Gare, gār,adj.(Scot.) greedy, miserly.
Garefowl, gār′fowl,n.the great auk, razor-billed auk. [Ice.geir-fugl.]
Garfish. SeeGar(1).
Gargantuan, gär-gan′tū-an,adj.like Gargantua—i.e. enormous, prodigious.—ns.Gargan′tuism;Gargan′tuist. [FromGargantua, the hero of Rabelais, described as a giant of vast appetite.]
Gargarism, gär′ga-rizm,n.a gargle.—v.t.Gar′garise.
Garget, gar′get,n.a swelling in the throat of cattle and pigs: inflammation of a cow's udder.—AlsoGar′gil.
Gargle, gär′gl,v.t.to wash the throat, preventing the liquid from going down by expelling air against it.—n.a preparation for washing the throat. [O. Fr.gargouiller—gargouille, the throat.]
Gargoyle.
Gargoyle, gär′goil,n.a projecting spout, conveying the water from the roof-gutters of buildings, often representing human or other figures. [O. Fr.gargouille—L.gurgulio, throat.]
Garibaldi, gar-i-bal′di,n.a woman's loose blouse, an imitation of the red shirts worn by the followers of the Italian patriotGaribaldi(1807-1882).
Garish,Gairish, gār′ish,adj.showy: gaudy.—adv.Gar′ishly.—n.Gar′ishness. [Earliergaurish,gawrish—gaure, to stare, perh. a freq. ofgaw, to stare, cf. Ice.gá, to heed.]
Garland, gär′land,n.a wreath of flowers or leaves: a name for a book of extracts in prose or poetry: (Shak.) the thing most prized.—v.t.to deck with a garland.—n.Gar′landāge, a decoration of garlands.—adj.Gar′landless.—n.Gar′landry, garlands collectively.--Civicgarland, a crown of oak-leaves bestowed on a Roman soldier who saved a fellow-citizen's life in battle. [O. Fr.garlande; prob. Old High Ger.wiara, fine ornament.]
Garlick, gär′lik,n.a bulbous-rooted plant of genus Allium, having a pungent taste and very strong smell.—adj.Gar′licky, like garlick. [A.S.gárléac—gár, a spear,léac, a leek.]
Garment, gär′ment,n.any article of clothing, as a coat or gown.—v.t.to clothe with a garment.—adjs.Gar′mented;Gar′mentless.—n.Gar′menture, clothing. [O. Fr.garniment—garnir, to furnish.]
Garner, gär′nėr,n.a granary or place where grain is stored up: a store of anything—e.g. experience.—v.t.to store as in a garner.—v.i.(rare) to accumulate.—n.Gar′nerage, a storehouse. [O. Fr.gernier(Fr.grenier)—L.granarium,-ia, a granary.]
Garnet, gär′net,n.a precious stone belonging to a group of minerals crystallising in the cubical system. [O. Fr.grenat—Low L.granatum, pomegranate; or Low L.granum, grain, cochineal, red dye.]
Garnish, gär′nish,v.t.to adorn: to furnish: to surround with ornaments, as a dish.—n.entrance-money: something placed round a principal dish at table, whether for embellishment or relish: a gift of money, esp. that formerly paid by a prisoner to his fellow-prisoners on his first admission.—ns.Gar′nishee, a person warned not to pay money owed to another, because the latter is indebted to the garnisher who gives the warning (v.t.to attach a debtor's money in this way);Garnishee′ment;Gar′nisher, one who garnishes;Gar′nishing,Gar′nishment,Gar′niture, that which garnishes or embellishes: ornament: apparel: trimming;Gar′nishry, adornment. [O. Fr.garniss-,stem ofgarnir, to furnish, old formwarnir, from a Teut. root seen in A.S.warnian, Ger.warnen, Eng.warn.]
Garret, gar′et,n.(Shak.) a watch-tower: a room next the roof of a house.—p.adj.Garr′eted, provided with garrets: lodged in a garret.—ns.Garreteer′, one who lives in a garret: a poor author;Garr′et-mas′ter, a cabinet-maker, locksmith, &c., working on his own account for the dealers. [O. Fr.garite, a place of safety,guarir,warir, to preserve (Fr.guérir)—Teut., Old High Ger.warjan, to defend.]
Garrison, gar′i-sn,n.a supply of soldiers for guarding a fortress: a fortified place.—v.t.to furnish a fortress with troops: to defend by fortresses manned with troops.—Garrison town, a town in which a garrison is stationed. [O. Fr.garison—garir,guerir, to furnish—Teut., Old High Ger.warjan, to defend.]
Garron, gar′on,n.a small horse.—AlsoGarr′an. [Ir.]
Garrot, gar′ot,n.a name applied to various ducks. [Fr.]
Garrot, gar′ot,n.(surg.) a tourniquet. [Fr.]
Garrotte,Garotte, gar-rot′,n.a Spanish mode of strangling criminals.—v.t.to strangle by a brass collar tightened by a screw, whose point enters the spinal marrow: to suddenly render insensible by semi-strangulation, and then to rob:—pr.p.garrott′ing,garott′ing;pa.p.garrott′ed,garott′ed.—ns.Garrott′er,Garott′er, one who garrottes;Garrott′ing,Garott′ing. [Sp.garrote; cf. Fr.garrot, a stick.]
Garrulous, gar′ū-lus,adj.talkative.—ns.Garrul′ity,Garr′ulousness, talkativeness: loquacity.—adv.Garr′ulously. [L.garrulus—garrīre, to chatter.]
Garter, gär′tėr,n.a band used to tie the stocking to the leg: the badge of the highest order of knighthood in Great Britain, called theOrder of the Garter.—v.t.to bind with a garter.—Garter king-of-arms, the chief herald of the Order of the Garter. [O. Fr.gartier(Fr.jarretière)—O. Fr.garet(Fr.jarret), the ham of the leg, prob. Celt. as Bret.gar, the shank of the leg.]
Garth, gärth,n.an enclosure or yard: a garden: a weir in a river for catching fish. [Ice.garðr, a court; cf. A.S.geard; Ger.garten, yard.]
Garuda, gär′ōō-da,n.a Hindu demigod, with the body and legs of a man, the head and wings of a bird, emblem of strength and speed. [Sans.]
Garvie, gär′vi,n.(Scot.) a sprat.—AlsoGar′vock. [Gael.garbhag.]
Gas, gas,n.a vaporous substance not condensed into a liquid at ordinary terrestrial temperatures and pressures—esp. that obtained from coal, used in lighting houses: (coll.) frothy talk:—pl.Gas′es.—v.t.to supply with gas: (U.S.) to impose on by talking gas.—v.i.to vapour, talk boastfully.—ns.Gasalier′,Gaselier′, a hanging frame with branches for gas-jets, formed on false analogy fromchandelier;Gas′-bag, a bag for holding gas: a boastful, talkative person;Gas′-brack′et, a pipe, mostly curved, projecting from the wall of a room, used for illuminating purposes;Gas′-burn′er, a piece of metal fitted to the end of a gas-pipe, with one or more small holes so arranged as to spread out the flame;Gas′-coal, any coal suitable for making illuminating gas;Gas′-condens′er, an apparatus for freeing coal-gas from tar;Gasē′ity,Gā′seousness.—adj.Gaseous(gā′se-us).—ns.Gas′-en′gine, an engine in which motion is communicated to the piston by the alternate admission and condensation of gas in a closed cylinder;Gas′-fit′ter, one who fits up the pipes and brackets for gas-lighting;Gas′-fix′ture, a bracket or chandelier for gas;Gas′-fur′nace, a furnace of which the fuel is gas;Gas′holder, a large vessel for storing gas;Gasificā′tion, the process of converting into gas.—v.t.Gas′ify, to convert into gas.—ns.Gas′-jet, a gas-burner;Gas′-lamp, a lamp lighted by gas;Gas′-main, one of the principal underground pipes conveying gas from the works to the places where it is consumed;Gas′-man, a man employed in the manufacture of gas: the man who controls the lights of the stage;Gas′-mē′ter, an instrument for measuring the quantity of gas consumed at a particular place in a given time;Gas′ogene(same asGazogene);Gas′olene, rectified petroleum;Gasom′eter, an instrument for measuring gas: a place for holding gas.—adjs.Gasomet′ric,-al.—ns.Gas′-pipe, a pipe for conveying gas;Gas′sing, idle talking;Gas′-stove, an apparatus in which coal-gas is used for heating and cooking purposes.—adj.Gas′sy, full of gas, gaseous: (slang) given to vain and boastful talk.—ns.Gas′-tank, a reservoir for coal-gas;Gas′-tar, coal-tar.—adj.Gas′-tight, sufficiently close to prevent the escape of gas.—ns.Gas′-wa′ter, water through which coal-gas has been passed;Gas′-works, an establishment where illuminating gas is manufactured. [A word invented by the Dutch chemist J. B. Van Helmont (1577-1644)—the form suggested by Gr.chaos.]
Gasconade, gas-ko-nād′,n.boasting talk.—ns.Gas′con, a native of Gascony;Gas′conism. [Fr.,—Gascon, from their proverbial boastfulness.]
Gash, gash,v.t.to make a deep cut into anything, esp. into flesh.—n.a deep, open wound. [Formerlygarse—O. Fr.garser, pierce with a lancet—Low L.garsa. Perh. corrupted from Gr.charassein, to cut.]
Gash, gash,adj.(Scot.) shrewd: talkative: trim.—v.i.to tattle. [Prob. a corr. ofsagacious.]
Gash, gash,adj.(Scot.) ghastly, hideous—alsoGash′ful,Gash′ly.—n.Gash′liness.—adv.Gash′ly. [Fromghastful, through association withgash.]
Gasket, gas′ket,n.(naut.) a canvas band used to bind the sails to the yards when furled: a strip of tow, &c., for packing a piston, &c.—AlsoGas′kin. [Cf. Fr.garcette, It.gaschetta; ety. dub.]
Gaskins, gas′kinz,n.(Shak.). SeeGalligaskins.
Gasp, gasp,v.i.to gape in order to catch breath: to desire eagerly.—n.the act of opening the mouth to catch the breath.—pr.p.andadj.Gasp′ing, convulsive, spasmodic.—adv.Gasp′ingly.—The last gasp, the utmost extremity. [Ice.geispa, to yawn, by metathesis fromgeipsa, cf.geip, idle talk.]
Gast, gast,v.t.(Shak.) to make aghast, to frighten or terrify. [A.S.gǽstan; cf.Aghast.]
Gasteropod, gas′ter-o-pod,n.one of a class of molluscs, embracing whelks, limpets, snails, &c., having in general a muscular disc under the belly, which serves them as feet—alsoGas′tropod:—pl.Gasterop′oda.—adj.Gasterop′odous. [Formed from Gr.gastēr, the stomach,pous,podos, a foot.]
Gastræa, gas-trē′a,n.(biol.) a hypothetic animal form assumed by Hæckel as the ancestor of all metazoic animals:—pl.Gastræ′æ.—n.Gas′trula, that embryonic form of metazoic animals which consists of a two-layered sac enclosing a central cavity and having an opening at one end:—pl.Gras′trulæ.—adj.Gas′trular.
Gastralgia, gas-tral′ji-a,n.pain in the stomach or bowels. [Gr.gastēr, the stomach,algos, pain.]
Gastric, gas′trik,adj.belonging to the stomach—alsoGas′tral.—ns.Gastrī′tis, inflammation of the stomach;Gastrol′oger.—adj.Gastrolog′ical.—n.Gastrol′ogy, cookery, good eating.—Gastric fever, a bilious remittent fever;Gastric juice, the digestive liquid secreted by the glands of the stomach. [Gr.gastēr, the belly.]
Gastrocnemius, gas-trok-nē′mi-us,n.a superficial muscle of the posterior tibial region helping to extend the foot. [Gr.gastēr, stomach,knēmē, the leg.]
Gastromancy, gas′tro-man-si,n.a means of divination by ventriloquism: divination by large-bellied glasses. [Gr.gastēr, belly,manteia, soothsaying.]
Gastronome, gas′tro-nōm,n.one who pays great attention to his diet, an epicure—alsoGastron′omer,Gastron′omist.—adjs.Gastronom′ic,-al, pertaining to gastronomy.—ns.Gastron′omy, the art or science of good eating;Gas′trophile,Gas′trophilist,Gas′trophilite;Gas′trophilism, love of good eating;Gas′trosoph, one skilled in matters of eating;Gastros′opher;Gastros′ophy. [Gr.gastēr, belly,nomos, law—nemein, to distribute.]
Gastrostomy, gas-tros′to-mi,n.an operation performed in a case of stricture of the gullet, to introduce food into the stomach through an external opening. [Gr.gastēr, belly,stoma, mouth.]
Gastrotomy, gas-trot′o-mi,n.the operation of cutting open the belly. [Gr.gastēr, belly,tomē, a cutting—temnein, to cut.]
Gastro-vascular, gas-trō-vas′kū-lar,adj.common to the functions of digestion and circulation.
Gat, gat (B.)pa.t.ofget.
Gat, gat,n.an opening between sandbanks, a strait. [Ice.]
Gate, gāt,n.a passage into a city, enclosure, or any large building: a narrow opening or defile: a frame in the entrance into any enclosure: an entrance.—v.t.to supply with a gate: at Oxford and Cambridge, to punish by requiring the offender to be within the college gates by a certain hour.—adj.Gā′ted, punished with such restriction.—ns.Gate′-fine, the fine imposed for disobedience to such orders;Gate′-house(archit.), a building over or near the gate giving entrance to a city, abbey, college, &c.;Gate′-keep′er,Gate′man, one who watches over the opening and shutting of a gate.—adj.Gate′less, not having a gate.—ns.Gate′-mon′ey, the money taken for entrance to an athletic or other exhibition, sometimes simply 'gate;'Gate′-tow′er, a tower built beside or over a gate;Gate′-vein, the great abdominal vein;Gate′way, the way through a gate: the gate itself: any entrance.—Gate of justice, a gate as of a city, temple, &c., where a sovereign or judge sat to dispense justice;Gates of death, a phrase expressing the near approach of death.—Break gates, at Oxford and Cambridge, to enter college after the prescribed hour;Ivory gate, in poetical imagery, the semi-transparent gate of the house of sleep, through which dreams appear distorted into pleasant and delusive shapes;Stand in the gate(B.), to occupy a position of defence. [A.S.geat, a way; Dut.gat, Ice.gat; not in Goth. and High Ger.; prob. related togetorgate.]
Gate, gāt,n.(Scot.) a way, path: manner of doing, esp. in adverbial phrases like 'this gate,' 'any gate,' 'some gate.' [Ice.gata; Da.gade, Ger.gasse.]
Gate, gāt,n.(Spens.) a goat. [A.S.gat.]
Gâteau, gat-ō′,n.cake.—Veal gateau, minced veal made up like a pudding, and boiled in a shape or mould. [Fr.]
Gather, gath′ėr,v.t.to collect: to acquire: in sewing, to plait: to learn by inference.—v.i.to assemble or muster: to increase: to suppurate.—n.a plait or fold in cloth, made by drawing the thread through (pl.that part of the dress which is gathered or drawn in).—ns.Gath′erer, one who collects: a gleaner: in glass manufacturing, a workman who collects molten glass on the end of a rod preparatory to blowing;Gath′ering, a crowd or assembly: a tumour or collection of matter;Gath′ering-coal,-peat, a coal, peat, put into a fire at night, with the hot embers gathered about it, to keep the fire alive till morning;Gath′ering-cry, a summons to assemble for war.—Gather breath, to recover wind;Gather ground, to gain ground;Gather one's self together, to collect all one's powers, like one about to leap;Gather to a head, to ripen: to come into a state of preparation for action or effect;Gather way, to get headway by sail or steam so as to answer the helm. [A.S.gaderian,gæderian,(tó)gædere, together; cf.geador, together,gǽd, company.]
Gatling-gun. SeeGun.
Gauche, gōsh,adj.left-handed: clumsy.—n.Gauche′rie(-rē), clumsiness: awkwardness. [Fr.]
Gaucho, gow′chō,n.a native of the La Plata pampas of Spanish descent, noted for marvellous horsemanship.—Less correctlyGua′cho.
Gaucie,Gaucy,Gawcy,Gawsy,gä′si,adj.(Scot.)portly, jolly.
Gaud, gawd,n.an ornament: a piece of finery:—pl.showy ceremonies, gaieties.—v.i.(Shak.) make merry.—v.t.(Shak.) to adorn with gauds: to paint, as the cheeks.—ns.Gaudeā′mus, a rejoicing, students' merrymaking;Gaud′ery, finery.—adv.Gaud′ily.—ns.Gaud′iness, showiness;Gaud′y, an English university feast or festival.—adj.showy: gay.—n.Gaud′y-day. [L.gaudium, delight—gaudēre, to rejoice.]
Gauge,Gage, gāj,n.a measuring-rod: a standard of measure: estimate.—v.t.to measure the contents of any vessel: to estimate ability.—adj.Gauge′able, capable of being gauged.—ns.Gaug′er, an excise officer whose business is to gauge or measure the contents of casks;Gaug′ing, the art of measuring casks containing excisable liquors;Gaug′ing-rod, an instrument for measuring the contents of casks;Broad′-,Narr′ow-gauge, in railroad construction, a distance between the rails greater or less than 56½ inches, calledstandard gauge. [O. Fr.gauge(Fr.jauge),gauger; prob. related tojale, bowl, togalon, gallon, or tojalon, measuring stake.]
Gaul, gawl,n.a name of ancient France: an inhabitant of Gaul.—adj.Gaul′ish. [Fr.,—L.Gallus; perh. conn. with A.S.wealh, foreign.]
Gault, gawlt,n.a series of beds of clay and marl, between the Upper and the Lower Greensand: brick earth—alsoGalt.—n.Gault′er, one who digs gault.
Gaultheria, gal-tē′ri-a,n.a genus of evergreen aromatic plants—one species, the U.S.winter-green, yielding a valued volatile oil. [From the Canadian botanist M.Gaultier.]
Gaum, gawm,v.t.to smear: (obs.) to handle clumsily.—adj.Gaum′y, dauby.
Gaun, gän, Scotch for going.
Gaunt, gänt,adj.thin: of a pinched appearance: causing emaciation.—adv.Gaunt′ly.—n.Gaunt′ness. [Skeat compares Norw.gand, pointed stick, and Sw. prov.gank, a lean horse.]
Gauntlet, gänt′let,n.the iron glove of armour, formerly thrown down in challenge: a long glove covering the wrist.—p.adj.Gaunt′leted, wearing a gauntlet or gauntlets.—n.Gaunt′let-guard, a guard of a sword or dagger, protecting the hand very thoroughly.—Run the gauntlet(seeGantlet).—Throw down,Take up,the gauntlet, to give, to accept a challenge. [Fr.gantelet, double dim. ofgant, a glove, of Scand. origin; cf. Old Sw.vante, a glove, Ice.vöttr, a glove, Dan.vante.]
Gauntry.SeeGantry.
Gaup,Gawp, gawp,v.i.(prov.) to gape in astonishment.—ns.Gaup′us,Gawp′us, a silly person.
Gaur, gowr,n.a species of ox inhabiting some of the mountain jungles of India. [Hindustani.]
Gauze, gawz,n.a thin, transparent fabric, originally of silk, now of any fine hard-spun fibre: material slight and open like gauze.—adj.Gauze′-winged, having gauzy wings.—n.Gauz′iness.—adj.Gauz′y.—n.Wire′-gauze(seeWire). [Fr.gaze, dubiously referred toGazain Palestine.]
Gavage, ga-väzh′,n.a process of fattening poultry by forcing them to swallow food at fixed intervals: (med.) a similar method of forced feeding. [Fr.gaver—gave, the crop of a bird.]
Gave, gāv,pa.t.ofgive.
Gavel, gā′vel, a prov. form ofgable.
Gavel, gav′el,n.an old Saxon and Welsh form of tenure by which an estate passed, on the holder's death, to all the sons equally.—v.t.to divide or distribute in this way.—ns.Gav′elkind, a tenure now peculiar to Kent by which the tenant at fifteen can sell the estate or devise it by will, the estate cannot escheat, and on an intestacy the lands descend from the father to all sons in equal portions;Gav′elman, a tenant holding land in gavelkind. [A.S.gafol, tribute; cog. withgiefan, to give.]
Gavial, gā′vi-al,n.the East Indian species of crocodile, with very long slender muzzle. [Adapted from Hindustanighariyāl, a crocodile.]
Gavotte, ga-vot′, n. a lively kind of dance, somewhat like a country-dance, originally a dance of theGavotes, the people of Gap, in the Upper Alps: the music for such a dance.
Gawd, gawd,n.(Shak.). Same asGaud.
Gawk, gawk,adj.left, as ingawk-handed.—ns.Gawk′ihood,Gawk′iness, quality of being gawky.—adj.Gawk′y, awkward, stupid, ungainly.—n.a lout. [Prob. a contr. ofgaulick-,galloc-,gallish-(handed); most prob. not related to Fr.gauche.]
Gay, gā,adj.lively: bright: sportive, merry: wanton, dissipated, of loose life: showy: (prov.) spotted.—adv. (Scot.) fairly, considerably.—ns.Gai′ety,Gay′ety,Gay′ness.—advs.Gai′ly,Gay′ly;Gay′some, gladsome.—Gay science, a rendering ofgai saber, the Provençal name for the art of poetry. [O. Fr.gai—Old High Ger.wâhi, pretty, notgâhi, swift (Diez).]
Gayal,Gyal, gī′al,n.a kind of East Indian ox, long domesticated, dark brown in colour, with short curved horns. [Hindi.]
Gay-you, gī′-ū,n.a narrow, flat-bottomed fishing-boat, of two or three masts, used in Annam.
Gaze, gāz,v.i, to look fixedly.—n.a fixed look: the object gazed at—(Spens.)Gaze′ment.—adj.Gaze′ful(Spens.), looking intently.—ns.Gaze′-hound, a hound that pursues by sight rather than scent;Gaz′er, one who gazes;Gaz′ing-stock, a person exposed to public view, generally in a bad sense.—At gaze, in the attitude of gazing. [Prob. cog. with obs.gaw, to stare, Ice.gá, to heed. Some compare the Sw.gasa, to stare.]
Gazebo, gā-zē′bō,n.a summer-house with a wide prospect. [Humorously formed fromgaze.]
Gazel, gaz′el,n.a form ofGhazal(q.v.).
Gazelle,Gazel, ga-zel′,n.a small species of antelope with beautiful dark eyes, found in Arabia and North Africa. [Fr.,—Ar.ghazāl, a wild-goat.]
Gazette, ga-zet′,n.a newspaper: one of the three official newspapers of the United Kingdom, published in Edinburgh, London, and Dublin, with record of every appointment in the public service.—v.t.to publish in a gazette:—pr.p.gazett′ing;pa.p.gazett′ed.—n.Gazetteer′, a geographical dictionary: (orig.) a writer for a gazette, official journalist.—v.t.to describe in gazetteers.—adj.Gazettee′rish, like a gazetteer in style.—Appear,Have one's name,in the Gazette, to be mentioned in one of the three official newspapers, esp. of bankrupts. [Fr.,—It.gazzetta, a small coin; or from It.gazzetta, in the sense of a magpie=a chatterer.]
Gazogene, gaz′o-jēn,n.an instrument for manufacturing aerated waters, usually for domestic use, by the action of an acid on an alkali carbonate. [Fr.,gaz, gas, Gr.genēs—gignesthai, to become.]
Gazon, ga-zon′,n.a sod or piece of turf, used in fortification.—n.Gazoon′, used erroneously by Hogg for a compact body of men. [Fr.,grass.]
Gazy, gā′zi,adj.affording a wide prospect: given to gazing.
Geach, gēch,n.(slang) a thief.—v.t.to steal.
Geal, jē′al, adj. pertaining to the earth regarded as a planet. [Gr.gē, earth.]
Geal, jēl,v.i.to congeal.
Gean, gēn,n.the European wild cherry. [O. Fr.guigne.]
Gear, gēr,n.a state of preparation: dress: harness: tackle: (mech.) connection by means of toothed wheels: (obs.) a matter, affair.—v.t.to put in gear, as machinery.—p.adj.Geared, connected with the motor by gearing.—ns.Gear′ing, harness: working implements: (mech.) a train of toothed wheels and pinions;Gear′-wheel, a wheel with teeth or cogs which impart or transmit motion by acting on those of another wheel;Driv′ing-gear, those parts in a machine most nearly concerned in imparting motion.—Multiplying gearing, a combination of cog-wheels for imparting motion from wheels of larger to wheels of smaller diameter, by which the rate of revolution is increased;Out of gear, out of running order, unprepared;Straight gearing, the name given when the planes of motion are parallel—opposed toBevelled gearing, when the direction is changed (seeBevel). [M. E.gere, prob. Ice.gervi; cf. A.S.gearwe, Old High Ger.garawi, Eng.yareandgar, v.]
Geason, gē′zn,adj.(Spens.) rare: wonderful. [A.S.gǽsne,gésne, wanting, barren.]
Geat, jēt,n.the hole in a mould through which the metal is poured in casting.
Gebbie, geb′i,n.(Scot.) the stomach.
Gebur, ge-bōōr′,n.a tenant-farmer in the early English community.
Geck, gek,n.a dupe: scorn, object of scorn.—v.t.to mock.—v.i.to scoff at. [Prob. Low Ger.geck; Dut.gek, Ger.geck.]
Gecko, gek′ō,n.one of a family of small dull-coloured lizards calledGeckotidæ. [Malaygēkoq.]
Ged, ged,n.(prov.) the pike or luce. [Ice.gedda.]
Gee, gē,n.(prov.) a fit of ill-temper, usually in phrase 'to take the gee.'
Gee, jē,v.i.of horses, to move to the offside—the right, the driver standing on the left.—v.t.to cause so to move.—v.i.to go, to suit, get on well.—n.Gee-gee, a horse.—Gee up, to proceed faster.
Geese,pl.ofgoose.
Geëz, gē-ez′,Giz, gēz,n.the ancient language of Ethiopia, a Semitic tongue closely related to Arabic.
Gegg, geg,n.(Scot.) a hoax, trick.—v.t.to hoax.—n.Geg′gery, trickery.
Gehenna, ge-hen′a,n.the valley of Hinnom, near Jerusalem, in which the Israelites sacrificed their children to Moloch, and to which, at a later time, the refuse of the city was conveyed to be slowly burned—hence (N.T.) hell. [L.,—Heb.Ge, valley of, andHinnom.]
Geisha, gā′sha,n.a Japanese dancing-girl.
Geist, gīst,n.spirit, any inspiring or dominating principle. [Ger.]
Gelastic, jel-as′tik,adj.risible.
Gelatine,Gelatin, jel′a-tin,n.an animal substance which dissolves in hot water and forms a jelly when cold.—adj.Gelatig′enous, producing gelatine.—vs.t.Gelat′ināte,Gelat′inīse, to make into gelatine or jelly.—vs.i.to be converted into gelatine or jelly.—ns.Gelatinā′tion,Gelatinisā′tion.—adjs.Gelatin′iform, having the form of gelatine;Gela′tinoid, like gelatine;Gelat′inous, resembling or formed into jelly.—n.Gelā′tion, solidification by cold.—Explosive gelatine, a powerful explosive made by gently heating nitro-glycerine in a water-bath, then dissolving gun-cotton in it. [Fr.,—It.gelatina,gelata, jelly.]
Geld, geld,n.a historical term meaning money: tribute. [A.S.geld,gyld, payment; Ice.giald, money.]
Geld, geld,v.t.to emasculate, castrate: to spay: to deprive of anything essential, to enfeeble: to deprive of anything objectionable.—ns.Geld′er;Geld′ing, act of castrating: a castrated animal, esp. a horse. [Ice.gelda; Dan.gilde.]
Gelder(s)-rose.SeeGuelder-rose.
Gelid, jel′id,adj.icy cold: cold.—adv.Gel′idly.—ns.Gel′idness,Gelid′ity. [L.gelidus—gelu, frost.]
Gelotometer, jel-ot-om′e-ter,n.(Landor) a gauge for measuring laughter.
Gelsemium, jel-sē′mi-um,n.the yellow or Cardina jasmine, a climbing plant of the Atlantic Southern United States, having large fragrant blossoms and perennial dark-green leaves. [It.gelsomino, jasmine.]
Gelt, gelt,pa.t.andpa.p.ofgeld.
Gelt, gelt,n.(Spens.). Same asGilt.
Gem, jem,n.any precious stone, esp. when cut: anything extremely valuable or attractive, a treasure.—v.t.(obs.) to bud: to adorn with gems: to bespangle:—pr.p.gem′ming;pa.p.gemmed.—ns.Gem′-cut′ting, the art of cutting and polishing precious stones;Gem′-engrav′ing, the art of engraving figures on gems.—adj.Gem′meous, pertaining to gems.—n.Gem′mery, gems generally.—adj.Gem′my, full of gems, brilliant. [A.S.gim; Old High Ger.gimma—L.gemma, a bud.]
Gemara, ge-mär′a,n.the second part of the Talmud, consisting of commentary and complement to the first part, the Mishna. [Aramaic, 'completion.']
Gematria, ge-mā′tri-a,n.a cabbalistic method of interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures by interchanging words whose letters have the same numerical value when added. [Rabbinical Heb.,—Gr.geōmetria, geometry.]
Gemel-ring, jem′el-ring,n.a ring with two or more links.—n.Gem′el, a twin.—adj.Gemellip′arous, producing twins. [O. Fr.gemel(Fr.jumeau)—L.gemellus, dim. ofgeminus, twin, andring.]
Geminate, jem′in-āt,adj.(bot.) in pairs.—v.t.(rare) to double.—n.Geminā′tion, a doubling: repetition of a word to add emphasis: (philol.) the doubling of a consonant originally single. [L.gemināre,ātum—geminus, twin.]
Gemini, jem′i-nī,n.pl.the twins, a constellation containing the two bright stars Castor and Pollux.—adj.Gem′inous(bot.), double, in pairs.—n.Gem′iny(Shak.), twins, a pair: used as a mild oath or interjection, from the common Latin oathO Gemini, or simplyGemini—spelt alsogeminy,gemony,jiminy. [L., pl. ofgeminus, twin-born.]
Gemman, jem′an,n.gentleman.—AlsoGem′man.
Gemmation, jem-mā′shun,n.(bot.) act or time of budding: arrangement of buds on the stalk.—n.Gem′ma, a bud:—pl.Gem′mæ.—adjs.Gemmā′ceous, pertaining to leaf-buds;Gem′māte, having buds;Gem′mative;Gemmif′erous, producing buds.—n.Gemmipar′ity.—adj.Gemmip′arous(zool.), reproducing by buds growing on the body.—n.Gem′mūle, a little gem or leaf-bud.—adj.Gemmulif′erous, bearing gemmules. [Fr.,—L.gemmāre,-ātum.]
Gemot,Gemote, ge-mōt′,n.a meeting or assembly. [A.S.gemót. Cf.Moot.]
Gemsbok, jemz′bok,n.a species of antelope, found in South Africa, about the size of a stag, with long straight horns. [Dut.]
Genappe, je-nap′,n.a smooth worsted yarn used with silk in fringes, braid, &c. [Genappein Belgium.]
Gendarme, jang-darm′,n.originally a mounted lancer, but since the Revolution one of a corps of military police, divided into legions and companies:—pl.Gendarmes′,Gensdarmes′.—n.Gendar′merie, the armed police of France. [Fr.gendarme, sing. from pl.gens d'armes, men-at-arms—gens, people,de, of,armes, arms.]
Gender, jen′dėr,v.t.to beget.—v.i.(B.) to copulate. [An abbrev. ofengender.]
Gender, jen′dėr,n.kind, esp. with regard to sex: (gram.) the distinction of nouns according to sex. [Fr.genre—L.genus,generis, a kind, kin.]
Genealogy, jen-e-al′o-ji,n.history of the descent of families: the pedigree of a particular person or family.—adj.Genealog′ical.—adv.Genealog′ically.—v.i.Geneal′ogise, to investigate or treat of genealogy.—n.Geneal′ogist, one who studies or traces genealogies or descents.—Genealogical tree, the lineage of a family or person under the form of a tree with roots, branches, &c. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr.genealogia—genea, birth,legein, to speak of.]
Genera.SeeGenus.
General, jen′ėr-al,adj.relating to a genus or whole class: including many species: not special: not restricted: common: prevalent: public: loose: vague.—n.a class embracing many species: an officer who is head over a whole department: a military officer who commands a body of men not less than a brigade (oftengeneral officer): the chief commander of an army in service: (R.C. Church) the head of a religious order, responsible only to the Pope: (Shak.) the public, the vulgar.—n.General′ē, esp. inpl.Generalia, general principles.—adj.Generalī′sable.—n.Generalisā′tion.—v.t.Generalīse′, to include under a general term: to infer (the nature of a class) from one or a few instances.—v.i.to reason inductively.—n.General′ity.—advs.Gen′erally,Gen′eral(obs.), in a general or collective manner or sense: in most cases: upon the whole.—n.Gen′eralship, the position of a military commander: military tactics.—General Assembly(seeAssembly);General Epistle, one addressed to the whole Church (same asCatholic Epistle);General practitioner, a physician who devotes himself to general practice rather than to special diseases;General principle, a principle to which there are no exceptions within its range of application;General servant, a servant whose duties are not special, but embrace domestic work of every kind.—In general, mostly, as a general rule. [O. Fr.,—L.generalis—genus.]
Generalissimo, jen-ėr-al-is′i-mo,n.the chief general or commander of an army of two or more divisions, or of separate armies. [It.]
Generate, jen′ėr-āt,v.t.to produce: to bring into life: to originate.—adj.Gen′erable, that may be generated or produced.—ns.Gen′erant(math.), a line, point, or figure that produces another figure by its motion;Generā′tion, a producing or originating: a single stage in natural descent: the people of the same age or period: offspring, progeny, race: (pl.) genealogy, history (B.);Generā′tionism, traducianism.—adj.Gen′erātive, having the power of generating or producing.—ns.Gen′erātor, begetter or producer: the principal sound in music; Gen′erātrix(geom.), the point, line, or surface which, by its motion, generates another magnitude.—adjs.Genet′ic,-al, pertaining to genesis or production.—adv.Genet′ically.—ns.Gen′etrix,Gen′itrix, a female parent;Gen′itor, a progenitor;Gen′iture, birth.—Alternation of generations, a complication in the life-history of plants, when the organism produces offspring unlike itself, but giving rise in turn to forms like the original parents;Spontaneous generation, the origination of living from non-living matter: abiogenesis. [L.generāre,-ātum—genus, a kind.]
Generic, -al,Generically. SeeGenus.
Generous, jen′ėr-us,adj.of a noble nature: courageous: liberal: bountiful: invigorating in its nature, as wine: (obs.) nobly born.—adv.Gen′erously.—ns.Gen′erousness,Generos′ity, nobleness or liberality of nature: (arch.) nobility of birth. [Fr.généreux—L.generosus, of noble birth—genus, birth.]
Genesis, jen′e-sis,n.generation, creation, or production: the first book of the Bible, so called from its containing an account of the Creation:—pl.Gen′esēs.—adjs.Genes′iac,-al,Genesit′ic, pertaining to Genesis. [L.,—Gr.,—gignesthai, to beget.]
Genet,Gennet. Same asJennet.
Genet, jen′et,n.a carnivorous animal, allied to the civet, of a gray colour, marked with black or brown, a native of Africa, Asia, and Southern Europe: its fur, made into muffs and tippets.—AlsoGen′ette. [Fr.genette—Sp.gineta—Ar.jarnait, a genet.]
Genethliac, -al, jē-neth′li-ak, -al,adj.pertaining to a birthday or nativity.—n.a birthday poem.—n.Genethlī′acon, a birthday ode.—adjs.Genethlialog′ic,-al.—n.Genethlial′ogy, the art of casting nativities.
Geneva, je-nē′va,n.a spirit distilled from grain and flavoured with juniper-berries, also calledHollands.—n.Genevette′, a wine made from wild fruits flavoured with juniper-berries. [Dut.genever,jenever, O. Fr.genevre(Fr.genièvre)—L.juniperus, the juniper; corrupted toGenevaby confusion with the town of that name. SeeGin.]
Genevan, jē-nē′van,adj.pertaining toGeneva.—n.an inhabitant of Geneva: an adherent of Genevan or Calvinistic theology.—adjs.andns.Genē′van,Genevēse′.—n.Genē′vanism, Calvinism.—Geneva Bible, a version of the Bible with racy notes produced by English exiles at Geneva in 1560;Geneva Convention, an international agreement of 1865 providing for the neutrality of hospitals, and the security of sanitary officers, naval and military chaplains;Geneva Cross, a red cross on a white ground displayed for protection in war of persons serving in hospitals, &c.;Geneva gown, the dark, loose preaching gown affected by the early Geneva reformers, and still the common form of pulpit-gown among Presbyterians;Genevan theology, so called from Calvin's residence in Geneva and the establishment of his doctrines there.
Genial, jē′ni-al,adj.pertaining to generation, producing: cheering: kindly: sympathetic: healthful.—v.t.Gē′nialise, to impart geniality to.—ns.Genial′ity,Gē′nialness.—adv.Gē′nially. [Fr.—L.genialis, fromgenius, the spirit of social enjoyment.]
Genial, jen′i-al,adj.of or pertaining to the chin. [Gr.geneion—genys, the jaw.]
Geniculate, -d, je-nik′ū-lāt, -ed,adj.(bot.) bent abruptly like the knee: jointed: knotted.—v.t.Genic′ulate, to form joints in.—n.Geniculā′tion. [L.geniculāre,-ātum—geniculum, a little knee—genu, the knee.]
Genie, jē′ni,n.a jinnee. [Fr.génie—L.genius.]
Genipap, jen′i-pap,n.a large West Indian tree with excellent fruit. [Native.]
Genista, jē-nis′ta,n.a large genus of shrubby, leguminous plants, with simple leaves and yellow flowers. [L.genista, broom.]
Genital, jen′i-tal,adj.belonging to generation or the act of producing.—n.pl.Gen′itals(alsoGenitā′lia), the exterior organs of generation. [L.genitalis—gignĕre,genitum, to beget.]
Genitive, jen′i-tiv,adj.(gram.) applied to a case properly denoting the class or kind to which a thing belongs, represented in modern English by the possessive case.—adj.Genitī′val. [L.genitivus(gignĕre,genitum, to beget), as if indicating origin, a mistranslation of Gr.genikos—genos, a class.]
Genius, jēn′yus, or jē′ni-us,n.the special inborn faculty of any individual: special taste or disposition qualifying for a particular employment: a man having such power of mind: a good or evil spirit, supposed by the ancients to preside over every person, place, and thing, and esp. to preside over a man's destiny from his birth: prevailing spirit or tendency: type or generic exemplification—(obs.)Gēn′io:—pl.Geniuses(jēn′yus-ez).—Genius loci(L.), the presiding divinity of a place:—pl.Genii(jē′ni-ī).[L.genius—gignĕre,genitum, to beget.]
Genoese, je-nō-ēz′,adj.relating toGenoa—alsoGenovese′.—n.an inhabitant of Genoa.
Genouillère, zhe-nōō-yār,n.the knee-piece in armour.
Genre, zhangr,n.kind, style: a style of painting scenes from familiar or rustic life. [Fr.genre, kind—L.genus.]
Gens, jenz,n.in ancient Rome, a clan including several families descended from a common ancestor: a tribe:—pl.Gen′tes. [L.]
Gent, jent,adj.(Spens.) noble. [O. Fr.,—L.gentilis, gentle.]
Gent, jent,n.familiar abbrev. ofgentleman: one who apes the gentleman.
Genteel, jen-tēl′,adj.well-bred: graceful in manners or in form: fashionable.—adj.Genteel′ish, somewhat genteel.—adv.Genteel′ly.—n.Genteel′ness(same asGentility).—The genteel, the manners and usages of genteel or well-bred society. [Fr.gentil—L.gentilis, belonging to the samegens, or clan—later, well-bred.]
Gentian, jen′shan,n.a plant the root of which is used in medicine, said by Pliny to have been brought into use byGentius, king of Illyria, conquered by the Romans in 167B.C.—ns.Gentianel′la, a name for several species of gentian, esp.Gentiana acaulis, with deep-blue flowers;Gen′tianine, a yellow crystalline bitter compound obtained from the yellow gentian.
Gentile, jen′tīl,n.(B.) any one not a Jew: any one not a Christian.—adj.of or belonging to agensor clan: belonging to any nation but the Jews: (gram.) denoting a race or country.—adjs.Gentil′ic, tribal;Gen′tilish, heathenish.—n.Gen′tilism, paganism.—adjs.Gentili′tial,Gentili′tian,Gentili′tious, pertaining to a gens. [L.gentilis—gens, a nation.]
Gentle, jen′tl,adj.well-born: mild and refined in manners: mild in disposition: amiable: soothing: moderate: gradual.—v.t.(Shak.) to make gentle.—n.(obs.) a person of good family: (Shak.) a trained falcon: the larva of the flesh-fly, used as a bait in angling.—n.Gentilesse′, the quality of being gentle, courtesy.—v.t.Gen′tilise, to raise to the class of gentleman.—n.Gentil′ity, good birth or extraction: good breeding: politeness of manners: genteel people: marks of gentility.—n.pl.Gen′tlefolk, people of good family.—adj.Gen′tle-heart′ed, having a gentle or kind disposition.—n.Gen′tlehood, position or character attaching to gentle birth.—n.Gen′tleness.—adv.Gent′ly.—n.Gen′trice, gentle birth, courtesy.—Gentle reader, courteous reader, an old-fashioned phrase common in the prefaces of books.—The gentle craft, a phrase used to specify shoe-making, also angling;The gentle(orgentler)sex, women in general as opposed to thesternorsterner sex. [Fr.,—L.gentilis. SeeGenteel.]
Gentleman, jen′tl-man,n.a man of good birth: one who without a title wears a coat of arms: more generally every man above the rank of yeoman, including the nobility: one above the trading classes: a man of refined manners: a polite term used for man in general: (Shak.) a body-servant:—pl.Gen′tlemen—also a word of address:—fem.Gen′tlewoman.—ns.Gen′tleman-at-arms, a member of the royal bodyguard, instituted in 1509, and now composed of military officers of service and distinction only;Gen′tleman-comm′oner, a member of the higher class of commoners at Oxford University;Gen′tlemanhood,Gen′tlemanship, the condition or character of a gentleman.—adjs.Gen′tlemanlike,Gen′tlemanly, well-bred, refined, generous;Gen′tlemanliness.—adj.Gen′tlewomanly, like a refined and well-bred woman.—n.Gen′tlewomanliness.—Gentleman farmer, a landowner who resides on his estate and superintends the cultivation of his own soil;Gentleman of the Chapel-royal, a lay-singer who assists the priests in the choral service of the royal chapel;Gentleman's gentleman, a valet, or gentleman's body-servant;Gentleman usher, a gentleman who serves as an usher at court, or as an attendant on a person of rank.
Gentoo, jen-tōō′,n.a Hindu. [Port.gentio, a Gentile.]
Gentry, jen′tri,n.the class of people below the rank of nobility: (coll.) people of a particular, esp. an inferior, stamp: (Shak.) noble birth. [Apparently an altered form ofgentrice, from O. Fr.genterise,gentelise, formed from adj.gentil, gentle.]
Genty, jen′ti,adj.(Scot.) neat, pretty, graceful.
Genuflect, jen-ū-flekt′,v.i.to bend the knee in worship or respect.—ns.Genuflec′tion,Genuflex′ion. [L.genu, the knee,flectĕre, to bend.]
Genuine, jen′ū-in,adj.natural, not spurious or adulterated: real: pure: (zool.) conformable to type.—adv.Gen′uinely.—n.Gen′uineness. [L.genuinus—gignĕre, to beget.]
Genus, jē′nus,n.(zool.) a group consisting of a number of species closely connected by common characters or natural affinity: (log.) a class of objects comprehending several subordinate species:—pl.Genera(jen′ėra).—adjs.Gener′ic,-al, pertaining to a genus: relating to gender: of a general nature, not special: distinctly characteristic.—adv.Gener′ically. [L.genus,generis, birth; cog. with Gr.genos—gignesthai.]
Geo,Gio, gyō,n.(prov.) a gully, creek. [Ice.gjá.]
Geocentric, -al, jē-o-sen′trik, -al,adj.having the earth for its centre: (astron.) as seen or measured from the earth.—adv.Geocen′trically.—n.Geocen′tricism. [Gr.gē, the earth,kentron, a centre.]
Geocyclic, jē-ō-sik′lik,adj.pertaining to the revolutions of the earth.
Geode, jē′ōd,n.(min.) a rounded nodule of stone with a hollow interior.—adj.Geodif′erous, bearing or producing geodes. [Fr.,—Gr.geōdēs, earth-like, earthen—gē, earth,eidos, form.]
Geodesy, je-od′e-si,n.a science whose object is to measure the earth and its parts on a large scale.—ns.Geodē′sian,Geod′esist, one skilled in geodesy.—adjs.Geodes′ic,-al,Geodet′ic,-al, pertaining to or determined by geodesy. [Fr.géodésie—Gr.geōdaisia—gē, the earth,daiein, to divide.]
Geognosy, je-og′no-si,n.the study of the materials of the earth's substance, now frequently calledPetrography—alsoGeognō′sis.—n.Gē′ognost.—adjs.Geognost′ic,-al.—adv.Geognost′ically. [Fr.géognosie—Gr.gē, the earth,gnōsis, knowledge.]
Geogony, je-og′o-ni,n.the doctrine of the production or formation of the earth—alsoGeog′eny.—adj.Geogon′ic. [Gr.,gē, the earth,gonē, generation.]
Geography, je-og′ra-fi,n.the science which describes the surface of the earth and its inhabitants: a book containing a description of the earth.—n.Geog′rapher.—adjs.Geograph′ic,-al, relating to geography.—adv.Geograph′ically.—Geographical distribution(seeDistribution).—Descriptive geography, that part of geography which consists in a statement of facts;Historical geography, that part of geography which investigates the changes which have occurred in the governmental control of territory;Physical geography(seePhysical);Political geography, geography that gives an account of the different communities of mankind. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr.geōgraphia—gē, the earth,graphē, a description—graphein, to write.]
Geolatry, jē-ol′a-tri,n.earth-worship. [Gr.gē, the earth,latreia, worship.]
Geology, je-ol′o-ji,n.the science relating to the history and development of the earth's crust, together with the several floras and faunas which have successively clothed and peopled its surface.—ns.Geolo′gian,Geol′ogist.—adjs.Geolog′ic,-al, pertaining to geology.—adv.Geolog′ically.—v.i.Geol′ogise.—Dynamical geology, the study of natural operations based on the belief that the effects of Nature's agents in the present will further interpret the records of such actions in the past;Structural geology, that geology which treats of the mode in which rocks are built up in the earth's crust. [Fr.géologie—Gr.gē, the earth,logia, a discourse.]
Geomancy, jē′o-man-si,n.divination by figures or lines drawn on the earth.—n.Gē′omancer.—adj.Ge′omantic, pertaining to geomancy. [Fr.géomancie—Gr.gē, the earth,manteia, divination.]
Geometry, je-om′e-tri,n.that branch of mathematics which treats of magnitude and its relations: a text-book of geometry.—ns.Geom′eter,Geometri′cian, one skilled in geometry.—adjs.Geomet′ric,-al.—adv.Geomet′rically.—v.i.Geom′etrise, to study geometry.—n.Geom′etrist. [Fr.géométrie—L., Gr.geometria—gē, the earth,metron, a measure.]
Geomys, jē′ō-mis,n.the typical genus ofGeomyidæ, the pouched rats or pocket-gophers. [Gr.gē, the earth,mys, mouse.]
Geonomy, jē-on′o-mi,n.the science of the physical laws relating to the earth.—adj.Geonom′ic. [Gr.gē, earth,nomos, law.]
Geophagy, jē-of′a-ji,n.the act or practice of eating earth—alsoGeoph′agism.—n.Geoph′agist.—adj.Geoph′agous. [Gr.gē, the earth,phagein, to eat.]
Geoponic,-al, jē-o-pon′ik, -al,adj.pertaining to tilling the earth or to agriculture.—n.pl.Geopon′ics, the science of agriculture. [Fr.géoponique—Gr.geōponikos—gē, the earth,ponos, labour.]
Georama, jē-o-rä′ma,n.an apparatus for exhibiting the seas, lakes, rivers, and mountains on the earth's surface. [Gr.gē, the earth,horama, a view—horaein, to see.]
Geordie, jōr′di,n.a guinea, from the figure of StGeorgeupon the back: a safety-lamp for miners invented byGeorgeStephenson: a coal-pitman, a collier-boat.
George, jorj,n.a jewelled figure of StGeorgeslaying the dragon, worn by Knights of the Garter.
Georgian, jorj′i-an,adj.relating to the reigns of the fourGeorges, kings of Great Britain: belonging toGeorgiain the Caucasus, its people, language, &c.: pertaining to the American State ofGeorgia.—Alson.
Georgic, jorj′ik,adj.relating to agriculture or rustic affairs.—n.a poem on husbandry. [L.georgicus—Gr.geōrgikos—geōrgia, agriculture—gē, the earth,ergon, a work.]
Geoscopy, jē-os′kō-pi,n.knowledge of the earth or its soil gained from observation. [Gr.gē, the earth,skopein, to view.]
Geoselenic, jē-o-se-len′ik,adj.relating to the earth and the moon in their mutual relations. [Gr.gē, the earth,selēnē, the moon.]
Geostatic, jē-o-stat′ik,adj.capable of sustaining the pressure of earth from all sides.—n.pl.Geostat′ics, the statics of rigid bodies. [Gr.gē, the earth,statikos, causing to stand.]
Geotectonic, jē-o-tek-ton′ik,adj.relating to the structure of the earth. [Gr.gē, the earth,tektōn, a builder.]
Geothermic, jē-o-ther′mik,adj.pertaining to the internal heat of the earth.—n.Geothermom′eter, an instrument for measuring subterranean temperatures. [Gr.gē, the earth,thermos, heat.]
Geotropism, jē-ot′ro-pizm,n.(bot.) tendency to growth downward.—adj.Geotrop′ic. [Gr.gē, the earth,tropos, a turning.]
Gerah, gē′ra,n.(B.) the smallest Hebrew weight and coin,1⁄20th of a shekel, worth about 1½d. [Heb.gērāh.]
Geranium, je-rā′ni-um,n.a genus of plants with seed-vessels like a crane's bill. [L.,—Gr.geranion—geranos, a crane.]
Geratology, jer-at-ol′o-ji,n.the science of the phenomena of decadence. [Gr.gēras, old age,logia, discourse.]
Gerbe, jerb,n.something resembling a sheaf of wheat: a kind of firework. [Fr.]
Gerent, jē′rent,n.one who holds an office, a manager, ruler.—adj.
Gerfalcon,Gyrfalcon, jėr′fawl-kon, -fawk'n,n.a large falcon, found in the northern regions of both the Old and New Worlds. [O. Fr.gerfaucon—Low L.gyrofalco, most prob. Old High Ger.gîr, a vulture (Ger.geier). SeeFalcon.]
Germ, jėrm,n.a rudimentary form of a living thing, whether a plant or animal: (bot.) the seed-bud of a plant: a shoot: that from which anything springs, the origin: a first principle.—v.i.to put forth buds, sprout.—n.Germ′icide, that which destroys germs. [Fr.germe—L.germen, a bud.]
German, jėr′man,adj.of the first degree, ascousinsgerman: closely allied.—n.one from the same stock or closely allied.—adj.Germane′, nearly related: relevant, appropriate. [O. Fr.germain—L.germanus, prob. forgerminanus—germen,-inis, origin.]
German, jėr′man,n.a native of Germany; the German language:—pl.Ger′mans.—adj.of or from Germany.—adjs.Germanesque′, marked by German characteristics;German′ic, pertaining to Germany.—adv.German′ically.—v.i.Ger′manise, to show German qualities.—adj.Ger′manish, somewhat German in qualities.—ns.Ger′manism, an idiom of the German language;Ger′manist.—adj.Germanis′tic, pertaining to the study of German.—n.Ger′man-sil′ver, an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc, white like silver, and first made in Germany.—High German, the variety of Teutonic speech, originally confined to 'High' or Southern Germany, but now accepted as the literary language throughout the whole of Germany;Low German, properlyPlattdeutsch, the general name for the dialects of Germany which are not High German, but also applied by philologists to all the West Germanic dialects except High German (including English, Dutch, Frisian), and formerly in a still wider sense including also Gothic and Scandinavian. [L.Germani, 'shouters,' from Celt.gairm, a loud cry; or 'neighbours'—i.e. to the Gauls, from Celt. (Old Ir.)gair, a neighbour.]
Germander, jėr′man-dėr,n.a large genus of labiate herbs with aromatic, bitter, and stomachic properties. [Low L.germandra—Gr.chamandrya,chamaidrys—chamai, on the ground,drys, oak.]
Germanium, jėr-mā′ni-um,n.an element discovered in 1885 in argyrodite.
Germen, jėrm′en,n.a disused botanical synonym for Ovary (q.v.)—(Shak.)Germ′in.—adj.Germ′inal, pertaining to a germ. [SeeGerm.]