Chapter I: W. W (12)

LAPSE Lapse, v. t.

1. To let slip; to permit to devolve on another; to allow to pass. An appeal may be deserted by the appellant's lapsing the term of law. Ayliffe.

2. To surprise in a fault or error; hence, to surprise or catch, as an offender. [Obs.] For which, if be lapsed in this place, I shall pay dear. Shak.

LAPSED Lapsed, a.

1. Having slipped downward, backward, or away; having lost position, privilege, etc., by neglect; -- restricted to figurative uses. Once more I will renew His lapsed powers, though forfeit. Milton.

2. Ineffectual, void, or forfeited; as, a lapsed policy of insurance; a lapsed legacy. Lapsed devise, Lapsed legacy (Law), a devise, or legacy, which fails to take effect in consequence of the death of the devisee, or legatee, before that of the testator, or for ether cause. Wharton (Law Dict.).

LAPSIBLE Laps"i*ble, a.

Defn: Liable to lapse.

LAPSIDED Lap"sid`ed, a.

Defn: See Lopsided.

LAPSTONE Lap"stone`, n.

Defn: A stone for the lap, on which shoemakers beat leather.

LAPSTREAK; LAPSTRAKE Lap"streak`, Lap"strake`, a.

Defn: Made with boards whose edges lap one over another; clinker- built; -- said of boats.

LAPUTAN La*pu"tan, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Laputa, an imaginary flying island described in Gulliver's Travels as the home of chimerical philosophers. Hence, fanciful; preposterous; absurd in science or philosophy. "Laputan ideas." G. Eliot.

LAP-WELDED Lap"-weld`ed, a

Defn: Having edges or ends united by a lap weld; as, a lap-welded pipe.

LAPWING Lap"wing`, n. Etym: [OE.lapwynke, leepwynke, AS. hleápewince; hleápan to leap, jump + (prob.) a word akin to AS. wincian to wink, E. wink, AS. wancol wavering; cf. G. wanken to stagger, waver. See Leap, and Wink.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small European bird of the Plover family (Vanellus cristatus, or V. vanellus). It has long and broad wings, and is noted for its rapid, irregular fight, upwards, downwards, and in circles. Its back is coppery or greenish bronze. Its eggs are the "plover's eggs" of the London market, esteemed a delicacy. It is called also peewit, dastard plover, and wype. The gray lapwing is the Squatarola cinerea.

LAPWORK Lap"work`, n.

Defn: Work in which one part laps over another. Grew.

LAQUAY Laq"uay, n.

Defn: A lackey. [Obs.] Evelyn.

LAQUEAR La"que*ar, n.; pl. Laquearia. Etym: [L.] (Arch.)

Defn: A lacunar.

LAQUEARY Laq"ue*a*ry, a. Etym: [L. laqueus a noose.]

Defn: Using a noose, as a gladiator. [Obs. or R.] Retiary and laqueary combatants. Sir T. Browne.

LAR Lar, n.; pl. Lares, sometimes Lars. Etym: [L.] (Rom. Myth.)

Defn: A tutelary deity; a deceased ancestor regarded as a protector of the family. The domestic Lares were the tutelar deities of a house; household gods. Hence, Eng.: Hearth or dwelling house. Nor will she her dear Lar forget, Victorious by his benefit. Lovelace. The Lars and Lemures moan with midnight plaint. Milton. Looking backward in vain toward their Lares and lands. Longfellow.

LAR Lar, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A species of gibbon (Hylobates lar), found in Burmah. Called also white-handed gibbon.

LARAMIE GROUP Lar"a*mie group`. (Geol.)

Defn: An extensive series of strata, principally developed in the Rocky Mountain region, as in the Laramie Mountains, and formerly supposed to be of the Tertiary age, but now generally regarded as Cretaceous, or of intermediate and transitional character. It contains beds of lignite, often valuable for coal, and is hence also called the lignitic group. See Chart of Geology.

LARBOARD Lar"board`, n. Etym: [Lar- is of uncertain origin, possibly the same as lower, i. e., humbler in rank, because the starboard side is considered by mariners as higher in rank; cf. D. laag low, akin to E. low. See Board, n., 8.] (Naut.)

Defn: The left-hand side of a ship to one on board facing toward the bow; port; -- opposed to Ant: starboard.

Note: Larboard is a nearly obsolete term, having been superseded by port to avoid liability of confusion with starboard, owing to similarity of sound.

LARBOARD Lar"board`, a.

Defn: On or pertaining to the left-hand side of a vessel; port; as, the larboard quarter.

LARCENER; LARCENIST Lar"ce*ner, Lar"ce*nist, n.

Defn: One who commits larceny.

LARCENOUS Lar"ce*nous, a. Etym: [Cf. OE. larrecinos. See Larceny.]

Defn: Having the character of larceny; as, a larcenous act; committing larceny. "The larcenous and burglarious world." Sydney Smith. -- Lar"ce*nous*ly, adv.

LARCENY Lar"ce*ny, n.; pl. Larcenies. Etym: [F. larcin, OE. larrecin, L. latrocinium, fr. latro robber, mercenary, hired servant; cf. Gr. (Latrociny.] (Law)

Defn: The unlawful taking and carrying away of things personal with intent to deprive the right owner of the same; theft. Cf. Embezzlement. Grand larceny and Petit larceny are distinctions having reference to the nature or value of the property stolen. They are abolished in England. -- Mixed, or Compound, larceny, that which, under statute, includes in it the aggravation of a taking from a building or the person. -- Simple larceny, that which is not accompanied with any aggravating circumstances.

LARCH Larch, n. Etym: [Cf. OE. larege (Cotgrave), It.larice, Sp. larice, alerce, G. lärche; all fr. L. larix, -icis, Gr. ( (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of coniferous trees, having deciduous leaves, in fascicles (see Illust. of Fascicle).

Note: The European larch is Larix Europæa. The American or black larch is L. Americana, the hackmatack or tamarack. The trees are generally of a drooping, graceful appearance.

LARCHEN Larch"en, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the larch. Keats.

LARD Lard, n. Etym: [F., bacon, pig's fat, L. lardum, laridum; cf. Gr. (

1. Bacon; the flesh of swine. [Obs.] Dryden.

2. The fat of swine, esp. the internal fat of the abdomen; also, this fat melted and strained. Lard oil, an illuminating and lubricating oil expressed from lard. -- Leaf lard, the internal fat of the hog, separated in leaves or masses from the kidneys, etc.; also, the same melted.

LARD Lard, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Larded; p. pr. & vb. n. Larding.] Etym: [F. larder. See Lard, n.]

1. To stuff with bacon; to dress or enrich with lard; esp., to insert lardons of bacon or pork in the surface of, before roasting; as, to lard poultry. And larded thighs on loaded altars laid. Dryden.

2. To fatten; to enrich. [The oak] with his nuts larded many a swine. Spenser. Falstaff sweats to death. And lards the lean earth as he walks along. Shak.

3. To smear with lard or fat. In his buff doublet larded o'er with fat Of slaughtered brutes. Somerville.

4. To mix or garnish with something, as by way of improvement; to interlard. Shak. Let no alien Sedley interpose To lard with wit thy hungry Epsom prose. Dryden.

LARD Lard, v. i.

Defn: To grow fat. [Obs.]

LARDACEIN Lar`da*ce"in, n. Etym: [See Lardaceous.] (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: A peculiar amyloid substance, colored blue by iodine and sulphuric acid, occurring mainly as an abnormal infiltration into the spleen, liver, etc.

LARDACEOUS Lar*da"ceous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. lardacé.]

Defn: Consisting of, or resembling, lard. Lardaceous degeneration (Med.), amyloid degeneration.

LARDER Lard"er, n. Etym: [OF. lardier. See Lard, n.]

Defn: A room or place where meat and other articles of food are kept before they are cooked. Shak.

LARDERER Lard"er*er, n.

Defn: One in charge of the larder.

LARDERY Lard"er*y, n. Etym: [Cf. OE. larderie.]

Defn: A larder. [Obs.]

LARDON; LARDOON Lar"don, Lar*doon", n. Etym: [F. lardon, fr. lard lard.]

Defn: A bit of fat pork or bacon used in larding.

LARDRY Lard"ry, n. Etym: [See Lardery.]

Defn: A larder. [Obs.]

LARDY Lard"y, a.

Defn: Containing, or resembling, lard; of the character or consistency of lard.

LARE Lare, n. Etym: [See Lore.]

Defn: Lore; learning. [Obs.]

LARE Lare, n.

Defn: Pasture; feed. See Lair. [Obs.] Spenser.

LARE Lare, v. t.

Defn: To feed; to fatten. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

LARES La"res, n. pl.

Defn: See 1st Lar.

LARGE Large, a. [Compar. Larger; superl. Largest.] Etym: [F., fr. L. largus. Cf. Largo.]

1. Exceeding most other things of like in bulk, capacity, quantity, superficial dimensions, or number of constituent units; big; great; capacious; extensive; -- opposed to small; as, a nlarge horse; a large house or room; a large lake or pool; a large jug or spoon; a large vineyard; a large army; a large city.

Note: For linear dimensions, and mere extent, great, and not large, is used as a qualifying word; as, great length, breadth, depth; a great distance; a great height.

2. Abundant; ample; as, a large supply of provisions. We hare yet large day. Milton.

3. Full in statement; diffuse; full; profuse. I might be very large upon the importance and advantages of education. Felton.

4. Having more than usual power or capacity; having broad sympathies and generous impulses; comprehensive; -- said of the mind and heart.

5. Free; unembarrassed. [Obs.] Of burdens all he set the Paynims large. Fairfax.

6. Unrestrained by decorum; -- said of language. [Obs.] "Some large jests he will make." Shak.

7. Prodigal in expending; lavish. [Obs.] Chaucer.

8. (Naut.)

Defn: Crossing the line of a ship's course in a favorable direction; -- said of the wind when it is abeam, or between the beam and the quarter. At large. (a) Without restraint or confinement; as, to go at large; to be left at large. (b) Diffusely; fully; in the full extent; as, to discourse on a subject at large. -- Common at large. See under Common, n. -- Electors at large, Representative at large, electors, or a representative, as in Congress, chosen to represent the whole of a State, in distinction from those chosen to represent particular districts in a State. [U. S.] -- To give, go, run, or sail large (Naut.), to have the wind crossing the direction of a vessel's course in such a way that the sails feel its full force, and the vessel gains its highest speed. See Large, a., 8.

Syn. -- Big; bulky; huge; capacious; comprehensive; ample; abundant; plentiful; populous; copious; diffusive; liberal.

LARGE Large, adv.

Defn: Freely; licentiously. [Obs.] Chaucer.

LARGE Large, n. (Mus.)

Defn: A musical note, formerly in use, equal to two longs, four breves, or eight semibreves.

LARGE-ACRED Large"-a`cred, a.

Defn: Possessing much land.

LARGE-HANDED Large"-hand`ed, a.

Defn: Having large hands, Fig.: Taking, or giving, in large quantities; rapacious or bountiful.

LARGE-HEARTED Large"-heart`ed, a.

Defn: Having a large or generous heart or disposition; noble; liberal. -- Large"-heart`ed*ness, n.

LARGELY Large"ly, adv.

Defn: In a large manner. Dryden. Milton.

LARGENESS Large"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being large.

LARGESS; LARGESSE Lar"gess, Lar"gesse, n. Etym: [F. largesse, fr. large. See Large, a.]

1. Liberality; generosity; bounty. [Obs.] Fulfilled of largesse and of all grace. Chaucer.

2. A present; a gift; a bounty bestowed. The heralds finished their proclamation with their usual cry of "Largesse, largesse, gallant knights!" and gold and silver pieces were showered on them from the galleries. Sir W. Scott.

LARGET Lar"get, n. Etym: [Cf. F. larget.]

Defn: A sport piece of bar iron for rolling into a sheet; a small billet.

LARGHETTO Lar*ghet"to, a. & adv. Etym: [It., dim. of largo largo.] (Mus.)

Defn: Somewhat slow or slowly, but not so slowly as largo, and rather more so than andante.

LARGIFICAL Lar*gif"i*cal, a. Etym: [L. largificus; largus large + facere.]

Defn: Generous; ample; liberal. [Obs.]

LARGIFLUOUS Lar*gif"lu*ous, a. Etym: [L. largifiuus; large abundantly + fluere to flow.]

Defn: Flowing copiously. [Obs.]

LARGILOQUENT Lar*gil"o*quent, a. Etym: [Cf. L. largiloquus.]

Defn: Grandiloquent. [Obs.]

LARGISH Lar"gish, a.

Defn: Somewhat large. [Colloq.]

LARGITION Lar*gi"tion, Etym: [L. largitio, fr. largiri, p. p. largitus, to give bountifully.]

Defn: The bestowment of a largess or gift. [Obs.]

LARGO Lar"go, a. & adv. Etym: [It., large, L. largus, See Large.] (Mus.)

Defn: Slow or slowly; -- more so than adagio; next in slowness to grave, which is also weighty and solemn. -- n.

Defn: A movement or piece in largo time.

LARIAT Lar"i*at, n. Etym: [Sp. la reata the rope; la the + reata rope. Cf. Reata.]

Defn: A long, slender rope made of hemp or strips of hide, esp. one with a noose; -- used as a lasso for catching cattle, horses, etc., and for picketing a horse so that he can graze without wandering. [Mexico & Western U.S.]

LARIAT Lar"i*at, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lariated; p. pr. & vb. n. Lariating.]

Defn: To secure with a lariat fastened to a stake, as a horse or mule for grazing; also, to lasso or catch with a lariat. [Western U.S.]

LARINE La"rine, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Gull family (Laridæ).

LARIXINIC Lar`ix*in"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Of, or derived from, the larch (Larix); as, larixinic acid.

LARK Lark, n. Etym: [Perh fr. AS. lac play, sport. Cf. Lake, v. i.]

Defn: A frolic; a jolly time. [Colloq.] Dickens.

LARK Lark, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Larked; p. pr. & vb. n. Larking.]

Defn: To sport; to frolic. [Colloq.]

LARK Lark, n. Etym: [OE. larke, laverock, AS. lawerce; akin to D. leeuwerik, LG. lewerke, OHG. l, G. lerche, Sw. lärka, Dan. lerke, Icel. lævirki.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one numerous species of singing birds of the genus Alauda and allied genera (family Alaudidæ). They mostly belong to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. In America they are represented by the shore larks, or horned by the shore larks, or horned larks, of the genus Otocoris. The true larks have holaspidean tarsi, very long hind claws, and usually, dull, sandy brown colors.

Note: The European skylark, or lark of the poets (Alauda arvensis), is of a brown mottled color, and is noted for its clear and sweet song, uttered as it rises and descends almost perpendicularly in the air. It is considered a table delicacy, and immense numbers are killed for the markets. Other well-known European species are the crested, or tufted, lark (Alauda cristata), and the wood lark (A. arborea). The pipits, or titlarks, of the genus Anthus (family Motacillidæ) are often called larks. See Pipit. The American meadow larks, of the genus Sturnella, are allied to the starlings. See Meadow Lark. The Australian bush lark is Mirafra Horsfieldii. See Shore lark. Lark bunting (Zoöl.), a fringilline bird (Calamospiza melanocorys) found on the plains of the Western United States. -- Lark sparrow (Zoöl.), a sparrow (Chondestes grammacus), found in the Mississippi Valley and the Western United States.

LARK Lark, v. i.

Defn: To catch larks; as, to go larking.

LARK-COLORED Lark"-col`ored, a.

Defn: Having the sandy brown color of the European larks.

LARKER Lark"er, n. Etym: [See 3d Lark, for sense 1, and 1st Lark, for sense 2.]

1. A catcher of larks.

2. One who indulges in a lark or frolic. [Colloq.]

LARK'S-HEEL Lark's"-heel`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Indian cress.

LARKSPUR Lark"spur, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of ranunculaceous plants (Delphinium), having showy flowers, and a spurred calyx. They are natives of the North Temperate zone. The commonest larkspur of the gardens is D. Consolida. The flower of the bee larkspur (D. elatum) has two petals bearded with yellow hairs, and looks not unlike a bee.

LARMIER Lar"mi*er, n. Etym: [F., fr. larme tear, drop, L. lacrima. See Lachrymose.] (Anat.)

Defn: See Tearpit.

LAROID La"roid, a. Etym: [Larus + -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Like or belonging to the Gull family (Laridæ).

LARRIKIN Lar"ri*kin, n. [Cf. E. dial. larrikin a mischievous or frolicsome youth, larrick lively, careless, larack to trolic, to romp.]

Defn: A rowdy street loafer; a rowdyish or noisy ill-bred fellow; -- variously applied, as to a street blackguard, a street Arab, a youth given to horse-play, etc. [Australia & Eng.] -- a.

Defn: Rowdy; rough; disorderly. [Australia & Eng.]

Mobs of unruly larrikins. Sydney Daily Telegraph.

Larrikin is often popularly explained by the following anecdote (which is without foundation): An Irish policeman at Melbourne, on bringing a notorious rough into court, was asked by the magistrate what the prisoner had been doing, and replied, "He was a-larrikin' [i. e., a-larking] about the streets."

LARRUP Lar"rup, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Larruped; p. pr. & vb. n. Larruping.] Etym: [Perh, a corrupt. of lee rope, used by sailors in beating the boys; but cf. D. larpen to thresh, larp a whip, blow.]

Defn: To beat or flog soundly. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.] Forby.

LARRY Lar"ry, n.

Defn: Same as Lorry, or Lorrie.

LARUM Lar"um

Defn: , See Alarum, and Alarm.

LARVA Lar"va, n.; pl. L. Larvæ, E. Larvas. Etym: [L. larva ghost, specter, mask.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any young insect from the time that it hatches from the egg until it becomes a pupa, or chrysalis. During this time it usually molts several times, and may change its form or color each time. The larvæ of many insects are much like the adults in form and habits, but have no trace of wings, the rudimentary wings appearing only in the pupa stage. In other groups of insects the larvæ are totally unlike the parents in structure and habits, and are called caterpillars, grubs, maggots, etc.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The early, immature form of any animal when more or less of a metamorphosis takes place, before the assumption of the mature shape.

LARVAL Lar"val, a. Etym: [L. larvalis ghostly. See Larva.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a larva.

LARVALIA Lar*va"li*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Larval.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: An order of Tunicata, including Appendicularia, and allied genera; -- so called because certain larval features are retained by them through life. Called also Copelata. See Appendicularia.

LARVATE Lar"vate, a. [L. larva mask.]

Defn: Masked; hence, concealed; obscure; -- applied in medicine to doubtful cases of some diseases; as, larvate pneumonis; larvate epilepsy.

LARVATED Lar"va*ted, a. Etym: [L.larvatus bewitched. See Larva.]

Defn: Masked; clothed as with a mask.

LARVE Larve, n.; pl.Larves. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A larva.

LARVIFORM Lar"vi*form, a. Etym: [Larva + -form.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the form or structure of a larva.

LARVIPAROUS Lar*vip"a*rous, a. Etym: [Larva + L. parete to bring forth.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Depositing living larvæ, instead of eggs; -- said of certain insects.

LARY La"ry, n. Etym: [Cf. F. lare sea gull, L. larus a sort of sea bird, Gr. (

Defn: A guillemot; -- called also lavy. [Prov. Eng.]

LARYNGEAL Lar`yn*ge"al, a. Etym: [From Larynx.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to the larynx; adapted to operations on the larynx; as, laryngeal forceps.

LARYNGEAN Lar`yn*ge"an, a.

Defn: See Laryngeal.

LARYNGECTOMY Lar`yn*gec"to*my, n. [Larynx + Gr. to cut out.] (Surg.)

Defn: Excision of the larynx.

LARYNGISMUS Lar`yn*gis"mus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Larynx.] (Med.)

Defn: A spasmodic state of the glottis, giving rise to contraction or closure of the opening.

LARYNGITIS Lar`yn*gi"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Larynx, and -tis.] (Med.)

Defn: Inflammation of the larynx.

LARYNGOGRAPH La*ryn"go*graph, n. [larynx + -graph.]

Defn: An instrument for recording the larynx movements in speech.

LARYNGOLOGICAL La*ryn`go*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to laryngology.

LARYNGOLOGIST Lar`yn*gol"o*gist, n.

Defn: One who applies himself to laryngology.

LARYNGOLOGY Lar`yn*gol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Larynx + -logy.]

Defn: Systematized knowledge of the action and functions of the larynx; in pathology, the department which treats of the diseases of the larynx.

LARYNGOPHONY Lar`yn*goph"o*ny, n. Etym: [Larynx + Gr. (

Defn: The sound of the voice as heard through a stethoscope when the latter is placed upon the larynx.

LARYNGOSCOPE La*ryn"go*scope, n. Etym: [Larynx + -scope.] (Surg.)

Defn: An instrument, consisting of an arrangement of two mirrors, for reflecting light upon the larynx, and for examining its image.

LARYNGOSCOPIC La*ryn`go*scop"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the inspection of the larynx.

LARYNGOSCOPIST Lar`yn*gos"co*pist, n.

Defn: One skilled in laryngoscopy.

LARYNGOSCOPY Lar`yn*gos"co*py, n.

Defn: The art of using the laryngoscope; investigations made with the laryngoscope.

LARYNGOTOME La*ryn"go*tome, n. (Surg.)

Defn: An instrument for performing laryngotomy.

LARYNGOTOMY Lar`yn*got"o*my, n. Etym: [Gr. (laryngotomie.] (Surg.)

Defn: The operation of cutting into the larynx, from the outside of the neck, for assisting respiration when obstructed, or for removing foreign bodies.

LARYNGOTRACHEAL La*ryn`go*tra"che*al, a. Etym: [Larynx + tracheal.] (Anat.)

Defn: Pertaining to both larynx and trachea; as, the laryngotracheal cartilage in the frog.

LARYNGOTRACHEOTOMY La*ryn`go*tra`che*ot"o*my, n. Etym: [Larynx + tracheotomy.] (Surg.)

Defn: The operation of cutting into the larynx and the upper part of the trachea, -- a frequent operation for obstruction to breathing.

LARYNX Lar"ynx, n. [ (Anat.)

Defn: The expanded upper end of the windpipe or trachea, connected with the hyoid bone or cartilage. It contains the vocal cords, which produce the voice by their vibrations, when they are stretched and a current of air passes between them. The larynx is connected with the pharynx by an opening, the glottis, which, in mammals, is protected by a lidlike epiglottis.

Note: In the framework of the human larynx, the thyroid cartilage, attached to the hyoid bone, makes the protuberance on the front of the neck known as Adam's apple, and is articulated below to the ringlike cricoid cartilage. This is narrow in front and high behind, where, within the thyroid, it is surmounted by the two arytenoid cartilages, from which the vocal cords pass forward to be attached together to the front of the thyroid. See Syrinx.

LAS Las, n.

Defn: A lace. See Lace. [Obs.] Chaucer.

LAS Las, a. & adv.

Defn: Less. [Obs.] Chaucer.

LASCAR Las"car, n. Etym: [Per. & Hind. lashkar an army, an inferior artillery man, a cooly, a native sailor.]

Defn: A native sailor, employed in European vessels; also, a menial employed about arsenals, camps, camps, etc.; a camp follower. [East Indies]

LASCIOUS Las"ci*ous, a.

Defn: Loose; lascivious. [Obs.] "To depaint lascious wantonness." Holland.

LASCIVIENCY Las*civ"i*en*cy, n. Etym: [See Lascivient.]

Defn: Lasciviousness; wantonness. [Obs.]

LASCIVIENT Las*civ"i*ent, a. Etym: [L. lasciviens, pr. of lascivire to be wanton, fr. lascivus. See Lascivious.]

Defn: Lascivious. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

LASCIVIOUS Las*civ"i*ous, a. Etym: [L. lascivia wantonness, fr. lascivus wanton; cf. Gr. (lash to desire.]

1. Wanton; lewd; lustful; as, lascivious men; lascivious desires. Milton.

2. Tending to produce voluptuous or lewd emotions. He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber To the lascivious pleasing of a lute. Shak. -- Las*civ"i*ous*ly, adv. -- Las*civ"i*ous*ness, n.

LASERWORT La"ser*wort`, n. Etym: [L.laser the juice of the laserwort.] (Bot.)

Defn: Any plant of the umbelliferous genus Laserpitium, of several species (as L. glabrum, and L. siler), the root of which yields a resinous substance of a bitter taste. The genus is mostly European.

LASH Lash, n. Etym: [OE. lasche; cf. D. lasch piece set in, joint, seam, G. lashe latchet, a bit of leather, gusset, stripe, laschen to furnish with flaps, to lash or slap, Icel. laski gusset, flap, laska to break.]

1. The thong or braided cord of a whip, with which the blow is given. I observed that your whip wanted a lash to it. Addison.

2. A leash in which an animal is caught or held; hence, a snare. [Obs.]

3. A stroke with a whip, or anything pliant and tough; as, the culprit received thirty-nine lashes.

4. A stroke of satire or sarcasm; an expression or retort that cuts or gives pain; a cut. The moral is a lash at the vanity of arrogating that to ourselves which succeeds well. L'Estrange.

5. A hair growing from the edge of the eyelid; an eyelash.

6. In carpet weaving, a group of strings for lifting simultaneously certain yarns, to form the figure.

LASH Lash, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lashed; p. pr. & vb. n. Lashng.]

1. To strike with a lash ; to whip or scourge with a lash, or with something like one. We lash the pupil, and defraud the ward. Dryden.

2. To strike forcibly and quickly, as with a lash; to beat, or beat upon, with a motion like that of a lash; as, a whale lashes the sea with his tail. And big waves lash the frighted shores. Dryden.

3. To throw out with a jerk or quickly. He falls, and lashing up his heels, his rider throws. Dryden.

4. To scold; to berate; to satirize; to censure with severity; as, to lash vice.

LASH Lash

Defn: ,. v. i. To ply the whip; to strike; to uttercensure or sarcastic language. To laugh at follies, or to lash at vice. Dryden. To lash out, to strike out wildly or furiously.

LASH Lash, v. t. Etym: [Cf. D. lasschen to fasten together, lasch piece, joint, Sw. laska to stitch, Dan. laske stitch. See Lash, n. ]

Defn: To bind with a rope, cord, thong, or chain, so as to fasten; as, to lash something to a spar; to lash a pack on a horse's back.

LASHER Lash"er, n.

Defn: One who whips or lashes.

LASHER Lash"er, n.

1. A piece of rope for binding or making fast one thing to another; - - called also lashing.

2. A weir in a river. [Eng.] Halliwell.

LASHING Lash"ing, n.

Defn: The act of one who, or that which, lashes; castigation; chastisement. South. Lashing out, a striking out; also, extravagance.

LASHING Lash"ing, n.

Defn: See 2d Lasher.

LASK Lask, n.

Defn: A diarrhea or flux. [Obs.] Holland.

LASKET Las"ket, n. Etym: [Cf. Lash, Latching.] (Naut.)

Defn: latching.

LASS Lass, n. Etym: [OE. lasse; prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. llodes girl, fem. of llawd lad. (Lad a youth.]

Defn: A youth woman; a girl; a sweetheart.

LASSE Lasse, a. & adv.

Defn: Less. [Obs.] Chaucer.

LASSIE Las"sie, n.

Defn: A young girl; a lass. [Scot.]

LASSITUDE Las"si*tude, n. Etym: [L. lassitudo, fr. lassus faint, weary; akin to E. late: cf. F. lassitude. See Late.]

Defn: A condition of the body, or mind, when its voluntary functions are performed with difficulty, and only by a strong exertion of the will; languor; debility; weariness. The corporeal instruments of action being strained to a high pitch . . . will soon feel a lassitude. Barrow.

LASSLORN Lass"lorn`, a.

Defn: Forsaken by a lass. Shak.

LASSO Lass"o (lâs"so) n.; pl. Lassos (-soz). Etym: [Sp. lazo, L. laqueus. See Lace.]

Defn: A rope or long thong of leather with, a running noose, used for catching horses, cattle, etc. Lasso cell (Zoöl.), one of a peculiar kind of defensive and offensive stinging cells, found in great numbers in all coelenterates, and in a few animals of other groups. They are most highly developed in the tentacles of jellyfishes, hydroids, and Actiniæ. Each of these cells is filled with, fluid, and contains a long, slender, often barbed, hollow thread coiled up within it. When the cell contracts the thread is quickly ejected, being at the same time turned inside out. The thread is able to penetrate the flesh of various small, soft-bodied animals, and carries a subtle poison by which they are speedily paralyzed and killed. The threads, at the same time, hold the prey in position, attached to the tentacles. Some of the jellyfishes, as the Portuguese man-of-war, and Cyanea, are able to penetrate the human skin, and inflict painful stings in the same way. Called also nettling cell, cnida, cnidocell.

LASSO Las"so, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lassoed; p. pr. & vb. n. Lassoing.]

Defn: To catch with a lasso.

LAST Last, 3d pers. sing. pres.

Defn: of Last, to endure, contracted from lasteth. [Obs.] Chaucer.

LAST Last (, a. Etym: [OE. last, latst, contr. of latest, superl. of late; akin to OS. lezt, lazt, last, D. laatst, G. letzt. See Late, and cf. Latest.]

1. Being after all the others, similarly classed or considered, in time, place, or order of succession; following all the rest; final; hindmost; farthest; as, the last year of a century; the last man in a line of soldiers; the last page in a book; his last chance. Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. Neh. viii. 18. Fairest of stars, last in the train of night. Milton.

2. Next before the present; as, I saw him last week.

3. Supreme; highest in degree; utmost. Contending for principles of the last importance. R. Hall .

4. Lowest in rank or degree; as, the last prize. Pope.

5. Farthest of all from a given quality, character, or condition; most unlikely; having least fitness; as, he is the last person to be accused of theft.

At last, at the end of a certain period; after delay. "The duke of Savoy felt that the time had at last arrived." Motley. -- At the last. Etym: [Prob. fr. AS. on laste behind, following behind, fr. last race, track, footstep. See Last mold of the foot.] At the end; in the conclusion. [Obs.] "Gad, a troop shall overcome him; but he shall overcome at the last." Gen. xlix. 19. -- Last heir, the person to whom lands escheat for want of an heir. [Eng.] Abbott. -- On one's last legs, at, or near, the end of one's resources; hence, on the verge of failure or ruin, especially in a financial sense. [Colloq.] -- To breathe one's last, to die. -- To the last, to the end; till the conclusion. And blunder on in business to the last. Pope.

Syn. -- At Last, At Length. These phrases both denote that some delayed end or result has been reached. At length implies that a long period was spent in so doing; as, after a voyage of more than three months, we at Length arrived safe. At last commonly implies that something has occurred (as interruptions, disappointments, etc.) which leads us to emphasize the idea of having reached the end; as, in spite of every obstacle, we have at last arrived.

LAST Last, adv. Etym: [See Last, a.]

1. At a time or on an occasion which is the latest of all those spoken of or which have occurred; the last time; as, I saw him last in New York.

2. In conclusion; finally.lastly Pleased with his idol, he commends, admires, Adores; and, last, the thing adored desires. Dryden.

3. At a time next preceding the present time. How long is't now since last yourself and I Were in a mask Shak.

LAST Last, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Lasting.] Etym: [OE. lasten, As. læstan to perform, execute, follow, last, continue, fr. last, l, trace, footstep, course; akin to G. leisten to perform, Goth. laistjan to follow. See Last mold of the foot.]

1. To continue in time; to endure; to remain in existence. [I] proffered me to be slave in all that she me would ordain while my life lasted. Testament of Love.

2. To endure use, or continue in existence, without impairment or exhaustion; as, this cloth lasts better than that; the fuel will last through the winter.

LAST Last, n. Etym: [AS. lasttrace, track, footstep; akin to D. leest a last, G. leisten, Sw. läst, Dan. læst, Icel. leistr the foot below the ankle, Goth. laists track, way; from a root signifying, to go. Cf. Last, v. i., Learn, Delirium.]

Defn: A wooden block shaped like the human foot, on which boots and shoes are formed. The cobbler is not to go beyond his last. L'Estrange. Darning last, a smooth, hard body, often egg-shaped, put into a stocking to preserve its shape in darning.

LAST Last, v. t.

Defn: To shape with a last; to fasten or fit to a last; to place smoothly on a last; as, to last a boot.

LAST Last, n. Etym: [As. hlæst, fr. hladan to lade; akin to OHG. hlast, G., D., Dan., & Sw. last: cf. F. laste, last, a last, of German or Dutch origin. See Lade.]

1. A load; a heavy burden; hence, a certain weight or measure, generally estimated at 4,000 lbs., but varying for different articles and in different countries. In England, a last of codfish, white herrings, meal, or ashes, is twelve barrels; a last of corn, ten quarters, or eighty bushels, in some parts of England, twenty-one quarters; of gunpowder, twenty-four barrels, each containing 100 lbs; of red herrings, twenty cades, or 20,000; of hides, twelve dozen; of leather, twenty dickers; of pitch and tar, fourteen barrels; of wool, twelve sacks; of flax or feathers, 1,700 lbs.

2. The burden of a ship; a cargo.

LASTAGE Last"age n. Etym: [E. lestage ballasting, fr. lest ballast, or LL. lastagium, lestagium. See Last a load.]

1. A duty exacted, in some fairs or markets, for the right to carry things where one will. [Obs.]

2. A tax on wares sold by the last. [Obs.] Cowell.

3. The lading of a ship; also, ballast. Spelman.

4. Room for stowing goods, as in a ship.

LASTE Last"e, obs. imp.

Defn: of Last, to endure. Chaucer.

LASTER Last"er, n.

Defn: A workman whose business it is to shape boots or shoes, or place leather smoothly, on lasts; a tool for stretching leather on a last.

LASTERY Last"er*y, n.

Defn: A red color.[Obs.] Spenser.

LASTING Last"ing, a.

Defn: Existing or continuing a long while; enduring; as, a lasting good or evil; a lasting color.

Syn. -- Durable; permanent; undecaying; perpetual; unending. -- Lasting, Permanent, Durable. Lasting commonly means merely continuing in existence; permanent carries the idea of continuing in the same state, position, or course; durable means lasting in spite of agencies which tend to destroy.

LASTING Last"ing, n.

1. Continuance; endurance. Locke.

2. A species of very durable woolen stuff, used for women's shoes; everlasting.

3. The act or process of shaping on a last.

LASTING Last"ing, adv.

Defn: In a lasting manner.

LASTINGLY Last"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a lasting manner.

LASTLY Last"ly, adv.

1. In the last place; in conclusion.

2. at last; finally.

LAT Lat, v. t.

Defn: To let; to allow. [Obs.] Chaucer.

LATA; LATAH La"ta, La"tah, n. [Malay.]

Defn: A convulsive tic or hysteric neurosis prevalent among Malays, similar to or identical with miryachit and jumping disease, the person affected performing various involuntary actions and making rapid inarticulate ejaculations in imitation of the actions and words of another person.

LATAKIA Lat`a*ki"a, n. Etym: [Turk.]

Defn: A superior quality of Turkish smoking tobacco, so called from the place where produced, the ancient Laodicea.

LATCH Latch, v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. lécher to lick (of German origin). Cf. Lick.]

Defn: To smear; to anoint. [Obs.] Shak.

LATCH Latch, n. Etym: [OE. lacche, fr. lacchen to seize, As. læccan.]

1. That which fastens or holds; a lace; a snare. [Obs.] Rom. of R.

2. A movable piece which holds anything in place by entering a notch or cavity; specifically, the catch which holds a door or gate when closed, though it be not bolted.

3. (Naut.)

Defn: A latching.

4. A crossbow. [Obs.] Wright.

LATCH Latch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Latched; p. pr. & vb. n. Latching.] Etym: [OE.lacchen. See Latch. n.]

1. To catch so as to hold. [Obs.] Those that remained threw darts at our men, and latching our darts, sent them again at us. Golding.

2. To catch or fasten by means of a latch. The door was only latched. Locke.

LATCHET Latch"et, n. Etym: [OE. lachet, from an OF. dialect form of F. lacet plaited string, lace dim. of lacs. See Lace.]

Defn: The string that fastens a shoe; a shoestring.

LATCHING Latch"ing, n. (Naut.)

Defn: A loop or eye formed on the head rope of a bonnet, by which it is attached to the foot of a sail; -- called also latch and lasket. [Usually in pl.]

LATCHKEY Latch"key`, n.

Defn: A key used to raise, or throw back, the latch of a door, esp. a night latch.

LATCHSTRING Latch"string`, n.

Defn: A string for raising the latch of a door by a person outside. It is fastened to the latch and passed through a hole above it in the door. To find the latchstring out, to meet with hospitality; to be welcome. (Intrusion is prevented by drawing in the latchstring.) [Colloq. U.S.]

LATE Late, a. [Compar. Later, or latter (; superl. Latest.] Etym: [OE. lat slow, slack, As.læt; akin to Os. lat, D. laat late, G. lass weary, lazy, slack, Icel. latr, Sw. lat, Dan. lad, Goth. lats, and to E. let, v. See Let to permit, and cf. Alas, Lassitude.]

1. Coming after the time when due, or after the usual or proper time; not early; slow; tardy; long delayed; as, a late spring.

2. Far advanced toward the end or close; as, a late hour of the day; a late period of life.

3. Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; lately deceased, departed, or gone out of office; as, the late bishop of London; the late administration.

4. Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as, the late rains; we have received late intelligence.

5. Continuing or doing until an advanced hour of the night; as, late revels; a late watcher.

LATE Late, adv. Etym: [AS. late. See Late, a.]

1. After the usual or proper time, or the time appointed; after delay; as, he arrived late; -- opposed to early.

2. Not long ago; lately.

3. Far in the night, day, week, or other particular period; as, to lie abed late; to sit up late at night. Of late, in time not long past, or near the present; lately; as, the practice is of late uncommon. -- Too late, after the proper or available time; when the time or opportunity is past.

LATED Lat"ed, a.

Defn: Belated; too late. [Obs.] Shak.

LATEEN La*teen", a. (Naut.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a peculiar rig used in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters, esp. on the northern coast of Africa. See below. Lateen sail. Etym: [F. voile latine a sail in the shape of a right- angled triangle; cf. It. & Sp. vela latina; properly Latin sail. See Latin.] (Naut.) A triangular sail, extended by a long yard, which is slung at about one fourth of its length from the lower end, to a low mast, this end being brought down at the tack, while the other end is elevated at an angle or about forty-five degrees; -- used in small boats, feluccas, xebecs, etc., especially in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters. Some lateen sails have also a boom on the lower side.

LATELY Late"ly, adv.

Defn: Not long ago; recently; as, he has lately arrived from Italy.

LATENCE La"tence, n.

Defn: Latency. Coleridge.

LATENCY La"ten*cy, n. Etym: [See Latent.]

Defn: The state or quality of being latent. To simplify the discussion, I shall distinguish three degrees of this latency. Sir W. Hamilton.

LATENESS Late"ness, n.

Defn: The state, condition, or quality, of being late; as, the lateness of his arrival; the lateness of the hour; the lateness of the season.

LATENT La"tent, a. Etym: [L. latens, -entis, p. pr. of latere to lie hid or concealed; cf. Gr. lethargy: cf. F.latent.]

Defn: Not visible or apparent; hidden; springs of action. The evils latent in the most promising contrivances are provided for as they arise. Burke. Latent buds (bot.), buds which remain undeveloped or dormant for a long time, but may at length grow. Latent heat (Physics), that quantity of heat which disappears or becomes concealed in a body while producing some change in it other than rise of temperature, as fusion, evaporation, or expansion, the quantity being constant for each particular body and for each species of change. -- Latent period. (a) (Med.) The regular time in which a disease is supposed to be existing without manifesting itself. (b) (Physiol.) One of the phases in a simple muscular contraction, in which invisible preparatory changes are taking place in the nerve and muscle. (c) (Biol.) One of those periods or resting stages in the development of the ovum, in which development is arrested prior to renewed activity.

LATENTLY La"tent*ly, adv.

Defn: In a secret or concealed manner; invisibly.

LATER La"ter, n.; pl. Lateres. Etym: [L.]

Defn: A brick or tile. Knight.

LATER Lat"er, a.

Defn: Compar. of Late, a. & adv.

LATERAD Lat"er*ad, adv. Etym: [L. latus, lateris, side + ad to.] (Anat.)

Defn: Toward the side; away from the mesial plane; -- opposed to mesiad.

LATERAL Lat"er*al, a. Etym: [L. lateralis, fr. latus, lateris, side: cf. F.latéral.]

1. Of or pertaining to the sides; as, the lateral walls of a house; the lateral branches of a tree.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: Lying at, or extending toward, the side; away from the mesial plane; external; -- opposed to mesial.

3. Directed to the side; as, a lateral view of a thing. Lateral cleavage (Crystallog.), cleavage parallel to the lateral planes. -- Lateral equation (Math.), an equation of the first degree. [Obs.] -- Lateral line (Anat.), in fishes, a line of sensory organs along either side of the body, often marked by a distinct line of color. -- Lateral pressure or stress (Mech.), a pressure or stress at right angles to the length, as of a beam or bridge; -- distinguished from longitudinal pressure or stress. -- Lateral strength (Mech.), strength which resists a tendency to fracture arising from lateral pressure. -- Lateral system (Bridge Building), the system of horizontal braces (as between two vertical trusses) by which lateral stiffness is secured.

LATERALITY Lat`er*al"i*ty, n.

Defn: The state or condition of being lateral.

LATERALLY Lat"er*al*ly, adv.

Defn: By the side; sidewise; toward, or from, the side.

LATERAN Lat"er*an, n.

Defn: The church and palace of St. John Lateran, the church being the cathedral church of Rome, and the highest in rank of all churches in the Catholic world.

Note: The name is said to have been derived from that of the Laterani family, who possessed a palace on or near the spot where the church now stands. In this church several ecclesiastical councils, hence called Lateran councils, have been held.

LATERED Lat"ered, a.

Defn: Inclined to delay; dilatory. [Obs.] "When a man is too latered." Chaucer.

LATERIFOLIOUS Lat`er*i*fo"li*ous, a. Etym: [L. latus, lateris, side + folium leaf: cf. F. latérifolié.] (Bot.)

Defn: Growing from the stem by the side of a leaf; as, a laterifolious flower.

LATERITE Lat"er*ite, n. Etym: [L. later brick, tile: cf. F. latérite.] (Geol.)

Defn: An argillaceous sandstone, of a red color, and much seamed; -- found in India.

LATERITIC Lat`er*it"ic, a.

Defn: consisting of, containing, or characterized by, laterite; as, lateritic formations.

LATERITIC Lat`er*it"ic, a.

Defn: Consisting of, containing, or characterized by, laterite; as, lateritic formations.

LATERITIOUS Lat"er*i"tious, a. Etym: [L.lateritius, fr. later a brick.]

Defn: Like bricks; of the color of red bricks. Lateritious sediment (Med.), a sediment in urine resembling brick dust, observed after the crises of fevers, and at the termination of gouty paroxysms. It usually consists of uric acid or urates with some coloring matter.

LATES La"tes, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of large percoid fishes, of which one species (Lates Niloticus) inhabits the Nile, and another (L. calcarifer

LATESCENCE La*tes"cence, n.

Defn: A slight withdrawal from view or knowledge. Sir W. Hamilton.

LATESCENT La*tes"cent, a. Etym: [L. latescens, -entis, p. pr. of latescere to be concealed, fr. latere to be hid.]

Defn: Slightly withdrawn from view or knowledge; as, a latescent meaning. Sir W. Hamilton.

LATEWAKE Late"wake`, n.

Defn: See Lich wake, under Lich.

LATEWARD Late"ward, a. & adv.

Defn: Somewhat late; backward. [Obs.] "Lateward lands." Holland.

LATEX La"tex, n. Etym: [L.] (Bot.)

Defn: A milky or colored juice in certain plants in cavities (called latex cells or latex tubes). It contains the peculiar principles of the plants, whether aromatic, bitter, or acid, and in many instances yields caoutchouc upon coagulation.

LATH Lath, n.; pl. Laths. Etym: [OE. laththe, latthe, latte, AS. lætta; akin to D. lat, G. latte, OHG. latta; cf. W. llath a rod, staff, yard. Cf. Lattice, Latten.]

Defn: A thin, narrow strip of wood, nailed to the rafters, studs, or floor beams of a building, for the purpose of supporting the tiles, plastering, etc. A corrugated metallic strip or plate is sometimes used. Lath brick, a long, slender brick, used in making the floor on which malt is placed in the drying kiln. Lath nail a slender nail for fastening laths.

LATH Lath, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lathed; p. pr. & vb. n. Lathing.]

Defn: To cover or line with laths.

LATHE Lathe, n. Etym: [AS.læedh. Of. uncertain origin.]

Defn: Formerly, a part or division of a county among the Anglo- Saxons. At present it consists of four or five hundreds, and is confined to the county of Kent. [Written also lath.] Brande & C.

LATHE Lathe, n. Etym: [OE. lathe a granary; akin to G. lade a chest, Icel. hlaedha a storehouse, barn; but cf. also Icel. löedh a smith's lathe. Senses 2 and 3 are perh. of the same origin as lathe a granary, the original meaning being, a frame to hold something. If so, the word is from an older form of E. lade to load. See Lade to load.]

1. A granary; a barn. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. (Mach.)

Defn: A machine for turning, that is, for shaping articles of wood, metal, or other material, by causing them to revolve while acted upon by a cutting tool.

3. The movable swing frame of a loom, carrying the reed for separating the warp threads and beating up the weft; -- called also lay and batten. Blanchard lathe, a lathe for turning irregular forms after a given pattern, as lasts, gunstocks, and the like. -- Drill lathe, or Speed lathe, a small lathe which, from its high speed, is adapted for drilling; a hand lathe. -- Engine lathe, a turning lathe in which the cutting tool has an automatic feed; -- used chiefly for turning and boring metals, cutting screws, etc. -- Foot lathe, a lathe which is driven by a treadle worked by the foot. -- Geometric lathe. See under Geometric -- Hand lathe, a lathe operated by hand; a power turning lathe without an automatic feed for the tool. -- Slide lathe, an engine lathe. -- Throw lathe, a small lathe worked by one hand, while the cutting tool is held in the other.

LATHER Lath"er, n. Etym: [AS. leáedhor niter, in leáedhorwyrt soapwort; cf. Icel. lau; perh. akin to E. lye.]

1. Foam or froth made by soap moistened with water.

2. Foam from profuse sweating, as of a horse.

LATHER Lath"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lathered; p. pr. & vb. n. Lathering.] Etym: [AS. leedhrian to lather, anoint. See Lather, n. ]

Defn: To spread over with lather; as, to lather the face.

LATHER Lath"er, v. i.

Defn: To form lather, or a froth like lather; to accumulate foam from profuse sweating, as a horse.

LATHER Lath"er, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Leather.]

Defn: To beat severely with a thong, strap, or the like; to flog. [Low]

LATHEREEVE; LATHREEVE Lathe"reeve`, Lath"reeve`, n.

Defn: Formerly, the head officer of a lathe. See 1st Lathe.

LATHING Lath"ing, n.

Defn: The act or process of covering with laths; laths, collectively; a covering of laths.

LATH-SHAPED Lath"-shaped`, a.

Defn: Having a slender elongated form, like a lath; -- said of the feldspar of certain igneous rocks, as diabase, as seen in microscopic sections.

LATHWORK Lath"work`, n.

Defn: Same as Lathing.

LATHY Lath"y, a.

Defn: Like a lath; long and slender. A lathy horse, all legs and length. R. Browning.

LATIAN La"tian, a.

Defn: Belonging, or relating, to Latium, a country of ancient Italy. See Latin.

LATIBULIZE La*tib"u*lize, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Latibulized (; p. pr. & vb. n. Latibulizing.] Etym: [L. latibulum hiding place, fr. latere to lie hid.]

Defn: To retire into a den, or hole, and lie dormant in winter; to retreat and lie hid. [R.] G. Shaw.

LATIBULUM La*tib"u*lum, n; pl. Latibula. Etym: [L.]

Defn: A concealed hiding place; a burrow; a lair; a hole.

LATICIFEROUS Lat`i*cif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. latex, laticis, a liquid + -ferous.] (Bot.)

Defn: Containing the latex; -- applied to the tissue or tubular vessels in which the latex of the plant is found.

LATICLAVE Lat"i*clave, n. Etym: [L. laticlavus, laticlavium; latus broad + clavus nail, a purple stripe on the tunica: cf. F. laticlave.] (Rom. Antiq.)

Defn: A broad stripe of purple on the fore part of the tunic, worn by senators in ancient Rome as an emblem of office.

LATICOSTATE Lat`i*cos"tate, a. Etym: [L. latus broad + E. costate.]

Defn: Broad-ribbed.

LATIDENTATE Lat`i*den"tate, a. Etym: [L. latus broad + E. dentate.]

Defn: Broad-toothed.

LATIFOLIATE; LATIFOLIOUS Lat`i*fo"li*ate, Lat`i*fo"li*ous, a. Etym: [L. latifolius; latus broad + folium leaf: cf. F. latifolié.] (Bot.)

Defn: Having broad leaves.

LATIGO La"ti*go, n. [Sp. látigo.]

Defn: A strap for tightening a saddle girth. [Western U. S. & Sp. Amer.]

LATIGO HALTER La"ti*go hal"ter.

Defn: A kind of halter usually made of raw hide.

LATIMER Lat"i*mer, n. Etym: [OF. latinier, latimier, prop., one knowing Latin.]

Defn: An interpreter. [Obs.] Coke.

LATIN Lat"in, a. Etym: [F., fr. L. Latinus belonging to Latium, Latin, fr. Latium a country of Italy, in which Rome was situated. Cf. Ladin, Lateen sail, under Lateen.]

1. Of or pertaining to Latium, or to the Latins, a people of Latium; Roman; as, the Latin language.

2. Of, pertaining to, or composed in, the language used by the Romans or Latins; as, a Latin grammar; a Latin composition or idiom. Latin Church (Eccl. Hist.), the Western or Roman Catholic Church, as distinct from the Greek or Eastern Church. -- Latin cross. See Illust. 1 of Cross. -- Latin races, a designation sometimes loosely given to certain nations, esp. the French, Spanish, and Italians, who speak languages principally derived from Latin. Latin Union, an association of states, originally comprising France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy, which, in 1865, entered into a monetary agreement, providing for an identity in the weight and fineness of the gold and silver coins of those countries, and for the amounts of each kind of coinage by each. Greece, Servia, Roumania, and Spain subsequently joined the Union.

LATIN Lat"in, n.

1. A native or inhabitant of Latium; a Roman.

2. The language of the ancient Romans.

3. An exercise in schools, consisting in turning English into Latin. [Obs.] Ascham.

4. (Eccl.)

Defn: A member of the Roman Catholic Church. (Dog Latin, barbarous Latin; a jargon in imitation of Latin; as, the log Latin of schoolboys. -- Late Latin, Low Latin, terms used indifferently to designate the latest stages of the Latin language; low Latin (and, perhaps, late Latin also), including the barbarous coinages from the French, German, and other languages into a Latin form made after the Latin had become a dead language for the people. -- Law Latin, that kind of late, or low, Latin, used in statutes and legal instruments; -- often barbarous.

LATIN Lat"in, v. t.

Defn: To write or speak in Latin; to turn or render into Latin. [Obs.] Fuller.

LATINISM Lat"in*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. latinisme.]

Defn: A Latin idiom; a mode of speech peculiar to Latin; also, a mode of speech in another language, as English, formed on a Latin model.

Note: The term is also sometimes used by Biblical scholars to designate a Latin word in Greek letters, or the Latin sense of a Greek word in the Greek Testament.

LATINIST Lat"in*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. latiniste.]

Defn: One skilled in Latin; a Latin scholar. Cowper. He left school a good Latinist. Macaulay.

LATINISTIC Lat`in*is"tic, a.

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or derived from, Latin; in the Latin style or idiom. "Latinistic words." Fitzed. Hall.

LATINITASTER La*tin"i*tas`ter, n. Etym: [Cf. Poetaster.]

Defn: One who has but a smattering of Latin. Walker.

LATINITY La*tin"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. latinitas: cf. F. latinité.]

Defn: The Latin tongue, style, or idiom, or the use thereof; specifically, purity of Latin style or idiom. "His eleLatinity." Motley.

LATINIZATION Lat`in*i*za"tion, n.

Defn: The act or process of Latinizing, as a word, language, or country. The Germanization of Britain went far deeper than the Latinization of France. M. Arnold.

LATINIZE Lat"in*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Latinized; p. pr. & vb. n. Latinizing.] Etym: [L. latinizare: cf. F.latiniser.]

1. To give Latin terminations or forms to, as to foreign words, in writing Latin.

2. To bring under the power or influence of the Romans or Latins; to affect with the usages of the Latins, especially in speech. "Latinized races." Lowell.

3. To make like the Roman Catholic Church or diffuse its ideas in; as, to Latinize the Church of England.

LATINIZE Lat"in*ize, v. i.

Defn: To use words or phrases borrowed from the Latin. Dryden.

2. To come under the influence of the Romans, or of the Roman Catholic Church.

LATINLY Lat"in*ly, adv.

Defn: In the manner of the Latin language; in correct Latin. [Obs.] Heylin.

LATION La"tion, n. Etym: [L. latio, fr. latus borne. See Tolerate.]

Defn: Transportation; conveyance. [Obs.]

LATIROSTRAL; LATIROSTROUS Lat`i*ros"tral, Lat`i*ros"trous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. latirostre. See Latirostres.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having a broad beak. Sir T. Browne.

LATIROSTRES Lat`i*ros"tres, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. latus broad + rostrum beak.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The broad-billed singing birds, such as the swallows, and their allies.

LATISH Lat"ish, a.

Defn: Somewhat late. [Colloq.]

LATISTERNAL Lat`i*ster"nal, a. Etym: [L. latus broad + E. sternal.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having a broad breastbone, or sternum; -- said of anthropoid apes.

LATITANCY Lat"i*tan*cy, n. Etym: [See Latitant.]

Defn: Act or state of lying hid, or lurking. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

LATITANT Lat"i*tant, a. Etym: [L. latitans, pr. of latitare to lie hid, to lurk, v. intens. fr. latere to be hid: cf. F. latitant.]

Defn: Lying hid; concealed; latent. [R.]

LATITAT Lat"i*tat, n. Etym: [L., he lies hid.] (O. Eng. Law)

Defn: A writ based upon the presumption that the person summoned was hiding. Blackstone.

LATITATION Lat`i*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. latitatio.]

Defn: A lying in concealment; hiding. [Obs.]

LATITUDE Lat"i*tude, n. Etym: [F. latitude, L. latitudo, fr. latus broad, wide, for older stlatus; perh. akin to E. strew.]

1. Extent from side to side, or distance sidewise from a given point or line; breadth; width. Provided the length do not exceed the latitude above one third part. Sir H. Wotton.

2. Room; space; freedom from confinement or restraint; hence, looseness; laxity; independence. In human actions there are no degrees and precise natural limits described, but a latitude is indulged. Jer. Taylor.