, n. professional person. [R.]

Pro*fes"sion*al*ly, adv. In a professional manner or capacity; by profession or calling; in the exercise of one's profession; one employed professionally.

Pro*fess"or (?), n. [L., a teacher, a public teacher: cf. F. professeur. See Profess.] 1. One who professed, or makes open declaration of, his sentiments or opinions; especially, one who makes a public avowal of his belief in the Scriptures and his faith in Christ, and thus unites himself to the visible church. "Professors of religion." Bacon.

2. One who professed, or publicly teaches, any science or branch of learning; especially, an officer in a university, college, or other seminary, whose business it is to read lectures, or instruct students, in a particular branch of learning; as a professor of theology, of botany, of mathematics, or of political economy.

Pro`fes*so"ri*al (?), a. [L. professorius: cf. F. professorial.] Of or pertaining to a professor; as, the professional chair; professional interest.

Pro`fes*so"ri*al*ism (?), n. The character, manners, or habits of a professor. [R.]

Pro`fes*so"ri*at (?), n. See Professoriate.

Pro`fes*so"ri*ate (?), n. 1. The body of professors, or the professorial staff, in a university or college.

2. A professorship.

Pro*fess"or*ship (?), n. The office or position of a professor, or public teacher. Walton.

Pro*fes"so*ry (?), a. [L. professorius.] Of or pertaining to a professor; professorial. [R.] Bacon.

Prof"fer (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proffered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proffering.] [OE. profren, proferen, F. profÈrer, fr. L. proferre to bring forth or forward, to offer; pro forward + ferre to bring. See Bear to produce.] 1. To offer for acceptance; to propose to give; to make a tender of; as, to proffer a gift; to proffer services; to proffer friendship. Shak.

I reck not what wrong that thou me profre.

Chaucer.

2. To essay or attempt of one's own accord; to undertake, or propose to undertake. [R.] Milton.

Prof"fer, n. 1. An offer made; something proposed for acceptance by another; a tender; as, proffers of peace or friendship.

He made a proffer to lay down his commission.

Clarendon.

2. Essay; attempt. [R.] Bacon.

Prof"fer*er (?), n. One who proffers something.

{ Pro*fi"cience (?), Pro*fi"cien*cy (?) }, n. The quality of state of being proficient; advance in the acquisition of any art, science, or knowledge; progression in knowledge; improvement; adeptness; as, to acquire proficiency in music.

Pro*fi"cient (?), n. [L. proficiens, -entis, p. pr. of proficere to go forward, make progress; pro forward + facere to make. See Fact, and cf. Profit, (&?;)] One who has made considerable advances in any business, art, science, or branch of learning; an expert; an adept; as, proficient in a trade; a proficient in mathematics, music, etc.