Chapter CC: IRA (2)

Defn: The head.

CEPHALOPHORA Ceph`a*loph"o*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The cephalata.

CEPHALOPOD; CEPHALOPODE Ceph"a*lo*pod, Ceph"a*lo*pode, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Cephalopoda.

CEPHALOPODA Ceph"`a*lop"o*da, n. pl. Etym: [NL., gr. Gr. -poda: cf. F. céphalopode.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The highest class of Mollusca.

Note: They have, around the front of the head, a group of elongated muscular arms, which are usually furnished with prehensile suckers or hooks, The head is highly developed, with large, well organized eyes and ears, and usually with a cartilaginous brain case. The higher forms, as the cuttlefishes, squids, and octopi, swim rapidly by ejecting a jet of water from the tubular siphon beneath the head. They have a pair of powerful horny jaws shaped like a parrot's beak, and a bag of inklike fluid which they can eject from the siphon, thus clouding the water in order to escape from their enemies. They are divided into two orders, the Dibranchiata, having two gills and eight or ten sucker-bearing arms, and the Tetrabranchiata, with four gills and numerous arms without suckers. The latter are all extinct except the Nautilus. See Octopus, Squid, Nautilus.

CEPHALOPODIC; CEPHALOPODOUS Ceph`a*lo*pod"ic, Ceph`a*lop"o*dous, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Belonging to, or resembling, the cephalopods.

CEPHALOPTERA Ceph`a*lop"te*ra, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the generic names of the gigantic ray (Manta birostris), known as devilfish and sea devil. It is common on the coasts of South Carolina, Florida, and farther south. Some of them grow to enormous size, becoming twenty feet of more across the body, and weighing more than a ton.

CEPHALOSOME Ceph"a*lo*some, n. Etym: [Cephalo- + -some body.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The anterior region or head of insects and other arthropods. Packard.

CEPHALOSTYLE Ceph"a*lo*style, n. Etym: [Cephalo- + Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: The anterior end of the notochord and its bony sheath in the base of cartilaginous crania.

CEPHALOTHORAX Ceph`a*lo*tho"rax, n. Etym: [Cephalo- + thorax.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The anterior portion of any one of the Arachnida and higher Crustacea, consisting of the united head and thorax.

CEPHALOTOME Ceph"a*lo*tome, n. Etym: [Cephalo- + Gr. (Med.)

Defn: An instrument for cutting into the fetal head, to facilitate delivery.

CEPHALOTOMY Ceph`a*lot"o*my, n.

1. Dissection or opening of the head.

2. (Med.)

Defn: Craniotomy; -- usually applied to bisection of the fetal head with a saw.

CEPHALOTRIBE Ceph"a*lo*tribe, n. Etym: [Cephalo- + Gr. to rub, grind.]

Defn: An obstetrical instrument for performing cephalotripsy.

CEPHALOTRIPSY Ceph"a*lo*trip`sy, n. Etym: [See Cephalotribe.] (Med.)

Defn: The act or operation of crushing the head of a fetus in the womb in order to effect delivery.

CEPHALOTROCHA Ceph`a*lot"ro*cha, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A kind of annelid larva with a circle of cilia around the head.

CEPHALOUS Ceph"a*lous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having a head; -- applied chiefly to the Cephalata, a division of mollusks.

CEPHEUS Ce"pheus, n.

Defn: (Astron.) A northern constellation near the pole. Its head, which is in the Milky Way, is marked by a triangle formed by three stars of the fourth magnitude. See Cassiopeia.

CERACEOUS Ce*ra"ceous, a. Etym: [L. cera wax.]

Defn: Having the texture and color of new wax; like wax; waxy.

CERAGO Ce*ra"go, n. Etym: [L. cera wax.]

Defn: Beebread.

CERAMIC Ce*ram"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. Keramic.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to pottery; relating to the art of making earthenware; as, ceramic products; ceramic ornaments for ceilings.

CERAMICS Ce*ram"ics, n. Etym: [See Ceramic.]

1. The art of making things of baked clay; as pottery, tiles, etc.

2. pl.

Defn: Work formed of clay in whole or in part, and baked; as, vases, urns, etc. Knight.

CERARGYRITE Ce*rar"gy*rite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)

Defn: Native silver chloride, a mineral of a white to pale yellow or gray color, darkening on exposure to the light. It may be cut by a knife, like lead or horn (hence called horn silver).

CERASIN Cer"a*sin, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A white amorphous substance, the insoluble part of cherry gum; -- called also meta-arabinic acid.

2. (Chem.)

Defn: A gummy mucilaginous substance; -- called also bassorin, tragacanthin, etc.

CERASINOUS Ce*ras"i*nous, a.

1. Pertaining to, or containing, cerasin.

2. Of a cherry color.

CERASTES Ce*ras"tes, n. Etym: [L., a horned serpent, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of poisonous African serpents, with a horny scale over each eye; the horned viper.

CERATE Ce"rate, n. Etym: [L. ceratum, ceratm, fr. cera wax.] (Med.)

Defn: An unctuous preparation for external application, of a consistence intermediate between that of an ointment and a plaster, so that it can be spread upon cloth without the use of heat, but does not melt when applied to the skin.

Note: Cerate consists essentially of wax (for which resin or spermaceti is sometimes substituted) mixed with oil, lard, and various medicinal ingredients. The cerate (formerly called simple cerate) of the United States Pharmacopoeia is a mixture of three parts of white wax and seven parts of lard.

CERATED Ce"ra*ted, p. a. Etym: [L. ceratus, p. p. of cerare to wax, fr. cera wax.]

Defn: Covered with wax.

CERATINE Cer"a*tine, a. Etym: [Gr. (Lagic.)

Defn: Sophistical.

CERATOBRANCHIA Cer`a*to*bran"chi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. n. pl., gills.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A group of nudibranchiate Mollusca having on the back papilliform or branched organs serving as gills.

CERATOBRANCHIAL Cer`a*to*bran"chi*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Pertaining to the bone, or cartilage, below the epibranchial in a branchial arch. -- n.

Defn: A ceratobranchial bone, or cartilage.

CERATODUS Ce*rat"o*dus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of ganoid fishes, of the order Dipnoi, first known as Mesozoic fossil fishes; but recently two living species have been discovered in Australian rivers. They have lungs so well developed that they can leave the water and breathe in air. In Australia they are called salmon and baramunda. See Dipnoi, and Archipterygium.

CERATOHYAL Cer`a*to*hy"al, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: Pertaining to the bone, or carts, large, below the epihyal in the hyoid arch. -- n.

Defn: A ceratohyal bone, or cartilage, which, in man, forms one of the small horns of the hyoid.

CERATOSAURUS Cer`a*to*sau"rus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: A carnivorous American Jurassic dinosaur allied to the European Megalosaurus. The animal was nearly twenty feet in length, and the skull bears a bony horn core on the united nasal bones. See Illustration in Appendix.

CERATOSPONGIAE Cer`a*to*spon"gi*æ, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An order of sponges in which the skeleton consists of horny fibers. It includes all the commercial sponges.

CERAUNICS Ce*rau"nics, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: That branch of physics which treats of heat and electricity. R. Park.

CERAUNOSCOPE Ce*rau"no*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.]

Defn: An instrument or apparatus employed in the ancient mysteries to imitate thunder and lightning. T. Moore.

CERBEREAN Cer*be"re*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to, or resembling, Cerberus. [Written also Cerberian.] With wide Cerberean mouth. Milton.

CERBERUS Cer"be*rus, n. Etym: [L. Cerberus (in sense 1), gr.

1. (Class. Myth.)

Defn: A monster, in the shape, of a three-headed dog, guarding the entrance into the infernal regions, Hence: Any vigilant custodian or guardian, esp. if surly.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of East Indian serpents, allied to the pythons; the bokadam.

CERCAL Cer"cal, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the tail.

CERCARIA Cer*ca"ri*a, n.; pl. Cercarle ( Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The larval form of a trematode worm having the shape of a tadpole, with its body terminated by a tail-like appendage.

CERCARIAN Cer*ca"ri*an, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of, like, or pertaining to, the Cercariæ. -- n.

Defn: One of the Cercariæ.

CERCOPOD Cer"co*pod, n. Etym: [Gr. -pod.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the jointed antenniform appendage of the posterior somites of cartain insects. Packard.

CERCUS Cer"cus, n.; pl. Cerci (. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Cercopod.

CERE Cere, n. Etym: [L. cera wax: cf. F. cire.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The soft naked sheath at the base of the beak of birds of prey, parrots, and some other birds. See Beak.

CERE Cere, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cered; p. pr. & vb. n. Cering.] Etym: [L. cerare, fr. cera wax: cf. F. cirer.]

Defn: To wax; to cover or close with wax. Wiseman.

CEREAL Ce"re*al, a. Etym: [L. Cerealis pert. to Ceres, and hence, to agriculture. See Ceres.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to the grasses which are cultivated for their edible seeds (as wheat, maize, rice, etc.), or to their seeds or grain.

CEREAL Ce"re*al n.

Defn: Any grass cultivated for its edible grain, or the grain itself; -- usually in the plural.

CEREALIA Ce`re*a"li*a, n. pl. Etym: [L. See Cereal.]

1. (Antiq.)

Defn: Public festivals in honor of Ceres.

2. The cereals. Crabb.

CEREALIN Ce"re*a*lin, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A nitrogenous substance closely resembling diastase, obtained from bran, and possessing the power of converting starch into dextrin, sugar, and lactic acid. Watts.

CEREBEL Cer"e*bel, n.

Defn: The cerebellum. Derham.

CEREBELLAR; CEREBELLOUS Cer`e*bel"lar, Cer`e*bel"lous, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Pertaining to the cerebellum.

CEREBELLUM Cer`e*bel"lum, n.; pl. E. Cerebellums (, L. Cerebella (. Etym: [L., dim. of cerebrum brain.] (Anat.)

Defn: The large lobe of the hind brain in front of and above the medulla; the little brain. It controls combined muscular action. See Brain.

CEREBRAL Cer"e*bral, a. Etym: [L. cerebrum brain; akin to Gr. cérébral. See Cheer.] (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the cerebrum. Cerebral apoplexy. See under Apoplexy.

CEREBRAL Cer"e*bral, n. Etym: [A false translation of the Skr. murdhanya, lit., head-sounds.]

Defn: One of a class of lingual consonants in the East Indian languages. See Lingual, n.

Note: Prof. W. D. Whitney calls these letters linguals, and this is their usual designation in the United States.

CEREBRALISM Cer"e*bral*ism, n. (Philos.)

Defn: The doctrine or theory that psychical phenomena are functions or products of the brain only.

CEREBRALIST Cer"e*bral*ist, n.

Defn: One who accepts cerebralism.

CEREBRATE Cer"e*brate, v. i. (Physiol.)

Defn: To exhibit mental activity; to have the brain in action.

CEREBRATION Cer`e*bra"tion, n.

Defn: Action of the brain, whether conscious or unconscious.

CEREBRIC Cer"e*bric, a.

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or derived from, the brain. Cerebric acid (Physiol. Chem.), a name formerly sometimes given to cerebrin.

CEREBRICITY Cer`e*bric"i*ty, n.

Defn: Brain power. [R.]

CEREBRIFORM Ce*reb"ri*form, a. Etym: [Cerebrum + -form.]

Defn: Like the brain in form or substance.

CEREBRIFUGAL Cer`e*brif"u*gal, a. Etym: [Cerebrum + L. fugere to flee.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Applied to those nerve fibers which go from the brain to the spinal cord, and so transfer cerebral impulses (centrifugal impressions) outwards.

CEREBRIN Cer"e*brin, n. Etym: [From Cerebrum.] (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: A nonphosphorized, nitrogenous substance, obtained from brain and nerve tissue by extraction with boiling alcohol. It is uncertain whether it exists as such in nerve tissue, or is a product of the decomposition of some more complex substance.

CEREBRIPETAL Cer`e*brip"e*tal, a. Etym: [Cerebrum + L. petere to seek.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Applied to those nerve fibers which go from the spinal cord to the brain and so transfer sensations (centripetal impressions) from the exterior inwards.

CEREBRITIS Cer`e*bri"tis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. E. cerebrum + -itis.] (Med.)

Defn: Inflammation of the cerebrum.

CEREBROID Cer"e*broid, a. Etym: [Cerebrum + -oid.]

Defn: Resembling, or analogous to, the cerebrum or brain.

CEREBROLOGY Cer`e*brol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Cerebrum + -logy.]

Defn: The science which treats of the cerebrum or brain.

CEREBROPATHY Cer`e*brop"a*thy, n. Etym: [Cerebrum + Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A hypochondriacal condition verging upon insanity, occurring in those whose brains have been unduly taxed; -- called also brain fag.

CEREBROSCOPY Cer`e*bros"co*py, n. Etym: [Cerebrum + -scopy.] (Med.)

Defn: Examination of the brain for the diagnosis of diseas; esp., the act or process of diagnosticating the condition of the brain by examination of the interior of the eye (as with an ophthalmoscope). Buck.

CEREBROSE Cer`e*brose", n. Etym: [From Cerebrum.] (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: A sugarlike body obtained by the decomposition of the nitrogenous non-phosphorized principles of the brain.

CEREBRO-SPINAL Cer`e*bro-spi"nal, a. Etym: [Cerebrum + spinal.] (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the central nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord. Cerebro-spinal fluid (Physiol.), a serous fluid secreted by the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. -- Cerebro-spinal meningitis, Cerebro-spinal fever (Med.), a dangerous epidemic, and endemic, febrile disease, characterized by inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, giving rise to severe headaches, tenderness of the back of the neck, paralysis of the ocular muscles, etc. It is sometimes marked by a cutaneous eruption, when it is often called spotted fever. It is not contagious.

CEREBRUM Cer"e*brum, n.; pl. E. Cerebrums, L. Cerebra. Etym: [L., the brain.] (Anat.)

Defn: The anterior, and in man the larger, division of the brain; the seat of the reasoning faculties and the will. See Brain.

CERECLOTH Cere"cloth`, n. Etym: [L. cera wax + E. cloth.]

Defn: A cloth smeared with melted wax, or with some gummy or glutinous matter. Linen, besmeared with gums, in manner of cerecloth. Bacon.

CEREMENT Cere"ment, n. Etym: [L. cera wax: cf. F. cirement.] (a) A cerecloth used for the special purpose of enveloping a dead body when embalmed. (b) Any shroud or wrapping for the dead.

CEREMONIAL Cer`e*mo"ni*al, a. Etym: [L. caerimonialis: cf. F. cérimonial. See Ceremony.]

1. Relating to ceremony, or external rite; ritual; according to the forms of established rites. Ceremonial observances and outward show. Hallam.

2. Observant of forms; ceremonious.

Note: [In this sense ceremonious is now preferred.] Donne. He moves in the dull ceremonial track. Druden.

CEREMONIAL Cer`e*mo"ni*al, n.

1. A system of rules and ceremonies, enjoined by law, or established by custom, in religious worship, social intercourse, or the courts of princes; outward form. The gorgeous ceremonial of the Burgundian court. Prescott.

2. The order for rites and forms in the Roman Catholic church, or the book containing the rules presribed to be observed on solemn occasions.

CEREMONIALISM Cer`e*mo"ni*al*ism, n.

Defn: Adherence to external rites; fondness for ceremony.

CEREMONIALLY Cer`e*mo"ni*al*ly, adv.

Defn: According to rites and ceremonies; as, a person ceremonially unclean.

CEREMONIALNESS Cer`e*mo"ni*al*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being ceremonial.

CEREMONIOUS Cer`e*mo"ni*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. cérémonieux, L. Caerimoniosus.]

1. Consisting of outward forms and rites; ceremonial.

Note: [In this sense ceremonial is now preferred.] The ceremonious part of His worship. South.

2. According to prescribed or customary rules and forms; devoted to forms and ceremonies; formally respectful; punctilious. "Ceremonious phrases." Addison. Too ceremonious and traditional. Shak.

Syn. -- Formal; precise; exact. See Formal.

CEREMONIOUSLY Cer`e*mo"ni*ous*ly, adv.

Defn: In a ceremonious way.

CEREMONIOUSNESS Cer`e*mo"ni*ous*ness, n.

Defn: The quality, or practice, of being ceremonious.

CEREMONY Cer"e*mo*ny, n.; pl. Ceremonies. Etym: [F. cérémonie, L. caerimonia; perh. akin to E. create and from a root signifying to do or make.]

1. Ar act or series of acts, often of a symbolical character, prescribed by law, custom, or authority, in the conduct of important matters, as in the performance of religious duties, the transaction of affairs of state, and the celebration of notable events; as, the ceremony of crowning a sovereign; the ceremonies observed in consecrating a church; marriage and baptismal ceremonies. According to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof shall ye keep it [the Passover]. Numb. ix. 3 Bring her up the high altar, that she may The sacred ceremonies there partake. Spenser. [The heralds] with awful ceremony And trumpet's sound, throughout the host proclaim A solemn council. Milton.

2. Behavior regulated by strict etiquette; a formal method of performing acts of civility; forms of civility prescribed by custom or authority. Ceremony was but devised at first To set a gloss on . . . hollow welcomes . . . But where there is true friendship there needs none. Shak. Al ceremonies are in themselves very silly things; but yet a man of the world should know them. Chesterfield.

3. A ceremonial symbols; an emblem, as a crown, scepter, garland, etc. [Obs.] Disrobe the images, If you find them decked with ceremonies. . . . Let no images Be hung with Cæsar's trophies. Shak.

4. A sign or prodigy; a portent. [Obs.] Cæsar, I never stood on ceremonies, Yet, now they fright me. Shak. Master of ceremonies, an officer who determines the forms to be observed, or superintends their observance, on a public occasion. -- Not to stand on ceremony, not to be ceremonious; to be familiar, outspoken, or bold.

CEREOUS Ce"re*ous, a. Etym: [L. cereus, fr. cera was.]

Defn: Waxen; like wax. [Obs.] Gayton.

CERES Ce"res, n. Etym: [L., Ceres, also corn, grain, akin to E. create.]

1. (Class. Myth.)

Defn: The daughter of Saturn and Ops or Rhea, the goddess of corn and tillage.

2. (Actron.)

Defn: The first discovered asteroid.

CERESIN Cer"e*sin, n. Etym: [L. cera wax.] (Chem.)

Defn: A white wax, made by bleaching and purifying ozocerite, and used as a substitute for beeswax.

CEREUS Ce"re*us, n. Etym: [L., a wax candle, fr. cera wax. So named from the resemblance of one species to the columnar shape of a wax candle.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of plants of the Cactus family. They are natives of America, from California to Chili.

Note: Although several species flower in the night, the name Night- blooming cereus is specially applied to the Cereus grandiflorus, which is cultivated for its beautiful, shortlived flowers. The Cereus giganteus, whose columnar trunk is sometimes sixty feet in height, is a striking feature of the scenery of New Mexico, Texas, etc.

CEREVIS Cer"e*vis (ser"e*vis; G. tser`e*ves"), n. [G., fr. L. cerevisia, cervisia, beer.]

Defn: A small visorless cap, worn by members of German student corps. It is made in the corps colors, and usually bears the insignia of the corps.

CERIA Ce"ri*a (se"ri*a), n. (Chem.)

Defn: Cerium oxide, CeO2, a white infusible substance constituting about one per cent of the material of the common incandescent mantle.

CERIAL Cer"i*al, a.

Defn: Same as Cerial. [Obs.] Chaucer.

CERIFEROUS Ce*rif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. ra wax + -ferous.]

Defn: Producing wax.

CERIN Ce"rin, n. Etym: [L. cera wax + -in: cf. L. cerinus wax-colored.]

1. (Chem.)

Defn: A waxy substance extracted by alcohol or ether from cork; sometimes applied also to the portion of beeswax which is soluble in alcohol. Watts.

2. (Min.)

Defn: A variety of the mineral allanite.

CERINTHIAN Ce*rin"thi*an, n. (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: One of an ancient religious sect, so called fron Cerinthus, a Jew, who attempted to unite the doctrines of Christ with the opinions of the Jews and Gnostics. Hook.

CERIPH Cer"iph, n. (Type Founding)

Defn: One of the fine lines of a letter, esp. one of the fine cross strokes at the top and bottom of letters. [Spelt also seriph.] Savage.

CERISE Ce*rise", a. Etym: [F., a cherry. See Cherry.]

Defn: Cherry-colored; a light bright red; --- applied to textile fabrics, especially silk.

CERITE Ce"rite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A gastropod shell belonging to the family Cerithiïdæ; -- so called from its hornlike form.

CERITE Ce"rite, n. Etym: [From Cherium.] (Min.)

Defn: A mineral of a brownish of cherry-red color, commonly massive. It is a hydrous silicate of cerium and allied metals.

CERIUM Ce"ri*um, n. Etym: [Named dy Berzelius in 1803 from the asteroid Ceres, then just discovered (1801).] (Chem.)

Defn: A rare metallic element, occurring in the minerals cerite, allanite, monazite, etc. Symbol Ce. Atomic weight 141.5. It resembles iron in color and luster, but is soft, and both malleable and ductile. It tarnishes readily in the air.

CERNUOUS Cer"nu*ous, a. Etym: [L. cernuus with the face turned toward the earth.] (Bot.)

Defn: Inclining or nodding downward; pendulous; drooping; -- said of a bud, flower, fruit, or the capsule of a moss.

CERO Ce"ro, n. Etym: [Corrupt. fr. Sp. sierra saw, sawfish, cero.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A large and valuable fish of the Mackerel family, of the genus Scomberomorus. Two species are found in the West Indies and less commonly on the Atlantic coast of the United States, -- the common cero (Scomberomorus caballa), called also kingfish, and spotted, or king, cero (S. regalis).

CEROGRAPH Ce"ro*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. khros wax + -graph.]

Defn: A writing on wax. Knight.

CEROGRAPHIC; CEROGRAPHICAL Ce`ro*graph"ic, Ce`ro*graph"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to cerography.

CEROGRAPHIST Ce*rog"ra*phist, n.

Defn: One who practices cerography.

CEROGRAPHY Ce*rog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. -graphy.]

1. The art of making characters or designs in, or with, wax.

2. A method of making stereotype plates from inscribed sheets of wax.

CEROLITE Cer"o*lite, n. Etym: [Gr. * wax + -lite.] (Min.)

Defn: A hydrous silicate of magnesium, allied to serpentine, occurring in waxlike masses of a yellow or greenish color.

CEROMA Ce*ro"ma, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.

1. The unguent (a composition of oil and wax) with which wrestles were anointed among the ancient Romans.

2. (Anc. Arch.)

Defn: That part of the baths and gymnasia in which bathers and wrestlers anointed themselves.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The cere of birds.

CEROMANCY Cer"o*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. -mancy.]

Defn: Divination by dropping melted wax in water.

CEROON Ce*roon", n. Etym: [See Seroon.]

Defn: A bale or package. covered with hide, or with wood bound with hide; as, a ceroon of indigo, cochineal, etc.

CEROPLASTIC Ce`ro*plas"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Fine arts) (a) Relating to the art of modeling in wax. (b) Modeled in wax; as, a ceroplastic figure.

CEROPLASTICS; CEROPLASTY Ce`ro*plas"tics, Ce`ro*plas"ty, n. Etym: [Gr. céroplastique.]

Defn: The art of modeling in wax.

CEROSIN Cer"o*sin, n. Etym: [L. cera wax.] (Chem.)

Defn: A waxy substance obtained from the bark of the sugar cane, and crystallizing in delicate white laminæ.

CEROTE Ce"rote, n. Etym: [Obs.]

Defn: See Cerate.

CEROTENE Cer"o*tene, n. Etym: [L. cerotum a pomade. See Cerate.] (Chem.)

Defn: A white waxy solid obtained from Chinese wax, and by the distillation of cerotin.

CEROTIC Ce*rot"ic, a. Etym: [See Cerotene.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, beeswax or Chinese wax; as, cerotic acid or alcohol.

CEROTIN Cer"o*tin, n. Etym: [See Cerotene.] (Chem.)

Defn: A white crystalline substance, C27H55.OH, obtained from Chinese wax, and regarded as an alcohol of the marsh gas series; -- called also cerotic alcohol, ceryl alcohol.

CEROTYPE Ce"ro*type`, n. [Gr. wax + -type.]

Defn: A printing process of engraving on a surface of wax spread on a steel plate, for electrotyping.

CERRIAL Cer"ri*al, a. Etym: [L. cerreus, fr. cerrus a kind of oak.] (Bot.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the cerris. Chaplets green of cerrial oak. Dryden.

CERRIS Cer"ris, n. Etym: [L. cerrus.] (Bot.)

Defn: A species of oak (Quercus cerris) native in the Orient and southern Europe; -- called also bitter oak and Turkey oak.

CERTAIN Cer"tain, a. Etym: [F. certain, fr. (assumed) LL. certanus, fr. L. certus determined, fixed, certain, orig. p. p. of cernere to perceive, decide, determine; akin to Gr. concern, critic, crime, riddle a sieve, rinse, v.]

1. Assured in mind; having no doubts; free from suspicions concerning. To make her certain of the sad event. Dryden. I myself am certain of you. Wyclif.

2. Determined; resolved; -- used with an infinitive. However, I with thee have fixed my lot, Certain to undergo like doom. Milton.

3. Not to be doubted or denied; established as a fact. The dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. Dan. ii. 45.

4. Actually existing; sure to happen; inevitable. Virtue that directs our ways Through certain dangers to uncertain praise. Dryden. Death, as the Psalmist saith, is certain to all. Shak.

5. Unfailing; infallible. I have often wished that I knew as certain a remedy for any other distemper. Mead.

6. Fixed or stated; regular; determinate. The people go out and gather a certain rate every day. Ex. xvi. 4.

7. Not specifically named; indeterminate; indefinite; one or some; -- sometimes used independenty as a noun, and meaning certain persons. It came to pass when he was in a certain city. Luke. v. 12. About everything he wrote there was a certain natural grace und decorum. Macaulay. For certain, assuredly. -- Of a certain, certainly.

Syn. -- Bound; sure; true; undeniable; unquestionable; undoubted; plain; indubitable; indisputable; incontrovertible; unhesitating; undoubting; fixed; stated.

CERTAIN Cer"tain, n.

1. Certainty. [Obs.] Gower.

2. A certain number or quantity. [Obs.] Chaucer.

CERTAIN Cer"tain, adv.

Defn: Certainly. [Obs.] Milton.

CERTAINLY Cer"tain*ly, adv.

Defn: Without doubt or question; unquestionably.

CERTAINNESS Cer"tain*ness, n.

Defn: Certainty.

CERTAINTY Cer"tain*ty, n.; pl. Certainties. Etym: [OF. certaineté.]

1. The quality, state, or condition, of being certain. The certainty of punishment is the truest security against crimes. Fisher Ames.

2. A fact or truth unquestionable established. Certainties are uninteresting and sating. Landor.

3. (Law)

Defn: Clearness; freedom from ambiguity; lucidity. Of a certainty, certainly.

CERTES Cer"tes, adv. Etym: [F. certes, for à certes, fr. L. certus. See Certain.]

Defn: Certainly; in truth; verily. [Archaic] Certes it great pity was to see Him his nobility so foul deface. Spenser.

CERTIFICATE Cer*tif"i*cate, n. Etym: [F. certificat, fr. LL. certificatus made certain, p. p. of certificare. See tify.]

1. A written testimony to the truth of any fact; as, certificate of good behavior.

2. A written declaration legally authenticated. Trial by certificate, a trial which the testimony of the person certifying is the only proper criterion of the point in dispute; as, when the issue is whether a person was absent in the army, this is tried by the certificate of the proper officer in writing, under his seal. Blackstone.

CERTIFICATE Cer*tif"i*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Certificated; p. pr. & vb. n. Certificating.] Etym: [See Certify.]

1. To verify or vouch for by certificate.

2. To furnish with a certificate; as, to certificate the captain of a vessel; a certificated teacher.

CERTIFICATION Cer`ti*fi*ca"tion, n.Etym: [L. certificatio: cf. F. certification.]

Defn: The act of certifying.

CERTIFIER Cer"ti*fi`er, n.

Defn: One who certifies or assures.

CERTIFY Cer"ti*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Certified; p. pr. & vb. n. Certifying.] Etym: [F. certifier, LL. certificare; L. certus certain + facere to make. See Certain, and cf. Certificate, v. t.]

1. To give cetain information to; to assure; to make certain. We certify the king, that . . . thou shalt have no portion on this side the river. Ezra iv. 16.

2. To give certain information of; to make certain, as a fact; to verify. Hammond. The industry of science at once certifies and greatly extends our knowledge of the vastness of the creation. I. Taylor.

3. To testify to in writing; to make a declaration concerning, in writing, under hand, or hand and seal. The judges shall certify their opinion to the chancellor, and upon such certificate the decree is usually founded. Blackstone. Certified check, A bank check, the validity of which is certified by the bank on which it is drawn.

CERTIORARI Cer`ti*o*ra"ri, n. Etym: [So named from the emphatic word certiorari in the Latin form of the writ, which read certiorar volumus we wish to be certified.] (Law)

Defn: A writ issuing out of chancery, or a superior court, to call up the records of a inferior court, or remove a cause there depending, in order that the party may have more sure and speedy justice, or that errors and irreguarities may be corrected. It is obtained upon complaint of a party that he has not received justice, or can not have an impartial trial in the inferior court.

Note: A certiorari is the correct process to remove the proceedings of a court in which cases are tried in a manner different from the course of the common law, as of county commissioners. It is also used as an auxiliary process in order to obtain a full return to some other process. Bouvier.

CERTITUDE Cer"ti*tude, n. Etym: [LL. certitudo, fr. L. certus: cf. F. certitude. See Certain.]

Defn: Freedom from doubt; assurance; certainty. J. H. Newman.

CERULE Cer"ule, a. Etym: [L. caerulus, eguiv. to caeruleus.]

Defn: Blue; cerulean. [Obs.] Dyer.

CERULEAN Ce*ru"le*an, a. Etym: [L. caeruleus.]

Defn: Sky-colored; blue; azure. Cowper. Blue, blue, as if that sky let fall A flower from its cerulean wall. Bryant.

CERULEIN Ce*ru"le*in, n. [L. caeruleus sky-blue.] (Chem.)

Defn: A fast dyestuff, C20H8O6, made by heating gallein with strong sulphuric acid. It dyes mordanted fabrics green.

CERULEOUS Ce*ru"le*ous, a.

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

CERULESCENT Ce`ru*les"cent, a. [L. caeruleus sky-blue + -escent.]

Defn: Tending to cerulean; light bluish.

CERULEUM Ce*ru"le*um, n. [NL.]

Defn: A greenish blue pigment prepared in various ways, consisting essentially of cobalt stannate. Unlike other cobalt blues, it does not change color by gaslight.

CERULIFIC Cer`u*lif"ic, a. Etym: [L.arulus dark blue + facere to make.]

Defn: Producing a blue or sky color. [R.]

CERUMEN Ce*ru"men, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. cera wax.] (Physiol.)

Defn: The yellow, waxlike secretion from the glands of the external ear; the earwax.

CERUMINOUS Ce*ru"mi*nous, a. (Physiol.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or secreting, cerumen; as, the ceruminous glands.

CERUSE Ce"ruse, n. Etym: [F. céruse, L. cerussa.]

1. White lead, used as a pigment. See White lead, under White.

2. A cosmetic containing white lead. To distinguish ceruse from natural bloom. Macaulay.

3. (Min.)

Defn: The native carbonate of lead.

CERUSED Ce"rused, a.

Defn: Washed with a preparation of white lead; as, cerused face. Beau. & Fl.

CERUSITE; CERUSSITE Ce"ru*site, Ce"rus*site, n. (Min.)

Defn: Native lead carbonate; a mineral occurring in colorless, white, or yellowish transparent crystals, with an adamantine, also massive and compact.

CERVANTITE Cer"van*tite, n. Etym: [Named from Cervantes a town in Spain.] (Min.)

Defn: See under Antimony.

CERVELAT Cer"ve*lat, n. Etym: [F.] (Mus.)

Defn: An ancient wind instrument, resembling the bassoon in tone.

CERVICAL Cer"vi*cal, a. Etym: [L. cervix, -icis, neck: cf. F. cervical.] (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the neck; as, the cervical vertebræ.

CERVICIDE Cer"vi*cide, n. Etym: [L. cervus deer + caedere to kill.]

Defn: The act of killing deer; deer-slaying. [R.]

CERVINE Cer"vine, a. Etym: [L. cervinus, fr. cervus deer: cf. F. cervin.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the deer, or to the family Cervidæ.

CERVIX Cer"vix, n.; pl. E. Cervixes, L. Cervices. Etym: [L.] (Anat.)

Defn: The neck; also, the necklike portion of any part, as of the womb. See Illust. of Bird.

CERVUS Cer"vus, n. Etym: [L., a deer.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of ruminants, including the red deer and other allied species.

Note: Formerly all species of deer were included in the genus Cervus.

CERYL Ce"ryl, n. Etym: [L. cera wax + -yl.] (Chem.)

Defn: A radical, C27H55 supposed to exist in several compounds obtained from Chinese wax, beeswax, etc.

CESAREAN; CESARIAN Ce*sa"re*an, Ce*sa"ri*an, a.

Defn: Same as Cæsarean, Cæsarian.

CESARISM Ce"sar*ism, n.

Defn: See Cæsarism.

CESPITINE Ces"pi*tine, n. Etym: [L. caespes, caespitis, a turf.]

Defn: An oil obtained by distillation of peat, and containing various members of the pyridine series.

CESPITITIOUS Ces"pi*ti`tious, a. Etym: [L. caespiticius, fr. caespes turf.]

Defn: Same as Cespitious. [R.] Gough.

CESPITOSE Ces"pi*tose`, a. Etym: [L. caespes turf.] (Bot.)

Defn: Having the form a piece of turf, i. e., many stems from one rootstock or from many entangled rootstocks or roots. [Written also cæspitose.]

CESPITOUS Ces"pi*tous, a. Etym: [See Cespitose.]

Defn: Pertaining to, consisting, of resembling, turf; turfy. A cespitous or turfy plant has many stems from the same root, usually forming a close, thick carpet of matting. Martyn.

CESS Cess, n. Etym: [For sess, conts. from Assess.]

1. A rate or tax. [Obs. or Prof. Eng. & Scot.] Spenser.

2. Bound; measure. [Obs.] The poor jade is wrung in the withers out of all cess. Shak.

CESS Cess, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cessed; p. pr. & vb. n. Cessing.]

Defn: To rate; to tax; to assess. Spenser.

CESS Cess, v. i. Etym: [F. cesser. See Cease.]

Defn: To cease; to neglect. [Obs.] Spenser.

CESSANT Ces"sant a. Etym: [L. cessans, p. pr. of cessare. See Cease.]

Defn: Inactive; dormant [Obs.] W. Montagu.

CESSATION Ces*sa"tion, n. Etym: [F. cessation, L. cessatio, fr. cessare. See Cease.]

Defn: A ceasing of discontinuance, as of action, whether termporary or final; a stop; as, a cessation of the war. The temporary cessation of the papal iniquities. Motley. The day was yearly observed for a festival by cessation from labor. Sir J. Hayward. Cessation of arms (Mil.), an armistice, or truce, agreed to by the commanders of armies, to give time for a capitulation, or for other purposes.

Syn. -- Stop; rest; stay; pause; discontinuance; intermission; interval; respite; interruption; recess; remission.

CESSAVIT Ces*sa"vit, n. Etym: [L., he has ceased.] [O. Eng. Law]

Defn: A writ given by statute to recover lands when the tenant has for two years failed to perform the conditions of his tenure.

CESSER Ces"ser, n. Etym: [From Cess, v. i.] (Law)

Defn: a neglect of a tenant to perform services, or make payment, for two years.

CESSIBLE Ces"si*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. cessible. See Cession.]

Defn: Giving way; yielding. [Obs.] -- Ces`si*bil"i*ty, n. [Obs.] Sir K. Digby.

CESSION Ces"sion, n. Etym: [L. cessio, fr. cedere to give way: cf. F. Cession. See Cede.]

1. A yielding to physical force. [Obs.] Bacon.

2. Concession; compliance. [Obs.]

3. A yielding, or surrender, as of property or rights, to another person; the act of ceding. A cession of the island of New Orleans. Bancroft.

4. (Eccl. Law)

Defn: The giving up or vacating a benefice by accepting another without a proper dispensation.

5. (Civil Law)

Defn: The voluntary surrender of a person's effects to his creditors to avoid imprisonment.

CESSIONARY Ces"sion*a*ry, a. Etym: [LL. cessionarius, from cessionare to cede, fr. L. cessio: cf. F. cessionnaire. See Cession.]

Defn: Having surrendered the effects; as, a cessionary bankrupt. Martin.

CESSMENT Cess"ment, n. Etym: [From Cess, v. t.]

Defn: An assessment or tax. [Obs.] Johnson.

CESSOR Ces"sor, n. Etym: [From Cess, v. i. Cf. Cesser.] (Law)

Defn: One who neglects, for two years, to perform the service by which he holds lands, so that he incurs the danger of the writ of cessavit. See Cessavit. Cowell.

CESSOR Ces"sor, n. Etym: [From Cess, v. t.]

Defn: An assessor. [Obs.]

CESSPIPE Cess`pipe", n.

Defn: A pipe for carrying off waste water, etc., from a sink or cesspool. Knight.

CESSPOOL Cess"pool`, n. Etym: [See Sesspol.]

Defn: A cistern in the course, or the termination, of a drain, to collect sedimentary or superfluous matter; a privy vault; any receptace of filth. [Written also sesspool.]

CEST Cest, n. Etym: [L. cestus: cf. OF. ceste.]

Defn: A woman's girdle; a cestus. [R.] Collins.

CESTODE Ces"tode, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Cestoidea. -- n.

Defn: One of the Cestoidea.

CESTOID Ces"toid, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Cestoidea. -- n.

Defn: One of the Cestoidea.

CESTOIDEA Ces*toid"e*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., gr. Gr. -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A class of parasitic worms (Platelminthes) of which the tapeworms are the most common examples. The body is flattened, and usually but not always long, and composed of numerous joints or segments, each of which may contain a complete set of male and female reproductive organs. They have neither mouth nor intestine. See Tapeworm. [Written also Cestoda.]

CESTOLDEAN Ces*told"e*an, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Cestoidea.

CESTRACIONT Ces*tra"ci*ont, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A shark of the genus Cestracion, and of related genera. The posterior teeth form a pavement of bony plates for crushing shellfish. Most of the species are extinct. The Port Jackson shark and a similar one found in California are living examples.

CESTRACIONT Ces*tra"ci*ont, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or characteristic of, the genus Cestracion.

CESTUS Ces"tus, n. Etym: [L. cestus girdle, Gr.

1. (Antiq.)

Defn: A girdle; particularly that of Aphrodite (or Venus) which gave the wearer the power of exciting love.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of Ctenophora. The typical species (Cestus Veneris) is remarkable for its brilliant iridescent colors, and its long, girdlelike form.

CESTUS Ces"tus, n. Etym: [L. caestus, and cestus.] (Antiq.)

Defn: A covering for the hands of boxers, made of leather bands, and often loaded with lead or iron.

CESTUY; CESTUI Ces"tuy or Ces"tui, pron. Etym: [Norm. F.] (Law)

Defn: He; the one. Cestuy que trust ( Etym: [norm. F.], a person who has the equitable and beneficial interest in property, the legal interest in which is vested in a trustee. Wharton. -- Cestuy que use ( Etym: [Norm. F.], a person for whose use land, etc., is granted to another.

CESURA Ce*su"ra, n.

Defn: See Cæsura.

CESURAL Ce*su"ral, a.

Defn: See Cæsural.

CETACEA Ce*ta"ce*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from L. cetus whale, Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An order of marine mammals, including the whales. Like ordinary mammals they breathe by means of lungs, and bring forth living young which they suckle for some time. The anterior limbs are changed to paddles; the tail flukes are horizontal. There are two living suborders: (a) The Mysticete or whalebone whales, having no true teeth after birth, but with a series of plates of whalebone [see Baleen.] hanging down from the upper jaw on each side, thus making a strainer, through which they receive the small animals upon which they feed. (b) The Denticete, including the dolphins and sperm whale, which have teeth. Another suborder (Zeuglodontia) is extinct. The Sirenia were formerly included in the Cetacea, but are now made a separate order.

CETACEAN Ce*ta"cean, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Cetacea.

CETACEOUS Ce*ta"ceous, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Cetacea.

CETE Ce"te, n. Etym: [L., pl.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Cetacea, or collectively, the Cetacea.

CETENE Ce"tene, n. Etym: [See Cete.] (Chem.)

Defn: An oily hydrocarbon, C16H32, of the ethylene series, obtained from spermaceti.

CETERACH Cet"e*rach, n. Etym: [F. cétérac, fr. Ar. shetrak.] (Bot.)

Defn: A species of fern with fronds (Asplenium Ceterach).

CETEWALE Cet"e*wale, n. Etym: [OF. citoal, F. zedoaire. See Zedoary.]

Defn: Same as Zedoary. [Obs.] Chaucer.

CETIC Ce"tic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a whale.

CETIN Ce"tin, n. Etym: [L. cetus whale.] (Chem.)

Defn: A white, waxy substance, forming the essential part of spermaceti.

CETOLOGICAL Ce`to*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to cetology.

CETOLOGIST Ce*tol"o*gist, a.

Defn: One versed in cetology.

CETOLOGY Ce*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy: cf. F. cétologie.]

Defn: The description or natural history of cetaceous animals.

CETRARIC Ce*trar"ic, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, the lichen, Iceland moss (Cetaria Islandica). Cetraric acid. See Cetrarin.

CETRARIN Cet"ra*rin, n. Etym: [From Cetraria Islandica, the scientific name of Iceland moss.] (Chem.)

Defn: A white substance extracted from the lichen, Iceland moss (Cetraria Islandica). It consists of several ingredients, among which is cetraric acid, a white, crystalline, bitter substance.

CETYL Ce"tyl, n. Etym: [Gr. -yl.] (Chem.)

Defn: A radical, C16H33, not yet isolated, but supposed to exist in a series of compounds homologous with the ethyl compounds, and derived from spermaceti.

CETYLIC Ce*tyl"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or derived from, spermaceti. Cetylic alcohol (Chem.), a white, waxy, crystalline solid, obtained from spermaceti, and regarded as homologous with ordinary, or ethyl, alcohol; ethal; - - called also cetyl alcohol.

CEYLANITE Cey"lan*ite, n. Etym: [F., fr. Ceylan Ceylon.] (Min.)

Defn: A dingy blue, or grayish black, variety of spinel. It is also called pleonaste. [Written also ceylonite.]

CEYLONESE Cey`lon*ese", a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Ceylon. -- n. sing. & pl.

Defn: A native or natives of Ceylon.

C.G.S. C.G.S.

Defn: An abbreviation for Centimeter, Gram, Second. -- applied to a system of units much empoyed in physical science, based upon the centimeter as the unit of length, the gram as the unit of weight or mass, and the second as the unit of time.

C. G. S. C. G. S.

Defn: An abbreviation for Centimeter, Gram, Second. -- applied to a system of units much employed in physical science, based upon the centimeter as the unit of length, the gram as the unit of weight or mass, and the second as the unit of time.