Ctenophora, ten-of′o-ra,n.pl.a sub-class of Cœlenterates—beautifully delicate, free-swimming marine organisms, generally globular, moving by means of comb-like plates. [Gr.kteis,ktenos, a comb,pherein, to carry.]
Cub, kub,n.the young of certain animals, as foxes, &c.: a whelp: a young boy or girl (in contempt).—v.i.to bring forth young:—pr.p.cub′bing;pa.p.cubbed.—adjs.Cub′bish, like a cub: awkward;Cub′-drawn(Shak.), drawn or sucked by cubs.—n.Cub′hood.—adj.Cub′less, without cubs. [Prob. Celt., as Ir.cuib, a whelp, fromcu, a dog.]
Cub, kub,n.a cattle-pen: chest.
Cuban, kū′ban,n.a native of the island ofCubain the West Indies.—adj.pertaining to Cuba.
Cube, kūb,n.a solid body having six equal square faces, a solid square: the third power of a number, as—2 × 2 × 2 = 8.—v.t.to raise to the third power.—ns.Cū′bage,Cubā′tion,Cū′bature, the act of finding the solid or cubic content of a body: the result thus found.—adjs.Cū′bic,-al, pertaining to a cube: of the third power or degree: solid.—adv.Cū′bically.—n.Cū′bicalness, state or quality of being cubical.—adjs.Cū′biform;Cū′boid,Cuboid′al, resembling a cube in shape.—Cube root, the number or quantity that produces a given cube by being raised to the third power—thus 2 is the cube root of 8. [Fr.,—L.cubus—Gr.kybos, a die.]
Cubeb, kū′beb,n.the dried berry ofPiper cubeba, a climbing shrub, native to Sumatra—useful as a stomachic and carminative in indigestion, for piles and for sore throats.—n.Cubeb′in, a crystallising substance in cubebs. [Fr.cubèbe—Ar.kabābah.]
Cubica, kū′bi-ka,n.a fine worsted for linings.
Cubicle, kū′bi-kl,n.a bedroom.
Cubit, kū′bit,n.a measure employed by the ancients, equal to the length of the arm from the elbow to the tip of the middle-finger, from 18 to 22 inches—alsoCū′bitus.—adj.Cū′bital, of the length of a cubit. [L.cubitum, the elbow; cf. L.cubāre, to lie down.]
Cucking-stool, kuk′ing-stōōl,n.a stool in which scolds and other culprits were placed, usually before their own door, to be pelted by the mob. [Mentioned in Domesday Book as in use in Chester, and calledcathedra stercoris. From an obs. wordcuck, to ease one's self; cf. Ice.kúka.]
Cuckold, kuk′old,n.a man whose wife has proved unfaithful.—v.t.to wrong (a husband) by unchastity.—v.t.Cuck′oldise, to make a cuckold.—adv.Cuck′oldly(Shak.).—ns.Cuck′old-mak′er;Cuck′oldom, state of a cuckold: act of adultery;Cuck′oldry, adultery. [O. Fr.cucuault—cucu, cuckoo.]
Cuckoo, kook′kōō,n.a bird which cries cuckoo, remarkable for laying its eggs in the nests of other birds.—ns.Cuck′oo-bud(Shak.), name of a plant;Cuck′oo-clock, a clock in which the hours are told by a cuckoo-call;Cuck′oo-flow′er, a species of Cardamine—called alsoLady's Smock;Cuck′oo-pint, the Wake-robin,Arum maculatum;Cuck′oo-spit,-spit′tle, a frothy spittle, made by many insects parasitic on plants, surrounding the larvæ and pupæ.
Cucullate,-d, kū′kul-lāt, -ed,adj.hooded: shaped like a hood. [L.cucullatus—cucullus, a hood.]
Cucumber, kū′kum-bėr,n.a creeping plant, with heart-shaped leaves, rough with bristly hairs, and large oblong fruit used as a salad and pickle—a native of southern Asia.—adj.Cucum′iform. [L.cucumis,cucumeris.]
Cucurbit, kū′kur-bit,n.a chemical vessel used in distillation, originally shaped like a gourd.—adjs.Cucur′bital,Cucurbitā′ceous, pertaining to theCucurbitaceæ, mostly herbaceous climbers, as the gourd, melon, &c.;Cucur′bitive, like a gourd-seed. [Fr.cucurbite—L.cucurbita, a gourd.]
Cud, kud,n.the food brought from the first stomach of a ruminating animal back into the mouth and chewed again.—n.Cud′weed, the popular name for many species of plants covered with a cottony down.—Chew the cud, to meditate. [A.S.cwidu.]
Cudbear, kud′bār,n.a purple or violet coloured powder prepared from a lichen, used in dyeing. [A corr. ofCuthbert—from DrCuthbertGordon, who first made it an article of commerce.]
Cuddle, kud′l,v.t.to hug: to embrace: to fondle.—v.i.to lie close and snug together.—n.a close embrace. [Perh. a freq. of M. E.couth, cosy.]
Cuddy, kud′i,n.a small cabin or cookroom, in the fore-part of a boat or lighter: in large vessels, the officers' cabin under the poopdeck. [Origin uncertain; cf. Fr.cahute; Dut.kajuit; Ger.kajüte.]
Cuddy, kud′i,n.the right of a lord to entertainment from his tenant: rent: (Spens.)Cuddeehih. [Corr. of Ir.cuid oidhche—cuid, a share,oidhche, night.]
Cuddy,Cuddie, kud′i,n.a donkey: (Scot.) a stupid person. [Perh. formed fromCuthbert.]
Cudgel, kud′jel,n.a heavy staff: a club.—v.t.to beat with a cudgel:—pr.p.cud′gelling;pa.p.cud′gelled.—ns.Cud′geller;Cud′gelling.—adj.Cud′gel-proof, not to be hurt by beating.—Take up the cudgels, to engage in a contest. [A.S.cycgel.]
Cue, kū,n.the last words of an actor's speech serving as a hint to the next speaker: any hint: the part one has to play. [Acc. to some from Fr.queue, tail, as the ending words of the last speech; in 17th cent. written Q, and derived from L.quando, 'when,' i.e. when the actor was to begin.]
Cue, kū,n.a twist of hair at the back of the head: a rod used in playing billiards.—v.t.of the hair, to form in a cue. [Fr.queue—L.cauda, a tail.]
Cuff, kuf,n.a stroke with the open hand.—v.t.to strike with the open hand: to beat. [Origin obscure; cf. Sw.kuffa, to knock.]
Cuff, kuf,n.the end of the sleeve near the wrist: a covering for the wrist: a handcuff (q.v.). [Prob. cog. withCoif.]
Cuff, kuf,n.Scotch form ofScruff.—Cuff of the neck. SeeScruff.
Cuffin, kuf′in,n.a man: a justice of the peace. [Thieves' slang.]
Cufic, kūf′ik,adj.of or pertaining to Cufa, esp. applied to the kind of writing of the scholars ofCufain Asiatic Turkey, seat of the most expert copyists of the Koran.
Cuirass, kwi-ras′, or kū-,n.a defensive covering for the breast and back, of leather or iron fastened with straps and buckles, &c.—v.t.to furnish with such.—n.Cuirassier′, a horse-soldier armed with such. [Fr.cuirasse—cuir, leather—L.corium, skin leather.]
Cuir-bouilli, kwēr-bōō′lyi,n.leather softened by boiling, then dried, retaining the impressions made on it.—AlsoCuir-bouilly.
Cuisine, kwe-zēn′,n.a kitchen or cooking department: cookery.—n.Cuisin′ier, a cook. [Fr. (It.cucina)—L.coquina—coquĕre, to cook.]
Cuisse, kwis,Cuish, kwish,n.armour for the thighs, consisting of iron plates laid horizontally over each other and riveted together. [Fr.cuisse(It.coscia, the thigh)—L.coxa, the hip.]
Cuiter, küt′ėr,v.t.(Scot.) to fondle, pamper.
Cuittle, küt′l,v.t.to curry: (Scot.) to cajole.
Culch, kulch,n.(prov.) rubbish.
Culdee, kul′dē,n.one of a fraternity of monks living in Scotland in the 8th century in groups of cells. [Acc. to Reeves and Skene, the old Ir.céle dé, 'servants of God,' or 'companions of God'—Latinised by Boece intoCuldei, as ifcultores Dei.]
Cul-de-four, kōō-de-foor,n.(archit.) a sort of low spherical vault, oven-like.—ns.Cul-de-lampe, an ornamental design used in filling up blank spaces in a book;Cul-de-sac, a street, &c., closed at one end: a blind alley. [Fr.cul, bottom—L.culus; Fr.four, furnace,lampe, lamp,sac, sack.]
Culet, kū′let,n.the small flat surface at the back or bottom of a brilliant: the part of armour protecting the body behind, from the waist downwards—alsoCulette. [O. Fr.,cul—L.culus, the rump.]
Culex, kū′leks,n.the typical genus ofCulicidæor gnats—adj.Culic′iform, gnat-like. [L.]
Culinary, kū′lin-ar-i,adj.pertaining to the kitchen or to cookery: used in the kitchen. [L.culinarius—culina, a kitchen.]
Cull, kul,v.t.to select, pick out.—ns.Cull′er;Cull′ing. [Fr.cueillir, to gather—L.colligĕre—col, together,legĕre, to gather. Doublet ofCollect.]
Cullender. SeeColander.
Cullet, kul′et,n.refuse glass.
Cullion, kul′yun,n.a wretch: a cowardly fellow.—adj.Cull′ionly(Shak.), mean, base. [Fr.couillon, a poltroon (It.coglione)—L.coleus, a leather bag.]
Cullis, kul′is,n.a gutter in a roof: a groove, as for a side-scene in a theatre. [Fr.coulisse.]
Cully, kul′i,n.a mean dupe.—v.t.to deceive meanly:—pa.p.cull′ied.—ns.Cull, a dupe;Cull′yism, state of being a cully. [Prob. a contr. ofCullion.]
Culm, kulm,n.the stalk or stem of corn or of grasses.—v.i.to form a culm.—adj.Culmif′erous, having a culm. [L.culmus, a stalk.]
Culm, kulm,n.coal-dust: name given in some parts of England to anthracite or stone-coal.—adj.Culmif′erous, producing culm. [SeeCoom.]
Culmen, kul′men,n.highest point: the median length-wise ridge of a bird's upper mandible. [L.]
Culminate, kul′min-āt,v.i.(astron.) to be vertical or at the highest point of altitude: to reach the highest point (within).—adj.Cul′minant, at its highest point.—n.Culminā′tion, act of culminating: the top: (astron.) transit of a body across the meridian or highest point for the day. [Low L.culmināre, from L.culmen, properlycolumen, a summit.]
Culottic, kul-ot′ic,adj.wearing trousers: (Carlyle) respectable. [Fr.culotte, breeches.]
Culpable, kul′pa-bl,adj.faulty: criminal.—ns.Culpabil′ity,Cul′pableness, liability to blame.—adv.Cul′pably.—adj.Cul′patory, expressive of blame. [O. Fr.coupable—L.culpabilis—culpa, a fault.]
Culprit, kul′prit,n.one in fault: a criminal: (Eng. law) a prisoner accused but not yet tried. [From the fusion in legal phraseology ofcul.(culpable,culpabilis), andprit,prist(O. Fr.prest), ready. Notculpate—law L.culpatus, a person accused.]
Cult, kult,n.a system of religious belief, worship.—AlsoCult′us. [L.cultus—colĕre, to worship.]
Culter, kul′tėr,n.obsolete form ofCoulter.—adjs.Cultiros′tral,Culturos′tral;Cul′trate,-d, shaped like a pruning-knife;Cul′triform, in the form of a pruning-knife: sharp-edged.
Cultism, kult′ism,n.a style of writing after the manner of Luis de Góngora y Argote (1561-1627), a Spanish lyric poet—estilo culto, being florid, pedantic, often obscure.—ns.Cult′ist,Cult′orist. [Sp.culte, elegant—L.cultus.]
Cultivate, kul′ti-vāt,v.i.to till or produce by tillage: to prepare for crops: to devote attention to: to civilise or refine.—adjs.Cul′tivable,Cultivat′able, capable of being cultivated.—ns.Cultivā′tion, the art or practice of cultivating: civilisation: refinement;Cul′tivator.—Cultivate a person's friendship, to endeavour to get his good-will. [Low L.cultivāre,-ātum—L.colĕre, to till, to worship.]
Culture, kul′tūr,n.cultivation: the state of being cultivated: refinement the result of cultivation.—v.t.to cultivate: to improve.—adjs.Cul′turable;Cul′tural.—p.adj.Cul′tured, cultivated: well educated: refined.—adj.Cul′tureless. [L.cultūra—colĕre.]
Cultus.SeeCult.
Culver, kul′vėr,n.a dove: a pigeon.—n.Cul′ver-key, an herb, probably the columbine, having key-shaped flowerets.—adj.Cul′vertailed, dovetailed. [A.S.culfre, prob. from L.columba.]
Culverin, kul′vėr-in,n.one of the earlier forms of cannon of great length, generally an 18-pounder, weighing 50 cwt.—ns.Cul′verineer;Dem′i-cul′verin, a 9-pounder, weighing 30 cwt. [Fr.coulevrine, fromcouleuvre, a serpent.]
Culver's physic,root,n.popular name of a kind of speedwell, the rhizome ofVeronica virginica, used medicinally. [Prob. from one DrCulver.]
Culvert, kul′vėrt,n.an arched channel of masonry for carrying water beneath a road, railway, &c. [Perh. from Fr.couler, to flow—L.colāre.]
Culvertage, kul′ver-tāj,n.degradation of a vassal to the position of a serf. [O. Fr.culvert, a serf.]
Cumbent, kum′bent,adj.lying down; reclining. [L.cumbens,-entis, pr.p. ofcumbĕre, to lie down.]
Cumber, kum′bėr,v.t.to trouble or hinder with something useless: to retard, trouble.—n.encumbrance: cumbering.—adj.Cum′bered, hampered: obstructed.—ns.Cum′berer;Cum′ber-ground, a useless thing, from Luke, xiii. 7.—adj.Cum′berless, unencumbered.—ns.Cum′berment,Cum′brance, encumbrance.—adjs.Cum′bersome, unwieldy: heavy;Cum′brous, hindering: obstructing: heavy.—adv.Cum′brously.—n.Cum′brousness. [O. Fr.combrer, to hinder—Low L.cumbrus, a heap; corr. of L.cumulus, a heap.]
Cumbrian, kum′bri-an,adj.(geol.) of or pertaining to a system of slaty rocks best developed in Cumberland and Westmorland, now merged in the Cambrian or Silurian system.
Cumin,Cummin, kum′in,n.an umbelliferous plant, common in Egypt, and cultivated in southern Europe and India—its seeds, resembling the caraway, valuable as carminatives. [L.cuminum—Gr.kyminon, cog. with Heb.kammôn.]
Cummer, kum′ėr,Kimmer,kim′ėr,n.a gossip: a woman: (Scot.) a girl. [Fr.commère—L.con, with,mater, mother.]
Cummerbund, kum′ėr-bund,n.a waist-belt, a sash. [Anglo-Ind.—Pers.kamarband, a loin-band.]
Cumshaw, kum′shaw,n.a gift, a tip. [Pidgin-English.]
Cumulate, kūm′ū-lāt,v.t.to heap together: to accumulate.—adjs.Cum′ulate,-d, heaped up.—n.Cumulā′tion(=Accumulation).—adj.Cum′ulative, increasing by successive additions.—adv.Cum′ulatively. [L.cumulāre,-ātum—cumulus, a heap.]
Cumulus, kū′mū-lus,n.a heap; a kind of cloud common in summer, consisting of rounded heaps with a darker horizontal base.—adjs.Cū′muliform;Cū′mulose.—n.Cū′mulo-strā′tus, a cloud looking like a combination of thecumulusandstratus. [L.cumulus, a heap, andstratus.]
Cunabula, kū-nab′ul-a,n.pl.a cradle. [L.]
Cunarder, kūn-ard′ėr,n.one of a certain line of steamships between England and America. [Founded by Sir SamuelCunard(1787-1865).]
Cunctator, kungk-tā′tor,n.one who delays or puts off.—n.Cunctā′tion, delay.—adjs.Cunctā′tious,Cunctā′tive,Cunctā′tory, inclined to delay. [L.,—cunctāri, to delay.]
Cuneal, kū′ne-al,Cuneate,kū′ne-āt,adj.of the form of a wedge.—adjs.Cunē′iform,Cū′niform, wedge-shaped—specially applied to the old Babylonian and Assyrian writing, of which the characters have a wedge-shape. [L.cuneus, a wedge.]
Cunette.SeeCuvette.
Cunning, kun′ing,adj.knowing: skilful: artful: crafty.—n.knowledge: skill: faculty of using stratagem to accomplish a purpose: artifice.—adv.Cunn′ingly.—n.Cunn′ingness, quality of being cunning: artfulness, slyness. [A.S.cunnan, to know.]
Cup, kup,n.a vessel used to contain liquid: a drinking-vessel: the liquid contained in a cup: that which we must receive or undergo: afflictions: blessings.—v.i.to extract blood from the body by means of cupping-glasses: (Shak.) to make drunk:—pr.p.cup′ping;pa.p.cupped.—ns.Cup′-bear′er, one who attends at a feast to fill out and hand the wine;Cupboard(kub′urd), a place for keeping victuals, dishes, &c.—v.t.to store.—ns.Cup′board-love,-faith, love or faith indulged in for a material end;Cup′ful, as much as fills a cup:—pl.Cup′fuls;Cup′-gall, a cup-shaped gall in oak-leaves;Cup′-lī′chen, or-moss, a species ofCladonia;Cup′man, a boon companion;Cup′per, a cup-bearer: one professionally engaged in cupping;Cup′ping, the application of cups from which the air has been exhausted to a scarified part of the skin for the purpose of drawing blood;Cup′ping-glass, a glass used in the operation of cupping;Dry′-cup′ping, the application of cups without previous scarification;Lov′ing-cup, a cup (from which all drink) passed round at the close of a feast.—Cry cupboard, to cry for food;In his cups, under the influence of liquor;Many a slip between the cup and the lip, a proverb signifying that something adverse may occur at the last moment. [A.S.cuppe(Fr.coupe, It.coppa, a cup, the head); all from L.cupa,cuppa, a tub.]
Cupel, kū′pel,n.a small vessel used by goldsmiths in assaying precious metals.—v.t.to assay in a cupel.—n.Cupellā′tion, the process of assaying precious metals. [L.cupella, dim. ofcupa. SeeCup.]
Cupidity, kū-pid′i-ti,n.covetousness.—n.Cū′pid, the god of love. [L.cupiditas—cupĕre, to desire.]
Cupola, kū′po-la,n.a spherical vault, or concave ceiling, on the top of a building: the internal part of a dome: a dome.—v.t.to furnish with such. [It.; dim. of Low L.cupa, a cup—L.cupa, a tub.]
Cupreous, kūp′rē-us,Cupric,kūp′rik,adj.of or containing copper.—adj.Cuprif′erous, producing copper.—n.Cū′prite, the red oxide of copper. [L.cuprum, copper,ferre, to bear.]
Cupressus, kū-pres′us,n.the cypress genus of coniferous trees. [L.]
Cupule, kū′pūl,n.(bot.) a shortened axis with a number of more or less cohering bracts enclosing the ripening fruit—alsoCū′pula.—adj.Cupulif′erous, bearing cupules. [L.cupula, dim. ofcupa, a tub, andferre, to carry.]
Cur, kur,n.a worthless dog, of low breed: a churlish fellow.—adj.Cur′rish.—adv.Cur′rishly.—n.Cur′rishness. [M. E.curre; cf. Old Dut.korre, Dan.kurre, to whir.]
Curaçoa, koo-ra-sō′a,n.a liqueur so named from the island ofCuraçaoin the West Indies, where it was first made.—AlsoCuraça′o.
Curari, koo-rä′ri,n.a poison used by South American Indians for their arrows—alsoCura′ra.—n.Cura′rine, a highly poisonous alkaloid extracted from curari. [From the native name.]
Curassow, kū-ras′ō,n.a large turkey-like South American bird.
Curate, kūr′āt,n.one who has the cure of souls: an inferior clergyman in the Church of England, assisting a rector or vicar.—ns.Cur′acy,Cur′ateship, the office, employment, or benefice of a curate. [Low L.curatus, from L.cura, care.]
Curator, kūr-ā′tor,n.one who has the charge of anything: a superintendent: one appointed by law as guardian: a member of a board for electing university professors and the like:—fem.Curā′trix.—n.Curā′torship, the office of a curator. [L.curator, an overseer—curāre, to cure.]
Curb, kurb,v.t.to bend to one's will: to subdue: to restrain or check: to furnish with or guide by a curb.—n.that which curbs: a check or hinderance: a chain or strap attached to the bit of a bridle for restraining the horse.—adjs.Curb′able;Curb′less.—ns.Curb′-roof, a roof whose upper rafters have a less inclination than the lower ones;Curb′stone,Kerb′stone, a stone placed edgeways against earth or stone work to check it. [Fr.courber, from L.curvus, crooked, bent.]
Curch, kurch,n.a covering for the head, a kerchief.
Curculio, kur-kū′li-o,n.the fruit-weevil. [L.]
Curcuma, kur′kū-ma,n.a genus of plants yielding turmeric.—n.Cur′cumine, the colouring matter of turmeric. [Fr.,—Ar.kurkum, saffron.]
Curd, kurd,n.milk thickened or coagulated: the cheese part of milk, as distinguished from the whey.—n.Curd′iness.—v.i.Curd′le, to turn into curd: to congeal: to thicken.—v.t.to congeal.—adj.Curd′y, like or full of curd. [Prob. Celt.; Gael.gruth, Ir.cruth.]
Cure, kūr,n.care of souls or spiritual charge: care of the sick: act of healing: that which heals: a remedy, or course of remedial treatment.—v.t.to heal: to preserve, as by drying, salting, &c.:—pr.p.cūr′ing;pa.p.cūred.—adj.Cur′able, that may be cured.—ns.Cur′ableness,Curabil′ity, quality of being curable;Cure′-all, a panacea.—adjs.Cur′ative,Cur′atory, tending to cure;Cure′less, that cannot be cured.—ns.Cur′er, one who cures: a physician;Cur′ing-house, a house or place in which anything is cured, esp. a building in which sugar is drained, as in the West Indies. [O. Fr.cure—-L.cura, care; not the same asCare.]
Curé, kū′rā,n.a parish priest in France.
Curfew, kur′fū,n.in feudal times the ringing of a bell at eight o'clock, as a signal to put out all fires and lights. [O. Fr.covrefeu;couvrir, to cover,feu, fire—L.focus.]
Curia, kū′ri-a,n.one of the ten divisions of a Roman tribe: a building in which the senate met, a provincial senate: a court, legislative or judicial: the court of the papal see.—ns.Cū′rialism;Cū′rialist.—adj.Curialist′ic. [L.]
Curiet, kū′ri-et,n.(Spens.) a cuirass.
Curio, kū′ri-o,n.any article of virtu or bric-à-brac, or anything considered rare and curious.—n.Curiō′so, a collector or admirer of curios.
Curious, kū′ri-us,adj.anxious to learn: inquisitive: showing great care or nicety: skilfully made: singular: rare.—n.Curios′ity, state or quality of being curious: inquisitiveness: that which is curious: anything rare or unusual.—adv.Cū′riously.—n.Cū′riousness.—Curious arts(B.), magical practices. [Fr.curieux—L.curiosus—cura.]
Curling-stone.
Curl, kurl,v.t.to twist into ringlets: to coil.—v.i.to shrink into ringlets: to rise in undulations: to writhe: to ripple: to play at the game of curling.—n.a ringlet of hair, or what is like it: a wave, bending, or twist.—adjs.Curled;Curled′-pate(Shak.), having curled hair.—ns.Curl′er, one who, or that which, curls: a player at the game of curling;Curl′icue, a fantastic curl;Curl′iewurlie(Scot.), any fantastic round ornament;Curl′iness;Curl′ing, a game, common in Scotland, consisting in hurling heavy smooth stones along a sheet of ice.—ns.pl.Curl′ingī′rons,Curl′ing-tongs, an iron instrument used for curling the hair.—n.Curl′ing-stone, a heavy stone with a handle, used in curling.—adjs.Curl′y, having curls: full of curls;Curl′y-head′ed. [M. E.crull; Dut.krullen, Dan.krolle, to curl.]
Curlew, kur′lū,n.one of the wading-birds, having a very long slender bill and legs, and a short tail. [O. Fr.corlieu; prob. from its cry.]
Curmudgeon, kur-muj′un,n.an avaricious, ill-natured fellow: a miser.—adj.Curmud′geonly. [Earliercorn-mudgin;mudge,mooch; M. E.muchen—O. Fr.mucier, to hide.]
Curmurring, kur-mur′ing,n.a rumbling sound, esp. that made in the bowels by flatulence. [Imit.]
Curr, kur,v.i.to cry like an owl, to purr like a cat, &c. [Imit.]
Currach,-agh, kur′ach,n.a coracle. [Gael.]
Currant, kur′ant,n.a small kind of raisin or dried grape imported from the Levant: the fruit of several species of ribes.—ns.Curr′ant-jell′y;Curr′ant-wine. [FromCorinth.]
Current, kur′ent,adj.running or flowing: passing from person to person: generally received: now passing: present.—n.a running or flowing: a stream: a portion of water or air moving in a certain direction: course.—n.Curr′ency, circulation: that which circulates, as the money of a country: general estimation.—adv.Curr′ently.—n.Curr′entness, state of being current: general acceptance.—Pass current, to be received as genuine. [L.currens,-ent-is—currĕre), to run.]
Curricle, kur-i′kl,n.a two-wheeled open chaise, drawn by two horses abreast: a chariot.—n.Curric′ulum, a course, esp. the course of study at a university. [L.curriculum, fromcurrĕre.]
Currish,Currishly, &c. SeeCur.
Curry, kur′i,n.a kind of sauce or seasoning much used in India, compounded of pepper, ginger, and other spices: a stew mixed with curry-powder.—n.Curr′y-pow′der. [Tamilkari, sauce.]
Curry, kur′i,v.t.to dress leather: to rub down and dress a horse: to beat: to scratch:—pr.p.curr′ying;pa.p.curr′ied.—ns.Curr′ier, one who curries or dresses tanned leather;Curr′y-comb, an iron instrument or comb used for currying or cleaning horses;Curr′ying.—Curry favour(corruption ofCurry favell, to curry the chestnut horse), to seek favour by flattery. [O. Fr.correier(mod.corroyer),conrei, outfit, from a supposed Low L. formconredāre,con-, with,rēdāre, seen in Array.]
Curry,Currie, obsolete forms ofQuarry.
Curse, kurs,v.t.to invoke or wish evil upon: to devote to perdition: to vex or torment.—v.i.to utter imprecations: to swear.—n.the invocation or wishing of evil or harm upon: evil invoked on another: torment: any great evil.—adj.Curs′ed, under a curse: blasted by a curse: hateful.—adv.Curs′edly.—ns.Curs′edness;Curs′er;Curs′ing.—adj.Curst, cursed: deserving a curse: ill-tempered: shrewish: froward.—n.Curst′ness, state of being curst: peevishness: frowardness. [A.S.cursian—curs, a curse; ety. dub.; not conn. with Cross.]
Cursitor, kur′si-tor,n.a clerk or officer in the Court of Chancery who makes out original writs. [Low L.cursitor, from the words 'de cursu,' applied in the statute to ordinary writs.]
Cursive, kur′siv,adj.written with a running hand, of handwriting: flowing.—adv.Cur′sively. [Low L.cursivus—L.currĕre, to run.]
Cursorial, kur-sō′ri-al,adj.adapted for running.—n.pl.Cursō′res, an order of birds variously limited.
Cursory, kur′sor-i,adj.hasty: superficial: careless.—adj.Cur′sorary(Shak.), cursory.—adv.Cur′sorily.—n.Cur′soriness. [L.currĕre,cursum, to run.]
Curst.SeeCurse.
Cursus, kur′sus,n.a race-course: a form of daily prayer or service; an academic curriculum. [L.]
Curt, kurt,adj.short: concise: discourteously brief or summary.—adj.Curt′āte, shortened or reduced; applied to the distance of a planet from the sun or earth reduced to the plane of the ecliptic.—n.Curtā′tion.—adv.Curt′ly.—n.Curt′ness. [L.curtus, shortened.]
Curtail, kur-tāl′,v.t.to cut short: to cut off a part: to abridge:—pr.p.curtail′ing;pa.p.curtailed′.—ns.Curtail′ment;Curtail′-step, the rounded step at the bottom of a stair. [Old spellingcurtal, O. Fr.courtault(It.cortaldo)—L.curtus.]
Curtain, kur′tin,n.drapery hung round and enclosing a bed, &c.: the part of a rampart between two bastions.—v.t.to enclose or furnish with curtains.—n.Cur′tain-lec′ture, a lecture or reproof given in bed by a wife to her husband.—Behind the curtain, away from public view;Draw the curtain, to draw it aside, so as to show what is behind, or in front of anything so as to hide it. [O. Fr.cortine—Low L.cortina; prob. L.cors,cortis, a court.]
Curtal, kur′tal,n.a horse with a curt or docked tail: anything docked or cut short.—adj.docked or shortened.—n.Cur′tal-frī′ar(Scott), a friar with a short frock. [Fr.courtaud—court. SeeCurtail.]
Curtal-ax, kur′tal-aks,Curt-axe,kurt′aks,n.(Spens.), a short, broad sword. [A corr. of the earlier formscoutelas,curtelas. SeeCutlass.]
Curtilage, kur′til-āj,n.a court attached to a dwelling-house. [O. Fr.courtillage. SeeCourt.]
Curtsy,Curtsey, kurt′si,n.an obeisance, made by bending the knees, proper to women and children.—v.i.to make a curtsy. [SeeCourtesy.]
Curule, kū′rōōl,adj.applied to a chair in which the higher Roman magistrates had a right to sit. [L.curulis—currus, a chariot.]
Curve, kurv,n.anything bent: a bent or curved line: an arch.—v.t.to bend: to form into a curve.—adjs.Cur′vāte,-d, curved or bent in a regular form.—n.Curvā′tion.—adj.Cur′vative.—n.Cur′vature, a curving or bending: the continual bending or the amount of bending from a straight line.—adjs.Curved;Cur′vicaudate, having a crooked tail;Curvicos′tate, having curved ribs;Curvifō′liate, having curved leaves;Cur′viform;Cur′ving;Curviros′tral, with the bill curved downward;Cur′vital, of or pertaining to curvature.—n.Cur′vity, the state of being curved. [L.curvus, crooked.]
Curvet, kur′vet,kur-vet′,n.a light leap of a horse in which he raises his forelegs together, next the hindlegs with a spring before the forelegs touch the ground: a leap, frolic.—v.i.(kur-vet′,kur′vet) to leap in curvets: to frisk:—pr.p.curvet′ting,curvet′ing;pa.p.cur′veted. [It.corvetta, dim. ofcorvo—L.curvus.]
Curvilinear, kur-vi-lin′i-ar,Curvilineal,kur-vi-lin′i-al,adj.bounded by curved lines.—n.Curvilinear′ity. [L.curvus, andlinearis—linea, a line.]
Cuscus, kus′kus,n.the grain of the African millet. Same asCouscous. [Fr.couscou.]
Cuscus, kus′kus,n.the fibrous root of an Indian grass, used for making fans, &c. [Pers.khas khas.]
Cushat, koosh′at,n.the ringdove or wood-pigeon. [A.S.cúscute, the former part of dub. origin, the latter derived fromscéotan, to shoot.]
Cushion, koosh′un,n.a case filled with some soft, elastic stuff, for resting on: a pillow: the 'pillow' used in making bone-lace: an engraver's pad: the rubber of an electrical machine: a pad supporting a woman's hair: the elastic lining of the inner side of a billiard-table: a body of steam remaining in the cylinder of a steam-engine, acting as a buffer to the piston.—v.t.to seat on or furnish with a cushion.—p.adj.Cush′ioned, furnished with a cushion, padded: having cushion-tires.—ns.Cush′ionet, a little cushion;Cush′ion-tire, a bicycle tire made of india-rubber tubing, with india-rubber stuffing.—adj.Cush′iony, like a cushion, soft. [O. Fr.coissin—L.coxinum,coxa, hip.]
Cusk, kusk,n.the torsk: the burbot.
Cusp, kusp,n.a point: the point or horn of the moon, &c.: (archit.) a small projecting ornament common in Gothic tracery.—adjs.Cus′pidāte,-d(bot.), having a sharp end, as the canine teeth. [L.cuspis,cuspid-is, a point.]
Cuspidor, kus′pi-dor,n.a spittoon.—AlsoCus′pidore. [Port.,—L.conspuĕre, to spit upon.]
Cuss, kus,n.(slang) a fellow: an expletive.—adj.Cuss′ed, cursed.—n.Cuss′edness, contrariness. [ObviouslyCurse; prob. in the personal sense with a supposed reference toCustomer.]
Custard, kus′tard,n.a composition of milk, eggs, &c., sweetened and flavoured.—ns.Cus′tard-app′le, the fruit of a West Indian tree, having an eatable pulp, like a custard;Cus′tard-coff′in(Shak.), the paste or crust which covers a custard. [Earliercustade, a corr. ofcrustade, a pie with crust. SeeCrust.]
Custody, kus′to-di,n.a watching or guarding: care: security: imprisonment.—adj.Custō′dial.—ns.Custō′dian,Cus′tode,Custō′dier,Cus′tos, one who has care, esp. of some public building. [L.custodia, fromcustos,custodis, a keeper.]
Custom, kus′tum,n.what one is wont to do: usage: frequent repetition of the same act: regular trade or business: a tax on goods: (pl.) duties imposed on imports and exports.—adj.Cus′tomable, customary: common.—adv.Cus′tomarily.—n.Cus′tomariness.—adjs.Cus′tomary, according to use and wont: holding or held by custom;Cus′tomed, accustomed: usual.—ns.Cus′tomer, one accustomed to frequent a certain place of business: a buyer: (slang) a person;Cus′tom-house, the place where customs or duties on exports and imports are collected.—adj.Cus′tom-shrunk(Shak.), having fewer customers than formerly. [O. Fr.custume,costume—L.consuetud-inem,consuescĕre, to accustom.]
Custrel, kus′trėl,n.attendant on a knight: a villain. [O. Fr.coustillier,coustille, a dagger.]
Cut, kut,v.t.to make an incision in: to cleave or pass through: to divide: to carve, hew, or fashion by cutting: to wound or hurt: to affect deeply: to shorten: to break off acquaintance with, to pass intentionally without saluting: to renounce, give up: to castrate: to perform or execute, as 'to cut a caper.'—v.i.to make an incision: to pass, go quickly: (slang) to run away, to be off: to twiddle the feet rapidly in dancing:—pr.p.cut′ting;pa.t.andpa.p.cut.—n.a cleaving or dividing: a stroke or blow: an act of unkindness: the card obtained by cutting or dividing the pack: an incision or wound: a piece cut off: an engraved block, or the picture from it: manner of cutting, or, fashion: (pl.) a lot.—n.Cut′away′, a coat with the skirt cut away in a curve in front—alsoadj.—ns.Cut′-off, that which cuts off or shortens, a straighter road, a shorter channel cut by a river across a bend: a contrivance for saving steam by regulating its admission to the cylinder;Cut′purse(Shak.), one who stole byCutter.cutting off and carrying away purses (the purses being worn at the girdle): a pickpocket;Cut′ter, the person or thing that cuts: in a tailor's shop, the one who measures and cuts out the cloth: a small vessel with one mast, a mainsail, a forestaysail, and a jib set to bowsprit-end, any sloop of narrow beam and deep draught;Cut′-throat, an assassin: ruffian;Cut′ting, a dividing or lopping off: an incision: a piece cut off: a paragraph from a newspaper: a piece of road or railway excavated: a twig;Cut′-wa′ter, the fore-part of a ship's prow.—Cut a dash, orfigure, to make a conspicuous appearance;Cut-and-come-again, abundant supply, from the notion of cutting a slice, and returning at will for another;Cut-and-cover, a method of forming a tunnel by cutting out, arching it over, and then covering in;Cut-and-dry, orCut-and-dried, ready made, without the merit of freshness—from the state of herbs in the shop instead of the field;Cut and run, to be off quickly;Cut down, to take down the body of one hanged by cutting the rope: to reduce, curtail;Cut in, to strike into, as to a conversation, a game at whist;Cut it too fat, to overdo a thing;Cut off, to destroy, put to an untimely death: intercept: stop;Cut off with a shilling, to disinherit, bequeathing only a shilling;Cut one's stick, to take one's departure;Cut out, to shape: contrive: debar: supplant: to take a ship out of a harbour, &c., by getting between her and the shore;Cut short, to abridge: check;Cut the coat according to the cloth, to adapt one's self to circumstances;Cut the teeth, to have the teeth grow through the gums—of an infant;Cut the throat of(fig.), to destroy utterly;Cut up, to carve: eradicate: criticise severely: turn out (well or ill) when divided into parts;Cut up rough, to become quarrelsome.—A cut above(coll.), a degree or stage above;Short cut, orNear cut, a short way. [Prob. W.cwtau, shorten.]
Cutaneous.SeeCutis.
Cutch, kuch,n.the commercial name for catechu, from the Indian namekut.
Cutcherry, kuch′ėr-i,n.an office for public business, a court-house.—AlsoCutch′ery. [Hind.]
Cute, kūt,adj.an aphetic form ofAcute.
Cuthbert, kuth′bert,n.the apostle of Northumbria (635-687), whose name lives in(St) Cuthbert's Beads, a popular name for the perforated joints of encrinites found on Holy Island;(St) Cuthbert's duck, the eider-duck.
Cutikins, kōō′ti-kinz,n.pl.(Scot.) spatterdashes—alsoCuitikins.
Cutis, kū′tis,n.the skin: the true skin, as distinguished from the cuticle.—adj.Cutān′eous, belonging to the skin.—n.Cū′ticle, the outermost or thin skin.—adj.Cutic′ular, belonging to the cuticle. [L.]
Cutlass, kut′las,n.a short, broad sword, with one cutting edge, used in the navy. [Fr.coutelas, augmentative ofcouteau, knife, from L.cultellus, dim. ofculter, a ploughshare, a knife.]
Cutler, kut′lėr,n.one who makes or sells knives.—n.Cut′lery, the business of a cutler: edged or cutting instruments in general. [Fr.coutelier,coutel, knife.]
Cutlet, kut′let,n.a slice of meat cut off for cooking, esp. of mutton or veal—generally the rib and the meat belonging to it. [Fr.côtelette, dim. ofcôte, from L.costa, a rib.]
Cuttle, kut′l,n.a kind of mollusc, remarkable for its power of ejecting a black inky liquid—alsoCutt′le-fish.—n.Cutt′le-bone, the internal shell or bone of the cuttle-fish, used for making tooth-powder and for polishing the softer metals. [A.S.cudele.]
Cutto,Cuttoe, kut′o,n.a large knife.
Cutty, kut′i,adj.(Scot.) short, curtailed.—n.a short clay pipe: a short, dumpy girl: applied to a woman, a term of reprobation, serious or playful.—n.Cutt′y-stool, the stool of repentance in old Scotch church discipline. [Cut.]
Cuvette, küv-et′,n.a trench sunk along the middle of a dry ditch or moat.—AlsoCunette′. [Fr.]
Cyanogen, sī-an′o-jen,n.a compound of carbon, obtained by decomposing the cyanide of mercury by heat, so called from being an essential ingredient in the formation of Prussian blue.—n.Cy′anate, a salt of cyanic acid.—adj.Cyan′ic, of or belonging to cyanogen.—ns.Cy′anide, a direct compound of cyanogen with a metal;Cy′anine, the blue colouring matter of violets, &c.;Cy′anite, a mineral composed of alumina and silica, generally sky-blue;Cyanom′eter, an instrument for measuring the degrees of blueness of the sky or ocean;Cyanō′sis, morbid lividness of the skin, blue jaundice.—adj.Cyanot′ic.—ns.Cyan′otype, a photograph on paper sensitised by a cyanide;Cyan′uret, a cyanide.—Cyanic acid, an acid composed of cyanogen and oxygen. [Gr.kyanos, blue.]
Cyar, sī′ar,n.the internal auditory meatus.
Cyathiform, sī′a-thi-form,adj.like a cup a little widened at top.
Cycad, sī′kad,n.an order allied toConiferæ, but in appearance rather resembling ferns and palms.—adj.Cycadā′ceous. [Formed from Gr.kykas, an erroneous form ofkoikas,koiks, the doom-palm.]
Cyclamen, sik′lä-men,n.a genus ofPrimulaceæ, native to southern Europe. [Formed from Gr.kyklamis,-inos.]
Cycle, sī′kl,n.a period of time in which events happen in a certain order, and which constantly repeats itself: an imaginary circle or orbit in the heavens: a series of poems, prose romances, &c., centring round a figure or event—alsoCy′clus: an abbreviation for bicycle and tricycle.—v.i.to move in cycles: to ride or take exercise on a bicycle or tricycle.—adjs.Cy′clic,-al, pertaining to or containing a cycle.—ns.Cy′clist, for bicyclist or tricyclist;Cy′clograph, an instrument for describing the arcs of circles that have too large a curvature for compasses;Cy′cloid, a figure like a circle: a curve made by a point in a circle, when the circle is rolled along a straight line.—adj.Cycloid′al.—ns.Cycloid′ian, one of the fourth order of fishes, according to the classification of Agassiz, having cycloid scales with smooth edges, as the salmon;Cyclom′eter, an instrument for measuring circular arcs: an apparatus attached to the wheel of a cycle for registering the distance traversed;Cy′clorn, a cycle-horn. [Gr.kyklos, a circle.]
Cyclone, sī′klōn,n.a circular or rotatory storm.—adj.Cyclon′ic. [Coined from Gr.kyklōn, pr.p. ofkykloein, to whirl round—kyklos.]
Cyclopædia,Cyclopedia,sī-klō-pē′di-a,n.the circle or compass of human knowledge: a work containing information on every department, or on a particular department, of knowledge, usually arranged alphabetically.—adjs.Cyclopæ′dic,Cyclope′dic. [Gr.kyklos, a circle, andpaideia, learning.]
Cyclops, sī′klops,n.one of a fabled race of giants who lived chiefly in Sicily, with one eye in the middle of the forehead: a genus of minute freshwater copepods with an eye in front:—pl.Cyclō′pes.—adjs.Cyclopē′an,Cyclop′ic, relating to or like the Cyclops: giant-like: vast: pertaining to a prehistoric style of masonry with immense stones of irregular form. [Gr.kyklōps—kyklos, a circle, andōps, an eye.]
Cyclorama, sī-klo-rä′ma,n.a circular panorama painted on the inside of a cylindrical surface appearing in natural perspective. [Formed from Gr.kyklos, circle,horama, view.]
Cyclosis, sī-klō′sis,n.circulation, as of blood.
Cyclyolostomous, sī-klos′tō-mus,adj.round-mouthed, as a lamprey.
Cyclostyle, sī′klo-stīl,n.an apparatus for multiplying copies of a writing. [Formed from Gr.kyklos, circle, andStyle.]
Cyder.Same asCider.
Cygnet, sig′net,n.a young swan. [Acc. to Diez, a dim. of Fr.cygne, whose old formcisne(Sp.cisne, a swan) is from Low L.cecinus, not conn. with L.cygnus, Gr.kyknos, a swan.]
Cylinder, sil′in-dėr,n.a solid circular or roller-like body, whose ends are equal parallel circles: (mech.) applied to many cylindrical parts of machines, as any rotating cylindrical portion of a printing-press.—adjs.Cylindrā′ceous, somewhat cylindrical;Cylin′dric,-al, having the form or properties of a cylinder.—n.Cylindric′ity.—adj.Cylin′driform, in the form of a cylinder.—n.Cyl′indroid, a body like a cylinder, but having its base elliptical. [Gr.kylindros,kylindein, to roll.]
Cyma, sī′ma,n.a moulding of the cornice, an ogee.—ns.Cym′agraph, an instrument for tracing the outline of mouldings;Cymā′tium, a cyma. [Gr.kyma, a billow.]
Cymar, si-mär′,n.a loose light dress worn by ladies. [SeeChimer.]
Cymbal, sim′bal,n.a hollow brass, basin-like, musical instrument, beaten together in pairs.—ns.Cym′balist, a cymbal-player;Cym′balo, the dulcimer.—adj.Cym′biform, boat-shaped. [L.cymbalum—Gr.kymbanon—kymbē, the hollow of a vessel.]
Cyme, sīm,n.a young shoot: (bot.) term applied to all forms of inflorescence which are definite or centrifugal.—adjs.Cym′oid,Cym′ose,Cym′ous. [L.cyma—Gr.kyma, a sprout.]
Cymophane, sī′mō-fān,n.chrysoberyl.—adj.Cymoph′anous, opalescent. [Formed from Gr.kyma, wave,phainein, to show.]
Cymric, kim′rik,adj.Welsh.—n.Cym′ry, the Welsh, [W.Cymru, Wales.]
Cynanche, si-nang′kē,n.a name of various diseases of the throat or windpipe, esp. quinsy. [Gr.,kyōn, a dog,anchein, to throttle.]
Cynic,-al, sin′ik, -al,adj.dog-like: surly: snarling: austere; misanthropic.—ns.Cynan′thropy, lycanthropy;Cyn′ic, one of a sect of philosophers founded by Antisthenes of Athens (born c. 444B.C.), characterised by an ostentatious contempt for riches, arts, science, and amusements—so called from their morose manners: a morose man: a snarler;Cyn′icism, surliness: contempt for human nature: heartlessness, misanthropy.—adv.Cyn′ically.—n.Cyn′icalness. [Gr.kynikos, dog-like—kyōn,kynos, a dog; cf. L.can-is.]
Cynocephalus, sī-no-sef′al-us,n.the dog-faced baboon: a race of men with dogs' heads. [Gr.kyōn,kynos, dog,kephalē, head.]
Cynosure, sin′o-shōōr, orsī′,n.the dog's tail, a constellation (Ursa minor) containing the north-star; hence anything that strongly attracts attention or admiration. [Gr.kyōn,kynos, a dog,oura, a tail.]
Cyperus, sip-ē′rus,n.a tropical genus ofCyperaceæ.—adj.Cyperā′ceous, belonging to, or like, sedge plants. [From Gr.kypeiros, sedge.]
Cypher.Same asCipher.
Cy pres, sē prā, in the law of charitable trusts in England, the principle of applying the money to some objectas near as possibleto the one specified, when this has become impracticable. [O. Fr.]
Cypress, sī′pres,n.an evergreen tree whose branches used to be carried at funerals; hence a symbol of death.—adj.Cyp′rine. [O. Fr.ciprès(Fr.cyprès)—L.cupressus—Gr.kyparissos.]
Cyprian, sip′ri-an,adj.belonging to the island ofCyprus: lewd, licentious—Cyprus being the place where Venus was worshipped.—n.a native of Cyprus—alsoCyp′riot: a lewd woman.
Cyprus, sī′prus,n.a thin, transparent, black stuff, a kind of crape.—n.Cy′prus-lawn(Milt.). [Prob. named from the island ofCyprus.]
Cyrenaic, sī-rin-ā′ik,adj.pertaining toCyrene, or to the hedonism of its philosopher Aristippus, a pupil of Socrates.
Cyrillic, sir-il′ik,adj.pertaining to the alphabet attributed to StCyril(9th cent.), distinguished from the other Slavonic alphabet, the Glagolitic.
Cyst, sist,n.a bag in animal bodies containing morbid matter.—adjs.Cyst′ic,Cyst′iform,Cystoid′, having the form of, or contained in, a cyst or bag.—ns.Cys′ticle, a small cyst;Cystī′tis, inflammation of the bladder;Cys′tocele, a hernia formed by the protrusion of the bladder;Cystō′ma, a tumour containing cysts;Cystot′omy, the operation of cutting into the bladder to remove extraneous matter. [Low L.cystis—Gr.kystis, a bladder.]
Cytherean, sith-e-rē′an,adj.pertaining to Venus. [L.Cythereus—Cythera, an island in the Ægean Sea (nowCerigo), celebrated for the worship of Venus.]
Cytisus, sit′i-sus,n.a group of hardy leguminous shrubby plants, with yellow, white, or purple flowers, chiefly in the warmer temperate parts of the Old World. [Gr.kytisos.]
Cytoblast, sī′to-blast,n.the nucleus or germinal spot of a cellule, from which the organic cell is developed.—n.Cytogen′esis, cell-formation. [Gr.kytos, a vessel,blastanein, to bud.]
Czar,Tsar, tsär, or zär,n.the emperor of Russia:—fem.Czari′na,Tsari′na.—ns.Czar′evitch,Tsar-, a son of a czar.—Cesar′evitchis the title of the eldest son, andCesarev′na, of his wife.—ns.Czarev′na,Tsarev′na, a daughter of a czar. [Russ.tsari, a king; conn. with Ger.kaiser, ult. from L.cæsar, a king or emperor.]
Czardas, zär′das (Hung. pron.chär′dosh),n.a Hungarian national dance, consisting of two sections—a slow movement called alassuorlassan, and a quick step, thefrissorfriska.
Czech, tshek,n.a member of the most westerly branch of the Slavic family of races, the term including the Bohemians, or Czechs proper, the Moravians, and the Slovaks: the language of the Czechs, Bohemian, closely allied to Polish.—adj., alsoCzech′ic.