Chapter CDLVII: Prologue (108)

Defn: Of or pertaining to heat; due to heat; thermal; as, thermic lines. Thermic balance. See Bolometer. -- Thermic fever (Med.), the condition of fever produced by sunstroke. See Sunstroke. -- Thermic weight. (Mech.) Same as Heat weight, under Heat.

THERMIDOR Ther`mi`dor", n. Etym: [F., fr. Gr.

Defn: The eleventh month of the French republican calendar, -- commencing July 19, and ending August 17. See the Note under Vendémiaire.

THERMIFUGINE Ther*mif"u*gine, n. Etym: [Gr. fugere to flee.] (Chem.)

Defn: An artificial alkaloid of complex composition, resembling thalline and used as an antipyretic, -- whence its name.

THERMO- Ther"mo-.

Defn: A combining form from Gr. qe`rmh heat, qermo`s hot, warm; as in thermochemistry, thermodynamic.

THERMOANAESTHESIA; THERMOANESTHESIA Ther`mo*an`æs*the"si*a or -an`es*the"si*a, n. [NL.] (Med.)

Defn: Loss of power to distinguish heat or cold by touch.

THERMOBAROGRAPH Ther`mo*bar"o*graph, n. (Physics)

Defn: An instrument for recording simultaneously the pressure and temperature of a gas; a combined thermograph and barograph.

THERMOBAROMETER Ther`mo*ba*rom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Thermo- + barometer.] (Physics)

Defn: An instrument for determining altitudes by the boiling point of water.

THERMOBATTERY Ther`mo*bat"ter*y, n. Etym: [Thermo- + battery.]

Defn: A thermoelectric battery; a thermopile.

THERMOCAUTERY Ther`mo*cau"ter*y, n. Etym: [Thermo- + cautery.] (Surg.)

Defn: Cautery by the application of heat. Paquelin's thermocautery, thermocautery by means of a hollow platinum point, which is kept constantly hot by the passage through it of benzine vapor.

THERMOCHEMIC; THERMOCHEMICAL Ther`mo*chem"ic, Ther`mo*chem"ic*al, a. (Chem. Physics)

Defn: Of or pertaining to thermochemistry; obtained by, or employed in, thermochemistry.

THERMOCHEMISTRY Ther`mo*chem"is*try, n. Etym: [Thermo- + chemistry.]

Defn: That branch of chemical science which includes the investigation of the various relations existing between chemical action and that manifestation of force termed heat, or the determination of the heat evolved by, or employed in, chemical actions.

THERMOCHROIC Ther`mo*chro"ic, a. [Thermo-+ Gr. , , color.]

Defn: Pert. to or designating heat rays that have undergone selective absorption and are therefore analogous to colored light rays.

THERMOCHROSY Ther*moch"ro*sy, n. Etym: [Thermo- + Gr. (Physics)

Defn: The property possessed by heat of being composed, like light, of rays of different degrees of refrangibility, which are unequal in rate or degree of transmission through diathermic substances.

THERMOCOUPLE Ther"mo*cou`ple, n.

Defn: A thermoelectric couple.

THERMOCURRENT Ther"mo*cur`rent, n. Etym: [Thermo- + current.] (Physics)

Defn: A current, as of electricity, developed, or set in motion, by the action of heat.

THERMODIN Ther"mo*din, n. [G., fr. Gr. heat.] (Pharm.)

Defn: A white crystalline substance derived from urethane, used in medicine as an antipyretic, etc.

THERMODYNAMIC Ther`mo*dy*nam"ic, a. Etym: [Thermo- + dynamic.] (Physics)

Defn: Relating to thermodynamics; caused or operated by force due to the application of heat. Thermodynamic function. See Heat weight, under Heat.

THERMODYNAMICS Ther`mo*dy*nam"ics, n.

Defn: The science which treats of the mechanical action or relations of heat.

THERMOELECTRIC Ther`mo*e*lec"tric, a. (Physics)

Defn: Pertaining to thermoelectricity; as, thermoelectric currents.

THERMOELECTRIC COUPLE; THERMOELECTRIC PAIR Ther`mo*e*lec"tric couple or pair. (Elec.)

Defn: A union of two conductors, as bars or wires of dissimilar metals joined at their extremities, for producing a thermoelectric current.

THERMOELECTRICITY Ther`mo*e`lec*tric"i*ty, n. Etym: [Thermo- + electricity: cf. F. thermoélectricité.] (Physics)

Defn: Electricity developed in the action of heat. See the Note under Electricity.

THERMOELECTROMETER Ther`mo*e`lec*trom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Thermo- + electrometer.] (Physics)

Defn: An instrument for measuring the strength of an electric current in the heat which it produces, or for determining the heat developed by such a current.

THERMOGEN Ther"mo*gen, n. Etym: [Thermo- + -gen.] (Old Chem.)

Defn: Caloric; heat; regarded as a material but imponderable substance.

THERMOGENIC Ther`mo*gen"ic, a. (Physiol.)

Defn: Relating to heat, or to the production of heat; producing heat; thermogenous; as, the thermogenic tissues.

THERMOGENOUS Ther*mog"e*nous, a. Etym: [Thermo- + -genous.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Producing heat; thermogenic.

THERMOGRAM Ther"mo*gram, n. (Physics)

Defn: The trace or record made by means of a thermograph.

THERMOGRAPH Ther"mo*graph, n. Etym: [Thermo- + -graph.] (Physics)

Defn: An instrument for automatically recording indications of the variation of temperature.

THERMOGRAPHY Ther*mog"ra*phy, n. [Thermo-+ -graphy.]

Defn: Any process of writing involving the use of heat.

THERMOJUNCTION Ther`mo*junc"tion, n. (Elec.)

Defn: A junction of two dissimilar conductors used to produce a thermoelectric current, as in one form of pyrometer; a thermocouple.

THERMOLOGY Ther*mol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Thermo- + -logy.]

Defn: A discourse on, or an account of, heat. Whewell.

THERMOLUMINESCENCE Ther`mo*lu`mi*nes"cence, n. (Physics)

Defn: Luminescence exhibited by a substance on being moderately heated. It is shown esp. by certain substances that have been exposed to the action of light or to the cathode rays. ---lu`mi*nes"cent (#), a.

THERMOLYSIS Ther*mol"y*sis, n. Etym: [Thermo- + Gr. (Chem.)

Defn: The resolution of a compound into parts by heat; dissociation by heat.

THERMOLYTIC Ther`mo*lyt"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to thermolysis.

THERMOLYZE Ther"mo*lyze, v. t. (Chem.)

Defn: To subject to thermolysis; to dissociate by heat.

THERMOMAGNETISM Ther`mo*mag"net*ism, n. Etym: [Thermo- + magnetism.]

Defn: Magnetism as affected or caused by the action of heat; the relation of heat to magnetism.

THERMOMETER Ther*mom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Thermo- + -meter: cf. F. thermomètre. See Thermal.] (Physics)

Defn: An instrument for measuring temperature, founded on the principle that changes of temperature in bodies are accompained by proportional changes in their volumes or dimensions.

Note: The thermometer usually consists of a glass tube of capillary bore, terminating in a bulb, and containing mercury or alcohol, which expanding or contracting according to the temperature to which it is exposed, indicates the degree of heat or cold by the amount of space occupied, as shown by the position of the top of the liquid column on a graduated scale. See Centigrade, Fahrenheit, and Réaumur. To reduce degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Centigrade, substract 32° and multiply by Air thermometer, Balance thermometer, etc. See under Air, Balance, etc. -- Metallic thermometer, a form of thermometer indicating changes of temperature by the expansion or contraction of rods or strips of metal. -- Register thermometer, or Self-registering thermometer, a thermometer that registers the maximum and minimum of temperature occurring in the interval of time between two consecutive settings of the instrument. A common form contains a bit of steel wire to be pushed before the column and left at the point of maximum temperature, or a slide of enamel, which is drawn back by the liquid, and left within it at the point of minimum temperature.

THERMOMETRIC; THERMOMETRICAL Ther`mo*met"ric, Ther`mo*met"ric*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. thermométrique.]

1. Of or pertaining to a thermometer; as, the thermometrical scale or tube.

2. Made, or ascertained, by means of a thermometer; as, thermometrical observations.

THERMOMETRICALLY Ther`mo*met"ric*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a thermometrical manner; by means of a thermometer.

THERMOMETROGRAPH Ther`mo*met"ro*graph, n. Etym: [Thermo- + Gr. -graph.] (Physics)

Defn: An instrument for recording graphically the variations of temperature, or the indications of a thermometer.

THERMOMETRY Ther*mom"e*try, n.

Defn: The estimation of temperature by the use of a thermometric apparatus.

THERMOMOTOR Ther`mo*mo"tor, n.

Defn: A heat engine; a hot-air engine.

THERMOMULTIPLIER Ther`mo*mul"ti*pli`er, n. Etym: [Thermo- + multiplier.]

Defn: Same as Thermopile.

THERMONEUROSIS Ther`mo*neu*ro"sis, n. [NL.] (Med.) (a) A neurosis caused by exposure to heat. (b) A neurosis causing rise or fall of a body's temperature.

THERMONEUTRALITY Ther`mo*neu*tral"i*ty, n. (Chem.)

Defn: Neutrality as regards heat effects.

THERMOPHILIC Ther`mo*phil"ic, a. [Thermo-+ Gr. loving + -ic.]

Defn: Heat-loving; -- applied esp. to certain bacteria.

THERMOPHONE Ther"mo*phone, n. [Thermo- + phone.]

1. A portable form of telethermometer, using a telephone in connection with a differential thermometer.

2. A telephone involving heat effects, as changes in temperature (hence in length) due to pulsations of the line current in a fine wire connected with the receiver diaphragm.

THERMOPHORE Ther"mo*phore, n. [Thermo- + Gr. -bearing, fr. to bear.]

Defn: An apparatus for conveying heat, as a case containing material which retains its heat for a considerable period.

THERMOPILE Ther"mo*pile, n. Etym: [Thermo- + pile a heap.] (Physics)

Defn: An instrument of extreme sensibility, used to determine slight differences and degrees of heat. It is composed of alternate bars of antimony and bismuth, or any two metals having different capacities for the conduction of heat, connected with an astatic galvanometer, which is very sensibly affected by the electric current induced in the system of bars when exposed even to the feeblest degrees of heat.

THERMOREGULATOR Ther`mo*reg"u*la`tor, n. (Physics)

Defn: A device for the automatic regulation of temperature; a thermostat.

THERMOSCOPE Ther"mo*scope, n. Etym: [Thermo- + -scope.] (Physics)

Defn: An instrument for indicating changes of temperature without indicating the degree of heat by which it is affected; especially, an instrument contrived by Count Rumford which, as modified by Professor Leslie, was afterward called the differential thermometer.

THERMOSCOPIC Ther`mo*scop"ic, a. (Physics)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the thermoscope; made by means of the thermoscope; as, thermoscopic observations.

THERMOSIPHON Ther`mo*si"phon, n.

Defn: An arrangement of siphon tubes for assisting circulation in a liquid.

THERMOSTABLE Ther`mo*sta"ble, a. [Thermo-+ stable fixed.] (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: Capable of being heated to or somewhat above 55º C. without loss of special properties; -- said of immune substances, etc.

THERMOSTAT Ther"mo*stat, n. Etym: [Thermo- + Gr. (Physics)

Defn: A self-acting apparatus for regulating temperature by the unequal expansion of different metals, liquids, or gases by heat, as in opening or closing the damper of a stove, or the like, as the heat becomes greater or less than is desired.

THERMOSTATIC Ther`mo*stat"ic, a. (Physics)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the thermostat; made or effected by means of the thermostat.

THERMOSYSTALTIC Ther`mo*sys*tal"tic, a. Etym: [Thermo- + systalic.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Influenced in its contraction by heat or cold; -- said of a muscle.

THERMOTACTIC Ther`mo*tac"tic, a. (Physiol.)

Defn: Of or retaining to thermotaxis.

THERMOTANK Ther"mo*tank, n. [Thermo- + ank.]

Defn: A tank containing pipes through which circulates steam, water, air, or the like, for heating or cooling; -- used in some heating and ventilation systems.

THERMOTAXIC Ther`mo*tax"ic, a. Etym: [Thermo- + Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or connected with, the regulation of temperature in the animal body; as, the thermotaxic nervous system.

THERMOTAXIS Ther`mo*tax"is, n. [NL.; thermo-+ Gr. an arranging.] (Physiol.) (a) The property possessed by protoplasm of moving under the influence of heat. (b) Determination of the direction of locomotion by heat.

THERMOTENSILE Ther`mo*ten"sile, a.

Defn: Pertaining to the variation of tensile strength with the temperature.

THERMOTENSION Ther`mo*ten"sion, n. Etym: [Thermo- + tension.]

Defn: A process of increasing the strength of wrought iron by heating it to a determinate temperature, and giving to it, while in that state, a mechanical strain or tension in the direction in which the strength is afterward to be exerted.

THERMOTHERAPY Ther`mo*ther"a*py, n. [Thermo-+ therapy.] (Med.)

Defn: Treatment of disease by heat, esp. by hot air.

THERMOTIC; THERMOTICAL Ther*mot"ic, Ther*mot"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Of or pertaining to heat; produced by heat; as, thermotical phenomena. Whewell.

THERMOTICS Ther*mot"ics, n.

Defn: The science of heat. Whewell.

THERMOTONUS Ther*mot"o*nus, n. [NL.; thermo-+ tonus.] (Plant Physiol.)

Defn: A condition of tonicity with respect to temperature.

THERMOTROPIC Ther`mo*trop"ic, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Manifesting thermotropism.

THERMOTROPISM Ther*mot"ro*pism, n. Etym: [Thermo- + Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: The phenomenon of turning towards a source of warmth, seen in the growing parts of some plants.

THERMOTYPE Ther"mo*type, n. Etym: [Thermo- + -type.]

Defn: A picture (as of a slice of wood) obtained by first wetting the object slightly with hydrochloric or dilute sulphuric acid, then taking an impression with a press, and next strongly heating this impression.

THERMOTYPY Ther*mot"y*py, n.

Defn: The art or process of obtaining thermotypes.

THERMOVOLTAIC Ther`mo*vol*ta"ic, a. Etym: [Thermo- + voltaic.] (Physics)

Defn: Of or relating to heat and electricity; especially, relating to thermal effects produced by voltaic action. Faraday.

THEROID The"roid, a. [Gr. qh`r, qhro`s, wild beast + -oid.] (Med.)

Defn: Resembling a beast in nature or habit; marked by animal characteristics; as, theroid idiocy.

THEROMORPHA The`ro*mor"pha, n. pl. Etym: [NL.: Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: See Theriodonta.

THEROPODA The*rop"o*da, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: An order of carnivorous dinosaurs in which the feet are less birdlike, and hence more like those of an ordinary quadruped, than in the Ornithopoda. It includes the repacious genera Megalosaurus, Creosaurus, and their allies.

THESAURUS The*sau"rus, n.; pl. Thesauri. Etym: [L. See Treasure.]

Defn: A treasury or storehouse; hence, a repository, especially of knowledge; -- often applied to a comprehensive work, like a dictionary or cyclopedia.

THESE These, pron. Etym: [OE. , , a variant of , pl. of , thes, this. See This, and cf. Those.]

Defn: The plural of this. See This.

THESICLE Thes"i*cle, n. Etym: [Dim. of thesis.]

Defn: A little or subordinate thesis; a proposition.

THESIS The"sis, n.; pl. Theses. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Do, and cf. Anathema, Apothecary, Epithet, Hypothesis, Parenthesis, Theme, Tick a cover.]

1. A position or proposition which a person advances and offers to maintain, or which is actually maintained by argument.

2. Hence, an essay or dissertation written upon specific or definite theme; especially, an essay presented by a candidate for a diploma or degree. I told them of the grave, becoming, and sublime deportment they should assume upon this mystical occasion, and read them two homilies and a thesis of my own composing, to prepare them. Goldsmith.

3. (Logic)

Defn: An affirmation, or distinction from a supposition or hypothesis.

4. (Mus.)

Defn: The accented part of the measure, expressed by the downward beat; -- the opposite of arsis.

5. (Pros.) (a) The depression of the voice in pronouncing the syllables of a word. (b) The part of the foot upon which such a depression falls.

THESMOTHETE Thes"mo*thete, n. Etym: [Gr. (Gr. Antiq.)

Defn: A lawgiver; a legislator; one of the six junior archons at Athens.

THESPIAN Thes"pi*an, a. Etym: [From L. Thespis, Gr.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Thespis; hence, relating to the drama; dramatic; as, the Thespian art. -- n.

Defn: An actor.

THESSALIAN Thes*sa"li*an, a. Etym: [Cf. L. Thessalius.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Thessaly in Greece. Shak. -- n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Thessaly.

THESSALONIAN Thes`sa*lo"ni*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Thessalonica, a city of Macedonia. -- n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Thessalonica.

THETA The"ta, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. qh a, the Greek letter th,

Defn: A letter of the Greek alphabet corresponding to th in English; -- sometimes called the unlucky letter, from being used by the judges on their ballots in passing condemnation on a prisoner, it being the first letter of the Greek qa`natos, death. Theta function (Math.), one of a group of functions used in developing the properties of elliptic functions.

THETICAL Thet"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. Thesis.]

Defn: Laid down; absolute or positive, as a law. Dr. H. More.

THETINE The"tine, n. Etym: [Thio + ether + sulphine.] (Chem.)

Defn: Any one of a series of complex basic sulphur compounds analogous to the sulphines.

THEURGIC; THEURGICAL The*ur"gic, The*ur"gic*al, a. Etym: [L. theurgicus, Gr. théurgique.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to theurgy; magical. Theurgic hymns, songs of incantation.

THEURGIST The"ur*gist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. théurgiste.]

Defn: One who pretends to, or is addicted to, theurgy. Hallywell.

THEURGY The"ur*gy, n. Etym: [L. theurgia, Gr. théurgie. See Theism, and Work.]

1. A divine work; a miracle; hence, magic; sorcery.

2. A kind of magical science or art developed in Alexandria among the Neoplatonists, and supposed to enable man to influence the will of the gods by means of purification and other sacramental rites. Schaff-Herzog Encyc.

3. In later or modern magic, that species of magic in which effects are claimed to be produced by supernatural agency, in distinction from natural magic.

THEW Thew, n.

Note: [Chiefly used in the plural Thews (.] Etym: [OE. thew, , manner, habit, strength, AS. manner, habit (cf. to drive); akin to OS. thau custom, habit, OHG. dou. *56.]

1. Manner; custom; habit; form of behavior; qualities of mind; disposition; specifically, good qualities; virtues. [Obs.] For her great light Of sapience, and for her thews clear. Chaucer. Evil speeches destroy good thews. Wyclif (1 Cor. xv. 33). To be upbrought in gentle thews and martial might. Spenser.

2. Muscle or strength; nerve; brawn; sinew. Shak. And I myself, who sat apart And watched them, waxed in every limb; I felt the thews of Anakim, The pules of a Titan's heart. Tennyson.

THEWED Thewed, a.

1. Furnished with thews or muscles; as, a well-thewed limb.

2. Accustomed; mannered. [Obs.] John Skelton. Yet would not seem so rude and thewed ill. Spenser.

THEWY Thew"y, a.

Defn: Having strong or large thews or muscles; muscular; sinewy; strong.

THEY They, pron. pl.; poss. Theirs; obj. Them. Etym: [Icel. þeir they, properly nom. pl. masc. of sa, su, þat, a demonstrative pronoun, akin to the English definite article, AS. se, seó, edhæt, nom. pl. edha. See That.]

Defn: The plural of he, she, or it. They is never used adjectively, but always as a pronoun proper, and sometimes refers to persons without an antecedent expressed. Jolif and glad they went unto here [their] rest And casten hem [them] full early for to sail. Chaucer. They of Italy salute you. Heb. xiii. 24. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness. Matt. v. 6.

Note: They is used indefinitely, as our ancestors used man, and as the French use on; as, they say (French on dit), that is, it is said by persons not specified.

THIALDINE Thi*al"dine, n. Etym: [Thio- + aldehyde + -ine.] (Chem.)

Defn: A weak nitrogenous sulphur base, C6H13NS2.

THIALOL Thi"al*ol, n. Etym: [Thio- + alcohol + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.)

Defn: A colorless oily liquid, (C2H5)2S2, having a strong garlic odor; -- called also ethyl disulphide. By extension, any one of the series of related compounds.

THIBETAN Thib"e*tan, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Thibet. -- n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Thibet.

THIBET CLOTH Thib"et cloth`. (a) A fabric made of coarse goat's hair; a kind of camlet. (b) A kind of fine woolen cloth, used for dresses, cloaks, etc.

THIBETIAN Thi*be"tian, a. & n.

Defn: Same as Thibetan.

THIBLE Thi"ble, n.

Defn: A slice; a skimmer; a spatula; a pudding stick. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Ainsworth.

THICK Thick, a. [Compar. Thicker; superl. Thickest.] Etym: [OE. thicke, AS. ; akin to D. dik, OS. thikki, OHG. dicchi thick, dense, G. dick thick, Icel. , , and probably to Gael. & Ir. tiugh. Cf. Tight.]

1. Measuring in the third dimension other than length and breadth, or in general dimension other than length; -- said of a solid body; as, a timber seven inches thick. Were it as thick as is a branched oak. Chaucer. My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. 1 Kings xii. 10.

2. Having more depth or extent from one surface to its opposite than usual; not thin or slender; as, a thick plank; thick cloth; thick paper; thick neck.

3. Dense; not thin; inspissated; as, thick vapors. Also used figuratively; as, thick darkness. Make the gruel thick and slab. Shak.

4. Not transparent or clear; hence, turbid, muddy, or misty; as, the water of a river is apt to be thick after a rain. "In a thick, misty day." Sir W. Scott.

5. Abundant, close, or crowded in space; closely set; following in quick succession; frequently recurring. The people were gathered thick together. Luke xi. 29. Black was the forest; thick with beech it stood. Dryden.

6. Not having due distinction of syllables, or good articulation; indistinct; as, a thick utterance.

7. Deep; profound; as, thick sleep. [R.] Shak.

8. Dull; not quick; as, thick of fearing. Shak. His dimensions to any thick sight were invincible. Shak.

9. Intimate; very friendly; familiar. [Colloq.] We have been thick ever since. T. Hughes.

Note: Thick is often used in the formation of compounds, most of which are self-explaining; as, thick-barred, thick-bodied, thick- coming, thick-cut, thick-flying, thick-growing, thick-leaved, thick- lipped, thick-necked, thick-planted, thick-ribbed, thick-shelled, thick-woven, and the like. Thick register. (Phon.) See the Note under Register, n., 7. -- Thick stuff (Naut.), all plank that is more than four inches thick and less than twelve. J. Knowles.

Syn. -- Dense; close; compact; solid; gross; coarse.

THICK Thick, n.

1. The thickest part, or the time when anything is thickest. In the thick of the dust and smoke. Knolles.

2. A thicket; as, gloomy thicks. [Obs.] Drayton. Through the thick they heard one rudely rush. Spenser. He through a little window cast his sight Through thick of bars, that gave a scanty light. Dryden. Thick-and-thin block (Naut.), a fiddle block. See under Fiddle. -- Through thick and thin, through all obstacles and difficulties, both great and small. Through thick and thin she followed him. Hudibras. He became the panegyrist, through thick and thin, of a military frenzy. Coleridge.

THICK Thick, adv. Etym: [AS. þicce.]

1. Frequently; fast; quick.

2. Closely; as, a plat of ground thick sown.

3. To a great depth, or to a greater depth than usual; as, land covered thick with manure. Thick and threefold, in quick succession, or in great numbers. [Obs.] L'Estrange.

THICK Thick, v. t. & i. Etym: [Cf. AS. .]

Defn: To thicken. [R.] The nightmare Life-in-death was she, Who thicks man's blood with cold. Coleridge.

THICKBILL Thick"bill`, n.

Defn: The bullfinch. [Prov. Eng.]

THICKEN Thick"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Thickened; p. pr. & vb. n. Thickening.]

Defn: To make thick (in any sense of the word). Specifically: -- (a) To render dense; to inspissate; as, to thicken paint. (b) To make close; to fill up interstices in; as, to thicken cloth; to thicken ranks of trees or men. (c) To strengthen; to confirm. [Obs.] And this may to thicken other proofs. Shak.

(d) To make more frequent; as, to thicken blows.

THICKEN Thick"en, v. i.

Defn: To become thick. "Thy luster thickens when he shines by." Shak. The press of people thickens to the court. Dryden. The combat thickens, like the storm that flies. Dryden.

THICKENING Thick"en*ing, n.

Defn: Something put into a liquid or mass to make it thicker.

THICKET Thick"et, n. Etym: [AS. . See Thick, a.]

Defn: A wood or a collection of trees, shrubs, etc., closely set; as, a ram caught in a thicket. Gen. xxii. 13.

THICKHEAD Thick"head`, n.

1. A thick-headed or stupid person. [Colloq.]

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of Australian singing birds of the genus Pachycephala. The males of some of the species are bright- colored. Some of the species are popularly called thrushes.

THICK-HEADED Thick"-head`ed, a.

Defn: Having a thick skull; stupid.

THICKISH Thick"ish, a.

Defn: Somewhat thick.

THICK-KNEE Thick"-knee`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A stone curlew. See under Stone.

THICKLY Thick"ly, adv.

Defn: In a thick manner; deeply; closely.

THICKNESS Thick"ness, n. Etym: [AS. .]

Defn: The quality or state of being thick (in any of the senses of the adjective).

THICKSET Thick"set`, a.

1. Close planted; as, a thickset wood; a thickset hedge. Dryden.

2. Having a short, thick body; stout.

THICKSET Thick"set`, n.

1. A close or thick hedge.

2. A stout, twilled cotton cloth; a fustian corduroy, or velveteen. McElrath.

THICKSKIN Thick"skin`, n.

Defn: A coarse, gross person; a person void of sensibility or sinsitiveness; a dullard.

THICK-SKINNED Thick"-skinned`, a.

Defn: Having a thick skin; hence, not sensitive; dull; obtuse. Holland.

THICKSKULL Thick"skull`, n.

Defn: A dullard, or dull person; a blockhead; a numskull. Entick.

THICK-SKULLED Thick"-skulled`, a.

Defn: Having a thick skull; hence, dull; heavy; stupid; slow to learn.

THICK WIND Thick" wind`. (Far.)

Defn: A defect of respiration in a horse, that is unassociated with noise in breathing or with the signs of emphysema.

THICK-WINDED Thick"-wind`ed, a. (Far.)

Defn: Affected with thick wind.

THIDER Thid"er, adv.

Defn: Thither. [Obs.] Chaucer.

THIDERWARD Thid"er*ward, adv.

Defn: Thitherward. [Obs.]

THIEF Thief, n.; pl. Thieves. Etym: [OE. thef, theef, AS. ; akin to OFries. thiaf, OS. theof, thiof, D. dief, G. dieb, OHG. diob, Icel. , Sw. tjuf, Dan. tyv, Goth. , , and perhaps to Lith. tupeti to squat or crouch down. Cf. Theft.]

1. One who steals; one who commits theft or larceny. See Theft. There came a privy thief, men clepeth death. Chaucer. Where thieves break through and steal. Matt. vi. 19.

2. A waster in the snuff of a candle. Bp. Hall. Thief catcher. Same as Thief taker. -- Thief leader, one who leads or takes away a thief. L'Estrange. -- Thief taker, one whose business is to find and capture thieves and bring them to justice. -- Thief tube, a tube for withdrawing a sample of a liquid from a cask. -- Thieves' vinegar, a kind of aromatic vinegar for the sick room, taking its name from the story that thieves, by using it, were enabled to plunder, with impunity to health, in the great plague at London. [Eng.]

Syn. -- Robber; pilferer. -- Thief, Robber. A thief takes our property by stealth; a robber attacks us openly, and strips us by main force. Take heed, have open eye, for thieves do foot by night. Shak. Some roving robber calling to his fellows. Milton.

THIEFLY Thief"ly, a. & adv.

Defn: Like a thief; thievish; thievishly. [Obs.] Chaucer.

THIENONE Thi"ë*none, n. Etym: [Thiënyl + ketone.] (Chem.)

Defn: A ketone derivative of thiophene obtained as a white crystalline substance, (C4H3S)2.CO, by the action of aluminium chloride and carbonyl chloride on thiophene.

THIENYL Thi"ë*nyl, n. Etym: [Thiophene + -yl.] (Chem.)

Defn: The hypothetical radical C4H3S, regarded as the essential residue of thiophene and certain of its derivatives.

THIEVE Thieve, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Thieved; p. pr. & vb. n. Thieving.] Etym: [AS. ge.]

Defn: To practice theft; to steal.

THIEVERY Thiev"er*y, n.

1. The practice of stealing; theft; thievishness. Among the Spartans, thievery was a practice morally good and honest. South.

2. That which is stolen. [Obs.] Shak.

THIEVISH Thiev"ish, a.

1. Given to stealing; addicted to theft; as, a thievish boy, a thievish magpie.

2. Like a thief; acting by stealth; sly; secret. Time's thievish progress to eternity. Shak.

3. Partaking of the nature of theft; accomplished by stealing; dishonest; as, a thievish practice. Or with a base and biosterous sword enforce A thievish living on the common road. Shak. -- Thiev"ish*ly, adv. -- Thiev"ish*ness, n.

THIGH Thigh, n. Etym: [OE. thi, , , AS. ; akin to OFries. thiach, D. dij, dije, OHG. dioh, thioh, Icel. thigh, rump, and probably to Lith. taukas fat of animals, tuk to become fat, Russ. tuke fat of animals. *56.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: The proximal segment of the hind limb between the knee and the trunk. See Femur.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The coxa, or femur, of an insect. Thigh bone (Anat.), the femur.

THIGMOTACTIC Thig`mo*tac"tic, a. (Physiol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to thigmotaxis.

THIGMOTAXIS Thig`mo*tax"is, n. [NL., fr. Gr. touch + an arranging.] (Physiol.)

Defn: The property possessed by living protoplasm of contracting, and thus moving, when touched by a solid or fluid substance.

When the movement is away from the touching body, it is negative thigmotaxis; when towards it, positive thigmotaxis.

THILK Thilk, pron. Etym: [Cf. Ilk same.]

Defn: That same; this; that. [Obs.] "I love thilk lass." Spenser. Thou spake right now of thilke traitor death. Chaucer.

THILL Thill, n. Etym: [OE. thille, AS. a board, plank, beam, thill; akin to a plank, D. deel a plank, floor, G. diele, OHG. dili, dilla, Icel. a plank, planking, a thwart, a wainscot, plank; cf. Skr. tala a level surface. *236. Cf. Fill a thill, Deal a plank.]

1. One of the two long pieces of wood, extending before a vehicle, between which a horse is hitched; a shaft.

2. (Mining)

Defn: The floor of a coal mine. Raymond. Thill coupling, a device for connecting the thill of a vehicle to the axle.

THILLER Thill"er, n.

Defn: The horse which goes between the thills, or shafts, and supports them; also, the last horse in a team; -- called also thill horse.

THIMBLE Thim"ble, n. Etym: [OE. thimbil, AS. , fr. a thumb. *56. See Thumb.]

1. A kind of cap or cover, or sometimes a broad ring, for the end of the finger, used in sewing to protect the finger when pushing the needle through the material. It is usually made of metal, and has upon the outer surface numerous small pits to catch the head of the needle.

2. (Mech.)

Defn: Any thimble-shaped appendage or fixure. Specifically: -- (a) A tubular piece, generally a strut, through which a bolt or pin passes. (b) A fixed or movable ring, tube, or lining placed in a hole. (c) A tubular cone for expanding a flue; -- called ferrule in England.

3. (Naut.)

Defn: A ring of thin metal formed with a grooved circumference so as to fit within an eye-spice, or the like, and protect it from chafing.

THIMBLEBERRY Thim"ble*ber`ry, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A kind of black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis), common in America.

THIMBLEEYE Thim"ble*eye`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The chub mackerel. See under Chub.

THIMBLEFUL Thim"ble*ful, n.; pl. Thimblefuls (.

Defn: As much as a thimble will hold; a very small quantity. For a thimbleful of golf, a thimbleful of love. Dryden.

THIMBLERIG Thim"ble*rig`, n.

Defn: A sleight-of-hand trick played with three small cups, shaped like thimbles, and a small ball or little pea.

THIMBLERIG Thim"ble*rig`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Thimblerigged; p. pr. & vb. n. Thimblerigging.]

Defn: To swindle by means of small cups or thimbles, and a pea or small ball placed under one of them and quickly shifted to another, the victim laying a wager that he knows under which cup it is; hence, to cheat by any trick.

THIMBLERIGGER Thim"ble*rig`ger, n.

Defn: One who cheats by thimblerigging, or tricks of legerdemain.

THIMBLEWEED Thim"ble*weed`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Any plant of the composite genus Rudbeckia, coarse herbs somewhat resembling the sunflower; -- so called from their conical receptacles.

THIN Thin, a. [Compar. Thiner; superl. Thinest.] Etym: [OE. thinne, thenne, thunne, AS. þynne; akin to D. dun, G. dünn, OHG. dunni, Icel. þunnr, Sw. tunn, Dan. tynd, Gael. & Ir. tana, W. teneu, L. tenuis, Gr. tanu thin, slender; also to AS. to extend, G. dehnen, Icel. , Goth. (in comp.), L. tendere to stretch, tenere to hold, Gr. tan. *51 & 237. Cf. Attenuate, Dance, Tempt, Tenable, Tend to move, Tenous, Thunder, Tone.]

1. Having little thickness or extent from one surface to its opposite; as, a thin plate of metal; thin paper; a thin board; a thin covering.

2. Rare; not dense or thick; -- applied to fluids or soft mixtures; as, thin blood; thin broth; thin air. Shak. In the day, when the air is more thin. Bacon. Satan, bowing low His gray dissimulation, disappeared, Into thin air diffused. Milton.

3. Not close; not crowded; not filling the space; not having the individuals of which the thing is composed in a close or compact state; hence, not abundant; as, the trees of a forest are thin; the corn or grass is thin. Ferrara is very large, but extremely thin of people. Addison.

4. Not full or well grown; wanting in plumpness. Seven thin ears . . . blasted with the east wind. Gen. xli. 6.

5. Not stout; slim; slender; lean; gaunt; as, a person becomes thin by disease.

6. Wanting in body or volume; small; feeble; not full. Thin, hollow sounds, and lamentable screams. Dryden.

7. Slight; small; slender; flimsy; wanting substance or depth or force; superficial; inadequate; not sufficient for a covering; as, a thin disguise. My tale is done, for my wit is but thin. Chaucer.

Note: Thin is used in the formation of compounds which are mostly self-explaining; as, thin-faced, thin-lipped, thin-peopled, thin- shelled, and the like. Thin section. See under Section.

THIN Thin, adv.

Defn: Not thickly or closely; in a seattered state; as, seed sown thin. Spain is thin sown of people. Bacon.

THIN Thin, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Thinned; p. pr. & vb. n. Thinning.] Etym: [Cf. AS. geþynnian.]

Defn: To make thin (in any of the senses of the adjective).

THIN Thin, v. i.

Defn: To grow or become thin; -- used with some adverbs, as out, away, etc.; as, geological strata thin out, i. e., gradually diminish in thickness until they disappear.

THINE Thine, pron. & a. Etym: [OE. thin, AS. edhin, originally gen. of edhu, edhu, thou; akin to G. dein thine, Icel. þinn, possessive pron., þin, gen. of þu thou, Goth. þeins, possessive pron., þeina, gen. of þu thou. See Thou, and cf. Thy.]

Defn: A form of the possessive case of the pronoun thou, now superseded in common discourse by your, the possessive of you, but maintaining a place in solemn discourse, in poetry, and in the usual language of the Friends, or Quakers.

Note: In the old style, thine was commonly shortened to thi (thy) when used attributively before words beginning with a consonant; now, thy is used also before vowels. Thine is often used absolutely, the thing possessed being understood.

THING Thing, n. Etym: [AS. þing a thing, cause, assembly, judicial assembly; akin to þingan to negotiate, þingian to reconcile, conciliate, D. ding a thing, OS. thing thing, assembly, judicial assembly, G. ding a thing, formerly also, an assembly, court, Icel. þing a thing, assembly, court, Sw. & Dan. ting; perhaps originally used of the transaction of or before a popular assembly, or the time appointed for such an assembly; cf. G. dingen to bargain, hire, MHG. dingen to hold court, speak before a court, negotiate, Goth. þeihs time, perhaps akin to L. tempus time. Cf. Hustings, and Temporal of time.]

1. Whatever exists, or is conceived to exist, as a separate entity, whether animate or inanimate; any separable or distinguishable object of thought. God made . . . every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind. Gen. i. 25. He sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt. Gen. xiv. 23. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Keats.

2. An inanimate object, in distinction from a living being; any lifeless material. Ye meads and groves, unsonscious things! Cowper.

3. A transaction or occurrence; an event; a deed. [And Jacob said] All these things are against me. Gen. xlii. 36. Which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. Matt. xxi. 24.

4. A portion or part; something. Wieked men who understand any thing of wisdom. Tillotson.

5. A diminutive or slighted object; any object viewed as merely existing; -- often used in pity or contempt. See, sons, what things you are! Shak. The poor thing sighed, and . . . turned from me. Addison. I'll be this abject thing no more. Granville. I have a thing in prose. Swift.

6. pl.

Defn: Clothes; furniture; appurtenances; luggage; as, to pack or store one's things. [Colloq.]

Note: Formerly, the singular was sometimes used in a plural or collective sense. And them she gave her moebles and her thing. Chaucer.

Note: Thing was used in a very general sense in Old English, and is still heard colloquially where some more definite term would be used in careful composition. In the garden [he] walketh to and fro, And hath his things [i. e., prayers, devotions] said full courteously. Chaucer. Hearkening his minstrels their things play. Chaucer.

7. (Law)

Defn: Whatever may be possessed or owned; a property; -- distinguished from person.

8. [In this sense pronounced tîng.]

Defn: In Scandinavian countries, a legislative or judicial assembly. Longfellow. Things personal. (Law) Same as Personal property, under Personal. -- Things real. Same as Real property, under Real.

THINK Think, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Thought; p. pr. & vb. n. Thinking.] Etym: [OE. thinken, properly, to seem, from AS. þyncean (cf. Methinks), but confounded with OE. thenken to think, fr. AS. þencean (imp. þohte); akin to D. denken, dunken, OS. thenkian, thunkian, G. denken, dünken, Icel. þekkja to perceive, to know, þykkja to seem, Goth. þagkjan, þaggkjan, to think, þygkjan to think, to seem, OL. tongere to know. Cf. Thank, Thought.]

1. To seem or appear; -- used chiefly in the expressions methinketh or methinks, and methought.

Note: These are genuine Anglo-Saxon expressions, equivalent to it seems to me, it seemed to me. In these expressions me is in the dative case.

2. To employ any of the intellectual powers except that of simple perception through the senses; to exercise the higher intellectual faculties. For that I am I know, because I think. Dryden.

3. Specifically: -- (a) To call anything to mind; to remember; as, I would have sent the books, but I did not think of it. Well thought upon; I have it here. Shak.

(b) To reflect upon any subject; to muse; to meditate; to ponder; to consider; to deliberate. And when he thought thereon, he wept. Mark xiv. 72. He thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits Luke xii. 17.

(c) To form an opinion by reasoning; to judge; to conclude; to believe; as, I think it will rain to-morrow. Let them marry to whom they think best. Num. xxxvi. 6.

(d) To purpose; to intend; to design; to mean. I thought to promote thee unto great honor. Num. xxiv. 11. Thou thought'st to help me. Shak.

(e) To presume; to venture. Think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father. Matt. iii. 9.

Note: To think, in a philosophical use as yet somewhat limited, designates the higher intellectual acts, the acts preëminently rational; to judge; to compare; to reason. Thinking is employed by Hamilton as "comprehending all our collective energies." It is defined by Mansel as "the act of knowing or judging by means of concepts,"by Lotze as "the reaction of the mind on the material supplied by external influences." See Thought. To think better of. See under Better. -- To think much of, or To think well of, to hold in esteem; to esteem highly.

Syn. -- To expect; guess; cogitate; reflect; ponder; contemplate; meditate; muse; imagine; suppose; believe. See Expect, Guess.

THINK Think, v. t.

1. To conceive; to imagine. Charity . . . thinketh no evil. 1 Cor. xiii. 4,5.

2. To plan or design; to plot; to compass. [Obs.] So little womanhood And natural goodness, as to think the death Of her own son. Beau. & Fl.

3. To believe; to consider; to esteem. Nor think superfluous other's aid. Milton. To think much, to esteem a great matter; to grudge. [Obs.] "[He] thought not much to clothe his enemies." Milton. -- To think scorn. (a) To disdain. [Obs.] "He thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone." Esther iii. 6. (b) To feel indignation. [Obs.]

THINKABLE Think"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being thought or conceived; cogitable. Sir W. Hamilton.

THINKER Think"er, n.

Defn: One who thinks; especially and chiefly, one who thinks in a particular manner; as, a close thinker; a deep thinker; a coherent thinker.

THINKING Think"ing, a.

Defn: Having the faculty of thought; cogitative; capable of a regular train of ideas; as, man is a thinking being. -- Think"ing*ly, adv.

THINKING Think"ing, n.

Defn: The act of thinking; mode of thinking; imagination; cogitation; judgment. I heard a bird so sing, Whose music, to my thinking, pleased the king. Shak.

THINLY Thin"ly, a.

Defn: In a thin manner; in a loose, scattered manner; scantily; not thickly; as, ground thinly planted with trees; a country thinly inhabited.

THINNER Thin"ner, n.

Defn: One who thins, or makes thinner.

THINNESS Thin"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being thin (in any of the senses of the word).

THINNISH Thin"nish, a.

Defn: Somewhat thin.

THINOLITE Thin"o*lite, n. Etym: [Gr. -lite.] (Min.)

Defn: A calcareous tufa, in part crystalline, occurring on a large scale as a shore deposit about the Quaternary lake basins of Nevada.

THIN-SKINNED Thin"-skinned`, a.

Defn: Having a thin skin; hence, sensitive; irritable.

THIO- Thi"o-. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)

Defn: A combining form (also used adjectively) denoting the presence of sulphur. See Sulpho-.

THIOCARBONATE Thi`o*car"bon*ate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A sulphocarbonate.

THIOCARBONIC Thi`o*car*bon"ic, a. Etym: [Thio- + carbonic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Same as Sulphocarbonic.

THIOCYANATE Thi`o*cy"a*nate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: Same as Sulphocyanate.

THIOCYANIC Thi`o*cy*an"ic, a. Etym: [Thio- + cyanic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Same as Sulphocyanic.

THIONAPHTHENE Thi`o*naph"thene, n. Etym: [Thiophene + naphthalene.] (Chem.)

Defn: A double benzene and thiophene nucleus, C8H6S, analogous to naphthalene, and like it the base of a large series of derivatives. [Written also thionaphtene.]

THIONIC Thi*on"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to sulphur; containing or resembling sulphur; specifically, designating certain of the thio compounds; as, the thionic acids. Cf. Dithionic, Trithionic, Tetrathionic, etc.

THIONINE Thi"on*ine, n. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)

Defn: An artificial red or violet dyestuff consisting of a complex sulphur derivative of certain aromatic diamines, and obtained as a dark crystalline powder; -- called also phenylene violet.

THIONOL Thi"on*ol, n. Etym: [Thionine + -ol.] (Chem.)

Defn: A red or violet dyestuff having a greenish metallic luster. It is produced artificially, by the chemical dehydration of thionine, as a brown amorphous powder.

THIONOLINE Thi*on"o*line, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A beautiful fluorescent crystalline substance, intermediate in composition between thionol and thionine.

THIONYL Thi"on*yl, n. Etym: [Thionic + -yl.] (Chem.)

Defn: The hypothetical radical SO, regarded as an essential constituent of certain sulphurous compounds; as, thionyl chloride.

THIOPHENE Thi"o*phene, n. Etym: [Thio- + phenyl + -ene.] (Chem.)

Defn: A sulphur hydrocarbon, C4H4S, analogous to furfuran and benzene, and acting as the base of a large number of substances which closely resemble the corresponding aromatic derivatives.

THIOPHENIC Thi`o*phen"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or derived from, thiophene; specifically, designating a certain acid analogous to benzoic acid.

THIOPHENOL Thi`o*phe"nol, n. Etym: [Thio- + phenol.] (Chem.)

Defn: A colorless mobile liquid, C6H5.SH, of an offensive odor, and analogous to phenol; -- called also phenyl sulphydrate.

THIOPHTHENE Thi*oph"thene, n. Etym: [Abbreviated from thionaphthene.] (Chem.)

Defn: A double thiophene nucleus, C6H4S2, analogous to thionaphthene, and the base of a large series of compounds. [Written also thiophtene.]

THIOSULPHATE Thi`o*sul"phate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of thiosulphuric acid; -- formerly called hyposulphite.

Note: The sodium salt called in photography by the name sodium hyposulphite, being used as a solvent for the excess of unchanged silver chloride, bromide, and iodide on the sensitive plate.

THIOSULPHURIC Thi`o*sul*phur"ic, a. Etym: [Thio- + sulphuric.] (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, an unstable acid, H2S2O3, analogous to sulphuric acid, and formerly called hyposulphurous acid.

THIOTOLENE Thi`o*to"lene, n. Etym: [Thio- + toluene.] (Chem.)

Defn: A colorless oily liquid, C4H3S.CH3, analogous to, and resembling, toluene; -- called also methyl thiophene.

THIOXENE Thi*ox"ene, n. Etym: [Thiophene + xylene.] (Chem.)

Defn: Any one of three possible metameric substances, which are dimethyl derivatives of thiophene, like the xylenes from benzene.

THIRD Third, a. Etym: [OE. thirde, AS. , fr. , , three; akin to D. derde third, G. dritte, Icel. , Goth. , L. tertius, Gr. t. See Three, and cf. Riding a jurisdiction, Tierce.]

1. Next after the second; coming after two others; -- the ordinal of three; as, the thirdhour in the day. "The third night." Chaucer.

2. Constituting or being one of three equal parts into which anything is divided; as, the third part of a day. Third estate. (a) In England, the commons, or the commonalty, who are represented in Parliament by the House of Commons. (b) In France, the tiers état. See Tiers état. Third order (R. C. Ch.), an order attached to a monastic order, and comprising men and women devoted to a rule of pious living, called the third rule, by a simple vow if they remain seculars, and by more solemn vows if they become regulars. See Tertiary, n., 1. -- Third person (Gram.), the person spoken of. See Person, n., 7. -- Third sound. (Mus.) See Third, n., 3.

THIRD Third, n.

1. The quotient of a unit divided by three; one of three equal parts into which anything is divided.

2. The sixtieth part of a second of time.

3. (Mus.)

Defn: The third tone of the scale; the mediant.

4. pl. (Law)

Defn: The third part of the estate of a deseased husband, which, by some local laws, the widow is entitled to enjoy during her life. Major third (Mus.), an interval of two tones. -- Minor third (Mus.), an interval of a tone and a half.

THIRD-BOROUGH Third"-bor`ough, n. (O. Eng. Law)

Defn: An under constable. Shak. Johnson.

THIRDINGS Third"ings, n. pl. (Eng. Law)

Defn: The third part of the corn or grain growing on the ground at the tenant's death, due to the lord for a heriot, as within the manor of Turfat in Herefordshire.

THIRDLY Third"ly, adv.

Defn: In the third place. Bacon.

THIRD-PENNY Third"-pen`ny, n. (A.S. Law)

Defn: A third part of the profits of fines and penalties imposed at the country court, which was among the perquisites enjoyed by the earl.

THIRD RAIL Third rail. (Electric Railways) (a) The third rail used in the third-rail system. (b) An electric railway using such a rail. [Colloq.]

THIRD-RAIL SYSTEM Third-rail system. (Electric Railways)

Defn: A system in which a third rail is used for carrying the current for operating the motors, the rail being insulated from the ground and the current being taken off by means of contact brushes or other devices.

THIRL Thirl, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Thirled; p. pr. & vb. n. Thirling.] Etym: [See Thrill.]

Defn: To bore; to drill or thrill. See Thrill. [Obs. or Prov.] That with a spear was thirled his breast bone. Chaucer.

THIRLAGE Thirl"age, n. Etym: [Cf. Thrall.] (Scots Law)

Defn: The right which the owner of a mill possesses, by contract or law, to compel the tenants of a certain district, or of his sucken, to bring all their grain to his mill for grinding. Erskine.

THIRST Thirst, n. Etym: [OE. thirst, þurst, AS. þurst, þyrst; akin to D. dorst, OS. thurst, G. durst, Icel. þorsti, Sw. & Dan. törst, Goth. þaúrstei thirst, þaúrsus dry, withered, þaúrsieþ mik I thirst, gaþaírsan to wither, L. torrere to parch, Gr. te`rsesqai to become dry, tesai`nein to dry up, Skr. trssh to thirst. *54. Cf. Torrid.]

1. A sensation of dryness in the throat associated with a craving for liquids, produced by deprivation of drink, or by some other cause (as fear, excitement, etc.) which arrests the secretion of the pharyngeal mucous membrane; hence, the condition producing this sensation. Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, and our children . . . with thirst Ex. xvii. 3. With thirst, with cold, with hunger so confounded. Chaucer.

2. Fig.: A want and eager desire after anything; a craving or longing; -- usually with for, of, or after; as, the thirst for gold. "Thirst of worldy good." Fairfax. "The thirst I had of knowledge." Milton.

THIRST Thirst, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Thirsted; p. pr. & vb. n. Thirsting.] Etym: [AS. . See Thirst, n.]

1. To feel thirst; to experience a painful or uneasy sensation of the throat or fauces, as for want of drink. The people thirsted there for water. Ex. xvii. 3.

2. To have a vehement desire. My soul thirsteth for . . . the living God. Ps. xlii. 2.

THIRST Thirst, v. t.

Defn: To have a thirst for. [R.] He seeks his keeper's flesh, and thirsts his blood. Prior.

THIRSTER Thirst"er, n.

Defn: One who thirsts.

THIRSTILY Thirst"i*ly, adv.

Defn: In a thirsty manner.

THIRSTINESS Thirst"i*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being thirsty; thirst.

THIRSTLE Thirs"tle, n.

Defn: The throstle. [Prov. Eng.]

THIRSTY Thirst"y, a. [Compar. Thirstier; superl. Thirstiest.] Etym: [AS. . See Thirst, n.]

1. Feeling thirst; having a painful or distressing sensation from want of drink; hence, having an eager desire. Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink, for I am thirsty. Judges iv. 19.

2. Deficient in moisture; dry; parched. A dry and thirsty land, where no water is. Ps. lxiii. 1. When in the sultry glebe I faint, Or on the thirsty mountain pant. Addison.

THIRTEEN Thir"teen`, a. Etym: [OE. threttene, AS. , . See Three, and Ten, and cf. Thirty.]

Defn: One more than twelve; ten and three; as, thirteen ounces or pounds.

THIRTEEN Thir"teen`, n.

1. The number greater by one than twelve; the sum of ten and three; thirteen units or objects.

2. A symbol representing thirteen units, as 13 or xiii.

THIRTEENTH Thir"teenth`, a. Etym: [From Thirteen: cf. AS. .]

1. Next in order after the twelfth; the third after the tenth; -- the ordinal of thirteen; as, the thirteenth day of the month.

2. Constituting or being one of thirteen equal parts into which anything is divided.

THIRTEENTH Thir"teenth`, n.

1. The quotient of a unit divided by thirteen; one of thirteen equal parts into which anything is divided.

2. The next in order after the twelfth.

3. (Mus.)

Defn: The interval comprising an octave and a sixth.

THIRTIETH Thir"ti*eth, a. Etym: [From Thirty: cf. AS. þritigoedha.]

1. Next in order after the twenty-ninth; the tenth after the twentieth; -- the ordinal of thirty; as, the thirtieth day of the month.

2. Constituting or being one of thirty equal parts into which anything is divided.

THIRTIETH Thir"ti*eth, n.

Defn: The quotient of a unit divided by thirty; one of thirty equal parts.

THIRTY Thir"ty, a. Etym: [OE. thritty, AS. Þritig, Þrittig; akin to D. dertig, G. dreissig, Icel. Þrjatiu, Þrjatigi, Þrir teger, Goth. Þreis tigjus, i.e., three tens. See Three, and Ten, and cf. Thirteen.]

Defn: Being three times ten; consisting of one more than twenty-nine; twenty and ten; as, the month of June consists of thirty days.

THIRTY Thir"ty, n.; pl. Thirties (.

1. The sum of three tens, or twenty and ten; thirty units or objects.

2. A symbol expressing thirty, as 30, or XXX.

THIRTY-SECOND Thir"ty-sec`ond, a.

Defn: Being one of thirty-two equal parts into which anything is divided. Thirty-second note (Mus.), the thirty-second part of a whole note; a demi-semiquaver.

THIS This, pron. & a.; pl. These. Etym: [OE. this, thes, AS. th\'c7s, masc., theós, fem., this, neut.; akin to OS. these, D. deze, G. dieser, OHG. diser, deser, Icel. Þessi; originally from the definite article + a particle -se, -si; cf. Goth. sai behold. See The, That, and cf. These, Those.]

1. As a demonstrative pronoun, this denotes something that is present or near in place or time, or something just mentioned, or that is just about to be mentioned. When they heard this, they were pricked in their heart. Acts ii. 37. But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched. Matt. xxiv. 43.

2. As an adjective, this has the same demonstrative force as the pronoun, but is followed by a noun; as, this book; this way to town.

Note: This may be used as opposed or correlative to that, and sometimes as opposed to other or to a second this. See the Note under That, 1. This way and that wavering sails they bend. Pope. A body of this or that denomination is produced. Boyle. Their judgment in this we may not, and in that we need not, follow. Hooker. Consider the arguments which the author had to write this, or to design the other, before you arraign him. Dryden. Thy crimes . . . soon by this or this will end. Addison.

Note: This, like a, every, that, etc., may refer to a number, as of years, persons, etc., taken collectively or as a whole. This twenty years have I been with thee.. Gen. xxxi. 38. I have not wept this years; but now My mother comes afresh into my eyes. Dryden.

THISTLE This"tle, n. Etym: [OE. thistil, AS. þistel; akin to D. & G. distel, OHG. distila, distil, Icel. þistill, Sw. tistel, Dan. tidsel; of uncertain origin.] (Bot.)

Defn: Any one of several prickly composite plants, especially those of the genera Cnicus, Craduus, and Onopordon. The name is often also applied to other prickly plants. Blessed thistle, Carduus benedictus, so named because it was formerly considered an antidote to the bite of venomous creatures. -- Bull thistle, Cnicus lanceolatus, the common large thistle of neglected pastures. -- Canada thistle, Cnicus arvensis, a native of Europe, but introduced into the United States from Canada. -- Cotton thistle, Onopordon Acanthium. -- Fuller's thistle, the teasel. -- Globe thistle, Melon thistle, etc. See under Globe, Melon, etc. -- Pine thistle, Atractylis gummifera, a native of the Mediterranean region. A vicid gum resin flows from the involucre. -- Scotch thistle, either the cotton thistle, or the musk thistle, or the spear thistle; -- all used national emblems of Scotland. -- Sow thistle, Sonchus oleraceus. -- Spear thistle. Same as Bull thistle. -- Star thistle, a species of Centaurea. See Centaurea. -- Torch thistle, a candelabra-shaped plant of the genus Cereus. See Cereus. -- Yellow thistle, Cincus horridulus. Thistle bird (Zoöl.), the American goldfinch, or yellow-bird (Spinus tristis); -- so called on account of its feeding on the seeds of thistles. See Illust. under Goldfinch. -- Thistle butterfly (Zoöl.), a handsomely colored American butterfly (Vanessa cardui) whose larva feeds upon thistles; -- called also painted lady. -- Thistle cock (Zoöl.), the corn bunting (Emberiza militaria). [Prov. Eng.] -- Thistle crown, a gold coin of England of the reign of James I., worth four shillings. -- Thistle finch (Zoöl.), the goldfinch; -- so called from its fondness for thistle seeds. [Prov. Eng.] -- Thistle funnel, a funnel having a bulging body and flaring mouth.

THISTLY This"tly, a.

1. Overgrown with thistles; as, thistly ground.

2. Fig.: Resembling a thistle or thistles; sharp; pricking. In such a world, so thorny, and where none Finds happiness unblighted, or, if found, Without some thistly sorrow at its side. Cowper.

THITHER Thith"er, adv. Etym: [OE. thider, AS. edhider; akin to E. that; cf. Icel. þaedhra there, Goth. þaþro thence. See That, and The.]

1. To that place; -- opposed to Ant: hither. This city is near; . . . O, let me escape thither. Gen. xix. 20. Where I am, thither ye can not come. John vii. 34.