Ferreous, fer′e-us,adj.pertaining to, or made of, iron. [L.ferreus—ferrum, iron.]
Ferret, fer′et,n.ribbon woven from spun silk. [Corr. from It.fioretto—L.flos,floris, a flower.]
Ferret, fer′et,n.a half-tamed albino variety of the polecat, employed in unearthing rabbits.—v.t.to drive out of a hiding-place: to search out cunningly:—pr.p.ferr′eting;pa.p.ferr′eted.—n.Ferr′eter, one who uses a ferret to catch rabbits, &c.: one who searches minutely. [O. Fr.furet, a ferret—Low L.furon-em, robber—L.fur, a thief.]
Ferriage, fer′ri-āj,n.SeeFerry.
Ferric, fer′ik,adj.pertaining to or obtained from iron: noting an acid compounded of iron and oxygen.—ns.Ferr′ate, a salt formed by the union of ferric acid with a base;Ferrocyanogen(fer-o-sī-an′ō-jen),a compound radical supposed by chemists to exist in ferrocyanic acid and the ferrocyanides, the chief of which is potassium ferrocyanide, yielding Prussian blue;Ferr′otype, a photographic process in which the negative was developed by a saturated solution of protosulphate of iron. [L.ferrum, iron.]
Ferriferous, fer-rif′ėr-us,adj.bearing or yielding iron. [L.ferrum, iron,ferre, to bear.]
Ferruginous, fer-rōō′jin-us,adj.of the colour of iron-rust impregnated with iron.—n.Ferru′go, a disease of plants, commonly called rust. [L.ferrugineus—ferrugo,-inem, iron-rust—ferrum, iron.]
Ferrule, fer′il, or fer′ōōl,n.a metal ring or cap on a staff, &c., to keep it from splitting.—AlsoFerr′el. [O. Fr.virole—L.viriola, a bracelet.]
Ferry, fer′i,v.t.to carry or convey over a water in a boat:—pr.p.ferr′ying;pa.p.ferr′ied.—n.a place where one is carried by boat across a water: the right of conveying passengers: the ferry-boat.—ns.Ferr′iage, provision for ferrying: the fare paid for such;Ferr′y-boat;Ferr′y-man. [A.S.ferian, to convey,faran, to go; Ger.fähre, a ferry—fahren, to go, to carry.]
Fertile, fėr′til,adj.able to bear or produce abundantly: rich in resources: inventive: fertilising.—adv.Fer′tilely.—n.Fertilisā′tion, the act or process of fertilising.—v.t.Fer′tilise, to make fertile or fruitful: to enrich.—ns.Fer′tiliser, one who, or that which, fertilises;Fertil′ity, fruitfulness: richness: abundance. [Fr.,—L.fertilis—ferre, to bear.]
Ferule, fer′ōōl,n.a cane or rod used for striking children in punishment.—n.Fer′ula, a staff of command.—adj.Ferulā′ceous, pertaining to canes or reeds. [L.ferula, a cane—ferīre, to strike.]
Fervent, fėr′vent,adj.ardent: zealous: warm in feeling.—n.Fer′vency, eagerness: warmth of devotion.—adv.Fer′vently.—adjs.Ferves′cent, growing hot;Fer′vid, very hot: having burning desire or emotion: zealous.—n.Fervid′ity.—adv.Fer′vidly.—ns.Fer′vidness;Fer′vour, heat: heat of mind, zeal. [Fr.,—L.fervēre, to boil.]
Fescennine, fes′e-nin,adj.scurrilous.—Fescennine versesconsisted of dialogues in rude extempore verses, generally in Saturnian measure, in which the parties rallied and ridiculed one another. The style, afterwards popular at Rome, originated in the Etruscan townFescennium.
Fescue, fes′kū,n.a genus of grasses, very nearly allied to Brome-grass, and including many valuable pasture and fodder grasses: a small straw or wire used to point out letters to children when learning to read. [O. Fr.festu—L.festūca, a straw.]
Fesse,Fess, fes,n.(her.) one of the ordinaries—a band over the middle of an escutcheon, one-third its breadth. [Fr.fasce—L.fascia, a band.]
Festal, fes′tal,adj.pertaining to a feast or holiday: joyous: gay.—adv.Fes′tally.—n.Festil′ogy, a treatise on ecclesiastical festivals.
Fester, fes′tėr,v.i.to become corrupt or malignant: to suppurate.—v.t.to cause to fester or rankle.—n.a wound discharging corrupt matter. [O. Fr.festre—L.fistula, an ulcer.]
Festinate, fes′ti-nāt,v.t.to accelerate.—adj.(Shak.) hurried, hasty.—adv.Fes′tinately(Shak.), hastily.—n.Festinā′tion. [L.festinaāre,-ātum, to hurry.]
Festive, fes′tiv,adj.festal: mirthful.—n.Fes′tival, a joyful celebration: a feast.—adv.Fes′tively.—n.Festiv′ity, social mirth: joyfulness: gaiety.—adj.Fes′tivous, festive. [L.festivus—festus.]
Festoon, fes-tōōn′,n.a garland suspended between two points: (archit.) an ornament like a wreath of flowers, &c.—v.t.to adorn with festoons.—n.Festoon′-blind, a window-blind of cloth gathered into rows of festoons in its width. [Fr.feston—Low L.festo(n-), a garland—L.festum.]
Fet,Fett, fet,v.t.obsolete form offetch.
Fetal. SeeFœtus.
Fetch, fech,v.t.to bring: to go and get: to obtain as its price: to accomplish in any way: to bring down, to cause to yield: to reach or attain.—v.i.to turn: (naut.) to arrive at.—n.the act of bringing: space carried over: a stratagem.—adj.Fetch′ing, fascinating.—Fetch and carry, to perform humble services for another;Fetch a pump, to pour water in so as to make it draw;Fetch out, to draw forth, develop;Fetch to, to revive, as from a swoon;Fetch up, to recover: to come to a sudden stop. [A.S.feccan, an altered form offetian, to fetch; cf. Ger.fassen, to seize.]
Fetch, fech,n.the apparition, double, or wraith of a living person.—n.Fetch′-can′dle, a nocturnal light, supposed to portend a death. [Ety. unknown.]
Fête, fāt,n.a festival: a holiday.—v.t.to entertain at a feast.—n.Fête′-day, a birthday.—Fête champêtre, an outdoor entertainment. [Fr.]
Fetial, fē′shal,adj.pertaining to the Romanfetiales, heraldic, ambassadorial.—AlsoFē′cial.
Fetich,Fetish, fē′tish,n.an object, either natural or artificial, capable of being appropriated by an individual whose possession of it procures the services of a spirit lodged within it.—ns.Fē′tichism,Fē′tishism, the worship of a fetich: a belief in charms.—adjs.Fetichist′ic,Fetishist′ic. [Fr.fétiche—Port.feitiço, magic: a name given by the Portuguese to the gods of West Africa—Port.feitiço, artificial—L.factitius—facĕre, to make.]
Feticide. SeeFœtus.
Fetid, fē′tid, or fet′id,adj.stinking: having a strong offensive odour.—ns.Fē′tidness,Fē′tor,Fœ′tor. [L.fœtidus—fœtēre, to stink.]
Fetlock, fet′lok,n.a tuft of hair that grows behind on horses' feet: the part where this hair grows.—adj.Fet′locked, tied by the fetlock. [History obscure; often explained as compounded offootandlock(of hair); cf. Ger.fiszloch.]
Fetter, fet′ėr,n.a chain or shackle for the feet: anything that restrains—used chiefly inpl.—v.t.to put fetters on: to restrain.—adjs.Fett′ered, bound by fetters: (zool.) of feet bent backward and apparently unfit for walking;Fett′erless, without fetters, unrestrained.—n.Fett′erlock(her.) a shackle or lock. [A.S.feter—fét, feet, pl. offót, foot.]
Fettle, fet′l,v.t.(prov.) to arrange, mend.—v.i.to potter fussily about.—n.preparedness, ready condition. [Prob. A.S.fetel, a belt.]
Fetus. SeeFœtus.
Feu, fū,n.(Scot.) a tenure where the vassal, in place of military services, makes a return in grain or in money: a right to the use of land, houses, &c., in perpetuity, for a stipulated annual payment (Feu′-dū′ty).—v.t.to vest in one who undertakes to pay the feu-duty—n.Feu′ar, one who holds real estate in consideration of a payment called feu-duty. [O. Fr.feu. See the variantFee.]
Feud, fūd,n.a war waged by private individuals, families, or clans against one another on their own account: a bloody strife.—Right of feud, the right to protect one's self and one's kinsmen, and punish injuries. [O. Fr.faide,feide—Low L.faida—Old High Ger.fēhida. SeeFoe.]
Feud, fūd,n.a fief or land held on condition of service.—adj.Feud′al, pertaining to feuds or fiefs: belonging to feudalism.—n.Feudalisā′tion.—v.t.Feud′alise.—ns.Feud′alism, the system, during the Middle Ages, by which vassals held lands from lords-superior on condition of military service;Feud′alist;Feudal′ity, the state of being feudal: the feudal system.—adv.Feud′ally.—adjs.Feud′ary,Feud′atory, holding lands or power by a feudal tenure—alsons.—ns.Feud′ist, a writer on feuds: one versed in the laws of feudal tenure. [Low L.feudum, from root offee.]
Feuilleton, fė′lye-tong,n.the portion of a newspaper set apart for intelligence of a non-political character—criticisms on art or letters, or a serial story—usually marked off by a line.—n.Feuil′letonism, superficial qualities in literature, &c. [Fr. dim. offeuillet, a leaf—L.folium, a leaf.]
Fever, fē′vėr,n.disease marked by great bodily heat and quickening of pulse: extreme excitement of the passions, agitation: a painful degree of anxiety.—v.t.to put into a fever.—v.i.to become fevered.—adj.Fē′vered, affected with fever, excited.—ns.Fē′ver-few, a composite perennial closely allied to camomile, so called from its supposed power as a febrifuge;Fē′ver-heat, the heat of fever: an excessive degree of excitement.—adj.Fē′verish, slightly fevered: indicating fever: fidgety: fickle: morbidly eager.—adv.Fē′verishly.—n.Fē′verishness.—adj.Fē′verous, feverish: marked by sudden changes. [A.S.féfor—L.febris.]
Few, fū,adj.small in number: not many.—n.Few′ness.—A few, used colloquially for 'a good bit;'A good few, a considerable number;In few=in a few (words), briefly;Some few, an inconsiderable number;The few, the minority. [A.S.féa, pl.féawe; Fr.peu; L.paucus, small.]
Fewter, fū′tėr,v.t.(Spens.) to set close, to fix in rest, as a spear. [O. Fr.feutre—feutre, felt.]
Fewtrils, fū′trilz,n.pl.(prov.) little things, trifles. [SeeFattrels.]
Fey,Fay, fā,adj.doomed, fated soon to die, under the shadow of a sudden or violent death—often marked by extravagantly high spirits. [M. E.fay,fey—A.S.fǽge, doomed; cf. Dut.veeg, about to die.]
Fez, fez,n.a red brimless cap of wool or felt, fitting closely to the head, with a tassel of black or blue, worn in Turkey, Egypt, &c.—in Africa usually calledtarbûsh. [FromFezin Morocco.]
Fiacre, fē-ä′kr,n.a hackney-coach. [Fr., from the Hôtel de StFiacrein Paris, where first used.]
Fiancée, fē-ong-sā′,n.a woman betrothed:—masc.Fiancé. [Fr.,fiancer, to betroth—L.fidentia, confidence,fidĕre, to trust.]
Fiars, fī′arz,n.pl.(Scot.) the prices of grain legallystruckor fixed for the year at theFiarsCourt, so as to regulate the payment of stipend, rent, and prices not expressly agreed upon. [Conn. withfiar, the holder of afee(q.v.).]
Fiasco, fi-as′ko,n.a failure in a musical performance: a failure of any kind. [It.fiasco, bottle, perh. from L.vasculum, a little vessel,vas, a vessel.]
Fiat, fī′at,n.a formal or solemn command: a short order or warrant of a judge for making out or allowing processes, letters-patent, &c.—(Spens.)Fī′aun.—v.t.to sanction, [L. 'let it be done,' 3d pers. sing. pres. subj. offiĕri, passive offacĕre, to do.]
Fib, fib,n.something said falsely: a mild expression for a lie.—v.i.to tell a fib or lie: to speak falsely:—pr.p.fib′bing;pa.p.fibbed.—ns.Fib′ber, one who fibs;Fib′bery(rare), the habit of fibbing;Fib′ster, a fibber. [An abbrev. offable.]
Fibre, fī′bėr,n.a conglomeration of thread-like tissue such as exists in animals or vegetables: any fine thread, or thread-like substance: material, substance.—adjs.Fī′bred, having fibres;Fī′breless, having no fibres;Fī′briform, fibrous in form or structure.—ns.Fī′bril, a small fibre; one of the extremely minute threads composing an animal fibre;Fibril′la, a fibril, filament.—n.pl.Fibril′læ.—n.Fibrillā′tion, the process of becoming fibrillated.—adj.Fī′brillous, formed of small fibres.—ns.Fī′brin, a proteid substance which appears in the blood after it is shed, and by its appearance gives rise to the process of coagulation or clotting;Fibrinā′tion, the process of adding fibrin to the blood.—adj.Fī′brinous, of or like fibrin.—n.Fibrocar′tilage, a firm elastic material like fibrous tissue and cartilage.—adj.Fī′broid, of a fibrous character.—ns.Fī′broin, the chief chemical constituent of silk, cobwebs, and the horny skeleton of sponges;Fibrō′ma, a tumour or growth consisting largely of fibrous matter;Fibrō′sis, a morbid growth of fibrous matter.—adj.Fī′brous, composed of fibres.—n.Fī′brousness. [Fr.,—L.fibra, a thread.]
Fibroline, fib′rō-lēn,n.a yarn manufactured from the waste in hemp, flax, and jute spinning works, for backs of carpets, &c.
Fibula, fib′ū-la,n.a clasp or buckle; the outer of the two bones from the knee to the ankle.—adjs.Fib′ular,Fib′ulate,Fib′ulous. [L.]
Fichu, fē-shü′,n.a three-cornered cape worn over the shoulders, the ends crossed upon the bosom: a triangular piece of muslin, &c., for the neck. [Fr.]
Fickle, fik′l,adj.inconstant: changeable.—n.Fick′leness. [A.S.ficol;gefic, fraud.]
Fico, fē′ko,n.(Shak.) a motion of contempt by placing the thumb between two fingers. [It.,—L.]
Fictile, fik′til,adj.used or fashioned by the potter, plastic. [L.fictilis—fingĕre, to form or fashion.]
Fiction, fik′shun,n.a feigned or false story: a falsehood: romance: the novel, story-telling as a branch of literature: a supposition of law that a thing is true, which is either certainly not true, or at least is as probably false as true.—adj.Fic′tional.—n.Fic′tionist, a writer of fiction.—adj.Ficti′tious, imaginary: not real: forged.—adv.Ficti′tiously.—adj.Fic′tive, fictitious, imaginative.—n.Fic′tor, one who makes images of clay, &c. [Fr.,—L.fiction-em—fictus, pa.p. offingĕre.]
Fid, fid,n.a conical pin of hard wood, used by sailors to open the strands of a rope in splicing: a square bar of wood or iron, with a shoulder at one end, used to support the weight of the topmast or top-gallant-mast when swayed up into place.
Fiddle, fid′l,n.a stringed instrument of music, called also aViolin.—v.t.orv.i.to play on a fiddle: to be busy over trifles, to trifle:—pr.p.fidd′ling;pa.p.fidd′led.—ns.Fidd′le-block, a long block having two sheaves of different diameters in the same plane;Fidd′le-bow, a bow strung with horse-hair, with which the strings of the fiddle are set vibrating.—interjs.Fidd′le-de-dee,Fidd′lestick(oftenpl.), nonsense!—v.i.Fidd′le-fadd′le, to trifle, to dally.—n.trifling talk.—adj.fussy, trifling.—interj.nonsense!—n.Fidd′le-fadd′ler.—adj.Fidd′le-fadd′ling.—ns.Fidd′le-head, an ornament at a ship's bow, over the cut-water, consisting of a scroll turning aft or inward;Fidd′ler, one who fiddles: a small crab of genusGelasimus;Fidd′le-string, a string for a fiddle;Fidd′le-wood, a tropical American tree yielding valuable hard wood.—adj.Fidd′ling, trifling, busy about trifles.—Fiddler's green, a sailor's name for a place of frolic on shore.—Play first, orsecond,fiddle, to take the part of the first, or second, violin-player in an orchestra: to take a leading, or a subordinate, part in anything;Scotch fiddle, the itch. [A.S.fiðele; Ger.fiedel. SeeViolin.]
Fidelity, fi-del′i-ti,n.faithful performance of duty: faithfulness to a husband or wife: honesty: firm adherence. [L.fidelitat-em—fidelis, faithful—fidĕre, to trust.]
Fidget, fij′et,v.i.to be unable to rest: to move uneasily:—pr.p.fidg′eting;pa.p.fidg′eted.—n.irregular motion: restlessness: (pl.) general nervous restlessness, with a desire of changing the position.—v.i.Fidge, to move about restlessly: to be eager.—n.Fidg′etiness.—adj.Fidg′ety, restless: uneasy. [Perh. related tofike(q.v.).]
Fiducial, fi-dū′shi-al,adj.showing confidence or reliance: of the nature of a trust.—adv.Fidū′cially.—adj.Fidū′ciary, confident: unwavering: held in trust.—n.one who holds anything in trust: (theol.) one who depends for salvation on faith without works, an Antinomian. [L.fiducia, confidence, fromfidĕre, to trust.]
Fie, fī,interj.denoting disapprobation or disgust. [Scand., Ice.fý,fei, fie! cf. Ger.pfui.]
Fief, fēf,n.land held of a superior in fee or on condition of military service: a feud. [Fr.,—Low L.feudum.]
Field, fēld,n.country or open country in general: a piece of ground enclosed for tillage or pasture: the range of any series of actions or energies: the locality of a battle: the battle itself: room for action of any kind: a wide expanse: (her.) the surface of a shield: the background on which figures are drawn: the part of a coin left unoccupied by the main device: those taking part in a hunt: all the entries collectively against which a single contestant has to compete: all the parties not individually excepted, as 'to bet on the field' in a horse-race.—v.t.at cricket and base-ball, to catch or stop and return to the fixed place.—v.i.to stand in positions so as to catch the ball easily in cricket.—ns.Field′-allow′ance, a small extra payment to officers on active service;Field′-artill′ery, light ordnance suited for active operations in the field;Field′-bed, a camp or trestle bedstead;Field′-book, a book used in surveying fields.—n.pl.Field′-col′ours, small flags used for marking the position for companies and regiments, also any regimental headquarters' flags.—n.Field′-day, a day when troops are drawn out for instruction in field exercises: any day of unusual bustle.—adj.Field′ed(Shak.), encamped.—ns.Field′er, one who fields;Field′fare, a species of thrush, having a reddish-yellow throat and breast spotted with black;Field′-glass, a binocular telescope slung over the shoulder in a case;Field′-gun, a light cannon mounted on a carriage;Field′-hand, an outdoor farm labourer;Field′-hos′pital, a temporary hospital near the scene of battle;Field′-ice, ice formed in the polar seas in large surfaces, distinguished from icebergs;Field′ing, the acting in the field at cricket as distinguished from batting;Field′-mar′shal, an officer of the highest rank in the army;Field′-meet′ing, a conventicle;Field′-mouse, a species of mouse that lives in the fields;Field′-night, a night marked by some important gathering, discussion, &c.;Field′-off′icer, a military officer above the rank of captain, and below that of general;Field′piece, a cannon or piece of artillery used in the field of battle;Field′-preach′er, one who preaches in the open air;Field′-preach′ing;Fields′man, a fielder.—n.pl.Field′-sports, sports of the field, as hunting, racing, &c.—n.Field′-train, a department of the Royal Artillery responsible for the safety and supply of ammunition during war.—advs.Field′ward,-wards, toward the fields.—n.pl.Field′works, temporary works thrown up by troops in the field, either for protection or to cover an attack upon a stronghold.—Field of vision, the compass of visual power.—Keep the field, to keep the campaign open: to maintain one's ground. [A.S.feld; cf. Dut.veld, the open country, Ger.feld.]
Fiend, fēnd,n.the devil: one actuated by the most intense wickedness or hate.—adj.Fiend′ish, like a fiend; malicious.—n.Fiend′ishness.—adj.Fiend′like, like a fiend: fiendish. [A.S.feónd, pr.p. offeón, to hate; Ger.feind, Dut.vijand.]
Fierce, fērs,adj.ferocious: violent: angry.—adv.Fierce′ly.—n.Fierce′ness. [O. Fr.fers(Fr.fier)—L.ferus, wild, savage.]
Fiery, fīr′i, or fī′ėr-i,adj.ardent: impetuous: irritable.—adv.Fier′ily.—ns.Fier′iness;Fier′y-cross(seeCross).—adjs.Fier′y-foot′ed, swift in motion;Fier′y-hot, impetuous;Fier′y-new, hot from newness;Fier′y-short, short and passionate.
Fife, fīf,n.a smaller variety of the flute, usually with only one key.—v.i.to play on the fife.—ns.Fife′-mā′jor(obs.), the chief fifer in a regiment;Fif′er, one who plays on a fife;Fife′-rail, the rail round the mainmast for belaying-pins. [Fr.fifre, Ger.pfeife, both, acc. to Littré, from L.pipāre, to chirp.]
Fifish, fī′fish,adj.(Scot.) whimsical, cranky. [Fife.]
Fifteen, fif′tēn,adj.andn.five and ten.—adj.Fif′teenth, the fifth after the tenth: being one of fifteen equal parts.—n.a fifteenth part.—The Fifteen, the Jacobite rising of 1715. [A.S.fíftyne—fíf, five,týn, ten.]
Fifth, fifth,adj.next after the fourth.—n.one of five equal parts: (mus.) a tone five diatonic degrees above or below any given tone.—adv.Fifth′ly, in the fifth place.—ns.Fifth′-mon′archism;Fifth′-mon′archist.—Fifth-monarchy men, an extreme sect of the time of the Puritan revolution, who looked for the establishment of a new reign of Christ on earth, in succession to Daniel's four great monarchies of Antichrist. [A.S.fífta.]
Fifty, fif′ti,adj.andn.five tens or five times ten.—adj.Fif′tieth, the ordinal of fifty.—n.a fiftieth part. [A.S.fíftig—fíf, five,tig, ten.]
Fig, fig,n.the fig-tree (Ficus), or its fruit, growing in warm climates: a thing of little consequence.—v.t.(Shak.) to insult by a contemptuous motion of the fingers.—ns.Fig′-leaf, the leaf of the fig-tree: an imitation of such a leaf for veiling the private parts of a statue or picture: any scanty clothing (from Gen. iii. 7): a makeshift;Fig′-tree, the tree which produces figs. [Fr.figue—L.ficus, a fig.]
Fig, fig,n.(coll.) figure: dress.—v.t.to dress, get up.—n.Fig′gery, dressy ornament.
Figaro, fig′ar-o,n.a type of cunning and dexterity from the dramatic character, first barber and then valet-de-chambre, in theBarbier de Sevilleand theMariage de Figaro, by Beaumarchais: the name adopted by a famous Paris newspaper founded 1854.
Fight, fīt,v.i.to strive with: to contend in war or in single combat.—v.t.to engage in conflict with: to gain by fight: to cause to fight:—pr.p.fight′ing;pa.t.andpa.p.fought (fawt).—n.a struggle: a combat: a battle or engagement.—n.Fight′er.—adj.Fight′ing, engaged in or fit for war.—n.the act of fighting or contending.—ns.Fight′ing-cock, a gamecock, a pugnacious fellow;Fight′ing-fish(Betta pugnax), a small Siamese fresh-water fish, kept for its extraordinary readiness for fighting, bets being laid on the issue.—Fight it out, to struggle on until the end;Fight shy of, to avoid from mistrust.—Live like fighting-cocks, to get the best of meat and drink. [A.S.feohtan; Ger.fechten.]
Figment, fig′ment,n.a fabrication or invention. [L.figmentum—fingĕre, to form.]
Figuline, fig′ū-lin,adj.such as is made by the potter, fictile.—n.an earthen vessel:—pl.pottery. [L.—figulinus—figulus, potter.]
Figure, fig′ūr,n.the form of anything in outline: the representation of anything in drawing, &c.: a drawing: a design: a statue: appearance: a character denoting a number: value or price: (rhet.) a deviation from the ordinary mode of expression, in which words are changed from their literal signification or usage: (logic) the form of a syllogism with respect to the position of the middle term: steps in a dance: a type or emblem.—v.t.to form or shape: to make an image of: to mark with figures or designs: to imagine: to symbolise: to foreshow: to note by figures.—v.i.to make figures: to appear as a distinguished person.—n.Figurabil′ity, the quality of being figurable.—adjs.Fig′urable;Fig′ural, represented by figure.—n.Fig′urante, a ballet dancer, one of those dancers who dance in troops, and form a background for the solo dancers:—masc.Fig′urant.—adj.Fig′urate, of a certain determinate form: (mus.) florid.—n.Figurā′tion, act of giving figure or form: (mus.) mixture of chords and discords.—adj.Fig′urative(rhet.), representing by, containing, or abounding in figures: metaphorical: flowery: typical.—adv.Fig′uratively.—ns.Fig′urativeness, state of being figurative;Fig′ure-cast′er, an astrologer;Fig′ure-cast′ing, the art of preparing casts of animal or other forms.—adj.Fig′ured, marked or adorned with figures.—ns.Fig′ure-dance, a dance consisting of elaborate figures;Fig′urehead, the figure or bust under the bowsprit of a ship;Fig′ure-weav′ing, the weaving of figured fancy fabrics;Fig′urine, a small carved or sculptured figure, often specially such as are adorned with painting and gilding;Fig′urist, one who uses or interprets figures.—Figurate numbers, any series of numbers beginning with unity, and so formed that if each be subtracted from the following, and the series so formed be treated in the same way, by a continuation of the process, equal differences will be obtained. [Fr.,—L.figura,fingĕre, to form.]
Fike, fīk,v.i.(Scot.) to fidget restlessly.—n.restlessness: any vexatious requirement or detail in work.—n.Fik′ery, fuss.—adj.Fik′y. [Prob. Ice.fíkja.]
Filaceous, fil-ā′shus,adj.composed of threads. [L.filum, a thread.]
Filacer, fil′ā-ser,n.an officer in the Court of Common Pleas who formerly filed original writs and made out processes on them.—AlsoFil′azer. [O. Fr.filacier—filace, a file for papers—L.filum.]
Filament, fil′a-ment,n.a slender or thread-like object: a fibre: (bot.) the stalk of the stamen which supports the pollen-containing anther.—adjs.Filament′ary,Filament′ose;Filament′oid, like a filament;Filament′ous, thread-like. [Fr.,—L.filum, a thread.]
Filanders, fil-an′dėrz,n.pl.a disease in hawks caused by a small intestinal worm, thefilander. [Fr.filandres—L.filum.]
Filar, fī′lar,adj.pertaining to a thread.
Filature, fil′a-tūr,n.the reeling of silk, or the place where it is done.—n.Fil′atory, a machine for forming or spinning threads. [Fr.,—L.filum, a thread.]
Filbert, fil′bert,n.the nut of the cultivated hazel—(obs.)Fil′berd. [Prob. from StPhilibert, whose day fell in the nutting season, Aug. 22 (O.S.).]
Filch, filch,v.t.to steal: to pilfer.—n.Filch′er, a thief.—adv.Filch′ingly. [Ety. unknown.]
File, fīl,n.a line or wire on which papers are placed in order: the papers so placed: a roll or list: a line of soldiers ranged behind one another: the number of men forming the depth of a battalion.—v.t.to put upon a file: to arrange in an orderly manner: to put among the records of a court: to bring before a court.—v.i.to march in a file.—n.File′-lead′er.—File off, to wheel off at right angles to the first direction;File with, to rank with, to be equal to.—Single file,Indian file, of men marching one behind another. [Fr.file—L.filum, a thread.]
File, fīl,n.a steel instrument with sharp-edged furrows for smoothing or rasping metals, &c.: any means adopted to polish a thing, as a literary style: a shrewd, cunning person, a deep fellow: a pickpocket.—v.t.to cut or smooth with, or as with, a file: to polish, improve.—n.File′-cut′ter, a maker of files.—adj.Filed, polished, smooth.—ns.File′-fish, a fish of genusBalistes, the skin granulated like a file;Fil′er, one who files;Fil′ing, a particle rubbed off with a file. [A.S.feól; Ger.feile; Dut.vijl.]
File, fīl,v.t.(Shak.) to defile, pollute.
Filemot, fil′e-mot,adj.of a dead-leaf colour—alson.the colour itself. [Fr.feuillemorte, a dead leaf.]
Filial, fil′yal,adj.pertaining to or becoming a son or daughter: bearing the relation of a child.—adv.Fil′ially. [Fr.,—Low L.filialis—L.filius, a son.]
Filiate,Filiation. Same asAffiliate,Affiliation.
Filibuster,Fillibuster,fil′i-bus-tėr,n.a lawless military or piratical adventurer, as in the West Indies: a buccaneer.—v.i.to obstruct legislation wantonly by endless speeches, motions, &c.—n.Fil′ibusterism, the character or actions of a filibuster. [Sp.filibustero, through Fr.flibustier,fribustier, from Dut.vrijbueter,vrijbuiter(cf. Eng.freebooter, Ger.freibeuter), fromvrij, free,buit, booty.]
Filices, fil′i-sez,n.pl.the ferns.—adjs.Fil′ical;Filic′iform;Fil′icoid.
Filiform, fil′i-form,adj.having the form of a filament: long and slender. [L.filum, thread,forma, form.]
Filigree, fil′i-grē,n.a kind of ornamental metallic lacework of gold and silver, twisted into convoluted forms, united and partly consolidated by soldering—earlier forms,Fil′igrain,Fil′igrane.—adj.Fil′igreed, ornamented with filigree. [Fr.filigrane—It.filigrana—L.filum, thread,granum, a grain.]
Filioque, fil-i-ō′kwe,n.the clause inserted into the Nicene Creed at Toledo in 589, which asserts that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Son, as well as from the Father—not accepted by the Eastern Church. [L., 'and from the son.']
Fill, fil,v.t.to make full: to put into until all the space is occupied: to supply abundantly: to satisfy: to glut: to perform the duties of: to supply a vacant office.—v.i.to become full: to become satiated.—n.as much as fills or satisfies: a full supply: a single charge of anything.—ns.Fill′er, he who, or that which, fills: a vessel for conveying a liquid into a bottle;Fill′ing, anything used to fill up, stop a hole, to complete, &c., as the woof, in weaving: supply. [A.S.fyllan,fullian—ful, full.]
Fill, fil,n.(Shak.) the thill or shaft of a cart or carriage. [SeeThill.]
Fillet, fil′et,n.a little string or band, esp. to tie round the head: meat or fish boned and rolled, roasted or baked: a piece of meat composed of muscle, esp. the fleshy part of the thigh: (archit.) a small space or band used along with mouldings.—v.t.to bind or adorn with a fillet:—pr.p.fill′eting;pa.p.fill′eted.[Fr.filet, dim. offil, from L.filum, a thread.]
Fillibeg,Philibeg, fil′i-beg,n.the kilt, the dress or petticoat reaching nearly to the knees, worn by the Highlanders of Scotland. [Gael.feileadhbeag—feileadh, plait, fold,beag, little.]
Fillip, fil′ip,v.t.to strike with the nail of the finger, forced from the ball of the thumb with a sudden jerk: to incite, drive:—pr.p.fill′iping;pa.p.fill′iped.—n.a jerk of the finger from the thumb: anything which excites. [A form offlip.]
Fillister, fil′is-ter,n.a rabbeting plane used in making window-sashes.
Filly, fil′i,n.a young mare: a lively, wanton girl. [Dim. offoal.]
Film, film,n.a thin skin or membrane: a very slender thread: the coating on a plate prepared to act as a medium for taking a picture.—v.t.to cover with a film, or thin skin.—n.Film′iness.—adj.Film′y, composed of film or membranes. [A.S.filmen, extended fromfell, a skin.]
Filoplume, fī′lo-plōōm,n.a long slender feather. [Formed from L.filum, thread,pluma, a feather.]
Filose, fī′lōs,adj.ending in a thread-like process.—n.Filoselle′, ferret or floss silk. [L.filum, thread.]
Filter, fil′ter,n.a contrivance arranged for purifying a liquid of solid insoluble matter by passing it through some porous substance which does not allow the solid particles to pass through.—v.t.to purify liquor by a filter.—v.i.to pass through a filter: to percolate.—ns.Fil′ter-pā′per, porous paper for use in filtering;Fil′ter-pump, a contrivance devised by the chemist Bunsen for accelerating the filtering process. [O. Fr.filtre—Low L.filtrum, felt.]
Filth, filth,n.foul matter: anything that defiles, physically or morally.—adv.Filth′ily.—n.Filth′iness.—adj.Filth′y, foul: unclean: impure. [A.S.fýldh—fúl, foul.]
Filtrate, fil′trāt,v.t.to filter or percolate.—n.Filtrā′tion, act or process of filtering.
Fimble, fim′bl,n.the male plant of hemp, yielding a weaker and shorter fibre than theCarl hempor female plant. [Dut.femel.]
Fimbriate,-d, fim′bri-āt, -ed,adj.fringed.—n.Fim′bria, a fringing filament.—v.t.Fim′briate, to fringe: to hem.—adj.Fim′bricate, fimbriate. [L.fimbriātus—fimbriæ, fibres.]
Fimetarious, fim-ē-tā′ri-us,adj.growing on dung.